B&H Photography Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Macro Photography in Your Backyard and Garden Jun 29, 2022

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

Cinemagraph Portraits and the "Facing Life" Project Jun 23, 2022

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/

You Can't Fake Time – Camille Seaman at OPTIC 2022 Jun 16, 2022

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

2022 OPTIC Conference Preview and Michael Kenna Encore Interview Jun 09, 2022

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

Drone Photography 2022, with Randy Scott Slavin Jun 02, 2022

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

Timeless: The Photography of Moshe and Eddie Brakha May 26, 2022

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

Pioneering Photojournalist Catherine Leroy May 19, 2022

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

Polaroid History and Techniques for Creative Instant Film Photography May 12, 2022

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

"The Drowning" by Cornell Watson May 05, 2022

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.

Shifting Expectations -- Photojournalism after 2020 Apr 27, 2022

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.

Earth Day Encore Episode: The Ethics of Landscape Photography Apr 21, 2022

(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.

Somewhere Between Love and Obsession - The Photography of Stanley Greenberg Apr 14, 2022

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

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Photography and Loss of Sight, with Pete Eckert Apr 07, 2022

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

Photography Accessories 101: The Basics Mar 31, 2022

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

Memory Cards and Storage for Digital Photography Mar 24, 2022

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

Conversation with Jay Maisel and Stephen Wilkes (Encore Episode) Mar 18, 2022

(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

Macro Food Photography, with Christina Peters Mar 10, 2022

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

"Generosity of Persistence", with Amy Touchette and Larry Fink Mar 03, 2022

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

ASMP-NY and the Future of Photo Trade Organizations Feb 24, 2022

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

In the Soup - Photographing Marine Plastic, with Mandy Barker Feb 17, 2022

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

Football Photography, with Al Bello and Callena Williams Feb 10, 2022

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

Legacy and Long Term Projects - B&H Photography Stories Feb 03, 2022

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

Brooklyn, Back in the Day, with Anders Goldfarb and Larry Racioppo Jan 27, 2022

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

Fallout - The War Photography of Peter van Agtmael Jan 20, 2022

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 Eye is a Hunter -The Photography of Joe McNally Jan 13, 2022

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 2021 Year in Review and Mick Rock Encore Dec 30, 2021

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

“The United States of Young Photographers” and Photo Books of 2021 Dec 23, 2021

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

Photographing the James Webb Space Telescope, with Chris Gunn (Encore) Dec 21, 2021

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

Cameras of the Year, 2021 Dec 16, 2021

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

The Secret Industry - Shipping and Maritime Photography: The B&H Photography Podcast Dec 09, 2021

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

"I Knew This Was Powerful" – Building Community Through Photography Dec 02, 2021

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

Astrophotography, with Dr. Robert Gendler Nov 26, 2021

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

"Making My Own Candy" - Lensbaby Co-Founder Craig Strong Nov 18, 2021

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

The Long View of Humanity: Vernacular Photography, with Peter J. Cohen and Bill Shapiro (New Episode) Nov 11, 2021

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

Dynamic Portrait Lighting, with Alexis Cuarezma (Encore) Nov 09, 2021

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

‘Scuse Me While I Kiss the Sky - Rock Photography of the 1960’s (Encore) Nov 04, 2021

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.

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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

Riff on the Caption– A Conversation with Photographer Lester Sloan and Aisha Sabatini Sloan Oct 28, 2021

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.

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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

New Gear Podsticle, October 2021 Oct 22, 2021

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.

Muses: A ‘Collective Portrait’ of Trailblazing Women Artists Oct 14, 2021

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

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The Business of Freelance Photography, with Todd Bigelow Oct 07, 2021

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

Fly Fishing and Outdoor Photography Sep 30, 2021

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

It Starts with People – The Social Documentary Network Sep 17, 2021

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

On-Set and Film Still Photography, with Barry Wetcher Sep 09, 2021

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

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Sometimes, It Takes Time -- The Photography of Meryl Meisler Sep 02, 2021

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

Preparation Meets Opportunity -- Surf Photography, with Zak Noyle Aug 26, 2021

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

Crime-Scene Unit Photography (Encore Presentation) Aug 19, 2021

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

New Paths, New Projects, with Mark Mann Aug 12, 2021

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

B&H Photography Podcast Listener Survey Aug 10, 2021

We at the B&H Photography Podcast love to get feedback from our listeners and encourage you to click the below link to complete a short survey. It's just 8 simple questions and a space for an optional comment.

