13 reviews
The short 30 minute episodes have been shot all over the world featuring different travel photographers who explain why they enjoy their profession so much. Great for inspiration, with lots of cultures and natural places covered. After watching the full first series I went out to complete some landscape and documentary photography myself!
- loftmeister94
- Jul 15, 2017
- Permalink
One of the finest and spectacular documentaries ever created, although it is not a technical documentary about photography, the filming along with the video, make this spectacular documentary something unmissable, recommended for all those who enjoy freedom and nature.
Simply excellent.
As an amateur photographer, I really enjoyed the behind the scenes look into some of the best photographers shooting today.
Observing the thought process of these guys and gals in regard to composition, lighting, creativity, and the amount of hard work and dedication that goes into getting one great shot is what really made this series. Yes the technology helps, as Art Wolfe stated numerous times, but the latest Canon gear aside, there are no great photographers that are lazy and unmotivated.
Being most interested in landscape photography, I especially enjoyed the Art Wolfe episodes. Gorgeous cinematography and incredible photos throughout the series were just an added bonus.
A couple of somewhat minor annoyances. Being a Canon funded series, the in your face advertising was a bit over the top. I almost expected to see a lion wearing a Canon branded dog collar or something. I also became rather worn down towards the end of the series by the "protect the environment" cliché. Unless this was intended for children, know your audience: we get it already.
Regardless, great series.
Observing the thought process of these guys and gals in regard to composition, lighting, creativity, and the amount of hard work and dedication that goes into getting one great shot is what really made this series. Yes the technology helps, as Art Wolfe stated numerous times, but the latest Canon gear aside, there are no great photographers that are lazy and unmotivated.
Being most interested in landscape photography, I especially enjoyed the Art Wolfe episodes. Gorgeous cinematography and incredible photos throughout the series were just an added bonus.
A couple of somewhat minor annoyances. Being a Canon funded series, the in your face advertising was a bit over the top. I almost expected to see a lion wearing a Canon branded dog collar or something. I also became rather worn down towards the end of the series by the "protect the environment" cliché. Unless this was intended for children, know your audience: we get it already.
Regardless, great series.
- jkeith77-1
- May 11, 2017
- Permalink
The concept itself sounds first pretty self indulging, but right after the first five minutes the sheer perfectness of the cinematography itself takes hold of you and you only beg for more!
The crisp, blade-sharp pictures, the always spot-on framing, perfect compisitions make this a visual orgasm.
And after the first episode I can not ever think of any documentary can ever again get away for not using drones for aerial footage. Drone birds-eye view is not just a gimmick, it is skillfully executed and adds great value to the spectacle.
I do NOT say it is the best of documentaries, but it IS the most visually spectacular yet.
Also, some of the photographers are bit pretentious and full of themselves but anyone is free to mute and put on some cinemix or any music of their liking, kick back and swim in the nicest piece of motion picture of this year.
The crisp, blade-sharp pictures, the always spot-on framing, perfect compisitions make this a visual orgasm.
And after the first episode I can not ever think of any documentary can ever again get away for not using drones for aerial footage. Drone birds-eye view is not just a gimmick, it is skillfully executed and adds great value to the spectacle.
I do NOT say it is the best of documentaries, but it IS the most visually spectacular yet.
Also, some of the photographers are bit pretentious and full of themselves but anyone is free to mute and put on some cinemix or any music of their liking, kick back and swim in the nicest piece of motion picture of this year.
- Russ_Thompson
- Nov 21, 2016
- Permalink
The Series was filmed in 6k and 4k with broadcasters capable of almost broadcasting it in HD. The film is nothing short of a visual festival that tantalizes your senses and keeps you inspired to watch further.
Each episode has it's own unique photographer taking us on a journey to a beautiful setting with worthwhile talent to capture the ultimate photograph.
This mini series is unique in that it uses modern technology to capture photographs in remote locations around the world.
From Nepal to Africa, the crew capture unique photographs deserving of a world wide audience, whether you have an interest in photography or not.
Each episode has it's own unique photographer taking us on a journey to a beautiful setting with worthwhile talent to capture the ultimate photograph.
This mini series is unique in that it uses modern technology to capture photographs in remote locations around the world.
From Nepal to Africa, the crew capture unique photographs deserving of a world wide audience, whether you have an interest in photography or not.
- fred-19133
- Jan 19, 2016
- Permalink
A show that educates you about animals, culture, social issues, and travel through the lense of a camera. It's captivating.
- shaylen_sanders
- Dec 22, 2018
- Permalink
This show with short episode and with a very beautiful pictures and a message that just touch your soul!! With background music tht just keep me going like magic.. watch it.
- honey-61571
- Apr 17, 2021
- Permalink
There's a small montage of photos of Orlando Bloom "UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador", hanging out with various press-worthy impoverished brown and black people. But the people are either obscured by Orlando's head or out of focus.
He spends the rest of his screen time tip-toeing around trash, trying to not get his boots muddy, complaining about the smell in front of the people that have to live there and looking utterly revolted at everyone and everything, all the time.
This episode/unicef advert, doesn't attempt to discuss the political/economic reasons behind why these people are so neglected or what can be done to raise them out of poverty and neither does Bloom (but I'm assuming it's donate to unicef).
