B&H Photography Podcast

Sports photography hinges on freezing peak action—transforming a high-speed blur into a dramatic portrayal of human effort. When you combine that with the unyielding drive of elite athletes on the world stage, the pressure to nail the shot provides an incredible adrenaline rush. In today's podcast, we discuss the unique challenges of documenting history in the making and unpacking stories from the Winter Games with renowned sports photographer Jean Fruth, recently back from her first Olympics.  From a hectic scramble on arrival in Milan—getting to the arena and gearing up as her first game was already in progress—to the detailed planning and creative insights she brought to every second of the ensuing competition, Jean shares her front row seat at the Games. We also follow her behind the scenes and learn how she negotiated a special request for access and her diplomatic response that transformed an unqualified maybe into a yes.  As she notes during our chat, "My Olympics was an intense women's hockey Olympics. It was—I have a chance to make something special, something different. I have two and three games per day. I'm here for almost three weeks. I have a chance to make all kinds of pictures. So, I'm not going to play it safe." Episode Timeline: 2:24: Jean's shift from baseball to hockey to promote women's sports, plus her path to photographing hockey at her first Olympics.  13:11: The high-pressure logistics behind Jean's arrival in Milan with her first game already in progress.   21:52: Photographing day two and connecting with her photography heroes.  24:30: Jean's creative approach to photographing hockey at the Games, plus the challenge of shooting through plexiglass. 28:07: Chasing the story behind Women's Olympic hockey games and the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). 30:02: The ask to shoot behind-the-scenes and Jean's approach to dealing with a maybe.  35:06: Episode Break 35:51: Jean talks about her gear and the tools available to photographers in the media center.  44:21: Lugging her gear to a prime Opening Ceremonies vantage point despite wrong directions, plus the pizza delivery service that sustained her during overnight editing sessions.  50:57: Derek and Jean talk lighting, camera settings, and using a preset to pan with action shots. 54:26: The challenges of shooting through plexiglass, plus getting creative with different elements to keep it interesting—from panning techniques to playing with colors. 1:01:24: The dream moments at the end of the competition, and how Jean hustled to capture both the view from above and a central position for the team shot with medals.  1:04:25: Jean's biggest take away from the Olympics—the collaborative aspect of performing at the highest level. It felt good to be nervous and then overcome it. 1:07:14: Jean's parting advice—you belong here, having confidence in yourself, and being prepared to shift. Guest Bio: Jean Fruth does more than take pictures of sports; she tells stories of vibrant personalities and local cultures. As a Sony Artisan of Imagery, Jean has covered nearly every sport, though baseball remains her specialty. After helping to build the archive of the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, she co-founded the Grassroots Baseball non-profit in 2019 to celebrate the amateur game worldwide.  Jean is also a filmmaker and the author of three books. Her latest project See Her Be Her includes a documentary film, a book, and a non-profit aimed at shining an overdue spotlight on women athletes, or "unsung sheroes," as she calls them.  Jean's work is regularly featured in prestige media and has been exhibited in major institutions from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum to the Smithsonian to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Most recently, she was honored with the 2025 United Nations International Photographic Council Achievement Award.  For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

Above Photograph © Donald Pettit, NASA At its best, photography draws from both science and art, to give resulting images a dual purpose—aesthetic innovation and scientific merit. And when that photography happens from the windows of the International Space Station, capturing star trails, city lights, and our blue planet against the void of space, it becomes something truly transcendent.  In today's show, we're privileged to chat with NASA Astronaut Donald Pettit, a scientist, inventor, and photographer who has spent nearly two years living, working, and making pictures in orbit. Some fun take aways from our chat include:  How photographing in a microgravity environment can turn a traditional group portrait      into bodies scattering like bowling pins when the photographer tries to join the shot. The vast perspective when viewing out a window of the ISS—on the order of half a continent—rather than a 50-to-100-kilometer horizon on earth. The stratospheric volume of imagery captured during a mission, and the discerning Lightroom workflow Don uses to retrieve individual photos from his archive at home.  The importance of a humble synch cord to connect two cameras and render the "many decades of brightness" on an EV scale as a single HDR image to illustrate the rapid transition from day to night that occurs in orbit.  And, finally, how Don has taken the concept of synchronized imagery to a cosmic level by pairing the same phenomena he captures from orbit with a complementary view recorded from earth, in collaboration with astrophotographer Babak Tafreshi. As Don explains towards the end of our chat, "I'm a big proponent of the concept of a frontier. My frontier happens to be space, but there are frontiers all around us." He then shares this parting advice: "So just explore the frontiers that present themselves to you, the frontiers that you're motivated to go to. And just open your eyes and collect data, and then record or write about it, because you could make an observation and if you don't somehow share that with others through publications or imagery, it's almost as if it's never been done." Guest: NASA Astronaut Donald Pettit Episode Timeline: 2:06: Donald Pettit's introduction to photography, plus connections between his love of science and his creative vision. 5:51: Don's first space flight in 2002 - 2003, using both film and digital cameras, plus the learning curve on the ground to prepare for photographing in space.  10:36: The success rate when shooting with film and challenges to photographing in orbit. 13:42: From photographing with a barn-door tracker to Don's recent use of an orbital sidereal tracker. 19:07: Advances in digital camera technology, Don's relationship with NASA photo trainers, and challenges to capturing group shots in microgravity. 23:43: Don's most memorable photos from space, the advantages of pro-level camera technology, plus his personal everyday camera—the Nikon Z9. 29:38: Episode Break 30:33: The benefits to fast glass for nighttime images, plus Don's reluctant transition to mirrorless technology.  33:57: Capturing the colors of city lights, plus the spread of cosmic fireflies—commonly known as Starlink satellites 37:54: Changes on Earth that affect a view from space, plus the extra gear list for Don's next flight. 42:10: The volume of images captured during a mission, Don's Lightroom workflow at home, plus taking notes on the ISS for future reference on Earth.  49:32: Don's Antarctic expedition to hunt for meteorites, and the creative potential of a frontier environment. 53:17: Don's project From Above and Below with astrophotographer Babak Tafreshi, plus the unicorns in space he hopes to capture on future missions. 57:52: Parting advice about chasing your dreams—Explore the frontiers that present themselves, open your eyes, record your observations, and share them with others. Guest Bio:  Donald Pettit is NASA astronaut and a veteran of four spaceflights, logging more than 590 days in space, primarily on the International Space Station. Currently NASA's oldest active astronaut, Don's missions have focused on scientific research into topics that include microgravity, 3D printing, water purification, and plant growth. He's also known for his remarkable in-space inventions, stunning astrophotography, and engaging educational content that makes space science engaging and fun.  A native of Silverton, Oregon, Pettit was selected as an astronaut candidate in 1996. He holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Oregon State University and a doctorate in the same field from the University of Arizona. Prior to joining NASA, Pettit worked as a staff scientist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico.  Stay Connected: Donald Pettit on the NASA Website: https://www.nasa.gov/people/donald-r-pettit/ Donald Pettit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astro_pettit/ Donald Pettit on X: https://x.com/astro_Pettit Donald Pettit's Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Pettit# Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

One of the most polarizing questions in the mind of any photographer is "Should—or shouldn't I—get an agent?"  The role of an agent in a photographer's career is often misunderstood, leading hungry creatives to think that securing representation is their number one key to success. In truth, the relationship between a photographer and agent is far more nuanced than simply booking more assignments. In today's podcast, we take a deep dive into this complex alliance in a discussion with two generations of top agents, whose combined careers span from the film-era to the latest in media buys.  Listen in for a behind-the-scenes look at the many details involved, from the four P's Jennifer (JP) Perlmutter looks for in a photographer's work to Michael Ash's skill in editing a portfolio to allow a photographer's individual vision and passion to shine. Our experts also shed light on critical topics such as branding, while making distinctions between a physical and emotional brand. Get fresh insights about standing out in an oversaturated marketplace and the matter of seeing ahead of the curve on trends. As JP notes, "You don't have to hop on the current trend. You don't need to create the new trend. You need to create what's true to you, what's true to your vision, and then know that there are enough people out there—that there is your niche. There are the people who are going to love what you're doing." Guests: Jennifer Perlmutter & Michael Ash Episode Timeline: 3:16: Is there a difference between the terms agent and rep? 4:11: Michael Ash on his start as an agent in late 1970's New York. 7:46: Jennifer Perlmutter talks about her beginnings at the dawn of social media. 12:25: Having a good eye for talent, plus the qualifications and skillsets needed to be a rep.  16:54: Producing as part of an agent's role, plus a peek inside relationships between photographers and a rep. 20:16: Navigating connections between clients, photographers, and reps—plus contracts. 27:34: An agent's role in protecting a photographer's interests, plus their skill in editing and curating the work. 35:46: JP describes the Four P's—what she looks for in a photographer's work. 43:14: Episode Break 44:36: To brand or not to brand, plus distinctions between physical and emotional branding.  47:28: How do you stand out in an oversaturated marketplace and hone a unique vision? 53:29: The current trend for nostalgia and harkening back to the analog world.  57:56: Michael and JP discuss today's advertising marketplace and usage rates.  1:01:08: The matter of taste vs analytics in today's commercial marketplace. 1:04:21: How do you see ahead of the curve or know which trends are worth jumping on? Where do we go from here? 1:11:14: Apostrophe's mentorship program, advice for young creatives, and some thoughts on AI. Guest Bios: Michael Ash is a photographers' agent and creative consultant who began representing photographers in 1979, after failing to get drafted into Major League Baseball. Born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, and raised on the streets of New York, Michael founded and led a successful agency in New York City from 1979 to 2016, focused on guiding the careers of more than 40 photographers from around the globe. He introduced this international talent to the world of commercial photography through representation, creative direction, and mentorship. Michael is an expert in contract negotiation, editorial curation, and client development. Most importantly, he has a lifelong dedication to nurturing artistic vision and unique creativity. Jennifer "JP" Perlmutter is currently a senior photo and motion rep at Apostrophe, with nearly two decades of experience representing and producing for photographers and directors across commercial and editorial realms. A 2006 graduate of Emerson College, where she studied advertising and visual arts, JP fell in love with photography early on and built a career at the intersection of creativity and commerce. She's known for her collaborative approach, sharp production insight, and deep commitment to artist development, especially when it comes to mentoring emerging talent. Possessing a robust skill set that includes artist representation, marketing strategy, photography, print production, social media and more, JP has built meaningful connections between artists, agencies, and brands, helping creatives collaborate authentically and thrive. She's passionate about championing visual storytellers and creating space for new voices in an ever-evolving industry. Stay Connected: Michael Ash on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelash_original/  Michael Ash on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelash2/  Jennifer Perlmutter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jnperl/  Jennifer Perlmutter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jperlmutter/  Apostrophe Reps Website: https://apostrophe.is/  Apostrophe Reps on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apostrophereps/  Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Dana Glidden  

While its origin is murky, the adage "Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time," is at the heart of this wide-ranging discussion about ethical practices in wildlife photography. From exotic safaris to local birding expeditions, interest in this subject matter has grown tremendously in recent years. Ever advancing camera technologies and increasing ease of use make stunning pictures more accessible than ever, but when these advantages combine with an unbridled enthusiasm for getting the shot, it can often put wildlife at risk. After defining conservation photography as an act that extends beyond image capture to effect a change in the world, we delve into questionable practices that can threaten animal safety and compromise natural behaviors. From avoiding obvious red flags of baiting an animal with food or using audio lures to trigger photogenic results, to more subtle actions of approaching too quickly, getting too close, or staying too long—our guests shed light on alternative methods for ethical behavior in the field. As Melissa states, "You just have to become a part of the landscape and feel yourself within this community of other beings whose voices and whose messages are as filled with meaning as ours are, but we really have yet to tap into it." Guests: Melissa Groo & Bobby Stormer Episode Timeline: 3:56: Defining the term conservation photographer and making a distinction with the term wildlife photographer. 5:25: Melissa's career shift to focus on animal research and her early days photographing wildlife. 12:15: Bobby's expansion from fine art to photography, his shift to photographing animals, plus his passion for local wildlife & animal rescue. 16:49: Bobby's rescue of a fox and her kits, and his work with rehabbers to rehabilitate animals in need. 20:04: The ethics of photographing wildlife, best practices to consider, and mistakes photographers can make that cross ethical lines. 28:59: An increased awareness of wildlife ethics and the importance of sharing best practices in photographing animals to help educate one another. 36:04: Truth in image captioning and the question of sharing detailed location details, plus the distressing truth behind wildlife game farms. 44:42: Episode Break 46:24: The cameras, lenses, and related photo gear Melissa and Bobby pack, plus their camera set-ups. 56:09: Bobby and Melissa talk focusing, aperture, shutter speed, ISO and other considerations for settings. 102:45: Ethical considerations beyond baiting animals and staging wildlife photo-ops at a time when nature and animal photography has gained huge traction. 1:05:57: Concerns related to captive animal photography, plus distinctions between various facilities—from zoos to sanctuaries to animal havens to wildlife game farms. 1:11:08: Wildlife rescue, the path to becoming a licensed animal rehabber, plus discussing the upsurge in interest in wildlife photography during the pandemic. 1:25:45: Advice for anyone seeking to become a professional wildlife or conservation photographer.              Guest Bios: Melissa Groo is a photographer, writer, and conservationist dedicated to telling stories of the natural world. As a leading voice and consultant on ethics in wildlife photography, it's her mission to inspire conservation of the animals she's privileged to witness, and the habitat crucial to their survival. A Sony Artisan of Imagery since 2024, Melissa also serves as an Associate Fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers, an advisor to the National Audubon Society, and a contributing editor for Audubon magazine. In 2023, Melissa received the "Jay N. Ding Darling Memorial Award for Wildlife Stewardship Through Art," from The Wildlife Society. In 2017, she received NANPA's Vision Award, in recognition of early career excellence, vision and inspiration to others in nature photography, conservation, and education. Her award-winning fine art prints are widely exhibited and featured in both personal and corporate collections. Additionally, Melissa has served as a juror for numerous competitions—from the Audubon Photography Awards to Wildlife Photographer of the Year and beyond. As an ambassador for Project Coyote, Melissa is equally invested in the importance of carnivores in our landscapes, continually advocating for co-existence with, and appreciation of, these animals.. She also serves on the Advisory Council for Wyoming Untrapped, the Board of Directors for The Little Egg Foundation, and as a volunteer photographer at the Cornell Wildlife Hospital, near her home in Ithaca, New York. Bobby Stormer first picked up a camera in 2010, transitioning from traditional art to photography as a new creative outlet. Born and raised just outside New York City, his early work focused on urban exploration and automotive shoots, but everything changed six years ago when he took a deep dive into wildlife photography. Shaped by both cityscapes and suburban ecosystems, Bobby developed a unique approach to capturing local wildlife, from foxes and owls to black bears, often within minutes of home. His mission is to show others the beauty hidden in their own backyards and foster a sense of coexistence with the wild. But what truly sets Bobby apart is his hands-on commitment to animal welfare. Apart from the image making, he's helped rescue and rehabilitate hundreds of animals. For Bobby, the photo is just a keepsake, his real reward is the moment itself, while letting empathy and respect guide his every frame.   Stay Connected: Melissa Groo Website: https://www.melissagroo.com/ Melissa Groo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissagroo/ Melissa Groo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.groo Melissa Groo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-groo-23252324/ Melissa Groo Linktree: https://linktr.ee/melgroo   Bobby Stormer Website: https://robertstormer.smugmug.com/ Bobby Stormer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/b.stormer/ Bobby Stormer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bobby.stormer/ Bobby Stormer Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bobby_stormer32/   National Audubon Guide to Ethical Bird Photography: https://www.audubon.org/photography/awards/audubons-guide-ethical-bird-photography-and-videography Melissa's Rolling Stone article on Game Farms: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/photography-game-farms-exploiting-wild-animals-1235002275/ B&H Explora article on the Ethics of Wildlife Photography: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/the-ethics-of-wildlife-photography   Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

It takes a lot of guts to engage with a stranger on the street, ask probing questions about their struggles, and come away with a portrait and a story as a record of the human connection that was made. Now, imagine repeating this process countless times over 15 years under the moniker Humans of New York (HONY) and watching what started as a passion project take the world by storm. In today's show, we're privileged to chat with this 21st century archivist of everyday citizens and their lived experiences. Listen in as HONY's creator, Brandon Stanton, shares how he transformed street photography into a practice of deep human connection—moving beyond candid pictures to create a unique space where strangers can reveal their most authentic selves.   Some key discussion points include: the art of active listening, the power of vulnerability, and how finding someone's struggle unlocks their genius. Brandon also reflects on building a creative practice through daily discipline and navigating the tension between social media algorithms and meaningful art. Stay to the end for a peek behind the scenes of Brandon's recent blockbuster installation that brought ordinary New Yorkers' stories into the hallowed space of Grand Central Terminal.  At its core, this is a life lesson in the evolution of authentic storytelling in an increasingly digital world, creating scarcity in an age of abundance—not through better images or words, but through genuine human interaction that can't be replicated in the digital realm. Guest: Brandon Stanton Episode Timeline: 2:38: The first portrait Brandon made of two random strangers he encountered in a Chicago subway car.  7:48: Absorbing rejection when asking people for a picture so to get as broad a representation of the general public as possible. 15:20: The art of stopping someone on the street to capture a photograph and a story, and the evolution of Brandon's creative process. 22:45: Capturing moments of authenticity, the profundity of a person's struggles, the granularity of lived experience, plus the evolution of finding people to approach. 31:57: The mindset and habits Brandon established early on that enables him to create his art. 36:40: Brandon's evolution in capturing people's stories—from reconstructing stories from memory to notetaking in real time to crafting a story from audio recordings. 40:22: Episode Break 41:46: Starting Humans of New York as an antidote to being fired from his full-time job 43:05: The therapeutic aspect of talking to people, and Brandon's process of listening with his entire body to become a vessel for other peoples' stories. 50:22: The role of philanthropy, doing good for others on a grand scale, and Brandon's determination to do the best work possible. 54:15: Brandon talks about the impact of social media and its effects on human behavior. 1:06:31: The Dear New York installation at Grand Central Terminal, and Brandon's belief that the only scarcity in art is through real life. 1:14:37: Focusing on Humans of New York as a solo endeavor vs working with more than 100 collaborators to pull off Dear New York at Grand Central Terminal. 1:20:00: Brandon talks about how he keeps grounded, plus shares his favorite question—How do you keep score with yourself? Guest Bio:  Brandon Stanton is the writer and photographer behind Humans of New York, a storytelling platform with over 30-million followers. He's also the creator of Dear New York, an immersive art installation in NYC's Grand Central Station during November 2025 and a companion book.  Over the past 15 years, Brandon has photographed and interviewed over ten thousand people in forty different countries around the world. During this time, he's helped raise over $20 million dollars in support of various causes and individuals who have been featured in his work.  Brandon is also the author of four #1 New York Times bestselling books, which have sold millions of copies around the world: Humans of New York in 2013, Humans of New York: Stories in 2015, Humans in 2020, Tanqueray in 2022, and, most recently, Dear New York, in 2025. In addition to the books, Brandon has given over 100 keynote speeches on the power of connection and has facilitated executive-level workshops for some of the world's most respected companies, aimed at increasing team cohesion. He currently lives in New York City with his wife and three children.  Stay Connected: Brandon Stanton Website: https://brandonstanton.com/  Humans of New York Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humansofny/  Humans of New York Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humansofnewyork/  Humans of New York Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humans_of_New_York  Dear New York Website: https://dearnewyork.com/  Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

Picking up a camera is often the start of a life-changing journey. And when it's combined with a focus on community building, the determination to lead by example, and shrewd entrepreneurial skills—this basic action can have a ripple effect with the potential to change countless lives. In today's show, we speak with creative community trailblazer CJ Wolfe, who has built a passion for pictures and infectious team spirit into a multifaceted brand that encompasses rental studios, a creative agency, and a non-profit organization with a mission to educate and inspire disenfranchised youth.  Listen in and discover how CJ tapped the determination and leadership skills instilled in him as a student athlete to build a thriving business from the ground up. As an advocate of the 10,000-hour rule, he put in the time and focused on studying the industry and its varied tools and processes, to propel both himself and his community to the next level. When asked what advice he'd give to young photographers just starting out, CJ notes: "…have your third eye open to what's going on around you, and how you can fit that into your story, into your art, into your creativity with your camera. Because nowadays, photographers, you're just not a photographer. Like, there's so much more to that now." Guest: CJ Wolfe Episode Timeline: 2:55: CJ's first camera, his pictures of fellow athletes, and learning camera settings on the fly. 6:29: The skills CJ learned from sports that have helped him build his business.  10:37: The challenges involved in establishing a 600-square-foot photo studio and rental business.  16:55: Building the business by studying the industry and the needed tools and trusting that process.  20:52: Establishing the CJ Wolfe Foundation as a non-profit organization and building the staff.  24:57: Earning people's trust, changing the perception of the neighborhood, and looking to establish studios in other cities.  31:23: Looking ahead to another five years and having more impact, plus CJ's plans to get back to his own photography. 33:59: CJ's advice for photographers who are just starting out: Always be open to learning new things about storytelling and marketing.  36:55: CJ's upcoming plans related to upcoming photo activations and major events going on in Philadelphia.   Guest Bio: CJ Wolfe first picked up a camera in 2018, while pursuing college studies as a student-athlete. Since that time, he's become a staple within Philadelphia's creative community, influencing sports, music, and lifestyle through his creativity behind the scenes and, most importantly, behind the camera. Early on, CJ recognized a major gap in his hometown—a lack of safe, inspiring spaces for photographers to refine their craft, showcase their talents, and build professional networks. Responding to that need, in 2020, he founded Immortal Vision Studio, which quickly grew into a trusted rental powerhouse for photo and video production. Now operating two boutique studios totaling 6,000 square feet and booking over 2,000 appointments a year, this homegrown business has become a cornerstone of the city's creative community. Additionally, in 2023, CJ founded Immortal Vision Agency as a creative firm producing high-impact content for brands and businesses, while simultaneously elevating local talent to the world stage. Working together with his team, CJ has produced work for Red Bull, Footlocker, Ethika, ASAP Ferg, Lil Baby, Meek Mill, and Allen Iverson to name just a few.   Stay Connected: CJ Wolfe Website: https://www.cjxwolfe.com/  CJ Wolfe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cjxwolfe/   CJ Wolfe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-wolfe   CJ Wolfe Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/scott-beardslee  Immortal Vision Studio Website: https://www.immortalvisionstudio.com/  Immortal Vision Studio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/immortalvisionstudio/   Immortal Vision Studio Youtube: https://www.www.youtube.com/@immortalvisionstudio/  Immortal Vision Studio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immortalvisionstudio  CJ Wolfe podcast segment at B&H's Bild Expo: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/bild-2025-recap-with-cj-wolfe-maria-clinton-benjamin-von-wong  Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

Paul Mobley and Ian Spanier have much in common: from starting their respective careers in New York City before relocating to the West Coast, to their knack for forging a human bond with portrait subjects, to an unrelenting drive to generate ambitious commercial assignments while being equally dedicated to complex personal projects.  In today's podcast, Paul and Ian compare notes on their photographic journeys from coast to coast, while discussing their shared inspiration for 20th century portrait masters such as Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, and in Ian's case, Harry Benson. A few of the key points covered: Secrets to becoming invaluable as a photo assistant; how no one can ever out hustle a New York photographer; and while great gear is important for reliability, what's more essential is to engage with your subject and shoot for feeling And, when it comes to surviving as an artist amid the latest media challenges, Paul adds a heartening note to the end of our chat: "You know, if we go back to what we started talking about: these pictures are made with our hearts and our minds, AI can never replace that. And if people want to hire us, they really want to know what's inside of us, so for that reason alone, I'm not worried." Guests: Paul Mobley & Ian Spanier Episode Timeline: 3:50: Paul's decision to move from Detroit to New York City after college and his early years as a photo assistant. 7:44: Ian's early photo journey through high school, college, and working as a photo editor in the publishing industry. 10:28: The influence of 20th century master portraitists such as Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, and Harry Benson.  15:28: Comparing the photo industry vibes of New York and Los Angeles. 22:11: The business of being a professional photographer: 10% taking pictures, 90% putting out fires and taking care of business. 28:40: The importance of gear in developing a style—equipment is secondary to what comes out of your heart, your mind, and your eye.  36:44: Episode Break 37:20: Preparation for a portrait shoot, getting the keywords for what a client needs and getting in front of a portrait subject.  43:32: Top challenge—Getting around the gatekeepers to get time with your subject. 49:35: The famous subjects at the top of Paul and Ian's bucket lists.  56:11: Personal projects and what this work lends to Paul and Ian's output.   1:01:44: Staying relevant in today's commercial marketplace, the value of past work, and the influence of hybrid media to getting new jobs. 1:06:38: The question of generative AI in today's creative economy—it's all about adapting, but AI can never replace what's in our hearts and our minds. Guest Bios: Paul Mobley is the quintessential portrait photographer, with a career that bridges high-profile commercial work and deeply human documentary projects. After formal photo training in college and years assisting top image-makers, he developed a clean, direct style rooted in precision and genuine engagement with his subjects. Paul's commercial portfolio includes celebrities, athletes, and major brands, yet his approach remains consistent across both commercial and personal projects: Build trust, find authenticity, and create portraits that capture the soul of his subjects by combining technical clarity with emotional depth. Additionally, he is widely recognized for his long-form documentary books, projects that have taken him across the United States to photograph ordinary people—farmers, centenarians, firefighters, and community heroes—whose stories often go unseen.  Paul splits his time between New York and Los Angeles, where he lives with his wife, Suzanne, and their rescued shar-pei, Jessie. In his spare time, he loves traveling, especially to Mexico, sampling tequila; and visiting Michigan to eat his mother's Italian cooking. In March 2026, Paul will be the first photographer ever to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree by his alma mater, The College of Creative Studies in Detroit. Website: https://www.paulmobleystudio.com/  Ian Spanier began making photos at age six, with a point-and-shoot camera received from his parents. A photo major in college, he started out in publishing, where he worked as a photo editor for 13 years, but making pictures never left him. He taught himself to shoot with medium and large formats, in addition to learning lighting techniques. These methods did the trick because Ian has since established a long and distinguished client list within editorial, corporate and entertainment industries.  He has also published several books, including Playboy, A Guide to Cigars, Arturo Fuente: From 1912, Local Heroes: America's Volunteer Fire Fighters and, most recently, Cigars: A Biography, featuring nearly two decades of his work in the cigar industry.  Ian is a brand ambassador for Westcott Lighting, Spider Holster, Tether Tools, ThinkTank, Evoto AI, and several other brands. Additionally, he regularly lectures and creates video content for Canon, B&H Photo, and PP of A.  Previously a New York resident, Ian now lives with his family in sunny California, although his work still takes him around the world. Website: https://www.ianspanier.com/  Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

In case you didn't already know, 2025 marks 10 years since we started the B&H Photography Podcast, making today's show our tenth annual Photo Gear of the Year episode! A lot of cameras have come down the pike since that first recap, along with a veritable roller coaster of marketing strategies and photographic trends. To follow up on a trend discussed last year, we start out with a nod to point-and-shoots, a craze that, according to Kevin, has "become fever pitch." To expand on this theme, we look back in time to when digital point-and-shoots were losing ground to the ubiquitous camera phone, leading to Mike's theory that the current digicam trend is "real nostalgia for mid-aughts frivolity." We also point to a multi-tiered strategy among manufacturers, allowing them to cater to different user bases—from vloggers to professionals to hybrid shooters to the all-important enthusiast market. This lighthearted banter leads into our main course, focused on new releases from Canon, FUJIFILM, Godox, Hasselblad, Leica, Nikon, OM SYSTEM, Panasonic, Peak Design, Ricoh Pentax, Sigma, and Sony. Finally, in addition to predictions for 2026, we wrap things up with Kevin's picks for travel-friendly photo accessories to catch his eye this year. Stay to the end to learn about Peak Design's latest travel bags and tripods, plus the innovative modular design behind a new flash system from Godox. Guest: Kevin Rickert Episode Timeline 2:50: Kevin looks back at recent camera trends, and identifies separate tiers for vlogging, high resolution cameras, hybrid cameras, and the nostalgia for old point & shoots. 9:11: Canon releases: R50 V, R6 Mark III, Powershot V1… plus a nod to the older G7 X Mark III 18:00: FUJIFILM releases: X-half digital camera, X-E5, X-T30 III, GFX100RF, Instax Wide EVO 33:10: Hasselblad release: X2D II 100C 37:37: Leica releases: M EV1, Q3 Monochrome, SL3-S, SL3 Reporter 43:30: Episode break 43:52: Nikon releases: ZR 6K, Z5 II, and a Z6 III firmware update 54:22: OM SYSTEMS releases: OM-3, OM-5 MK II 57:38: Panasonic releases: S1R II, S1 II, S1 IIE 1:02:48: Ricoh release: GR IV 1:05:40: Sigma release: BF Mirrorless 1:09:48: Sony releases: RX1R III, FX3A, FX2, a7 V 1:23:50: Kevin's recommendation for a better editing workflow when travelling with an Apple iPad Pro 1:26:06: Peak Design releases: Roller Pro Carry-On & Pro Carbon Fiber Tripods with Ball Head 1:28:45: Godox release: iT-32 TTL Mini Flash system 1:30:12: Revisiting the current point and-shoot craze and the digicam look 1:34:52: Kevin's upcoming travel plans, and thinking ahead for the total eclipse in mid-August 2026 1:39:00: Kevin, Derek, and Mike share their predictions for 2026 Guest Bio: Kevin Rickert is B&H Photo's Senior Sales Trainer for Photography and Lighting. It's Kevin's job to keep in touch with camera and lens manufacturers and get details about all the latest releases and updates. His role is to make sure the world-renowned B&H staff has all the information to answer your who, what, why, and other questions that you may ask, so they can satisfy all your wants and needs. Born and raised in New York, Kevin is an intrepid street photographer, an avid traveler, and a baseball fan with 23 years in electronic retail, the last 11 of which have been spent as a sales trainer at B&H. Stay Connected: B&H Photo Video Website: https://www.bhphotovideo.com B&H Photography Podcast landing page: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts B&H Photography Podcast on B&H Photo's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BandH/podcasts  B&H Photo Video Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhphoto B&H Photo Video Twitter: https://twitter.com/bhphoto  Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

"Wow, this is your job? I didn't know that was a job! That's amazing. Can I have this job?"  That offhand epiphany neatly sums up the enviable career path of wildlife, adventure, and travel photographer Chelsea Mayer. From an early start with her mom's camera to her selection for an Ambassador mentorship, before becoming a partner photographer, with Girls Who Click, all the way through to her certifications as a 100-ton boat captain and professional divemaster, the course Chelsea plotted has made her undeniably qualified for a thriving career. In today's show, we do a deep dive into the steps she's taken to keep her career moving forward and the vital role of mentors who've kept her motivated and focused on details that count. And on the flip side, Chelsea talks about common fears and obstacles creatives must overcome to land a dream job like her current role with National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions.  "There are so many different paths to get a job in photography or adjacent to photography," Chelsea points out. Yet, as her story make crystal clear, "How do you know that you want to do it if you didn't know it exists? Guest: Chelsea Mayer Episode Timeline: 2:15: Chelsea's early interest in photography and filmmaking, then adding structure through formal education. 5:31: From a casual whale watching trip to finding a photo job on the boat. 8:26: Chelsea's involvement with the organization Girls Who Click—from ambassador to partner. 13:18: Chelsea talks about uncertainty and roadblocks in building her photo career.  15:29: Pivoting to a new opportunity to sell limited edition fine art prints due constant travel in her current job. 18:49: Overcoming a fear of public speaking in a new role at National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions. 22:04: Chelsea's gear for whale watching expeditions and underwater work.   24:48: Chelsea's disarming approach to teaching, the inspiration she draws from the outside world, and finding focus in photographing for fine art prints. 30:46: Chelsea describes a magical underwater experience with a Mola Mola.   32:48: Breaking through walls and asserting herself in a male dominated field. 36:01: Chelsea's aspirations for the future: owning a boat and teaching photography in Antarctica. 37:24: Advice for other young photographers: become undeniably qualified. Guest Bio: Chelsea Mayer is a photographer and cinematographer specializing in wildlife, adventure, and portrait photography. A California native, she attended UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television, earning a BA in film production. After spending a few years working on films, Chelsea turned her sights seaward to work as a wildlife photographer and social media manager for local whale watching boats. In 2022, she joined National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions as a certified photo instructor, captain, and naturalist, traveling along the Pacific coast from Alaska to Baja, and to Scotland. Chelsea is a US Coast Guard-licensed 100-ton Captain, a professionally certified Divemaster, a certified naturalist for a number of organizations, and a Partner Photographer with Girls Who Click, a nonprofit mentorship organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of female nature photographers. When not on expedition or pursuing photo projects, Chelsea works as a dive supervisor, camera assistant, and safety diver for natural history film productions.  Stay Connected: Chelsea Mayer Website: https://www.chelseamayerphotography.com/ Chelsea Mayer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseamayerphotography/ Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

Join Deanna as she welcomes professional side-quester, storyteller, and video editor, Mylene Mae (@mylenesmind). Mylene shares her personal journey, including how she pivoted from working in STEM and got started in video, as well as her learning process and the struggles of digesting long-form content. They discuss the importance betting on yourself, staying curious, and forgetting the metrics and finding the fun in content creation. Credits: Host & Creative Producer: Deanna Testa Creative Producer: Elena Maidebura Creative Editor: Larissa Mattei Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

Photographs preserve what daily life cannot—moments that would otherwise fade into obscurity. In today's show, we explore this topic through a nexus of American culture, popular folklore, and photographic archives in a chat with Alan Govenar and Adam Forgash, two photographers and visual historians who are passionate about unearthing and preserving forgotten stories. Coming from different backgrounds, Alan's formal training and experience with the non-profit Documentary Arts complements Adam's hands-on skills hunting for treasures and selling vintage photographica at New York's Chelsea Flea Market. A few of the points they discuss include: the central role of the community photographer in twentieth-century life, the cultural significance of Route 66 as a favored connection point, the painstaking process of resurrecting century-old portraits from damaged glass plates, and much more. As Adam notes about these rescued portraits now titled "Faces of the Mother Road," "I've had these kinds of collections over the last 30 years and kind of let them go, but this one, I knew there was something special about it. So, as soon as I realized what I was looking at, I stopped. I put it in climate control storage. I got archival paper to put it in. I started a numbering system.  "It feels pretty good," he adds, "to get more serious about my craft, realizing that I am a photo historian, even though I don't have a degree." Guests: Alan Govenar & Adam Forgash Episode Timeline: 3:07: Alan Govenar's early connections to photography and his introduction to Stoney, the hunchbacked tattoo artist who jumpstarted his photo career. 8:33: The role various media has played in Alan's work as an interdisciplinary artist and how changes to media has influenced his storytelling. 11:37: Adam Forgash describes New York's Chelsea Flea Market and the treasure trove of 8,000 glass negatives he discovered there. 16:18: A peek into the Texas African American Photography Archive, and the era of the community photographer. 22:02: Storytelling within a historical context and a photographer's accountability in reverse engineering a story from vestiges of the past. 27:01: Adam's accidental discovery of a second half to SJ Tyler's archive and tracking down information about the photographer. 30:49: Connecting the story of SJ Tyler's portrait studio to an exhibit celebrating the centennial of Route 66. 32:28: Episode Break 33:47: Making distinctions between Alan's formal education in folklore and Adam's schooling at the hands of New York's Chelsea flea market crowd.  40:23: Adam's approach to beginning this project, and how SJ Tyler's collection differed from past archives he's worked on. 42:52: Connections between Tyler's photographs and the significance of travel on Route 66, plus Adam's relationship to Tulsa. 44:26: Placing photographic stories in a wider historical context and their connection to the communities being served. 49:54: Funding and sponsorship for large photographic projects and the benefits to working with a registered non-profit as a pass-through organization. Guest Bios: Alan Govenar is an acclaimed photographer, filmmaker, writer and folklorist. A 2010 Guggenheim Fellow and the author of more than 40 books, Alan is also founder and president of the organization Documentary Arts, which he created to spotlight marginalized voices and cultures, through projects such as the Texas African American Photography Archive. As a filmmaker, Alan has produced and directed documentaries in association with NOVA, ARTE, and PBS. And as a playwright, he has written and produced musicals that have been performed from New York City to major venues across Europe. This year marks some major milestones in Alan's career, with a photography retrospective at the Center for Photography at Woodstock, a new documentary film premiering at New York's Cinema Village, and the publication of three new books, including Kinship & Community, released by Aperture.  Adam Forgash is a photographer, filmmaker, photo history specialist, and proud former Oklahoman. In 2023, while foraging for visual treasures at New York's famed Chelsea Flea Market, Adam happened upon the archive of the undiscovered portrait photographer Sidney J Tyler. From 1913 to 1943, Tyler operated a photo studio in Afton, Oklahoma, making portraits of everyday subjects as they passed through the region, during a break in their travels along Route 66, otherwise known as the "Mother Road". This once-lost visual history of northeast Oklahoma features working-class people of all races and communities, including the famed Tuskegee airmen.  After two years of intensive research into Tyler's archive, Adam's project, now titled Faces of the Mother Road: The Lost Portraits of S.J. Tyler - A Route 66 Story, is poised to make a lasting impact on Oklahoma's visual and historical narrative, just in time for the centennial of Route 66 in 2026. Stay Connected: Alan Govenar Documentary Arts Website: https://www.docarts.com/  Adam Forgash Website: https://adamforgash.com/  Adam Forgash Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamforgash/ Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

In Episode 7, host Deanna Testa sits down with the vibrant and hilarious, Tolú Ekundare (@tolukundare) to spill the tea on what it takes to grow as a modern creator. Tolú shares how she landed two big Netflix shows, the challenges of getting started in the podcasting space, and how she continues to build her own brand while staying her most authentic self. Credits: Host & Creative Producer: Deanna Testa Creative Producer: Elena Maidebura Creative Editor: Larissa Mattei Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens    

News reporting has got to be one of the toughest markets for a visual journalist to crack. But the whirlwind of 24/7 news cycles and the pressures of telling human stories in rural news deserts have not deterred today's guest, Keren Carrión, a photojournalist and short form video producer currently working on the NPR visuals team. Follow along as we chart Keren's evolution from stills to documentary video stories to vertical social media clips that can be absorbed in two minutes or less. We also learn about the many opportunities for feedback and career advancement she's explored, and the mix of internships and mentorship programs that have been central to her career success. When asked about parting advice for current students she notes, "I think it's really important to have a visual voice. And the only way to find that is to keep shooting. Yeah. And I will also say meet with as many people as possible, be mentored, go to portfolio reviews - figure out how to elevate that voice."   Guest: Keren Carrión Episode Timeline: 2:28: Keren's early photo experiences, pairing pictures with stories for her high school paper. 5:05: Adding video to the mix in college and how this has influenced her storytelling. 10:40: Keren's advice to college students: Seek out networking and internship opportunities. 12:17: Momenta Workshops and other non-profit mentorship programs, and how these opportunities can shape creative vision and skills. 20:20: Working with Report for America in Texas, covering under-reported stories and rural news deserts. 26:22: The evolution of news media and Keren's work at NPR to create short form videos for distribution across social media platforms. 31:12: Keren's current gear, from iPhones to Sony mirrorless cameras, for shooting vertical videos 35:32: Non-traditional news reporting and how user-generated content is now shared by larger news organizations. 38:28: Keren's future aspirations to evolve with the industry and learn new skills as platforms and audiences change. 39:56: More advice for the next generation: Keep shooting to find and elevate your visual voice.   Guest Bio: Keren Carrión is a photojournalist and a short-form video producer currently working on the NPR visuals team. Originally from Puerto Rico, Keren graduated from George Washington University in 2019 with a BFA in Photojournalism. Prior to her current role, she spent two years as a photojournalist for KERA News, NPR's affiliate station in Dallas through Report for America. She has also worked with CNN as a video editor in Atlanta, and interned with Univision, USA Today, The Hill, and the New York Times Student Journalism Institute. Additionally, Keren is an alumna of the Eddie Adams Workshop and Momenta Photo Workshop's Project Puerto Rico. When Keren isn't working, she's probably sitting in the window seat of an airplane, heading to a new destination. If not, you can always find her with a camera in hand — or petting the nearest dog.   Stay Connected: Keren Carrión Website: https://www.kerencarrion.com Keren Carrión Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerencarrionphoto Keren Carrión on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keren-carrion  Keren Carrión at Report for America: https://www.reportforamerica.org/members/keren-carrion/ Keren Carrión at NPR: https://www.npr.org/people/1213266959/keren-carrion   Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

In this episode, we sit down with New York-based photographer and content creator Brandon Woelfel (@brandonwoelfel) to discuss his personal journey as well as the growing pains of being modern creator and photographer. Brandon shares how fine art led him to taking photos, adapting to the ever-changing social media landscape, gaining confidence in one's own work, educating in the space, and even leveraging AI. Whether you're a photographer, filmmaker, TikTok star, podcaster, or just starting your creative journey, this conversation is full of insight, motivation, and practical advice you can use right now. Episodes drop every other Thursday. Hit subscribe and join the B&H Creators community for more unfiltered conversations with creators shaping today's culture. Guest Bio: Brandon Woelfel Brandon Woelfel is known for his dreamy portrait photography. His creative use of lighting and color lend a unique sense of intimacy to his portraits that makes his work instantly recognizable. He's also the author of two photo books, Ultraviolet and Luminescence. Credits: Host & Creative Producer: Deanna Testa Creative Producer: Elena Maidebura Creative Editor: Larissa Mattei Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

Although they cater to different senses, photography and music share much in common. In both these arts, timing, rhythm, and mood are key. It's been a while since we've mixed photography and music on the show, so we're particularly excited about today's chat with two photographers who share a passion for documenting musicians and their fans—in particular, devotes of punk and indie rock. From early memories of being truly moved by music to practical tips about photo access, image rights and restrictions, plus the complexities of organizing your work for a book, the conversation doesn't miss a beat. So, turn up the volume as Bootsy Holler reminisces about dropping into the Seattle music scene in the early 1990's to capture the raw energy of her favorite bands, now compiled in the book Making It: An Intimate Documentary about the Seattle Indie, Rock and Punk Scene. And Chris Ortiz describes how the house parties he captured at a punk commune in Kansas served as the foundation for his skills as a music photographer with a keen eye for differentiating himself in the photo pit. As Chris points out when it comes to preparing for a show. "It goes back to knowing that music and knowing the band, and being able to sit back and say, Yes, I am a fan of the band, but I also am professional, so this is what I'm going to look for when the band comes out." Guests: Bootsy Holler & Chris Ortiz Episode Timeline: 3:20: Bootsy Holler recalls her early days dropping into the Seattle music scene, photographing garage bands and dive bars. 9:41: Chris Ortiz talks about his start in photography, and his time photographing house parties at a punk rock commune in Lawrence, Kansas. 12:01: The difference between documenting live music and making portraits of musicians, where you need to develop a rapport with your subjects.  17:32: A tip of the hat to Chris as a longtime podcast superfan, plus what he's learned from listening to our 10-year archive of shows.   20:20: Bootsy's early stylistic influences and its effect on her art and music photography. 25:54: The earliest memory of being truly moved by music and the songs Bootsy and Chris were listening to when they truly got it. 31:56: Applying the inner feels of music to photographing a concert and connecting with the rhythm to grab key moments. 39:00: Negotiating access, shooting from the photo pit vs the side of the stage, plus differentiating your pictures from other photographers' work. 48:00: Episode Break 48:56: Chris talks more about current dynamics for gaining access when shooting music and concerts.  53:44: Current limits on concert photo usage and restrictions on contracts offered by some artists and entertainment companies. 58:28: Legal parameters related to pictures in Bootsy's book, plus the difference between concert pictures and portrait situations. 1:02:26: Bootsy's nine-year process of assembling a book, working with a designer for big picture decisions, plus leaving room to break the rules. 1:08:09: Finding publishers, choosing between options, plus the importance of owning the rights to your images. 1:10:20: Bootsy and Chris name the band at the top of their bucket lists to photograph.   Guest Bios: Bootsy Holler has spent 30 years capturing the essential personality and emotions of her subjects. Best known for her work as a portraitist, Bootsy's journey began with intimate depictions of herself and friends at the center of Seattle's pivotal music scene during the early 1990s. These formative years at both ends of the lens cemented her style as well as the methodology behind her empathic and journalistic approach. Bootsy's work has been recognized by the Society of Photographic Journalism and twice selected for the Critical Mass Top 50. Her photos have been exhibited and published internationally and are included in the permanent collection of the Grammy Museum. In 2019 she published the monograph, TREASURES: objects I've known all my life. Most recently, her book Making It: An Intimate Documentary about the Seattle Indie, Rock and Punk Scene, was released by Damiani books. Stay Connected: Website: https://bootsyholler.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bootsyholler/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shop.BootsyHoller/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BootsyHoller    Chris Ortiz has enjoyed a relationship with photography since age six, when he learned the basics from his stepfather. He's specialized in music and documentary subjects since 1998, shooting with both digital and medium format black and white film. After earning a bachelor's degree in art history, Chris obtained an MFA in photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Select documentary projects include Portraits of Latinx Identity, and We Are All We Have Tonight, featuring portraits and personal narratives from punk rock enthusiasts, describing each subject's connection to the scene. Additionally, Chris works as news editor for the Prescott Daily Courier, covering area news and events.  Stay Connected: Website: https://www.chris-ortiz.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fastboyent/   Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

Welcome to the fifth episode of the B&H Creators Green Room Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with viral street photography creator David Guerroro to discuss what it takes to grow as a modern creator. David shares how he got started in content creation, tips for building an audience, the importance of believing in yourself, photographing strangers, and advice for going viral. Whether you're a photographer, filmmaker, TikTok star, podcaster, or just starting out, this conversation is full of motivation, insight, and practical advice you can use right now. Hit Subscribe and join the B&H Creators community for more unfiltered conversations with the creators shaping today's culture.   Guest Bio: David Guerrero Title: Street Photographer & Content Creator Through authentic storytelling and viral content, David Guerrero from Texas has built a global audience inspired by the connection between photography and humanity. David is best known for his signature approach of stopping strangers with, "Hi, excuse me? You look cool — can I take your photo?" His candid portraits have earned him following of more than 4 million people and over 1 billion views across platforms, showcasing the beauty of people around the world.   Stay Connected:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dgphotoholic?igsh=c2M0eHRvNG5md2N4   Credits: Host & Creative Producer: Deanna Testa Creative Producer: Elena Maidebura Creative Editor: Larissa Mattei Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

"Inspiration doesn't have an age gap… Maybe you've heard it 100 times before, but this time it hits differently. Or this time, it's where it sinks in and you have that 'aha' moment." That's just one takeaway from our spirited conversation with Grace Mc Nally. From soaking up a passion for photography through an early mentorship program at NYC Salt to her decision to forgo college and continue learning on the job, Grace has forged an impressive path as a creative renaissance woman with a passion for community. As podcast host Derek Fahsbender notes about this chat, "Great advice is all around you. Experience is all around you. But if you're not soaking it in, if you're not learning from it, then it's not going to make you a better photographer. It's not going to make you a better person. You really have to take it and internalize it." So, sit back and be a sponge for some inspired creative insights!   Guest: Grace Mc Nally Episode Timeline: 2:28: Grace's photographic beginnings, her father's influence as a full-time professional, plus discovering the NYC Salt mentorship program. 6:08: Studying photography on the job, plus the influence of mentors like Mark Mann and the program at D&AD Shift NY. 13:40: How Grace's vision has changed through various mentorship programs, how her early self-portraits compare with recent projects to serve others, plus the creative challenges that come with doing paid work. 21:09: Grace's work in art direction and discovering the value of being a photographer in a different stage of production. 23:02: The main inspiration for how Grace sees and its relationship to Irish culture. 24:58: The gear she works with—from her earliest experiments with the iPod Touch to current work with her iPhone and her Canon R6 MK II. 29:30: More on free work vs paid jobs. How do you find your value as a photographer? 34:25: Thoughts about having diverse skill sets, compartmentalizing and creating labels, and Grace's vision for her career moving forward. 38:15: Grace's most instrumental piece of advice for photographers just starting out—Don't stop shooting and don't delete your work! 40:57: Grace's current self-portrait series in the Irish landscape and other future projects. Guest Bio: Grace Mc Nally is a creative renaissance woman with a passion for community. Born & raised in Queens, New York by two creative & crafty Irish Immigrants, Grace has a diverse skill set, with more than 7 years of experience running her creative production house Allegro Photo Industries. During this time, she's trained under celebrity photographer Mark Mann, won a Scholastic Golden Key, worked as an Art Director at Area 23, spoken at the 2023 D&AD Awards, created content for Meta, captured icons like Chaka Khan, Lil Wayne, and Drake, been interviewed by Vice, and cast talent for Roblox. Grace also plays video games & football, produces an immigrant-centered cooking show, makes zines, directs music videos, performs spoken word, collects manga, colors with children, and teaches photography to teens at NYC Salt, where she was a student herself from 2016 to 2020.   Stay Connected: Website: https://www.gracemcnally.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grmcn/  Allegro Photo Industries: https://allegrophotoindustries.myportfolio.com/ NYC Salt: https://www.nycsalt.org/at-salt/2024/5/15/grace-mcnally-the-creative-directors-journeycreativity-hard-work-and-stunning-results    Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

In this episode, we sit down with viral ice cream creator Dylan Lemay to spill the tea on what it really takes to grow as a modern creator. Dylan shares how his content creation journey began, how he built his audience, and the importance of balancing life on and off social media. We also discuss his ultimate tips for going viral in 2025 and get a peak of the ice cream business behind the scenes. Whether you're a photographer, filmmaker, TikTok star, podcaster, or just starting out, this conversation is full of motivation, insight, and practical advice you can use right now. Guest Bio: Dylan Lemay Title: Content Creator Dylan Lemay, aka the Ice Cream Guy, is a creator and storyteller who blends food, interactive experiences, and creative video, taking you behind the counter to make the world's most iconic treats. Stay Connected: TikTok Instagram Credits: Host & Creative Producer: Deanna Testa Creative Producer: Elena Maidebura Creative Editor: Larissa Mattei Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

How often do you think beyond the photos you make to consider the larger purpose they serve—both for yourself and, ideally, for a wider audience? In today's show, we explore this idea while connecting the dots between picture making, process, and purpose. Our guides for this conversation are nature/landscape photographer and mountaineer Matt Payne, and street photographer, portraitist, and YouTube storyteller Sean Tucker. While Matt and Sean have widely different photographic specialties, they share much in common, from educational backgrounds in psychology to a profound commitment in using photography to find purpose in life. Taking Matt's 567-mile through-hike of the Colorado Trail as a jumping off point, we explore how balancing such a mammoth feat of endurance with a creative pursuit led him to look inward and see the world around him anew. Beyond the how of making pictures, we discuss the all-important why's of photography—from being more intentional in your image making to forging connections between learning and failure in order to grow creatively. By the end of this chat you'll gain valuable insights about living and working with intention in world oversaturated by social media—where digital fatigue is a valid concern, and AI looms on the horizon. As Sean Tucker notes, "We've been given this gift that can also be a poisoned chalice. And we each need to decide for ourselves how we want to use it, beyond the addictive qualities. We need to take some responsibility and say, 'how much do I want this in my life so that it's useful? And where do I need to draw a line?'" Guests: Matt Payne & Sean Tucker Episode Timeline: 4:01: Matt talks about why he first started taking photos as an avid mountaineer, plus Sean describes his start and the first camera he had as a little boy. 8:52: Jung's concept of two halves to creativity—the morning and the afternoon of life—plus Sean's crisis point in his journey to making meaningful work. 15:06: Matt describes our modern addiction to dopamine and ways to become comfortable with introducing discomfort in your life. Plus, he looks back on his decision to focus full time on his photography two years after quitting his day job. 21:14: Knowing how you are wired and finding the place where your deep joy and the world's deep hunger meet to pump purpose into the universe. 26:36: Matt's 567-mile endurance hike of the Colorado Trail and how he balanced this with photography and creativity. 32:24: How to make sense of all the visual noise around you to become more intentional with your photography. 40:38: Episode Break 41:38: Find the magic by looking inward and asking yourself why you make the photos you do. 45:39: Sean's simple camera set up, which is infinitely better than gear that great photographers had access to 40 years ago. Plus, the creative tension between making a mess and maintaining consistency to progress in your work. 50:37: Sean describes the nuances that define his style of street photography and discovering a connection to Edward Hopper's paintings. 54:22: How to deal with creative slumps, places to look to for inspiration, plus making the space for new inspiration to come. 1:00:25: Making connections between learning and failure so to grow, plus digital fatigue and the desire to return to a pre-screentime era as an antidote to social media and AI. 1:10:06: How to remain relevant in today's saturated marketplace, and parting advice for using technology to promote your unique creative vision—make the work you want to see more of in the world.   Guest Bios: Matt Payne is a nature/landscape photographer based in Durango, Colorado. After connecting with nature first as a climber and mountaineer, his relationship shifted to photography. Nature has an innate beauty that doesn't need to be exaggerated, so he strives to capture landscapes in ways that are truthful and ethical. In 2017, Matt launched the podcast F-Stop Collaborate and Listen as a way to dive into meaningful conversations with other photographers and industry leaders about photography, ethics, and the challenges of rapid environmental change. He is also co-founder of Nature First Photography, an organization to help increase ethical awareness in nature photography and the Natural Landscape Photography Awards to celebrate nature photographers who dedicate themselves to photographing and editing their work in a realistic fashion. Having already summited all 100 of Colorado's Centennial Peaks, in 2023 Matt completed a 567-mile hike across the Colorado Trail for his current project, The Colorado Way: a Book of Mountains Trails and Growth. Featuring over 140 images and 25 essays, this book blends photography, storytelling, psychology, and wilderness to reflect on what it means to live with intention, resilience, and awe. Stay Connected: Website: https://www.mattpaynephotography.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattpaynephoto/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattPaynePhotography/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MattPayne/    Sean Tucker is a photographer, filmmaker, author, speaker, and storyteller. Born in the UK, Sean spent most of his formative years in Africa, where he served as a youth pastor in South Africa during his 20s. Although that role is now behind him, Sean still carries a fascination with psychology and spirituality, which he brings to discussions around creativity. As a photographer and filmmaker, he's been fortunate to tell visual stories for individuals, NGOs, and multinational corporations across more than 20 countries. He's also helped organizations set up in-house studios and trained them to tell their own compelling visual stories. More recently, Sean built a large following online, both on YouTube and Instagram, where he talks about the "why" behind the things we make, seeking to inspire people on their own creative journeys. In 2021, Sean published the book, The Meaning in the Making to further share his philosophy for living a creative life.   Stay Connected: Website: https://www.seantucker.photography/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seantuck/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seantuckerphoto/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@seantuck/    Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