Completing this survey will truly help us continue to bring new episodes to our community and we look forward to your suggestions. Thanks.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K5KCVP9

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Planes, Trains, and Perspective – The Photos of David Rothenberg Aug 05, 2021

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

We Are Our Stuff – Sally Davies’ Portraits of New Yorkers Jul 29, 2021

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

Summer Food Photography Jul 22, 2021

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

Black Women Photographers - "Intentional with this Community" Jul 15, 2021

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

The B&H Photography Podcast/OPTIC Conference Photo Walk Jul 08, 2021

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.

My Client Was Democracy – Photographing City Halls, with Arthur Drooker Jul 01, 2021

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

Connection and Purpose – The Photography of Cheriss May Jun 24, 2021

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

Connection and Purpose – The Photography of Cheriss May Jun 24, 2021

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 on her own accord. We discuss with May some of her recent assignments and 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 6th, 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 a 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

Light Hunters – Art About the Street with Clarissa Bonet and Nina Welch Kling Jun 17, 2021

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

NFTs and Photography Jun 10, 2021

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

Beautiful Exemptions - The Work of Mona Kuhn Jun 03, 2021

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

Discussing the L-Mount Alliance with Sigma, Leica, and Panasonic May 27, 2021

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

Photography at the Border, with Greg Constantine and Monica Lozano May 20, 2021

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

A Well-Conceived Design: Hands-On with the Leica Q2 and Q2 Monochrom May 13, 2021

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

Speaking in Dialect: How-to Books and the History of Popular Photography, with Kim Beil May 06, 2021

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

Photomicrography of Gems, with Nathan Renfro Apr 29, 2021

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.

Todd Webb in Africa—Rediscovered Color Photographs Apr 22, 2021

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

Waltz with Fate—Photographer Misan Harriman Apr 15, 2021

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

New Gear Roundup, Spring 2021 Apr 08, 2021

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

Norman Reedus—Art Is as Art Does (Encore Presentation) Apr 02, 2021

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

Silent Collaboration—Gulnara Samoilova and “Women Street Photographers” Mar 25, 2021

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

Food Photography and Still Life, with Emma Ressel Mar 18, 2021

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

What Life Is Like – Documentary Photography, with Stella Johnson Mar 11, 2021

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

The Secret Ingredient in Wedding Photography, with Kesha Lambert Mar 04, 2021

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

The Ninja—Concert Photography, with Christie Goodwin Feb 25, 2021

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

Mirrorless System Advantages for Bird Photography Feb 18, 2021

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

Adapt! Inauguration Coverage and Vintage Glass on Sony Mirrorless, with David Burnett Feb 11, 2021

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

Ralph Gibson—To See Beyond What I See Feb 04, 2021

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

Staying Power - History and Photography, with Barbara Mensch Jan 28, 2021

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

Malike Sidibe: Protest Photography and Zoom Portraiture Jan 21, 2021

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

Energy-based! : Skate Photography, with Matt Price Jan 14, 2021

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

The Japan Camera Hunter (Encore) Jan 07, 2021

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)

Year in Review—Our Favorite Episodes of 2020 Dec 31, 2020

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

Accept the Weirdness — Quarantine Photography, with Neil Kramer Dec 24, 2020

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

Hunting, Fishing, and Finding Your Voice, with Matthew Franklin Carter Dec 17, 2020

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

Cameras of the Year, 2020 Dec 10, 2020

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

Photographing the 2020 Presidential Campaign, with Salwan Georges Dec 03, 2020

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

Ami Vitale and the Prints for Nature Sale Nov 25, 2020

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

Night Photography in the Rockies, with Rachel Jones Ross; OPTIC All-Stars Preview Nov 19, 2020

On November 22 and 23, B&H will host the 2020 OPTIC All-Stars Conference, with a stellar list of outdoor, travel, and adventure photographers giving online presentations and, on this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we are pleased to welcome one of those photographers: Rachel Jones Ross. Ross is landscape and night sky photographer based near Banff, in the Canadian Rockies, and our conversation with her is rife with practical tips for shooting in the mountains and with suggestions to improve your night photography.

