Yes, I know I have the active track selected, and I also know I certainly do not need it for a film like this, but I’m back, and that is all that matters. Love me flawed, or don’t love me at all. Based on various factors, I’ve decided to sling some YouTube mud again. Someone explained to me why my channel was useful, a sentiment I heard time and again during my last Euro voyage. This person said he enjoyed my site, Shifter, but reminded me that his circle, and his generation, interfaced with the world through Instagram and YouTube.
While Insta will never be in my future, returning to The Tube is simple.
In addition, I’ve added a bit of information about how to successfully navigate a party. During the holiday season, I watched numerous people squander numerous opportunities while attending parties. I have a full battle plan for you, and it is very simple to implement. Berlin is calling. London too. Morocco later this year and much, much, much in between. See you out there. If you have suggestions about topics you would like to see covered, I’m all ears. Siempre juntos.
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Video reminded me of great quote/advise
“If you go home with somebody, and they don’t have books, don’t fuck ’em!”
― John Waters
Love this. Love Waters.
Author
He’s a one off.
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Went to dinner with him once. Entertaining.
I chuckled at the quote. Hilarious.
Proud to say my 26-year-old son and I went to a holiday party, and the first thing he did was sit down next to the oldest guy in the room. They talked for the entire party. I always check out the bookshelves. And I like to ask people, “What’s your passion? What do you do for the joy of it? I find this question much more fun than yapping about careers. Looking forward to future videos. Book reviews, maybe publishing tips via Blurb or other options. I have books published via Ingram Spark and Amazon but I’m considering something more bespoke. Cheers and happy 2025!
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You know how to party!
Long-term projects, please. I ask people what they like to do in their spare time. Always bring a warm coat to a party, so you can hang out with the smokers outside, if need be.
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Man, do I need a good people based project to sink my teeth into.
Happy new year! Was actually hoping you will revive the podcast (again) and not you tube haha. Would be nice to see some more bike related stuff, all things Photography books and to hear some old Assignment stories from your early days 🙂 Thanks Dan!
Author
Podcast happens from time to time. It wil continue…
Thank you for investing your time into making films again. I love reading your work here on Shifter however there is something unique/impactful about you telling “me” to practice my hook kicks vs. reading that I need to practice my hook kicks. Q&As and commentary on the industry have been especially helpful in guiding where I put my creative energy.
Seriously, I’ve gained so much from your videos that I’d edit them for free to help you keep up with all your other commitments.
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You clearly know the good stuff. HOOK KICKS
The channel is a great spot to learn from your knowledge and I really appreciate it. More of the Telex Iran style photo book examples please.
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Ah yes, those books.
I was planning to write a comment asking if you’d consider returning. Part of the draft:
“I pulled up some of my favorite channels and confirmed they all have several things in common: 1) no explosions, 2) no crazy cuts, and 3) rarely any fancy camera angles. They’re one person or a team with plenty of experience sharing it candidly with the camera or someone in the thick of a project sharing their struggles/accomplishments. I am satisfied with your simple fireside chats in black and white. ”
If I could choose one category of your videos to request more of, I’d choose your “Notes On Photography” series.
I laughed at your frustration with the “What do you do?” question. I took an animal cognition class once for fun. One day, we learned about “Fixed Action Patterns.” Definition from a source below:
“A Fixed Action Pattern, often abbreviated as FAP…is a predictable series and stereotypical [sequence] of complex actions triggered by a cue. Once triggered, Fixed Action Patterns will go on to completion, even when the key stimulus is removed.” – SimplyPsychology
You like birds. An example we read was about a Goose that would always roll an egg back the same way even if a researcher removed it midway. The Goose would keep going with a “ghost” egg.
Asking a new acquaintance their occupation is not instinctual, but it sure feels that way in our culture. It *must* be done soon after the cue of that first handshake, “What’s your name?” and “Where are you from?”
The trouble I run into with parties is that I do not consume alcohol. I’ve noticed it can make many people uneasy because they either assume that I struggle with addiction and feel bad about indulging, or they worry I have moral objections and am silently condemning them. Neither is true!
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That’s interesting. I think I fit that top description, and will probably continue to do so. Non drinkers are always a bit of a puzzle for people. It’s odd how much alcohol has become part of our life.
Would be cool to see some more on working In The Field / Field Notes. Lot of wisdom you can share and how something may or may not work well on a spread.
Wouldn’t mind a glimpse into your days of photojournalism and working a story, angles, approaching scenes, etc.
Thanks!
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Cool. Working on some of this now.
I really like the interviews you have done, particularly with Frank Jackson and David Butow. A sit down with Todd Hido would be a career best!!
Mr Todd Hido is teaching a few workshops this year. If you are interested, have a look at Eyes In Progress.
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Man, wish I had time. No suck luck for me but certainly for someone else.
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Okay cool. I have so many friends that would be good interviews. I’d love to blend the interview with following them in the field.
I think the main thing is to NOT feed algorithms. YouTube will reward viewership and then disappear you if you don’t react to their algorithm. It’s the reason for so much suckdom in YouTube. I still find the platform useful, but mostly ignore the “feed”. Clicking on anything they push at you just makes it worse. And I pay for Premium because honestly, YouTube is unwatchable without it. But even then they will hide channels that I subscribe to, so from time to time I have to seek them out to catch up. For many, Patreon is the only way to make it work….but then price themselves out of the market. I just can’t pay favourite channels $30/month for their content. For the 10 channels I watch with some frequency, that’s the price of a plane ticket somewhere. It’s all about balance.
Author
Yes, the algo crushes people. No matter what you give, it will ask for more. It’s why so many YT types have mental health issues. If you play to it, the channel is no longer yours. It belongs to the finance department at YT.
I’m trying to remember the last time I was at a “party” where I didn’t already know everyone. Call me a recluse if you must. I don’t get out much to such occasions. My rule is to ask questions that cannot be answered in one word, unless the other person is a jerk, in which case I move on. At least on YouTube the click bait is easy to spot. Talk about books, or photography, or even birding, whatever you like. I’ll probably drop in, and if it stops being interesting, I’ll move on. Have fun with it!
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Oh man, get to some stranger parties. Lots of fun.
I’m a weirdo…never been to a holiday party…and I’m 37 hahaha! But also never been invited to one either. I do know how to socialize, though. I worked for the public a long time.
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What? How is that possible? You gotta go, they are a blast, and I’m not even social.
I’m so curious of the pictures on your wall. I’d like to see what they are, just simple frame grabs or stills.
Have you read Orbital by Samantha Harvey?
Author
I have not read that but will look it up now.Most of my photographs and artwork are from other folks. Each has meaning.