In this episode we sit down with talented viral creator and musician Peet Montzingo to spill the tea on what it really takes to grow as a modern creator. Peet shares how he got started, how ADHD impacted his journey, the power of family, and his ultimate tips to going viral. Whether you're a photographer, filmmaker, TikTok star, podcaster, or just starting your creative journey, this conversation is full of motivation, insight, and practical advice. Hit Subscribe and join the B&H Creators community for more unfiltered conversations with the creators shaping today's culture. Guest Bio: Peet Montzingo Title: Creative Director, Producer, and Creator A multi-faceted artist with a curious and kind heart, whose talents span creating original content, music, literature, and so much more. Through his fascination with mysteries of the world to his deep bond with his family, Peet skyrocketed to fame, boasting millions of followers who find themselves deeply engaged and supportive of his endeavors. Peet often raises awareness for dwarfism with a lighthearted and charming presence, shining a loving light on his mother and siblings, all of whom are little people.   Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3Y9XZfRwSQ/?hl=en  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@peetmontzingo?lang=en  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PeetMontzingo    Credits: Host & Creative Producer: Deanna Testa Creative Producer: Elena Maidebura Creative Editor: Larissa Mattei Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Above Photograph © Patience Ojionuka How do you transition from being simply "a friend with a camera" to landing paid gigs with top fashion brands? All while juggling a budding photo career and the rigors of post graduate study, along with sharing insider tips to inspire your community on the side.  We answer these questions and more in this, our second episode of Next Frame, a monthly podcast series shining a light on rising creative talents.  Today's guest is Patience Ojionuka, a trendsetting creative known for multitasking between enviable photo assignments and working towards a PhD in psychology. We get the low down on her experiences in the power of pitching and the magic of sharing on social media. "There's always projects happening, and I think that is the biggest thing I learned," she explains. "There's nothing more powerful than sharing your work." Patience also admits, "I was waiting for the perfect time to start, which reminder to anybody listening, the perfect time to start is right now. I just posted it, and it got a reaction that I just wasn't expecting. And that could happen to you. That could happen to anyone." Guest: Patience Ojionuka Episode Timeline: 2:07: Patience Ojionuka's start in photography as an undergraduate doing senior portraits and school events. 4:09: Figuring out how to make photography fit into her life, plus getting past the stigma that part time artists don't have a stake in the industry. 6:20: Connecting with ASMP's Bridge Mentorship Program, how this changed her life, plus finding time, space, and resources to create at Shotti's LR2 Studio.  13:32: A love for lighting and the viral lighting tutorials Patience posts on TikTok. 17:19: How Patience has evolved as a photographer both technically and as a tastemaker. 19:56: A memorable assignment and the value of being kind and personable in a tough industry.  22:53: Learning the power of pitching and sharing your work on social media. 26:13: Patience's current social media strategy, plus the Instagram reel that changed her life. 29:16: Drawing inspiration from outside the photography world and merging the different parts of her brain.  32:58: The most important thing that Patience has learned from mentoring and aims to impart to others.   35:21: Where Patience aspires to be as a photographer five years from now, plus news about a recent project for Teen Vogue. Guest Bio: Patience Ojionuka is a queer, Houston-raised, NYC-based photographer and psychology PhD student. Specializing in fashion and portraiture, Patience has worked on and assisted in projects for Teen Vogue, Wall Street Journal, Self Magazine, Who What Wear, Allure, and has had clients such as Tinder, Lex App, and National University. Outside the studio, you can find her singing a cappella, editing videos, or probably inappropriately doing doctoral homework at a party. Stay Connected: Patience Ojionuka Website: https://patienceojionuka.com Patience Ojionuka Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patienceojionuka/ Patience Ojionuka LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/patience-o-051531212 Patience Ojionuka YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@patienceojionuka/ Patience Ojionuka TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patienceojionuka     LR2 Studio: https://www.lr2.studio/about ASMP's Bridge Mentorship Program: https://www.asmp.org/newyork/the-bridge-program/ Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

This episode we're talking to the multi-talented, Bea Chu. Bea dives into how her content creator journey began and how she balances education and creativity. We talk about creator communities and tips for improving your audio game.   Guest Bio: Bea Chu is a content creator who started her career as a theatre sound designer and audio engineer. She has over a decade of video-creating experience, and gained popularity with her viral video "How to Turn Your Headset into a DIY Lapel Mic." Since then, she has been educating and inspiring fellow creators through insightful content about the creator economy, as well as producing engaging videos on cinematography, personal branding, and growing on social media. Click to Subscribe to the to the Creators Green Room Channel: https://linktr.ee/CreatorsGreenRoom Stay Connected: Instagram    Credits  Host & Creative Producer: Deanna Tesa  Creative Producer: Elena Maidebura Creative Editor: Larissa Mattei Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

"If you look very intensely and slowly things will happen that you never dreamed of before." This Aaron Siskind quote neatly sums up the deeply contemplative discussion we had with landscape photographers John Paul Caponigro and Joel Simpson in this week's podcast. Siskind's name is mentioned several times in our chat—as are many other 20th century photography legends—making this show both an exploration of photo history and an exercise in a holistic way to envision and record the world around us. Our focus on landscape quickly diverges from realistic depictions in favor of terrain that celebrates abstraction and metaphor. Follow along as we unpack the unwieldy term Pareiolia—the tendency to see familiar things in otherwise random patterns—and discover unique pathways to relate to the natural world. As John Paul Caponigro aptly points out, "I think of every exposure that I make as having a conversation with the subject and myself. I think of every move that I make in Photoshop as having a conversation with the image that started one way and is developing in another. And I ask, you know, what does the image want?"   Guests: John Paul Caponigro & Joel Simpson   Episode Timeline: 3:30: Joel Simpson describes his early landscapes as a way to re-experience being elsewhere. 9:24: Pareidolia: what it means and its relationship to Joel's photographs. 13:24: John Paul's relationship to the term pareidolia: a way to find patterns and make sense out of chaos. 19:12: The influence of Gestalt psychology when interpreting abstract patterns and photographing the bare bones of the earth. 24:55: Differences between making pictures with the aid of pre-visualization vs going in empty and refining ones' vision in post using digital tools. Plus insights about getting beyond the imitation phase to find a path to originality in your work. 35:58: How do you know when your unique vision from the pictures you make are ready to be released into the world? 42:12: Episode Break 43:24: John Paul's approach to post-processing—using the tools as a laboratory to make multiple iterations. 47:00: Joel describes the discoveries he made when finessing photos of a wonderous landscape from Zhangjiajie, China. 50:21: How does AI factor into crafting an authentic vision, plus the mind as the original AI. 1:03:18: Using photography to tap into things that haven't yet been discovered and elicit a sense of wonder from viewers' responses. 1:06:50: Joel and John Paul talk about the places that inspire their respective photographic projects.   Guest Bios: John Paul Caponigro is a digital media pioneer, combining his painting background with a variety of photographic processes using the latest in digital technology. His work is about the perception of nature and the nature of perception. Widely respected as an authority on creativity, photography, and fine art printing, John Paul's images and writings are widely published in periodicals and books, and he's been a contributing editor to a variety of magazines and websites. He's also author of the video training series R/Evolution and the book "Adobe Photoshop Master Class," now in its second edition. As a highly sought-after speaker and educator, John Paul has presented lectures and workshops around the globe. His art has been exhibited internationally, and his prints are housed in numerous public and private collections. Select clients include Adobe, Apple, Canon, Kodak, and Sony, and he is a member of the Photoshop Hall of Fame, Epson's Stylus Pros, and X-Rite's Coloratti.   Joel Simpson began making pictures as a teen in the 1960s, turning pro in 2002. Since that time, he's had more than 50 exhibitions in the US and abroad. His work has also been widely published and received numerous awards, including a Nautilus Gold Award for Art and Photography for his 2019 book Earthforms: Intimate Portraits of our Planet. His new book, Faces in the Rocks: Beyond Landscape to Psycho-Geological Photography, organizes his discoveries about the aesthetics of abstract and figurative forms in the earth, concluding with a tongue-in-cheek collection of imagined extra-terrestrial landscapes and future cityscapes. In addition to his career in photography, Simpson holds a PhD in comparative literature, and spent 22 years as a professional jazz pianist. He lives in Union, New Jersey.   Stay Connected: John Paul Caponigro Website Instagram Facebook YouTube 1980's Guardian advertisement "Multiple Points of View"   Joel Simpson Website Instagram YouTube   Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

We're kicking off the B&H Creators Green Room with the very talented Shuang Hu. Shuang is a renowned actress, writer, director, producer, and viral content creator with over 12 million followers. Tune in to learn about her creative journey, inspiration, and what it takes to grow as a modern creator.   Guest Bio: Shuang Hu is a talented Chinese-Australian actress, writer, director, producer, and content creator who has gained over 12 million followers since starting her online content in March 2020. Her YouTube channel, THEONESHU, was listed as one of the top 50 most viewed US channels by Tubefilter.com, and her most viral short-form video has received over 298 million views. Shuang has appeared in various TV shows, films, and plays. She also co-wrote, co-created, produced, and starred in Amazon Prime's first original feature film, "Five Blind Dates," launched in February 2024, and she aims to continue sharing engaging stories across different platforms.   Stay Connected   TikTok  Instagram YouTube   Credits  Host & Creative Producer: Deanna Tesa  Creative Producer: Elena Maidebura Creative Editor: Larissa Mattei Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens   Click here to Subscribe

The photo world is filled with remarkable young and up-and-coming talents. They often don't get the visibility they deserve, so we created Next Frame—a new monthly series aiming to shine a light their way. These bite-sized episodes are equally inspired by the guests we speak with and the invaluable contributions of local creative arts programs that have played a key role in their development. We're launching this series with photographer, filmmaker, and boxing & music aficionado Josh Nass, an alumnus of Baltimore's Wide Angle Youth Media programs. From nailing his Photoshop skills while still in middle school to trading in his boxing gloves for a camera during college and beyond, Josh regales us with practical tips about both the successes and challenges all young creatives must face as they transition from trading pictures for access to molding media skills into a profitable career. Looking back on his early days chasing both music and fashion scenes, Josh notes, "Your main role as a photographer—especially with talent and famous people—you know, I thought I was just making them look cool, but I'm making them money. I'm marketing them for their next tour, for their current tour. Looking back, I've learned a thing or two about how to get users' attention online." Guest: Josh Nass   Episode Timeline: 2:04: Baltimore/DC-based photographer Josh Nass talks about first picking up a camera to fill his time after hanging up his boxing gloves. 3:40: Leveraging social media to get on stage and photograph his favorite Caribbean singer, then trading free pictures for ongoing access. 7:25: Navigating one's comfort level as an up-and-coming photographer, plus making a distinction between comfort with gear and social ease with subjects and clients. 9:08: Making pictures of cool moments, creative editing decisions to draw out the cool factor, and being first to deliver the files are all key to Josh's success. 14:02: Street hustling at New York Fashion Week to gain access to photograph top artists and celebrities, and the tough lessons Josh learned in the process. 19:06: Josh's connection to Baltimore's Wide Angle Youth Media and the formative role their programs have played in his early photography success. 22:50: Being referred by Wide Angle for a Comcast commercial, and the backstory to what transpired behind-the-scenes.  29:49: Josh weighs future career options and whether he'll choose to pursue photography full time.  35:40: Essential advice for emerging photographers: Prioritize building your skills and don't overvalue your work early on. Plus, a look at Josh's first big paid gig for a Keke Palmer concert and marketing campaign.    Guest Bio: Josh Nass is a Baltimore/DC-based freelance photographer and a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he's pursuing a bachelor's degree in information science. As a high school graduate of The Baltimore School for the Arts and a participant Baltimore's Wide Angle Youth Media non-profit, he's honed his subject-based style to give each of his shoots, whether its celebrities, musicians, athletes, or models, a unique "wow" factor.   Stay Connected: Website Instagram Facebook Wide Angle Youth / Comcast Video   Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Above Photograph © Matt Emond Summertime is the season for travel. With that theme in mind, in today's show, we're taking you on a short trip around the block to revisit a few of our favorite encounters from B&H's 2025 Bild Expo. During two days in June, we engaged with the many thousands of Expo attendees who converged at New York's Jacob Javits Center for the show. From our sleek podcast console/recording station adjacent to the Bild stages, we shared our favorite listens and offered advice to the many inquisitive creatives wanting to start up a podcast of their own. Amid all the noise and excitement, we also found the chance to record short interviews with a few of our visitors who had inspiring stories to tell, three of which we're presenting today. So, sit back and enjoy these conversations with Philadelphia-based photographer, entrepreneur, and community organizer CJ Wolfe; New York-based filmmaker, producer, and podcaster Maria Clinton; and Canadian-born, globetrotting visual engineer and environmental activist Benjamin Von Wong.   Guests: CJ Wolfe, Maria Clinton, & Benjamin Von Wong Episode Timeline: 2:32: Philadelphia-based photographer, entrepreneur, and community organizer CJ Wolfe talks about how a camera changed his life, leading him to found Immortal Vision Studios, and a related creative agency. 7:58: Reminiscing about how CJ's early love of coding inspired him to customize MySpace profiles for his friends as a youth. 12:58: CJ's creative goals for the future and the inspiration to get his studio on wheels to expand. 14:34: CJ talks about business shifts and the new ideas he gets from interns—rather than thinking, look to AI. 21:27: New York-based filmmaker, producer, and podcaster Maria Clinton riffs about generational shifts in the realm of content creation. 27:00: The underlying question of who you're creating for and why? 29:05: The difference between content creation and filmmaking. 32:21: Maria talks about The Little Souvenirs podcast, the types of stories she and her co-host tell, and where you can find the show.  33:45: Bild speaker, visual engineer, and environmental activist Benjamin Von Wong reminisces about his previous conversation with the podcast and the challenges he faced back then about continuing his journey as an artist. 38:06: Ben's recent projects, and his theory of activating change by finding the nexus of the right place, the right time and the right people.  43:02: Ben's accidental path to becoming an environmentalist, plus the need to shift his activism from a burden of duty to a place of love. 46:28: Ben talks about how community involvement has evolved within his work, to create engagement greater than the sum of its parts—what it takes to fix the world. 50:18: The economics of large-scale production and how fundraising has changed Ben's relationship to his art by helping him believe in his own work.   Guest Bios: CJ Wolfe picked up a camera eight years ago, while pursuing college studies as a student-athlete. Since that time, he has made an impact both globally and within the Philadelphia creative scene, where he first got his start. A true staple in the city's culture, CJ has influenced sports, music, and lifestyle through his creativity behind the scenes and, most importantly, behind the camera. Wolfe has produced work for Red Bull, Footlocker, Ethika, Block Inc, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Baby, Meek Mill, and Allen Iverson to name a few. Throughout his journey, Wolfe recognized a major gap in Philadelphia—a lack of safe, inspiring spaces for photographers to refine their craft, showcase their talents, and build professional networks. In response, he founded Immortal Vision Studio in 2020, which has grown into a cornerstone of the city's creative community. Now operating two boutique studios totaling 6,000 square feet and booking over 2,000 appointments per year, Wolfe has built Philadelphia's most trusted rental powerhouse for photo and video production. Wolfe also has another layer to the business besides studio rentals and community. Immortal Vision Agency—a creative firm producing high-impact content for brands and businesses—bridging the gap to provide professional opportunities and elevate talent from his hometown to the world stage. Maria Clinton is a New York-based filmmaker, podcaster, and educator.  Her past freelance clients include About.com, Hudson Group, and various nonprofit organizations. As a filmmaker Maria's work focuses on finding and sharing untold stories that shed light on underrepresented groups of people, shattering stereotypes and reconstructing narratives. She co-directed the Emmy-Award winning documentary short The Love Bugs—about an entomologist couple who amassed the world's largest private collection of insects. As a podcaster, Maria is co-creator and co-host of The Little Souvenirs Podcast. She and co-host/writer Kimberly Mallory discuss a variety of topics with their guests including life's moments that gift us impressionable little souvenirs. They believe each episode is a reminder to celebrate the moments that matter most. It's time to enjoy the journey! Benjamin Von Wong's work lies at the intersection of fantasy and photography and combines everyday objects with shocking statistics. It has attracted the attention of corporations like Starbucks, Dell, and Nike and has generated over 100 million views for causes like ocean plastics, electronic waste, and fashion pollution. In 2018, he was named one of Adweek's 11 content branded masterminds. He is also a creative advisor for the Ocean Plastic Leadership Network and the Sustainable Ocean Alliance.   Stay Connected: CJ Wolfe Website Instagram Tiktok   Immortal Vision Studio Website Instagram Youtube   Maria Clinton Instagram The Little Souvenirs Podcast   Benjamin Von Wong Website Instagram Facebook X YouTube Benjamin Von Wong on the B&H Photography Podcast: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/building-and-maintaining-your-web-presence-alex-vita-ben-von-wong      Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

"That which unites us is far greater than what divides us." The first four words of this sentence are subtitle, and subtext, for "Path of Liberty," an immersive outdoor photo and media experience on view through fall 2025 at Freedom Plaza on Manhattan's east side. The creative groundwork for this project was a mammoth effort involving an extensive crew both on the road and behind the scenes. In today's podcast, we catch up with two principals of this project's creative team—creative director Daniella Vale and director of photography, Scott Beardslee—to learn more about their daily lives during two months spent traversing the country by van to interview a broad group of everyday Americans. From the founding idea of capturing the diversity of people across America to the curiosity and resilience of the crew when working on the road to the complexities of orchestrating the many sensory elements for an immersive experience in exhibition, our discussion is rich with creative insight. As Daniella shares during our chat, "I always tend to make three films. There's the film I write, the film I shoot, and then, usually, I rearrange everything and make a totally different film in the edit. So, I've gotten pretty accustomed to non-attachment and rolling with things. That's where the magic happens too." Guests: Daniella Vale & Scott Beardslee   Episode Timeline: 3:28: The inspiration behind Path of Liberty and Daniella's role as creative lead. 6:59: Daniella and Scott's respective backgrounds in photography and film, plus being curious and distinctions between finding the moment vs creating the moment. 12:02: Daniella and Scott's first introduction in the New York film world. 15:14: Building the crew for Path of Liberty and the challenges of traveling and conducting interviews on the road. 21:35: Daniella describes the three films she makes in the process of writing, shooting, and editing, plus the importance of learning to adapt on the fly. 26:54: Memorable stories from the Path of Liberty road trip. 30:56: Episode Break 31:30: We all want to be happy, but there's a difference between freedom and taking advantage of freedom 34:42: Daniella discusses her time in Japan, and the cultural contrast between American individualism and societies that put the group over the individual self. 41:00: The gear Daniella and Scott traveled with and how it affected the project. 47:59: The interview process with portrait subjects, plus making natural portraits in the moment. 58:32: The Path of Liberty installation in midtown Manhattan, the pride of subjects gathered from across the America, plus the complexities of the post-production process 1:05:39: The immersive aspects of the installation—from the sound design of the audio to the visual continuity between the photographs and the on-site terrain. 1:14:19: Scott and Daniella offer career advice for developing as a creative—leave room for being curious.   Guest Bios: Daniella Vale is a New York City-based photographer, film director, and producer. Her creative passions began early, influenced by her uncles in Pittsburgh's avant-garde film movement. While attending university in Tokyo, Daniella worked on photography and documentary projects. She later moved to Bollywood, where she collaborated with Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment and Cannes-winning director Manish Jha. In New York, Daniella has worked for brands such as VICE, MTV, Google, and Prada, and with talent such as Alicia Keys, Deepak Chopra, and Lucy Liu. Her portfolio includes work in fashion, branded content, docu-series, and narrative films across various global locations. Career highlights include participating in the 2018 Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner and being featured in Allure magazine for her directing work. And of course, most recently, Daniella headed up the creative team for the immersive outdoor installation, Path of Liberty: That Which Unites Us, which we're here to talk about today. Scott Beardslee began his career in photography, working as a 1st and 2nd assistant. Yet his passion for narrative filmmaking soon inspired him to take a different career route, focusing on shooting films, commercials, and music videos. Upon graduation from San Francisco State University with a film theory and production degree, he pursued cinematography and later attended graduate school at The American Film Institute in Hollywood. Before he became serious about filmmaking himself, Scott worked as a gaffer for many established A.S.C. cinematographers. Currently, Scott is a Director of Photography in the Union Local 600, working on commercials, music videos, and television.   Stay Connected: Path of Liberty Website Instagram Daniella Vale Website Instagram Youtube Vimeo   Scott Beardslee Website Instagram Vimeo Tiktok   Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

"Live From New York, it's Saturday Night!" That single sentence has become a catchphrase for devotees of comedy and popular culture over the past 50 years—generations of fans who willingly turn their attentions from the height of weekend revelry to the televised antics of Saturday Night Live. Week in, week out for more than two decades, a single photographer has conjured visual magic behind the scenes, creating inventive and irreverent portraits that air for three seconds each as so-called "bumpers" that transition to and from the show's commercial breaks. In this week's podcast, SNL's photographer in residence Mary Ellen Matthews regales us with details about what's undoubtedly the world's best photo gig—a position she's held for 25 years. From the fateful phone call she got in 1993, inviting her to assist the show's founding photographer, Mary Ellen offers candid insights into her journey from mentee to team leader. Along the way, we pull back the curtain on the creation of some iconic images and learn what it takes to be "in the driver's seat [with] a whole busload of very important people to take care of." "My job is to make this easy and fast," she notes. "And I don't want anyone to be overthinking anything because they've got enough to worry about with all the sketches and all the pre-tapes and their responsibilities to the rest of the show, which is the most important thing." Guest: Mary Ellen Matthews   Episode Timeline: 2:58: Living the dream as SNL's resident photographer while being creative under stressful deadline pressure. 4:50: Mary Ellen's early immersion in photography, at the side of her hobbyist father. 7:02: Arriving in NYC, early work for a record label, and the call to assist SNL's founding photographer in residence, Edie Baskin. 12:02: SNL's transition from film to digital, plus the cameras Mary Ellen shoots with today. 15:46: Conceptualizing the weekly portrait shoots and collaborating with subjects. 20:16: Behind-the-scenes of a dicey photo shoot, plus SNL's weekly production timeline. 27:35: Episode Break 28:22: Beyond portraits, the images Mary Ellen shoots as props for SNL sketches—sometimes with a 4x5. 33:20: The scheduling of SNL portrait shoots and getting portrait subjects to have fun. 36:44: Testing for shoots, the atmosphere on-set, and flying by the seat of your pants. 40:15: Communicating with a celebrity's team to get everyone on the same page about shoots and concepts. 42:40: The general workflow of SNL portrait sessions: from shoot preparation to editing and post-production. 45:17: Advice for emerging photographers looking for work or applying for an internship.   Guest Bio: As a top entertainment portrait photographer, Mary Ellen Matthews is specialized in creating iconic images of well-known personalities—from pop stars to sports legends to rock gods. Since 1999, she has been photographer in residence at Saturday Night Live, where she's responsible for creating the distinctive look of the show's still images. Through her exuberant presence that puts subjects at ease, her creative and playful styling on set and intensive fine-tuning in post, Matthews produces unique and recognizable portraits under the manic deadlines of live TV. What's more, in 2010, she began directing SNL's video clips, including the show's opening title sequence. Recent clients include Peacock, Hulu, Netflix, Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Studios, and Prime Video, as well as publications such as Variety, Rolling Stone, Marie Claire, and the Spanish edition of Harper's Bazaar. Most notably, in March 2025, Matthews's first book, The Art of the SNL Portrait, was released to mark the 50th anniversary of this revolution in late night TV.    Stay Connected: Instagram: Saturday Night Live Instagram: Saturday Night Live on YouTube: -------- Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Industrial expansion has left an indelible mark on our natural world, fundamentally altering landscapes and ecosystems for the sake of material progress and modern convenience. This transformation has created an environmental challenge of unprecedented scale. In today's show, we'll connect the dots between the raw materials that make up our planet and the industrial forces visually altering our contemporary landscape in a chat with a photographer who's documented these profound global changes firsthand for the past 50 years. Applying visual principals rooted in abstract expressionist painting, Edward Burtynsky has explored a wide range of photographic tools in his image making—from large format film to high-res digital cameras mounted to the most sophisticated of drones. Included among our many discussion topics are his distinctive approach to translating a 3-D landscape to the flat plane of a photograph; his various methods for capturing aerials using either a helicopter, fixed wing aircraft, or various types of drones; and the early business epiphany that led him to open a photo lab as an income stream, rather than work as a camera for hire. As Burtynsky shares during our chat, about the connection between nature and industry: "You know, materials are an incredibly key part of modern society. And yet we need to go to sources in nature, where these materials are found. And I'm just reconnecting a reality that we still live in a material world, and our cities are built of molecules that came from somewhere, and I'm taking you to those places that are vast and huge." Guest: Edward Burtynsky Episode Timeline: 2:58: Burtynsky's early interest in abstract expressionist painting combined with the magic and rituals of composing images with a large format camera 5:28: Planning for aerial views, the shift from using a minerals map in the past to Google Earth today, plus Burtynsky's shooting preferences between a helicopter and a drone and shooting open air. 10:22: Burtynsky's approach to translating a 3-D landscape to the flat plane of a photograph. 17:17: The planning and research behind Burtynsky's work vs the need to pivot in the field. 19:45: Adapting to technology over a 50-year career, and how it's shaped Burtynsky's process—from large format film to high end digital on a drone. 23:16: Episode Break 23:59: Burtynsky talks about permissions to access mines and industrial sites and how this has changed over time. 31:44: A wrong turn on the highway in 1981 and the photos that led Burtynsky to an epiphany about human-altered landscapes.  35:48: Burtynsky talks about forming his photo lab Toronto Image Works as a ballast to provide income in printing for other photographers while pursuing personal fine art photo projects. 43:38: Burtynsky's retrospective exhibit at the ICP in New York, his thoughts about the future of technology, plus recent collaborations with a young artist working in Artificial Intelligence.   Guest Bio:  Edward Burtynsky has spent more than 40 years bearing witness to the impact human industry on our planet. Regarded as one of the world's most accomplished contemporary photographers, Burtynsky's work is included in the collections of more than 80 museums worldwide and featured in major exhibitions around the globe. Born in St. Catharines, Ontario in 1955, Burtynsky's early exposure to a nearby General Motors plant and ships navigating the Welland Canal in his hometown captured his imagination, helping to formulate his ideas about the scale of human creation he would later capture in photographs. These images explore the collective impact we as a species have on the surface of this planet. A select list of Burtynsky's many distinctions include the inaugural TED Prize, the title of Officer of the Order of Canada, the International Center of Photography's Infinity Award for Art, a Royal Photographic Society Honorary Fellowship, and the World Photography Organization's Outstanding Contribution to Photography Award. Burtynsky currently holds nine honorary doctorate degrees, and in addition to his work in photography, he was a key production figure in the award-winning documentary film trilogy Manufactured Landscapes, Watermark, and ANTHROPOCENE: The Human Epoch. All three films continue to play in festivals around the world. Stay Connected: Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Linktree    - Host: Derek Fahsbender  Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Every photographer dreams of publishing a book of their photographs. But what exactly does that entail? In today's show, we're going to peek behind the scenes of this complex and daunting process in a chat with two complementary figures who've spent their respective careers helping to redefine what a photo book can be. Starting with three basic questions—Why a book? Why now? And what is the role of a book in your career at this time?—our discussion expands to cover a broad range of concerns. From distinguishing between the many different publishing models available today, to insights on sponsorship and publishing contracts, to tips about marketing and getting people onboard with your project, you'll come away with inventive strategies for publishing your work in book form. We've envisioned this show as an impromptu master class, so get ready to take some notes! Guests: Mary Virginia Swanson & Rick Smolan Episode Timeline: 4:45: Mary Virginia Swanson's basic advice to photographers interested in publishing their photographs in book form, plus the different publishing models available today. 10:22: Rick's start as a freelance photographer and the story behind his shift in roles to launch the Day in the Life book series. 15:04: The importance of sponsorship or in-kind donations, plus innovative strategies for negotiating such deals. 23:04: The two different categories of photo books: greatest hits with the photographer as subject and a book that has a separate subject and overarching story. 27:55: Tips for going on press, advice about publishing contracts, and suggestions for buying back a book before it gets remaindered. 34:54: The issue of vanity presses, and the matter of requiring a subvention from authors to help cover the publisher's costs. 43:03: Publicity and marketing: You are the best salesperson for your book. Tips for getting your book seen and heard about, from magazines to podcasts. 49:08: Episode Break 50:02: Should you create a full mock-up version of a book or just show a publisher a selection of photos? 59:22: Benefits to working with a literary agent when seeking to publish a photo book. 1:01:44: Slicing up the pie by hiring freelaners or finding a partner to share in the work. 1:07:38: The importance of publishing deadlines and many important markers tied to a calendar, plus the cover photo and book blurbs. 1:14:22: Swanson and Smolan on their picks for memorable photo books. 1:25:19: Parting advice about getting other people excited about your project.   Guest Bios: Mary Virginia Swanson has spent her career helping artists find the strengths in their work, identify receptive audiences, and present their personal vision in an informed, professional manner. Her broad background as a photo educator, author, entrepreneur and advisor spans areas of exhibiting, collecting, licensing, and marketing photographs. A few career highlights include working with Ansel Adams to manage education offerings at the Friends of Photography in California, heading Special Projects for Magnum Photos in New York, and founding and directing Swanstock as a unique licensing agency for fine art photographers. Swanson is the recipient of many awards, including the Society for Photographic Education's Honored Educator Award and the FOCUS Award for Lifetime Achievement in Photography from the Griffin Museum in Boston to name just two. In 2011, Swanson co-authored Publish Your Photography Book with Darius Himes, which is now in its third edition. Currently, Swanson works independently from her home base in Tucson, offering classes, workshops and consulting services to artists and arts organizations, serving as an advisor for multiple nonprofits, and giving back through other community-minded activities.  Rick Smolan is both a photographer and an entrepreneur. A former contributor to Time, Life, and National Geographic, he is perhaps best known as creator of the Day in the Life book series, plus subsequent book projects of massive scope. As CEO of the multi-modal company Against All Odds Productions, Smolan designs and executes crowd-sourced, global projects that combine compelling storytelling with state-of-the-art technology. These projects capture the human face of emerging topics while engaging a wide range of media platforms to result in books, TV specials, social media apps, exhibitions, and hundreds of millions of media impressions. One such project, based on Smolan's 1977 National Geographic cover story about Robyn Davidson's solo travels across the outback has enjoyed continued life in multiple books, plus the feature film Tracks, with Adam Driver cast in the role of Smolan. Other recent projects include The Human Face of Big Data, which looks at how all our devices are creating a planetary nervous system, and The Good Fight: America's Ongoing Struggle for Justice, which became one of Amazon's top 100 books within a week of its release.   Stay Connected: Mary Virginia Swanson Website Instagram Rick Smolan Instagram Facebook YouTube  Against All Odds Website   Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

In a world of perpetual motion, there exists a realm of profound stillness—where light doesn't simply illuminate, it transforms. Far from home amid Earth's frozen tundras, time itself seems suspended in crystalline air. In today's podcast, we'll visit these places where time hangs in the balance, and we'll explore the intrepid mix of endurance, patience, and vision it takes to make pictures there. Joining us for this conversation are polar photography specialists Acacia Johnson and Jonas Paurell. From making distinctions between Arctic and Antarctic regions, to learning about the unique challenges involved with photographing there, our polar experts share many valuable insights. In addition to tips about packing and safeguarding camera gear in cold weather climates, we also discuss the importance of managing expectations during such trips, especially when faced with a long wait to see wildlife amid the barren stillness. As Alaskan photographer Acacia Johnson puts it, "… I think going into a trip with kind of a sense of exploration, like the joy of the trip is that you don't know, and it's completely unique to your experience. And whatever you do see is kind of a gift."   Guests: Acacia Johnson & Jonas Paurell Episode Timeline: 3:37: Acacia Johnson's upbringing in the wilds of Alaska and leaving the area for photo studies at the Rhode Island School of Design in the lower 48. 7:35: Jonas Paurell's youth in Sweden and the impact his first trek to Scandinavian Arctic regions had on his soul. 14:08: The differences between Arctic and Antarctic polar landscapes, plus Acacia's experiences during a winter in Arctic Bay, with no sun for four months. 29:13: Different approaches to storytelling about the Arctic based on subject matter, and capturing an emotion in images that does justice to the landscape. 37:31: The logistics of getting to Arctic and Antarctic locations, and expenses involved with working and living there. 43:19: The Jubilee Expedition Jonas organized to celebrate the 150th anniversary of a legendary Swedish polar expedition to Svalbard. 51:20: Episode Break 51:38: Preparations for a polar expedition and the camera gear Acacia and Jonas pack. 1:00:31: Using a large format camera on polar expeditions, plus managing gear in extreme cold conditions. 1:06:42: Managing expectations for travelers, misconceptions when planning trips, plus different types of vessels used during expeditions to polar regions. 1:16:42: Cultivating an authentic connection to place when photographing polar regions. 1:21:29: The changing ethics of photographing in polar regions, plus findings from Jonas's Jubilee Expedition Guest Bios: Acacia Johnson is a photographer, writer, and a 2023 National Geographic Explorer based in Anchorage, Alaska. Drawn to painterly light and otherworldly landscapes, her work focuses on the environment, conservation, and connections between people and place. Over the past 10 years, she has made more than fifty expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica as a photographer and a guide—always seeking to inspire wonder and compassion for these remote regions during a time of rapid change. Her photographs have been exhibited internationally and have been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, National Geographic and TIME magazines, among other publications. In 2021, Acacia was awarded the Canon Female Photojournalist Grant, and in 2022 she received the ICP Infinity Award for Documentary Practices and Photojournalism. Jonas Paurell is an explorer, conservation photographer, photo educator, and speaker from Gothenburg, Sweden. One of his most ambitious projects is a 25-year documentation of the Arctic. Through ski expeditions and icebreaker voyages, he has captured both the resilience and vulnerability of Arctic landscapes, emphasizing the fragility of the region and the urgent need for preservation. In 2022, Jonas launched The Jubilee Expedition, recreating the historic Swedish Polar Expedition of 1872 to highlight this region's rapid melting and the far-reaching impacts of climate change. Jonas is also founder of Terra Photography Expeditions, which offers immersive workshops in both Arctic regions and South American rainforests, helping photographers deepen their connection with nature while refining their craft. Additionally, before dedicating his life to photography, Jonas served as a human rights lawyer for the United Nations. Stay Connected: Acacia Johnson Website Instagram Facebook X Jonas Paurell Website Terra Photography Expedition Instagram Facebook YouTube   Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

When it comes to his iconic street portraits, Jamel Shabazz is all about building relationships and spreading joy. Yet, beyond the rich tapestry created with both the neighbors and strangers, friends and rivals he's encountered across New York's five boroughs, Jamel's most meaningful role might be that of a street teacher, touching the lives of the people in front of his lens and inviting them to mark their place in history. In today's podcast, we learn from the master while tracing his career path, from early observational learning at the side of his father—a professional photographer in his own right—to his first street portraits of classmates and friends. Jamel also shares how his singular vision was shaped by outside forces, including three years overseas in the Army and 20 years as a New York City corrections officer.  Incredibly, Jamel was able to take his camera along inside, and he describes the fine line he walked in our chat. "So, it was illegal," he admits, "but I was known to have done it throughout my entire career. As time went on, I became known as that photographer within the department that photographed everybody. You know, the brass, the officers. And I gave everybody the photographs. So, yes, I killed them with kindness." Guest: Jamel Shabazz Guest Bio: Jamel Shabazz is a documentary, fashion, and street photographer from Brooklyn, who has spent more than four decades capturing the cultural shifts and struggles of New York City through iconic photographs. His pictures have been exhibited worldwide, are permanently housed in prestigious institutions, and currently featured in nine monographs, along with more than three dozen other photo books. A recipient of the 2018 Gordon Parks Award and the Gordon Parks Foundation/Steidl book prize in 2022, Jamel is also dedicated to education, having instructed young students through programs at the Studio Museum in Harlem, the Schomburg Center, and the Bronx Museum. As a member of the Kamoinge photo collective and a board member of En Foco, Jamel's artistic mission remains centered on preserving urban history and culture through powerful, intimate portraits.   Stay Connected: Jamel Shabazz Website Jamel Shabazz Instagram Jamel Shabazz Facebook Jamel Shabazz Wikipedia Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

At first glance, photographers Chris Orwig and Aaron Anderson seem an unlikely pairing—with the natural light and high key palette of Chris's portraits forming a sharp contrast to the cinematic lighting and film noir aura featured in Aaron's work. Yet, their heartfelt discussion about creative reinvention in today's podcast celebrates the notion that opposites attract. Adding to our core topic of reshaping skills at every stage of your career, we'll also delve into keeping abreast of creative trends and remaining relevant as a creator in an increasingly competitive commercial marketplace. Beginning with the premise that it's the teacher who learns the most in the room, Chris and Aaron describe their respective career paths, highlighting the importance of trusting the process that leads to creative growth. As Aaron points out, "that's when I think a lot of the magic happens, because you're learning to trust the part of you that is creating. And it's a really fun thing to see that come to life, because the more you can trust that part of yourself, the more consistently you can create images that feel like you, and that look like the voice that you want to have out in the world." Guests: Chris Orwig & Aaron Anderson Stay Connected: Aaron Anderson Aaron Anderson Visuals Website Aaron Anderson Visuals on Instagram Aaron Anderson Visuals on Facebook Aaron Anderson Visuals on YouTube Aaron Anderson Visuals on X Aaron Anderson Fujifilm Creators page Start with Why book Chris Orwig Chris Orwig Website Chris Orwig on Instagram Chris Orwig on Facebook Chris Orwig on YouTube Chris Orwig on X Chris Orwig Sony Ambassador page   Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Nothing beats the thundering energy and human drama that unfolds across the surface of an automotive racetrack. Photographers who specialize in this adrenaline-fueled niche are best served by nerves of steel and the high endurance to lug multiple cameras and the long lenses needed to freeze the action. In today's show, we plunge headfirst into what it takes to cover the many facets of auto racing with two of the finest professionals in the field, photographers Camden Thrasher and Jamey Price. From stories of unexpected hurdles to access when scouting an unfamiliar course to the mix of visual stimulation and extreme exhaustion that accompanies a 24-hour endurance race, our chat is full of real-world insights. We also discuss the gear these photographers rely on and the wear and tear that comes with hard core use.   And for listeners who've always wanted to try their hand at motor sports photography, Jamey Price shares some parting advice. "You don't build a portfolio by getting credentials," he says. "You build a portfolio by going to races as a fan, bringing your camera, and making cool pictures from fan areas. Tell stories, do something different." Guests: Camden Thrasher & Jamey Price Episode Timeline: 3:46: Jamey's start as a jockey and making comparisons between photographing horse racing and motorsports 8:29: Camden's early start attending auto races, then discovering photography through exploring his father's film camera as a cool mechanical device. 10:25: Both photographers share their trajectory from starting out as a motor sports photographer to making it into a career. 18:04: A race day timeline and the many variables involved in motor sports photography. 27:28: Camaraderie & competition between photographers working the circuit, etiquette when shooting, and the importance of individual style. 37:24: The thrill of endurance racing and how photographing these 24-hour-long races differs from other types of motor sporting events. 43:38: Episode Break 45:10: Camden and Jamey's go-to camera gear, the long lenses they lug, plus how often they use manual focus, especially when panning through people or trees. 54:50: Getting otherworldly visuals when faced with adverse weather conditions or unique atmospheric effects, despite the physical challenges.  59:15: Wear and tear on camera gear due to the unfriendly environment at the track, plus using broken gear or common objects for creative visual effects. 1:056:08: Camera settings and creative techniques when panning, plus accounting for variables of relative distance combined with motion and speed to achieve a desired result. 1:16:27: Camden & Jamey discuss the use of their motor sports photos and licensing their images to clients. 1:24:13: Parting advice to fans interested in becoming a credentialed motor sport photographer—bring your camera to a race as a fan, and start making pictures!   Guest Bios: Camden Thrasher is a motor sports photographer with a distinctive ability to capture unique scenes of fast action. Growing up in Vancouver, Washington, it was the sound of engines from a nearby racetrack that first drew him to motor sports. After becoming a fixture at the track with his camera during high school, Camden studied automotive design and engineering in college, expecting to work as an engineer or on a pit crew. But the money he was making as a side hustle with his camera convinced him to stick with photography, and he hasn't looked back since. Using a unique slow shutter speed method, perfected over many exposures, Camden revels in showcasing the abstract qualities of gleaming metal, bright lights, and dynamic action that are hallmarks of this sport. Now based out of Atlanta, Georgia, Camden's work has been commissioned by top racing teams and featured in a wide range of media, from print magazines to automotive branding campaigns. Jamey Price is an automotive photographer based in Charlotte, North Carolina, whose motor sports work has taken him to more than 25 countries, and across most of the continental US. Jamey's photography career began while he was competing as a thoroughbred horse racing jockey and exercise rider. During this time, he completed more than 50 races, notching 11 wins in the saddle. His life in horse racing was eventually compiled into the self-published book Chasing: Racing Life in England & Ireland. Yet, in 2011, Jamey's photography career switched from horses to horse-power. Since he began chasing race cars, his images have been published worldwide in magazines, distributed by sports imagery wire services, and featured by top commercial clients. Additionally, Jamey is a LEXAR Elite Artist, since 2014. Stay Connected: Camden Thrasher Website Camden Thrasher Instagram  Camden Thrasher Facebook  Camden Thrasher Flickr Camden Thrasher on B&H Explora   Jamey Price Website Jamey Price Instagram Jamey Price Twitter Jamey Price YouTube Jamey Price TikTok Jamey Price Lexar   -------- Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

As any established photographer will tell you, forging a career can be a long and arduous journey, with no instruction manual to guide you through the process. The lofty world of top-notch pros is often shrouded in mystery and full of things they don't teach in photo school. In today's show, we get to peek behind the scenes of this complex, and often chaotic environment in a chat with two colleagues who've found a way to balance their freelance careers as independent creators with lucrative work assisting in a high-profile photo studio. Listen in, to learn how a casual job application through LinkedIn landed Mike Foley an interview, ultimately resulting in a salaried role as first assistant to a world-class portrait photographer. While technical mastery counts for a lot, we discuss the critical importance of soft skills like personality and work ethic to success in such environments. We also distinguish between salaried full-time work and more common freelance roles, and the juggling required to coordinate the complex planning involved.  As freelance lighting assistant (and longtime café owner) Alex Savidis admits, "the juggle becomes quite hard at times, but I think it's a necessity, especially when you're trying to pursue something that you're passionate about. You can't just become a successful photographer overnight. It takes years to build up to that." Guests: Mike Foley & Alex Savidis Episode Timeline: 2:57: Mike Foley describes heirloom portraiture as his bespoke brand of portrait with the ability to last a lifetime. 5:10: The backstory to Mike getting hired as a photo assistant for a world class portrait photographer. 11:25: The personality and skill set needed to work in a high-end photo studio, Alex's take on being added to the team, plus the various roles within the studio. 17:30: The role of a B-cam operator to capture the finer details of a video shoots, plus an overview of a typical shoot day. 23:05: Mike talks about the video work in his portfolio as a differentiating factor in his getting the assisting job. 28:23: The work structure and expectations for photo assistants, from freelance to salaried positions, plus discussion about length of tenure. 34:50: Episode Break 35:55: Memorable stories from the studio—from the largest two-day shoot with a crew of 150, to the core personnel involved in work-a-day shoots. 42:28: NDA's and the etiquette of what an assistant is able to share when dealing with high-end clients. 46:30: The growing acceptance of photographers who do freelance work and juggle regular 9-5 jobs with photo assignments.   52:07: Learning outcomes from working in a world class portrait studio, and the mindset to hold yourself to a higher standard. 57:49: Mike and Alex share advice for budding photographers based on what they've learned from working in a world-class photo studio.   Guest Bios:  Mike Foley is a New York City-based photographer specializing in heirloom portraiture and editorial photography. After starting out photographing weddings and small events, Mike quickly grew into commercial work, providing clients with timeless images they can use to elevate their visual presence and define their brand. His approach behind the camera is warm and humanistic, allowing his subjects the space to be themselves. In addition to his own photo services, Mike is currently content manager and digital designer for an internationally renowned portrait photographer. On set, he serves as first assistant and B-camera operator, while also providing on-set and post-production support behind the scenes for clients like Balenciaga, New York Magazine, and many more. Australian native Alex Savidis is passionate about storytelling through both still and moving imagery. Based in New York since 2020, he pushes creative boundaries by merging elements from his street and landscape photography into his portraiture & wedding work, weaving memories into art. For the past year and a half, Alex has also worked as lighting assistant and B cam operator in the same high-profile portrait studio as Mike, catering to world-renowned clients and political leaders. On B cam, it's his job to focus on finer details and provide viewers with a deeper, more intimate perspective on a given subject, capturing nuances that enhance the storytelling. Additionally, when he's not juggling camera gear or fine-tuning lights, you can find Alex behind the counter of the café Regular NYC in southern Manhattan, an establishment he founded in early 2024. Stay Connected: Mike Foley Website: https://mikephotographs.com/ Mike Foley Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/_mikephotographs/ Mike Foley Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaeljamesphotos/ Mike Foley Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-foley-3095a7126   Alex Savidis Website: https://www.alexsavidis.com/ Alex Savidis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex.savidis/ Alex Savidis Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-savidis-14155b272 Alex Savidis Regular NYC Cafe: https://regular.nyc/   End Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Above Photograph © Chase Jarvis We've all heard the saying "The best camera is the one that's with you." But do you know how this catch phrase ended up as a mantra of the mobile economy? In today's show, we speak with Chase Jarvis, the man behind Best Camera—the wildly successful photo sharing app that predated Instagram—to get an inside look at his wild ride.  A born entrepreneur and self-made photographer with a hunger that always worked against the grain, Chase's meteoric rise in action sports/lifestyle photography dovetailed with the dawn of the sharing economy, leading him to a moonshot idea. The ensuing saga of Best Camera's viral success, subsequent demise, and Chase's quick pivot into his next visionary business model—Creative Live—is both a cautionary tale and a redemption story. All told, you'll gain fascinating insights into the nexus of creative innovation and big business at the highest levels.  When asked about his biggest take away from Best Camera given the benefit of hindsight, Chase doesn't miss a beat, responding, "If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together." Guest: Chase Jarvis Episode Timeline: 3:44: How Chase's mastery of sports and the gift of his grandfather's camera gear led to a passion for teaching himself photography. 9:33: Channeling real-world examples from his grandfather and father into early pictures, along with library books about the masters' and photographic techniques. 15:35: The development of Chase's early entrepreneurial spirit and how his second-grade teacher stifled these efforts. 22:50: Bucking trends and connecting with the uniqueness you bring to your images as a creative style. 26:32: Embracing social media and the sharing community early on and the ability to see around the corner as an entrepreneur. 35:53: Chase's fast track to commercial success, technological innovation, and developing the Best Camera App. 46:20: Episode Break 47:48: The lessons learned from the Best Camera failure and how Chase channeled these lessons into the success of the first livestreaming learning platform, Creative Live. 52:24: Making the pivot from the first live photo feed to building Creative Live as a way to answer questions the questions asked by a massive global audience.  1:00:51: Creative Live's pioneering approach to a freemium business model, plus offering access as a core company value. 1:05:29: The most popular offerings at Creative Live: the fundamentals, the business of classes, and the big name thought leaders. 1:12:38: Chase's views on the current—and future—landscape in social media, creativity, and AI, plus advice for getting comfortable being uncomfortable.  1:20:43: What success means to Chase, and the message in his recent book Never Play it Safe: A Practical Guide to Freedom, Creativity and a Life You Love. Guest Bio:  Chase Jarvis is an award-winning artist, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and one of the most influential photographers of the past 20 years, whose diverse portfolio spans from advertising campaigns for Apple, Nike, and Red Bull to collaborations with athletes like Serena Williams and icons such as Lady Gaga and Sir Richard Branson. As an early adopter of social media and the sharing economy, Chase created Best Camera (the first photo-sharing app) in 2009 and co-founded the online education platform CreativeLive in 2010. Chase has spoken on six continents and advised Fortune 100 companies, with invitations to both the Obama White House and Buckingham Palace. Based in Seattle with his wife Kate and their dog Bodhi, he hosts the widely successful Chase Jarvis LIVE podcast (over 50 million downloads) while serving on several nonprofit boards.  Stay Connected: Chase Jarvis Website: https://chasejarvis.com/ Chase Jarvis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasejarvis Chase Jarvis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chasejarvis Chase Jarvis Twitter: https://x.com/chasejarvis Chase Jarvis YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChaseJarvis Chase Jarvis Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chase_Jarvis Chase Jarvis Best Camera App: https://chasejarvis.com/project/the-best-camera/ Chase Jarvis Creative Live: https://www.creativelive.com/instructor/chase-jarvis Chase Jarvis Never Play It Safe book: https://chasejarvis.com/never-play-it-safe/ End Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Photographers often react instinctively against artificial intelligence, typically focusing on controversial generative AI. Meanwhile, a different branch of AI technology—machine learning systems—has been making remarkable progress helping photographers manage overwhelming image workflows under tight deadlines.   In today's show, we explore this trending topic in a discussion with Justin Benson and Sam Hurd, both accomplished wedding photographers and tech entrepreneurs.   Justin begins by clarifying the distinction between machine learning and generative AI before taking us behind the scenes of Aftershoot, the workflow tool he co-founded. He highlights the key advantages of culling and editing images locally rather than using cloud-based alternatives.   We also explore the question of trusting automated workflows and discuss how aesthetics factor in, particularly since machine learning systems adapt to a photographer's culling and editing preferences over time.   Our conversation naturally addresses the ethical concerns surrounding AI. Sam's posing tool, Insight, uses generative AI to offer photographers fresh creative suggestions, but importantly, it trains exclusively on images from his own extensive collection. You'll hear about his journey developing this tool initially for personal use before scaling it as a service for others.   By the end, you'll have gained fresh perspective on how these AI-powered tools can enhance your current workflow, along with hearing some thought-provoking predictions about what the future may hold. Guests: Sam Hurd & Justin Benson Episode Timeline: 3:34: Sam's background in the creative arts complimented his love of technology in developing his photography career.  7:26: Justin's busy wedding workload and how his photography knowledge became an asset in developing an AI-powered culling & editing software. 9:35: Differentiating between machine learning and Generative AI, plus ethical concerns related to companies using cloud-based systems. 12:49: The influence of AI-related processes to a photographer's creative output, plus the significance of the human element in generating new creative content.   18:43: Factoring for aesthetics when it comes to AI-powered culling and editing software, plus how much to trust the process. 30:34: Implementing an AI-powered software program in a photographer's overall workflow process, and reallocating time to details that really matter. 42:00: Episode Break 42:50: The backstory to Sam Hurd's AI-powered posing tool Insight, plus why posing people is so hard. 54:59: Staying ahead of the curve with various AI-powered workflow tools, plus essential differences to Insight as a text-based service instead of an app. 1:02:57: How the increasing use of generative AI is causing a shift in assumptions about posting portrait pictures to the Internet. 1:07:30: Debating future advancements to AI technology, image generation at the pixel level, and comparing this to the shift from analog to digital. 1:12:23: The importance of the user community in making further advances to AI-powered software tools. 1:17:34: What's next with AI, a real-world comparison to the original Blade Runner movie, plus the dynamic of scary vs cool.   Guest Bios: After starting as a political news and celebrity portraitist in Washington, DC., Sam Hurd was quickly drawn to wedding photography as a way to explore more inventive ideas. He focuses on deceptively simple photographic techniques with the potential to transform difficult or uninspiring environments into unique creative visions.  A hallmark of his work are several in-camera techniques he developed such as Prisming, Lens Chimping, Color Spreading, and his Ring of Fire effect for in-camera flare. In addition to his long-held passion for photography and creative reinvention, Sam is equally skilled in information technology and computer science since majoring in this field during college. That background, combined with a belief that modern AI tools can offer new avenues for creative exploration when thoughtfully leveraged, has led Sam to build several services to assist and inspire photographers. These include Insight, which analyses images in real time, returning visual pose ideas based on the actual environment and subjects in front of the lens - an entirely new process for breaking through creative blocks while working.  Justin Benson started out photographing sets and location scouting for film and TV. But in 2011 his life changed after he answered a last-minute call from a family friend in need of a wedding photographer. Justin quickly discovered wedding photography was his true calling and he's been at it ever since, with his wife joining him as a second shooter in 2016. Based in Connecticut, Justin works in a modern traditional style, combining a hint of candid moments with posed scenes.  In 2019, just before COVID started shutting things down, Justin learned about an enterprising developer who was seeking photographer input to incorporate in an AI-powered image culling app he was cooking up. After much discussion and advice about how to improve this product, Justin signed on and became a co-founder of the AI-based software company Aftershoot.  Stay Connected: Sam Hurd Website: https://samhurdphotography.com/ Sam Hurd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamthesam/ Sam Hurd Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samhurdphotography Sam Hurd Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@iamsamhurdphotography Sam Hurd Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/iamthesam Sam Hurd Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/samhurd Insight Photo Website: https://www.insight.photo/  Sam Hurd on the B&H Photography Podcast: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/photographic-craft-connections-sam-hurd-dixie-dixon Blade Runner movie clip: https://youtu.be/IbzlX43ykxQ?si=g9NG8TPkRskGsvW6' Justin Benson Website: https://jbensonphotography.com/ Justin Benson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Jbensonphotography/ Justin Benson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jbensonphotography Aftershoot Website: https://aftershoot.com/ Justin Benson & Aftershoot on the B&H Explora blog: 