For starters, we speak with Ross about her workflow as it pertains to planning her shoots, which often require long hikes into the mountains. We discuss the apps she uses to gather information on weather, trails, and the night sky. We also ask about staying warm in sub-zero temperatures and find out that her most important piece of gear are her Heat Company gloves. From there we discuss basic (and not so basic) techniques for star and night sky photography, including tips on composition, focus, and focus stacking, including a handy “sharp star” filter for accurate focus.

Because Ross is also a well-respected educator, we discuss transitioning to online workshops during the COVID pandemic, her “Night Photography in your Pyjamas” course, and she offers a preview of her OPTIC All-Stars presentation. We also discuss her go-to gear and how she decides which cameras and lenses to use for particular locations. Ross is a member of the Sony Alpha Imaging Collective and she relates her preferences for the various Alpha series cameras and when and why she’ll decide to use a Sony 16-35mm zoom lens or a Zeiss Batis 18mm or Zeiss Loxia 21mm lens.

There is a lot of solid information as well as practical tips enmeshed in a very pleasant conversation with the wonderful Rachel Jones Ross. Join us for the episode and register for the free 2020 OPTIC All-Stars.

Guest: Rachel Jones Ross

Photograph © Rachel Jones Ross

Covering COVID-19: A Follow-up Conversation with Desiree Rios and Sarah Blesener Nov 12, 2020

Eight months ago, on the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcomed four photojournalists who were covering the beginning stages of the COVID-19 crisis in New York. We discussed their fears and the stories they hoped to cover; we also discussed safety precautions, limited access to subjects, and altered workflows. It was the beginning of a new reality. On today’s episode, we welcome back two of those photographers—Desiree Rios and Sarah Blesener—for a follow-up conversation on how their work has evolved since March.

We first welcome Desiree Rios, who photographs for the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. We speak with Rios about her daily assignments covering the effects of the pandemic in New York, primarily in the Bronx. We talk about using her work as a support for the community, about building solidarity with the people she photographs, and about trying to tell deeper aspects of a story with daily news images. We also marvel over how attitudes about masks and PPE were so different in March.

After a break, we speak with Sarah Blesener. She also works for the Times and WSJ, but thanks to a commission from the International Center for Photography and a grant from National Geographic, she was able to focus on a long-term project over these months. Specifically, she photographed her eighty-year-old landlady and how she, along with the neighborhood community she is a part of, came together to withstand the effects of the pandemic and shutdown. Blesener relates how she came to appreciate working in a less intimate and less spontaneous manner than normal, how she avoided risky assignments to not risk infecting her landlady, and how the project grew to involve the neighborhood and became a very optimistic story, despite the situation. This series is currently on exhibition at ICP.

Join us for this topical and interesting conversation on the evolving role of photojournalism during 2020.

Guests: Desiree Rios and Sarah Blesener

Photo: Desiree Rios

Podcast: Side Hustle - Additional Revenue from Your Photography, with Sam Hurd Nov 05, 2020

Our guest on this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast is Sam Hurd. While he is primarily a wedding photographer, I have no doubt that he could photograph anything and make it look interesting. Hurd is also a portrait photographer; he dabbles in landscape work; and is a passionate photo educator. A few minutes listening to this episode and it becomes clear that he can articulate his process as well as he can execute it. He offers “deconstructions” of his images for his Patreon followers and teaches his style, technique, and gear, but today we focus on his “side hustles,” on the methods and platforms he uses to engage with clients and make extra money from the wedding photography he is already doing.

We start by discussing his Patreon platform and how he uses his wedding-photography images and insights to build a following of “patrons,” who pay monthly subscriptions to follow his tutorials. We then jump to Stocksy, and how his well-curated set of stock images, mostly taken at weddings, creates an additional revenue flow. He also speaks of DVLOP, which is a site that markets presets that he has created while processing his wedding work. Of course, each of these ancillary platforms flows into and out of each other not only to gain him clients but to improve his photography. He mentions several times how the challenge of producing interesting tutorials has forced him to be more inventive.

Despite a very simple kit when shooting weddings, Hurd is also a self-described gearhead and he and Allan bond over their love for vintage glass and discuss recent purchases, including the Hasselblad 907X 50c and the Canon R6. Finally, we touch on Hurd’s first professional gig, as the staff photographer for the National Press Club, some of the famous faces he photographed, and the odd but practical practice techniques he developed to practice his portraiture. Join us for this very informative episode.

