I teach a lot of people photography and I’ve noticed that Youtube has changed the way people learn photography and it’s not necessarily ideal. The main issue is that people don’t learn in a linear way. They get a camera, then look up specific techniques they want to do. People show up to lessons with me and they know all these “tricks” and techniques, but they don’t really understand why they work or what they’re actually doing.
I had someone come to me that said they keep their DSLR at ISO 400 or lower at all times because that’s when the files “look the best.” They just misunderstood what someone said in a video and it led to them getting blurry photos. I had another person say they kept a circular polarizer on the lens at all times (even when shooting indoors) because they watched a video about the benefits of a circular polarizer.
I really do think there’s a benefit to a very linear learning process like a book or a class because you’re building a foundation that you can expand upon.
I’ve also noticed a whole genre of photography dudes who just parrot what they hear in tutorials, even to people with more skill than them. I once posted an editorial portrait in a photo group. It had appeared in a national magazine. Some guy asked what I shot it with. I told him it was a 50mm lens and he told me I should try an 85mm lens because Scott Kelby says you should never shoot a portrait with a 50mm lens. Brutal.
This is exactly what I’m talking about. I’ve been exactly where you are with some of my friends. When a beginner watches a tutorial, he tries to copy it. When a pro watches it, he only gets what he wants.
In the long term its going to kill the unique style that people develop by trial and error, and they’re just going to stick to a LUT or style that a famous Youtuber uses.
I teach a lot of people photography and I’ve noticed that Youtube has changed the way people learn photography and it’s not necessarily ideal. The main issue is that people don’t learn in a linear way. They get a camera, then look up specific techniques they want to do. People show up to lessons with me and they know all these “tricks” and techniques, but they don’t really understand why they work or what they’re actually doing.
I had someone come to me that said they keep their DSLR at ISO 400 or lower at all times because that’s when the files “look the best.” They just misunderstood what someone said in a video and it led to them getting blurry photos. I had another person say they kept a circular polarizer on the lens at all times (even when shooting indoors) because they watched a video about the benefits of a circular polarizer.
I really do think there’s a benefit to a very linear learning process like a book or a class because you’re building a foundation that you can expand upon.
I’ve also noticed a whole genre of photography dudes who just parrot what they hear in tutorials, even to people with more skill than them. I once posted an editorial portrait in a photo group. It had appeared in a national magazine. Some guy asked what I shot it with. I told him it was a 50mm lens and he told me I should try an 85mm lens because Scott Kelby says you should never shoot a portrait with a 50mm lens. Brutal.
This is exactly what I’m talking about. I’ve been exactly where you are with some of my friends. When a beginner watches a tutorial, he tries to copy it. When a pro watches it, he only gets what he wants.
In the long term its going to kill the unique style that people develop by trial and error, and they’re just going to stick to a LUT or style that a famous Youtuber uses.