Above Photograph © Claudio Edinger When it comes to photography, Claudio Edinger has a Midas touch. Equally celebrated for his immersive photo series, the intimacy of his portraits, and his aerial views that conjure a sense of the eternal through selective focus, his compulsion for research drives adjustments to his photographic strategy from one project to the next. In today's show, we unpack the many facets of Claudio's storied career, from his arrival in New York and early documentation of Brooklyn's Hasidic community in the late 1970s to the environmental portraits he made inside Manhattan's infamous Chelsea Hotel, and beyond.  Learn the backstory to his fortuitous connection with master portraitist Philippe Halsman, and the influence this had on his photographic vocabulary. We also discuss Claudio's aerial imagery made from helicopters and drones, and debate the slippery slope between noteworthy content, image quality, and resolution. As a longtime disciple of meditation, Claudio's approach to photography is equally influenced by the underlying flow of energy essential to life on this planet, which led him to state, "I'm open to whatever the universe brings my way. But the universe has to conspire in your favor. My whole life has been like that. I've been guided. My intuition brings me to places, and the place drags me into it." Guest: Claudio Edinger Episode Timeline: 3:03: Claudio's beginnings in photography while studying economics in Sao Paulo, and his first exhibit at the Sao Paulo Museum of Art. 4:55: A move to New York in 1976 and a two-year project on Brooklyn's Hasidic community. 8:42: Connecting with master portrait photographer Philippe Halsman, and how this expanded Claudio's vocabulary as a photographer. 15:35: A move to the Chelsea Hotel and a new photographic strategy to make environmental portraits of the building and its residents. 19:52: The influence of August Sander's work, and Claudio's pursuit of intimacy to create images with universal meaning. 25:22: The organic path of Claudio's photographic approach, and how he developed his selective focus technique.  28:15: Episode Break 29:06: The predictable visual effect of a Hasselblad's square frame, combined with a tripod and flash for portraits of patients in a Brazilian insane asylum. 33:06: Using the same techniques to capture the insanity inside an institution, as well as to photograph the institutionalized insanity of Brazilian Carnival.  37:51: Claudio's assignment work, plus his time as a New York paparazzo and the lessons this taught him.  39:28: Claudio's experience as a war photographer in El Salvador, and the urgency of living connected to war.  43:42: Shifting to a 4x5 Toyo camera to further explore the tilt-shift look of selective focus.   48:57: The shortcomings of large format that forced Claudio to shift to digital and then discover aerial photography.   54:17: Comparing aerial photos from a helicopter with those made from a drone, plus Claudio's thoughts on viewing the world from the point of view of eternity. Guest Bio: Claudio Edinger is one of Brazil's preeminent photographers. After studying economics at Mackenzie University in São Paulo in the early 70s, he turned his attention to photography, and he hasn't stopped since.  Edinger moved to New York City in 1976, and during the 20 years he spent in the US, he completed immersive photo essays about the Hasidic community of Brooklyn, the denizens of Manhattan's Chelsea Hotel, and habitués of LA's Venice Beach. He also freelanced for Brazilian and North American publications such as Veja, Time, Life, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times Magazine, among many others.  The author of more than twenty books, Edinger's photographs have been collected worldwide and exhibited by institutions such as New York's International Center of Photography, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Maison Europeénne de la Photographie in Paris, and the São Paulo Museum of Art, to name but a few. Edinger has received many honors for his work, including the Ernst Haas Award, the Hasselblad Award, the Higashikawa Award, and the Leica Medal of Excellence, which he received twice.  Always seeking new approaches to his work, Edinger has explored a wide range of camera formats and photographic techniques over the course of his career. In 2000, he began working with a large format camera, using selective focus to approximate human vision, and in 2015, he started an exploration of aerial photography—a theme that continues to this day. Stay Connected: Claudio Edinger Website: https://www.claudioedinger.com/ Claudio Edinger Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudioedinger/ Claudio Edinger Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/claudio.edinger/ Claudio Edinger Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudio_Edinger Claudio Edinger Chelsea Hotel book: https://www.abbeville.com/collections/just-released/products/the-chelsea-hotel End Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Above Photograph © Lou Jones Africa is the cradle of our civilization. Yet, most Westerners see this massive continent from a distance, and often through a scrim of largely negative headlines.  For more than a decade, Boston-based photographer Lou Jones has sought to challenge this misperception. In 2013, he launched an in-depth photographic documentation of individual countries across Africa under the title the panAFRICAproject.  Jones joins us on today's podcast to recap his efforts to date, which currently encompasses a third of Africa's 54 nations.  Listen in to learn how the project came to be—growing from a solo endeavor to travels with two assistants and enough photo and lighting gear to illuminate an airplane factory. We also discuss the delicate mix of diplomacy and six degrees of separation Jones employs when negotiating access to photograph—plus much, much more. "We're talking about contemporary Africa," Jones points out. "Talking to people local—not academics in America—to tell us what's important to their culture, what's important to their country, what's important to their community, what's important to their company. Directly from people living there." Guest: Lou Jones Episode Timeline: 2:58: Lou's earliest trips to Africa predating the panAFRICAproject, then traveling to Ghana to start the project. 7:26: The logistics of travel as a solo photographer and the six degrees of separation that informs his photographic process.  11:33: The substantial diplomacy required in meetings to negotiate access, while avoiding cliches and stereotypes. 19:29: The value of Lou's images as currency in gaining access to photograph business environments. 26:18: The evolution of Lou's photo crew, planning and packing for multiple purposes, plus the art of trading down with project costs. 32:10: The contents of Lou's gear bags, and how he packs everything from cameras to Speedlights to lighting accessories. 39:53: Photography as a bridge to cultural sensitivity and the relationship between a photographer and his or her subjects. 43:08: EPISODE BREAK 44:00: The evolving process of planning each trip to Africa and the constant work when boots are on the ground. 48:12: The complex algorithm Lou and his team use in planning which African country to document next. 53:56: Technological advances and cultural trends coming full circle in Africa, plus cell phone use and fin tech. 59:45: Two cultures side-by-side. Documenting the parallel worlds of contemporary society and indigenous traditions in daily life. 1:05:56: Use of photographs from the panAFRICAproject and maintaining connections with photographic subjects.  1:08:12: Kickstarter and crowdfunding campaigns to support panAFRICAproject travel and books. 1:16:03: Next steps in the panAFRICAproject and the project's impact on a local, grass roots level. Guest Bio: The eclectic career of Lou Jones has spanned every camera format, film type, artistic movement, and technological change, while simultaneously evolving from the commercial to the personal. Recognized by Nikon as a "Legend Behind the Lens" and honored as a Lowepro "Champion," Jones has maintained a photography studio in Boston for more than 40 years, all while traveling to over 65 foreign countries on assignment. Jones works primarily with advertising agencies and design studios for corporate clients such as Nike, Mobil, and Federal Express, as well as influential publications like Time, Fortune, and National Geographic, among many others. The author of more than a dozen books, Jones is also an esteemed educator and has served as a board member for organizations such as ASMP National, the Photographic Resource Center and the Griffin Museum of Photography.  In tandem with his busy assignment career, Jones pursues long term projects on subjects as diverse as death row inmates, the Summer and Winter Games, and his most recent endeavor, The panAFRICAproject, a contemporary visual portrait of the entire continent, to establish an archive representing its 54 individual countries devoid of the preconceived, western notions of distress. Stay Connected: panAFRICAproject Website: https://panafricaproject.org/ Lou Jones Photography Website: https://www.fotojones.com/ Lou Jones Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loujonesstudio/ Lou Jones Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fotojones/ Lou Jones Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Jones_(photographer) Lou Jones 2018 presentation at the B&H Event Space: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plVb_EFMcQM Lou Jones on the B&H Explora blog: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/features/lou-jones-takes-a-long-term-approach-from-jazz-portraits-to-the Lou Jones's book Speedlights & Speedlites: Creative Flash Photography at Lightspeed: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1025994-REG/focal_press_978_0_240_82144_3_book_speedlights_speedlites.html End Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Top shot © Kristof Ramon   The dynamic arena of competitive cycling photography is not for the faint of heart. This grueling specialty requires a mix of split-second reaction times, intuitive technical mastery, and the ability to anticipate—and even more important—embrace risk. It takes a special breed of photographer to continuously capture every ounce of emotion packed into this sport, from bruising injuries and bitter disappointments to the exaltation of a win.    For today's show, we've brought together two passionate cycling aficionados, former competitive cyclist and renowned street photographer Phil Penman and Kristof Ramon, a cycling photography specialist who recently released his first book on the subject. While they're introduced as strangers, get ready to be wowed by the synchronicity of their shared experiences, and the remarkable chemistry that grows between them over the course of the show.   Most people's awareness of competitive cycling revolves around coverage of the Tour de France or other major races shown on TV. Our conversation delves much deeper than this, to reveal what happens behind the scenes, and show both the intensity of purpose and the many stages of suffering that's a hallmark of this sport. Kristof's book is titled The Art of Suffering for a reason. As he aptly sums up in the book's opening quote: "Where the conditions get grimmer and the riders start to suffer, that's when the more interesting stories begin."   Guests: Phil Penman & Kristof Ramon   Episode Timeline:   3:56: Phil Penman's connection to the competitive cycling world and how his insight as a cyclist informs his photography of the sport.    7:45: The logistics of photographing competitive cycling and the perils of damaging photo equipment.   10:36: The creative aspect to photographing competitive cycling and how to think outside the box to get impactful shots.   15:16: The many stages of suffering involved in competitive cycling, and the pride riders take in having this documented visually.   20:35: Photographer access, the difference between training rides and race days, and the distinctions between agency access and working independently.   26:26: Changes to Kristof's photographic approach and the influence of social media in the sport's evolution.   31:31: Technical aspects of cycling photography, understanding light, capturing speed, and putting in the time so to react intuitively to picture opportunities.   43:44: Episode Break   44:53: Communication strategies, building rapport with riders and teams, and people skills given the sport's international reach.   47:51: Cycling's rich history as a professional sport, and recent changes initiated by British Team Sky that helped the sport evolve.   54:45: The back story to Kristof's Art of Suffering book project and how his collaboration with cycling writer Matt Rendell helped identify suffering as a narrative element.   58:40: Working with clients, balancing that work with personal projects, and developing a distinctive voice as a photographer.    1:06:15: How to start out as a competitive cycling photographer, questions about credentials, and adapting to new networks to distribute your work.   1:13:23: Balancing technical aspects of action photography with the desired emotional response while building in certainties and calculating risk.     Guest Bios: British-born, New York-based photographer Phil Penman has documented the ever-changing scene of New York City's streets for more than 25 years. and he has quite a bit of experience in the world of professional cycling himself.   In his career as a news and magazine photographer, Phil has photographed major public figures and historical events. His reportage following the 9/11 terrorist attack was featured in major print publications and media broadcasts worldwide, and his work covering New York City's pandemic lockdown is in the collection of the U.S. Library of Congress.    In addition to exhibiting at Leica galleries in New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, and London, Phil's signature street photography has appeared in international exhibitions as far afield as Venice, Berlin, and Sydney. He also tours the world teaching photo workshops for Leica Akademie. Phil's books, "Street" published in 2019, and "New York Street Diaries" published in 2023 both became best-sellers and have been featured at New York's Museum of Modern Art.   Kristof Ramon is a pro-cycling photographer who covers some of the world's most prestigious races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d' Italia, the Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix. Born and raised in Belgium, Kristof discovered photography while attending film school at age 19. He eventually followed his passion for cycling and photography and has focused exclusively on this sport since 2011.    Working under the name Kramon, his talent for storytelling and his ability to capture the atmosphere and raw emotion of racing makes his images stand out from typical race photography. Kristof's reputation has earned him the respect and trust of many of the biggest racing teams and riders - which is why he's able to capture such extraordinary in-between moments and behind-the-scenes images. The riders are always his primary focus, as evidenced in his close-up portraits of racers caked in sweat, mud, dust, snow, and grime. Kristof's first book, The Art of Suffering, was released in June 2024 by Laurence King Publishing.   Stay Connected: Phil Penman Website: https://www.philpenman.com Phil Penman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philpenman/ Phil Penman Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philpenmanphotography/  Phil Penman Twitter: https://x.com/Penmanphoto  Phil Penman Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Penman   Kristof Ramon Website: https://kramon.be/ Kristof Ramon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kramon_velophoto Kristof Ramon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kramon/ Kristof Ramon Twitter: https://x.com/kristoframon  Kristof Ramon Photoshelter: https://kramon.photoshelter.com/ Kristof Ramon Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kristoframon/  Kristof Ramon at Lawrence King Publishing: https://us.laurenceking.com/products/the-art-of-suffering    

Allan Weitz had little idea of the grand photographic adventures in store when he signed on as host of the B&H Photography Podcast shortly before the show's debut in October 2015. As a self-described big mouth, and with more than 40 years as a working pro fueling his curiosity about all things photographic, Allan quickly honed his chops to become the voice of the show. Today's episode marks a crossroads, as Allan passes his hosting mic to the show's incoming host, Derek Fahsbender, producer and host of the B&H Event Space. During a lively chat, we celebrate Allan's long and successful career, both on assignment and at the helm of the podcast, with some never before told stories and audio clips from memorable interactions with guests. A few of the many topics we cover include, how a kid from Sheepshead Bay made a name for himself photographing classic yachts, the ways in which Allan's time behind a New Jersey deli counter enhanced his ability to engage with people on a human level—among other benefits to career reinvention—and how his shift into podcasting taught him to use his voice as an instrument. As Allan aptly summarized for attendees of the podcast team's 2018 presentation of Podcasting 101: "It's not always what you say, but how you say it." Guest: Allan Weitz Episode Timeline  3:38: Allan's B&H Event Space segment from Podcasting 101. 8:35: The back story to Allan's one-word podcast intro "Greetings!" 10:44: Allan's chat with digital camera inventor Steve Sasson about their shared Brooklyn roots.  13:56: Allan's hosting skills as a court jester—or Tummler in Yiddish. 16:12: Gear talk, and a clip from Allan's chat with Bellamy Hunt of The Japan Camera Hunter. 21:19: Allan waxes poetic about his love for the Hasselblad Superwide, plus his early adoption of digital gear.  28:24: Branching out from commercial assignments to tech writing and other things. 38:18: Episode break 39:27: Memorable stories and life lessons from Allan's assignment career. 44:22: Allan's entrée to the world of yachting photography and portfolio tips. 50:44: Allan's career evolution in the rarified 1980s photography landscape. 57:31: The art of the interview and the value of collaboration among the podcast team.  59:53: Getting beyond difficult pictures during an interview with Bruce Gilden  1:03:50: Upcoming plans and Allan's Kodachrome book project. 1:10:31: Allan offers listeners his Tusen Takks for their trust in his time behind the mic.  Guest Bio: Allan Weitz started taking pictures when digital meant doing something with your fingers. A graduate of New York City's High School of Art and Design and the School of Visual Arts, Allan is the founding host of the B&H Photography Podcast, one of the highest-rated photography podcasts in Apple's Creative Arts category.  For more than 50 years, Allan's photographs have graced the covers and inside pages of dozens of publications, including New York magazine, Esquire, GQ, Yachting, and Nautical Quarterly. Many of these images have won him awards from the New York, Philadelphia, and New Jersey Art Directors Clubs, the Graphic Artists Guild, Art Direction Magazine, Print, and Graphis, among others.  More recently, Allan has had great success exhibiting—and winning awards for—his photos as fine art prints, as well as dabbling with artificial intelligence using the traditional photos from his vast image library as source material.  Stay Connected: Allan Weitz Website: https://www.allanweitz.com/ Allan Weitz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allanweitz/ Allan Weitz articles on the B&H Explora Blog: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/users/allan-weitz Podcasting 101 with the B&H Photography Podcast Team: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd2KDaNSjGI Steve Sasson Podcast Episode: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/invention-of-digital-camera Japan Camera Hunter Podcast Episode: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/podcast-the-japan-camera-hunter Graham Nash Podcast Episode: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/graham-nash-ace-photographer-digital-printing-pioneer-music-legend-the-bh Bruce Gilden Podcast Episode: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/closer-look-bruce-gilden End Credits: Founding Host: Allan Weitz Incoming Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Top shot © Ron Tarver Cowboy lore has deep roots in American culture. Yet, black cowboys have lived pretty much under the radar until recently, when songs by pop culture icons Lil Nas X and Beyoncé went viral and catapulted the black western aesthetic into the limelight. In today's show, we're getting the inside scoop from two photographers who've been fully immersed in these vibrant communities since long before they became a top fashion trend. Separated by a generation in age and with pictures spanning from film to digital, we follow Ron Tarver and Ivan McClellan from their early years in Oklahoma and Kansas, to the urban stables of Northern Philadelphia, the legendary Roy LeBlanc Rodeo in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, and beyond. Listen in and discover how the popularity of a single newspaper assignment led Ron to the pages of National Geographic and a career defining body of work. In a similar manner, Ivan's hunch to act on a chance invitation morphed into a passion project that reconnected him to his midwestern roots and ultimately expanded his role from photographer to that of an entrepreneur and rodeo boss.  Ever wonder about the funding and stamina required to compete as a rodeo athlete? We take that bull by the horns at the end of the show. Guests: Ron Tarver & Ivan McClellan Episode Timeline: 4:09: Ron Tarver and Ivan McClellan's early memories of cowboy culture during their respective youths in Kansas City and Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. 9:19: Ron's early story for the Philadelphia Inquirer and his subsequent documentation of black cowboy culture. 15:06: The camera gear and film stock Ron used for his pictures, plus digitizing analog slides using a digital camera, macro lens and bellows system. 20:15: Technical limitations Ron faced when shooting film, and his editing process when working with National Geographic. 23:19: Ivan's start as a designer, his introduction to photography and the world of black cowboys, and his shooting process at the rodeo. 33:40: The dominance of women within black rodeos, a female horse whisperer, and tips for photographing horses in a rodeo context. 44:34: Episode Break 45:35: The journey behind our guest's respective books, and Ron's collaboration with a noted editor to create The Long Ride Home. 51:19: The back story to Ivan's book—from a self-published Kickstarter release to the editor he worked with to get Eight Seconds published by Damiani. 57:10: Ivan and Ron discuss each other's finished book projects, questions about model releases, plus the current hunger for black cowboy culture.  1:05:23: Ivan's work to promote black rodeo athletes and the economics of competing in this arena. 1:10:39: How Ivan's life has changed since founding the Eight Seconds rodeo in Portland, Oregon. 1:16:04: The impact of Ivan's work on the lives of rodeo athletes, and the maximum number of bulls a rodeo athlete can ride in a single day.  Guest Bios: Ron Tarver was born and raised in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, and is now based outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During 32 years as a staffer at The Philadelphia Inquirer, he was nominated for three Pulitzer's and shared the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for public service, in addition to many other accolades. Tarver's photographs have been exhibited internationally. His pictures can be found in private, corporate, and museum collections, and have appeared in major publications both in print and online.  In 2004, he co-authored the book We Were There: Voices of African American Veterans, published by Harper Collins, accompanied by a traveling exhibition. A recipient of a 2021 Guggenheim Fellowship and a 2001 Pew Fellowship in the Arts, Tarver has also received funding from the NEA, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and an Independence Foundation Fellowship.  He currently serves as Associate Professor of Art at Swarthmore College. His book, The Long Ride Home: Black Cowboys in America was released by George F Thompson Publishers in September. Ivan McClellan is a photojournalist and designer originally from Kansas City, Missouri. These days he calls Portland, Oregon home.  His work reveals marginalized aspects of black culture, challenging broad assumptions and myths about racial identity in America.  His project Eight Seconds, focuses on elevating narratives about American Black cowboys, and transforming the culture of the American West by 're-centering' black women and men back as an integral part of our historical narrative.  After initially self-publishing his photos in book form, Eight Seconds: Black Rodeo Culture was released by Damiani books in April 2024. The winner of the 2022 Getty Inclusion grant, McClellan's photos have been presented in and collected by Museums and cultural spaces across the United States. His work has also been featured in ESPN: The Undefeated and Fast Company.  As an experience designer for Adobe Lightroom, he has led projects for Nike, Adidas, Disney, and the U.S. National Soccer Team. And most recently, he founded the Eight Seconds Rodeo in 2023. Stay Connected: Ron Tarver Website: https://www.rontarverphotographs.net/ Ron Tarver Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rontarver/ Ron Tarver Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Tarver Ron Tarver The Long Ride Home book:  http://www.gftbooks.com/books_Tarver.html Ivan McClellan Website: https://eightsecs.com/ Ivan McClellan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eightsecs/ Ivan McClellan / 8 Seconds Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/eightsecs Ivan McClellan at Damiani Books: https://www.damianibooks.com/en/collections/mcclellan-ivan End Credits: Host: Allan Weitz Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Well, 2024 has certainly come and gone in a flash, meaning it's time once again for us to reflect on new photo offerings in our annual Cameras of the Year episode, now renamed Photo Gear of the Year. Featured in our discussion are new releases from Canon, FUJIFILM, Leica, Mint, Nikon, OM SYSTEM, Panasonic, Ricoh Pentax, and Sony. In the words of our recurring guest, Kevin Rickert, B&H's Senior Sales Trainer for Photography and Lighting, "Everything old is new again" at least when it comes to this year's most sought-after camera releases. A penchant for pocketable, fixed lens cameras led us to organize our camera offerings by type rather than in an alphabetical laundry list. Along with debating the current craze for "the digicam look," we consider whether manufacturers will respond to consumers' increasing appetite for midrange point and shoots. After the break, we shift to the newest crop of flagship cameras that are built for speed, while also discussing notable updates to other new releases. We also shed light on the essential role served by firmware updates, both in trimming a new camera's time to market and allowing you to get more out of the camera you already have. As Kevin points out, "It's an important part of having a camera. Much like if you have a car, you need to get oil changes." We wrap things up with some predictions for 2025, including Kevin's hopes for a continued resurgence of point and shoot models, plus some intriguing new photo accessories that caught his eye this year. Stay to the end to learn about the inventive new Fjordan camera control for the iPhone, recently acquired by Leica. Guest: Kevin Rickert Episode Timeline 2:30: Kevin Rickert's role as a B&H sales trainer for photography and lighting. 9:34: What camera stood out the most this year: FUJIFILM X100VI 18:02: Ricoh GR III HDF / Ricoh GR IIIx 20:00: Nostalgia for midrange point and shoots and the digicam look 29:36: Leica D-Lux 8 31:42: Leica Q3 43 35:52: Fujifilm X-T50 (a baby Fujifilm X-T5) 37:30: Fujifilm X-M5 41:54: Pentax 17 48:52: Mint Camera Rollei 35AF   51:17: Episode break   52:22: Canon EOS R1 55:50: Sony a1 II 59:31: OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II 1:02:35: Nikon Z6 III 1:05:48: Canon EOS R5 Mark II 1:14:40: Leica SL III 1:17:55: FUJIFILM GFX 100 SII 1:20:31: Nikon Z 50 II 1:21:28: Sony ZV-E10 II 1:23:19: Panasonic Lumix S9 1:27:19: Kevin's predictions for 2025 1:33:36: Peakto Image Management Software 1:35:06: Capture One 16.5 with Match Look 1:35:49: Fjordan iPhone camera grip   Guest Bio: Kevin Rickert is B&H Photo's Senior Sales Trainer for Photography and Lighting. It's Kevin's job to keep in touch with camera and lens manufacturers and get details about all the latest releases and updates. His role is to make sure the world-renowned B&H staff has all the information to answer your who, what, why, and other questions that you may ask, so they can satisfy all your wants and needs. Born and raised in New York, Kevin is an intrepid street photographer, an avid traveler, and a baseball fan with 22 years in electronic retail, the last 10 of which have been spent as a sales trainer at B&H.   Stay Connected: B&H Photo Video Website: https://www.bhphotovideo.com B&H Photography Podcast landing page: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts B&H Photography Podcast on B&H Photo's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BandH/podcasts B&H Photography Podcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1001107823418353 B&H Photo Video Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhphoto B&H Photo Video Twitter: https://twitter.com/bhphoto Micro 4/3rds YouTube video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m072i-jDSg4 Peakto Image Management Software: https://cyme.io/peakto-photo-organizer-software/ Fjordan iPhone Camera Grip: https://shop.fjorden.co/en-us/pages/about

Photographers have a magical ability to transport us to hidden worlds, giving us intimate access to facets of society that would otherwise go unnoticed. Above photograph © Marcela Taboada In today's podcast, we sit down with Mexican photographer Marcela Taboada, whose long-term documentary projects offer revealing glimpses into underrecognized communities, for Picturing World Cultures. Combining a passion for making pictures that let her "see backstage," with a knack for "knocking doors" and the tenacity to win over resistant subjects, Marcela gained rare access to photograph the daily lives of Mexico's cloistered nuns. Follow her painstaking process and learn the secret to her acceptance as the nuns' photography godmother during our chat.     We also discuss her series "Women of Clay," documenting the enterprising women of a Mixtec village, who singlehandedly rebuilt their homes after an earthquake using Adobe bricks and a process taught by a Mexican architect. Along the way, Marcela shares insights about the challenges of pursuing a photography career as a single mother with young children and reveals the lessons she learned from seeing aspects of her own story reflected in the lives of her subjects.  If you haven't already listened, check out all the episodes of our Picturing World Cultures podcast series here. Guest: Marcela Taboada Episode Timeline: 2:21: Marcela's process in making pictures that let her "see backstage."  5:15: A childhood memory and her fascination with viewing the stars from an observatory built by her great uncle.  10:16: Marcela's introduction to cameras and the darkroom by photographing family trips. 13:24: University studies and a photo series inspired by her great aunt entering a Mexican nursing home.  18:13: Marcela's photo gear and juggling her early photo career while raising two children as a single mother. 22:52: Marcela's photo series Women of Clay, about a community of enterprising women who rebuilt their homes after an earthquake. 35:19: Episode Break 36:30: Marcela's project Consecrated, and some background on Catholic monasteries in Mexico. 43:46: The seven orders of Mexican cloistered nuns, Marcela's long process to gain access to photograph, and the miracle that finally convinced the nuns to let her in. 53:51: Marcela's role as photography godmother for the Conceptionist order, and her approach to photographing the lives of the nuns. 1:00:38: The decision to photograph in color with a lightweight Sony RX camera for quiet operation and a contemporary look.  1:02:31: The nuns' reaction to Marcela's pictures and the ways in which they've adapted to 21st century life. 1:08:09: Marcela Taboada answers our PWC Visual Questionnaire. Guest Bio: Marcela Taboada is a freelance photographer based in Oaxaca, Mexico since 1986. After initial studies in graphic design, she became drawn to photographing diverse communities for long-term stories that let her see backstage. Marcela has received both national and international accolades, including a Hasselblad Foundation scholarship, a National Geographic All Roads Photography Award, and Mexico's most prestigious art grant, the National System of Art Creators Award, which she received twice. Her photographs have been featured in solo and group exhibitions within Mexico and the United States, Europe, and Asia. Marcela has taught photography at universities, in high schools and in specialized workshops. Additionally, for 16 years she served as producer for American photographer Mary Ellen Mark's Annual Oaxaca Photo Workshops.  Stay Connected: Marcela Taboada Website: https://www.marcelataboada.com/ Marcela Taboada's National Geographic story: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/article/photo-story-consecrated-mexico-monasteries/ End Credits: Senior Creative Producer & Host: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Theme Music: Gabriel Richards Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

What is the role of landscape photography in a post-industrial world? In today's podcast, we consider some possibilities in a chat with Jade Doskow, current photographer in residence for Staten Island's Freshkills Park, and Cal Flyn author of the book Islands of Abandonment. Above image: © Jade Doskow While our two guests work in different disciplines, which leads to divergent approaches to the pictures they make, their shared purpose tells similar stories. Among the topics we discuss are a distinction between romantic landscapes of the past and a more ambivalent attitude to the subject today, and a photographer's responsibility to make pictures that go beyond merely decorative intent. You'll also discover how dedication to a fine art passion project can lead to career advancement through paid assignments. Join us for this fascinating discussion about recording the gradual process between post-industrial decay and engineered regeneration, or other states of rewilding Guests: Jade Doskow & Cal Flyn For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/reclaiming-a-natural-landscape-with-jade-doskow-cal-flyn Stay Connected: Jade Doskow Website: https://jadedoskowphotography.com/  Jade Doskow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j_doskow/ Jade Doskow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jade.doskow/ Jade Doskow at Freshkills Park: https://freshkillspark.org/os-art/jadedoskow Jade Doskow Lost Utopias Documentary: https://www.philipshane.com/lost-utopias Jade Doskow Urban Omnibus Project: https://urbanomnibus.net/2022/11/extra-terrestrial Cal Flyn Website: https://www.calflyn.com/ Cal Flyn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calflyn/ Cal Flyn Linktree: https://linktr.ee/calflyn Cal Flyn Islands of Abandonment: https://linktr.ee/IslandsofAbandonment

In today's podcast, we sit down with Mark Leong, a fifth-generation Chinese-American photographer, for Picturing World Cultures. Above photograph © Mark Leong From his arrival in 1980s Beijing on a one-year travel fellowship, to his decision to live and work there long-term over the following decades, we follow Mark's path from his ancestral village to the Beijing art scene, and beyond. He walks us through his experiences in documenting the massive cultural shifts as Chinese society transitioned from uniformity and limited choice to a realm of consumerism and increasing globalization. We also discuss Mark's long-term photographic project featuring China's Post-90's generation, the young adults born under the country's one-child policy. As Mark points out toward the end of our chat, "What's interesting to me about this generation I'm photographing is that they have this kind of creativity, and they have the resources to use this creativity to make something." If you haven't already listened, check out all the episodes of our Picturing World Cultures podcast series here. Guest: Mark Leong For more information about our guest and the gear he uses, see: https:/www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/picturing-world-cultures-mark-leong-china Stay Connected: Mark Leong Website: https://www.markleongphotography.com/ Mark Leong on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markleongphotography/ Mark Leong on Redux Website: https://reduxpictures.com/artist/mark-leong Mark Leong's book China Obscura: https://www.amazon.com/China-Obscura-Mark-Leong/dp/0811844617 Mark Leong's Award from Center: https://centersantafe.org/comingofage

Today we chat with Reid Callanan, founder and director of the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops and renowned photo educator Craig Stevens, formerly of Maine Media Workshops and Savannah College of Art & Design, about photography mentors, lifelong learning, and the role photo workshops play in cultivating community. Craig and Reid share plenty of insight, not just on the requisite trust that's required in a successful mentor and student relationship, but other topics such as what it means to be truly passionate about photography, collaboration, as well as how to critique the work of others without being "critical." Whether you're just getting started as a photographer or you're a seasoned vet, you're sure to walk away from today's podcast with a nugget or two of wisdom.  Photo caption: Double portrait of Reid Callanan and Craig Stevens  Photo credit: Above Image © Joyce Tenneson Episode Timeline: 4:44: Reid Callanan on first recognizing Craig Stevens as his mentor. 12:20: Craig's early impressions of Reid. 16:25: How the concept of mentorship has changed over time and across generations. 19:56: Craig on the "workshop method" and past history as it applies to photography. 26:23: Online workshops versus intensive in-person learning opportunities. 31:38: Differences between an international photo workshop and a destination photo tour, and questions prospective students should ask. 36:38: Discussing the Santa Fe Photographic Workshop's online mentorship program. 39:20: Making distinctions between mentorship and coaching relationships. 43:03: Episode Break 44:12: On the concept of lifelong learning. 50:52: Discussing the challenges in trying to learn photography as a vocation today. 55:38: The art of critique, what makes a photograph "good," and dealing with personal tastes and biases when discussing photographs. 1:07:38: How motivation and inspiration factor into working with students.   1:11:01: Questions of cropping, aspect ratios, and Craig's panoramic landscape photographs. 1:16:36: Photographic style and the idea of helping a student to differentiate themselves. 1:22:42: The evolution from traditional photographic printmaking to digital inkjet prints. Guests: Reid Callanan & Craig Stevens Guest Bios: Reid Callanan is the founder and director of the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops. In addition to all the responsibilities involved in leading the workshops for the past 32 years, Reid is also an accomplished photographer in his own right who jumps on the opportunity to teach workshops whenever he can.  Reid's journey in photography started in 1974 during a semester abroad at Richmond College in London. He's been making images ever since using a variety of photographic processes. After spending 14 years at the Maine Photographic Workshops, Reid headed west in 1990, where he founded the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops and the non-profit Santa Fe Center for Photography, now known as CENTER.  In addition to serving as CENTER's Vice-President of the Board of Directors, he serves on the President's Council of the Texas Photographic Society; he's a Board member for the American Society of Media Photographers Foundation; and The National Center for The Photograph. Craig Stevens is a photographer, printmaker and photographic educator.  He has taught, written about, and lectured extensively on art and education since 1975 when he received his MFA from Ohio University.  For 12 years he was associate director of the Maine Photographic Workshops, where he was also involved in the creation and development of the Workshops' Resident Program. In 1994, he was workshops director for the 25th anniversary of Les Rencontres Internationale de la Photographie in Arles, France.  Additionally, Craig has served on the faculties of the Santa Fe Workshops, the Anderson Ranch Arts Center, and Les Ateliers de l'Image in France. In 2013, he was the first recipient of the Susan Carr Educator Prize awarded by the American Society of Media Photographers.  After 34 years at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where he held the rank of Professor Emeritus, Craig left full time teaching in 2023.  Stay Connected: Reid Callanan Website: https://www.reidcallanan.com/  Reid Callanan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reidcallanan/ Reid Callanan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reid.callanan Santa Fe Photographic Workshops Website: https://santafeworkshops.com/ Santa Fe Photographic Workshops YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SantaFeWorkshops Center Website: https://centersantafe.org/ Center Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centersantafe/ Center Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CENTERsantafe Craig Stevens Website: https://www.craigstevens.me/ Craig Stevens Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigstevensstudio/ Maine Media Workshops Website: https://www.mainemedia.edu/ SCAD Website: https://www.scad.edu/  End Credits: Host: Allan Weitz Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Today's podcast has us sitting down with Venezuelan photographer and investigative journalist Fabiola Ferrero to discuss her long-term photographic projects in Venezuela, for Picturing World Cultures. Above photograph © Fabiola Ferrero Fabiola walks us through her childhood memories of Venezuela and describes how this period contrasts significantly with the country's current climate. We also discuss how she got started in photography, and how her time spent both in and out of Venezuela helped grow her photography and more. If you haven't already listened, check out all the episodes of our Picturing World Cultures podcast series here. Guest: Fabiola Ferrero Episode Timeline: 2:20: Fabiola discusses Venezuelan culture, and questions using the word resiliency in relation to the country's ongoing crisis. 5:39: How she got started in photography. 8:20: Fabiola talks about overcoming shyness, learning how to photograph people as an introvert, and the advantages of slowly building a connection with subjects. 11:12: On being the last of her family to leave Caracas. 14:43: Fabiola's early long term projects, Blurred in Despair and I Can't Hear the Birds, and the importance of image selection to building different narratives.  19:57: The impact of leaving Venezuela and how this shifted her perspective as a photographer. 24:11: The importance of Fabiola's assignment work in Venezuela and its impact on her personal work. 25:30: Episode Break 27:04: On migrating to Columbia in 2020, and her eventual return to Venezuela in 2022.  37:04: Fabiola runs us through her gear and setup. 38:09: Collaborating with other journalists in her latest project, The Wells Run Dry 44:10: The challenging topic of hope when discussing the future of Venezuela 46:50: We ask Fabiola about her mentorship program, Semillero Migrante 54:39: Fabiola Ferrero answers our PWC Visual Questionnaire. Guest Bio: Fabiola Ferrero was born in Caracas, Venezuela in 1991. Her personal work reflects how her childhood memories contrast with her country's current crisis.  Using her background in writing and investigative journalism, she develops long term visual projects focused on collaborative ways to speak about the human condition under hostile contexts. To bring opportunities to other emerging photographers, Fabiola founded Semillero Migrante in 2021. This mentorship program on the topic of migration empowers Venezuelans and Colombians and promotes the integration of both cultures. A 2018 Magnum Foundation Fellow in Social Justice, her additional recognition includes a 2021 Inge Morath Award, a 2022 Carmignac Photojournalism Award, and a World Press Photo award for Long Term Projects, which she received in 2023. Most recently, Fabiola completed a one-year fellowship at Columbia University's Institute for Ideas and Imagination in Paris. Stay Connected: Fabiola Ferrero Website: https://www.fabiolaferrero.com/ Fabiola Ferrero on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabiolaferrero/ Fabiola Ferrero on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fabiola.ferrero/ Fabiola Ferrero on Twitter: https://x.com/FabiolaFerrero/ Fabiola Ferrero, I Can't Hear the Birds Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_AmKsv_OTM Fabiola Ferrero, Fondation Carmignac: https://www.fondationcarmignac.com/en/fabiola-ferrero-en/ Fabiola Ferrero, Institute of Ideas & Imagination: https://ideasimagination.columbia.edu/fellows/fabiola-ferrero/ Semillero Migrante Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semilleromigrante/  End Credits: Senior Creative Producer & Host: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens Theme Music: Gabriel Richards

In today's podcast, we chat with Boris Eldagsen, visual artist and AI pioneer, and Miles Astray, documentary photographer, on a plethora of issues surrounding AI-generated content. Boris and Miles share a ton of insight into the nature of AI-generated images, from the implications of it becoming more prevalent, the possibility and dangers of the spread of misinformation all the way to the need to rethink how we engage with social media. These are just a few of the points raised in our discussion with them. If you haven't already listened, This episode is part of a wider series tracing the effects of AI on today's creative community. Guests: Boris Eldagsen & Miles Astray Top shot: TOP_SHOT_Eldagsen_Astray_bhpodcast Photo caption: AI Generated Image "The Electrician" vs Authentic Photograph "Flamingone" Photo credit: Collaged diptych: © Boris Eldagsen / © Miles Astray Episode Timeline: 3:40: Boris shares his thoughts on the difference in reception between his and Miles' respective contest entries. 6:34: Discussing the blurry boundaries between editing photographs and generated images. 15:18: Miles shares some of his motivations behind his photo, "F L A M I N G O N E". 20:12: As AI images become more prevalent what happens when we're flooded with content with questionable basis in reality. 27:24: The pitfalls of generated images and living in a "post-truth" era.  29:37: Episode Break 30:52: The surprising, sometimes idiosyncratic nature of what AI models generate when entering prompts. 42:33: What the lack of guardrails and censorship with AI-generated content means for creativity. 47:55: Discussing the possible dangers of AI-content to the documentary-photography process.  53:07: The opposing nature of social media as a news source and a business. 59:34: The prevalence of fact checking on social media sites. 1:06:53: On the lack of a perfect solution to the problem with manipulated images and the spread of disinformation. Guest Bios:  Boris Eldagsen is an acclaimed media artist, photographer, and AI pioneer based in Berlin. His work in photomedia explores the limits of what can be depicted. Using a combination of street photography, staged works, and, most recently, both still and video AI image-making tools, he deals intensively with the subconscious, which inspires him to create new worlds of images.   Boris has taught creativity, concept development, and photographic art in both Germany and Australia since 2004. Additionally, he is a member of Deutsche Fotografische Akademie, and is responsible for their online activities. Miles Astray is a multidisciplinary artist who combines writing and photography into art activism. He was inspired by a slow and immersive journey around the world that started in 2012, when he set out to work with grassroots nonprofits for a year.  Little did he know this would be the first step of a new chapter of a reinvented life, living and working with local communities in Latin America, Asia and Africa. When he returned home for the first time in 2018, he found home was no longer a place to settle, it was just another place to stop along the path of a greater journey. And, thus he's still out there, not so much to find answers, but to keep asking questions. Stay Connected: Boris Eldagsen Web site: https://www.eldagsen.com/ Boris Eldagsen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boriseldagsen  Boris Eldagsen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boriseldagsen Boris Eldagsen YouTube: www.youtube.com/@boriseldagsen Boris Eldagsen Prompt Whispering Workshops: https://www.promptwhispering.ai/workshops/ Miles Astray Web site: https://www.milesastray.com/ Miles Astray Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milesastray/ Miles Astray Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MilesAstray/ Miles Astray Twitter: https://twitter.com/milesastray Boris Eldagsen Podcast Episode: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/fake-memories-promptography-and-generative-ai-with-boris-eldagsen Stephen Shankland Podcast Episode: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/photography-in-the-age-of-ai-with-stephen-shankland Fred Ritchin Podcast Episode: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/photography-in-the-age-of-synthetic-imaging-with-fred-ritchin

In today's podcast, we'll be talking with Norwegian photographer Naina Helén Jåma about her documentation of indigenous South Sami culture in Norway and her career as a press photographer in Scandinavia. Jåma details her childhood growing up in the small rural village of Snasa, where, at the age of 15, she began her career while working as a cultural interpreter and archivist at the Saemien Sijte Museum.  From there, Naina takes us on a journey through her fascinating career as a photographer, from her training at the Nordic School of Photography to her work for world-renowned publications such as The New York Times, Bloomberg, and The Guardian Alongside her journalistic work, Naina maintains a close relationship with the traditional Sami arts of Duodji. Documenting the ongoing development of this art form pays tribute to oral knowledge and silent tradition, which is learned and transmitted visually. Above photograph © Naina Helén Jåma If you haven't already listened, check out all the episodes of our Picturing World Cultures podcast series here. For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see:  www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts Guest: Naina Helén Jåma Episode Timeline: 2:23: Naina's early childhood and growing up in Snåsa, a small village in Norway with approximately 2,000 inhabitants. 6:14: Naina's first job and the start of her career, working as a cultural archivist at the Saemien Sijite Museum. 10:44: How photographing handcrafted Sami items became Naina's thesis while enrolled at the Nordic School of Photography 14:45: Discussing different aspects and signifiers of traditional Sami clothing. 19:40: The eight different seasons of Sami culture. 22:06: Discussing the role and influence of animism and other traditional Sami belief systems. 28:18: Episode Break 29:40: Naina's go-to kit for cameras and lenses 33:10: Tips for shooting in cold climates and extreme conditions 35:14: Structuring documentation when working as a photojournalist  39:49: Naina's diverse reportage, from documenting the NATO summit to Sami youth protests due to windmill farms violating traditional reindeer hunting lands. 46:30: What Naina learned from her time working on the other side of the lens as a Director of Photography 49:26: "Man Borrows the Land from Future Generations" 53:06: Naina Helén Jåma answers our PWC Visual Questionnaire. Guest Bio: Naina Helén Jåma is a South Sami photographer and storyteller from Snaasa in Norway, currently based in Oslo. After starting her career at the Saemien Sijte Museum at age 15, where she worked to interpret and preserve South Sami culture. Naina has maintained a close relationship with the traditional Sami arts of Duodji. Documenting the ongoing development of this art form pays tribute to oral knowledge and silent tradition, which is learned and transmitted visually. Trained at the Nordic School of Photography in Sweden, Naina has worked as both a photojournalist and a photo editor for various Scandinavian newspapers and agencies, as well as major international publications such as The New York Times, Bloomberg and The Guardian. Naina is a member of the Sami Artists Association, and in 2020 she received a working grant from the Sami Council. Most recently, she was selected by the Norwegian Journal of Photography as one of nine photographers to work on a two-year heritage project, where she will be photographing and doing in-depth interviews to investigate the evolving legacy of Sami culture. Stay Connected: Naina Helén Jåma Website: https://www.nainahelen.com/ Naina Helén Jåma on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nainahelen/  Naina Helén Jåma on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nainahelen.photography/ Naina Helén Jåma on Twitter: https://x.com/nainahelenwj/ Naina Helén Jåma in the Norwegian Journal of Photography: https://njp.no/2024/naina-helen-jama/ Naina Helén Jåma on Blink: https://blink.la/u/nainahelen End Credits: Senior Creative Producer & Host: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens Theme Music: Gabriel Richards

In today's podcast, we'll be talking with Long Island-based pediatrician and self-taught photographer Dr. Greg Gulbransen, whose newly released book Say Less documents the three years Gulbransen spent embedded with Malik, the paralyzed leader of a Crips' set in the Bronx. Gulbransen details his journey from wildlife and fashion photography to documenting the lives of at-risk members of the Bikes Up Guns Down club to his most recent (and most daunting) project: photographing members of a violent street gang. Gulbransen also touches on his years-long campaign to require auto makers to install rear-view cameras in all American-made cars, a personal crusade born of the tragic car accident involving his infant son. Guest: Dr. Greg Gulbransen Top shot © Dr. Greg Gulbransen Episode Timeline: 3:45: Dr. Greg's early medical training in the Bronx, and his experiences photographing at-risk kids from the Bikes Up Guns Down bike club.  13:26: The start of Dr. Greg's 3-year project photographing Malik, a gunshot victim and paralyzed leader of a Bronx Crips' set. 14:55: The complex relationship between Dr. Greg, Malik and his mother, which allowed him to operate in such a potentially dangerous environment.   19:23: Christmas with Malik and his family. 30:57: Dr. Greg talks best practices for administering Narcan, using informants to keep himself safe, and helping Malik stay out of prison. 44:48: Episode Break 45:46: Working with former LIFE magazine editor in chief Bill Shapiro to edit and plan his photo book. 49:22: Obtaining two sets of releases from Malik and other set members for all photos and text to appear in the book. 51:40: Dr. Greg discusses his copious notes while embedded, and details about capturing candid photos of set members and other neighborhood subjects. 54:50: Dr. Greg's traumatic yet successful campaign requiring the auto industry to install of rear-view cameras in all American cars. Guest Bio: Dr. Greg Gulbransen is a Long Island-based pediatric doctor, who has been making photographs since 2014. Following a tragic car accident involving his son in 2002, Gulbransen successfully campaigned to get the auto industry to install rear-view cameras in American cars. As a result, all new cars in the US must have rear-view cameras, leading to an immeasurable impact on the lives of Americans.  After starting out with wildlife pictures and editorial fashion work, Gulbransen transitioned to documenting the lives of unique individuals with interesting stories in an aim to preserve their legacies through photography. This work is often informed by a drive to highlight issues impacting American society, with a focus on young people.  Over the course of three years, Gulbransen photographed Malik, a set leader of the violent street gang, the Crips. In 2018, Malik was shot and paralyzed by a bullet from a rival gang. As a result, his world now centers around the small Bronx apartment where he's cared for by family and fellow gang members. This project was recently released by Gost Books as the monograph Say Less, Gulbransen's first book.  Stay Connected: Dr. Greg Gulbransen's Website: https://www.gulbransenphoto.com/ Dr. Greg Gulbransen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greggulbransenpeds Word on the Street YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@superwariobro Dr. Greg Gulbransen's book Say Less: https://gostbooks.com/en-us/products/say-less  

How would you feel if all the coverage you saw about your culture was a superficial view from the outside, rather than a narrative steeped in details of lived experience? Above photograph © Tailyr Irvine This is the motivating force that led today's guest to pick up a camera, enter the newsroom, and cultivate an insider's perspective on contemporary Native American life, to expand the scope and enhance the accuracy of stories being told. From exploring quiet moments at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation during the Dakota Access Pipeline protests to a revealing photo project on Blood Quantum, you'll gain fresh insight into the traumatic history and complex issues affecting Native American people today. Make sure and stay to the end for details about valuable resources like the Indigenous Photograph database and Illuminative's Guide to Native Representation, as well as to learn about Tailyr's ongoing work with businesses and organizations, to foster native representation in their projects.  All told, you'll walk away with a new appreciation for the idea that "Learning your culture is a privilege, and it's not a privilege that everyone gets." For more information on our guest and the gear she uses, click here.  If you haven't already listened, check out all the episodes of our Picturing World Cultures podcast series here. Episode Timeline: 2:04: Tailyr's early documentation at Standing Rock, and the value of her insider perspective as a Native journalist. 8:19: Distinctions between stereotypical views and a more authentic and diverse representation of Native culture.  12:42: Tailyr's Reservation Mathematics project and the controversial issue of blood quantum.  21:05: The role of reservations as a center for Native culture and history, and the recent push to revitalize Native traditions. 24:11: The dark history of Native boarding schools and Tailyr's work in telling stories about past abuses. 29:25: The public response to Tailyr's Reservation Mathematics story and the challenges to changing this system. 32:30: Episode Break 34:25: Tailyr Irvine's go-to gear and photojournalistic techniques. 38:21: Documenting tribal powwows to feature individual style rather than reinforce Native stereotypes. 42:56: Rules of etiquette at a powwow, the importance of consent, and questions of picture use.  47:17: Tailyr's first assignment on the Blackfeet Boxing Club and an ESPN editor's help to overcome economic barriers to entry.  54:28: Tailyr's consulting work and building partnerships with businesses and organizations to foster native representation in projects. 1:04:06: Tailyr Irvine answers our PWC Visual Questionnaire. Guest Bio: Tailyr Irvine is a Salish and Kootenai photographer and journalist born and raised on the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana. Her work focuses on providing in-depth representations of the lives and complex issues within the diverse communities that make up Native America. Tailyr is also a co-founder of Indigenous Photograph, a global database dedicated to support the media industry in hiring more Indigenous photographers to tell the stories of their communities and to reflect on how we tell these stories. She is a National Geographic Explorer and frequently contributes to the New York Times and other national outlets.  Stay Connected: Tailyr Irvine Website: https://www.tailyrirvine.com/ Tailyr Irvine Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TailyrIrvine/ Tailyr Irvine Twitter: https://x.com/tailyrirvine Tailyr Irvine Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TailyrIrvine/ Tailyr Irvine on National Geographic: https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/storytelling-through-photography-tailyr-irvine/ Tailyr Irvine's Blackfeet Boxing Story: https://indigenousfutures.illuminatives.org/ending-violence/tailyr-irvine Illuminative's Guide to Native Representation for Entertainment Industry Professionals: https://illuminative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IllumiNative_industry-guide_June-2022.pdf Native American Journalists Association Website: https://najanewsroom.com/ Tailyr Irvine's Vital Impacts Grant: https://vitalimpacts.org/pages/grant-winner-2023-tailyr-irvine Indigenous Photograph Website: https://indigenousphotograph.com/ Senior Creative Producer & Host: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens Theme Music: Gabriel Richards

Where does the medium of photography stand in an era where the latest mantra encourages people to "Skip the Photo Shoot?" How can a viewer continue to trust photographs as evidence in a marketplace where AI is touted as a "revolution," and "the new digital camera" that we need to embrace? And what methods can a photographer use today to be considered a credible witness with a transparent code of ethics? These are just a few of the points raised in our discussion with renowned writer, photo editor, and educator Fred Ritchin. For more than forty years, Ritchin has kept tabs on the progressive shift from using a camera to record the visible as truth to getting the world to look the way we want it to look. Join us, as we wade through the swampy terrain separating photographic fact from synthetic creation, as part of a wider series tracing the effects of AI on today's creative community. Bonus invite: In preparation for an upcoming discussion between visual artists and AI instigators Boris Eldagsen and Miles Astray, we're soliciting listener questions. To get your chance for an on-air shout out, please post a question for our guests to the comments section below or email it to: [email protected]. Guest: Fred Ritchin Top shot: Synthetic image, not a photograph, generated by the artificial intelligence system DALL-E, in response to the text prompt by Fred Ritchin, "An iconic photograph from the year 1945," 2023. For more information on our guest and the gear he uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/photography-in-the-age-of-synthetic-imaging-with-fred-ritchin Stay Connected: Fred Ritchin Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Ritchin Fred Ritchin bio from ICP: https://www.icp.org/users/fredritchin Four Corners Project: https://fourcornersproject.org/ The Fifth Corner https://thefifthcorner.org/ Writing with Light Campaign: https://wwlight.org/ The Synthetic Eye book: https://wwnorton.com/books/9780500297391

Sports enthusiasts from around the world will soon be glued to their nearest viewing screen, watching the action unfold during the international Summer Games in Paris.   But how much do you know about the finer points of photographing elite level competition, or about the lightning-fast, high-tech journey these images make from inside a camera to a remote editing workflow, and then onward to be enjoyed by you, the viewer?   In today's podcast we've got the inside track on how these visual delicacies are brought to life and served up to global audiences. Our guests are Getty Images Chief Photographer Maddie Meyer and Managing Editor James Chance, who runs Getty Images' editing operations in Europe.   We start with Maddie, who details the advance preparations and complex logistics required to ensure the success of 60 Getty Images photographers on the ground in Paris, alongside a sizable amount of remote and robotic gear. In the show's second half, James describes the impressive synergy between the photographers on site and the massive team of photo editors he's assembled to work remotely from London and in other locations around the world—a complex infrastructure that's a first for the agency.   Immerse yourself in the passion for sports and learn what it takes to capture images that set you apart from the pack.   As Maddie Meyer sums up, "That's where the real challenge comes in. And that's where I would say it's really difficult. But that's where knowing the athletes comes in, knowing the way they move, knowing their rituals before they get in the pool, knowing some of the dynamics between the athletes, where you can really kind of pick up on the minutia to try and make something special." Guests: Maddie Meyer & James Chance Episode Timeline: 3:37: Maddie's college internship at Getty Images, and her experiences as a woman shooting sports. 8:30: Plans for covering the Paris Games, and details about the Getty Images team. 11:56: Maddie's aquatics specialty and details about photographer assignments. 16:23: A question of shooting strategy: going for maximum volume vs anticipating more and shooting less. 22:37: Dedicated cameras vs remotes and robotic equipment, plus Maddie's go-to gear: A Canon R3 mirrorless and 28-70 mm f/2 lens. 28:23: Episode Break  29:35: The synergy and trust between photography and photo editing teams. 33:28: Logistics of staff photographers, remotes, and robotic cameras on the ground to capture the Paris Games  38:28: Details about Getty Images remote photo editing staff in the UK during the Paris games, and their three-stage editing process. 43:33: The technical tools—hardware and software—powering the Getty Images workflow and file management process. 1:00:58: The most important qualities in a Getty Images photo editor. Guest Bios: Maddie Meyer is a chief photographer for Getty Images based in—but not geographically limited to—Boston, Massachusetts. She joined the Getty Images team in January 2015, after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in photojournalism from Ohio University. Maddie's assignments range from covering New England's professional sports teams to international travel covering events such as the Men's and Women's World Cup, the FINA World Swimming championships and the Olympic Games in Rio and Pyeongchang. Her pictures are continually published in major metropolitan newspapers, magazines, and websites worldwide, including ESPN, the New York Times, Sports Illustrated, the Washington Post, among many other media outlets. Equally skilled as a photographer, James Chance began his editing career as a freelancer in London. He currently serves as the managing editor for Getty Images Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He works to train and schedule the editing team, as well as plan editing for major events such as the Women's World Cup in Australia, and the Paris Olympic Games. James helped to create the vision for Getty Images remote editing plan, where photo editors will be working out of the company's London office, while the photographers will be in Paris.  Stay Connected: Maddie Meyer Website: https://www.maddiemeyerphoto.com/ Maddie Meyer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddiemeyer2/ James Chance Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameschance_5 Getty Images Website: https://www.gettyimages.com/ Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1742972-REG/samsung_mu_pe4t0s_am_4tb_t7_shield_portable.html