Guest: Sam Hurd

Photograph © Sam Hurd

Earlie Hudnall, Jr. -- Life as I See It Oct 29, 2020

In the 1970s, under the aegis of the Great Society’s Model Cities Program, photographer Earlie Hudnall, Jr. began to document the predominantly African American neighborhoods of Houston’s 3rd, 4th, and 5th wards, and for more than forty years he has continued to create an indelible portrait of life in these neighborhoods. To be sure, Hudnall has photographed all around the world, and worked for years as the photographer for Texas Southern University, but it is his images of the people of Houston that we discuss today and which are included in his current exhibition at the Photographs Do Not Bend Gallery in Dallas, running through October 31, 2020.

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we talk with Hudnall about the relationship between the stories he tells with his images and those he grew up with in his native Mississippi; how the tradition, culture, and community of his youth reveal themselves in the faces and facades of modern Houston. We also talk about his organic approach to photography and how respect for his subjects informs his process, and eye contact and body language are tools to connect with people on the street.

Hudnall is old school—he works with digital cameras when needed—but his Hasselblad and Nikon film cameras are his primary tools and he relates why he chooses one over the other to make a particular image. Hudnall also prints his photographs, so we talk about sourcing supplies, Ilford paper, and darkroom techniques.

And while we do get into camera talk and a “sweet, sweet, sweet, soft Rolleiflex,” much of our conversation with Hudnall focuses on how memory and inspiration react in a moment to create a powerful image and how staying sensitive to your surroundings will serve your imaging. It is a joy to listen to Hudnall; please join us for this conversation.

Guest: Earlie Hudnall, Jr.

Photograph © Earlie Hudnall, Jr.

Peter Hurley – U.S. Sailing Team and 10,000 Headshots Oct 22, 2020

Recognized as a premier headshot and portrait photographer, Peter Hurley has quite the tale to tell. His work is known for the genuine expressions he captures, and he has grown his business into an international organization. He is also an in-demand speaker and photo educator, but Hurley has an interesting “origin story” when it comes to photography, and we will discuss how he went from being a competitive sailor to a model to a photographer and how sailing remains an integral part of his creative life.

This week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast is a casual but insightful conversation about life’s twists and turns taking you to a place you never expected and how being open to challenges and to advice can motivate creativity. Sometimes “failing” is the best way to find your success, and Hurley tells us about competing for the U.S. Olympic sailing team and how accepting opportunities that seemed far from his initial goal led him to photography. We also talk about how he turned his headshot business into the “Headshot Crew” and now coaches and disperses work to a network of photographers around the world.

Throughout the conversation, we touch on tips to improve your own portrait and headshot game and Hurley mentions the lighting kit he has created with Westcott. We also discuss the “10,000 Headshot” project, for which he helped to organize his network of photographers to aid folks left unemployed by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the support of Canon and others, members of the Headshot Crew have photographed thousands of people, creating free headshots for anyone out of work. And as we discuss, a quality headshot is increasingly important in the “work from home” era. Join us for this enjoyable conversation.

Guest: Peter Hurley

Photograph © Peter Hurley

The Delirious Joy of Looking: Building a Photography Collection, with W.M. Hunt Oct 15, 2020

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome collector, curator, author, and educator W.M. Hunt. Part of the incredible photography collection Hunt has acquired over the years is being auctioned by the famed Christies auction house, and Hunt joins us to chat about the genesis of his collection, that hard-to-define attraction to an image that inspires a purchase, and his hopes for the current sale.

The collection that Hunt is selling is called “The Unseen Eye: Photos from the W.M. Hunt Collection,” and it includes photographs by Richard Avedon, Sally Mann, Robert Frank, Diane Arbus, Robert Mapplethorpe, Henri Cartier-Bresson, a veritable Who’s-Who of photography of the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection was given its name because each of the photos has subjects whose eyes are obscured in some way, and we discuss why Hunt decided to collect such an eclectic group of images.

Hunt is also an author and educator, and we discuss the numerous monographs he has written, how to “let a picture find you,” and the visceral difference between a good and a great photograph. Join us for this insightful and fun episode.