He spends the rest of his screen time tip-toeing around trash, trying to not get his boots muddy, complaining about the smell in front of the people that have to live there and looking utterly revolted at everyone and everything, all the time.
This episode/unicef advert, doesn't attempt to discuss the political/economic reasons behind why these people are so neglected or what can be done to raise them out of poverty and neither does Bloom (but I'm assuming it's donate to unicef).
- india_atkin
- Jan 6, 2019
- Permalink
Stunning images, great script and brilliant idea to educate people.
Humans, this is not only about photography, this is real and this is NOW.
The guy is just trying to help us to make a change, not only to rate his video on IMDb.
It's more than a documentary, it's more than staying home and watch Netflix, it should be an eye opener for all of us that own a watching device.
I told myself from begining of 2019, if I don't change anything, all these will be done for nothing.
Respect!
- play_my_mind_game
- Apr 15, 2019
- Permalink
Haven't seen the whole series, to be honest. But the "tribes" episode was quite disturbing at times. How I see it, there were some serious issues concerning the objectification of the indigenous people ("my subjects", as the photographer -Art Wolfe- calls them). Some scenes in particular (but certainly not solely) where Wolfe was setting the "stage" for his photograph, i.e. the indigenous people, asked to perform their tribalism in front of the western audiences ("my audience", as Wolfe describes). There's your scent of cultural imperialism (and of an overambitious western professional), or of the colonization of the Other, if you prefer, the Other who is, only when in contact with the western and only as the western wishes to see her.
This objectification, however, is well disguised by Wolfe's ambition to keep a record of vanishing cultures for mankind, there is even a manifestation, where the photographer realizes that (I quote): "the western civilization was gonna slam into their culture." Without realizing that his camera does exactly the same thing: there's your tribe, as colorful and as primitive as you expect it to be.
There are of course some really powerful pictures and a very professional approach through every segment of the film, I just wonder whether it is really necessary to make this kind of docs, if this quest for the "perfect" and "powerful" photograph is really worthy. To me it just brings afront the same old power relations between the West and its Others. I could (or rather, I'm trying to) live without them.
This objectification, however, is well disguised by Wolfe's ambition to keep a record of vanishing cultures for mankind, there is even a manifestation, where the photographer realizes that (I quote): "the western civilization was gonna slam into their culture." Without realizing that his camera does exactly the same thing: there's your tribe, as colorful and as primitive as you expect it to be.
There are of course some really powerful pictures and a very professional approach through every segment of the film, I just wonder whether it is really necessary to make this kind of docs, if this quest for the "perfect" and "powerful" photograph is really worthy. To me it just brings afront the same old power relations between the West and its Others. I could (or rather, I'm trying to) live without them.
It is sickening to see white westerners, "explore" other people's of this world as if they are at a zoo, while they take beautiful pictures and documentaries they get paid for, and stroke their own pathetic egos.
When it comes to entitlement of the nature and animals, I can take it. Fine. Just have "advanced" westerners filming parts of the world that doesn't belong to them and sell me the content.
But in some episodes here, you are actually in other people's lands, homes and in their real lives. It is painful and surreal, seeing a wealthy white man pointing his camera at people with endlessly longer heritages and fuller cultures, or people with miserably poor conditions, while he finds it exciting or enjoys the technical aspects of his photography. If you don't see the dehumanisation in this program, a part of your soul is missing.
Non westerners, the majority of planet earth, should stop being so good hearted and charmingly welcoming to the white man with the camera at some point. Unfortunately they don't have our perspective from the West, and they don't know about the subconscious/conscious smugness, and the exploitation behind the camera.
Even more sickening when they pretend they are holier than thou and that they are accomplishing something for these objectified humans.... How much of your pay checks did those poor slum children actually get?? You know, the ones who are the entire content of your "work"??
No matter how beautiful the scenery or cinematography, despite my actual curiosity of the world we live in, I couldn't stomach the whole series. The cringe wasn't worth it.
When it comes to entitlement of the nature and animals, I can take it. Fine. Just have "advanced" westerners filming parts of the world that doesn't belong to them and sell me the content.
But in some episodes here, you are actually in other people's lands, homes and in their real lives. It is painful and surreal, seeing a wealthy white man pointing his camera at people with endlessly longer heritages and fuller cultures, or people with miserably poor conditions, while he finds it exciting or enjoys the technical aspects of his photography. If you don't see the dehumanisation in this program, a part of your soul is missing.
Non westerners, the majority of planet earth, should stop being so good hearted and charmingly welcoming to the white man with the camera at some point. Unfortunately they don't have our perspective from the West, and they don't know about the subconscious/conscious smugness, and the exploitation behind the camera.
Even more sickening when they pretend they are holier than thou and that they are accomplishing something for these objectified humans.... How much of your pay checks did those poor slum children actually get?? You know, the ones who are the entire content of your "work"??
No matter how beautiful the scenery or cinematography, despite my actual curiosity of the world we live in, I couldn't stomach the whole series. The cringe wasn't worth it.
It really isn't about photography. It's about photographers. Nothing technical. Nothing about gear, or technique or skill. It's just random photographer of the week goes to a far off place and takes pictures of the culture.
This show is complete cinematographers its all about getting good video and not about the photos! Its a complete let down when your sitting down to watch some of the most amazing photographers in the world but you don't really get the photos at all...