A photographer's success hinges on access. This is an underlying thread in the tapestry woven in this week's show. Our discussion covers multiple facets and cultural attributes of Indian society, as seen through the eyes of a photographer with a knack for being in the right place at the right time. In this month's episode of the series, Picturing World Cultures, we speak with Indian photographer Pablo Bartholomew about his long career as a documentarian and photojournalist. From his early intimate views of 60s-era hippies launching a counterculture invasion from the West to his photojournalistic coverage of historic events, Bartholomew shares insights about dynamics at work behind the scenes. We also discuss changes to the marketplace for pictures over time, and whether an iconic picture is still able to affect a change in the world. As an antidote to a life chasing the news, Bartholomew embarked on a ten-year documentation of India's remote Naga tribes. In the show's second half, he walks us through his background research and the permissions process involved in photographing tribespeople and their customs with professional lighting gear.  There's also a personal motivation behind Bartholomew's Naga Project. As a child, he had heard many stories about goodwill the Naga showed his father's family during their flight from Burma to India during World War II.  "Principally, what I couldn't wrap my head around was that headhunters, they're supposed to be these ferocious people. Why would they let fair game pass through their backyard, to the degree where they would provide food and shelter?" he says. "So, there was in this savage something very kind. And I wanted to find out what the contradiction was." Tune in today for more on the Naga tribes and other stories from India! If you haven't already listened, check out all the episodes of our Picturing World Cultures podcast series here.    Guest: Pablo Bartholomew Episode Timeline: 2:16: Pablo describes how the caste system functions as a defining aspect of Indian culture. 7:18: The influx of the Western hippy counterculture in India as recorded in Pablo's earliest pictures. 12:27: Capturing life on the streets of Delhi, Bombay, and Calcutta, a photo essay on Calcutta's Chinatown, and Pablo's work with the renowned Indian film director Satyajit Ray. 17:05: The rise of Pablo's photojournalism career, the dynamics of a photographer's access, and his iconic images of the tragic gas leak at Bhopal. 29:09: Pablo discusses how the work of a photojournalist has changed in the past 40 years. 32:53: Go-to camera gear, the various cameras Pablo's used over the years, and his transition from analog to digital. 36:37: Tips for mitigating the heat and humidity of India, plus equipment for image storage and film scanning. 40:10: Episode Break 41:23: Pablo's long-term project documenting the Naga tribes in Northeast India, his preliminary ethnographic research on the tribes, and gaining permission to photograph with full lighting gear.  51:43: Animist practices within the Naga tribes, and distinctions between tribes within the Naga identity. 1:00:05: Naga rituals it may be too late to photograph, and a memorable festival held by the Konyak tribe. 1:04:09: Pablo's cross-cultural project documenting economic emigres from India who have resettled in the US, France, England, Madagascar, and Portugal. 1:14:38: Pablo Bartholomew answers our PWC Visual Questionnaire.   Guest Bio: Pablo Bartholomew, a self-taught photographer born in New Delhi in 1955. His father Richard was a noted art critic as well as a photographer, allowing Pablo to learn photography at home at a very young age. In his subsequent career of nearly fifty years, Pablo has documented societies in conflict and transition, while also recording intimate details of his own generation maturing amid a changing India. From 1983 to 2004, his photojournalistic work was featured in every major international publication, from National Geographic to Paris Match and beyond. Pablo's photographs have been recognized by World Press Photo on three different occasions, including a 1985 'Picture of the Year' award for his riveting image from the Bhopal gas tragedy. In 2013, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contributions to photography, and in 2014, he was honored with the status of Chevalier de L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government. For more information on our guest and the gear he uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/picturing-world-cultures-pablo-bartholemew-india Stay Connected: Pablo Bartholomew Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pablobartholomew/ Pablo Bartholomew Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/parabart Pablo Bartholomew Bhopal photo from World Press Photo 1985: https://www.worldpressphoto.org/collection/photocontest/1985 Pablo Bartholomew Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Bartholomew Pablo Bartholomew Nagaland Project: https://ninefish.in/viewing-room/the-nagas/ TEDxIIMRanchi: Pablo Bartholomew - A Life in Photography https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBldVr4YIBE Kishor Parekh: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kishor_Parekh  

Most people's perception of prison life revolves around sensationalized news stories and Hollywood movies depicting drab, inhospitable environments far outside our reach. In today's show, we're challenging that view in a chat with two educators who use photography as a framework for teaching visual literacy and the art of storytelling to incarcerated men. Cameras, computers, and sometimes even books, are prohibited from classrooms inside lock up, which forced our guests to come up with creative workarounds, using the generosity of the photographic medium as a path to engage in dialog with their students. As one of our guests, Nigel Poor, puts it: "With a little bit of ingenuity, there's always a work around to come out with something really beautiful and emotional. And that's one of the pleasures of working in a prison, is that you've got to really rely on your imagination and your ability to hit a road bump and find a way around it." Don't miss this inspiring discussion with two artists and educators who successfully adapted their teaching to the prison workaround, then connected with students on a human level, ultimately triggering their capability to "see fascination everywhere."  Guests: Chantal Zakari & Nigel Poor For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/pictures-from-the-inside-seeing-fascination-everywhere-with-chantal-zakari Top shot courtesy of Nigel Poor and the San Quentin State Prison Museum, with thanks to former Warden Ron Davis and retired Lieutenant Sam Robinson Stay Connected: Chantal Zakari Website: https://www.thecorner.net/chantal-zakari Chantal Zakari Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/show.n.tll/ Chantal Zakari's Pictures from the Outside book: https://www.thecorner.net/picturesfromtheoutside Tufts University Prison Initiative (TUPIT): https://sites.tufts.edu/tupit/overview/   Nigel Poor Website: https://nigelpoor.com/ Nigel Poor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nigelpoor/ Nigel Poor's San Quentin Prison Project: https://nigelpoor.com/project/san-quentin/ Nigel Poor's San Quentin Prison Project book: https://aperture.org/books/the-san-quentin-project/ Ear Hustle Podcast website: https://www.earhustlesq.com/ This is Ear Hustle book: https://sites.prh.com/thisisearhustle Mount Tamalpais College: https://www.mttamcollege.edu/

Documenting a culture can be a daunting process, especially when it involves a history of conquest and colonialism. Synthesizing such a complex and traumatic past in a contemporary narrative is a formidable task, requiring extensive researchh and dedicated planning. This is the back story to today's podcast. Above photograph © Juan Brenner For the seventh chapter in our monthly series, Picturing World Cultures, we speak with Guatemalan photographer Juan Brenner about his recent projects in the country's Western Highlands. Our chat begins with Brenner's introduction to photography as a youth, and the protective bubble surrounding him during the country's brutal civil war. He left Guatemala at age 20 to forge a career as a fashion photographer in New York, which filters into our discussions about portraiture and photo gear. But our primary focus is on Brenner's recent personal projects, created after his return to Guatemala, and an epiphany he had about the idea of "Indigenous Power." Listen in as he describes how this concept was subsequently called into question. You'll gain insight into the unequal power quotient that comes with being a "Mickey Mouse" photographer and discover how critical aspects of communication extend well beyond the basic structure of language. As Brenner notes during our chat, "You have to be really careful just being a photographer. It's so colonialist, you know, having a camera. You have this big robot that you stick in people's faces. You have this advantage. And, for me, it's really important to think about that a lot." If you haven't already listened, check out all the episodes of our Picturing World Cultures podcast series here. Guest: Juan Brenner For more information on our guest and the gear he uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/picturing-world-cultures-juan-brenner-guatemala Stay Connected: Juan Brenner Website: https://www.juanbrenner.com Juan Brenner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juan_brenner Juan Brenner Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/JuanBrenner5/ Artist talk with Juan Brenner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPiwQXWUMJ8&t=40s Juan Brenner's book Tonatiuh: https://editorialrm.com/en/producto/tonatiuh/

Julia Blaukopf is not afraid to think big, particularly when it comes to her photographs. She's also not afraid of blurring the lines between fine art and commercial enterprise. Equal parts photographer, designer, visual artist, and entrepreneur, Julia is the founder of Fotografica—an arts-products venture with the goal of re-envisioning options for photography and photo-based products. Top shot © Julia Blaukopf In this week's podcast, Julia leads us along her inspiring path—from her early days working with alternative processes and forging relationships with crafts people to her latest collaborations with architects, designers, and developers in the creation of architectural-scale commissions and custom photo-based installations. When collaborating with professional partners and clients on huge projects, psychology is key, which we discuss in detail. Blaukopf also describes the critical importance of seeking out the best printers and installers. Besides a command over technical details such as sound absorption, color fading, and bubbling, she sheds light on lesser-known yet equally essential construction issues such as fire codes. In addition to Blaukopf's commercial work, she is also a documentarian with a passion for women's empowerment and social justice. Towards the end of our chat she describes her work in that realm, offering insights about connecting with non-profits, and sharing stories through photography that have the ability to galvanize change. Guest: Julia Blaukopf For more information on our guest and the gear she uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/larger-than-life-julia-blaukopfs-custom-photographic-wall-decor Stay Connected: Julia Blaukopf's Website: https://www.juliablaukopf.com/ Fotografica Website: https://www.thefotografica.com/ Julia Blaukopf's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliablaukopf/ Fotographica's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fotografica_official/ Julia Blaukopf's Twitter: https://twitter.com/juliablaukopf Julia Blaukopf's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julia.blaukopf/ North Bar Wall Covering:  https://www.thefotografica.com/north-bar Julia's book The Rain Parade: https://www.abingdonsquarepublishing.com/rainparade.html

How much do you know about New York City's 1982 Loft Law, which established a process for artists to obtain legal occupancy of the raw industrial spaces they inhabited, while also providing rent stabilization and protection from future eviction? Or the pigeon fanciers who were once a fixture across the rooftops of Brooklyn and remain valued as neighborhood sentinels? If these poetic vestiges from Gotham's storied past have you dreaming about the good old days, then you won't want to miss our podcast with gen-Z New Yorkers (and good buddies) Joshua Charow and Josh Katz. Their ambitious, self-assigned photo projects explore rarified mini-worlds featuring magical artist spaces and exuding West Side Story vibes. While their respective explorations occupy opposite ends of the struggle for prized urban space, the insights they share when discussing both their working methods and their paths to publishing are instructive and inspirational. What's more, their spirited camaraderie in conversation is infectious! As Charow aptly notes toward the end of the episode, "I have to say, I don't know if this book would exist without Josh Katz. Because I started this project towards the end of him finishing his, and as a close friend, he was able to basically show me the roadmap of how you get from idea to a finished book. And like he said, it's really hard to understand how that works without someone in your life who can show you the steps you have to take." And for bonus points, listen up to discover the former guest of the show who also sat down with Charow, and ultimately lined him up with a book agent! For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/nyc-artist-lofts-brooklyn-rooftops-with-joshua-charow-josh-katz Guests: Joshua Charow and Josh Katz Top shot © Joshua Charow Stay Connected: Joshua Charow Website: https://www.joshuacharow.com/ Joshua Charow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuacharow/ Joshua Charow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshcharow Joshua Charow Twitter: https://twitter.com/joshuacharow/ Joshua Charow YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joshuacharow Joshua Charow Loft Law book: https://www.damianibooks.com/en/collections/charow-joshua Joshua Charow Westwood Gallery Exhibit: https://www.westwoodgallery.com/exhibitions/loft-law-photographs-by-joshua-charowosh Katz Website: https://www.joshkatz.me/ Josh Katz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshkatz/ Josh Katz YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/joshkatz Josh Katz Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/joshkatz/new-york-in-quarantine-rooftop-culture-through-crisis?ref=5bku66 Josh Katz On the Roof book: https://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/books/on-the-roof-new-york-in-quarantine-hardcover Josh Katz Skatefolio Project: https://skatefol.io/

The dictionary defines culture as "the way of life for an entire society." But sometimes larger forces create rifts within the whole, inevitably leading to a confrontation between factions. A prime example of this cultural struggle is playing out today within the cities and villages of Ukraine, the focus of today's episode. Above photograph © Maxim Dondyuk In this sixth installment of our monthly series, Picturing World Cultures, we speak with Ukrainian photographer and visual artist Maxim Dondyuk, and his wife and artistic manager, Irina. Our conversation stretches beyond the current conflict, to encompass other aspects of Ukrainian society. From Maxim's early series on a country doctor's final visits with patients (which drew inspiration from the work of W. Eugene Smith) to his in-depth coverage of Ukraine's TB epidemic, we witness the evolution of his working methods and his dedication to long term documentary projects. Step behind the scenes of a military camp for children run by Cossacks, and gain insight into the cultural split between pro-Russian and pro-European factions, which Maxim photographed for his book Culture of Confrontation. As he writes in this book, "One culture tried to cling to old times, old ways of living. They were nostalgic for a past that meant a lot to them, to their parents, and grandparents. Yet there was another culture that felt completely differently. They looked ahead to forging something new, a different country." Join us for this frank discussion about how such conflicting forces take visual form in Maxim's powerfully arresting images. If you haven't already listened, check out all the episodes of our Picturing World Cultures podcast series here. Guests: Maxim & Irina Dondyuk Stay Connected: Maxim Dondyuk Website: https://maximdondyuk.com/ Maxim Dondyuk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maximdondyuk/ Maxim Dondyuk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maximdondyuk Maxim Dondyuk Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/maximdondyuk Maxim Dondyuk Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxim_Dondyuk Maxim Dondyuk's W. Eugene Smith Grant: https://www.smithfund.org/2022-maxim-dondyuk

For anyone familiar with the photo industry, the mammoth lawsuit between The Andy Warhol Foundation and renowned music photographer Lynn Goldsmith should be no secret. This complex battle over the rights to her 1981 portrait of the artist formerly known as Prince lasted seven years and went all the way to the Supreme Court.   But do you know the circumstances behind her original portrait session with the famously reserved musician, and were you aware of all the misinformation about this case that was disseminated in both legal documents and the press?   Lynn is a longtime friend of the show, and our 2017 episode about her extensive, long-term work with the band Kiss, among other crazy stories, was a fan favorite. We invited her back to discuss this case in 2022, when the Supreme Court first agreed to hear it, but heeding the advice of her legal counsel she wisely declined our offer at that time.    In May 2023, the Supreme Court ultimately ruled in Lynn's favor in a 7-2 decision, which has already been shown to benefit others seeking remedies for the misuse of their creative works.   Yet, while this landmark decision happened last year, the case itself was not officially resolved until very recently—Friday, March 15, 2024, to be exact—a day some might recognize as the Ides of March.   Now that the final resolution has been signed, sealed, and delivered, we felt it was a perfect opportunity for Lynn to give us a recap of this David vs Goliath battle, with all its complexities and underlying bias.   From details about the Fair Use doctrine, to the matter of copyright registration, to her thoughts about the current photographer community, to the importance of standing up for one's rights, Lynn provides a clear and insightful assessment of one of the most traumatic and threatening experiences that any independent artist can face, as only she can.   To her very core, Lynn believes creativity can make anything possible, an ideology she sums up aptly at the end of our chat.   "I felt like some higher power picked me for this," she says. "And that I had to make myself feel like a 1940s film with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, where there was going to be a happy ending, that everything would work out just fine, and that I was going to prevail."   Guest: Lynn Goldsmith Top shot © Lynn Goldsmith   Episode Timeline: 2:50: The backstory to Lynn Goldsmith's 1981 photo session with Prince. 7:17: Shooting both color and black-and-white in the days of film, a separate camera for each option. 11:15: Vanity Fair's 1984 use of Lynn's black and white portrait for artist reference.   13:47: Lynn's discovery of the original image use after Prince died in 2016.  19:50: The value of saving detailed records of licensing agreements for future reference. 23:14: The preemptive lawsuit the Andy Warhol Foundation filed against Lynn, and the misinformation contained in the Federal court filing. 32:15: Lynn discusses the Fair Use doctrine and the matter of copyright registration in relation to her case. 36:43: Episode Break 38:04: Meeting with the Andy Warhol Foundation and the deal on offer to resolve the lawsuit. 44:40: Lynn's thoughts about the current photographer community and the importance of standing up for your rights. 48:09: The multiple rounds of the Prince portrait lawsuit, from the first Federal case to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to the Supreme Court. 56:29: Uneven reporting about the lawsuit in the press, with the photo press being fearful to write anything, and the art press releasing misinformation without fact checks. 1:00:27: Behind the scenes at the Supreme Court hearing, the effects of the 7 – 2 decision, as well as Justice Kagan's written opinion. 1:08:48: Lynn's thoughts about generative AI. Guest Bio: Lynn Goldsmith is a multi-awarded portrait photographer whose work has appeared on and in between the covers of top magazines worldwide. Her subjects have varied from entertainment to sports, film directors to authors, and from top celebrities to the ordinary man on the street. Her forty years of photography are both an investigation into the nature of the human spirit, as well as the natural wonders of our planet. As the author of 12 major photo books, Lynn's images are also featured in numerous museum collections, yet her professional achievements are in no way limited to the world of photography. She is the youngest member ever accepted into the Director's Guild of America (DGA), where she achieved several firsts—from the first rock show on network television to the first music documentary released as a theatrical short, and more. In the mid-seventies, Lynn stopped directing to concentrate fully on photography. By the early 80s, she departed from both photography and film, to become the first 'optic-music' artist. Using the a.k.a. Will Powers, she produced the album "Dancing for Mental Health" on Island Records. Her debut album won critical acclaim and her single, Kissing with Confidence, reached #3 on the British charts. The wide range of Lynn's talents, skills and achievements are products of a belief she holds constant: Creativity is based on breaking limiting thought patterns, thus making anything possible.   Stay Connected: Lynn Goldsmith's Website: https://lynngoldsmith.com/menu.html Rock and Roll Photo Gallery Website: https://rockandrollphotogallery.com/ Lynn Goldsmith's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynngoldsmith/ Lynn Goldsmith's Twitter: https://twitter.com/goldsmithphoto Lynn Goldsmith's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynngoldsmithartist/ Lynn Goldsmith's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lynn-goldsmith/ Lynn Goldsmith's GoFundMe Campaign Lynn Goldsmith's Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynn_Goldsmith Pelican 1510TP Carry-On Case: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1241003-REG/pelican_015100_0050_110_1510tp_carry_on_case_with.html

 Professional tree planting is back breaking piecework—a combination of high intensity sport and industrial labor that requires both technical finesse and remarkable physical and mental endurance. Using techniques more often associated with high-performance athletes, experienced planters (commonly known as high-ballers) leap up and down through uneven and debris-strewn terrain, armed only with a shovel and 30-kg bags of seedlings on their backs. In recent years, tree planting has become a rite of passage among young Canadians not afraid of hard work and dirt under their fingernails.  As seasonal work, it attracts many students from Canada's southern cities. Due to the brutal physical demands, most are under 30 years old. Out on the cut block inclement weather is common, and the swarms of biting insects are legendary. Working in—rather than on—the land for months on end, and sharing an isolated camp site creates a solid bond among planters. This has molded into a subculture of sorts, which is the subject of today's show. My guest for this episode is Canadian photographer and filmmaker Rita Leistner. Rita documents communities living in extreme conditions, typically investing months or years in a project. After spending a decade as a tree planter during her youth, Rita returned to the forest in 2016 to document a new generation. In 2021, she released her results as an Art Trifecta, featuring large fine art photographs, a 256-page photo book, and the documentary feature film "Forest for the Trees."  Equally in her element in forests and war zones, Rita's photographs and her writings about photography, art, and war have been published, exhibited, and collected worldwide. She is represented by the Stephen Bulger Gallery for art, and by Green Planet Films for film. Guest: Rita Leistner Above photograph © Rita Leistner For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/picturing-world-cultures-rita-leistner-canada And if you haven't already listened, check out all episodes from our Picturing World Cultures podcast series here.https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/promotion/picturing-world-cultures    Episode Timeline:   2:02: The backstory to Canadian tree planting as a business 5:21: Rita's interest in photography and her early days as a tree planter. 12:43: Comparisons and contrasts between Rita's early tree planting experiences and what she found when returning to the forest to document this subject. 18:21: A typical day in the life of a tree planter and the actual planting process 26:31: How Rita landed on her distinctive photographic style of capturing fast moving planters with a PhaseOne camera and Profoto lighting. 32:40: Rita talks about how the young planters responded to her sudden presence in the camp.  36:17: Rita's lighting set up with Profoto B1 lights and coordinating with an assistant to carry all the gear.  41:56: Episode Break 43:10: Rita talks about power consumption, batteries, generators, workflow, and more when working in remote locations.   45:03: Inclement weather, dirt, and bugs when shooting both stills and video footage out in the wilderness. 48:41: The lighting details behind Rita's enchanted forest nighttime images and timelapse footage. 53:38: How the work of tree planters is perceived by both the logging industry and environmentalists, and the effects this has on the planters themselves. 1:03:47: How Rita's Tree Planter project has affected her sense of Canadian identity.  1:06:04: Rita Leistner answers our PWC Visual Questionnaire. Guest Bio: Rita Leistner is a Canadian photographer and filmmaker who creates portraits of communities living in extreme conditions, typically investing months or years in a project. After spending a decade of her formative years as a tree planter in the Canadian wilderness, she returned to this theme to document a new generation of planters from 2016 to 2019. In 2021, she released the project as an Art Trifecta, featuring fine art photographs, a 256-page monograph, and the 91-minute documentary film Forest for the Trees. Additionally, Rita has been captured by insurgents, assaulted, and shot at, and she has run into gunfire to get a photograph. She has published four books of photography including Unembedded: Four Independent Photojournalists on the War in Iraq (2005), widely considered one of the most influential anti-war books to come out of the Iraq conflict. Rita's photographs and her writings about photography, art, and war have been published and exhibited worldwide, and are in major corporate and museum collections. From 2010 to 2016 she served as Associate Professor in the History of Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at the University of Toronto. She is represented by the Stephen Bulger Gallery for art, and by Green Planet Films for film.   Stay Connected: Rita Leistner Website: http://ritaleistner.com/ Forest for the Trees Website: https://www.forestforthetreesdocumentary.com/ Rita Leistner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritaleistner/ Rita Leistner Twitter: https://twitter.com/ritaleistner/ Stephen Bulger Gallery Website: https://www.bulgergallery.com/artists/45-rita-leistner/overview/ Green Planet Films Website: https://greenplanetfilms.org/products/forest-for-the-trees?_pos=1&_sid=90a01a45d&_ss=r Canadian photographer Lorraine Gilbert: https://www.lorrainegilbert.com/

Cozy up to a ringside seat for a behind-the-scenes tour of the wildest shows in sports entertainment, during our insightful chat about the still photos produced for World Wrestling Entertainment, (otherwise known as WWE). In 2023 alone, the WWE photo team traveled the globe, covering close to 170 live events, and producing 2.6 million stills to serve the organization's various platforms. You might—incorrectly—assume that WWE's still images are generated from video screengrabs. Well, this couldn't be further from the truth.  In this week's podcast, we get the full scoop about stills from WWE's Vice President of photography, Brad Smith, and Senior Director of photography, Rich Freeda. Among the many details we unpack: The learning curve required for shooting a WWE event, the importance of showing all aspects of the spectacle in pictures, and the delicate dance between still photographers and TV camerapeople, who are tethered together and both wearing headphones while capturing a show.  In addition to live event coverage, the photo team creates high-level studio portraits of WWE Superstars, which necessitates complex studio set ups at each venue. Given the relentless schedule of three live shows weekly, two of which are traveling, studio gear is circling the country all year long. As Rich Freeda puts it, "We could be a Consumer Reports testing lab." And when it comes to the type of photographers best suited to covering WWE shows, Brad Smith sums things up nicely. "[At first,] I instinctively thought, if we're going to hire new people, they have to be sports photographers. And now I don't think that at all. I'll tell you who I'd rather have. I'd rather have a photographer who's a tour photographer for Bon Jovi than somebody who's the Yankee's photographer, because they understand that event is the important thing." Psych yourself up for WrestleMania 40 with our WWE episode from the B&H Photography Podcast! Guests: Brad Smith and Rich Freeda Above photograph © Rich Freeda/WWE For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/still-photography-the-wwe-with-brad-smith-rich-freeda Stay Connected: WWE Still Photography Page: https://www.wwe.com/photos Brad Smith Website: https://www.bradsmithcreative.com/ Brad Smith on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradpix/ Brad Smith on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Brad-Smith-Creative/ Brad Smith on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nybradsmith Rich Freeda Website: https://www.richardfreeda.com/collections Rich Freeda on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richfreedaphoto/ Rich Freeda on Twitter: https://twitter.com/richfreedaphoto Rich Freeda WWE Profile: https://www.wwe.com/videos/the-photography-of-wrestlemania-with-rich-freeda-making-wwe

Where will you be on April 8, 2024? If you don't already know, you'd better figure it out fast, particularly if you've got an interest in observing—and ideally photographing—the awe-inspiring phenomenon of a total solar eclipse.   To get you up to speed on essential eclipse details, tune in to our chat with science writer Rebecca Boyle and Gabriel Biderman from B&H's Road Marketing team. Boyle shares tidbits about Earth's silvery sister gleaned from research for her book Our Moon, while Gabe discusses preparations (and practice!) for your eclipse photo session, plus strategies for juggling multiple set-ups.   To celebrate the total eclipse back in 2017, B&H teamed up with Atlas Obscura for a two-day festival in Eastern Oregon's Snake River Valley. This year, the party's expanding from two to four days! We end the episode with details about the 2024 Ecliptic Festival, held alongside the Valley of Vapors music festival in Hot Springs, Arkansas, smack in the Eclipse's umbra.   Immerse yourself in this rare astronomical occurrence while rubbing shoulders with celebrated scientists, legendary musicians, artists and photographers galore, plus benefit from dedicated space—and tools—for star gazing and tracking the path to totality and back. The sky's the limit!   Guests: Rebecca Boyle & Gabriel Biderman Top shot © Gabriel Biderman   For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/ecliptic-visions-with-rebecca-boyle-gabriel-biderman-atlas-obscura-bh   Stay Connected: Atlas Obscura Ecliptic Festival: https://ecliptic.atlasobscura.com/ Atlas Obscura Website: https://www.atlasobscura.com/ Rebecca Boyle Website: https://rebeccaboyle.com/ Rebecca Boyle Our Moon book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/611468/our-moon-by-rebecca-boyle/ Rebecca Boyle's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/by.rebecca.boyle/ Rebecca Boyle's Twitter: https://twitter.com/rboyle31 Rebecca Boyle's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rboyle31/ Gabriel Biderman's Website: https://www.ruinism.com/ National Parks at Night Website: https://www.nationalparksatnight.com/ National Parks at Night's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalparksatnight/ National Parks at Night's Twitter: https://twitter.com/natlpksatnight National Parks at Night's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalparksatnight National Parks at Night's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NationalParksatNight

There are many different ways to look at culture, and today we take a geographic approach, to distinguish people who live in rural mountain and hilly settings from those of the wider plains and urban areas. Our focus is the country of Romania, where we'll explore the rustic landscape of small farms, hand tilled fields, and local communities that still identify with the working methods and traditions of the past. Along the way, we'll follow the cyclical work of farmers and shepherds, gain insight into the Orthodox faith, explore vibrant holiday celebrations, and reveal unique rituals with pagan roots. In this fourth installment of our monthly series, Picturing World Cultures, we speak with Daniel Rosca, a Romanian photographer and travel guide specialized in photographic, cultural, and genealogical tours. As a child, Daniel experienced the age-old traditions of rural Romania first-hand during time spent on his grandparent's farm. Following university studies, he spent four years abroad, working in youth development, consulting, and corporate social responsibility. After living in Brussels, Warsaw, Istanbul, and Cairo, and travelling to another 40 countries on four continents, Daniel decided travel should become his full-time job. He chose to return to his homeland in 2011, where he founded Romania Photo Tours and True Romania Tours, to help curious travelers immerse themselves in—and capture images of—old-world Romanian culture. In summary, to quote the motto of his photo tour site: Veni, Vidi, Click! Guest: Daniel Rosca For more information on our guest and the gear he uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/picturing-world-cultures-daniel-rosca-romania And if you haven't already listened, check out all episodes from our Picturing World Cultures podcast series here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/promotion/picturing-world-cultures Episode Timeline: 2:07: The blend of various cultures and influences that make up Romanian culture, geographic distinctions between regions based on mountains, hills, and plains, Romania's historic regions, plus the country's widespread agricultural focus. 9:41: Common misconceptions about Romania: dispelling inaccuracies about Dracula and Romania's communist past, plus Romania's current strengths in tech, IT, and engineering. 12:34: Special considerations, both general and cultural, when photographing people in different regions, making pictures of the Roma, military, or police, plus Romania's strict policies that prohibit driving after even a sip of alcohol.    17:44: Romanian agricultural traditions of scything, haymaking, horse carts, blacksmiths, shepherding, plus the art of traditional egg painting. 23:24: Forging a human connection with local villagers and craftspeople, etiquette and logistics when making pictures, plus the issue of obtaining model releases for portraits. 30:14: Daniel's go-to photo gear: Nikon Z6 mirrorless and a 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens, the benefits to carrying a flash, plus recommendations for packing and benefits to traveling light 34:08: Episode Break 35:10: Romanian Orthodox churches, regional differences in appearance, rules of etiquette and respectful behavior when photographing, plus the many denominations of Orthodoxy, and details about holiday schedules. 44:42: Meaning of the word Orthodox, distinctions between Orthodox and Catholic faiths, plus Romania's Lutheran heritage, and fortified churches of Transylvania. 47:11: Romanian bear dance festivals of Moldova over New Year's, the festival's pagan roots, tips for getting good pictures by interacting and considering the background first, plus other year end celebrations 54:20: Romanian Easter traditions, a candle lit in Jerusalem on Easter morning and flown to all Romanian Orthodox churches, breaking the Lenten fast, plus Romania's little-known focus on vegan foods. 1:00:58: Romania's Dracula lure, distinguishing true cultural history from the literary myth, useful resources for more background about Romania, plus details about Daniel's genealogical tours. 57:22: Daniel Rosca answers our Picturing World Cultures Visual Questionnaire.   Guest Bio: Daniel Rosca is a Romanian photographer and tour guide specializing in photographic, cultural, and genealogical tours. As a child, he spent a lot of time at his grandparent's subsistence farm and experienced many of the traditions of rural Romania. After university and four years abroad, he realized how interesting rural Romania and its traditions are and decided to return to his native country to help curious travelers discover them as well. Before setting down roots in travel, Daniel worked in youth development, consulting, as well as in corporate social responsibility for Microsoft. After living and working in Brussels, Warsaw, Istanbul, and Cairo, and travelling to another 40 countries on four continents, he decided travel should become his full-time job, in the country where he feels most connected. He founded Romania Photo Tours and True Romania Tours in 2011. In summary, to quote the motto of his photo tour site: Veni, Vidi, Click! Where click is not only about clicking the shutter, but also about clicking with the culture.  Stay Connected: Romania Photo Tours Website: https://romania-photo-tours.com/ True Romania Tours Website: https://true-romania.tours/ Romania Photo Tours Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romaniaphototours/ Romania Photo Tours Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/touroperatorRomaniaPhotoTours True Romania Tours Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrueRomaniaTours/ Romania Photo Tours X: https://twitter.com/photo_romania True Romania Tours X: https://twitter.com/TRomaniaTours True Romania Tours Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/trueromaniatours/ Romanian photographer Sorin Onisor: https://www.instagram.com/sorin_onisor/

How much can you edit a photo before it stops becoming true? That's the question CNET tech reporter Stephen Shankland recently asked in the opening lines of his story, How Close is that Photo to the Truth: What to Know in the Age of AI.   The article, which examines digital photography and advanced smartphone image processing in the era of AI, reaches beyond the polarizing visual minefield of generative AI by delving into aspects of this technologythat's been quietly pre-baked into most every camera on the market these days.   The sophisticated processing under the hood of your digital camera is our jumping off point for a wide-ranging discussion with Shankland that touches on many aspects of the digital workflow, before scaling the slippery slopes of generative AI.   A few of the many points we cover include: Comparing the three primary generative AI platforms and discussing their differences, an assessment of AI manipulations and deepfakes, the ways in which a proliferation of camera phones can serve as a buttress against fakery, and the factor of a social contract in weighing the veracity of an image.   Today's AI landscape seems to be morphing by the minute, a reality that's reflected here with bonus content! Barely a week after our original discussion, Open AI's new text to video application, Sora, was released to a tidal wave of interest, so we got Shankland back on mic. Stay to the end to hear our first impressions of this new technology and listen closely to discover how an AI bot got the last word in our chat.   Guest: Stephen Shankland Top shot © Allan Weitz, https://www.allanweitzdesign.com   Episode Timeline:   2:22: How much can a photo be edited before it stops "becoming" true? Plus, the digital processing that goes on under the hood of your digital camera.   7:06: The sophisticated processing in your camera phone and how the resulting images compare to pictures made with a 35mm digital camera.   13:02: How much digital editing is too much and what's the least amount of image adjustments possible before a photograph stops "being true."   18:22: The matter of generative AI manipulations and deepfakes, the democratization of altering images, and how the proliferation of camera phones can serve as a buttress against fakery.   23:24: Comparing the three big generative AI platforms Stephen has worked with—Open AI's Dall-E, Google's ImageFX, and Adobe's Firefly—and discussing how they differ, plus Allan's impressions about working with Adobe Firefly, and how much of an AI-generated image is truly one's own.   31:58: Prompt engineering, the bias of training data, the role of having fun when assessing the creative aspects of generative AI, and the factor of a social contract into reading the veracity of an image.   40:22: Episode Break   41:30: The potential for career opportunities in prompt engineering, new educational programs to arise from these new technologies, plus reasons why illustration is the creative area most threatened by AI.   48:27: The democratization of creative tasks due to computer technology, and the value of having a unique style or vision to creative success, plus the advantages of AI for stylistic   52:08: Ethical considerations, intellectual property rights, and copyright concerns in relation to AI generation.   57:03: In-camera authentication, content credentialing, and following the provenance of an image to be assured of its trustworthiness, plus whether this technology will ever show up in camera phones.   1:04:24: Episode bonus: Stephen's first impressions of Open AI's new text to video application, Sora.     Guest Bio: Stephen Shankland has covered technology, computing, and digital imaging as a principal writer and reporter for CNET since 1998. He's also a professional photographer who's particularly intrigued by new trends in AI. Stephen stumbled into journalism as a fledgling science reporter covering the Los Alamos National Laboratory. His first, and biggest, scoop was about radioactive kitty litter discovered at the town dump.     Stay Connected: Stephen Shankland's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stshank/ Stephen Shankland's Twitter: https://twitter.com/stshank/ Stephen Shankland's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Stephen-Shankland/ Stephen Shankland's Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/shankrad/ Stephen Shankland's MuckRack: https://muckrack.com/stshank Stephen Shankland's CNET profile: https://www.cnet.com/profiles/shankland/ Stephen Shankland's CNET article on AI: https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/features/how-close-is-that-photo-to-the-truth-what-to-know-in-the-age-of-ai/  Open AI's Chat GPT: https://chat.openai.com/ Open AI's Dall-E: https://openai.com/dall-e-2 Open AI's Sora: https://openai.com/sora Panasonic Lumix Cameras: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/panasonic-lumix-mirrorless-cameras/ci/39961

How did a space-age invention become ubiquitous in today's digital imaging landscape? Learn all about it here in our latest podcast, featuring pioneers of photography and digital imaging.   In 1993, noted physicist and engineer Eric Fossum led the invention of the CMOS active-pixel image sensor as part of his work for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Then, as part of JPL's mandate to seek commercial and consumer applications for emerging technologies, he was active in the transfer of the CMOS sensor's "camera-on-a-chip" technology to industry.   In our informative conversation with Professor Fossum, he makes distinctions between solid state CCDs and his more efficient CMOS sensor that would come to dominate the marketplace. To transform high-level science into layman's terms, he uses the analogy of a bucket brigade collecting rain on a football field.   In a similar down-to-earth fashion, we touch on metaphysical issues like wave particle duality, and how this is demonstrated every time light enters a camera and you take a picture with your phone.   Join us to marvel at the wonders of science amid fun food references—from the way deep space radiation degrades CCD chips so they start to act like Swiss cheese, to the synergies between high-level scientific measurements and delicatessen lunch meats, both marks of a creative scientist and visionary educator. Guest: Eric Fossum Above photograph © John Sherman Photography, https://jshermanphoto.com/   Episode Timeline:   2:31: Eric Fossum's beginnings in hands-on science explorations, computer programming, and his love for launching model rockets, plus the role photography has played in his life.   9:26: Fossum's early research in CCD sensor technologies, his interest in trying to marry cameras to artificial intelligence, and his invitation to join NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1990.   14:00: The differences between CCD and CMOS sensors, and a description of how they work using the analogy of a bucket brigade to collect rain on a football field.   23:35: A history of active pixel sensor devices, an explanation about two kinds of image noise, the metaphysics of photons, plus how the wave particle duality from quantum mechanics is demonstrated every time you take a picture with your phone.   33:10: Fossum's role in the transfer of CMOS sensor technology to US industry, co-founding his company Photobit, and negotiations for licensing the technology with CalTech.   43:23: Episode Break   44:36: The sale of Photobit to Micron, Fossum's move to New Hampshire, consulting work on 3-D imaging sensors for Samsung TVs, and the beginnings of his teaching career at Dartmouth.   50:00: A book chapter on the future of image sensors, and the evolution of this idea to a university project, which led to Fossum co-founding the start-up company, Gigajot, with his PhD students.   52:30: Explaining the difference between the operation of CMOS and Quanta image sensors.   54:03: The resulting applications of CMOS image sensor technology, and the positive use of CMOS image sensors for social justice purposes.   57:22: Fossum's thoughts about STEM education, and connections between academia and applications in the wider world.   1:01:32: Parting thoughts about AI and the ability to authenticate images at the source, plus Fossum's newest award: The Trinity College President's Medal for Science & Innovation.   Guest Bio:   Eric Fossum, a Queen Elizabeth Prize Laureate and recipient of a 2021 Emmy Award, is one of the world's experts in solid-state image sensors. He developed the CMOS active pixel image sensor while working at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Today, this "camera-on-a-chip" technology is used in almost all cell-phone cameras, webcams, many digital-still cameras and in medical imaging, among other applications.   A serial entrepreneur, with a career that has spanned academic and government research, and entrepreneurial leadership, Fossum is currently the John H. Krehbiel Sr. Professor for Emerging Technologies at Dartmouth's Thayer School of Engineering, where he teaches, performs image sensor research, and directs the School's Ph.D. Innovation Program. He also serves as Dartmouth's Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer.      Stay Connected: Eric Fossum Website: https://ericfossum.com/ Eric Fossum Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Fossum Eric Fossum at the National Inventor's Hall of Fame: https://www.invent.org/inductees/eric-r-fossum Eric Fossum at Dartmouth Engineering: https://engineering.dartmouth.edu/community/faculty/eric-fossum Eric Fossum bio from the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering: https://qeprize.org/winners/eric-fossum Eric Fossum's 2021 Emmy Award in Tech and Engineering https://www.nhbr.com/dartmouth-professor-wins-emmy-award-for-image-sensor-technology/ Logitech: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Logitech/ci/13968/N/4232861614

While Joshua Irwandi was born and raised in Indonesia, the early pictures he made during his first visit to the region of Asmat, in the province of West Papua, were less than satisfying to him. Yet his fascination with the people and the place stuck, inspiring him to embark on the long-term project Not a Blank Canvas. In this third installment of our monthly series, Picturing World Cultures, we speak with Irwandi about his experiences documenting the people and landscape of Asmat, which offers a window into long-held traditions and the sweeping changes he's observed there over the past 10 years. Listen in as Irwandi describes how tapping into the region's rich history through museum collections holding Asmat art proved an important part of his background research. We also discuss the connections he forged with the local Catholic church, and how the many years an American missionary spent learning about and embracing local ways led to a blending of Catholic celebrations and iconography with traditional Asmat feasts. Contrary to western holidays, Asmat feasts are celebrated for months on end, and Joshua sheds light on their mystical origins through dreams, and the performative rituals that he was privileged to witness and photograph.  In equal measure, he touches on the changing roles of a people who are essentially subsistence hunter gatherers within contemporary society, and the recent effects of transmigration and gentrification on the region's native inhabitants, which also forms a part of his documentation. Self-described as a naturally shy person, Irwandi's approach to making pictures for this project is to play the long game, while planning for longer visits that allow him to be a "constant observer," as he describes it.   "I don't pretend I have all the knowledge," he says. "But I guess it's easier to come and connect with the locals when you walk in like a new blank piece of book, wanting to learn, rather than assume that you know about them already." Guest: Joshua Irwandi Above photograph © Joshua Irwandi For more information on our guest and the gear he uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/picturing-world-cultures-joshua-irwandi-indonesia And if you haven't already listened, check out all episodes from our Picturing World Cultures podcast series here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/promotion/picturing-world-cultures Stay Connected: Joshua Irwandi Website: https://www.joshuairwandi.com/ Joshua Irwandi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshirwandi/ Joshua Irwandi Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshua.irwandi/ Joshua Irwandi X: https://twitter.com/joshirwandi/ Asmat Museum of Culture and Progress: https://asmatmuseum.org/en/ Joshua Irwandi National Geographic Explorers Page: https://explorer-directory.nationalgeographic.org/joshua-irwandi Joshua Irwandi's story for The Globe and Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-how-to-move-a-capital-city-an-exclusive-look-at-indonesias-plan-to/ Pulitzer Prize page for Irwandi's Photo The Human Cost of COVID-19:  https://www.pulitzer.org/finalists/joshua-irwandi-freelance-photographer-national-geographic

Press photographers have faced tough workplace challenges for quite some time. Yet, according to recent headlines, their job is about to get even tougher, due to current plans by many law enforcement agencies—particularly the NYPD—to encrypt radio calls, making live transmissions of breaking news inaccessible to common citizens and members of the press.  Besides being a devastating blow to meddling old biddies and law enforcement buffs, this change has huge implications for photojournalists and news outlets, who depend on such communications as part of their workflow. Joining us to shed light on this matter, as well as to provide a general update on newspaper photojournalism today, are two generations of accredited newspaper photographers, Todd Maisel and Lloyd Mitchell. As a current board member and past vice president of the New York Press Photographers Association, Maisel has worked tirelessly to investigate and mediate the NYPD's encryption plans. Among the many topics raised in our discussion are a shift in press accreditation from the NYPD to the Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment, competing interests within news organizations that prevent broadcasters from taking law enforcement to task, distinctions between police and fire departments when it comes to radio encryption, details about radio encryption rollouts in other US cities, and much more. Towards the end of our chat, Todd Maisel offers a compelling insight into his mission as a photojournalist, which speaks to the high stakes involving the matter at hand. "What I'm doing as a journalist is a sacred obligation. It's a God-given right to do it, and to continue to do it, and to do a great job at it. And so, I made a promise to protect it, to protect freedom of the press."    Guests: Todd Maisel and Lloyd Mitchell Above photograph © Todd Maisel For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://blogd7.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/holding-to-truth-radio-encryption-the-press-with-todd-maisel-lloyd-mitchell Stay Connected: Todd Maisel Website: https://www.toddmaiselvisualjournalism.com/ Todd Maisel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toddmaisel/ Todd Maisel on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ Todd Maisel on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ToddMaisel Lloyd Mitchell Website: https://lloydmitchell43.photoshelter.com/ Lloyd Mitchell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lloydmitchellphotography/ https://www.instagram.com/urbanfirefightingportfolio/ Lloyd Mitchell on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randymitchellwritesandphotographs/ Lloyd Mitchell on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lloydphoto NYPPA Website: https:// www.nyppa.org Todd Maisel on the Deadline for Newspaper Photojournalism Episode: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/podcast-a-deadline-for-newspaper-photojournalism

Kiana Hayeri was born in Iran, and this was where she launched her career as a photojournalist and visual storyteller. Yet after traveling to Afghanistan for a 2014 assignment, she decided to relocate, spending the next eight years covering both the frontlines of conflict and everyday lives of the Afghan people. In this second installment of our monthly series, Picturing World Cultures, we speak with Hayeri about her experiences living and working in a region mired in cultural upheaval, failing infrastructure, and rife with political violence. Listen in as Hayeri shares insights about her early work documenting youth culture in both Iran and Afghanistan, while revealing subtle differences in how each society approaches a division between public and private life. When it comes to making pictures, Hayeri's first concern is for the latent potential of her photographs to endanger the lives of her subjects. She elaborates on making conscious calculations in her head related to every small detail to mitigate this risk. Working as a woman within a patriarchal society involves great challenges, and we broach this subject, as well as the advantages she has when photographing culturally sensitive subjects. While Hayeri has little problem maintaining focus on the frontlines while immersed in her work, we also discuss the tolls of making pictures in traumatic situations, and the importance of taking breaks to reestablish a sense of normalcy and maintain health and sanity. Hayeri has worked with an extensive network of local contacts to arrange access for the stories she tells. She avoids using the term "fixer" for these essential collaborators, pointing out, "The credit for a lot of the stories that we work on goes to our local colleagues, because they are the ones who put themselves on the front of everything. It's their reputation, their lives that they risk. I have a lot of respect for that." Above photograph © Kiana Hayeri Guest: Kiana Hayeri For more information on our guest and the gear she uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/picturing-world-cultures-kiana-hayeri-iran-afghanistan And if you haven't already listened, check out all episodes from our Picturing World Cultures podcast series here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/promotion/picturing-world-cultureshttps://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/promotion/picturing-world-cultures Stay Connected: Kiana Hayeri Website: https://www.kianahayeri.com/ Kiana Hayeri Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kianahayeri/  Kiana Hayeri Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kianahj Kiana Hayeri Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/speakers/kiana_hayeri

2023 has certainly come and gone in a flash, meaning it's time once again for us to reflect on new photo offerings in our ninth annual Cameras of the Year episode, now renamed Photo Gear of the Year. We'll be talking with B&H Camera and Lighting Senior Sales Trainer Kevin Rickert. Featured in our discussion are 25 new releases from Canon, FUJIFILM, Leica, Nikon, Panasonic, Ricoh Pentax, Polaroid, and Sony. In addition to insights about each camera on our list, we also examine broader topics, such as manufacturers' attempts to regain market share lost to smart phones through a growing crop of cameras geared toward content creation.  Instant cameras are a popular trend, leading us to diverge from alphabetical order when discussing this growing product category. And with two monochrome models among this year's offerings, we zoom in on the visual differences between pictures shot with these specialty cameras and those made by converting from color files.  For listeners who enjoy a good debate, whet your appetite for the main course as we consider this year's most touted technological advance—the global shutter. Finally, as an antidote to overindulgence that's so common during this time of year, Rickert offers some practical advice about avoiding GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) with the tip "You date your cameras, marry your lenses." Guest: Kevin Rickert For more information on our guest and the gear he uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/2023-photo-gear-of-the-year-with-kevin-rickert Stay Connected: B&H Photo Video Website: https://www.bhphotovideo.com B&H Photo Video Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhphoto B& Photo Video Twitter: https://twitter.com/bhphoto B&H Photo Video YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BandH B&H Event Space YouTube: https://bhpho.to/BHEventSpaceYT B&H Photo Video Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bhphoto B&H Photography Podcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1001107823418353

It's likely that everyone reading this has used, or at the very least heard of Adobe's ubiquitous piece of software called Photoshop. But are you familiar with the very first—and perhaps the most eccentric—of the evangelists working behind that magic curtain?   Well, you're about to meet him today, in our latest podcast featuring pioneers of photography and imaging. As Adobe employee number 38, graphic designer Russell Preston Brown was in the room when brothers Thomas and John Knoll showed up to demonstrate a new piece of software, in 1988. Suitably impressed with what he saw, Russell made a beeline to Adobe co-founder John Warnock and uttered the imperative "Buy it! Now!"   Thirty-five years later, Brown has not lost an ounce of passion for concocting magic with digital imaging tools, and for sharing his knowledge with other users during his outlandish workshops and events.   Join us for a rollicking chat with this shapeshifting impresario in cowboy attire. From Brown's earliest training in darkroom photography to his current digital workflow syncing a mobile phone with Profoto lighting gear, we cover a lot of ground.   Throughout our discussion, we reflect on the revolutionary effects of technological advances, plus Brown's uncanny luck to be there in the middle of the zeitgeist, which led him to a telling analogy:   "Yes, I was in the right place at the right time. I made my fair share of contributions, but it all comes back to—what if the Knoll brothers had not decided to make Photoshop? I want to see that Jimmy Stewart episode of "A Wonderful Life," where Photoshop didn't appear. Would we be using Letrasets?..."   Guest: Russell Preston Brown For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://blogd7.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/adobes-first-evangelist-russell-preston-brown Above photograph © Russell Preston Brown Episode Timeline: 2:47: A peak behind the scenes of Brown's early experiences at Adobe and what constituted working as a graphic designer back in 1985.  10:24: Brown's early training in darkroom photography, the type of photos he made and the tech transitions to the mobile phones that he works with today.  15:55: Thomas Knoll calls the iPhone a hallucination of what you are seeing in terms of colors, dynamic range, and quality of light. It gives us what we want to remember from that moment. 19:45: Brown's workflow for shooting with an iPhone synched to Profoto strobes and other lighting modifiers, and his ability to carry everything around in one bag.  24:12: Comparing image captures from different brands of mobile phones: iPhone, Google Pixel 7 and Samsung 23. Plus, make sure to use a solar filter over the lens when photographing the eclipse. 31:27: Brown's experiences working directly with programmers in the development of Photoshop, plus working one-on-one with a programmer to develop actions, scripts, and panels for his own Photoshop tools.  36:06: Episode Break 36:39: Brown reflects on his rapport with photographic purists during early presentations about Photoshop—from a photojournalism conference in Perpignan, France, to an early discussion about digital with Greg Gorman.  42:39: Adobe's earliest dreams and goals about prepress and processing images to create CMYK output for print publication, and the subsequent ability to access Raw data. 47:15: Differentiating between generations of Adobe users and how they employ the software, plus distinguishing between Lightroom Classic and Lightroom Desktop. 51:46: Applications that have kept all the original tool sets, offering many routes to similar results, to serve the full range and successive generations of its user base.  54:00: The question of AI and differences between typing text and using AI prompts, or taking one's original photographs and supplementing them with AI through Photoshop's Generative Fill. 1:03:39: The dangers of using creative tools incorrectly, and Brown's predictions about creative trends to come.  Guest Bio: Russell Preston Brown is the Senior Creative Director at Adobe Systems Incorporated, as well as an Emmy Award-winning instructor. His ability to bring together the world of design and software development is a perfect match for Adobe products. In Brown 's 38 years of creative experience at Adobe, he has contributed to the evolution of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator with feature enhancements, and advanced scripts. Most recently he has started to travel the world with a mobile phone camera to capture his adventures from a whole new creative perspective. This new age of mobile photography has sparked his creativity and has inspired a variety of new imaging directions.  Brown also specializes in inspirational hands-on training at Adobe MAX, where he shows users how to work and play with Adobe software. He shares his delight in testing the creative limits of his tools as a prolific creator of an entertaining collection of Photoshop tips and tricks. His in-depth design knowledge and zany presentation style have won him a regular following among beginning, intermediate, and advanced Photoshop users alike. A live performance of the Russell Brown Show is not to be missed.  Stay Connected: Russell Preston Brown Website: https://russellbrown.com/ Russell Preston Brown on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_brown/ Russell Preston Brown on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russellprestonbrown/ Russell Preston Brown on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/therussellbrownshow/videos Russell Preston Brown on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user6594224 Russell Preston Brown at the Photoshop Hall of Fame: https://www.photoshophalloffame.com/russell-brown Adobe Max: https://www.adobe.com/max.html

"The eye should learn to listen before it looks." – Robert Frank Australian photographer Wayne Quilliam used to consider his camera as a tool, but today it's become his "companion." This is just one of the inspiring takeaways from our chat for the new monthly podcast series, "Picturing World Cultures." Listen in as Quilliam describes his journey—from growing up on the island state of Tasmania knowing little about his indigenous roots, to gaining a fascination with culture while traveling with the Royal Australian Navy, to his current roles as a leading indigenous imagemaker and cultural ambassador.  When it comes to making pictures, Quilliam differentiates between an older approach of maintaining photographic objectivity and more contemporary methods for immersing yourself in a story to have a stronger sense of connection with subjects, and a better understanding of what that story will become.  We also discuss aboriginal cultural protocols, and Quilliam offers surprising insights into the unique relationship between culture and skin color in Australia's indigenous communities.   Stay to the end for tips about photographing culturally sensitive subjects by listening for images rather than seeing them, and Quilliam's following parting advice. •    Know who you are as a person and what your role is within the journey. •    Make sure you're as informed as possible about your subject and the who, what, how, why, when, and where of the story and end goal. •    And most important, offer total respect to both the land and people as part of your photographic process. Above photograph © Wayne Quilliam Guest: Wayne Quilliam For more information on our guest and the gear he uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/picturing-world-cultures-wayne-quilliam-australiatasmania And if you haven't already listened, check out all episodes from our Picturing World Cultures podcast series here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/promotion/picturing-world-cultures Stay Connected: Wayne Quilliam Website: https://aboriginal.photography/ Wayne Quilliam Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waynequilliam/ Wayne Quilliam Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AustralianAboriginalPhotography/ Wayne Quilliam Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/waynequilliamphotography/# Wayne Quilliam book Culture is Life: https://www.hardiegrant.com/au/publishing/bookfinder/book/wayne-quilliam_-culture-is-life-2nd-edition-by-wayne-quilliam/9781741178760 Wayne Quilliam interactive exhibit "Connection": https://www.thelumemelbourne.com/connection

Lee Miller may have been best known in life as a beautiful muse of the legendary Surrealist Man Ray yet, shortly after her passing, a lucky accident led her family to an attic treasure trove, which made her a photography legend in her own right. During this week's podcast, we unpack the details of this extraordinary tale, and hear many other anecdotes from Miller's adventurous life, in a chat with her son and biographer, Antony Penrose. From her swift ascent as a '20s-era Vogue fashion model—and the ad campaign that sidelined her appeal—to her audacious exploits as an accredited war correspondent for the very same magazine, Penrose sheds light on a woman who lived many lives, as exemplified in the title of his first book. Miller's remarkable bravery as a World War II combat photographer was recently immortalized in the feature film "Lee," starring Kate Winslet, which is another facet of our chat. Penrose describes what it was like to work with the actress as she plumbed Miller's archive for her character development, how she mastered the operation of a custom-made Rolleiflex, and how the camera became a personality in itself as part of the film. Penrose had a troubled relationship with his mother during much of her life, as she struggled with PTSD and the enduring effects wartime atrocities had on her psyche. His reflections on her struggles and her accomplishments reveal the very human core of a creative powerhouse who lived in the moment, in true Surrealist fashion. "This person who I had dismissed as being a useless drunk, now had other dimensions to her, which I was totally astonished by," recounts Penrose about the treasures she left behind in the attic. "… it had never occurred to me that her career was so distinguished, and so varied, and so absolutely groundbreaking in terms of being a woman war correspondent. And so, that's how it began."  So, pop in your earbuds and listen in… this is an episode you won't want to miss! Above photograph © 2023 Lee Miller Archives, England. All rights reserved. www.leemiller.co.uk Guests: Antony Penrose For more information on our guest and the gear he uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/lee-miller-combat-photographer-fashion-model-muse-with-antony-penrose Stay Connected: Lee Miller Archives at Farleys House: https://www.leemiller.co.uk/ Lee Miller: Photographs book:  https://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/books/lee-miller-photographs-hardcover The Lives of Lee Miller biography:  https://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/books/the-lives-of-lee-miller-softcover The film "Lee" on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5112584/ "Surrealist Lee Miller"" exhibit in Melbourne, Australia: https://www.heide.com.au/exhibitions/surrealist-lee-miller/ "Lee Miller in Print" exhibit in Rotterdam: https://www.boijmans.nl/en/exhibitions/lee-miller-in-print "Seeing is Believing: Lee Miller & Friends" exhibit at Gagosian Gallery: https://gagosian.com/exhibitions/2023/seeing-is-believing-lee-miller-and-friends/

