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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Previous videos

19

How (and Why) to do Long Exposure Photography ~ from the CA & OR Coast

Published: Mar 29, 2026 · Duration: 16 min 9 sec · 6.8K views

I visit the northern California / souther Oregon coast, and I show you how I go with long exposure photography. From gear, to settings, to why. Gear I use for long exposure photography: ND filters set - Polarizer - Tripod - Tripod collar - Shutter remote - Intro Why Long Exposure Wind and Rain Very Long Exposures ND Filters Cable Release Tripod Tripod Collar Polarizer Multiple Takes Composition Camera Settings Rocks…

A mini photography adventure in San Francisco

Published: Mar 22, 2026 · Duration: 7 min 10 sec · 5.2K views

I go up to Twin Peaks in San Francisco searching for a little photography adventure. It didn't dissapoint. Support me on Patreon: My new ebook, “Creative B&W Editing in Lightroom”: --- My last photo book, "Memorias na néboa" ("Memories in the fog"): Sign up for my newsletter: My second channel: Help me out by subscribing!

I wasn't inspired, so I bought a new camera

Published: Mar 17, 2026 · Duration: 5 min 5 sec · 7.8K views

The way out of a creative rut is new camera gear. --- Support me on Patreon: My new ebook, “Creative B&W Editing in Lightroom”: My last photo book, "Memorias na néboa" ("Memories in the fog"): Sign up for my newsletter: My second channel: Help me out by subscribing! // You might find these videos interesting ⇩ *How to make square images* *How to find and create Black and White images* *Why I bought a 5-year old Full…

Photographing a snowstorm in Jackson, Wyoming

Published: Mar 5, 2026 · Duration: 20 min 27 sec · 4.7K views

After a 23 hour drive, all the way from the Midwest to western Wyoming, I am rewarded with three beautiful days of photography in and around Jackson. --- Support me on Patreon: My new ebook, “Creative B&W Editing in Lightroom”: My last photo book, "Memorias na néboa" ("Memories in the fog"): Sign up for my newsletter: My second channel: Help me out by subscribing! // You might find these videos interesting ⇩ *How to…

Last chance for these old lenses

Published: Feb 18, 2026 · Duration: 8 min 47 sec · 3.7K views

I have way too much camera equipment, and most of it I don’t even use, so I’ve been on a selling spree lately. I sold a few things including some lenses, but when I found these two sitting on a shelf in the closet, they made me pause. They are the Zeiss 16-70mm f/4 and the Sony G 70-350mm.

Photographing a crazy snowstorm in New York City

Published: Feb 8, 2026 · Duration: 26 min 35 sec · 28K views

A huge winter storm dumped tons of snow across much of the US, so I knew I had to go somewhere to photograph an event like this. When I found out New York City was going to get around a foot of snow, I knew what I had to do. I got in my car and drove 700 miles from Indiana to be there for the big day...

I made a rookie mistake

Published: Feb 1, 2026 · Duration: 9 min 7 sec · 5.8K views

I visit Saint Joseph, Michigan, looking for some snow. I get incredible conditions, but I make a rookie mistake. Check out Steve's work: --- Support me on Patreon: My new ebook, “Creative B&W Editing in Lightroom”: My last photo book, "Memorias na néboa" ("Memories in the fog"): Sign up for my newsletter: My second channel: Help me out by subscribing!

12 photography lessons from 2025

Published: Jan 25, 2026 · Duration: 12 min 20 sec · 6.3K views

I thought 2025 was an ok year for my photography, until I sat down to reflect on the work. It turns out it was a decently good and productive time! --- Support me on Patreon: My new ebook, “Creative B&W Editing in Lightroom”: My last photo book, "Memorias na néboa" ("Memories in the fog"): Sign up for my newsletter: My second channel: Help me out by subscribing!

This was intense

Published: Jan 18, 2026 · Duration: 11 min 38 sec · 7.6K views

The first snow of the season here in Indiana came in force. We got several inches and I loved every second of it. Take a look at Phillip's work: --- Support me on Patreon: My new ebook, “Creative B&W Editing in Lightroom”: My last photo book, "Memorias na néboa" ("Memories in the fog"): Sign up for my newsletter: My second channel: Help me out by subscribing!

