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

The only way I know how to make great photographs

Published: May 17, 2026 · Duration: 12 min 2 sec · 5.7K views

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

The photographs that matter

Published: May 11, 2026 · Duration: 3 min 48 sec · 4.5K 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 · 4.5K views

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

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? --- 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 Frame camera (Sony…

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

Published: Apr 15, 2026 · Duration: 7 min 19 sec · 4.9K views

It's not the camera, or the lenses, not even the experience or the vision. Support me on Patreon: Follow Mike on IG: --- 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…

Great photography in Montana... until everything went wrong

Published: Apr 6, 2026 · Duration: 21 min 28 sec · 7.6K views

It was being a great day of photography in the Northern Plains... until everything went wrong. Car broke down, one of my cameras stopped working...

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

Published: Mar 29, 2026 · Duration: 16 min 9 sec · 7.2K 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 · 5.4K 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 · 8.1K 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 · 4.9K 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 · 3.8K 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 · 6.6K 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 · 7.7K 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 · 7.9K 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 · 10K 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.

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