This episode of the B&H Photography Podcast was originally released on November 10, 2017. We revisit it today in honor of Hip-Hop's 50th anniversary, and the holiday of Thanksgiving.  With great thanks to Vikki Tobak and the Contact High Project, we welcome three photographers to our studio who are responsible for some of the most iconic images from the history of hip-hop. Janette Beckman, Eric Johnson, and Danny Hastings join us to tell the stories behind their photos of RUN-DMC, Wu Tang Clan, Lauryn Hill, and many others. We also speak about issues important to photographers, from on-set technique, to artistic collaboration and influence, to gear, to networking and, of course, copyright and image licensing. For us, this was a highly anticipated recording, and it did not disappoint. Whether you are a hip-hop fan interested in behind-the-scenes stories or a photographer looking for insight, join podcast host Allan Weitz, founding creative producer John Harris, and sound engineer Jason Tables for this epic chat. Above photograph © Janette Beckman Guests: Janette Beckman, Danny Hastings, Eric Johnson, and Vikki Tobak For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/a-history-of-hip-hop-photography-encore-episode-from-november-2017 Stay Connected: Janette Beckman Website: https://janettebeckman.com/ Janette Beckman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janettephoto/ Danny Hastings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyhastings/ Upstairs at Eric's: https://upstairsaterics.org/ Eric Johnson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upstairsaterics/ Vikki Tobak Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vikkitobak/ Vikki Tobak Contact High Project: https://www.contacthighproject.com/ Contact High Exhibition: https://www.mopop.org/exhibitions-plus-events/exhibitions/contact-high/

1950s America proved fertile ground for photographers Robert Frank and Todd Webb, who both received Guggenheim Foundation grants to traverse the country in 1955 and record their respective visions. While Frank's resulting book, The Americans, eventually made him a legend, Webb's photographs remained unpublished, and were all but lost to history due to a 1970s-era business deal gone bad. The saga of Webb's unaccounted-for archive and its eventual recovery is one of the juicier tidbits from today's show, which focuses on the long-awaited opportunity to compare, contrast, and rediscover Frank and Webb's respective visions from their travels in the exhibition America and Other Myths. Joining us in this discussion are Lisa Volpe, photography curator at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and Bill Shapiro, former Life magazine editor-in-chief. Journey back to the Nifty Fifties astride these two photographers as we examine how two distinct proposals to discover America at mid-century evolved along the open road and in the context of the era's social tenure.  In the words of Lisa Volpe, "They both saw the same social ills playing out in American culture, they just talked about them differently." Above photograph © The June Leaf and Robert Frank Foundation Guests: Lisa Volpe & Bill Shapiro For more information on our guests and they gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/1950s-america-as-seen-by-robert-frank-todd-webb-with-lisa-volpe-bill-shapiro Stay Connected: America and Other Myths Exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston: https://www.mfah.org/exhibitions/robert-frank-todd-webb-across-america-1955 America and Other Myths exhibition catalog: https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300270891/america-and-other-myths/ Robert Frank Archive at the MFAH: https://www.mfah.org/films/robert-frank-collection June Leaf & Robert Frank Foundation Website: https://leaffrankfoundation.org/ Todd Webb Archive: https://www.toddwebbarchive.com/news-events Blind Magazine articles by Bill Shapiro:  https://www.blind-magazine.com/stories/on-the-road/ https://www.blind-magazine.com/stories/youre-wrong-about-robert-frank/ https://www.blind-magazine.com/stories/treasure-and-junk/ Robert Frank film footage from Blind Magazine: https://www.blind-magazine.com/stories/exclusive-never-before-seen-video-of-robert-frank/ Bill Shapiro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billshapiro/ Todd Webb in Africa episode on the B&H Photography Podcast: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/podcast-todd-webb-in-africa%E2%80%94rediscovered-color-photographs

B&H recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary, hosting a spectacular two-day celebration for the creator community, Bild Expo 2023, at New York's Jacob Javits Center. The podcast's past three episodes have featured in-depth interviews with a few of the esteemed speakers gracing Bild's four presenter stages. If you haven't already done so, please give them a listen, and then—hold on to your hats—in this episode we're trying something different! To prepare for some fun during the show, we assembled a mobile studio and cooked up a three-question Bild Creator Quiz to spring on imagemakers who crossed our path. Once at Javits, we went on the prowl for subjects willing to be ambushed. Our resulting interviews feature a select group of attendees, expo vendors, Bild speakers, and B&H staff members. Ever since the show wrapped, we've been hard at work, combining the short clips we captured live with a narrated story line to take listeners on a virtual stroll through most aspects of the show. We hope you enjoy this taste of the intense, intoxicating, creative camaraderie that permeated the Bild experience. Happy Anniversary B&H—here's to another 50 years of creativity and growth! Above photograph courtesy of B&H Photo Guests: Menashe Horowitz, Cliff Hausner, Mason Resnick, Michael Yamashita, Matt Hill, Nicolas Roman, Elizabeth Krist, Scott Kelby, Christian Domecq, John Harris, Ron Magill, Michael Mansfield, Patricia Beary, Linda Hacker, Erica Price, Brandon Remler, Dana Glidden, Ami Vitale, David Brommer For more information on our guests and they gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/connecting-the-creator-community-bh-bild-ambush-interviews Stay Connected: B&H Photo Instagram Feed: https://www.instagram.com/bhphoto/ Cliff Hausner: https://www.instagram.com/cliffhausner/ Mason Resnick: https://www.instagram.com/mason_resnick/ Michael Yamashita: https://www.instagram.com/yamashitaphoto/ Matt Hill: https://www.instagram.com/matthillart/ Elizabeth Krist: https://www.visualthinkingcollective.com/elizabeth-cheng-krist Scott Kelby: https://www.instagram.com/scottkelby/ John Harris: https://www.instagram.com/jrockfoto/ Ron Magill: https://www.instagram.com/ronmagillwildlife/ Michael Mansfield/Maine Media Workshops: https://www.instagram.com/mainemedia/ Soho Photo Gallery: https://www.instagram.com/sohophotogallery/ Erica Price: https://www.instagram.com/eternalpixny/ Brandon Remler: https://www.instagram.com/brandonremler/ Dana Glidden: https://www.instagram.com/danadigital/ Ami Vitale: https://www.instagram.com/amivitale/ David Brommer: https://www.instagram.com/suspectphotography/

  Have you ever struggled with editing your images to present in a portfolio or as a story pitch? If so, our conversation in this podcast might be of some help. We recently had the great fortune to speak with one of the finest picture editors in the business, former National Geographic photographer, photo editor, and director of photography, Sarah Leen, who we interviewed as part of our coverage of B&H's 50th Anniversary Bild Expo 2023. Sarah has worked all sides of the table, starting in the field with a camera in hand, then transitioning to a photo editor, and ultimately being tapped to lead National Geographic as Director of Photography in 2013—the first woman ever selected for this role. Among the topics covered in this chat are Sarah's shift from picture maker to photo editor and how she gained the credentials to take on such a role. We make the important distinction between editing the work of others vs. a photographer editing his or her own images, emphasizing the added difficulty of disconnecting from personal experience to make objective decisions, and how the guidance of a skilled photo editor can help. Turning to her career trajectory, Sarah explains the differences between a photo editor and the director of photography, which is a managerial role. And, when it comes to the recent organizational changes at National Geographic—not to mention within the industry at large—Sarah clarifies that, despite ceasing newsstand sales, the magazine will still be widely available in print, yet by subscription only. We end our chat with details about Sarah's current work as an independent photo editor and educator, her founding of the Visual Thinking Collective with three former colleagues, and the upcoming release of her latest book project Ukraine: A War Crime, featuring work by 93 photographers. Above photograph © Sarah Leen Guest: Sarah Leen For more information on our guest and the gear she uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/communicating-visually-expert-tips-from-photo-editor-sarah-leen-at-bild Stay Connected: Sarah Leen Website: https://www.sarahleen.com Sarah Leen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roseleen Sarah Leen X: https://twitter.com/sleen3 Sarah Leen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.leen.92 Visual Thinking Collective Website: https://www.visualthinkingcollective.com FotoEvidence Website and the book Ukraine: A War Crime: https://fotoevidence.com/books/ukraine-a-war-crime-by-ninety-three-photojournalists

As Deanne Fitzmaurice describes it, a photojournalist's job is part sociology and part archeology, but most important, it's being on the cutting edge of what's happening, telling stories about people. It's this combination of varied disciplines, connecting with subjects, and learning something new every day that has held her fascination from her very beginnings at the San Francisco Chronicle through to the rich tapestry she's woven as a visual storyteller today. We recently sat down with Fitzmaurice to gain insights into the many facets of her career as part of our coverage of B&H's 50th Anniversary Bild Expo 2023.  During our chat, Fitzmaurice regales us with details from some of her most impactful projects, including the challenging mix of sensitivity and perseverance needed to tell the story of Saleh, a seriously injured Iraqi boy. After explaining how this assignment morphed from a one-day news story into a Pulitzer-prize-winning long-term project, we take a deep dive into how image selection and sequencing were key to this award-winning series.  Never one to shy away from a challenge, Fitzmaurice also describes confronting baseball great Barry Bonds about his problem with photographers, which shattered his impenetrable armor and resulted in her gaining exclusive access to photograph him both on and off the field.  When discussing essential rules of journalistic ethics and credibility in documenting an unfolding scene, Fitzmaurice points to the category of portraiture as a rare opportunity to shift out of fly on the wall mode to direct the subject and build rapport. We conclude our chat with insights about the role luck has played in her career, and how she puts herself in a position for synchronicity to unfold.  Above photograph © Deanne Fitzmaurice Guest: Deanne Fitzmaurice For more information on our guest and the gear she uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/taking-chances-on-stories-to-tell-photojournalist-deanne-fitzmaurice-at-bild Stay Connected: Deanne Fitzmaurice Website: https://www.deannefitzmaurice.com/ Deanne Fitzmaurice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deannefitzmaurice/ Deanne Fitzmaurice X: https://twitter.com/deanne_fitz Deanne Fitzmaurice Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeanneFitzmauricePhotography Think-tank: https://www.thinktankphoto.com/

Water is essential to life on Earth. The health of our oceans—and its inhabitants—is equally crucial to maintaining Earth's delicate balance. This is an apt takeaway from our exclusive chat with renowned underwater photographer and filmmaker Brian Skerry, as part of our coverage of B&H's 50th Anniversary Bild Expo 2023. Above photograph © Brian Skerry We sat down with Skerry shortly before his presentation on the Bild Expo Main Stage to get the full scoop on his career arc, from a youthful fantasy of being an ocean explorer in the mold of Indiana Jones to his more recent work interpreting the culture of whales and other inhabitants of the deep. We also delve into sobering concerns about the extreme geologic change Skerry has witnessed in the oceans over time.  With such facts in mind, he describes the responsibility he feels to combine scientific research and powerful storytelling, so that we may better understand our relationship to nature, and to change our behaviors for the better. Guest: Brian Skerry For more information on our guest and the gear he uses, see:  https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/why-oceans-matter-underwater-photographer-brian-skerry-at-bild Stay Connected: Brian Skerry Website: https://brianskerry.com/ Brian Skerry Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianskerry/ Brian Skerry X: https://www.twitter.com/brian_skerry/ Brian Skerry Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brian.skerry/ Brian Skerry - Secrets of the Whales: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/tv/shows/secrets-of-the-whales  Brian Skerry - The Sentient Sea Exhibit, Siena, Italy: https://festival.sienawards.com/en/brian-skerry-2/ Brian Skerry - Ocean Odyssey Exhibit, Paris, France: https://www.atelier-lumieres.com/en/ocean-odyssey

Artificial intelligence is a polarizing topic, and its rapid evolution within content creation has set our once familiar world on edge. To help demystify this gargantuan subject and add clarity to important concerns, we're turning to an artist positioned at the very center of the debate between photography and AI imagery. Above photograph © Boris Eldagsen German media artist Boris Eldagsen made global headlines after entering his AI-generated image, "The Electrician," in the Sony World Photography Awards. He won a top prize, and then ultimately declined the award due to a lack of open discussion about the need to categorize photographs and AI-generated imagery differently.  Join us for this frank and informative discussion about generative AI. Some of the diverse topics we cover include ways creativity is shared between man and machine, the effects of different languages (and even phrasing) when creating text prompts, inherent biases in AI training data and ways to counter this, the emergence of AI agencies, the newly created job title of Prompt Engineer, and much, much more. And for those listeners who fear AI as a threat to their photo careers, our discussion ends on an upbeat note, with the classification of generative AI as a knowledge accelerator, being most beneficial to practitioners with a solid background in traditional photography and the visual arts. To quote Eldagsen, "For the first time in history, the older generation has an advantage..." We'll let you listen to hear the end. Guests: Boris Eldagsen For more information on our guest and the gear he uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/fake-memories-promptography-and-generative-ai-with-boris-eldagsen Stay Connected: Boris Eldagsen Website: https://www.eldagsen.com/ Boris Eldagsen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boriseldagsen/ Boris Eldagsen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boriseldagsen Boris Eldagsen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EldagsenBoris/ Boris Eldagsen Workshops: https://www.eldagsen.com/lecturingworkshops/ Boris Eldagsen Panama Exhibition: https://www.eldagsen.com/pseudomnesia3/

Above photograph © Ashok Sinha How central is your personal drive and unique creative vision to the pictures you make? If these characteristics strike a chord or are traits to which you aspire, then you won't want to miss our inspiring chats with photographers Ashok Sinha and Anabel DFlux. We caught up with both of these accomplished creatives earlier this year at B&H's 2023 Depth of Field Conference. We begin with architectural photographer Ashok Sinha, whose personal project to document iconic mid-century structures and classic cars in Southern California resulted in the crowd-pleasing monograph Gas & Glamour, now in its second printing. Sinha offers valuable insights about how channeling his passions and not overthinking the details allowed him to bring his photography career to new heights—resulting in his work being displayed as a massive billboard in downtown LA, released as limited-edition NFTs, and featured in gallery exhibitions in collaboration with an international fashion brand. After the break, professional animal photographer Anabel DFlux describes how she fashioned a personal penchant for pets into a sustainable career path while still a teen. Yet, despite her clear passion for and talent with pets, DFlux reaches beyond a single photographic specialty to cultivate work across multiple niches—including the heady realm of rock and roll. Check out these real-life career examples and walk away with an equal measure of inspiration and practical tips. Guests: Ashok Sinha and Anabel DFlux For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: blogd7.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podca…-anabel-dflux Stay Connected: Ashok Sinha Website: https://ashoksinha.com Ashok Sinha Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashoksinhaphoto Ashok Sinha Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashok.sinha.3720 Ashok Sinha Twitter: https://twitter.com/ashoksinhaphoto Ashok Sinha YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ashoksinha2167 Ashok Sinha Gas and Glamour book: https://ashoksinha.com/BOOK/1 Anabel DFlux Website: https://www.deliquesceflux.com Anabel DFlux Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anabeldflux Anabel DFlux Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeliquesceFlux Anabel DFlux YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/anabeldflux Anabel DFlux at Sigma: https://blog.sigmaphoto.com/author/anabel-dflux Pelican Cases Link: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Pelican/ci/4457/N/4232860887

Rodney Smith was a photographic visionary, with an allegiance to the image above all else. Long acclaimed for his iconic black-and-white pictures—not to forget his later jewel-like color scenes—Smith captured enchanted worlds full of subtle magic and lighthearted humor. Using only analog film and the aesthetics of natural light, his dream-like photographs are matched in quality by the craft and physical beauty of his prints. Smith died in 2016, yet the enduring precision, elegance, and whimsy of his world view is nowhere more evident than in our conversation with Leslie Smolan, his widow and executive director of his estate; and his long-time assistant, master printer Terence Falk. Listen in as Smolan discusses key aspects of Smith's career development and describes her recent collaboration with the J. Paul Getty Museum on the book, Rodney Smith: A Leap of Faith. And Falk provides firsthand anecdotes about the unique experience of working on a Rodney Smith shoot—an experience that led one powerful New York executive to call his secretary from a midtown pay phone and exclaim, "I feel like I'm in Ferris Bueller's Day Off!" As New York Fashion Week ushers in the fall season, we're looking back on the career of one of the most distinctive photographers to infuse business and fashion with a timeless sense of style and grace. Guests: Leslie Smolan and Terence Falk For more information on our guests and their gear they use, see: The Estate of Rodney Smith Website: rodneysmith.com/ The Estate of Rodney Smith Facebook: www.facebook.com/rodneysmithphotography/ The Estate of Rodney Smith Instagram: www.instagram.com/_rodneysmith/ The Estate of Rodney Smith Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/rodneysmithpics/ Rodney Smith Lecture at the B&H Event Space: www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photog…mith-1970-2016 Conversation about Rodney Smith at FIT Amphitheater: www.fitnyc.edu/museum/events/index.php Rodney Smith Exhibition at Staley Wise Gallery in New York: www.staleywise.com/exhibitions/rodney-smith2 Rodney Smith: A Remembrance with Dr Rebecca Senf: santafeworkshops.com/creativity-con…-rebecca-senf/ Rodney Smith: A Leap of Faith book: shop.getty.edu/products/rodney-s…th-978-1606068465

According to food photographer Mica McCook, the secret sauce is more than simply visual appeal, it's connecting to how the images make you feel. As McCook likes to say, she creates cravings, one photo at a time.  McCook's photos are dramatic like telenovelas, embracing the magic of a chef's palate, and delighting in the vibrant flavors that bring dishes to life. Her approach is theatrical and bold, akin to setting the stage for a grand performance. Each element, from the decadent chocolate drizzle to the vibrant pop of a fresh herb, contributes to the culinary drama. For McCook, food is not just about sustenance, it's an experience.  In a world where fast food and quick meals are often the norm, McCook is here to remind us of the richness and pleasure of a well-composed dish, and to celebrate the chefs who create, the farmers who cultivate, and the diners who savor. As an extension of her photography business, McCook launched her biweekly podcast, The Savory Shot, in June 2022, because she is perpetually curious about the food industry and those who dwell within it.   Listen in to hear how a life-altering trip to the Reading Terminal Market, in Pennsylvania, laid the groundwork for McCook's career transition from people to food, and even inspired her unique business name of Austin Food Guide. We also discuss how her background in theater influences her flavorful photographic approach, the dramatic lighting she favors, as well as her collaborative, community-oriented outlook. McCook was recently accepted into an innovative mentorship program for BIPOC photographers led by Apostrophe Reps. Don't miss the juicy details about how to apply! Above photograph © Mica McCook Guest: Mica McCook of The Austin Food Guide For more information on our guest and the gear she uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/finger-lickin-food-photography-with-mica-mccook-the-austin-food-guide Stay Connected: Mica McCook Website: https://micamccook.com Mica McCook Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mica.mccook Mica McCook LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micamccook Austin Food Guide Website: https://austinfoodguide.com Austin Food Guide Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinfoodguide Austin Food Guide Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/austinfoodguide Austin Food Guide Twitter: https://twitter.com/ austinfoodguide Austin Food Guide TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@austinfoodguide The Savory Shot Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/savory-shot/id1618801583

Bruce Gilden is a street-photography icon. With summer in full swing and International Street Photography Day (otherwise known as Henry Cartier-Bresson's birthday) looming on the horizon, what better time to feature a lively chat with the master himself, recorded at B&H's 2023 Depth of Field Conference, just before the Magnum photographer's keynote lecture. Gilden's emotionally fraught depictions of real people up close are an acquired taste, and we address this aspect of his work during our chat, with Allan admitting that Gilden's work has terrified him in the past. We also touch on a somewhat surprising facet of Gilden's career—fashion photography—as he discusses making pictures for high-end clients such as Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabana, and Diesel. From the influence of early 20th-century mugshots on Gilden's aesthetic to the importance of making, and living with, visual choices to keep the photography fresh, our discussion covers a lot of ground. Stay to the end to learn about Gilden's long held photographic wish—photographing murder in a beautiful way. And for anyone who's ever fantasized about a taking workshop with Gilden, check out the link below to his upcoming street photography workshop in New York! Above photograph © Bruce Gilden Guest: Magnum photographer Bruce Gilden For more information on our guest and the gear he uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/closer-look-bruce-gilden Stay Connected: Bruce Gilden Website: https://www.brucegilden.com Bruce Gilden Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BruceGilden Bruce Gilden Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bruce_gilden Bruce Gilden Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/brucegilden Bruce Gilden's Magnum page: https://www.magnumphotos.com/photographer/bruce-gilden/ Bruce Gilden's Upcoming New York Workshop: miamistreetphotographyfestival.org/bruce-gilden

The integration of AI technologies with Adobe software has set the creative world on its head. To get a read on this hot-button, rapidly evolving field, we tapped two generations of tech wizardry—Scott Kelby, the original Photoshop Guy, and retouching powerhouse Kristina Sherk. We sat down with both of these experts at B&H's 2023 Depth of Field Conference in February 2023. Our first guest is Scott Kelby, the original Photoshop guy, who discusses the good and the bad of AI technology, from how it helps create workflow efficiencies to the potential for costing some photographers a job. Kelby envisions a future comprising high-end pros and serious iPhoneographers. With this in mind, we delve into the growing advantages of capturing images on a mobile device, while also identifying subjects that still require more robust gear. After a break, Kristina Sherk shares details about the powerful AI selection tools integrated into the Classic and Mobile versions of Adobe Lightroom, which are disruptive in a good way. Stay to the end for her story about saving the day for a wedding photographer whose sharp focus was disrupted by a rogue officiant, who stepped in front of the lens just before a couple's first kiss. Guests: Scott Kelby & Kristina Sherk For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/adobe-software-and-ai-scott-kelby-kristina-sherk-at-depth-of-field-2023 Above photograph © Kristina Sherk Stay Connected: Scott Kelby Website: https://scottkelby.com Scott Kelby Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottkelby Scott Kelby Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SKelby Scott Kelby YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/kelbymediagroup Scott Kelby Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/skelby01 Kristina Sherk / Shark Pixel Website: https://www.sharkpixel.com Kristina Sherk / Shark Pixel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shark_pixel Kristina Sherk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharkpixel Kristina Sherk / Shark Pixel YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SharkPixel

Do you have questions about establishing your photography business and legally protecting yourself and your images? From setting up a business entity to drafting client contracts to key terms in a model release, we cover these points and much, much more, during an in-depth discussion with intellectual property attorney Rachel Brenke. Listen in and learn about the value of contracts as the center point in any sort of business transaction. You'll also discover how the legal tripod of a business entity, attorney-drafted contracts, and liability insurance can create a powerful force field of protection. During the show's second half we explore various infringement scenarios, and even take the plunge into potential legal implications in the wake of AI technology and other current trends. Guest: Rachel Brenke For more information on our guest and the gear she uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/legal-matters-for-photographers-with-rachel-brenke-thelawtog Stay Connected: Rachel Brenke Website: https://rachelbrenke.com TheLawTog® Website: https://www.thelawtog.com Eden Law Website: https://eden-law.com Rachel Brenke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbrenke TheLawTog® Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelawtog TheLawTog® Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelawtog TheLawTog® Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thelawtog Audio-Technica Link: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Audio-Technica/ci/15748/N/4232861079

Like good acting—and skilled retouching—masterful lighting is an accomplished skill that should remain mostly unseen. This is the takeaway from our conversations with two great lighting whisperers, Canon technical advisor Eric Stoner and Nikon Ambassador Joe McNally. We sat down with both of these experts earlier this year at B&H's 2023 Depth of Field Conference.   Our first guest is Eric Stoner, a Canon technical advisor who specializes in creating portraits with Speedlites and colored gels. He offers insights about the high degree of control these tools provide, describing how adding colored gels boosts creative improvisation and heightens impact. We also discuss the technological advances of the past 20 years, while reflecting on how great photography still hinges on learning the craft and connecting with your subjects.   After a break, Nikon Ambassador Joe McNally discusses his mission to light photographs in a way that provides an unfettered experience for the viewer. In addition, we explore his long and successful career as a working professional, from his formative years as a LIFE magazine staff photographer to the recent exhibition of those very same images in a fine art gallery. Stay to the end to learn about his latest book The Real Deal, which he wrote during COVID, and hear about his busy schedule of international workshops.  Guests: Eric Stoner & Joe McNally For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/lighting-whisperers Above photograph © Joe McNally Stay Connected: Eric Stoner Website: https://www.mystonegallery.net/ Eric Stoner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericstonerphoto Joe McNally Website: https://joemcnally.com Joe McNally Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joemcnallyphoto Joe McNally Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joemcnallyphoto Joe McNally YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/joemcnallyphoto Joe McNally Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeMcNallyPhoto Joe McNally Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/joemcnallyphoto

"To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk." There is no better role model for this Thomas Edison quote than Steve Sasson, the electrical engineer fresh out of grad school who was hired to work in a Kodak research lab, in 1973. With a passion for scavenging parts and a penchant for invention, he developed the world's first self-contained digital camera just two years after his arrival in the lab. In honor of National Camera Day, we invited Sasson to the podcast for an in-depth discussion about his invention of this revolutionary device. Listen in to hear about the surprising reception Sasson's prototype received from Kodak executives during early demonstrations of its use, the complicated mix of cultural and business factors confronting a company in the throes of innovation, the many years that elapsed before Sasson was allowed to speak publicly about the camera, and much, much more.   In addition to being a storyline worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, our conversation offers rare insight into the inner workings of a long-established, successful company that knows a lot about the problem but doesn't like the answer. Stay to the end to hear Sasson make a comparison to a groundbreaking technological development in the corporate world today. Guest: Steve Sasson For more information on our guest and the gear he uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/invention-of-digital-camera Above photograph © Courtesy of the George Eastman MuseumStay Connected Steve Sasson Profile at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: https://eng.rpi.edu/about/alumni-achievements/steven-j-sasson Steve Sasson at the National Inventor's Hall of Fame: https://www.invent.org/inductees/steven-sasson Steve Sasson at the National Science & Technology Medals Foundation: https://nationalmedals.org/laureate/steven-sasson/ The George Eastman Museum: https://www.eastman.org

Family portraits have come a long way since the heyday of department-store setups. In this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we examine business and creative factors at work in this constantly evolving field, recorded on location at B&H's 2023 Depth of Field Conference. Listen in for fresh insights on family portraiture from two specialists serving very different market segments. Above photograph © Monica Sigmon, Sigmon Taylor Photography Our first guest is Michele Celentano, a serial entrepreneur who's shifted from weddings to families to her latest focus on the big business of school and sports portraits. After getting the scoop on her career trajectory, Celentano describes how she's modernizing and redefining this very lucrative market.  After a break, we chat with Monica Sigmon about the central role that formal family portraits can play in establishing a visual legacy and building self-worth among your clients, while she also elaborates on the complex economic factors involved in pricing your work. Guests: Michele Celentano & Monica Sigmon For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://blogd7.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/business-family-portraits-michele-celentano-monica-sigmon Top shot © Monica Sigmon, Sigmon Taylor Photography Episode Timeline: 3:37: Celentano's early mentors, professional groups that helped coach her in business, and early advice she received. 9:55: Reinventing yourself, from weddings to portraits to school and sports photography. 14:25: Adapting a business to the volume market for school sports portraits. 16:52: Differentiating between school sports portraits and senior portrait styles and modernizing the approach to deliver a clean contemporary look. 19:28: Believing in the work you do to manifest a value-based experience for your clients. 24:58: Episode Break 26:14: The power of a family portrait to change the way that children and families see themselves, and the value of formal printed portraits that lock in time as part of family history. 34:14: The shrinking of the family portrait specialty as a full-time career. 36:00: Sigmon's Black Label portrait series as a premium style of formal portrait. 37:42: Explaining a family portrait shoot to kids to get them on board with the concept, while minimizing studio clutter and props to keep the focus on the portrait session. 44:25: The importance of taking control of the shoot and the experience. You are hired for being an expert in what you do. Guest Bios: Michele Celentano has enjoyed a professional photography career of more than 30-years, from her start photographing weddings in New York City, through a shift to newborn, children, and family portraiture to her recent focus on the school and sports portrait market. Widely known as the "Queen of Group Posing," Celentano has a passion for teaching and giving back to the photographic community. Her artwork has been published in numerous books and in a wide range of professional photography magazines.   Monica Sigmon is on a mission to revitalize family portraiture. After opening her Williamsburg, Virginia, photography studio, in 2000, she quickly built a successful business with a reputation for excellence and cutting-edge imagery. The recipient of two prestigious degrees from the Professional Photographers of America, she is a popular speaker, traveling nationwide to offer entertaining programs on marketing, building your brand and running a luxury studio with authenticity. Sigmon is also co-host of The f-Stops Here podcast. Stay Connected: Michele Celentano Website: https://www.michelecelentano.com/ Michele Celentano Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelecelentanophotographer/ Michele Celentano Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MicheleCelentano.photographer/ Michele Celentano Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/michcelentano/   Monica Sigmon Website: https://www.sigmontaylor.com/ Monica Sigmon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigmontaylor/ Monica Sigmon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SigmonTaylorPhotography Monica Sigmon Twitter: https://twitter.com/monicaandmike Monica Sigmon Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/monica_sigmon/

Humans and pets have shared a deep bond for centuries, yet our animal companions are now considered more a part of the family than ever. So, it's no surprise that pet photography is a blossoming niche, and a perfect subject for this week's podcast—especially since it's National Pet Month! Above photograph © Nancy Borowick We start by chatting with pet photographer Karen Hoglund, who alerted us to her work in response to Allan's musing about using the hashtag "kittens" to generate traffic on social media. After noting that #kittens only yields a 20 percent bump over #photographer, Hoglund offers advice on the dos and don'ts of posing pets, and picking up on their non-verbal signs of anxiety or stress. After a break, we switch gears from posed pet portraits to learn about Sony Artisan Nancy Borowick's candid editorial-style coverage of the Westminster Dog Show, and her long-term project, "Part of the Pack." Primarily known for telling intimate stories about people, Nancy explains how an invitation to photograph the dog show helped her process the loss of both her parents to cancer. She talks about the challenges of covering the show's frenetic atmosphere, describing how she maintains focus by seeking out telling details.  As we all agree, pets are truly a gift in our daily lives, and learning how to capture their unique personalities in pictures can only deepen this bond and enrich our experience. Guests: Karen Hoglund & Nancy Borowick For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://blogd7.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/kittens-picturing-pets-karen-hoglund-nancy-borowick Top shot © Nancy Borowick Episode Timeline:  2:06: Does #Kittens or pictures of cute pets help to drive traffic on social media?  4:28: How to recognize signs of stress and anxiety in pets, and tips for posing pets during a photo session. 7:48: Giving treats to a pet so they'll behave during a photo shoot and behavior differences to keep in mind when photographing dogs or cats. 16:06: Tips for photographing groups of pets and people, plus advice for photographing darker-colored pets. 21:32: Hoglund's pet photography gear bag and her thoughts on using mirrorless cameras and lenses. 25:57: Episode Break 27:04: Nancy Borowick's love of the Westminster Dog show and the challenges of working in such a fast-paced, frenetic environment. 36:11: Difficult breeds to photograph, the benefits of real-time eye autofocus for animals in Sony lenses, and Borowick's favorite dog breed. 39:25: Borowick's love for close-up details as storytelling tools, and her favorite lens: a Sony G series 85mm f/1.4. 42:30: Evolution from photographing at the dog show to Borowick's long-term project "Part of the Pack," and the differences between dogs and owners at a top competition setting and in a home environment 54:30: Final thoughts from Borowick and Hoglund about owning pets today. Guest Bios: Karen Hoglund started out as a graphic designer, art-directing photo shoots for ad agencies and commercial clients. After honing her camera skills by photographing children and families, she shifted focus to her true love—dogs and cats. After starting a pet photography business in 2012, she hasn't looked back, working from her home base in Denver, Colorado with a squeaky toy in one hand, a camera in the other, and fur all over her clothes. Nancy Borowick is an internationally renowned photographer, author, teacher, and speaker. A graduate of the International Center of Photography, she is a Sony Artisan of Imagery and a Kickstarter Thought Leader. Working regularly with the New York Times since 2013, Borowick has told intimate stories of people, places, and pets from every corner of the globe. Her break-out project about her two parents in parallel treatment for stage-four cancer has received major accolades and awards such as The Arnold Newman Prize and the Humanitarian Award from the organization Women That Soar. This project was published in 2018 as the monograph The Family Imprint. Borowick currently resides on the island of St. John, USVI with her husband, two sons, and her dog, Einstein. Stay Connected: Karen Hoglund Website: https://karenhoglundphotography.com Karen Hoglund Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenhoglundphoto Karen Hoglund Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarenHoglundPhotography Karen Hoglund Twitter: https://twitter.com/khoglund_photo Karen Hoglund Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/khoglund/ Karen Hoglund YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@karenhoglundphotography/ Karen Hoglund TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@karenhoglundphoto   Nancy Borowick Website: https://www.nancyborowick.com Nancy Borowick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancyborowick/ Nancy Borowick Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancy.borowick/ Nancy Borowick Twitter: https://twitter.com/nancyborowick

Tati Bruening and Anya Anti are two rising stars at the confluence of photography, digital assets, and social influence. In this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we get the lowdown on their burgeoning careers in fashion / beauty and conceptual / fine art portraits in part two of our chats from B&H's 2023 Depth of Field Conference. Above photograph © Tati Bruening We start with Tati Bruening, who shares how her plea to "Make Instagram Instagram Again" became a global meme, ultimately prompting a response from the platform's head. Learn how she spent the pandemic focused on daily DIY shoots with friends, allowing her to quickly master her Canon 5D Mark IV inside and out. Today, Bruening is supported by a powerhouse management team. Hear how she made these essential connections, get tips on working with a manager, and learn which pitfalls to avoid. After a break, we shift gears to Anya Anti, who fills us in on the intricate set design and attentive compositing work behind her whimsical portraits, which seamlessly bridge fantasy and real life. She distinguishes between shooting self-portraits for a more personal approach and posing models as alter egos for more control behind the camera. We also tackle the elephant in the room—artificial intelligence in photographic creation—with Anti weighing in on both the significant ethical issues posed by AI and its positive aspects as incorporated in Adobe's smart selection tools. Guests: Tati Bruening and Anya Anti For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/confronting-algorithms-and-ai-tati-bruening-anya-anti-at-depth-of-field-2023 Top shot © Tati Bruening Episode Timeline: 2:38: Tati Bruening's offhand Instagram post that turned into an international viral movement, emphasizing the value of stills over video.  6:13: Bruening's preferences for lighting tools, modifiers, and lenses. 11:52: Making an initial connection to a manager and assembling a wider team. 14:04: Bruening's 5-year plan to stop being controlled by social media algorithms. 15:33: Bruening's tips for seeking and working with a manager and pitfalls to avoid. 18:50: Episode Break 20:44: Anya Anti's approach to self-portraits vs. photographing other people to use as alter egos in her pictures. 25:20: Concept development and preproduction process for Anti's portraits. 28:27: Concerns about AI technology and its related ethical issues. 32:31: The beneficial aspects of AI and using Adobe smart selection tools. 34:22: Upcoming projects, a series of editing tutorials, and animation pieces. Guest Bios: Tati Bruening rose to fame by making personal portraits of some of TikTok's most recognizable stars, celebrating the individuality of her subjects. She made headlines in 2021 by posting a simple request to 'Make Instagram, Instagram Again' and the rest of the world echoed her sentiment by adding over 300,000 signatures on her Change.org petition. She consults on Gen Z with various companies and has been a featured speaker on photography and social media at events such as VidCon 2022, among many other conferences. Anya Anti specializes in on-location fine art and conceptual portraiture. An internationally published, award-winning photo artist, Anti strives to go beyond traditional portraiture to tell imaginative stories through her art and share her passion for beauty and a craving for everyday enchantment. An international speaker and workshop instructor for companies such as Broncolor, Adobe, and Nikon, Anti has been a featured presenter at events like Adobe MAX, Adobe Live, PPE, WPPI, CES, among others. Stay Connected: Tati Bruening Website: https://www.illumitati.com/ Tati Bruening Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illumitati/ Tati Bruening Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tati.tutu.5/ Tati Bruening Twitter: https://twitter.com/illumitatiana Tati Bruening TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/tati-bruening Anya Anti Website: https://anya-anti.com/ Anya Anti Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anya_anti_art/ Anya Anti Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnyaAntiArt Anya Anti YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AnitaAnti Anya Anti Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnyaAnti Anya Anti Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/anya_anti/ Anya Anti TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anya_anti

Sam Hurd and Dixie Dixon may target different photo markets, yet they both prioritize craft and emphasize a human connection to their subjects. In this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we get the lowdown on their respective careers in wedding photography and fashion/lifestyle assignment work as part of our coverage of B&H's 2023 Depth of Field Conference. Above photograph © Dixie Dixon We start with Sam Hurd, who shares the story behind his decision to shift from photographic storyteller to craftsman. He also describes how switching to mirrorless cameras has changed his process. Sam's superpower is his inventive Ring of Fire technique for creative flare, and we discuss this in depth, while also touching on everything from image quality and lens design to the promise of AI-generating tools and the elements that get lost in the exchange. After a break, we chat with Nikon Ambassador Dixie Dixon, who describes how making a connection with your subjects begins with detailed research well before the shoot day. She regales us with tales from major advertising projects, including how her efforts to get a release for a Ford Mustang led her to the company's CEO. Get a first alert on her next book project and hear how her recent forays into video and directing tv commercials earned her a coveted advertising award. For more information on our guests and their photos, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/photographic-craft-connections-sam-hurd-dixie-dixon  

"Do I really replace lenses or just buy more of them? That's the major question," says Kevin Rickert, B&H Photo's Senior Sales Trainer for cameras and lighting, in the heat of discussion for our Notable Lens Releases of 2022 and 2023 episode. Listen in as we assess the latest crop of optics from Canon, FUJIFILM, Hasselblad, Nikon, OM SYSTEM, Sigma, Sony, and Tamron. The full list makes for a lot of glass, so we've narrowed things down to a focused selection of primes and zooms spanning medium format, full frame, cropped sensor, and Micro Four Thirds formats. As in our annual Cameras of the Year show from December, we mix up the tech talk with practical anecdotes to help match lenses and customers based on user experience. Among the many threads of our chat, we commend the release of some new and different focal lengths—from Nikon's 26mm pancake to Sony's 20-70mm f/4 G-series zoom to Tamron's 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 telephoto. "Maybe the 26mm will be the new 28, which is great," says Rickert. "We like choices, and a lot of brands are going this route with their lens offerings." Guest: Kevin Rickert Episode Timeline 1:45: Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM lens and its unique cat-eye bokeh. 6:32: Four new Canon RF-S lenses for APS-C cameras, plus RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM and RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM super-telephotos for wildlife and sports. 9:20: FUJIFILM XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR for portraits, XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR for wildlife and sports, XF 18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR for everyday use, XF 30mm f/2.8 R LM WR, and FUJIFILM GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR lens for medium format. 12:42: Hasselblad XCD 38mm f/2.5 V, XCD 55mm f/2.5 V, and XCD 90mm f/2.5 V lenses. 18:49: Nikon Z 26mm f/2.8 pancake lens, Z 85mm f/1.2 S for portraits, 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, and Z 600mm f/4 TC VR SZ super telephotos for wildlife and sports. 25:06: Episode break 25:58: OM SYSTEM 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS Pro lens, and the benefit of IP53 weather sealing. 31:43: Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art for L-mount and E-mount systems, plus rerelease of lenses for X-mount and Z-mount systems. 36:06: Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM, FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G, FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II, FE 20-70mm f/4 G lenses. 43:58: Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD, 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD lenses. Guest Bio: Kevin Rickert is B&H Photo's Senior Sales Trainer for Cameras and Lighting. It's Rickert's job to collaborate with camera and lens manufacturers to create curriculum for training B&H's world-renowned sales staff. He knows his stuff! Born and raised in New York and self-described as a ballpark journeyman, Rickert has traveled to—and photographed—all Major League baseball stadiums in the United States since 2008. Earlier this year, he helped to represent the B&H Sales Team, in Nashville, at Imaging USA 2023―where he discovered how hot Nashville hot chicken, really is! Stay Connected: B&H Photo Video Website: https://www.bhphotovideo.com B&H Photo Video Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhphoto B& Photo Video Twitter: https://twitter.com/bhphoto B&H Photo Video YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BandH B&H Event Space YouTube: https://bhpho.to/BHEventSpaceYT B&H Photo Video Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bhphoto B&H Photography Podcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1001107823418353

No matter how you slice it, wedding photography is a fancy business. On this week's podcast, we take that fancy up a notch in a conversation about luxury wedding photography with James Christianson and Otto Schulze. These former competitors took a giant leap to reinvent themselves as the collaborative partnership James x Schulze, while also adapting their sales strategy to a marketplace where the driving force is want rather than means. Listen in as they describe how they balanced economic risk with the creative freedom to chase small moments and beautiful light. You'll also gain insight into how a luxury client's buying psychology differs from the norm, and the essential importance of taking a client-first approach to projects.   "Confidence is the currency of the successful," explains Christianson about the necessary shift in mindset. "If you can bring confidence in who you are and what your skills are—whether that's with a camera, or skills with people, or both—that will take you a long way in being able to move through any room." Guests: James Christianson and Otto Schulze Top shot © James x Schulze Episode Timeline   2:55: The logistics of and locations for the luxury wedding photography market.   6:38: Balancing the economics of a collaborative business with the creative freedom and flow of chasing small moments and beautiful light.   10:42: Shaking the middle-class sales mentality and adapting to the buying psychology of luxury clients.   14:45: Put your client first by asking open-ended questions and taking a genuine interest in connecting to best identify their wants.   17:56: The logistics of working with wedding planners in the high-end photography market.   21:40: Destination weddings in a post-COVID world, and the luxury client as a recession proof market for wedding photography.   26:10: James X Shulze's go-to camera gear—from the medium format FUJIFILM GFX to the Leica Q—yet always being mindful of the special atmosphere of the venue.   31:27: Episode break   32:32: Introducing James X Schulze's education brand Sage. Tap into the mindset and confidence needed to cultivate luxury wedding photography clients.   37:14: Distinguishing between premium and luxury wedding clients, and the relative budgets for each 40:10: Develop the story the client wants to tell with their wedding, rather than approaching the wedding as just a photo shoot.  45:14: James and Otto's approach to education involves more than great photographs. Equally important is being a better business owner, and consistency in putting in the work. Guest Bios: James Christianson started his career as an educator and entrepreneur. He has more than 20 years of photography experience under his belt combined with a business and education background that brings a distinctively clear voice to his work. Otto Schulze traveled the globe as a documentary photographer, spending the past 20 years in pursuit of the "decisive moment." His ability to see outside the box makes him an inspirational and visionary imagemaker and educator. Working together, James x Schulze have achieved world-class brand recognition as luxury wedding photographers, combining editorial, documentary, and fine-art styles. Named as one of the world's top 50 wedding photographers by Harpers Bazaar, they are hyper-focused on communicating each client's unique story through a final portfolio of unparalleled images. Most recently, they launched the online education platform Sage, and the online course "The Business of Luxury Weddings" to inspire other wedding professionals seeking to take their business to the next level. Stay Connected: James x Schulze's Wedding Website: https://www.jamesandschulze.com James x Schulze's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesandschulze James x Schulze's Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamesandschulze James x Schulze's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesandschulze James x Schulze's Education Website: https://www.sagejourney.co Business of Luxury Weddings Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebusinessofluxuryweddings Sage Journey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sagejourney.co

Women photographers take center stage in this week's show, in celebration of International Women's Day and Women's History Month. We reveal the blind spot of photo history in a chat about the book A World History of Women Photographers, with photo historian and co-author Luce Lebart and contributing writer Pauline Vermare. Gracing the pages of this book's 500-page heft are images and stories behind 300 women photographers, spanning both photo history and geographic reach. Listen in to learn about the exhaustive process Lebart and co-author Marie Robert undertook to find this range of talent and then commission essays from 160 women writers and curators. We also discuss how the position of women within photography has changed over time and across cultures. There are fresh discoveries to be made by even the most ardent photography devotees, as illustrated by the many photographer names and related resources we mention during the episode, also listed below in our show notes.  Guests: Luce Lebart and Pauline Vermare Top shot © The National Museum of Iceland, Reykjavik Episode Timeline   4:17: Luce Lebart describes the editorial statement behind the book A World History of Women Photographers as a manifesto to complete a history that already exists.   10:14: Back stories about women working as picture editors, art directors, designers, and art buyers in photo industry trenches, with male photographers as hunter gathers in the field.  13:32: The international network behind the research for this book. Which came first—the contributing writers or featured photographers?   21:21: The matter of women photographers who stayed in the shadow of a master or did not receive equal recognition as her spouse.   26:45: Avoiding the pitfall of a western centered approach in the geographical representation of photographers selected for the book   30:56: Additional book projects and databases of women photographers.   33:44: Episode break   34:38: Pauline Vermare describes differences between France and America in their respective approaches to photography.   38:36: Pauline discusses the Japanese women photographers she wrote about for the book.   45:00: American photographer Nancy Burson's stature as a forerunner of current trends for AI generated photographs. 49:40: How A World History of Women Photographers encourages questions of readers, inspiring Pauline to create a forthcoming book on Japanese women photographers. Guest Bios: Luce Lebart is co-author, with Marie Robert, of A World History of Women Photographers. A photography historian and curator currently based in Paris, she is a researcher for the Archive of Modern Conflict, a collection and publishing house based between London and Toronto. Luce served as director of the Canadian Institute of Photography from 2016 to 2018, after spending five years directing the collections of the French Society of Photography in Paris. Pauline Vermare is a French photography curator and historian based in New York. A contributing writer to A World History of Women Photographers, she was formerly the cultural director of Magnum Photos in New York, a curator at the International Center of Photography and the Museum of Modern Art. From 2002 to 2009, she worked at the Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation, in Paris.  Stay Connected: A World History of Women Photographers English language edition: https://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/books/a-world-history-of-women-photographers-hardcover A World History of Women Photographers French edition: https://www.editionstextuel.com/livre/une-histoire-mondiale-des-femmes-photographes Luce Lebart Website: https://lucelebart.org/ Luce Lebart Facebook: ? Luce Lebart Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucelebart Luce Lebart Twitter: https://twitter.com/lucelebart?lang=en Mauvaises Herbes (Weeds) exhibit: https://www.cpif.net/ Photo Europea Photo Festival: https://www.fotografiaeuropea.it/fe2023/en/concept-2023/ Pauline Vermare curated Kunie Sugiura Exhibit at Alison Bradley Projects: https://www.alisonbradleyprojects.com/kunie-sugiura-show/ Recently curated exhibition of Northern Ireland photos by women photographers: https://photomuseumireland.ie/pauline-vermare-protest Co-curated exhibition of 10 contemporary Japanese women photographers: https://matterport.com/discover/space/LQT8wCUrWuE Recent interview on Pauline's Japanese women photographers project: https://www.truthinphotography.org/japanese-women-photographers.html Women Photographers mentioned in the podcast: Anna Atkins - United Kingdom, 1799 - 1871 Amilie Guillot-Saguez -1810, France – 1864, Algeria Constance Talbot - United Kingdom, 1811 - 1880 Julia Margaret Cameron - 1815, India – 1879, Sri Lanka Alice Seeley Harris – United Kingdom, 1870 - 1970 Clara Sipprell - 1885, Canada – 1975, United States Tsuneko Sasamoto – Japan, b. 1914 Tokyo Tokiwa – Japan, b. 1930 Claudia Andujar - Switzerland, b. 1931 Yildiz Moran - Turkey, 1932 - 1995 Sara Facio - Argentina, b. 1932 Hilla Becher - Germany, 1934 - 2015 Abigail Heyman - United States, 1942 – 2013 Nancy Burson - United States, b. 1948 Lesley Lawson – South Africa, b. 1952 Marilyn Nance - United States, b. 1953 Pushpamela N. - India, b. 1956 Pior Arke - Greenland, 1958 - 2007 Angele Etourdi Essamba - Cameroon, b. 1962 Dina Templeton - United States, b. 1969 Zanele Muholi – South Africa, b. 1972  Databases featuring Women Photographers: WOPHA, Women Photographers International Archive: https://wopha.org/ Women Photograph database (and new book): https://www.womenphotograph.com/ 10x10 Photobooks: https://10x10photobooks.org/ Fast Forward: https://fastforward.photography/

When was the last time you updated your website? Despite the popularity and traction of social media sites, having a stand-alone website to promote your work and build your brand is key to connecting with your given audience. In this week's podcast, we explore the dynamics of building and maintaining a professional caliber website with insights from both sides of the coin.  We start by chatting with website designer Alex Vita, who shares pet peeves as well as the best practices he's honed over more than 13 years of work with photo industry clients. All will benefit from Alex's insights on building a client-focused website as a way to build trust. After a break we get the artist's perspective from the illustrious photographer, environmental activist, and creative whirlwind Benjamin Von Wong, who also happens to be one of Alex's clients. Listen in as Ben and Alex discuss his web strategy and take a deep dive into the challenges of staying relevant and getting noticed in an oversaturated creative climate. We also dip into thoughts about how the evolution of AI is likely to change the future of the visual world, to make photographs the starting point for a conversation rather than its final purpose. Guests: Alex Vita and Benjamin Von Wong Top shot © Benjamin Von Wong For more information on our guests and the gear they use, click here. Episode Timeline   3:55: What role do stand-alone photography websites play in a world of viral social media sites?   12:16: Alex's pet peeves in photography websites. Two general categories: poor content and poor user experience.   20:55: Bounce rates, Google analytics reports, and how to determine the success of your website.   26:17: What are the most important considerations for good SEO and how have best practices for SEO changed over time?   31:59: Alex's recommendations for image size and compression for fast performance and readability on a wide range of devices—from mobile to retina screens.   35:55: Episode break   36:56: The varied roles that Ben Von Wong's websites and web presence play in communicating his environmental message. 41:40: How Ben's various microsites and social media presence helps with virality in marketing his work. 47:25: Ben's position as an environmentalist in a world full of advertising and boosted content—Ethics and principals come first. 52:30: How the evolution of AI and integration with Chat GPT is about to change the future of the visual world. 1:02:33: Ben's recommendations for what to look for when seeking to work with a web designer. Guest Bios: Alex Vita is a professional website designer, specialized in crafting sites for photographers and photo agencies. Working from his home base in Bucharest, Romania, Alex's super-power is thinking outside the box to grasp the big picture, helping photographers to structure their web presence by prioritizing maximum impact. Ben Von Wong is a Canadian artist, photographer, social influencer, and activist, best known for his hyper-realistic style, bridging photography and fantasy. His storytelling targets environmental issues such as ocean plastics, fashion pollution, and electronic waste, fueled by an extensive viral component that has generated more than 100 million views to date.   Stay Connected: Alex Vita's Website: https://www.foregroundweb.com/ Alex Vita's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foregroundweb Alex Vita's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foregroundweb/ Alex Vita's Twitter: https://twitter.com/foregroundweb Alex Vita's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@foregroundweb   Benjamin Von Wong's Website: https://www.vonwong.com Benjamin Von Wong's Blog: https://blog.vonwong.com Benjamin Von Wong's Case Studies: https://unforgettablelabs.com Benjamin Von Wong's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thevonwong Benjamin Von Wong's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vonwong Benjamin Von Wong's Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevonwong Alex Vita's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Vonwong%20

We're all about flower power on this week's podcast, in celebration of Valentine's Day. Joining us in discussion are photography curator Danae Panchaud, co-author of the recent book Flora Photographica, along with contributing photographer and audience favorite Abelardo Morell. After describing the book's genesis and scope, Danae delves into the extensive research process she and co-author William Ewing employed to sift through many thousands of photographs celebrating this wide-ranging subject. From sumptuous floral still lives to delicate blooms photographed in service of an activist cause to conceptual treatments depicting flowers as imposters of real life and beyond—this magnificent book offers fertile ground for consideration and debate. After a break we continue the conversation with photographer Abelardo Morell, whose featured images from the series Flowers for Lisa evolved from a single photograph created as a gift for his wife to encompass a wide-ranging exploration of and homage to great artists of the past.  As an alternative to a floral bouquet, we invite you to consider the enduring value in the gift of a photograph—or better yet an entire book of floral photography—to make a photoholic's heart flutter. Guests: Danae Panchaud and Abelardo Morell Top shot © Abelardo Morell For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts Episode Timeline   4:52: Danae Panchaud explains the research process for Flora Photographica and describes the joy in discovering the innovative methods photographers have used to explore this wide-ranging subject.   10:16: Distinctions between the new edition of Flora Photographica and an earlier volume by William Ewing sharing the same title, published in the 1990s. 13:53: The effects of digital tools and technologies on both the images themselves, and the research methods used to source images for the book.   16:31: Insights about Flora Photographica's nine intriguing chapter titles: Roots, In Situ, Enquiry, Arrangement, Essence, Imposters, Hybrids, Fugue, and Reverie.   21:00: Incorporating floral pictures with political themes and conceptual work on floral subjects, and the use of captions to help convey these messages.   23:55: Using the element of surprise in picture selection and sequencing to highlight unexpected images and allow readers to discover new artists.   32:50: Episode break   34:20: Abe Morell's first flower photograph was a double gift: A birthday gift for his wife and a gift for Abe to embark on a new challenge.   38:19: The benefits of working at home in the studio to use as a breeding ground for new ideas.   39:55: The incorporation of painting with photography, and Abe's efforts to reinterpret and transform past works from art history. 42:34: How work on this photo series enhanced Abe's perception of flowers as a common object. Guest Bios: Danae Panchaud is a photography curator, lecturer, and museum professional based in Switzerland. After studying photography at the widely acclaimed Vevey School of the Arts, she turned to curatorial practices at Geneva University of Art and Design. She has since held positions in the fields of contemporary art, design, and science at several Swiss institutions. From 2018 to 2021, she served as director and curator of Photoforum Pasquart in Biel. She was appointed director of the Centre de la Photographie Genève in 2021, where she explores the medium as a tool for constructing knowledge through both contemporary and historical photographs. Danae is actively involved in a number of Swiss associations for photography and the arts, currently serving as president of Spectrum – Photography in Switzerland.   Abelardo Morell is a repeat visitor to the podcast, having previously appeared in the show Abelardo Morell: Alchemist of Photography in 2022. Born in Havana, Cuba, Morell immigrated to the United States with his parents at the age of 14. After earning a BFA from Bowdoin College and an MFA from Yale, he had a distinguished career as a photography professor at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design from 1983 to 2010. Morell has received many awards and accolades for his work, including a Guggenheim fellowship in 1994, an ICP Infinity Award in 2011, and a Lucie Award for achievement in fine art in 2017. He is the author of 8 books, including Flowers for Lisa, the subject of today's discussion, and his photographs have been exhibited and collected by galleries, institutions, and museums worldwide. Stay Connected: Flora Photographica book: https://thamesandhudson.com/flora-photographica-the-flower-in-contemporary-photography-9780500024584 Danae Panchaud Website: https://danaepanchaud.net/ Danae Panchaud Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danae.panchaud/ Danae Panchaud Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danaepanchaud/ Danae Panchaud Medium: https://medium.com/@danaep Centre de la Photographie Genève Website: https://www.centrephotogeneve.ch/ Abelardo Morell Website: https://www.abelardomorell.net/ Abe Morell's Flowers for Lisa book: https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/flowers-for-lisa_9781419732331/ Abe Morell's Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/abelardomorell/ Abe Morell's Twitter: https://twitter.com/abelardomorell  