Guest: W.M. Hunt

Photograph © Duane Michals, from “The Unseen Eye: Photographs from the W.M. Hunt Collection”, Courtesy of W.M. Hunt and Christies America

Shooting Hoops—Basketball Photography with the NBA's Best (Encore Episode) Oct 09, 2020

This is an encore episode, originally published in 2018, before the death of basketball player, Kobe Bryant.

Today we welcome two of professional basketball’s best photographers, and that’s not just me talking. Nat Butler is Senior Photographer for NBA Entertainment and has worked the last thirty-three NBA Finals. He is also the official photographer for the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. Andrew Bernstein is the longest-tenured official NBA photographer, the photographer for the L.A. Lakers and L.A. Clippers, a recent inductee to the NBA Hall of Fame, and the photographer of the new book, The Mamba Mentality, by Kobe Bryant. So, enough of the bona fides, these two photographers are also great friends, and they bring their easy-going banter and the ultimate insider’s perspective to the B&H Photography Podcast.

Our conversation covers a wide range of topics, from the gear they use (and what they don’t), the lighting systems they’ve developed, the intimacy of basketball photography compared to other sports, and how fashion and social media has affected their day-to-day work. We also dig into the shooting strategies they employ for each game and how their images are used by NBA Photos. Butler noted that in the past, a cover photo on Sports Illustrated would have been seen by approximately 3 million subscribers and, now, with tethering and instant feeds, a game photo can be seen by up to 30 million subscribers to the NBA Instagram feed within five minutes of the photo having been taken. Whether you are into sports photography, event and production photography, or NBA history, this episode is for you.

Guests: Nat Butler and Andrew Bernstein Photograph © Andrew Bernstein/ NBAE / Getty Images

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Wendy Ewald: Photography Education and the Power of Collaboration Oct 01, 2020

It is important to be reminded of the power of photography to educate and explore, and to be a vehicle of self-expression, even self-realization. Equally crucial—through process and through memory—photography’s ability to bring people together, to share and to collaborate, is vital. On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome a photographer who has built her life’s work around this idea of education through creative collaboration. For more than forty years, Wendy Ewald has lead documentary “investigations” and collaborative projects that encourage the participants to use cameras to examine their own lives, families, and communities, and to make images of their fantasies and dreams. During these projects, she also photographs—normally with a 4 x 5 camera—and asks her students and subjects to then manipulate her images and negatives, further engaging with the process and adding to the authorship of the final work.

With support of the most prestigious fellowships, from universities, NGOs, even from camera and film manufacturers, Ewald has directed photography programs in South America, India, Africa, Canada, and most notably in Appalachia. In the 1970s, Ewald worked with schools and the Appalshop media center to teach photography to children living in rural Kentucky and in 1985 published the groundbreaking book Portraits and Dreams: Photographs and Stories by Children of the Appalachians. This book has been an inspiration to countless educators and community photographers and this year, Mack Books has published an expanded edition, which includes updates on the lives of several of the original students. Also, Ewald has co-directed a documentary film on the project and the reunion with her former students, which recently aired on the PBS program POV.

Join us as we speak with Ewald about teaching in Kentucky and elsewhere, about the power of collaboration and creative expression, and about reuniting with her former students and the making of her powerful documentary.

Guest: Wendy Ewald

Photograph © Russel Akemon, from the book, "Portraits and Dreams" by Wendy Ewald

Walter Iooss, Jr. -- Photographer for Life Sep 24, 2020

For the headline of this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we lifted a line from our guest’s own Instagram bio. It would have been too easy to title a show with Walter Iooss, Jr. “Sports Photography Legend” or some such, but that pigeonholes Iooss too easily, and does not recognize the scope of his engagement with photography and with the creative process. Yes, Walter Iooss, Jr. is sports photography. He has over 300 Sports Illustrated covers to his name, his first professional gig was at age 17, and for six decades he has photographed several Hall of Fames’s worth of athletes, including names like Arnold, Mary Lou, Muhammad, and Tiger, and his work with Michael Jordan is unparalleled. Also—every Super Bowl. But he has also photographed rock stars, models, fashion and commercial assignments, portraits, and documentary series. And he tells us of his love for music and that if not for a twist of fate, he might have been a musician. The man is a creator for life, a photographer for life.

