Sometimes when looking for inspiration, I search YouTube to find great photography channels. There are literally thousands of videos on YouTube dedicated to photography, such as how-to’s and tutorials on Photoshop to exposure basics, and tons of other tips, but among them are some hidden gems made by really talented photographers. These content creators continually make informative, entertaining, and engaging videos, that inspire and give me the photographic fix I need.
If you haven’t had the luck of finding a great YouTube photography channel yet, the YouTube channels will hopefully provide you with helpful videos on everything from how to shoot film, landscape, travel tips, experiences in the field, how certain photographs are made, and ultimately give you the inspiration to go out and shoot.
Here is a list of my top ten favorite YouTube photography channels:
Thomas Heaton
By far one of my favorite YouTuber’s is Thomas Heaton, an English photographer who owns a commercial photography studio, but whose real passion is landscapes. His videos show his hikes into nature, and show his experience in the field camping, shooting, and searching for photographs. Whether Heaton is doing a weekend long trip in his native England camping in frigid climates, he shows you the entire experience from finding the shot to how he sets up and presses the shutter. He also does some videos on post work, but his best are in nature.
Ben Horne
Ben Horne has been producing a YouTube series since 2009 and has been steadily grown a nice following. Horne is unique because he shoots 8×10 and 4×5 landscape photography, and much like Thomas Heaton, he documents his trips scouting and finding amazing photographic opportunities. Ben’s photographs are breathtaking, and his videos are short and sweet, which is nice if you’re looking for great content and want to see a photographer get right into the meat of things.
Brendan Van Son
Brendan Van Son is a travel writer and photographer, and his YouTube channel features his travels across the world, along with some helpful tutorials on everything from using a grad ND filter system to traveling as a photographer. Van Son goes to many places that not many photographers have a chance to visit, so it’s fun to live vicariously through his adventures as he visits different locales and shows us what it’s like to be a professional travel photographer.
Matt Day
Matt Day is a Southern Ohio photographer (shout out to Ohio!) who shoots both film and digital cameras. His videos touch on everything from what type of film he uses, camera reviews, how to develop your own film, and set up your own darkroom at home. Day’s YouTube channel is helpful for photographers wanting to really dip their toes into film photography.
The Art of Photography with Ted Forbes
The Art of Photography is probably one of the best sources to learn about photography and its history, especially on YouTube. Ted Forbes hosts this channel that features everything from exploring the work of the most iconic photographers, to shooting with street photographers like John Free. The Art of Photography is an informative photography channel that is second to none in my opinion, and may have the highest-quality production value I have seen on YouTube. The Art of Photography is a must-see channel, especially if you want to hear great conversations, lectures, and be introduced to photographers you have never heard of.
Professional Photography Tips with Josh Cripps
Professional Photography Tips with Josh Cripps is an entertaining channel that is not only fun to watch, but Cripps tips are pretty helpful. Josh is a good photographer and certainly knows his stuff when it comes to equipment and composition. If you’re looking for a great place to get started, or to learn some advanced photography tips and techniques, this is a great channel for you.
The VonWong — Benjamin Von Wong
If you haven’t seen Benjamin Von Wong’s incredible underwater shoot with a model and real sharks, his behind the scenes video will certainly leave you in awe. A couple of weeks ago he nailed this difficult underwater shoot to raise awareness about the underwater ecosystem and the sharks who are in danger. Von Wong is a charismatic guy who also happens to be a great speaker, photographer, and human being. The VonWong channel also does great camera and software reviews, behind the scenes look at his photo shoots and ideas, and he’s even created a Nikon Symphony using shutter clicks.
Joe McNally
Joe McNally doesn’t need an introduction, but for the uninitiated, he’s a prolific photographer who’s shot for TIME, New York Times, Newsweek, among countless other campaigns, and is one of the best teachers and writers photography has known. McNally isn’t afraid to go to great lengths to capture amazing photographs like this video of him climbing to the top of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest man-made structure in the world. McNally practices what he preaches, and his photography is some of the best I have seen. Make sure to subscribe to his channel and to see all the amazing experiences and shoots he’s done worldwide.
Lonely Speck — Ian Norman
Ian Norman’s Lonely Speck is one of the best YouTube channel’s I’ve found completely dedicated to astrophotography. His videos are incredibly detailed and beautifully shot, and will help learn how to shoot these celestial bodies. He gives detailed tutorials on how to to edit and shoot these star images, and even how you can shoot astrophotography in heavy light pollution like Los Angeles. He doesn’t have many videos on YouTube, but they are some of the best I’ve seen in the astrophotography category.
DigitalRev
DigitalRev is the “Top Gear” of photography and is one of the most entertaining YouTube channels by far. DRTV hosts Kai and Lok make camera their reviews fun as they go out and shoot the streets of Hong Kong with the latest and greatest cameras and lenses, and photo gear. Not just a camera review show, they also have great segments like “Pro Photographer, Cheap Camera Challenge” that challenges pros to use a crappy camera to show off their skills to fun DIY setups you can make for yourself at home. DRTV is funny, informative, and one of the best photography channels on YouTube.
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