"Selecting photos is a different skill than making them," explains renowned picture editor Mike Davis in this week's podcast. This essential understanding forms the core of Davis's new book Creating Visual Narratives Through Photography: A Fresh Approach to Making a Living as a Photographer. Davis approaches this topic with a mix of clarity and candor, to offer deeply engaged yet highly accessible insights about making photos—and making sense of those photos—while also discussing the elusive art of selecting and sequencing pictures and other ways to create visual narratives. Some of the key points covered in our chat include the visual vocabulary Davis assigns to photographs, his ideas about elevating pictures beyond simply informational content, how making multiple passes through a photo edit can help a photographer remove themselves from the experience of making the work, and his three different approaches to image sequencing. Listeners will also gain a fresh understanding of ways in which both the art of creating visual narratives and the photo industry itself have evolved over time, to raise the bar on creative expression. In presenting this book, Davis's goal echoes the response he has received from hundreds of photographers he's helped to tell stories with their pictures, "I never would have thought of things that way, had we not had this engagement." Guests: Mike Davis Photos © Mike Davis Episode Timeline 3:26: Photography as a visual vocabulary, and distinctions between, nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs. 6:25: What are informational photographs and how to make photos that rise above this basic level. 9:08: Davis's definition of composition: the full realization of light, and color, and distance in conveying a 3-dimensional space. 18:33: How the photo industry and relationships between photographers and photo editors have changed over time. 30:42: Davis discusses his photos published in the book and shares thoughts about photographing with intention. 39:34: Episode break 44:18: Three approaches to image sequencing and how they work within the full spectrum ofrafting a narrative 46:17: Mike Davis's most visually successful book project and a general timeframe for image sequencing. 48:06: Davis's approach to working with photographers on sequencing a book.   51:46: Davis describes his picture editing process using multiple passes through a set of photographs. 56:40: The primary audience and Davis's ultimate goal in writing Creating Visual Narratives Through Photography: A Fresh Approach to Making a Living as a Photographer. Guest Bio: Mike Davis is a visual consultant, editor, author, photographer, and professor emeritus. He has worked independently with hundreds of photographers as well as in staff positions for organizations as diverse as National Geographic, The White House, and several of America's visually powerful newspapers. Mike was twice named newspaper picture editor of the year, and he received The Sprague Award from The National Press Photographers Association, its highest honor. He has edited more than 40 books as an independent consultant, judged a wide range of photography competitions and grant programs, lectured widely, and served as a member of various workshop and review faculty. Most recently, Mike spent eight years as an endowed faculty member at Syracuse University's Newhouse School, where he taught visual storytelling courses and directed The Alexia Grants. Stay Connected: Mike Davis website: https://www.michaelddavis.com/ Mike Davis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikedavis_mnpls/ Creating Visual Narratives Book: https://www.routledge.com/Creating-Visual-Narratives-Through-Photography-A-Fresh-Approach-to-Making/Davis/p/book/9781032262857      

Creating and sustaining a successful photo career is no easy feat. To help aspiring young imagemakers acquire the needed creative concepts and business skills, two New York-based organizations—ASMP NY and BKC—have teamed up to offer the innovative mentorship, education, and industry immersion program The Bridge. Open to individuals from 18- to 26-years-old, The Bridge embraces diversity and offers opportunity to underserved communities, regardless of formal photography experience. Best of all, this four-month, real world program is free to accepted students. We first learned about The Bridge during a chat with program co-founder Liam Alexander for the show ASMP-NY and the Future of Photo Trade Organizations in February 2022. Since the program's second year recently wrapped with a gallery exhibition in Brooklyn, and plans are in the works to expand The Bridge to other ASMP chapters in 2023, we wanted to learn more about this valuable initiative in advance of the next application window this spring. For this week's podcast, we're joined by Alexander, who sheds light on The Bridge program's inner workings and educational goals during the first half of the show. After a break, we speak with 2022 Bridge graduate Eli Edwards, who describes what he learned through the program, and the resulting shift in the pictures he makes, as well as in his creative point of view. To discover how to futureproof your career and learn how to apply for this free program, make sure to listen in! Guests: Liam Alexander and Eli Edwards ASMP Bridge Program photo © Saad El Amin For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/celebrating-asmp-nys-mentorship-program-the-bridge Episode Timeline 3:50: Application and selection process for The Bridge Mentorship, a program designed to fill the gap in existing educational models. 9:27: Introduction to The Bridge program partner BKC, and program co-founder Justin Lin. 17:13: The Bridge Program coursework: Developing Your Creative Point of View. 20:52: Bridge Mentorship Program Core Supporters: The ASMP Foundation, Sony, and Freelancers Union, and a widening network of additional supporters. 25:17: A five-year vision for the program: Producing the future of the photo industry every summer. 26:50: Episode break 27:24: 2022 Bridge Program participant Eli Edwards and his easy application through Instagram. 32:42: Effects of the program on Eli's pictures and his new confidence in making project-based work. 36:40: Is YouTube University an effective tool for learning the ropes of photography? 40:56: How Eli's shift from social media to photography changed his creative point of view, and some social media tips. 46:38: Ways to support The Bridge program and application window for the 2023 Bridge program mentorship. Guest Bios: Liam Alexander is a fine artist and creative director who seeks to catalyze social change through artistic expression. As the current president of ASMP New York, he co-founded the ASMP NY Bridge program in 2020 with Justin Lin of BKC. He has also been instrumental in building other community focused creative projects designed to educate and inspire, such as IThou at NYU's Kimmel Galleries, The Exchange at Rush Arts, and #StrokeofGenius. Liam's own work has been featured in gallery exhibitions and art fairs throughout the US, and at the second annual Toolkit Festival in Venice, Italy. His work has been published in magazines including Nylon and Rolling Stone, and he creates projects with major brands like Wix.com, Samsung, SAP, Renaissance Hotels, and the city of New York. Eli Edwards is a photographer, videographer, writer, producer, and director. Born in Los Angeles, Eli currently resides in New York City, where he works as a freelance videographer and photographer for brands, events, and musical artists. He was a 2022 participant in the ASMP Bridge program, where he produced the photo series 'A Community of Hoops', which is about the dedicated group that frequents New York's iconic West 4th Street basketball court. Eli is a 2019 graduate of NYU's Steinhart School, receiving a bachelor of arts degree in Media, Culture, and Communication. After college, he worked as a social media editor for Turner Sports in Atlanta as part of the Emmy-Award winning NBA on TNT team, doing content creation work with the NBA. Stay Connected: The Bridge Program: https://www.wearebkc.com/bridge Donate to the Bridge: https://asmpfoundation.betterworld.org/campaigns/bridge-program ASMP National website: https://www.asmp.org/ ASMP New York website: https://www.asmp.org/newyork/ ASMP New York Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asmpny ASMP New York Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asmpny/ ASMP New York Twitter: https://twitter.com/asmpny Bridge Program partner BKC website: https://www.wearebkc.com/ BKC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearebkc/ BKC Twitter: https://twitter.com/wearebkc Eli Edwards Website: https://www.eliedwardscreative.com/ Eli Edwards Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwards_eli/ Eli Edwards Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZenGeeks Eli Edwards TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nbathoughtseli Liam Alexander Website: https://www.liam-alexander.com/ Liam Alexander Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liam.alexander.rules Liam Alexander Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leeumrulez/ Liam Alexander Twitter: https://twitter.com/LiamAlexander0  

In some locales, the period between Christmas and the New Year is known as the Wild Nights, where mischief reigns in the darkest days of the northern hemisphere. We're digging into this theme for our last show of 2022, in a chat with photographer and producer of this very podcast, Jill Waterman, who has been documenting New Year's Eve traditions and exploits around the globe for the past 38 years. We first spoke with Jill about this project in the two-part show Legacy and Commitment in January 2022. Since she's now a full-fledged member of the podcast team, we thought we'd investigate some of her more memorable experiences a bit further. Jill is still shooting this series primarily with film, so our conversation ranges from the whys and wherefores of making that choice, to how the growth of the Internet became an essential research tool in the lead up to the Millennium and beyond. We also shed light on the elusive Austrian Perchten and Bulgarian Kukeri, and discuss parading Philadelphia Mummers, Bahamian Junkanoo figures, and Cape Town, South Africa's legendary Minstrel Parade. To learn about the most rewarding aspect of Jill's project and find out where she'll be ringing in New Year's Eve 2023, pull up a seat, pop some bubbly and listen in! Guest: Jill Waterman Photos © Jill Waterman Episode Timeline 2:35: The beginnings of the New Year's Eve Project 4:28: Evolution of the project and approach over time 5:34: Shooting black and white film instead of monochrome digital captures 8:12: Opportunities of the Millennium 9:04: The growth of the Internet as a research tool and discovering locations for New Year's Eve rituals 10:00: Documenting "Perchtenlaufs" in Austria during the Wild Nights 10:59: Common themes in different cultures: Mummer's Parade in Philadelphia; Junkanoo in Nassau, Bahamas; and the Minstrel Parade in Cape Town, South Africa 14:48: The spread of oral New Year's traditions and rituals: Burning Effigies and New Year's Widows in Quito, Ecuador 16:32: Bulgarian Kukeri and New Year's parade to scare away evil spirits in Razlog 17:28: Advance planning before arrival and proceeding with boots on the ground 18:46: The value of spontaneity and capturing action in the moment 19:58: Working through anxiety, emotional spikes, and physical challenges 21:09: Assessing coverage and reviewing images after the fact 22:12: Underwhelming celebrations, and New Year's Eve during COVID lockdown 25:50: Episode break 26:35: Jill's analog camera kit: Nikon F3 HP, a 35-70 mm f/2.8 zoom and 24 mm f/2.8 prime lenses 27:45: Black and white films used—Ilford HP5, Delta 400, FP4, Delta 100—and diluted development to minimize contrast 29:23: The most rewarding aspect of the New Year's Eve Project 30:41: Working through language differences and being open to communication 32:15: Experiencing the Pied Piper syndrome 32:45: Big crowds and safety issues on New Year's Eve 35:36: This year's destination, recent New York Foundation for the Arts award, and project links Guest Bio: Born and raised in Massachusetts, Jill Waterman has been based in New York since 1985. Her personal work is centered in long-term photo projects, such as the ongoing New Year's Eve Project and other aspects of her focus on night photography. Her photographs have been exhibited internationally and widely featured in press and media. Highlights include a 1997 arts documentary for Deutsche Welle TV in Berlin, Germany; a 2003 Today Show interview with Katie Couric; and a 2015 documentary for the web TV show Culture Connect. Waterman's first book, the technical volume Night and Low Light Photography, was released by Amphoto books in August 2008. Her professional background includes a past career in image licensing, editorial positions in custom publishing, and her current role as creative producer for the B&H Photography Podcast. Stay Connected: New Year's Eve Project Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLqZ_PIEugA New Year's Project Silvester Stories NFT: https://opensea.io/collection/silvester-stories Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nightpix/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jill.waterman  

For anyone seeking a new camera to gift or to hold this holiday season, we present the eighth annual installment of our Cameras of the Year episode! Featured in our discussion are 16 new cameras from Canon, FUJIFILM, Hasselblad, Leica, Nikon, OM SYSTEM, Panasonic, and Sony—presented in alphabetical order. In addition to a detailed review of each camera on our list, we also discuss trends such as the shift from separate cameras for photo and video to a single camera geared to content creation, recent advances in high resolution EVFs, the benefits to cameras with internal memory, an increasing prevalence of AI technologies, the continued relevance of Micro 4/3rds and APS-C models when full frame cameras are shrinking in size and weight, and much more. Along the way, we even come up with some new terminology—Exit Level Cameras! Tune in for yourself and find out what it means. Guest: Kevin Rickert Episode Timeline 3:30: Canon EOS R6 Mark II Mirrorless Camera 4:29: From separate cameras for photo and video to one camera for content creation 5:30: Canon EOS R7 Mirrorless Camera 6:42: A question about image stabilization 7:58: The increasing use of dual card slots 8:50: Newer Canon cameras have a different hotshoe 11:18: Canon EOS R10 Mirrorless Camera 12:25: The legacy of the Canon Rebel series name 14:25: Canon R5 C Mirrorless Cinema Camera 15:43: What constitutes a Netflix-approved cinema camera 17:08: FUJIFILM X-H2S Mirrorless Camera 18:12: FUJIFILM X-H2 Mirrorless Camera 18:20: FUJIFILM X-T5 Mirrorless Camera 19:43: Recent advances in high resolution EVFs 20:55: New FUJIFILM lenses mean faster full-time autofocus 22:15: Hasselblad X2D 100C Medium Format Mirrorless Camera 2400: The benefits to cameras with internal memory 24:38: Medium format 16-bit color gives you more crayons to play with in the box 26:02: Episode break 27:13: Leica M 11 Rangefinder Camera 30:24: US-B Type C connection allows downloading pictures to a phone 30:59: What is pixel binning and why is it useful? 32:12: Nikon Z 30 Mirrorless Camera 35:44: OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mirrorless Camera 37:08: The continued relevance of Micro 4/3rds and APS-C sensors when full frame cameras are shrinking in size and weight 39:54: OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mirrorless Camera 41:29: Panasonic Lumix GH6 Mirrorless Camera 43:15: The value of dual image stabilization 44:14: Sony ZV-1F Vlogging Camera 46:51: Sony FX30 Digital Cinema Camera 48:42: What is a BSI sensor? 49:08: Sony a7R V Mirrorless Camera 49:52: The higher the resolution, the better your lenses need to be 50:52: The increasing prevalence of AI technologies in the photo world 54:40: Sony a7R V updated screen design and menu tweaks Guest Bio: Kevin Rickert is B&H Photo's Senior Sales Trainer for Cameras and Lighting. It's Kevin's job to collaborate with camera and lens manufacturers to create curriculum for training B&H's world-renowned sales staff. He knows his stuff! Born & raised in New York and self-described as a ball-park journeyman, Kevin has traveled to—and photographed—all* Major League Baseball Stadiums in the United States since 2008. He also recently travelled to South Korea for food, drink, and photography in October. Stay Connected: B&H Photo Video Website: https://www.bhphotovideo.com B&H Photo Video Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhphoto B& Photo Video Twitter: https://twitter.com/bhphoto B&H Photo Video YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BandH B&H Event Space YouTube: https://bhpho.to/BHEventSpaceYT B&H Photo Video Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bhphoto B&H Photography Podcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1001107823418353

In an era brimming with instant gratification, some things are worth the wait. This is an apt takeaway from our chat with photographer Charles Daniels about his long-outdated film from the legendary Boston Tea Party and other 60s-era music venues, rarely processed until recently. Joining Daniels in conversation is his long-time partner Susan Berstler, and Gerald Freyer from Film Rescue International, the unique image processing and digitization specialists entrusted with his mother lode of 4,000 plus rolls. Listen in as Daniels tells of his rise from club denizen to emcee to cultural ambassador, introducing 60s-era British invasion rockers to America, with a Leica, two Nikons and a mic in hand. Berstler describes how the unprocessed rolls stockpiled in their home became a COVID project, which then went viral after the launch of a Go-Fund-Me campaign. After a break, Freyer explains how Film Rescue International's unique processing and scanning technologies can breathe new life into lost and found film, saving untold stories from oblivion. Freyer also recounts his epic drive from Saskatchewan to Somerville (and back!) to safely collect the film for processing, without risking x-rays or other shipping hazards. As Daniels notes during the show, "For years, I never really developed any film, but I was shooting all the time. It was just there, and then at some point I realized that I needed to bring some of this older stuff to light." With a nod to Daniels's 80th birthday on November 30th, the pictures may have been a long time coming—but what a fabulous gift to photographers and music aficionados alike! Guests: Charles Daniels, Susan Berstler, Gerald Freyer Photographs © Charles Daniels For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/master-blaster-charles-daniels-reveals-his-unseen-60s-era-photo-archive Guest Bios: Charles Daniels was born in segregated Alabama, where his parents ran a late-night speakeasy after farming cotton all day; maybe that's how outlaw music got into his blood. After moving to Boston's Roxbury neighborhood with his family in the 1950s and teaching himself photography with a camera he found in his parent's closet, Charles began capturing whatever caught his eye on city streets and in the era's legendary music venues. Soon he was serving as emcee for the bands, which provided unique access and strong friendships. This led to Lear Jets and tours with the likes of Rod Stewart, Ron Wood, and the Rolling Stones. Since his start in rock-and-roll, Charles has expanded his photography to embrace a wide range of subjects from music and fashion to dance, performance, and everything in between. Susan Berstler has a long history as a visual artist, curator, and arts producer, deeply immersed in the vibrant arts scene of Somerville, Massachusetts. One of her primary interests is transformative events and media, especially within public art. Her passion for this medium is further enhanced by her work as an Emerging Technology Specialist for Creative Technologies at Harvard University's Cabot Science Library. After a small grant from the Somerville Arts Council allowed her to begin developing Charles's treasure trove of film, the Go-Fund-Me campaign set up by a friend quickly went viral, raising more than $70,000 to date. Susan was referred to the company Film Rescue International, which became an ideal solution for film processing and creating high-resolution archival files from the negatives. At present, she is also in discussions with publishers and university archives to identify a final home for this unique image collection. Gerald Freyer is a technically trained photographer who also studied folklore, monument preservation and cultural history at the University of Bamberg in Germany. After working as a research assistant in museums, he became a consultant for digital imaging pioneer Phase One. Since 2007, Gerald has trained museum and archive staff in the use of high-end digitization systems, completing both archival and 360-degree photography projects for international museums and cultural institutions. In 2021, he joined Film Rescue International to work on digitization projects for its clients. Stay Connected: Charles Daniels Go-Fund-Me Website: https://www.gofundme.com/f/2500-rolls-Charles-Daniels Charles Daniels Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088252000625 Film Rescue International Website: https://www.filmrescue.com Film Rescue International Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/filmrescueinternational/ Episode Timeline 4:15: Charles Daniels's start as a music emcee and his most productive years for photography: 1967 – 1969 6:36: A friendship with J. Geils Band front man Peter Wolf and coming up with his Woofa Goofa nickname 8:20: Hanging out with the bands during the day provided easy access and authentic pictures 10:07: Daniels's most enjoyable Rock & Roll subject and co-photographer mate: Alvin Lee from 10 Years After 13:26: How far to push black and white film for best results with concert pictures in low light   14:32: Using a handheld light meter, and shooting with Nikons and Leicas for best results 15:10: Daniels's go-to lens: a 21 mm wide-angle for a different look 15:41: The challenge of pushing black and white film and not labeling it with the ISO 18:34: Daniels's shooting strategy as emcee: a microphone in one hand and a camera in the other 20:53: Finding Charles's undeveloped film became a COVID project   21:55: Unprocessed color film includes several rolls of Kodachrome, which was developed as black and white 22:16: Juggling an active Go Fund Me campaign with Charles's recent health issues 24:30: Connecting with the lab Film Rescue International after developing initial rolls locally 25:35: Episode break 26:43: The back story to Canadian lab Film Rescue International in processing lost and found film 27:45: Effects to undeveloped film over time is based on cold storage and other environmental factors 28:46: A two-step process for developing old color film, including Kodachrome 30:35: The first step in Film Rescue's development process with lost and found film 33:34: Proprietary chemistry for film development, plus years of experience 34:22: Processing and scanning movie film, 16mm, and Kodachrome Super-8 with high end laser graphic film scanner 35:10: Do certain types of film hold up better over time than others? 36:05: The importance of scanning old transparencies to maintain color integrity and save the image 37:46: Digital scanning of slides and negatives can offer more detail and better quality than the original photo 39:50: Film Rescue International's workflow and time distribution between film development and scanning 41:14: Gerald Freyer's epic 7-day trip from Saskatchewan and Somerville to pick up Charles's film 43:08: Safety issues when shipping film and the risk of x-rays 45:59: Gerald's favorite picture from Charles's film: Joe Cocker 46:36: An update on Charles's project and the potential for a book and documentary 48:04: Susan's favorite roll of Charles's film: Jeff Beck Group on the tarmac 49:09: The thousands of stories Film Rescue discovers in its work, and how to reach them 50:54: Contact details for Charles Daniels and the project's Go-Fund-Me page

Food, glorious food—there's no better time than the holiday season for a bountiful exploration of food photography—a fan favorite. For this episode of the podcast, we're delighted to connect with food blogger, educator, and content creator extraordinaire Joanie Simon. Listen in as she discusses the magic behind her aspirational, achievable shooting style. Besides examining the limits to reality when shooting fake food, Simon describes her collaborations with a dedicated crew, offers advice about a photographer's responsibilities when working remotely, and describes her personal evolution through camera brands and models to arrive at the Nikon Z mirrorless system she shoots with today. Discover all these things and much, much more—including a secret recipe for fake ice cream! Guests: Joanie Simon Photograph © Joanie Simon Guest Bio: Instead of an apron, Joanie Simon wears many hats. She's a food photographer, published author, educator, and content queen, and her daily life is a bouillabaisse of camera gear and culinary delights. In just a baker's dozen year—that's 13 for the inexperienced cooks—Simon has built her brand into a powerhouse of creative content and learning. In addition to shooting commercial and editorial assignments, Joanie teaches food photography through her online platform, The Bite Shot. Her food photo adventures on YouTube and Instagram can be found at @thebiteshot and on Tik Tok @joaniesimonsays, and you learn tons more from the many tutorials in her 2021 book, Picture Perfect Food. For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/festive-food-photography-with-joanie-simon Stay Connected: Website: https://joaniesimon.com Education Website: https://thebiteshot.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebiteshot YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/joaniesimonmedia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joaniesimonsays Episode Timeline 3:56: Joanie Simon's favorite holiday and seasonal foods to photograph 4:34: Cultivating aspirational, achievable food content 6:11: Images created with high quality gear requires exact timing 6:58: How far can you push reality and tricks to making food look good. 8:38: Editorial shooting - an opportunity to run wild, get creative, and shoot conceptually 9:48: A secret recipe for fake ice cream. 12:18: The hero of the shot vs the crash test dummy 13:12: The ratio between single shot pictures and food items that need a test run 15:18: How many team members are on set during a food shoot? 17:37: The evolution of Joanie Simon's food photography career 19:16: Discovery of remote work and creating digital content from home 21:26: The need to take responsibility for communications when working remotely 23:10: What's Joanie's preference: mouth-watering stills or toe tapping videos and stop motion content? 27:18: Software for stills, video, and animation content: Capture One, Dragonframe, and Premiere Pro 29:44: The benefits to and workflow behind shooting tethered 31:09: Joanie Simon's art background and her hesitation about studying art in school   33:10: Episode break 33:58: Thoughts on using gear in a controlled environment: 35:38: Joanie's personal evolution through camera brands: from Nikon to Sony mirrorless to Canon and back to Nikon 40:04: The benefits to working in manual mode, and when to use auto focus 42:14: Joanie's go-to lighting tool: the Godox AD 600 Pro strobe 43:52:  Advantages to flash over working with continuous light LEDs 45:44: Drag your shutter when shooting with flash to control the ambient light 46:33: Joanie's primary light modelling tool: Westcott 4'x4' Scrim Jim Cineframe 48:36: Lens preferences: Primes or zooms and Joanie's go-to lenses: 24 – 70 f/2.8 for flexibility and 105 macro lens for background compression 51:02: Food photography with a phone: wipe off the lenses and it all comes down to the light 52:30: Key elements to a food photograph: Texture, highlights, and getting close up to the food 53:36: Tips for transitioning from a phone to a more formalized camera: Look to the mirrorless world and get a camera in your hands to test 54:50: When photographing people around a holiday table: Stage the magic and direct your subjects. 56:54: Joanie's free workshop about building a food photography business 57:34: Connect with Joanie at thebiteshot.com for links to TicToc, Instagram, YouTube, and blog  

Vintage cameras and analog film have grown to be unprecedented media darlings within our crowded digital landscape. With a superstar status fueled by insatiable demand amid a limited supply, in this week's podcast we investigate both the beauty and quirks of these trending tools. Joining us in conversation are photographer / vintage camera buff Bill Bain, and expert camera technician / repair wizard Shlomo Weinberger from B&H Photo's Used Department. Whether you cut your teeth on old school tech or you're an analog adopter in the digital age, there's a topic of interest for everyone, plus plenty of DYI tips to be had, including our favorite—liquid electrical tape! How many of you dedicated camera buffs knew about that? Guests: Bill Bain and Shlomo Weinberger Top Shot © Jill Waterman For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/vintage-cameras-with-bill-bain-and-shlomo-weinberger Guest Bios: Bill Bain has loved photography since his teenage years, when all his earnings went towards buying gear and paying for film and development. During a long career as an engineer, photography was a constant thread—particularly documenting his family and their extensive travels. Now living a post-corporate life in the Canadian Rockies, Bain devotes much of his time to photography. In addition to being fully immersed in digital imaging, he continues to make good use of his extensive collection of vintage cameras, many dating from the early 1900s. Bain's analog and digital fine-art images have been featured in Black & White magazine, and his photos of Olympic-style wrestlers have been published internationally. Shlomo Weinberger is a gifted technician who developed a specialty in repairing vintage cameras and lenses over nearly 25 years at B&H Photo. After learning his trade from an old-world technician steeped in the analog age, Weinberger currently operates a special repair shop within B&H Photo's Used Department, where he patiently inspects, calibrates, lubricates, and otherwise assesses the condition of the cameras and lenses that pass through his hands before they are offered to customers. Stay Connected: Bill Bain's Website: https://www.bainphotos.com/Film-Photography-page Bill Bain's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bainphotos/ B&H Photo Used Department: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Used-Equipment/ci/2870/N/4294247188 B&H Photo Vintage Film Equipment: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Cameras-Photo-Gear/ci/2871/N/4294247179 Episode Timeline 2:47: Bill Bain's tips when shopping for a vintage camera 3:30: Inspect the lens for mildew or mold and actuate the shutter 4:45: Making use of vintage lens fungus for creative portraits 6:53: Bain's preferred vintage camera formats: Folding bellows and box cameras 8:05: Bain's new vintage camera—60-year-old Mamiya C330 twin lens reflex 9:08: How many cameras are in Bill Bain's collection? 10:19: Black and white or color film, and various emulsions 12:28: Discontinued film formats and a nod to 2016 podcast—Dick Haviland: Last of the Classic Film Re-Spoolers 13:57: Bain's DYI modification for unavailable film stocks: Plastic wall anchors! 15:34: Different film sizes and determining if a camera will accept a currently available stock 17:42: 120 format film—the most easily adaptable film format 18:18: The difference between 120- and 220-format film 19:12: 127 film and smaller formats 20:20: DYI tip—Use a cigar cutter to trim readily available films to fit smaller formats 22:54: Vintage cameras with interchangeable lenses vs fixed lens cameras 23:14: The Petzval lens—19th-century classic and Lomography's 2015 redesign and release 24:00: Bill Bain's favorite vintage camera—His mother's Kodak Jiffy 620 25:02: The poor man's Leica—the Argus C3 26:42: Read the manual! Plus, finding user manuals for vintage cameras online 28:38: Making minor repairs, and when to pass vintage camera repair off to a skilled technician 29:16: DYI camera repair discovery—Liquid Electrical Tape! 32:06: Episode break 34:00: Shlomo Weinberger's advice when shopping for a vintage camera 34:34: Evaluating lens scratches—front vs rear element, edges vs center of glass 35:05: The most popular vintage cameras in B&H's Used Department 36:50: The most common vintage camera problem / repair—stuck aperture blades 38:11: Weinberger's most respected vintage cameras—Leica M3, Hasselblad system, Rolleiflex 35:32: Leica M3 has the best rangefinder—you can shoot with both eyes open 41:44: Weinberger's weekly workload of vintage cameras and lenses 42:28: Repair quirks to an original Nikon F 43:02: What to look for when repairing a twin lens Rollieflex 44:26: Flash photography with vintage cameras that synchronize at all shutter speeds 44:58: Pro tip for evaluating a twin lens camera—ensure all four sides of the lens board focus straight 46:34: Process for overhauling a vintage camera shutter   48:48: B&H Photo's used department museum display 50:32: Jeff Berliner's Petzvel lens collection from the Penumbra Foundation 51:15: Lubrication of vintage cameras—don't try it yourself! 52:44: Things to know before contacting B&H with a vintage camera inquiry 55:45: How to find Bill Bain online and in social media 

Mike Tyson has long been a boxing legend, and for this week's podcast we speak with the photographer who was there from the very start. Lori Grinker was just a student with a semester-long assignment when she first met Tyson as a 13-year-old kid under the tutelage of famed boxing trainer Cus D'Amato. Grinker's inside access over the next decade offers an intimate portrait of Tyson that few others have seen, and is now published in the book Mike Tyson. Listen in as Grinker describes how she learned on the job as the only woman ringside, transforming from student to pro in step with Tyson's meteoric rise. She also weighs in about gear choices, making distinctions between photographing with reflex cameras and rangefinders, and sharing thoughts on shooting black and while film vs digital captures in monochrome mode. Listen in to learn how she juggled documentary coverage with celebrity reportage and sports photography in what was truly a wild ride. Guest: Lori Grinker Photographs © Lori Grinker, Courtesy of Contact Press Images This episode is sponsored by Audio Technica For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/ringside-access-lori-grinker-captures-mike-tysons-rise Guest Bio: Lori Grinker is an award-winning photographer whose work straddles documentary and fine art. Internationally published and exhibited, her long-term, non-linear projects often mix photography with video, audio recording, text, installation, books, and collage. The recipient of many awards and the author of three books, Grinker is a dedicated educator for both University programs and private workshops. She is a senior member of Contact Press Images and is represented by ClampArt Gallery in New York City. Stay Connected: Personal Website: www.lorigrinker.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/lgrinker Twitter: twitter.com/lgrinker Facebook: www.facebook.com/lorigrinker/ Episode Timeline 2:02: Grinker's photojournalism class assignment, and shifting focus to Mike Tyson 4:40: Tyson's dedicated study under legendary boxing trainer Cus D'Amato 7:26: The trajectory of Grinker's photos—from school project to documenting Tyson's daily life to published news stories 9:04: The learning curve from daily life to photographing ringside 11:55: Enlisting Tyson's help to get paid by Don King 13:02: Robin Givens, her mother the publicist, and control over Grinker's pictures 15:34: Tyson's interest in seeing himself in pictures 17:04: Grinker's embedded access and hurdles of Tyson's rise to fame 20:12: Grinker's experiences in dealing with a no-show photo subject 21:44: Working with photo agencies and joining Contact Press Images 24:36: The benefits to Grinker's agency support: Canon camera gear, exhibitions, and books 24:58: Grinker's advice for photographers seeking agency representation 26:26: The importance of owning the rights to your pictures and registering the copyright   28:10: Episode break   28:42: Lori Grinker's photo gear: From Nikkormat to Leica to Canon and beyond 29:50: Grinker's first experience with digital—embedded on a ship the during Iraqi invasion 30:36: Learning to use flash and shooting with black-and-white film 31:41: Making the switch to color film for photo assignments 32:00: Comparing the shooting style of reflex cameras and rangefinders 34:52: Grinker's thoughts on teaching students depth of field 35:32: Learning by doing and Grinker's earliest teachers 36:52: Grain vs pixels: shooting black-and-white film vs digital in black and white mode 40:50: Film type, Kodak chemistry, and printing with Agfa Portriga paper 42:02: Printing gelatin silver prints for upcoming ClampArt exhibit 44:08: Grinker's Mike Tyson book and the 2014 book contract 45:12: Reconnecting with Tyson for Spike Lee's Broadway production 48:18: Choosing a book designer, going through the pictures, making a huge book, and then cuts 49:44: What does Mike Tyson think of the finished book? 50:32: It's more a photo book than a sports book—a time capsule, a slice of pop culture 52:30: Lori Grinker's upcoming events—book launch and ClampArt exhibit 54:34: Grinker's website and social media contacts

It's leaf peeping time in the northern hemisphere when trees break into riots of color as autumn plows a path from north to south. Two of the best regions for capturing the show here in the US are across New England and along California's magnificent Sierra Nevada. To help get you up to speed when preparing for your own foliage excursions, we speak with landscape photography specialists in each of these regions—Jerry Monkman in New England and G. Dan Mitchell in California's Sierra Nevada. After weighing in with informed opinions about when and where to find the best color this year, Monkman and Mitchell make suggestions about fresh ways to picture the scenery and discuss topographic and geological differences between east and west. We also talk gear—both DSLR and mirrorless—with Monkman opting for the Canon 5D Mark IV or EOS R5, and Mitchell alternating between the Canon 5DS R and FUJIFILM X series mirrorless. For all of the above and much more, please join us for this informative discussion and discover new ways to reap an autumn photography harvest and take your landscape and scenic photography to new heights.  Guests: Jerry Monkman & G. Dan Mitchell Photo © Jerry Monkman For further details about our guests, their gear, and a selection of their secenic photographs, find this episode on the B&H Explora blog at: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/fall-foliage-east-and-west-with-jerry-monkman-and-g-dan-mitchell-the-bh Guest Bios: Jerry Monkman is a New England-based conservation photographer, filmmaker, and writer, who's been telling adventure- and conservation-themed stories for more than 20 years. Together with his wife Marcy, Monkman runs EcoPhotography, a Portsmouth, New Hampshire-based stock and assignment photo business and video production company. EcoPhotography's award-winning images have been published worldwide, and the Monkman's have received National Outdoor Book Awards for two books: The AMC Guide to Outdoor Digital Photography in 2012, and Outdoor Adventures: Acadia National Park, in 2017. Monkman's first feature-length film, The Power of Place, was an official selection of the 2015 New Hampshire Film Festival. His newest documentary feature, The Merrimack: River at Risk, premiered on New Hampshire PBS in July 2020. In 2022, Monkman launched the film production company Reel Quest Films, LLC with partner Ryan Smith. Stay Connected: Jerry Monkman Personal Website: https://ecophotography.com Film Production Website: https://reelquestfilms.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerrymonkman/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jerrymonkman Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ecophotography G Dan Mitchell is a California-based landscape and nature photographer who focus's his attention on the Pacific coast, the Sierra Nevada, the central California grasslands and deserts, and the American Southwest. Author of the 2015 book California's Fall Color: A Photographer's Guide to Autumn in the Sierra, Mitchell's photographs have been widely exhibited, published, and licensed for commercial use. In 2018, he photographed extensively in Yosemite National Park as a Yosemite Renaissance artist-in-residence. He maintains a prolific online presence, sharing daily images and commentary at his website. Equally active on social media, he founded the 10,000-member "Sierra Nevada: Photographs from the Range of Light" Facebook community. Yet, Mitchell is most at home in the field, where he has scoured the Sierra Nevada backcountry for photographic moments for more than 50 years, and photographed each summer since 2011 with the "First Light" group. Stay Connected: G. Dan Mitchell Personal Website: https://gdanmitchell.com Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gdanmitchell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gdanmitchell Twitter: https://twitter.com/gdanmitchell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gdanmitchell

Graham Nash is a true visionary. Whether in the lyrics he writes, the music he plays, the songs he sings, or the photographs he captures, he sees things a little differently and—most important—he sees beauty everywhere. As he describes it during our podcast, "It's just energy. I see my life facing a column of energy every day. Where do I want to plug in today?" Listen in as Nash regales us with how multidisciplinary interests help him avoid writer's block, his fascination for early Daguerreotypes, his historic role as a digital printing pioneer, his deep respect for Epson products, and much more. Stay to the end for Nash's honest assessment of his singing voice, and to learn his secret to staying passionate and making the most of a creative life. Guest: Graham Nash Photos by Graham Nash, excerpted from A Life in Focus: The Photography of Graham Nash, and provided courtesy of Insight Editions. Cover photo © Joel Bernstein  For further details about our guest, his gear, and a selection of his historic photographs, find this episode on the B&H Explora blog at: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/graham-nash-ace-photographer-digital-printing-pioneer-music-legend-the-bh Guest Bio: English singer-songwriter and musician Graham Nash is known for his light tenor voice and his iconic status as a founding member of the Hollies, Crosby, Stills & Nash, and later Young. A two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and the recipient of four honorary degrees, Nash was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to music and to charity. A lesser-known detail is that Nash's long held passion for images even predates his start in music. An avid photographer since the age of 10, Nash began collecting photographs in the early 1970s. In 1990, he chose to auction off his 2,000-print collection to help fund Nash Editions, the pioneering fine art digital printing company he co-founded, using an IRIS Graphics 3047 printer that is now in the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, At the tender age of 80, Nash is still busy creating both pictures and music, while also maintaining a hectic tour schedule. A book of his photographs, A Life in Focus: The Photography of Graham Nash, was recently released by Insight Editions and is widely available in bookstores and online. Stay Connected: Personal Website: https://grahamnash.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialgrahamnash/ Twitter: @TheGrahamNash Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialGrahamNash/ Episode Timeline 3:10: Graham Nash's photo collection and the objects he collects today 4:10: How and where his musical and photographic paths cross 4:58: Nash's work as a sculptor 6:34: The ability to hear photographs, see music, and talk in colors 8:14: Nash's introduction to photography at 10-years-old 9:50: Nash's first camera: an Agfa with a small bellows 10:10: Being invisible when taking pictures and blending into the woodwork 12:42: Nash's favorite music photographers 13:52: It doesn't matter what camera he uses 14:30: A 1980's digital camera and an early awareness of the digital world 15:32: Both ends of the photographic spectrum—digital to Daguerreotypes 17:45: From a sense of history to modern Daguerreotypists 18:58: A personal phone number for Louis Daguerre 25:20: Episode break 20:44: Nash's pioneering work in digital printing   22:18: Iris printers and the issue of ink longevity 25:04: The transition to Epson printers and ink 26:14: An Iris print fades during an hour lunch 27:56: Nash's preference between black and white and color 28:22: Recommended printers and number of color channels   30:50: Nash's paper choice: Epson Legacy Fiber 31:22: Coordinate paper, coatings, and inks for optimal results 32:42: Nash's new book A Life in Focus, and recording music remotely during the pandemic 33:59: Nash's singing voice and how it's held up over time 35:08: Two things Nash wants his audience to know 36:22: Nash's secret to remaining passionate: Keep your eyes open—360 degrees      

The art of photography offers boundless potential for altering and enhancing human perception—this is the focus of our conversation on this week's podcast. Listen in as we go down the rabbit hole of visual discovery with alchemist of photography Abelardo Morell. From his early desire to enlighten students by transforming his classroom into a camera obscura to his ever-expanding universe of ideas—and the subsequent tools he uses—to record moments in light, Morell is an undisputed master in conjuring magic from a cross section of art and science, time and space. Guest: Abelardo Morell Photographs © Abelardo Morell, Courtesy of Edwynn Houk Gallery For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/the-camera-obscura-and-recording-time-and-space-in-images-with-abelardo-morell Episode Timeline 3:30: Abelardo Morell's Street Photography Roots 4:29: The Power of a Visual Language 5:50: Creating a Camera Obscura in the Classroom 7:30: Making Pictures Inside the Camera Obscura 7:58: Reciprocity Failure in Film Captures 9:50: Determining Exposure Times When Polaroid Isn't an Option 11:18: Framing Up Compositions Inside the Camera Obscura 11:56: Shifting from Analog to Digital Cameras 12:22: Phase One Digital Allows the Capture of Moments in Light 14:22: From a Pinhole to Projecting an Image Using Diopters and Lenses 17:47: Morell's Digital Workflow and Working with a Digital Tech 18:55: Juggling Multiple Projects, Genres, and Tools   20:33: Picturing Childhood as a Creative Breakthrough   25:20: Episode break   26:04: Conceptualizing the Tent Camera for Use in the Landscape   30:25: Shooting Tethered in the Field 31:18: Developing the Tent Camera's Prism Periscope Lens 32:22: Shifting the Projected Image from the Wall to the Ground 33:00: Patina of the Ground and a Philosophical Meaning 34:00: Channeling Fox Talbot in Cliché Verres 37:42: Morell's Preference: Black and White or Color? 38:43: Becoming a Painter by Photographing Paint Drying 41:04: Composition and Tension in the Hitchock Series 43:35: Morell's Preference Between Studio or Landscape 46:26: The Value of Experience and a Benefits of a Teaching Career 48:00: The Bravery in a Lifetime of Artistic Work 49:10: An Evolving Vision for Alice in Wonderland 51:06: Abelardo Morell's Upcoming Projects and a Residency in Italy 52: 47: Morell's Upcoming Show at the Montclair Art Museum Stay Connected: Personal Website: https://abelardomorell.net Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abelardomorell/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/abelardomorell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbelardoMorellPhotography LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abelardo-morell-82848827  

A well-crafted portrait is a beautiful thing, and this week's podcast takes a deep dive into creating individual, group, and family portraits, both on location and in the studio. Our guests are master portraitists Monica Sigmon and Michael Taylor, co-owners of SigmonTaylor Photography in Williamsburg, Virginia. Please join us for tips on everything from how to arrive at a signature style when working on location to the practicalities and pitfalls of establishing a dedicated portrait studio and turning client's heads in today's competitive marketplace.  After listening, if you're still hungry for more portrait photography insights, look no further than Sigmon Taylor's six-part series Portrait Studio Intensive, produced by the B&H Event Space in February 2022. Guests: Monica Sigmon and Michael Taylor Photograph © Sigmon Taylor For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts Episode Timeline 2:37: How does one arrive at a signature style when shooting portraits in an infinite variety of different locations? 4:03: Building a visual library and exploring your photographic personality to make your portraits stand out. 5:52: Location portraits are more about the story you are telling than what the background looks like. 6:49: Use of lighting conditions as a common thread in defining your signature portrait style. 8:40: How to establish a high-end portrait niche and deliver the goods from the start. Creating work and an experience the client will love. 11:14: Every portrait is a self-portrait, and the value of stepping back to look inside yourself. 13:24: The skill of cultivating an interest in your subjects. People all have stories to tell. 14:18: Tips for expanding from an individual portrait to a group session, and the importance of scheduling a preliminary design session. 16:20: The smallest children rule the day. Keeping the attention of the adults while keeping the children entertained. 17:26: The portrait photographer as symphony conductor. How to take control of the portrait session and bring everything together in a single moment. 21:52: Valuable advice for new portraitists: Understand your limitations and have joy in what you are doing. 22:26: How to even the playing field when photographing powerful subjects who are hesitant to relinquish control. 27:30: Getting out of your own head and being in service to someone else. 27:58: Compositing elements within a group portrait: Is or isn't it cheating? 30:19: Commanding the set and taking the time to finesse the pose. Anticipating the rhythm and flow of a shoot. 33:33: Number one creativity killer: Feeling rushed for time. Slow down and manage expectations. 34:44: An inside look at the design consultation: Establishing the rules of engagement. 36:10: Making the sale up front: Explaining to the client what their investment will be. 41:12: Working on spec vs invitational portfolio building to create the work you want to shoot next. 43:44: Episode break 44:42: How practical is establishing a dedicated portrait studio today? 46:28: Creating a unique style to turn peoples' heads and make them into clients. 46:44: Can higher prices result in increased sales? 48:22: A fair payday leads to a different attitude and better pictures. 50:12: Finding a feasible studio space to work in: Renting space vs a brick-and-mortar address. 53:18: A creative approach to personalizing your office in a neutral space. 55:18: The creation of Sigmon Taylor's signature look: Black Label portraits. 57:31: The Black Label lighting style: A marriage of classical lighting with a contemporary personality. 1:00:08: Vehicles for Sigmon Taylor portraits: Prints, wall portraits, and coffee table books. 1:01:33: Digital files of client portraits: Selling them vs gifting them. 1:03:15: Sigmon Taylor's approach to printing portraits through relationships with various labs across the country. 1:05:50: Photographers show too many images. Do not put images online. 1:06:24: Considerations for camera gear when establishing a portrait studio. 1:09:34: Effective portrait studio lighting: Profoto and Elinchrom One. 1:11:40: Connect with Sigmon Taylor on social media. Stay Connected: Website: https://www.sigmontaylor.com/ Studio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigmontaylor/ Monica's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monicasigmon/ Michael's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelglentaylor Twitter Feed: https://twitter.com/monicaandmike Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SigmonTaylorPhotography Sigmon Taylor's six-part Portrait Studio Intensive: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/eventDetails.jsp/id/4063  

Nature and wildlife photographers seeking to put their images to work for the good of the planet will love this week's podcast. Our first guest, Jaymi Heimbuch, founded the Conservation Visual Storytellers Academy to teach photographers how to connect their pictures to a larger purpose. Listen in as Heimbuch discusses ways to harness the three A's—Action, Audience, and Affect—and successfully target the people you want to reach with your work. After a break, we hear from Heimbuch's star student, Anne Readel, who reveals how the viral spread of her story on No-Mow May enabled her to recast her message with different angles, increasing the story's reach. Stay to the end for Readel's offbeat story about living with your urban turkey neighbors. Please join us for this inspiring discussion about conservation storytelling, and learn how the aforementioned three A's can be used to craft the focus of your nature and wildlife pictures and expand their impact. Guests: Jaymi Heimbuch and Anne Readel Episode Timeline 3:28: What is Conservation Photography? 7:00: The power of a call to action 8:40: Quick synopsis of the Conservation Visual Storytellers Academy 9:37: A look inside the Visual Storytellers Style quiz 12:25: Putting your visual storyteller style to use 14:00: Conservation stories are happening right outside your door 16:22: The effortless impact of No-Mow May 17:12: Pitching conservation stories and photo / text packages 19:08: The importance of the three A's – Action, Audience, Affect 20:15: Tips for reverse engineering a photo story 21:03: Where to pitch photo stories and how to get an editor's attention 23:18: Jaymi Heimbuch's gear tips for cameras and lenses 24:47: Two trends in lens types: wide angle macros for insects and telephoto zooms for birds 27:28: Jaymi's favorite brand of camera bag, plus backpacks vs messenger bags 28:52: Episode break 30:12: Anne Readel's first Sony camera and subsequent upgrades 31:06: Situations where Anne still uses her first crop sensor camera 32:30: Anne's go-to options for lenses 34:10: Anne's discovery of Conservation Storytelling 101 35:00: Getting to the goal line with publishing conservation stories 37:58: Anne's tips for turning scientific data into pictures with impact   38:46: Making pictures to make your point and spur people to action 39:46: More on No-Mow May and Anne's goal for the story 40:42: Recasting a story to appeal to multiple audiences and expand its impact 42:57: Focus on stories that get you excited 44:45: Countering negative media bias with a positive message – giving urban turkeys a different spin 46:12: How to catch up with Jayme and Anne For further details about our guests, their gear, and image galleries of their conservation photography, check out this episode on the B&H Explora blog at: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/conservation-storytelling-with-jaymi-heimbuch-anne-readel Photograph © Anne Readel

There's a special feeling to photographing sports action that hooks you from day one. Listen in as we talk sports with Sony Artisan of Imagery Jean Fruth, and longtime Sports Illustrated Director of Photography Steve Fine. In 2019, Fruth co-founded Grassroots Baseball to celebrate the amateur game at the youngest levels. In her latest book Grassroots Baseball: Route 66, Fruth photographs young players in the same heroic manner as the pros. When it comes to equipment, she recommends the best gear to fit your budget, while singing the praises of fast lenses, As Fruth's longtime editor, Fine weighs in on the three pillars of sports photography and the vital importance of cropping. In Fine's view, great pictures are a shared accomplishment between a photographer and an athlete in a moment that cannot be repeated. Please join us for this spirited discussion about Grassroots Baseball and learn how the aforementioned three pillars can be woven into Sports Photography gold. Episode Timeline: 4:30: Jean Fruth's start in sports photography 11:40: Synopsis of Fruth's Grassroots Baseball nonprofit 14:24: Capturing golden hour light and the love of the game 22:08: Steve Fine discusses the three pillars of sports photography 29:22: Neil Leifer's advice to shoot for the double truck 31:34: Sports is messy, hence the importance of cropping 34:29: Rules for retouching and manipulation in sports photography 37:00: Episode break 37:51: Key attributes of a great sports photographer 40:46: What's preferable: trigger happy photographers or more selective shooters? 43:42: What separates football from other sports? 45:00: There are two kinds of hocky pictures: Great and awful 46:40: Sports photography don'ts from the editor's desk—less is more 52:02: Tips for parents when photographing their kids' sporting events 56:08: Gear recommendations for the aspirational sports photographer 1:01:00: Fruth's new project about women in baseball. 1:04:00: Grassroots Baseball: Route 66 book tour and gallery exhibits For further details about our guests, their gear, and for a Grassroots Baseball: Route 66 photo gallery, check out this episode on the B&H Explora blog. Photograph © Jean Fruth

With a camera in his hand, Harvey Stein owns the streets, having spent the past 50 years capturing quintessential moments and making sensitive portraits of the people he meets there. In this two-part episode, he shares details about his photographic process while also conveying the wisdom he's acquired in publishing 10 books of photographs. We first caught up with Stein at the 2022 B&H OPTIC Conference in June, where he spoke about his newest book Coney Island People: 50 Years. He describes his interactive approach to street photography by traveling near and far in search of the human animal. Although he packs a Canon 5D for foreign locales where vibrant colors can be an important element, Stein is most at home with his Leica M4, a 21 mm lens, and a finder that lets him maintain visual contact with his subjects. We also learn about his Manhattan darkroom, and all the money he's saved by rolling his own film for all these years. In addition to his substantial photography chops, Stein is also an expert in photo book publishing. To leave no stone unturned, we continue our conversation in the studio after a break. Stay to the end for insights about working with publishers, including pitfalls to avoid and tips for turning your own photo project into book form. Guests: Harvey Stein Photograph © Harvey Stein Sponsored by Logitech Blue Yeti Mics

Sapna Reddy and Matt Kloskowski have more in common than just colorful photos of birds in nature and soothing landscapes. In this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we investigate how their respective work lives have fueled the technical mastery that allows their creative vision to flourish. We spoke with them both as part of our continuing coverage of B&H's 2022 OPTIC Conference. We begin the show with Dr. Sapna Reddy, who balances a rigorous medical career in radiology with the creative freedom of time spent outdoors, capturing scenic landscapes. Reddy's medical work is limited to a strict analysis of grayscale image data, yet her colorful landscapes provide a healing influence from the world of hospitals. Listen in to learn how she follows the light based on what nature delivers—choosing extreme wide-angle lenses for scenes with powerful foregrounds that draw the viewer's eye and using longer focal length lenses for compositions that isolate elements. Reddy also tells of mastering the technical to allow the aesthetic step in, a process she freely shares with students during awe-inspiring photography workshops in destinations both near and far. After a break, we shift the conversation to Sony Artisan Matt Kloskowski, whose passion for bird photography is central to his motto of "Embrace the Chaos." During our chat, Kloskowski emphasizes how technical knowledge of one's gear can minimize barriers between the eye and the subject. Along with an honest assessment about absorbing failure and challenging success rates, Kloskowski describes how the blazing frame rate of his Sony A1 and its bird eye autofocus help him achieve razor sharp bird pictures. Widely known as an Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, onOne type guy, Kloskowski also fills us in about the massive collection of online courses, YouTube tutorials, and Lightroom presets that fuels his career as a photo educator, and takes up 99 percent of his time and effort. Please join us for these insightful conversations about photographing birds, wildlife, and scenic landscapes, and balancing the creative with the technical until your process becomes innate. Guests: Sapna Reddy and Matt Kloskowski Photograph © Matt Kloskowski Sapna Reddy and Matt Kloskowski have more in common than just colorful photos of birds in nature and soothing landscapes. In this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we investigate how their respective work lives have fueled the technical mastery that allows their creative vision to flourish. We spoke with them both as part of our continuing coverage of B&H's 2022 OPTIC Conference. We begin the show with Dr. Sapna Reddy, who balances a rigorous medical career in radiology with the creative freedom of time spent outdoors, capturing scenic landscapes. Reddy's medical work is limited to a strict analysis of grayscale image data, yet her colorful landscapes provide a healing influence from the world of hospitals. Listen in to learn how she follows the light based on what nature delivers—choosing extreme wide-angle lenses for scenes with powerful foregrounds that draw the viewer's eye and using longer focal length lenses for compositions that isolate elements. Reddy also tells of mastering the technical to allow the aesthetic step in, a process she freely shares with students during awe-inspiring photography workshops in destinations both near and far. After a break, we shift the conversation to Sony Artisan Matt Kloskowski, whose passion for bird photography is central to his motto of "Embrace the Chaos." During our chat, Kloskowski emphasizes how technical knowledge of one's gear can minimize barriers between the eye and the subject. Along with an honest assessment about absorbing failure and challenging success rates, Kloskowski describes how the blazing frame rate of his Sony A1 and its bird eye autofocus help him achieve razor sharp bird pictures. Widely known as an Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, onOne type guy, Kloskowski also fills us in about the massive collection of online courses, YouTube tutorials, and Lightroom presets that fuels his career as a photo educator, and takes up 99 percent of his time and effort. Please join us for these insightful conversations about photographing birds, wildlife, and scenic landscapes, and balancing the creative with the technical until your process becomes innate. Guests: Sapna Reddy and Matt Kloskowski Photograph © Matt Kloskowski

