The Truth About Full-Time YouTube Content Creation [Video]

Join host Matt Payne on a captivating new episode of “F-Stop Collaborate and Listen” featuring insightful landscape photographer and content creator, Alex Armitage. Listen in as we dive deep into Alex’s philosophies on editing, the shift in his creative approach, and the psychological impact of social media presence. Discover Alex’s unique balance between creating honest content and navigating the clickbait landscape of YouTube. While exploring the ethical responsibilities photographers hold, we touch on personal narratives, photography’s impact on the environment, and the unconventional lifestyle choices that define a nomadic creator. Don’t miss out on this episode – we unravel the complexities of visual arts and modern content creation.

*Key Takeaways:*

1. *Authenticity versus Algorithm:* Alex is candid about the tension between producing genuine, personally exciting content and creating videos and titles designed to attract views and satisfy algorithms. He strives to balance this by following philosophers similar to Ben Horne, who blend honest creativity with audience appeal.

2. *Environmental Impact and Ethics:* The podcast delves into the importance of environmental awareness for photographers who travel and share their work. Alex emphasizes his efforts to reduce his footprint and encourages ethical practices in sharing location information to sustain the beauty of natural places.

3. *The Journey of Creative Fulfillment:* Alex shares his personal experiences and challenges of living on the road, dealing with loss, and finding solace in photography. They explore the importance of genuine connection and introspective growth through solo travel, and the difficulties of turning photography into a full-time income.

*Resources Mentioned:*

*Nick Carver 4-Runner Build:* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdvCvUzbAsg

*Alex’s 2022 Recap Video:* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCbPjeJXdjw

*Fstoppers:* Where Alex contributes as a writer and creates integrated content with both video and text. https://fstoppers.com/

@TonyAndChelsea video* on Quitting YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BU6bP5ryYk

@mattih on Quitting YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdiK-Rs_J1o

*Natural Landscape Photography Awards:* https://naturallandscapeawards.com/

*Alex’s Video comparing iPhone with Camera:* https://fstoppers.com/reviews/iphone-14-pro-first-phone-could-replace-my-camera-618450

*Ben Horne:* @BenHorne

*Photographer Recommendations:* Film photographers Jakob LR: https://www.instagram.com/portra_papi/, @MatMarrash, Lucy Luhmann: https://www.instagram.com/lucy_lumen/, and David Imel: https://www.instagram.com/davidimel/ are recommended for their perspectives on photography and content creation.

*Solo Travel Series:* Alex documents his journey spreading his father’s ashes, showcasing raw, emotional storytelling. (Link to Alex’s series if available)

*Support the Podcast:* Listeners are invited to support “F-Stop Collaborate and Listen” on Patreon and receive a photography book as a form of gratitude. [Support on Patreon](https://www.patreon.com/FStopCollaborateAndListen)

*Connect with our guest:*

– YouTube: @AlexArmitage

– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexarmitage_/

– Articles: Alex’s writing on Fstoppers: https://fstoppers.com/profile/alexarmitage

00:00 Introductions

08:45 The Importance of practice and failure.

14:46 Identity and expression through photography and YouTube.

18:36 Honoring family.

23:03 Challenges of YouTube content creation and quitting.

27:40 Expressing personal growth and stories through YouTube videos.

36:07 Striving for genuine, exciting work and balance.

42:06 Misjudged lifestyle impact on social media success.

43:27 Photography pursuit led to personal growth.

48:34 Creating videos helps maintain sanity and excitement.

57:07 Struggling to turn passion into tangible success.

01:02:53 Van life impacts quality of life drastically.

01:09:53 Promoting responsible travel and minimizing environmental impact.

01:11:30 Encouraging responsible travel and photography in nature.

01:20:49 Lazy shooting from car, getting cool shots.

01:25:55 Increased pressure from more frequent photo shoots.

01:29:54 Debate on photographer’s responsibility in art.

01:36:59 Self-criticism of writing, emphasis on content.

01:41:54 Prioritizing personal content over views and clicks.

01:47:12 Content should solve problem, not always obvious.

01:51:38 Creators aim to capture attention for success.

01:55:05 Conclusion.

#landscapephotography #PhotographyEthics #AuthenticContentCreation #naturephotography