I let AI plan my 2,200-mile photography road trip across the country

Published: Jan 8, 2026 · Duration: 55 min 5 sec · 7.7K views

I had 4 days to be home for Thanksgiving, but I wanted to visit some lesser-known spots along the way. So I asked the AI to design a route for me and the results were... --- Support me on Patreon: My new ebook, “Creative B&W Editing in Lightroom”: My last photo book, "Memorias na néboa" ("Memories in the fog"): Sign up for my newsletter: My second channel: Help me out by subscribing!

Death Valley like I've never seen it before

Published: Dec 28, 2025 · Duration: 30 min 21 sec · 16K views

The forecast had some rain for Death Valley National Park, so I immediately booked a campsite. I was hoping for some rare conditions in the park, and I did get some of that. The consequences were a bit unexpected, though.

This lens might finally retire my beloved Tamron 28-200mm

Published: Dec 21, 2025 · Duration: 9 min 34 sec · 9.5K views

For the last few months, I've been using the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8. It's a wonderful lens, but it comes with serious drawbacks. Will it replace my all-time favorite Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6?

Frustration is unavoidable in photography

Published: Dec 18, 2025 · Duration: 4 min 34 sec · 3.2K views

We all feel frustrated about our photography at some point. But the doubs and fears are normal and part of the process. We get to create not because we don't feel them, but despite them.

Photographing the ancient landscapes of Eastern California

Published: Dec 14, 2025 · Duration: 35 min · 13K views

I visit ancient places in Eastern California, both natural and man-made. Mono Lake, the ghost town of Bodie, Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, and the Alabama Hills. --- Support me on Patreon: My new ebook, “Creative B&W Editing in Lightroom”: My last photo book, "Memorias na néboa" ("Memories in the fog"): Sign up for my newsletter: My second channel: Help me out by subscribing!

I took a random exit and found photography heaven

Published: Dec 7, 2025 · Duration: 8 min 2 sec · 15K views

It was supposed to be a travel day, driving to the next destination of my road trip across the West. But after waking up to some fog, something told me I should explore despite the long drive I had ahead of me. I'm sooo glad I did take the time to take unknown roads, because what I found was a photography heaven, one of the highlights of the whole trip.

Do this exercise to never run out of things to photograph

Published: Dec 4, 2025 · Duration: 4 min 35 sec · 19K views

When I'm not feeling inspired, I do this simple trick to get me and my camera out. --- Support me on Patreon: My new ebook, “Creative B&W Editing in Lightroom”: My last photo book, "Memorias na néboa" ("Memories in the fog"): Sign up for my newsletter: My second channel: Help me out by subscribing! // You might find these videos interesting ⇩ *How to make square images* *How to find and create Black and White…

Stuck in my car during a storm (& answering your questions)

Published: Nov 30, 2025 · Duration: 18 min 8 sec · 3.8K views

A bad storm comes to the Oregon Coast and I'm stuck. A good chance to answer some of your questions about the way I travel for photography. --- Support me on Patreon: My new ebook, “Creative B&W Editing in Lightroom”: My last photo book, "Memorias na néboa" ("Memories in the fog"): Sign up for my newsletter: My second channel: Help me out by subscribing!

Why I only shoot in Black and White (even in the fall!)

Published: Nov 27, 2025 · Duration: 3 min 12 sec · 4.3K views

I get asked this question very often: why only black and white? Aren't you tempted to capture those beautiful fall colors? --- Support me on Patreon: My new ebook, “Creative B&W Editing in Lightroom”: My last photo book, "Memorias na néboa" ("Memories in the fog"): Sign up for my newsletter: My second channel: Help me out by subscribing!

I wasn't ready to leave

Published: Nov 23, 2025 · Duration: 11 min 59 sec · 5.2K views

I have a hard time leaving the PNW. The days are beautiful and moody, very different from what's waiting for me further east. So even though I was supposed to be gone by now, I decide to give the Oregon Coast a couple more days.

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