This episode of the B&H Photography Podcast was originally published on July 29, 2021. We revisit it today to mark the passing of the podcast torch from creative producer John Harris to Jill Waterman, a creative content writer for the B&H Explora blog, who appears as a guest with Davies. Harris will continue to be an avid listener to the show, and we hope he'll also grace us with his voice on occasion as a future guest.  Photographer Sally Davies embodies a remarkable creative spirit, and we think that spirit also resides in the homes of the 72 New Yorkers she photographed for her colorful book of environmental portraits, appropriately titled, New Yorkers. If this spirit does not exist and Davies is not in tune with it, how could she have captured the essence of her subjects and their abodes so efficiently, in some cases in just minutes? We answer that question and many others in this discussion about the making of her book. We are also joined by Jill Waterman who has been photographed by Davies, and has written about her work. Our conversation gets to the heart of Davies' fanciful project, and touches upon its themes of inclusiveness and of gentrification, but also digs into the process of photographing in cramped quarters with little time, and of the surprisingly difficult task of getting people not to smile for a portrait. We talk about Davies' decision to eschew light stands for on-camera flash and to use a Sony mirrorless camera and Zeiss 18mm lens. We also talk about the importance of creative freedom and rejecting preconceived expectations. Davies photographed a wide range of New Yorkers for this series and did not refuse a single person suggested to her, but when it came to organizing a book, edits needed to be made, and we discuss this process, as well. Davies is well-known for her street photography, and we mention her projects on neighborhood storefronts and vintage cars, but this series of interior portraits is as "New York" as it comes. Join us for this engaging conversation. Guests: Sally Davies and Jill Waterman Photograph © Sally Davies For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we continue our coverage of the 2022 OPTIC Conference with two highly invigorating segments about exploring the world after dark. Our first guest is Susan Magnano, who specializes in luminescent night painted portraits. Our chat is revealing on many levels, from the balance of careful orchestration and randomness inherent in her portraits to a mention of the OM Systems OM1 as Magnano's newest secret weapon. After delving into her playful yet powerful arsenal of lighting tools, we gain insight into her multifaceted career—from beginning at a local newspaper to her currently thriving wedding photography business, and her upcoming schedule of intensive photo workshops. After a break, we welcome Sigma Ambassador Jack Fusco to discuss his unique blend of astrophotography with idyllic nocturnal landscapes. During our conversation, Fusco distinguishes astro work from deep sky photography, weighs the differences between DSLRs, the latest in mirrorless cameras, and even mobile phones such as Google's Pixel 6 Pro, (check out Fusco's Pixel 6 Pro photos here). In addition to elaborating on his favorite Sigma lenses for nocturnal imaging, Fusco provides insights about advanced accessories such as star trackers, all the while offering encouragement to anyone seeking to embark on a new adventure chasing the stars. Please join us for these otherworldly conversations about photography at night.  Guests: Susan Magnano and Jack Fusco Photograph © Susan Magnano For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast we return to the 2022 OPTIC Conference for two enjoyable and pragmatic segments about macro photography. While both photographers we speak with are well-rounded professionals, their not-so-secret joy is crawling around in gardens and woods, making beautiful close-up macro photographs of insects, plants, and the tiny wonders of nature.   Our first guest is Chris McGinnis, who specializes in spider and insect photography and is an OM System Ambassador. Our chat with McGinnis is incredibly elucidating, not only about OM System lenses and cameras, but also about computational photography and his macro techniques with flash.   After a break, we welcome Sigma Ambassador Heather Larkin to discuss her macro work with flowers and to learn a bit about her specialty portrait work. Primarily, we discuss the wealth of macro subjects available in your own backyard and garden, but we also learn of the latest Sigma macro lenses and a few very specific tips for approaching your subjects and maintaining focus. Join us for these insightful conversations on macro photography.   Guests: Chris McGinnis and Heather Larkin Photograph © Chris McGinnis   https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we are pleased to welcome photographer and director Brandon Tauszik and journalist Pendarvis Harshaw to talk about their recently completed project, "Facing Life," an effective blend of form and content, whose principal image format is the cinemagraph and whose content speaks to one of our society's most pressing issues: prison reform.   Our discussion takes on both aspects as we learn how cinemagraphs are produced and how Tauszik uses this process to create resonating portraits that blur the line between still and motion photography.  We also come to understand the motivation for these two creators to address the changing landscape of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and profile the joys and struggles of eight people recently released from life sentences. Our conversation brings together the technical and creative aspects of this imaging process, including Tauszik's thoughts on portraiture and the specific gear and techniques for making these hybrid images, as well as the issues of mass incarceration and "mass integration."   We also come to understand the working relationship between Tauszik and Harshaw—who is primarily an audio journalist and author—and how they met their subjects and developed their stories over several years. While this project may ultimately find its way into galleries or print form, it was devised as an online project and we see, in "Facing Life," eight stories that succinctly and compassionately blend form, content, and presentation to tell important contemporary stories.   Guests: Brandon Tauszik and Pendarvis Harshaw   Photograph © Brandon Tauszik https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts https://www.facing.life/

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we are pleased to present a conversation with photographer Camille Seaman, and pleased to do so from the halls of the OPTIC 2022 Photo Conference, which we have certainly missed over the past two years.   Seaman was a keynote speaker at the 2022 OPTIC Outdoor, Wildlife & Travel Photo/Video Conference, which is hosted by B&H and held from June 12-15, 2022, in New York City. Please check the above link to find an archive of the conference's presentations, but settle in now for an enjoyable and inspiring conversation with Seaman that we recorded in person after her keynote address.    Seaman's photographs have been published in National Geographic, Italian Geo, TIME, The New York Times Sunday Magazine, Newsweek, Outside, and American Photo, among many others. She frequently leads photographic workshops and is a TED Senior Fellow, Stanford Knight Fellow, and a Cinereach Filmmaker in Residence. It is her work photographing Earth's two poles that first captured our attention and her "portraits" of icebergs, specifically. She has published two books on the subject, including 2014's Melting Away: A Ten-Year Journey through Our Endangered Polar Regions. But her subjects also include extreme weather in the Midwest, the peoples of Tibet, and Native Americans.   Our talk was insightful, at times emotional, and her personal story is as inspiring as her photography. Join us for this wonderful chat, and in case you were wondering, the title for this week's podcast is from a quote by Seaman's mentor Steve McCurry, and holds much significance for her—as we discovered in the course of our conversation.   Guest: Camille Seaman   Photograph © Camille Seaman https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

The 2022 OPTIC Outdoor, Photo/Video, Travel Imaging Conference or just "OPTIC 2022" is live and in-person again and we are excited to welcome the event's director, David Brommer, to the program. Brommer will give us a sense of the updated conference, which after two years online is now a fully hybrid in-person and online event. Of course, we at the B&H Photography Podcast look forward to being back at the live events and talking with the many photographers who speak and present their work.    This year's OPTIC Conference runs from June 12–15, 2022, and includes presentations by Chester Higgins, Camille Seaman, Joe McNally, and many others. There are also opportunities to try the latest gear in specialized environments, expert-led panels, portfolio reviews, a sunset cruise, the OPTIC Challenge Print Competition, and OPTIC Signature Photo Walks sponsored by Lindblad Expeditions. Online participants can check the selection of available webinars.   After our brief chat with Brommer, we present a very important encore episode—important in the sense that it was our first recording at OPTIC, back in 2016, and because we interviewed three incredible photographers and really began to understand the potential of our podcast. Our guests were Michael Kenna and, in another segment, Paul Caponigro and his son John Paul Caponigro. Each of these photographers offer wonderful insights into their creative processes and to speak with father and son artists is always a treat. Join us for this enjoyable conversation and register for OPTIC 2022 here.   Today's episode is sponsored by Audio-Technica. Check out their AT2040 Hypercardioid Dynamic Microphone, ideal for podcasting!   Guest: David Brommer     Above photograph © Camille Seaman

It's been a minute since we spoke about drones on the B&H Photography Podcast. The last time we did, it was about drones in news photography and before that, drone work in landscape photography. But today we welcome back to the show one of our earliest guests on the podcast, Randy Scott Slavin.   Slavin is an aerial photographer and drone operator, as well as a motion director and still photographer. He started his company Yeah Drones in 2013, at the dawn of drone use in film and commercial work, and his clients include Showtime, Netflix, ESPN, Saturday Night Live, and CNN, among many others.  Slavin's work crosses all genres from advertising to film, working with small teams and big crews, and he understands drone use from the photographer's perspective as well as a flyer, racer, and builder of drones.   With Slavin, we discuss his recent projects, his workflow, and how he decides which drone is best for each assignment. We also talk about drones and cameras for large professional shoots and those geared more for advanced amateurs. We discuss new technologies and the recent improvements made in navigation, cameras, and batteries and ask which manufacturers are competing with DJI in the drone marketplace. Join us for this informative conversation. This episode is sponsored by Logitech for Creators, and their Blue Yeti USB Microphone.   Guest: Randy Scott Slavin   Photographs © Randy Scott Slavin

Is artistic creativity passed down through generations of a family? How is style and wisdom garnered? How can a father and son collaborate to grow their work individually and as a team?  These are just a few of the questions we posed to Moshe and Eddie Brakha, otherwise known as Brakha x2, during this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast.   Moshe Brakha likes to say that he was "born in Israel and reborn in Hollywood," and both his early music and celebrity portraiture, as well as his later advertising and editorial work, sure have the vibe of Tinseltown. The elder Brakha built a thriving photography practice that includes not only portrait work but also high-profile advertising campaigns such as those for SKYY Vodka, Martini & Rossi, and Motorola. Eddie Brakha began collaborating with his father after graduating from film school and has expanded their work with new ad campaigns and fine-art series. They have also directed music videos, public service announcements, and "motion" campaigns for Dockers, Sharper Image, and others.   The style of the Brakhas' work is very distinctive, but individually and as a team, they continue to experiment and try new methods. As such, we discuss how to evolve creatively when your style is successful. We also learn about their working relationship, which talents each brings to the table, and how clients and subjects react to having them both on set. Finally, we talk about their incredible lighting schemes, Moshe's retrospective at the Grammy Museum, Eddie's film project, and always being prepared before you go on set. Join us for this enjoyable conversation.   Guests: Moshe Brakha and Eddie Brakha Above Photograph © Eddie Brakha and Moshe Brakha aka Brakha x2 https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts http://brakhax2.com  

In 1966, a twenty-one-year-old French woman bought a one-way ticket to Vietnam, where the American military involvement was becoming a full-scale war. The young Catherine Leroy was an admirer of photographer Robert Capa and the "reportage" she grew up seeing in Paris MATCH magazine, but she had little photojournalism experience. Despite that, and despite her particularly small physical frame, Leroy began as a freelance "stringer," photographing the growing conflict in Vietnam. For the two years that she was working there, she was the only female photojournalist covering the war.   Our guest on today's B&H Photography Podcast is author Mary Cronk Farrell, who recently published "Close-up on War: The Story of Pioneering Photojournalist Catherine Leroy in Vietnam." The book chronicles Leroy's time covering the Vietnam War and her evolution from an ambitious newbie to a respected conflict photographer with images appearing in LIFE, The New York Times, and her beloved Paris MATCH.   With access to Leroy's personal letters, Mary Cronk Farrell not only details Leroy's time in Vietnam, she provides her young readers with an understanding of how the news photography business worked in that era, she mentions the 35mm Leica and Nikon gear Leroy used, and she shares insight into the war itself and the emotional and physical wounds it inflicted on her subject.       The late Catherine Leroy's photo career continued after Vietnam and she photographed conflict and news stories throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Her work is preserved and promoted by the non-profit Dotation Catherine Leroy (Catherine Leroy Fund), where interviews with her and many more of her images can be found. https://dotationcatherineleroy.org/en/   We also thank Pelican for its support of this episode, and encourage you to check out Pelican Air Cases and to visit the Pelican product page on the B&H Photo-Video website.   Guest: Mary Cronk Farrell Above Photograph © Dotation Catherine Leroy https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts  

This is a fun conversation, very informative, and gets the creative chemistries gellin'. Our guest on today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast is Rhiannon Adam  and if there is anyone who knows more about instant film photography, I don't want to meet them.  She brings a wealth of researched knowledge about the history of the Polaroid company and also simple but effective techniques to improve your instant film photography practice, whether via FUJIFILM, Mint Camera, or Polaroid.   Our conversation generally follows the framework of Adam's 2017 book "Polaroid: The Complete Guide to Experimental Instant Photography," which has been updated and republished in 2022 as a paperback version. The first part of the book (and our conversation) relates the story of the "Polaroid" camera and the inventions of its founder, Edwin H. Land, a.k.a. Dr. Land, which include polarizer sheeting. We learn of the race to market the various instant cameras and films until the SX-70 took the world by storm in the 1970s. We also learn of patent wars between Kodak and Polaroid, the ultimate demise of the Polaroid company and the rebirth of the brand through The Impossible Project, and eventually its return to selling camera and film products.   After a break, we talk more specifically about various instant films and cameras, both new and vintage, and we also highlight several of the many techniques detailed in Adam's book and methods to improve your instant photography. From emulsion lifting and manipulation to fingerpainting, scratching, and even microwaving instant film, we discuss creative instant film processes and some noted artists.   Guest: Rhiannon Adam Above Photograph © Enrique Freaza https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

In September 2017, we dedicated an episode to a conversation about one photograph—an image made by photographer Richard Drew, on September 11, 2001, in New York, which has come to be called "The Falling Man."  It was an insightful recollection and analysis of an incredibly painful image,  and on today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we will again discuss one photograph to try to understand it better.   The photograph is titled, "The Drowning," and it was taken in August of 2020 during another national crisis, albeit a very different one. Photographer Cornell Watson created the series "Behind the Mask," "… for the times we pretend to be strong when we are dying from the weight of racism."   Each image in the series is a carefully created and powerful allegory, but "The Drowning," for reasons we will discuss in the episode, has a quiet power that has not waned since we first saw it. To learn more about this photograph, we are fortunate to have Cornell Watson join us, as well as photographer, author, and educator Tara Pixley. With Watson we chat about his motivations, inspiration, and his collaborative process, camera, and lenses, and workflow on the day of the shoot. We consider the reception of the image and discuss the life of the entire series.   In addition to her work as a visual journalist, a college professor, and curator, Tara Pixley is also a board member of the National Press Photographers Association, a member of the WPPI Advisory Board, and a co-founder of Authority Collective. Pixley is the ideal voice to provide us with aesthetic insight into the strength and significance of "The Drowning," as well as the cultural and chronological contexts of why this image is an important artistic contribution from 2020 that echoes years of injustice and calls us to be more understanding and compassionate.   We'd also like to thank Cara Finnegan and Michael Shaw of "Reading the Pictures" for their contribution to this episode.   Guests: Cornell Watson and Tara Pixley   Above photograph: © Cornell Watson   This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual guests and do not necessarily represent the views of B&H Photo.

Our conversation on this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast is about the challenges that the practice of photojournalism faced during, and in the wake of, the monumental year, 2020.  With the Coronavirus pandemic and the protests following the murder of George Floyd news photographers and editors were faced with situations few had ever experienced. To their credit, the institution as a whole, worked through it, adapted their workflows, and continued to produce honest journalism in the face of many dangers.   Our guests to discuss this topic are Lauren Walsh and Danese Kenon.  Author, Lauren Walsh is a past guest on our show and her recent book "Through the Lens: The Pandemic and Black Lives Matter" addresses the challenges for photojournalism brought by the Covid pandemic and the protests and politics of 2020. It is a wonderful collection of interviews with noted photojournalists and editors who worked through the events of that unprecedented year.   Danese Kenon is the Managing Editor of Visuals at the "Philadelphia Inquirer" and has held many positions as both photojournalist and editor at publications such as "The Indianapolis Star", "The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette" and "Tampa Bay Times". Kenon, who is interviewed in Walsh's new book, lived the events we are considering and brings her first-hand perspective to our conversation.   With Walsh and Kenon we first discuss the procedures brought to photojournalism by the coronavirus, how photographers were able to safely cover this story and how editors supported that mission. We then address the new challenges brought by the large-scale Black Lives Matter marches and the dangers, not only of disease, but of clashes between protesters and police and violence directed directly at the media. We talk about simple workflow changes, such as how photographers got access to photography and protective gear, how a living room or even a car became a de facto newsroom, and how editors scheduled and safeguarded their photography staffs. The courage as well as the emotional toll taken on photographers and editors who had never worked in such conditions before is also part of our conversation and we ask about establishing new training and support methods. Finally, we discuss the work that was produced, how shooting styles and relationship with subjects adapted and how photographers and editors collaborated to create honest and nuanced documents of this unprecedented year.   Guests: Lauren Walsh and Danese Kenon Above Photograph © Spencer Platt/Getty Images. Courtesy of Lauren Walsh/Routledge Press https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual guests and do not necessarily represent the views of B&H Photo.

(This episode of the B&H Photography Podcast was originally published on January 20, 2017.)     We are living in a Golden Age of landscape photography. Digital cameras and improved software enable the kind of imaging that until recently was only possible via the budgets of large publications and the talents and ambitions of a few select photographers. Ambition and talent remain, and with enhanced dynamic range and color algorithms, higher sensitivity settings, simplified stitching and compositing software, and a network of websites to display work, impressive landscape photography is abundant; however, there are new masters and the skill set of current practitioners includes not only those of the photographer, but also of the savvy digital graphic artist.   With the ability to pull details from shadows, augment colors, and combine distinct files into a single image now easier than ever, we must ask—is it acceptable to represent nature without natural characteristics, to merge photos from different focal lengths into one image, or add a blazing sunset to a foreground taken hours or days apart? Can images composed in such a way even be defined as photography and does an ethos, akin to that in photojournalism, apply to nature photography?   These are some of the questions we pose to two incredible landscape photographers, Adam Burton and Ryan Dyar. We spoke with them separately, but prepared a similar set of questions, and asked them to walk us through their in-camera workflow and post-process techniques. We spoke about their approach to a scene, their use of "grad-filters" and plug-ins, acceptable degrees of enhancement, and strove to understand if there is indeed an ethics to landscape photography.   Guests:  Ryan Dyar and Adam Burton Photograph © Ryan Dyar For more information on the photographers and the gear discussed in this episode, please see the B&H Photography Podcast home page.

It has been a hope of ours for some time to speak with photographer Stanley Greenberg and, considering he's made three books in the past three years, there is a lot to talk about. Greenberg is known for his large-scale series on subjects like the New York City reservoir and water systems, on giant particle accelerators, telescopes, and dams. His recent projects, however, are an interesting blend of urban exploration and 19th-Century history. We speak briefly about his 2019 book, CODEX New York,  and the typologies he identified walking the whole of Manhattan, but we concentrate our conversation on his work, Springs and Wells - Manhattan and the Bronx,  and after a break, we discuss his latest book Olmsted Trees.    Greenberg, who started his professional life working in city government, is a Guggenheim fellow and no stranger to prestigious grants and commissions. He's also no stranger to libraries and the research that informs his work. It was during a research visit to the New York Historical Society that he came across a book written and photographed primarily in the 1890s. The Springs and Wells of Manhattan and the Bronx (1938) is a survey made by James Reuel Smith, who located, described, and photographed hundreds of water sources throughout New York City, often traveling by bicycle. Greenberg commented: "My first response was that this had to have been done by a crazy person. [But] five minutes later, I knew I was going to map out all of his sites and photograph what was there now."  And this is what he did, often also by bicycle. His 2021 book blends the work of Smith with his own contemporary photos from the same locations.   In the second half of the podcast, we discuss the project Olmsted Trees, which Greenberg photographed with a Hasselblad medium format digital camera after using Sony and Leica M cameras for CODEX and Springs and Wells and 4x5 film cameras in previous work. For this series, he photographed the oldest trees of the great public parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. These images are a study in black-and-white, in texture and form, almost portraits, that ask you to soak up the power of the trees themselves and consider the genius of the parks' design. Join us for this enjoyable conversation and find more of Greenberg's work here.   Guest: Stanley Greenberg   Above photograph © James Reuel Smith. Courtesy of Stanley Greenberg https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

Artist Pete Eckert began to lose his sight at age twenty-seven. That's the time he began to study photography. In a few years, Eckert would be completely blind, but his photography practice continued, and numerous exhibitions and high-profile assignments later, he is still creating unique and personal images―and we are fortunate to welcome him to the B&H Photography Podcast.   We start our conversation learning a bit about how Eckert lost his sight and then dive right into discussing the ways he learned photography, the modifications he made to his gear, including his Mamiya medium format camera, and the manner in which he works, whether in studio, streets, or nature.  Eckert is clear that his photography is not meant to pass for or mimic photography by a sighted person but to create images that tell his story and communicate his perceptions. One glance at his long-exposure, impressionistic images should make that clear.   After a break, we talk with Eckert about his commercial photography assignments, and we learn how he created work for Volkswagen, Swarovski, and Playboy magazine, and how he produces commercial assignments compared to his personal work. We also discuss the value of photography competitions, the groundbreaking "Sight Unseen" photography exhibit, and why Eckert's photography was featured on an episode of the television police drama NCIS. Join us for this fascinating conversation.   Guest: Pete Eckert   Above photograph © Pete Eckert https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts  

Except for the new flagship Olympus OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mirrorless Camera, there haven't been a lot of big camera announcements thus far in 2022, so we thought for this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast we'd start an introductory conversation about photo accessories and the wide range of tools and toys available to improve your photography or just make it easier.   Along with our guest, B&H Explora writer and photographer Todd Vorenkamp, we made an outline of the most important accessory categories, and we speak about the photo disciplines for which each are used and what is important to understand when purchasing these items for your specific photography practice. We discuss tripods and camera support, straps, bags, and gear protection, lens filters, lens adapters, remote controls, and more.  Because this conversation is primarily concerned with outdoor and natural light photography, we don't get much into accessories for the studio, but we do touch on flash photography and light modifiers.   Thanks to the insights of Vorenkamp and our host, Allan Weitz, we also learn ways to avoid unnecessary or inferior accessories and even little hacks to make your accessories perform better.  Join us for this informative episode.   Guest: Todd Vorenkamp https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

With much thanks for a listener's suggestion, we invited Pete Isgrigg back to the B&H Photography Podcast for an incredibly informative conversation about memory cards, external hard drives, and other digital image storage solutions. Isgrigg, who previously joined us in 2019, is from the Channel Marketing team at Western Digital (WD), which is the parent company of SanDisk and G-Technology, all very well-recognized names in the digital storage field. Isgrigg brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation, and we start with simple terminology and the basics of SD cards, but then we discuss the latest memory card formats, capacities and speeds, and card readers, as well as best practices with memory cards in your photography practice.   During the second half of the program, we focus on digital image storage and hard drives and we ask Isgrigg to explain SSD and HDD and the various interfaces and ports. We also get very practical advice on which devices are better for long-term storage and which for everyday use, and how best to keep your files secure and available. It's hard to imagine a more helpful conversation so thank you, Pete, and huge thanks to our listeners. Keep the suggestions coming!   Guest: Pete Isgrigg www.bhphotovideo.com/c/promotion/15…solutions.html www.bhphotovideo.com/c/promotion/16…es-at-b-h.html www.bhphotovideo.com/c/promotion/15…le-memory.html www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

(This is an encore presentation of an episode first published in November, 2018.)   When we finished recording this episode, Jay Maisel asked us which podcast episode was our favorite. It didn't take Allan a second to answer, "This one!" While we now have recorded more than three hundred, there is no doubt that this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast is very memorable. Once we turned the mics on, nobody wanted this conversation to end and, indeed, it runs longer than 80 minutes, but it is worth every minute. When listening to Jay Maisel and Stephen Wilkes talk, time doesn't fly—it soars.   The reason we have two such remarkable photographers and long-time associates on together is because Wilkes made a documentary about Maisel, called Jay Myself and with Maisel and Wilkes we discuss the making of the film and their personal and professional relationship that has lasted for 40 years.   At the heart of the film is Maisel's former residence and studio, the six-story, 30,000 square-foot Germania Bank building that he bought, in 1967, and sold in 2014 for a tidy profit. This massive space, almost as legendary as Maisel himself, must be emptied before Maisel is to move, and Wilkes was there to capture this undertaking. The movie touches upon themes of mentorship, mortality, visual creativity, and the changing face of New York City, but along with the remarkable space he created, the film focuses on the life, work, and legacy of Maisel himself. It is a loving tribute from one photographer to another, one friend to another.   Our conversation is filled with the type of creative insight and humor that these towering figures in contemporary photography can bring. Join us for this fascinating conversation.     Guests: Jay Maisel and Stephen Wilkes Photograph © John Harris https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

Our guest on this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast is food photographer Christina Peters, and we start with a discussion of Peters' macro food photography. We learn about her work with medium and large format systems, including FUJIFILM cameras. We also explore focus stacking, tilt-shift lenses, and when and why she might choose her Canon full-frame system over larger formats. Peters' work runs the gamut from large commercial jobs with major brands to editorial, portrait, and restaurant work, as well as the unique challenge of photographing pet food. Choice of lighting is also a topic we cover, and Peters offers practical advice for newbies considering a first lighting kit.    In the second half of our conversation, we talk about The Food Photography Blog and The Food Photography Club, both founded by Peters and designed to "help foodies and photographers improve their photography and get higher-paying clients." We also acquire some perspective on Peters' professional trajectory and learn why she now prefers to work with smaller, healthy food clients, compared to the fast-food giants.     For our listeners, Peters has put together a resource page loaded with practical information and the link to her Recommended Gear Page on the B&H Photo website.   We also thank Pelican for its support of this episode, and encourage you to visit the Pelican product page on the B&H Photo-Video website.     Guest: Christina Peters   Above photograph © Christina Peters https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts https://www.christinapeters.com/index https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Pelican/ci/4457/N/4232860887

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast we talk to an old friend about a new book; two-time past guest Amy Touchette joins us to discuss her book of street portraits. She also brought a friend with her - none other than photographer, Larry Fink. Is it fair to call Fink a photo legend?  We think so, and clearly the people at the Center for Creative Photography seem to think so, because they just acquired his complete archive of work including images from the 1950's to the present, from his acclaimed series "The Beats", "Social Graces", "The Vanities" and others.   While this is a roundtable conversation, we start with a few questions about Touchette's book "Personal Ties: Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn", which she shot over the course of summer strolls through her New York neighborhood. We learn why she started photography in 2001, about her working process with a Rolleiflex twin lens reflex film camera, and why her personal interaction with her subjects/collaborators is paramount in her photography practice. We also talk about crowdsourcing, editorial collaboration, and why Fink wrote the foreword for Touchette's book.   Larry Fink's sixty years of photography work is well-recognized, but his harmonica playing, less so.  We hope to remedy that with this episode, but while at it, we learn how he created an extensive archive of vintage prints and "hustled" to find a home for his life's work. We learn of his Mamiya medium format camera with bellows, his preferred photo paper, and mull on the difference between our two guest's aesthetic style. We also talk about an insider vs. outsider perspective, about the nature of portraiture, and the "revelatory excitement that defies the logic of what a frame could be".    Join us for this playful yet insightful conversation and have a look at this link for portraiture and WPPI related specials.   Guests: Amy Touchette and Larry Fink Photograph © Amy Touchette For more information on our guests or the gear discussed in this show, please visit https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

On today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast we welcome two members of the New York chapter of the American Society of Media Photographs, otherwise known as the ASMP-NY and we discuss their evolving role as a trade organization for photographers, as well as a recent photography exhibition they sponsored.   Our guests are Liam Alexander, President of the New York chapter of ASMP, and Harper Bella, ASMP-NY board member and co-curator of the exhibition "Uncovering the Laws of Perseverance". From Alexander, we learn a bit about the history, structure, and benefits of the organization and discuss his initial reasons for joining. We also talk about the group's mentorship programs, photo law counsel, and recent initiatives to include a new generation of artists, whether that means reaching out to photographers from underrepresented communities or opening the organization's membership criteria to include "new media" makers, who don't necessarily operate within traditional media outlets.   In the second half of the show, we speak with Harper Bella about the impressive show she co-curated and how it was born from the anger and up-rise sparked by the George Floyd murder and then nurtured through difficult yet fruitful conversations with other ASMP-NY board members.  We also learn about her curatorial process, the disparate photographers involved, and the varied artistic responses to the idea of protest, including healing as a form of resistance.   Join us for this interesting conversation and learn how this photography trade organization, founded in 1944, is listening to its community and adapting to the new media and cultural landscape.   Guests: Liam Alexander and Harper Bella Photograph © Harper Bella https://www.asmp.org/newyork/ https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

It's worth the time to see the work of photographer Mandy Barker before listening to this episode. Take a glance at the B&H Photography Podcast homepage or Barker's website to get a sense of the simple but imaginative images she creates; it will certainly enrich the experience of hearing her speak about photographing plastic garbage, which is what she has found to be her calling.    Of course, we're being a bit facetious with that comment, but as we discover from our conversation with Barker, it really is the issue of marine plastic—the plastic waste that litters our oceans and beaches—that brought her to photography and continues to push her to create captivating images with the intention of bringing awareness to this increasingly severe problem.   The colorful and almost playful images she creates with marine plastic belie the tremendous damage this refuse is doing to ecosystems around the world, and in some cases, in the most remote of islands and coastal lands. And it is this ability to create likeable images that draws people to her work, as seen in National Geographic, The Guardian, and VOGUE, and in her books, including 2019's "Altered Ocean."   With Barker we speak about her transition from graphic design to photography, about sketchbooks and process, and about the relatively basic Canon gear she uses. We also learn about the value of working with scientists on intense overseas expeditions and the incredible stories of lost or discarded items that have traveled across the globe. Join us for this fascinating conversation.   Guest: Mandy Barker Photograph © Mandy Barker

This weekend's football game is bigger and better than most games―you might even say that it's a super game. It certainly is one of the most photographed sporting events of the year, and with that in mind, the B&H Photography Podcast welcomes two photographers who know their way around the sidelines. Our guests are football photographers Al Bello and Callena Williams.   Al Bello is a veteran sports and news photographer who has covered countless football games, including previous big bowl games; he is the former Chief Sports Photographer for North America at Getty Images; and his current title is Special Sports Correspondent at Getty. There's not much Bello hasn't photographed, including the Summer and Winter games, underwater photography, and even medium format film portraits of athletes but, if you're a football fan, you'll never forget the incredible photo he made in 2014 of Odell Beckham's fingertip touchdown catch. We ask Bello about getting his first ultra-telephoto lens and playing sports in college, and he offers some very practical and football-specific advice on how he approaches each play, but also talks about taking advantage of good background and light when you have it.   After a break, we speak with Callena Williams, the team photographer for the Dallas Cowboys. Williams, who previously worked for the Carolina Panthers, has a different role than a sports photographer like Bello, and we learn about her photo responsibilities that fall outside the field of play, as well as how she works the games. We also talk with Williams about her Canon gear choices and incorporating graphic design duties into her work for the team. Join us for this timely episode. Go team!!   Guests: Al Bello and Callena Williams https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts   Photograph © Al Bello/Getty Images

There are many talented people who work at B&H Photo, and the connections to photography and photo history run deep. We have welcomed many "staffers" to the B&H Photography Podcast over the years, and today we are particularly excited to speak with two members of our team on the B&H Explora blog.   We start our conversation with Howard Gotfryd, Senior Copy Editor at Explora, and learn about the incredible photography career of his late father, Bernard Gotfryd. Gotfryd Sr. emigrated to New York after World War II and ultimately found a job as staff photographer at Newsweek Magazine, a job he performed for three decades. We discuss the twists of fate and hard work that got Gotfryd to Newsweek and talk about his most noted assignments, including photographing Robert F. Kennedy, Nina Simone, and The Beatles. We also discuss his camera systems and home darkroom, and come to understand the complexities of keeping an archive of more than 10,000 negatives intact and manageable.   In the second half of our program, we speak with writer and photographer Jill Waterman. Waterman writes for the Explora blog and has also created an epic photo series about New Year's Eve.  For thirty-seven straight years, she has photographed New Year's celebrations around the world, documenting each with her Nikon FM camera on black-and-white 35mm film. Waterman has traveled to cities and villages in Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Europe, and throughout the United States, and she describes the various celebrations she has covered and the motivations to keep this personal documentary project alive.   Guests: Howard Gotfryd and Jill Waterman Photograph by Bernard Gotfryd https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

We try to maintain a global perspective at the B&H Photography Podcast and speak with photographers from around the world, but we are New Yorkers at heart and it's hard to deny the love we have for our city and its history. With that in mind, we are pleased to welcome photographers Anders Goldfarb and Larry Racioppo to the show―two photographers, both born in Brooklyn, who have taken the face of our ever-changing city as their subject. Each photographer has extensive archives of New York neighborhoods, landmarks, and communities, and both have recently published new books of their work. Goldfarb's book, Passed Remains, is a look at the Greenpoint and Williamsburg neighborhoods prior to the gentrification of the 2000s and Racioppo's latest book is titled Coney Island Baby, which chronicles the changes to that storied locale from the 1970s to the present. We learn of Goldfarb's process of bicycling through the quiet corners and industrial cityscapes of his then-neighborhood and photographing with a Rolleiflex twin lens reflex camera. He describes his work as both a "survey and a statement." With Racioppo, we learn of the many visits he made to Coney Island over the years to photograph―covering the demise and demolition of the 1970s through its reincarnation in the 1990s. He also discusses working as a photographer for the New York Department of Housing Preservation and Development and provides a glimpse at the life of a working artist in Brooklyn in the 1970s and '80s. Our wide-ranging conversation includes the challenges of the square format, Nikon rangefinders, texture in a photograph, self-publishing, and the delight of mystery. Guests: Anders Goldfarb and Larry Racioppo Photograph © Larry Racioppo For links and more information : www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

Conflict photography of the past twenty years is a subject we have discussed in previous episodes with photographers, psychologists, and scholars, but our very welcomed guest, photographer Peter van Agtmael adds his well-articulated thoughts on the subject, including his own motivations and challenges while covering the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the ramifications of those wars here in the United States and elsewhere. On this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we reflect on the mindset of a young man wanting to bear witness to history and the evolution of his thoughts after many assignments and embeds. We also learn about aspects of his work, from the intra-personal to the technical and how these have also changed over the course of an almost two-decade career.   The work of van Agtmael has been published in The New York Times, The Guardian, and The New Yorker; he is a Guggenheim Fellow; a winner of multiple World Press Awards; and a member of the Magnum Agency. He has also authored several books of his work, which take a deeper narrative and conceptual dive into his images from this same general body of work. He is not alone in this endeavor, but it is this balance, this ability to conceptualize his work within the news sphere and in the nuanced context of a personal photo book that is quite interesting. Quiet images from ten years ago have a tragic power today.   His most recent book, Sorry for the War, a subtle and powerful exploration of the disconnect between the United States home front and the actual wars themselves is the main topic during the second half of the show, and we discuss the differences between this and his other books. We talk about the editing process, collaboration, and the formal decisions that go into making a book that is meant to be a historical as well as a personal statement.   We also take a minute to talk about gear choices, the aesthetics of technical limits, and about other stories he is working on. Throughout, van Agtmael offers insightful answers to the very complicated questions posed by and of contemporary photojournalism. Please join us, and also check out his work with the Arab Documentary Photography Program.   Guest: Peter van Agtmael Photograph © Peter van Agtmael https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts http://www.petervanagtmael.net/ http://arabdocphotography.org/  

The B&H Photography Podcast is kicking off the new year hot. For our first episode of 2022, we welcome photographer Joe McNally to discuss his career, his working methods, and his exciting new book, The Real Deal: Field Notes from the Life of a Working Photographer.   Joe McNally is known to many as a "photographer's photographer," skilled in many genres and able to work across the lines of photojournalism, long-form photo essays, portraiture, sports, dance, and even fashion photography. He has worked for National Geographic, Time, LIFE, and Sports Illustrated, and his commercial clients include FedEx, Adidas, Epson, and many more. He is also a Nikon and Capture One ambassador, a World Press Photo Award winner, and an Alfred Eisenstaedt Award recipient, but as he mentions in our conversation, he started at the New York Daily News as a copyboy, "the wretched dog of the newsroom."   Our conversation is easygoing, and we talk with McNally about the beginning of his career and early assignments. We discuss the evolution of photo technology (he shot the first "all-digital" story for National Geographic), and there is much to be gleaned about lighting, gear choices, and custom camera settings. We also talk about self-confidence, research, big budgets, and general thoughts on how to succeed in the ever-changing photo business. McNally also spins a few tales about his more adventurous assignments and the risks and rewards that come from them.   In his new book, The Real Deal, McNally candidly shares stories, lessons, and insights he has collected along the way. This is not a dedicated how-to book, nor is it a navel-gazing look back at "the good old days," because those never really existed anyway. This book is as welcomed and as enjoyable as our conversation. Join us.   Guest: Joe McNally Photograph © Joe McNally https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

The B&H Photography Podcast team sends a huge end-of-the-year thank you to our listeners around the world and to the many guests who joined us for our weekly conversations. There's little need to overstate the difficulties of the past year, but we're all still here, still taking pictures, and we're still making this podcast week in, week out. It truly has been a gratifying and unflappable pleasure to produce this show and hopefully it continues to provide some insight, some inspiration, and a few good stories.   Despite the adjustments of remote recording, or perhaps because of them, we expanded our circle of photography to include conversations on photomicrography, on the fine art nude, on skate photography, and photo "how-to" books. We spoke with artists and economists about NFTs, discussed protest photography and issues of community and migration. We had episodes on food and wedding photography, bird photography, the freelance business, and, as always, we did our gear episodes, including the seventh annual Cameras of the Year show. I encourage you to take a look back at the wide range of subjects we covered this year and let us know your favorite episodes, as well topics you'd like us to take on in the new year.   Finally, and although this episode is not from 2021, we end the year with an encore presentation of our conversation with rock-n-roll photographer Mick Rock. Sadly, we lost Mick in November, but we're solaced by the memory and pleased to present this chat, which was recorded at his home, in Staten Island, and is certainly one of our all-time favorite episodes.  Thank you, Mick, and thank you again to our listeners. Happy New Year. Photograph Courtesy of the Collection of Bill Shapiro https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/the-2021-year-in-review-and-mick-rock-encore

We split our time on this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast between one book and many books.  In the first half of the show we learn about an inspirational new book, Among Peers: The United States of Young Photographers, which profiles the work of student photographers from several workshop programs in the United States. We conclude the episode with an overview of the many wonderful books from 2021 that were featured on the podcast.   To discuss "Among Peers", we welcome the publisher Michelle Dunn Marsh of Minor Matters Books and photography consultant and former director of the Lucie Foundation, Lauren Wendle. As we find out, the book was a creative collaboration between the two, born during the Covid quarantine, and devised to celebrate the work of young photographers and their mentors, who kept the various programs open and operating throughout the difficult past two years. We learn of their process to fund and edit the book and about the photography mentoring programs themselves. Students from the following programs are represented in the book: NYCSalt, First Exposures - San Francisco, Literacy Through Photography - Houston, Las Fotos Project– Los Angeles, YoungArts – Miami, and Youth in Focus – Seattle. Consider supporting these non-profit organizations.   After a short break, we run down a list of new photography books we presented on the podcast this year including books as diverse as those by Todd Bigelow, Barbara Mensch, and Mona Kuhn.  Join us for this inspiring episode.    Guests: Michelle Dunn Marsh and Lauren Wendle Photograph © Jaylen Esparza, Las Fotos Project, Los Angeles

With the launch of the incredible James Webb Space Telescope just hours away, we thought it a good time to republish our conversation with Chris Gunn, the official NASA photographer for this project. The original episode was published almost two years ago when the construction of the telescope was nearing completion. If you are intereted in space research and imaging, also check our episode from 2016 with a chief imaging expert from the Hubble Space Telescope mission. Imagine the privilege of being present at the creation of one of the "wonders of the world," and then imagine being asked to document the magnitude—and the details—of that creation. Our guest on today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast has just that privilege and that responsibility and, as he puts it, this telescope may "change the way we understand our universe." Chris Gunn has been a NASA contract photographer for almost twenty years but, for the past ten, he has dedicated himself to the James Webb Space Telescope and documenting the construction and eventual launch of this spacecraft, which will replace the Hubble as NASA's most powerful telescope. We speak with Gunn about all aspects of his job and, specifically, about the gorgeous medium format images he creates that are made available to the public. Gunn is responsible for documenting the construction process, which includes portraits of scientists, as well as macro shots of screws, and he relates how he has "taken the extra step" to evolve as a photographer, incorporating medium format photography and detailed setups. Gunn must be prepared to shoot any style of photo and he discusses his daily responsibilities, how his gear has evolved over time, the lighting he chooses, and his interaction with the hundreds and technicians and scientists he works with regularly. We also discuss marketing yourself as a photographer and the specific challenges that make his job like no other, including working in giant "clean rooms," accepting that your work is immediately in the public domain, and incorporating the aesthetics from science-fiction films. Sitting in on this recording is our own member of the B&H Space Force, writer Todd Vorenkamp. Join us for this fascinating episode in which we learn about this incredible spacecraft and the work that goes into documenting its creation and check out our 2016 episode, in which we speak with the imaging scientists from the Hubble Telescope mission. Guest: Chris Gunn Above photograph © Chris Gunn

We return to our annual Cameras of the Year conversation for today's installment of the B&H Photography Podcast and, as usual, we welcome a member of the B&H staff who knows these cameras as well as anyone. In addition to being a pro photo sales specialist at the B&H SuperStore, Llinelva De Castro is a wedding and portrait photographer and former proprietor of a family photo studio, in Queens, NY. We are pleased to hear her insights on these featured cameras and to get her sense of the public's reaction to this new gear.   In the running for "2021 Camera of the Year" are certainly the new flagship mirrorless offerings from Nikon, Canon, and Sony, but there are some surprises when it comes to the cameras we each liked best this year. The Canon EOS R3, Nikon Z 9, and Sony a1 take much of the spotlight of our conversation, but we also discuss new mirrorless, point-and-shoot, and medium format cameras from Panasonic, Sigma, Pentax, Olympus, and several from FUJIFILM. Our conversation also includes mention of new drones and phones, thoughts on the trajectory of the camera industry, and a look back at our favorite cameras from the past five years. Please check out all the photography equipment at the B&H Photo website and in the comment section, let us know your favorite camera from 2021.  Guest: Llinelva De Castro

To take photographs on ships or to work in ports and cover maritime transportation requires a full range of photographic know-how, including portraiture, landscape, product, aerial, architecture, corporate—even adventure-photography skills. And that's just on the first day!   On today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast we discuss this type of industrial and corporate photography, which at its core is rooted in documentary and visual storytelling. We welcome to the program photographer Nick Souza and writer and photographer, Todd Vorenkamp.   Nick Souza translated years of photojournalism and sports photography experience into a career as corporate industrial photographer. He has traveled the world on assignments for companies including Maersk, DHL, Kalmar, Konecranes, Sperry Marine, and many others. A specialist in maritime transportation, his photographs have been exhibited at The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. With Souza we discuss the practical tools needed to stay safe and capture compelling imagery for clients. Souza is a Nikon shooter who will not apologize for his love of zoom lenses, including the 24-70mm and 200-500mm NIKKORS.   Todd Vorenkamp is a photographer, writer, and an adjunct instructor of photography at Dakota College at Bottineau. He is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, a former merchant ship deck officer, and a former US Navy and Coast Guard helicopter aviator. His photo work has been published in Maritime Executive Magazine, Rotor & Wing, and Vertical Magazine, among others. With Vorenkamp we talk specifically about working on huge aircraft carriers and merchant ships and we learn how to maintain creativity on long ocean journeys.    Join us for this fascinating and very practical conversation, supported by Pelican.   Guests: Nick Souza and Todd Vorenkamp Photograph © Nick Souza  

The title for this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast is taken from a comment made by guest Tonika Johnson, describing the moment she recognized the effect her work could have on citizens of her hometown of Chicago. I'm certain that our other guests have had a similar moment when they see that their artistic work has gone beyond just the oohs and ahhs of aesthetes and afficionados and truly helps to educate and change the world for the better.   On today's program, we speak about photo projects that are used to address social problems and to bridge gaps between diverse people. In addition to Johnson, we welcome photographer John Noltner, the founder of A Peace of My Mind, and Michael Skoler, Communications Director at Weave: The Social Fabric Project.   From Skoler we learn of the founding of Weave by the Aspen Institute and its mission to enable "weavers" to create connections between varied people, to act as good neighbors, and to "heal" communities. A Peace of My Mind, which has collaborated with Weave, uses photography and portraiture to foster discussions on peace and its many interpretations. Through exhibitions, workshops, and even his new book, Noltner's visual storytelling sparks conversation and, hopefully, brings new understandings on diversity and tolerance.   In the second half of the program, we focus on the work of Tonika Johnson and her Folded Map Project, which provides a unique method to compare historically segregated neighborhoods in Chicago and, ultimately, to bring the residents of these neighborhoods together. We speak with Johnson of her work as a photo teacher and activist and learn how this project had been gestating since her high-school days. Join us for this inspirational conversation.   Guests:  Michael Skoler, John Noltner, Tonika Johnson  Photograph © John Noltner

Our guest on this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast is physician and astrophotographer, Robert Gendler. The distinguished assignments, numerous international accolades, and five published books are an indication of the significance of the work of this self-described amateur. His mosaic of the Andromeda Galaxy has been used to create 3D IMAX films and is considered the largest image of a spiral galaxy ever taken.   With Gendler we discuss his craft and career. We talk of his early days creating deep sky images from a suburban driveway and how his process and gear has evolved over the years. We talk a bit about telescopes and binoculars and clarify some of the terminology used in astrophotography. We learn of important figures in the field and just how difficult space photography was in the pre-digital days.   Our conversation in the second half of the show focuses on Gendler's recent work creating large mosaics of galaxies and nebulae, often from hundreds if not thousands of unique exposures. We get a sense of how the colors are determined and how he mines data from the Hubble Heritage Team and other the amateur and professional archives to create these beautiful images.   This episode of the B&H Photography Podcast was supported by Pelican.     Guest: Dr. Robert Gendler Photograph © Robert Gendler

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast we welcome the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Lensbaby, the special effects lens manufacturer. Lensbaby was started by Craig Strong in 2004 and quickly established a name for itself. Over the years, they have added lenses, optics systems, and accessories to grow their brand while maintaining their emphasis on creative expression and embracing imperfection.   With Strong, who worked as a staff and freelance photographer before co-founding Lensbaby, we discuss tinkering to create a prototype, founding the company, growth decisions, and motivation.  We also talk about dealing with successes and failures in the very competitive camera and lens business.   On the gear side, we ask questions about the research and development of lenses, the various mounts available with Lensbaby lineup, and we get a sense of what is on the horizon for the company in 2022. Guest: Craig Strong Photograph © Allan Weitz

On today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we are pleased to welcome Peter Cohen and Bill Shapiro to discuss "vernacular" photography and the historical and cultural significance of snapshots and other images that fall outside the realms of fine-art and commercial photography.    Peter J. Cohen is recognized as one of the country's foremost collectors of vernacular photography and portions of his collections are now included in institutions such as Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, MFA Boston, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Morgan Library, and SFMoMA.   Bill Shapiro is the former Editor-in-Chief of LIFE Magazine and the founding Editor-in-Chief of LIFE.com. He is the author of several books, including Gus & Me, a children's book he co-wrote with Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, and What We Keep, from 2018. Shapiro is also a curator and has written about photography for The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Esquire, and others, including an article for Texas Monthly, which contains images referred to in this episode.   With our guests we discuss the joy of collecting old photos, of discovering themes, creating romantic stories, and of the beauty of the photograph as object. We also consider the surge of interest in vernacular photography from museums and other institutions, the marketplace distinctions among these and fine-art photos, and most important, what these images can tell us about our country and cultures.  Join us for this enjoyable and insightful conversation.   Guests: Peter Cohen and Bill Shapiro Photograph Courtesy of the Peter J. Cohen Collection

We want to celebrate our guest Alexis Cuarezma in this encore presentation and also note what great info this episode offers for those interested in portrait lighting, especially for dance and sports photography.  Alexis' career has been growing steadily  since he joined us in 2019, he recently presented at the Eddie Adams Workshop and will be speaking at ImagingUSA in January 2022 and at the very interesting Pas de Deux Dance Photography Conference in Austin, Texas in February, 2022. Enjoy.   On today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome California-based advertising, sports, dance, and fashion photographer (and director), Alexis Cuarezma, who packs a considerable amount of practical and creative insight into our hour-long conversation. Ostensibly, Cuarezma was joining us to talk about his lighting techniques and, while he does dive deep into lighting schemes, we discuss so much more. Cuarezma is generous with is thoughts on production, composition, models, gear, self-promotion, and marketing really anything that he understands to help him in his burgeoning photo business. Just a glance at his work, and one will realize why Cuarezma is here to discuss lighting techniques, he has shot for Sports Illustrated (including six covers),Fortune magazine, Ring magazine, the New York Times, and his clients include Nike. Cuarezma emphasizes his belief that getting it right "in-camera" is the key to his success, not just for the sake of the final image, but for his creative process. Researching, planning, arriving early, being hands-on in every phase of the work, and understanding that your vision, when properly executed, will win over a client, is the other key to his success. With Cuarezma we discuss his decision-making process when creating a portrait; each of the small problems that needs to be solved to create the desired look that works best for his particular subject. While comfortable renting the needed gear to fulfill each project, he also discusses the gear he owns and uses, including Profoto B1 lights, Rosco Gels, and his Canon 5DS R. Join us for this insightful and very educational episode. Guest: Alexis Cuarezma Photograph © Alexis Cuarezma

Today's episode is an encore presentation of the show originally published on March 19, 2020. If you were otherwise preoccupied that week, we recommend you take a listen to this conversation about photographer Jim Marshall and the film "Show Me the Picture", a documentary on his life and work as a rock-n-roll photographer.   The film is now streaming on AppleTV/iTunes and if you are in Boston, MA on November 13, The Leica Store Boston is hosting a special screening of the film, followed by a conversation with author and the film's producer Amelia Davis and editor Bill Shapiro (coincidentally our guest on next week's new episode). There will also be a book signing of the companion book, "Jim Marshall: Show Me the Picture". The event is free but its necessary to sign up on eventbrite.  -------------------------------------------------------- Today we discuss some of the most recognized images of rock-n-roll history.   Our first guest is photographer Amelia Davis who is the owner of Jim Marshall LLC, the living archive of the prolific photographer Jim Marshall, most known for his images of jazz and rock musicians of the 1950's through the 1970s.  If you are familiar with photos of Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Johnny Cash, or the Allman Brothers Band, then you are certain to know his work. Marshall not only covered the Monterrey and Altamont festivals, but was the only photographer invited by the Beatles to cover their final concert. Marshall also documented the Civil Rights movement and the Haight-Ashbury scene in San Francisco.   With Davis, we discuss how she came to be the proprietor of the archive and how she protects and manages the collection. We also talk about Marshall, the man, and why he was seemingly able to photograph "everyone" in that era.  Davis is also part of the production team behind the new film "Show Me the Picture: The Story of Jim Marshall", which is well worth seeing to get a better understanding of Marshall's motley personality and his incredible body of work.   After our chat with Davis, we welcome photographer Elliott Landy, who is producing a book of his images on the seminal rock group, The Band. Landy was the official photographer of the famed 1969 Woodstock music festival and responsible for unforgettable images of Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, and others.     Guests: Amelia Davis and Elliott Landy   Photograph: Courtesy Jim Marshall Photography LLC   https://www.eventbrite.com/e/exclusive-jim-marshall-film-screening-leica-gallery-boston-tickets-191284486047

We were expecting this episode to be a great one and it did not disappoint.  The B&H Photography Podcast team welcomes photographer Lester Sloan and his daughter, author Aisha Sabatini Sloan, to discuss their new book, Captioning the Archive: A Conversation in Photographs and Text.  The book is a conversation about photography and photojournalism, but more a conversation between father and daughter, one that had been taking place for years, for a lifetime, and finally put to print.     Selecting images from his long career as a Newsweek staff photographer, as well as his personal projects dating back to 1960's Detroit, Sloan and Sabatini Sloan provide extensive "captions" to these images, offering not only details about past events but personal reflections from both of their perspectives. The book is also an intensive contextualization of the images with the benefit of hindsight and of insight. Backstories from a life in photojournalism, of photos of Nelson Mandela, of David Hockney, of Steven Spielberg, of political turmoil and day-to-day assignments, and the right questions posed to fill in the deeper meaning around a photo taken.   "I took pictures of everything that happened." – Lester Sloan   Unfortunately, in the weeks before we recorded this episode, Sloan's archive of original slides and negatives was damaged in a flood.  The damage to some of his most important originals is extensive and a Kickstarter campaign has been established in an attempt to repair, restore, and digitize the collection. Please consider donating. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lester Sloan began his photography career as a cameraman for the CBS affiliate in Detroit, then worked as a staff photographer in Newsweek magazine for twenty-five years, documenting the 1967 uprising in Detroit, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the OJ Simpson trial. Lester was a contributing essayist with NPR's "Weekend Edition" the recipient of the prestigious Neiman Fellowship and was the on-set photographer for Spike Lee's 1996 film, Get on the Bus. Aisha Sabatini Sloan is a writer whose work has appeared in anthologies such as Dear America, Truth to Power, and The Paris Review. Her 2017 book, Dreaming of Ramadi in Detroit, was chosen as the winner of the "1913 Open Prose Contest", she is the recipient of a 2020 National Endowment for the Arts Award and this year she received the National Magazine Award for her essays in the Paris Review.   Guests: Lester Sloan and Aisha Sabatini Sloan Photograph © Lester Sloan

A listicle is an article comprising a list. A listicle is any piece of digital content that's formatted as a list. A listicle is an article comprising a list, usually with some kind of extra detail added to each item. What we have here, then, is a podsticle.   Today on the B&H Photography Podcast, we catch up with the new photography gear that has been announced over the past few months. Attention goes to the Canon EOS R3 and Nikon Z 9 as big deal mirrorless reveals, the Nikon still scant on details, but what's clear from these releases is the continued shift away from the DSLR format for these manufacturers. FUJIFILM, Pentax, Olympus, and Sigma added mostly updates to existing cameras over recent months, while Panasonic and Sony offered new models aimed at vloggers and streamers. An odd couple of Sony a7R series updates also made our list of new cameras, a list that will surely have many additions by the time we host our "cameras of the year" episode, in December.   The second half of the show is dedicated to lenses and accessories. Canon's funky new RF 5.2mm f/2.8L Dual Fisheye 3D VR lens is highlighted and we mention several new Canon RF lenses, including the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM. FUJIFILM introduced two new fast aperture lenses to go with the X-T30 II camera announcement and a beautiful 18mm f/1.4 R WR lens. Nikon put out several lenses for the Z system, including the affordable NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 lens. Of the other manufacturers, all of whom released new lenses recently, Tamron was the busiest, with five entries. Also of note is Sigma's new "Sports" designated 150-600mm f/5.6-6.3 DG DN OS telephoto zoom lens available in Leica L, Canon EF, Nikon F and Sony E mounts and the Venus Optics Laowa Argus 35mm f/0.95 lens.   We conclude the gear update with new light systems from Profoto, Godox, and Aputure, and we also mention webcams, drones, and new tabletop tripods from Joby.

