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aows

aows

@aows

Adrian Vila, known professionally as aows, is a Spanish-American photographer and filmmaker who has gained recognition for his minimalist approach and almost exclusive dedication to black and white photography. Originally from Monforte (Lugo, Spain), Adrian went from being an Android software developer to dedicating himself fully to photography, adopting a "semi-nomadic" lifestyle that leads him to divide his time mainly between Galicia and northern Indiana, USA. His work moves away from traditional landscape photography to focus on a fine art vision, where he seeks to capture the emotional essence and beauty of the everyday through compositions stripped of color. On his YouTube channel, Adrian documents his "lifelong photography journey," sharing not only technical tutorials on black and white editing and square format composition, but also deep reflections on the philosophy of the artistic "eye" and the importance of constant practice. He is the author of books such as Becoming an American and various educational resources where he promotes concepts such as the "Beginner's Mind" and overcoming distractions to achieve a real connection with the environment. His content is highly valued for its honesty about the industry and for inspiring other creators to find personal purpose in their work, using both modern digital equipment and analog film cameras.

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Original channel: EN · English Current page: EN · English

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Previous videos

19

Backpacking into the heart of the North Cascades looking for the perfect photograph

Published: Oct 7, 2026 · Duration: 27 min 46 sec · 11K views

I go to Northern Washington looking for a very specific image. I thought it was going to take me a while to make it, but I got the right conditions on day one. I felt I had to try to top it, so I decide to backpack into the heart of the North Cascades.

My ultimate camera setup for photography road trips

Published: Sep 27, 2026 · Duration: 14 min 30 sec · 20K views

With a new camera and a new lens, my camera setup is finally done. The gear I'm bringing on this photography road trip is everything I could ever dreamed of. As shown in the video

A lovely foggy morning of photography

Published: Sep 20, 2026 · Duration: 12 min 27 sec · 16K views

Good riddance, summer.

This $10 filter cost me the photo of the year

Published: Sep 6, 2026 · Duration: 8 min 19 sec · 54K views

I dropped and cracked my telephoto lens. I thought a UV filter was the solution to keep it free from dust, and it may be true... but the $10 cheap filter I got also ruined what could have been the photo of the year.

Great conditions, very little time

Published: Aug 26, 2026 · Duration: 15 min 5 sec · 12K views

After a very long and hot summer, I finally get some moody weather. But of course, it was precisely on one of the busiest days of the summer due to family.

Why you need several long-term photography projects

Published: Aug 16, 2026 · Duration: 13 min 24 sec · 7.8K views

In this video I talk about why I keep several long-term photography projects going at once; some built around a place, some around an idea, some I can't even fully explain yet. I get into how I structure them around the places I keep coming back to, what changes when you return to the same spot over months, and why a project might not ever be totally finished. In the end, the project might not even be the point, but…

Photography on the Galician Coast | Black & White | No Talking - Ambient

Published: Aug 2, 2026 · Duration: 12 min 54 sec · 5.7K views

A few hours well spent on the Northern Galician Coast on a beautiful cloudy summer day. Some beautiful Black and White Fine Art Photography.

How many Instagram followers would Ansel Adams have today?

Published: Jul 16, 2026 · Duration: 4 min 57 sec · 3.3K views

The work of Ansel Adams has been key to the history of photography, and it's still influencing photographers today. But it was created in a very specific context, and that's why I believe someone starting from scratch, making similar work today, wouldn't get much traction at all. The masters of the past didn't become who they are by doing more of the same.

You don't need much to go on a mini photography adventure

Published: Jul 8, 2026 · Duration: 22 min 30 sec · 8.3K views

I throw a few things in the car and head to the northern coast of Spain, where not only I get some relief from the intense heat but I also get to make some beautiful images. It doesn't take much to do these things.

Always be ready, and luck will follow

Published: Jun 24, 2026 · Duration: 12 min 29 sec · 5.6K views

Timing is extremely important in photography, that's why we should always be ready. Just in case the conditions we were waiting for finally happen.

Fine art photography from my bedroom

Published: Jun 17, 2026 · Duration: 11 min 13 sec · 5K views

A full moon and an intense storm were the perfect opportunity to create some images from my own bedroom.

My dream camera

Published: Jun 9, 2026 · Duration: 7 min 6 sec · 13K views

I had to wait 4 years to buy my dream camera.

I waited 8 years to make this photograph

Published: Jun 3, 2026 · Duration: 16 min 39 sec · 7.5K views

A location I had on my shortlist for a very long time, because I needed the perfect conditions to make the image I had in mind. After 8 years waiting, this was going to be my best chance, but will it be enough?

Printing my digital photos in the darkroom!

Published: May 26, 2026 · Duration: 17 min 40 sec · 19K views

Purchase Pt/Pd prints of my photos

The only way I know how to make great photographs

Published: May 17, 2026 · Duration: 12 min 2 sec · 6.9K views

Another day at the office, enjoying the process and the landscapes with a camera in my hands.

The photographs that matter

Published: May 11, 2026 · Duration: 3 min 48 sec · 4.8K views

I recently lost my dog, Luna. She came with me on hundreds of hikes and trips, always by my side while I was making images. But I'd trade them all for the photographs that truly matter.

Fog and Mountains

Published: May 4, 2026 · Duration: 13 min 56 sec · 5.1K views

I'm back in Spain, and I get the best weather I could hope for.

My best photo this year isn't even a photograph

Published: Apr 22, 2026 · Duration: 7 min 9 sec · 20K views

What is real photography?

This is a photographer's most important asset ~ from North Dakota

Published: Apr 15, 2026 · Duration: 7 min 19 sec · 5.2K views

It's not the camera, or the lenses, not even the experience or the vision.

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