To create a "collective portrait" of any set of people is difficult, but to do so with twenty-five world-renown women artists is a monumental challenge―one that our guests have undertaken and, based on their wonderful book, Portrait of an Artist: Conversations with Trailblazing Creative Women, have accomplished. Equally as impressive is that the book's author, Hugo Huerta Marin, weaved a personal narrative into this series of interviews and photographs he made of artists he admired, such as Yoko Ono, Cate Blanchett, Inez Van Lamsweerde, and Orlan.   On today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we speak with Marin about this seven-year project and we also welcome the book's editor, Anna Godfrey, of Prestel Publishing. The two discuss the selection of subjects, interview techniques, and innovative book design. We also discuss the Polaroid portraits Marin made for the book and the role photography plays in the work of several of the artists profiled. Join us for this insightful conversation on the influence of groundbreaking women artists and on the persistence and collaboration needed to build this collective portrait. If you are in New York on October 28, 2021, Marina Abramović and Hugo Huerta Marin will host an intimate conversation about creativity, identity, success, and legacy at the global launch of Portrait of an Artist: Conversations with Trailblazing Creative Women, at Fotografiska New York. Tickets are available here. Guests: Hugo Huerta Marin and Anna Godfrey Photograph: FKA twigs © Hugo Huerta Marin https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

This week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast provides a lesson we all can use: how to be better businesspeople while we are being better photographers. Much of this advice comes from our intriguing guest, photographer and educator Todd Bigelow.   A longtime pro, Bigelow has freelanced for the likes of Sports Illustrated and The Los Angeles Times, among many other editorial and commercial clients, and he is a contributing photographer to the prestigious agency Contact Press Images. He is also the founder of the Business of Photography Workshop, an adjunct professor of photography and photojournalism, and the author of The Freelance Photographer's Guide To Success: Business Essentials, which is the basis for our conversation today.   With Bigelow, we discuss growing a client base, the ratio of time and labor between the business and the craft of photography, and how to let your archive work for you. We also talk about negotiating rates, contracts, and handling copyright infringements. Bigelow uses many examples from his own career to highlight his points, and Allan adds some examples of his own.   Join us for this enjoyable, motivating, and helpful conversation about photography business essentials.   Guest: Todd Bigelow Photograph © Todd Bigelow

This week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast is a wonderful way to usher in autumn and we hope it inspires our listeners to get out into the forests, fields, and streams to photograph what they love. It is also an episode that hits all the marks, as we talk about the gear, technique, science, ethics, and passion of photography―in this case, centered on fly fishing photography. Our guests, Jess McGlothlin and Toby Nolan bring all of the above, and a ton of experience, as we flow like a river through this hour-long conversation.   Jess McGlothlin is based in Missoula, Montana, but has photographed from the Arctic Circle to the Peruvian Amazon. Her story-telling approach, often coupled with her own writing, has found a home in a range of genres and formats, from commercial to documentary. Her credit list includes brands like Patagonia and YETI Coolers and publications such as Field & Stream, The New York Times, Men's Journal, and Southern Culture on the Fly.   Toby Nolan was born in Dublin, Ireland, bases his fishing and outdoor sports photography in Bend, Oregon and travels the globe for assignments. His editorial work can be found in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The FlyFish Journal, and The Drake Magazine. His commercial clients include Under Armor, Ironman Triathlons, and Travel Nevada.   Did you know that Billingham camera bags developed from bags made for anglers? And today's talk runs the gamut, discussing the unique aspects of fly-fishing photography, and a diverse set of tools from brands like Canon, Aquatech, and DJI.   Guests: Toby Nolan and Jess McGlothlin Photograph © Toby Nolan

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome the founder and Executive Director of the Social Documentary Network, Glen Ruga, and photographer Sofia Aldinio, who is the recipient of the 2021 ZEKE Award for Documentary Photography, presented by the Social Documentary Network.   As should be clear, our conversation today revolves around the Social Documentary Network, or "SDN," and we learn about this community of documentary photographers and its website on which more than three thousand documentary series have been uploaded and are available for viewing. Ruga tells of the evolution of the site since its 2008 inception, and how adding classes, awards, portfolio reviews, and most important, the online and print magazine ZEKE has led to the growth of this platform, which is open to all photographers. Our chat also draws from Ruga's photography work and thoughts on documentary, in general.   In the second half of the show we speak with Aldinio, a past guest, about "Awake in the Desert Land," her photo series that received the ZEKE prize. Aldinio tells of the circumstances that brought her to Baja California, Mexico, during 2020 and this intimate series on village communities affected by climate change. We also speak with Aldinio about her working methods, about shelving her normal Canon system for a more stealth FUJIFILM, about making relationships with subjects, and the feedback and support she received from her SDN workshop leaders.   We wrap by previewing the Social Documentary Network events and exhibits at Photoville 2021 and Aldinio's presentation on her award-winning series.   Guests: Sofia Aldinio and Glenn Ruga Photograph © Sofia Aldinio

What do the films Goodfellas, The Devil Wears Prada, Creed, Ocean's 8, and Die Hard with a Vengeance have in common? The poster art, publicity, and behind-the-scenes photography for these and about one hundred other feature films were made by photographer Barry Wetcher, and we welcome Wetcher to this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast.   On-set still photography or, simply, "still photography" is one of the more unique jobs found under the big tent that is photography. The skills needed to excel in this work incorporate abilities from many photographic genres. Portraiture, documentary, news, action, and still life talents are all called upon to create the images needed for varied purposes, but perhaps the most important skill is the ability to understand the many moving parts and dynamic personalities of a film shoot and to find a way to be everywhere but nowhere at the same time.   With Wetcher, we talk about the specific demands of the craft, about the evolution of gear from film to DSLR and, ultimately, to mirrorless (Nikon and FUJIFILM, in Wetcher's case), and mostly about how to best navigate the world of producers, directors, cinematographers, and actors to create the seemingly ephemeral but truly indelible images of movie history. We also find time to ask Wetcher about some of the legendary actors and directors he has photographed over the years.   Join us for this enjoyable and informative chat with Wetcher and, as it turns out, his "Brooklyn Brother," host Allan Weitz. Guest: Barry Wetcher Photograph © Barry Wetcher https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

There is a vibrance, a joy, and a love for photography that one feels when speaking with Meryl Meisler.  It's also very cool that by day she was a high school art teacher in Brooklyn and, by night, dancing and photographing at legendary clubs like Studio 54. Anyway, that's just how I see it. Of course, there's a lot more to Meisler's photography than just 1970s disco and 1980s Bushwick, and we talk about a wide range of subjects on this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast.   Meisler's latest book, New York PARADISE LOST Bushwick Era Disco, is a wonderful look back at two very different versions of New York. It juxtaposes images she took in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bushwick and those in the clubs and discos of Manhattan. We speak about how photography starts conversations, and how we can feel more confident with a particular camera, whether medium format, FUJIFILM X series, or a Canon point-and-shoot. We also discuss editing and maintaining a large body of work over a period of decades, studying with Lisette Model, balancing a photography practice with a full-time job, and an upcoming exhibit of Meisler's work to be held at the same public school at which she taught.   Join us for this uplifting conversation and check out Meisler's extended exhibition at The Center for Photography at Woodstock, through September 15, 2021. Guest: Meryl Meisler Photograph © Meryl Meisler

Even if you are not currently on your beach vacation, let's take a little trip to Hawaii's shores for today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast. Joining us is photographer Zak Noyle, who was born and raised in Hawaii and began publishing his surf photography while still in high school. Noyle has photographed the sport's top surfers and events, has been published in Sports Illustrated and National Geographic, and has traveled the world for brands such as Billabong, Stussy, and Chanel. He also contracts commercial and editorial work (note our chat about photographing Michael Phelps) and has recently opened the Eleven17 Creative Agency. With Noyle we discuss how he started photographing simply to share his love for the ocean and surfing, but we learn that his father is a successful commercial photographer and we chat about the influence and support of family and friends. We also learn that Noyle was a state champion swimmer and how staying in top physical and mental shape is key to working in waves up to sixty feet high. We also discuss the techniques and gear he uses to work below and at the water's surface, including the signature camera housing that he developed with Aquatech. In this pleasant and wide-ranging conversation, we get to understand how keeping a healthy balance between work and play can spark creativity and how preparation and experience lead to opportunity. Join us in "paradise." Guest: Zak Noyle Photograph © Zak Noyle

We have been looking forward to this conversation for weeks. On today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we sit down with retired Detective 1st Grade Michael Cunningham, of the New York City Police Department, to talk about crime-scene unit photography. Cunningham is an expert on crime scene photography and forensics—in addition to his twenty-seven years with the NYPD, he has worked as a trainer for the Department of Homeland Security, authored a book on crime-scene management, and currently works for ShotSpotter Investigative, an investigative case management solution service.   We discuss aspects of crime-scene photography, from camera and lens selection to shooting technique, storage, retrieval and sharing of images. We compare the use of film and digital imaging and the challenges and benefits brought on by new technology. In addition, we talk about photos used for case solving and those of evidentiary value and the different photography departments within the NYPD.  Cunningham walks us through the procedures and shot selection of a photographer when approaching a crime scene, and the protocols involved when documenting it. He also regales us with a few stories of his many investigations during his years on the force. Guest: Michael Cunningham Photograph: Courtesy of Michael Cunningham

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome back an old friend of the show, photographer Mark Mann. Mann is known for a catalogue of portrait work that includes celebrities, musicians, and politicians of the highest regard. In our previous episode with Mann, we discussed photographing Bill Murray, Jennifer Aniston, and President Obama, but like many of us, the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying quarantine not only put a halt to our normal photo routines, but forced us to rethink how and why we make photographs.   For Mann, this "rethinking" has brought forth a grand project that he created over the course of 2020 and takes dance―in all its many forms―as its subject. In this intimate and humorous conversation, we speak with Mann about reassessing his early career decisions, about trying new techniques, and how he came to produce a series of portraits that included some of the most important contemporary dancers and legends of the art form. We discuss the cameras, lighting, and techniques that he utilized and how his normal approach to portraiture and even editing was set aside to create this series. We also speak with Mann about his other recent endeavor, the educational YouTube channel "Complicated Things," which is designed to give photography enthusiasts insight into portrait technique and to the "inner workings of the photo industry," which Mann knows very well. Guest: Mark Mann Photograph © Cory Rice https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts https://www.youtube.com/c/complicatedthings  

The photos of David Rothenberg are some of the most exciting that we have seen in a while. Condensed and entangled compositions of airplanes over urban housing and portraits of travelers, through plane windows or bathed in a holy light at a train station. His work is provocative, playful, and compassionate and asks us to look at compositions and subjects carefully, addressing issues of isolation and hope. On this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we will ask how a fine-art photographer works his way through the neighborhoods and transportation hubs of Queens, NY making such insightful images.   Rothenberg's books, Landing Lights Park and Roosevelt Station are wonderful series and with him we discuss the evolution of these projects, the gear and locations he chose, how he interacts with subjects and the editing and sequencing of the books. Guest: David Rothenberg Photograph (detail) © David Rothenberg  

Photographer Sally Davies embodies a beautiful creative spirit, and I think that spirit also resides in the homes of the 72 New Yorkers she photographed, and who are included in her wonderful portrait book, appropriately titled, New Yorkers.  If this spirit does not exist and Davies is not in tune with it, how could she have captured such wonderful stories of people and their places and done it so efficiently, in some cases in just minutes? We will answer that question and many others as we welcome Davies to the B&H Photography Podcast to discuss the making of her new book. We are also joined by writer and photographer Jill Waterman, who recently produced an insightful interview with Davies.  Our conversation gets to the heart of Davies' loving project, and touches upon its themes of inclusiveness and of gentrification, but also digs into the process of making portraits in cramped quarters with little time, and of the surprisingly difficult task of getting people NOT to smile for a photo. We talk about Davies' decision to eschew light stands for on-camera flash and to go with a Sony mirrorless camera and Zeiss 18mm lens. We also talk about the importance of creative freedom and rejecting preconceived expectations as you make portraits. Davies photographed a wide range of New Yorkers for this series and did not refuse one person who was suggested to her, but when it came to organizing a book, edits needed to be made, and we discuss this process as well. Davies is well-known for her street photography and we mention her projects on neighborhood storefronts and vintage cars, but this series of interior portraits is as "New York" as it comes. Join us for this pleasant conversation and check out Jill Waterman's interview with Davies. Guests: Sally Davies and Jill Waterman Photograph © Sally Davies

On this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we discuss food photography and ask our two guests to create their vision of the ideal spread for a summer food photography shoot. In the first half of the show, we welcome photographer Meika Ejiasi, who is a food, lifestyle, and portrait photographer from Oakland, California. With Ejiasi we discuss how she would photograph ice cream and popsicles, but also about tips and tricks for keeping pizza looking hot after many takes. We talk about utilizing food substitutes, including acrylic ice cubes, about shooting at working restaurants, and the joys and challenges of getting a call from a big brand. Ejiasi also shares with us hopeful plans for a project dedicated to corn on the cob. Yeah. In the second half of the episode, we speak with photographer Cherry Li, whose work crosses genres and cultures, but always imparts her love for food and photography. We speak about the idea of play with Li when it comes to creativity, whether that be playing with food, with flavors, or with the concepts of food photography via lens and styling decisions. We chat about shooting in kitchens and power packs vs. speedlites, such as the Godox AD200 and also about monitoring tethered to a computer, or wirelessly, to an iPad. We wrap with a brief chat about Li's new venture―a new studio and an online photo course dedicated to food photography. Her work really stands out. Join us for this informative episode and check out the articles and videos presented on the B&H Explora blog as we celebrate Food Photography Week. Guests: Meika Ejiasi and Cherry Li Photograph © Meika Ejiasi

On this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we are thrilled to help celebrate the first anniversary of Black Women Photographers.  Founded in July 2020 by Polly Irungu, the mission of  Black Women Photographers is to "disrupt the notion that it is difficult to discover and commission Black creatives." And toward that goal, BWP is now a global organization of more than 600 members, and as an online directory, has become a home for Black women and non-binary photographers to receive proper recognition and, most importantly, to get hired. We welcome Polly Irungu to discuss the founding of BWP, and to talk about the challenges and joys of running an organization that has blossomed so quickly, and about the successes of the past year and goals for the future. On that note, Irungu surprises us by announcing new grants available to photographers.  We are also joined by photographer Dawn Bangi, who received her first professional assignment—with the New York Times, no less—through Black Women Photographers. We ask Bangi how she became familiar with BWP and about the assignment she received. We also discuss her other work, the Nikon and Mamiya gear she uses, and the influence of Gordon Parks. Join us for this inspiring episode and discover some of the great work found at Black Women Photographers. Guests: Polly Irungu and Dawn Bangi Photograph © Polly Irungu

In support of the 2021 OPTIC Outdoor, Photo/Video, Travel Imaging Conference, to be held online July 11-12, 2021, the B&H Photography Podcast team conducted our own photo walk, much like they do as part of the OPTIC Conference events. For this episode, we took our cameras and microphones to the beautiful Elizabeth Park Rose Garden in West Hartford, Connecticut and with Allan as the group's leader and Jason and I as participants, we completed several photo challenges and practiced our photography and storytelling techniques. As this is a virtual and audio photo walk, we encourage our listeners to participate on your own time and in convenient locations, such as a local park or even your backyard.  The episode is designed so that the listener can pause the recording after the challenge has been assigned and complete it on their own. You can also just listen as we work through our assigned shots with Allan fielding our questions. The gear we use is our own, nothing fancy, and the various challenges can be completed with almost any camera and lens combination. For my part, I am using a full frame Nikon DSLR with a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens and a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens and Jason is using a full frame Sony Alpha mirrorless camera    with a  Sony wide-angle lens and the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 lens.  Assigned shots incorporate wide-angle and telephoto perspectives and utilize basic photo techniques, controlling aperture and shutter speed for varied affects, and applying ideas on composition, shadow, detail, and narrative. There is even a macro photography bonus challenge at the end of the episode, so bring that lens too if you have it. We look forward to "hanging out" with our listeners in this virtual setting as we do to soon returning to "IRL" photo walks with old and new friends. With that in mind, check out the OPTIC Conference events page with two-days of online presentations, and register for the free conference hosted by B&H Photo and sponsored by Canon, Nikon, Sony, Sigma, Godox and many others. Photograph © Jason Tables Challenges: Flower Challenge: Using a wide-angle lens make a photo of your garden as it sits within its landscape, a landscape photo with the garden as its primary feature. Then, using the same lens, make a photo of an individual flower, perhaps in relation to the other flowers around it. Water Challenge: Using the focal length of your choice experiment with shutter speed to blur the movement of water in a pleasing way. Also, make a photo of the reflections and refractions in your body of water. Architecture Challenge: Tell the story of a building or structure in three photographs: a wide shot, a detail and a third photo of your choice. Remember, tell the story of the building. Bonus Challenges: Use a macro lens to make a detail-rich close-up of a flower OR with a telephoto focal length, take a photo of an animal or bird in its natural environment, ideally demonstrating behavior.

Beginning with an iPhone and an "a-ha moment" in the beautiful San Francisco City Hall, photographer Arthur Drooker began a project that would last five years and take him across the United States to photograph the most impressive and interesting city halls in the nation. The project culminated with his wonderful book, City Hall: Masterpieces of American Civic Architecture, from Schiffer Publishing, and it brings him to the B&H Photography Podcast to discuss photographing architecture, civic pride, research and interviews, book publishing, zoom and tilt-shift lenses, and a host of other subjects related to his photography. Join us for this practical and insightful episode. "To me, the best city halls are not just office buildings to administer services, they also use architecture and design to express something about civic pride, civic virtue, and democratic engagement." – Arthur Drooker Guest: Arthur Drooker Photograph © Arthur Drooker

This week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast is produced in collaboration with Leica Camera, and we are pleased to welcome photographer and journalist Cheriss May to the program. One of the qualities needed to tell good stories is an ability to listen and, in conversation with May, it becomes clear that her skill for framing and capturing an image with her camera begins with her skill for listening and for engaging with people and their stories. As a freelance editorial and portrait photographer, these talents are continuously in use, whether the story she is telling has been assigned to her by an editor or is one she is pursuing and photographing of her own accord. We discuss some of May's recent assignments with her, as well as self-assignments for the New York Times and other outlets, and how she develops stories, pitches them, and at times, even attaches herself as the writer. We also discuss the cameras, lenses, and techniques she uses to create these series. May is also a regular photographer on the political beat in Washington, D.C. She is a White House pool photographer and was on assignment at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, and she shares stories of covering that event and other major news stories of the past few years. She is also a long-time professor at Howard University and relates some of her thoughts on teaching (and learning) photography. Also, as a former graphic designer and photographer who works in multiple genres, it should come as no surprise that she also exhibits her work, and currently has a photo series on display at the Leica Gallery Los Angeles and will be a part of the wonderful "Eyes on Main Street" exhibit in Wilson, North Carolina. We encourage you to check out her images from these series, as well as the rest of her wide range of purposeful work. Guest: Cheriss May Photograph © Cheriss May

Is the light in Chicago different than the light in New York?  Can "street photography" set the subjects and control the scene?  And just how long should you follow people carrying balloons in order to get a photograph?  These are some of the questions we answer in this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast. We welcome to the program photographers Nina Welch Kling and Clarissa Bonet. Kling lives in New York and Bonet in Chicago, although both are from other places entirely. We talk a bit about the differences in each city's visual make-up and what defines street photography, but we quickly turn toward the styles and workflow of our two guests. With Bonet we discuss how she constructs scenes using the language of street photography to tell internal stories. Her work is large scale, exacting, and utilizes the strong light, deep shadows, and geometries of the urban environment, but as we find out, she produces and casts her medium format photographs to get the exact image she wants, free of the disruption of the hustling crowd and uncooperative elements. We also ask about her incredible nightscape compositions called "Stray Light" and how they evolved to become large, collaged prints. After a break, we focus on the work of Nina Welch Kling and learn how she's grown to understand the movement of light through the streets of New York. Kling also discusses positioning herself ("corralling") and holding her camera to get the angles she needs, as well as to communicate her intention to potential subjects. We also mention Fujifilm cameras and the wide-angle lenses she prefers. We ask about her series "Duologue", which pairs two photos together, and how that pairing can add or change meaning. We also dig into the classic themes of anonymity, isolation, and wonder in street photography and how quarantine redirected her practice a bit. Join us for this insightful and easygoing conversation. Guests: Clarissa Bonet and Nina Welch Kling Photograph © Clarissa Bonet

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast we take a deep dive into the technical, legal, and even theoretical topics surrounding Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and their growing place in the art and photography worlds. To take on this subject, we welcome cryptocurrency expert and past guest of the show, Drew Hinkes. Hinkes is an attorney and professor, and in 2017 was nominated as one of Coindesk's Most Influential People in Blockchain. He is also co-founder and General Counsel of Athena Blockchain, a firm focused on tokenized investment products. We also welcome Derek Paul Jack Boyle and Mitra Saboury, who together make up the art collaborative Meatwreck. Meatwreck have recently minted and sold NFTs associated with their photo art and we will ask Boyle and Saboury how the process worked and their general thoughts on NFTs in relation to community and their art. In addition to clearing some of the murky waters surrounding NFT's, cryptocurrency, and smart contracts, this episode discusses the future of intellectual property and how the blockchain is changing the way we value, store, resell and protect our copyrighted images.  Join us for this in depth and informative conversation. Guests: Drew Hinkes, Mitra Saboury, Derek Paul Jack Boyle

Every now and again there are conversations that flow and sparkle; they seem laden with professional insights and creative gems. Our chat with photographer Mona Kuhn is one, and perhaps it's Kuhn's self-awareness, her quiet confidence, and an ability to articulate her motivations that make it so. There are few who will disagree that her visual stories, her portraits, nudes, landscapes, and photo essays are among the most assured in contemporary photography, and on this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast we just revel in her good humor and willingness to share process. We speak a good deal about Kuhn's new book Mona Kuhn: Works and how it distills twenty years of an evolving career without ever seeming like a "retrospective."  We discuss editing strategies for this and previous books, how she created her intimate series, and why the sustained connections and relationships with her subjects are to Kuhn the most successful results of her extremely well-regarded work. As mentioned, she is very generous with her thoughts on photography, on how she used photo techniques to avoid the "gratuitous presence of the nude" and that the human figures she photographs are used to communicate "beyond just what you see." She also references the work of Michael Disfarmer, how the square Hasselblad format forced her to be creative when photographing the "rectangular" human body. In the second half of the program, we cover aspects of her commissioned work and the satisfaction of being spontaneous in editorial work and of exercising the "problem-solving side of your brain" in the commercial sphere. We also discuss the differences between stories told in a book compared to a gallery, how she is comfortable on a monitor using Lightroom, but her book edits need to be printed and arranged physically to cull and order into "visual sentences." Finally, Kuhn offers a very nuanced thought on the meaning of her personal images, encouraging "a dialogue of meanings" and noting that sometimes "quiet images last longer." Join us for this delightful chat and have a look at Kuhn's other new book, Study from TBW Books. Guest: Mona Kuhn Photograph © Mona Kuhn

Not quite three-years old and the L-mount Alliance has already proven successful for its signatory companies --Leica, Sigma, and Panasonic.  Built upon the foundation of the Leica L lens mount, the three makers have put out a total of nine cameras and a range of lenses, all compatible with each other. On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome Marc Farb, Technical Rep from Sigma,  John Kreidler, Product Specialist from Leica, and Sean Robinson, Marketing Specialist from Panasonic and host of LUMIX Live to discuss the beginnings of the L-Mount Alliance, the benefits for each company and for photographers, and to mention some of the latest and favorite cameras and lenses from the partnership. Guests: Sean Robinson, Marc Farb, John Kreidler

Making photographs regarding the important social issues of our day should not only be in the hands of photojournalists working for large news organizations. Greg Constantine and Monica Lozano, our guests on this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast as well as past guests of our program,  distribute and exhibit their work outside the familiar "news" outlets. Both use their photographic work to address the stories of migrants, and both have spent the last two years documenting the human consequences of the United States' ever-changing immigration policies. We welcome them back to discuss the specific work they have produced and how they disseminate their images. Monica Lozano is a respected fine art and documentary photographer who grew up in Texas and Mexico. Her work deals with issues of immigration, normally from a slightly abstracted and decontextualized, yet emotionally powerful, vantage point. For her recent series, "The Camps," however, Lozano went directly to the refugee camps that began to appear in her hometown of Juarez, Mexico in 2019. Her images tell the stories of the stranded asylum seekers by documenting the conditions they lived in and the community they developed. We speak with Lozano about her working process before and during the COVID pandemic. Greg Constantine, prior to joining us on a 2018 episode, had spent years in Asia documenting the Rohingya refugee crisis and other "stateless" peoples. Over the last three years, he has worked on a project about the U.S. immigration detention system. With grant funding and his own money, he has traveled the country creating a comprehensive yet personal document, taking photos and videos, and interviewing numerous detainees and their families. His work came to fruition in the journal Seven Doors, which has an online component, a print version, and exhibits in pop-up shows. We speak with Constantine about the difficulty and pride of being his own "author," about grant writing, about using FUJIFILM and Mamiya film cameras, and about the value of giving away magazines and being a part of a larger community of image makers. Both Constantine and Lozano are moved by the injustices they see and have made it their lives' work to document them and to tell the stories of those most vulnerable, and it is our pleasure to shine a light on their hard work. Guests: Monica Lozano and Greg Constantine Photograph © Monica Lozano

This week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast is an old-fashioned hands-on review, but in this case, made with six hands.  Allan, Jason and I were fortunate to be loaned the Leica Q2 Digital Camera and the Leica Q2 Monochrom Digital Camera and we use our consideration of these 47MP cameras as a springboard to talk about camera grips, and point-and-shoot cameras, and value. We also talk about macro photography and cropping and about how to create black and white images from color files. We start the conversation mentioning the specs and features of these two incredible cameras and each offer our pros and cons; the features we liked best and those we felt lacking. Autofocus, body design, focal length, and responsiveness are mentioned. Other Leica cameras such as the Leica M10-P get discussed too as do the practical differences between rangefinders with removable lenses and point-and-shoots. Join us for this casual chat about photography and about how each of us, with our different workflows, aesthetics, and goals found these cameras to be versatile yet also challenged us to create better images. Photograph © Allan Weitz

This is one of the most enjoyable chats on photography we've had in­ a while, and our subject is the history of amateur and popular photography as understood through photography how-to books and manuals. Joining us on the B&H Photography Podcast is Dr. Kim Beil, professor at Stanford University and author of Good Pictures: The History of Popular Photography, and with Beil we not only speak about what is and has been considered a "good photo," we specifically talk about her collection of photography how-to books and camera manuals, which act as a guide to this "good photography" over the years. A sense of the collection can be found on her Instagram page, and we discuss examples from various decades, as well as those aimed at certain disciplines and those written by popular instructors and well-known photographers, such as Ansel Adams and Gordon Parks. We also talk with Beil about certain trends in popular photography, including ideas as simple as cropping and the many techniques born of technical and artistic innovation. The role that Kodak played in the early years of amateur photography is touched upon, as is that of Polaroid instant photos of the 1970s. Beil has her favorite type of instructional book and we discuss authors who insisted on a prescriptive style of photography rules and those that were more "amateur to amateur."  We find out how she acquires books and also how YouTube tutorials are affecting the genre. Finally, we talk about digital photography trends and what Beil considers a "good photo". Join us for this wide-ranging conversation sure to please any lover of photography. Guest: Kim Beil Photograph © Kim Beil

It's macro week at the Explora blog and you'll find many helpful articles and videos about the tools, techniques, and practitioners of macro photography. On the podcast, however, we go deeper than macro, like 1000x deeper—our conversation is with geologist, gemologist, and microscopist Nathan Renfro, of the Gemological Institute of America. Renfro is a renowned photomicrographer, and his images of the interiors of gems, with their unique inclusions and imperfect perfections, are stunning color abstractions of the natural world. With Renfro we speak about the art, craft, and science of photomicrography—using microscopes to make photos, and how he documents the inner life of a stone. Renfro got his start in gemology thanks to the collection of rocks and gems his grandfather, a miner from North Carolina, left to him. From this collection a fascination grew, ultimately taking him to G.I.A. as a protégé of John Koivula, noted gemologist and author of the Photo Atlas of Gems series. Renfro himself has become one of the leading image makers in his field, and we discuss the tools and techniques he uses to create his work, including fiber optic lighting, focus stacking, and Differential Interference Contrast. We also discuss the surprisingly simple cameras that he uses, as well as the adapters, filters, and apps that enable his wonderful creations. We ask about the advantages that mirrorless photography holds for his craft, about the commercial and scientific applications of his work, and how traditional photography with a standard zoom lens has improved his understanding of composition and color, thus benefitting his photomicrography. Join us for this exploration deep into microverses, which are as complex and unique as any place on earth or beyond. Guest: Nathan Renfro Photograph © Nathan Renfro Today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast was produced using Audio-Technica Microphones.

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we focus on the work of photographer Todd Webb and, specifically, the series of images he created in Africa in 1958, while on assignment for the United Nations. We are joined by Betsy Evans Hunt, the Executive Director of the Todd Webb Archive, and by Aimée Bessire and Erin Hyde Nolan, coauthors of the new book, Todd Webb in Africa—Outside the Frame. With our guests, we discuss the photographic career of Todd Webb, including his work in New York and Paris in the 1940s and 1950s, and the founding and mission of the Todd Webb Archive. Our primary topic, however, is the rediscovery (in a steamer trunk) and eventual archiving and publishing of Webb's photographs taken in several African nations over the course of a multi-month assignment organized by the United Nations. The images are notable not only for their fateful recovery but for their large and medium format color composition and intelligent eye; they tell a vibrant story of Africa at a moment between colonization and independence. With authors Bessire and Nolan, we discuss the making of their book, which is both a photography book of unique vision and a multifaceted study of the images themselves, with essays and interviews providing historical context and cultural and artistic analysis. Join us for this conversation on the work of an overlooked 20th century master photographer and on a sweeping series of color photos that sat unseen for almost 60 years.    Guests: Betsy Evans Hunt, Aimée Bessire, and Erin Hyde Nolan Photograph © Todd Webb

When you have had as momentous a year as our guest, photographer Misan Harriman, had in 2020, you should shout it from the rooftops. However, on this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, Harriman offers us nothing but humility and gratitude for the work he has done, including creating the September 2020 cover photographs for British Vogue and the powerful images he made at Black Lives Matter marches in London. Harriman left us inspired, and we are happy to share this conversation, supported by Leica Camera. Sweet drops like, "Our ancestors are whispering to us every time we press the shutter" and "…there's no small talk in black and white" are the icing on the cake of a wonderful conversation about his work and workflow. Harriman reflects on his love for image making but also speaks about coming to photography relatively late in life and maintaining confidence despite "imposter syndrome." He advises photographing what you know and love before you dip your toe in deeper waters. We also talk about keeping your head above those deep waters when you are offered incredibly important assignments, such as the triple gatefold cover with twenty portraits for British Vogue, the first cover photograph by a black man in that magazine's history. With Harriman we also discuss portrait work and minimizing technical distractions to focus on the "exchange of humanity." This concept serves for portraits taken remotely as well, as his noted portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex demonstrates. Remote photography apps are mentioned, as is his workflow during BLM protests, including a dogged devotion to black and white and using up to five cameras with longer prime lenses for intimacy and safety. Harriman provides us with much to consider, from thoughts on why we should photograph to how to economize using L-mount gear. Join us for this engaging episode and please leave us a comment below. Guest: Misan Harriman Photograph © Misan Harriman  

On today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome back to the program B&H Senior Sales Trainer Kevin Rickert to discuss the latest cameras and lenses released over the past few months. For today's episode, we have the support of Audio-Technica and are using its BP40 Large Diaphragm Dynamic Broadcast Microphone. We start with Sony's new flagship camera, the Alpha A1 Mirrorless Digital Camera, and discuss its impressive features as well some of the new lenses Sony has introduced, including the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Lens. We also talk about the new FUJIFILM GFX 100S Medium Format Mirrorless Camera and the FUJIFILM X-E4 Mirrorless Camera.   The rest of the episode is dedicated to lenses and a quick look back at some camera releases from late 2020. We mention the incredible new Leica M-mount 35mm f/2 lens and the 28mm f/2 SL lens, a trio of limited edition lenses from Pentax, including the tiny 43mm f/1.9 lens, a 15mm Sunstar lens from NiSi, and several others. Cameras from late last year that get a mention are the Nikon Z6 II, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 III, and the Canon PowerShot ZOOM. Join us for this informative chat and start thinking about your spring and summer photography plans! Guest: Kevin Rickert Editor's Note : Since this podcast was recorded, both Sigma and Pentax have announced new cameras. Both are substantial updates to existing models, Pentax announced the new APS-C flagship Pentax-K-3 Mark III DSLR and Sigma has introduced the modular fp L Mirrorless Digital Camera. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

This episode was first published in January 2018. The Canon sweepstakes mentioned in the episode has long since ended and is no longer valid. For some photographers, the phrase "run and gun" has a negative connotation, but when you're Norman Reedus, that description takes on a much cooler meaning, one that is accurate to his style and a compliment to his ability to "sense a moment." Reedus, most recognized for his acting work on the television series, "The Walking Dead" and "Ride with Norman Reedus," is first and always an artist: a sculptor, a director, and author of the photography books, "The Sun's Coming Up… Like a Big Bald Head" and his latest, "Portraits from the Woods," which is a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the making of "The Walking Dead." Both books are available at Big Bald Gallery.  With the travel demands of working on films and television, Reedus's photography becomes a way to engage with his locations and document his adventures but, through the eyes of an artist, his work is more than just famous locales and behind the scenes fun. He brings a personal vision, humorous and dark, to images he captures and does so with an experimenter's touch, using a variety of cameras and styles. We talk with Reedus about his start in photography, his stylistic approaches, gear choices, and what he has learned from his time in front of a camera that helps with his work behind one. However, with a guest like Reedus—generous with his time and tales—you let the conversation flow, and we also discuss his series "Ride," the influence of Laurie Anderson, fan selfies, his love of horror films, and a range of other topics. While recording this episode, the Tom Waits line, "I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things," kept popping into my head. I'm not sure this line best reflects Reedus's work, but I am sure there is a Tom Waits line that does. This episode was a real treat for us at the B&H Photography Podcast, and we hope you feel the same in the listening. Guest: Norman Reedus Photograph © Norman Reedus

What is street photography? Is it an urban exercise? Is it black-and-white or color? Is it collaborative or solitary? Can it be an intimate portrait or a long-term project? These are some of the questions we ask of our guest on today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast. And Gulnara Samoilova does not take the bait. Samoilova is interested in expanding street photography, not limiting it with a definition. To her, and as is represented beautifully by the new book she edited, street photography is all of the above, it can happen anywhere, and it is simply "unplanned photos taken in public places." In addition to be being an editor and curator and the founder of the @womenstreetphotographers Instagram feed, Samoilova is an accomplished photographer herself, and we spend the first half of the show talking street photo practices and how she uses verbal and nonverbal communication to interact with subjects, how she holds the camera, and how a location may affect the style of a photo. She also mentions that she has been a FUJIFILM X shooter for some time. In the second half of the show, we focus on Women Street Photographers, the new book edited by Samoilova and which profiles one hundred street photographers from around the world, and we find out how this book was edited and produced and about some of the photographers included. Join us for this insightful discussion. Guest: Gulnara Samoilova Photograph © Gulnara Samoilova

Eye-catching and grotesque are words not often placed together, but those descriptors are part of the charm and beauty in the still life and food photography of Emma Ressel. Ressel joins us on this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast to discuss her practice, which takes inspiration from, among other things, Dutch Master paintings and her own upbringing in Maine. We talk with Ressel about the evolution of her style and its attempt to balance the two related genres. In her fine art photography, food is a way to address the topics of death, time, and decay and her commercial photography of food, wine, and still life has been commissioned by New York Magazine, Refinery29, and other publications and clients. Ressel works with both a 4 x 5" Toya medium format film camera and with a Nikon DSLR, and we find out why she chooses which system for each project. We also talk about her varied lighting choices and how she came to food photography not knowing much about professional workflows and food stylists and how that may have helped define her look. She is very hands-on with her work, and we discuss sourcing items as diverse as coral snakes and pig's heads. We also consider issues of waste and overconsumption and how her work deals with those ideas within a commercial context that uses food for purposes not directly related to human sustenance. Ressel also tells us about an inspiring artists residency in which she tackled the subject of decaying whale carcasses. This is a well-rounded conversation, at ease with the technical issues of using a view camera, literary inspiration, and walking the fine line between commercial food photography and pushing the genre to uncomfortable new places. Join us for a listen and have a look at Ressel's Artfare page to see her larger prints. Guest: Emma Ressel Photograph © Emma Ressel

This is the second episode of the B&H Photography Podcast produced with the collaboration of Leica Camera, and we are pleased to welcome photographer Stella Johnson to the show.  It is the "in-between moments of life" that Johnson describes as the subject of her work; work that includes books and documentary series made in Cameroon, Greece, Nicaragua, and Mexico. In this easy-going conversation, we discuss the nature of her long-term projects, and the motivations that return her to the same places year after year. We also talk about composing with rangefinder cameras, being at the eye-level of your subject, and the weeks that go by without making pictures and the verbal and non-verbal communication necessary when you are invited as a photographer into a community or home, as Johnson has been. For her personal documentary work, Johnson has relied on Leica M cameras and a 35mm focal length lens. We discuss this focal distance in terms of a personal comfort zone and one that even felt safer during pandemic time. She keeps her settings simple and concentrates on composition and the moment; she tends to find light and locations that she likes and wait for the images. Because Johnson's compositions are so strong in black-and-white and her color work is minimal and adroit, we ask for her thoughts on how to work with both formats and if a fluidity between them is easy. Finally, in searching for a definition of documentary photography, we mulled over the effect of time, of returning to locations and subjects, of its distinction from photojournalism, as seeing "what life is like" and the stories of "just daily life."  Guest: Stella Johnson Photograph © Stella Johnson

On today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome wedding and portrait photographer Kesha Lambert. We are excited to speak with Lambert about her approach to wedding photography on today's show, but she is also speaking at the upcoming 4th annual Depth of Field Portrait, Wedding, and Event Photography Conference, which is a free virtual event to be held on March 7 – 8, 2021. The conference is hosted by B&H Photo and sponsored by Sony, Nikon, Canon, Godox and HP/NVIDIA, and others. The work of Kesha Lambert stands out for its ability to be both joyous and intimate. She deftly uses color and composition, as well as experience and intuition to tell unique and universal wedding-day stories. Did I mention that Lambert is also a lawyer, mom to three boys, a member of the Wedding Photojournalist Association, and a Sony Artisan of Imagery? In our conversation, we discuss her business, intrapersonal, and photography skills to get a sense of how she runs her successful studio.   Her website is a lesson in design and good business practices, and we discuss cameras and lenses, getting ahead of client expectations, contracts, and subjects as diverse as lighting kits and keeping large wedding parties focused and in frame. Join us for this insightful and enjoyable chat and register for Depth of Field 2021. Guest: Kesha Lambert Photograph © Kesha Lambert

Live event and concert photography have obviously been drastically impacted by the global pandemic and related shutdowns. Let's give a shout-out to all the photographers, musicians, technicians, and crew who have struggled with the loss of that part of their income and craft, but also make time on the B&H Photography Podcast to talk about concert photography as we inch toward a hopeful return to live music and art performances. Today's guest is Christie Goodwin, a premiere concert and music photographer. She has been the tour photographer for the likes of Taylor Swift and Usher and has shot in venues around the world. She is also the house photographer for the famed Royal Albert Hall in London. Her work is impeccable, and a quick glance at her website features some of the most recognized faces in contemporary music today. With Goodwin we speak on a range of topics, including her goals as a concert photographer based on the needs of the artist, the management team, the venue, or the fans. We also talk about life on tour, the trust necessary to work with musicians, shooting techniques learned from experience, and how she lets a concert "speak to her" as she decides her photographic approach. We also talk briefly about her Canon DSLR cameras and lenses, and about her side hustle, creating conceptual images for book covers, and how this primarily mirrorless endeavor is the yin to her concert photography yang. Join us for this insightful and practical conversation. Guest: Christie Goodwin Photograph: Christie Goodwin

Has the Canon EOS R5 changed the conversation about using mirrorless cameras for bird and wildlife photography? This is the position of our guest, David Speiser who, this summer, traded his Canon 1D X Mark III for the R system camera and lenses. But his colleague, fellow bird photographer and—for now—DSLR stalwart Grace Scalzo, is not quite ready to make that switch. Today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast focuses on the features of the Canon R5 and RF lenses that specifically benefit bird photographers. Speiser relates his decision to sell a treasure-trove worth of gear and re-invest in Canon's mirrorless system.  He notes the advanced eye-focus, the customization features, in-body image stabilization, and new, sharp lenses as factors in his decision. Grace Scalzo, however, is not ready to give up her rugged, fast, and ergonomically balanced DSLR with its broad selection of quality glass and an optical viewfinder. This is a fun-spirited and well-articulated debate between two shooters who really know their gear and their craft. In addition to the DSLR vs. mirrorless smackdown, we discuss 600mm lenses, adapters, gimbal heads, tripods, sharpening software, and even some land management and wildlife ethics issues. Join us for this vastly informative conversation, ideal for Canon photographers and wildlife shooters considering their next purchase. Also, please check out the Musea Gathering virtual photo conference to be held on February 22 & 23, 2021, a wonderful two-day event on wedding and family photography. Guests: Grace Scalzo and David Speiser Photograph © David Speiser

When we started the B&H Photography Podcast more than six years ago, the concept was "watercooler conversations" with photographers, about gear. Well, honestly, it hasn't always turned out that way, but this episode with famed photojournalist David Burnett comes as close to that idea as any we have done; there's barely an edit in the whole episode. Burnett joins us, and we just talk. We start with his coverage of the recent presidential inauguration and his decision to use a 1930 Graflex 4 x 5 camera in addition to his Sony mirrorless with an FE 100-400mm lens. Burnett reflects on the reasons he incorporates vintage cameras and lenses into his workflow and the need to challenge your own point of view as a photographer. We discuss the motivations that bring a particular camera to his eye and his sense of "obligation to all that has come before." In the second half of the show, we talk about using legacy glass on mirrorless cameras and the relentless (and at times "goofy") experimentation that both Burnett (and Allan) enjoy. From aerial reconnaissance lenses to old Kodak cine lenses, there is nothing that can't be adapted, and we go into the weeds to discuss some of the many, many lenses Burnett has not just tried, but used successfully for his professional assignments. We also ask about the new Sony Alpha 1, the benefits of customizable functions, and his preference for the Sony a9 II and a6600 cameras. Join us for this easygoing conversation. Guest: David Burnett Photograph © David Burnett

Its hard to imagine a more ideal guest for a photography podcast than the wonderful Ralph Gibson.  Gibson checks all the boxes—a straight-up master of the medium, a man of insights and tales, with a comprehensive understanding of photography from the nuts and bolts to the conceptual rigors. After training in the Navy, he assisted the great Dorothea Lange in the darkroom, but found his calling as an artist, staying true to his voice, and founding a publishing house for his seminal photo book, The Somnambulist, and those of many other artists, including Larry Clark, Mary Ellen Mark, and Duane Michals. On this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we speak with Gibson about Robert Frank and Dorothea Lange, about establishing a visual signature, "broken focus," and of course, about his trusty Leica systems. We also touch on his relationship with musician and artist Lou Reed, 50mm versus 75mm lenses, deconstructing the tropes of photography, and the connections between music and photography. This was a conversation we wished could have continued for hours, and we suggest you consider one of Gibson's bookmaking workshops or simply dig into his incredible body of work, perhaps starting with his latest book, Sacred Land: Israel Before and After Time. Join us for this wide-ranging and inspiring conversation, and as Gibson states, "I always believed that if I stayed true to my work, everything else would fall into place." Guest: Ralph Gibson Photograph © Ralph Gibson  

Photography has long been used as a tool to explore and analyze history, but in the hands of an artist, that same tool is not asked to be exacting or accurate to the historical record. If anything, artists challenge this idea of photography as fact. And for this reason, it is such a pleasure to welcome artist and photographer Barbara Mensch to the B&H Photography Podcast. Mensch has created a book of history by using photographs she took as an artist.  Having lived in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge for many years, she photographed the bridge in varied light and perspective, but not until she ventured into the bridge itself did she become interested in using her photographic story as the anchor for a researched and nuanced study of the three principle creators of the Brooklyn Bridge. The book, In the Shadow of Genius: The Brooklyn Bridge and Its Creators, is the successful result of her work, and we talk with Mensch about re-evaluating older work, the endurance needed to complete a long project, the ability of photography to tell stories, and about square format and Hasselblad.  In the second half of the program, we take up Mensch's current book project, which also re-addresses earlier work, in this case from her wonderful series on the workers of the South Street Seaport or, as it was then called, the "waterfront." Here we discuss the intrapersonal skills needed to photograph in authentic, yet potentially dangerous situations, the creative and youthful zeal that fuels such projects, and even about Bergger photography paper. Join us for this engaging conversation. Guest: Barbara Mensch Photograph © Barbara Mensch

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome Malike Sidibe to the show. With just 23 years under his belt, Sidibe has accomplished a lot in his relatively short time on planet Earth, and not just photographically. But 2020 has been quite a busy year, even for him.  His photography has generally been in the realm of editorial, fashion, and personal projects, and he has a lengthy list of clients that include Time Magazine, The Atlantic, Nikon, Nike, and The New Yorker, but this year he created a bold body of work covering the Black Lives Matter marches in New York and made a name for himself with editors shooting portraits via Zoom and FaceTime. We talk with Sidibe about how he has been able to move back and forth between these various genres of photography, concentrating the first part of the show on his experiences covering protests in Brooklyn and how his emotions brought him to the street, but his photographer's spirit and eye enabled him to capture some of the most arresting images of the summer. We discuss shooting style, the Nikon Z 7 and lens choices, keeping gear secure, and staying safe in the midst of chaos. In addition, we talk about his process in portrait shoots through FaceTime, the iPad he used, and the tools he sent to his models and subjects for these unique collaborations. We also discuss Sidibe's personal story of immigrating to the United States at age 13, his early struggles in school, and how NYC SALT, a high school photography program, helped him on his journey.  It's easy to recognize the talent, time, and work that Sidibe is dedicating to "making the future me happy," but his good humor and creative love for photography are evident in this informative and lively conversation. Join us. Guest: Malike Sidibe Photograph © Malike Sidibe

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, photographer Matt Price describes skate photography as the "perfect blend between studio and sports photography" and, from our engaging conversation, this idea will be made clear. Price knows of what he speaks—in addition to an acclaimed freelance career, he has been a staff photographer and editor for The Skateboard Mag and is currently Brand Director at CCS Skateshop and creates the magazine, Golden Hours Skateboarding.   Price has lost more than one lens to the rigors of his craft, and we talk with him about getting close to skateboarders with a fish-eye lens, as well as other shooting and lighting techniques. We also discuss how he fell in love with skating and, at a very young age, began to submit his work to forums and, ultimately, to editors. He admits to taking his lumps from online critics for his early work, but his passion for skating and desire to improve his photo craft provided the courage and commitment to keep going and, eventually, his "energy-based" photo style caught the eye of editors and brands who sent him around the world to cover the skate scene.   We discuss many topics in this easy-going conversation, from skating techniques to the business of skateboard photography to the differences between the various skate publications. We also get into the relationship between skater and photographer and how such a niche photo style has grown to influence a range of disciplines. Finally, we talk about gear choices and what has worked for Price. Starting with a Canon Rebel that he purchased with money his grandmother helped him secure, Price has worked with Hasselblad and Sony systems, but is currently back where he started, shooting with a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and the Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L lens.   Guest: Matt Price Photograph © Matt Price

I don't think I've ever seen Allan Weitz as happy as he was during our recording of this episode and, if you are into vintage cameras, lenses, and all things film photography, just sit back and enjoy our conversation with Bellamy Hunt, aka the Japan Camera Hunter. The palpable enthusiasm between these two camera lovers cannot be feigned, and they talked like old friends about Nikon SP, Canon rangefinders, Hasselblad, and anything with a red dot. We also learn how an Englishman arrived in Japan, worked for a camera company, became a camera hunter, and eventually developed a business that not only sources vintage and rare cameras, but sells film, custom-paints cameras, and writes and shares his love for photography on his the "JCH" site. In addition to talking about cameras, we discuss the photography culture of Japan, camera shops of Tokyo, and the renaissance of film photography. Join us for this pleasurable conversation. Guest: Bellamy Hunt (First published in August, 2017)

For our final episode of 2020, we look back at the year that was—and what a year it was. We learned new remote recording skills and virtual conversation styles, but the B&H Photography Podcast never missed a beat; we recorded an episode the very first week of quarantine and have continued recording throughout this unprecedented time. Many aspects of this production were made significantly more difficult by being "all remote," but it did allow us to speak with photographers around the world and those who could never have made it into our humble but homey studio. On this week's episode, we run down the list of episodes we recorded this year, which included conversations with legends of sports photography, of fine art photography, of photo education, and even with a supermodel and with a television celebrity. Of course, we also talked about the latest camera releases and the "best" cameras of 2020. Allan, Jason, and I each relate our favorite episodes from the year and mention some of the episodes that were best received by our listeners. And because this year we had many conversations about photography books, we also mention a few of our favorite books from 2020. Join us for this casual recounting of podcasts from a year no one will soon forget. Photograph © Karles Vives, winner of the 2020 B&H Photography Podcast Leica Challenge

I think most photographers have tried to document their experience during the COVID-19 shutdown, but none have done it quite like Neil Kramer. Kramer is riding out the pandemic in a two-bedroom apartment in Queens, New York, with his 86-year-old mother and his ex-wife. Did I mention that this is the apartment in which he grew up… and that he is living with his mother and his ex-wife?  Kramer has become the star of his own drama and aptly describes the process of creating this series as "part art, part desperation." Perfectly fitting. Kramer is primarily a street and portrait photographer with a healthy Instagram following and editorial or assignment gigs, but when the streets emptied in early March, he turned to his unlikely living situation for inspiration. Initially, there was humor and novelty in his images, he enlisted his "roommates" as players, and eventually as collaborators, in these one-shot dramas. As the weeks and months passed, his diaristic Instagram feed went from funny shots of faux-fights and crowded bathrooms to more introspective and isolated posts, complete with tender and insightful commentary. On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we speak with Kramer about developing this project, about "learning to take a photo when I'm not behind the camera," about tethering, lighting, and bribing his "cast and crew" with doughnuts. Join us for this Seinfeldian chat, which might just help us keep our humor and creative spirit alive during the most difficult of situations. Guest: Neil Kramer Photograph © Neil Kramer

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome photographer Matthew Franklin Carter to the program.  Like many photographers, Matt Carter wears a lot of hats. In his case, literally and figuratively, but his photography work blends documentary, editorial, and portrait work and reflects the place he calls home—Greenville, South Carolina. He shoots for regional and specialty magazines and does corporate work and portraits for local artists and businesses. He also assists other photographers and, of course, he has his personal projects. Family, food, fishing, hunting, drag racing, and dirt cars are depicted with humility and grace and a touch of humor.  With Carter we discuss a range of topics, but keep our conversation focused on how to work comfortably in varied settings and with different communities of folks.  Carter may be at home on the rivers shooting fly fishing, but he also has produced wonderful series at local car racing tracks, a world with which he is much less familiar. We talk about these two racing projects—"Dirt" and "Glory"—and how he mingles with the drivers and crowd, as well as the gear, from FUJIFILM to Mamiya, he uses to create both portraits and documentary-style images.  We also discuss photographing hunting and fishing and the portrait work he does, both in studio and on location, and the lighting he uses for both. We close on the topic of "finding your voice," and for Carter how his latest project on local food production unites his many passions. Join us for this easygoing and informative conversation.   Guest: Matthew Franklin Carter Photograph © Matthew Franklin Carter

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we offer an insightful overview of the best cameras released in 2020 and discuss significant trends in the photography industries. Our guest is Kevin Rickert, Senior Sales Trainer for B&H Photo. Rickert is often the first person at B&H to get new cameras in his hands and is responsible for training our staff on the features of a wide variety of gear. He knows his stuff. We start by mentioning the Canon EOS R5, which many members of our team listed as their favorite camera of 2020, and then we move to new cameras from Leica and FUJIFILM and the unique full-frame entry from ZEISS. We then discuss the compact Sony Alpha a7C full-frame camera and other new cameras from Sony and Nikon, including the D780 DSLR. Also, Ricoh, Olympus, and the impressive Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 get mentioned, and we wrap up cameras by discussing the new iPhones and Hasselblad's incredible 907X 50C medium format mirrorless camera. Throughout the conversation, we muse on important developments and trends of the year, including Canon's and Nikon's continued investment in their full-frame mirrorless cameras and lenses, the increasing number of high-resolution entries from a range of makers, the importance of firmware updates, the use of artificial intelligence in cameras, and, of course, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We close by mentioning a few of the more interesting lenses to arrive this year, including fixed-aperture telephotos from Canon, a great telephoto zoom from Olympus, and fast-aperture prime lenses from Sony, FUJIFILM, and Nikon.  Join us for this informative episode. Guest: Kevin Rickert  

Today we welcome back to the B&H Photography Podcast, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist and friend to the show, Salwan Georges. Georges joined us four years ago to talk about his documentary project centered around the Arabic communities in Michigan, but a lot has changed since then, and today he joins us to discuss his work covering the 2020 presidential campaigns for the Washington Post. With Georges, we dig into the nuts and bolts of navigating a presidential election in the middle of a pandemic. We talk about press pools, political rallies, booking your own airfare, and making sure your hotel room is disinfected. We also discuss getting new angles to tell stories, prime versus zoom, switching to the Sony a9 II, and using an iPhone when that's the only option. Georges also relates his experiences working with editors, having the back of other photographers, and his additional work covering the opioid crisis and other painful stories of our time. Join us for this insightful conversation that we recorded in the days immediately following the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Guest: Salwan Georges Photograph © Salwan Georges

What a treat to welcome photographer Ami Vitale to the B&H Photography Podcast. Vitale is mustering her high profile as a National Geographic photographer, as well as the talents of eighty-nine other incredible photographers, to raise funds for Conservation International. The Prints for Nature Sale runs until December 10, 2020 and offers gorgeous gallery-quality prints at a very affordable price. Please check this link for more information and to support this worthy initiative. We also speak with Vitale about her career trajectory and commitment to telling the stories of endangered species and the humans around them. We discuss her work photographing Sudan, the last male white rhinoceros in existence, and her incredible series about pandas in China. We also ask Vitale how she bridges the gap (or perceived gap) between journalism and advocacy photography and about her commitment to long-term engagement with the stories she covers. Vitale also addresses the changing dynamics of print journalism and the need to find funding for her projects, and we briefly mention her work as a Nikon ambassador. The dearth of tourism to many protected wildlife parks around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic has brought conservation efforts to a crisis point and the Prints for Nature Sale, with images by Art Wolfe, Steve Winter, Pete McBride, Alison Wright (all past guests of the podcast) and many other great photographers, is a way that lovers of wildlife and of photography can help. Guest: Ami Vitale Photograph © Ami Vitale