With Iooss, our conversation takes a leisurely approach, touching on a few of his more memorable photos and some of the interesting lesser knowns; the breadth of his work alone could keep us talking for hours. Along the way, we learn a little about his upbringing, the love for music, his mentors, and the time he shot for Atlantic Records. We discuss how he builds a composition, whether it be an action shot during a game or a complicated portrait setup. We also talk about using a giant Polaroid camera, the coming of auto-focus, and Canon DSLRs. Join us for this pleasant conversation that is sure to interest not only fans of sports, but fans of photography.

Guest: Walter Iooss, Jr.

Photograph © Walter Iooss, Jr.

Fotografiska and a New Model for Photography Museums Sep 17, 2020

As museums in New York and around the world begin to reopen in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a brand-new museum is facing the challenge of its grand reopening in the competitive New York City art and culture world. We welcome to the B&H Photography Podcast the inaugural Director of Exhibitions of Fotografiska, Amanda Hajjar, to discuss the unique model of this for-profit arts center and their plans to make a mark on the photography scene in New York. After opening in December 2019, Fotografiska New York was forced to close after just ninety days, and of course, we will also ask Hajjar how they handled the quarantine disruption and are adjusting to the new protocols placed on museums.

Fotografiska New York is the third of three like-named museums, with more scheduled to open around the world. The original began in Stockholm, Sweden in 2010 and adopted a different paradigm than the traditional museum—it displays a wide range of photography styles, it has no permanent collection, and it works with the artists themselves to design the exhibitions. It also relies on admission sales as well as café, restaurant, and special event business to generate income. It created much buzz in the months before opening in New York, and its initial reviews were positive, for both its events and photo exhibition programming.

We speak with Hajjar about their exhibition philosophy and how their model facilitates an institution able to react to and comment on current social issues as well as examine relevant images from the past. We discuss their attempt to create a hybrid between gallery and museum and shine a light on their current exhibitions, including works by Cooper & Gorfer and by Martin Schoeller. Finally, we get to the bottom of what the word Fotografiska really means. Join us for this enjoyable conversation.

Guest: Amanda Hajjar

Photograph: Courtesy Fotografiska

Allan's Ten Favorite Lenses Sep 10, 2020

This is a wonderful conversation for fans of mirrorless cameras, of classic lens design, of the venerable M-mount, and, really, of photography. The joy that our host Allan Weitz exudes while discussing a few of his current favorite lenses is as contagious as it is educational. And I feel that this episode provides a bolt of creative curiosity that might infuse my own photography.

For this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we asked Weitz to draw up a list of 10 favorite lenses from his personal collection. To be sure, these are not lenses sitting on a shelf or behind glass; these are accessible, affordable lenses that he incorporates regularly into his photography practice, but each has a certain signature or special feature that merits recognition. Most, like the Voigtländer VM 40mm f/2.8 Heliar Lens for Sony E-Mount or the 7Artisans Photoelectric 50mm f/1.1 Lens for Leica M can be purchased new, while some, such as the Zeiss Hologon T* 16mm f/8 lens, are still readily found in the used market. Others, like the Nikon NIKKOR 50mm f/1.2 lens, are perennial favorites, while the Voigtländer Nokton 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical Lens seems classic but is relatively new to the market.

While discussing these lenses, we stumble upon a mound of good photography chatter, including practical uses for these optics, tips for using extension tubes and mount adapters, notes on camera history, and plain simple fun facts. Toward the end of the episode we talk about the B&H Used Department, and Jason Tables and I share our current favorite lenses as well.

Join us for this breezy but informative episode and let us know your favorite lenses in the Comment section below.

Photograph © Allan Weitz

The Book Exists—Joan Liftin, Minor Matters Books, and “The Unconcerned Photographer” Sep 03, 2020

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome editor, educator, and photographer Joan Liftin and Michelle Dunn Marsh, founder and publisher at Minor Matters. In the first half of the show, we speak with Liftin about her latest book, Water for Tears, and then we focus on Minor Matters and the unique business model this publishing house utilizes.

We also discuss the person who brought them together, the late photographer Charles Harbutt. Liftin was married to Harbutt and was his collaborator, and Marsh has recently published a book of Harbutt’s work and words, titled The Unconcerned Photographer.

With Liftin we relate the genesis of Water for Tears, which is a sort of photo memoir—images from travel and family and fleeting impressions that tie together a lifetime. We discuss editing, sequencing, collaboration, and the subtle difference between narrative and story. We also talk about editing Harbutt’s work and, along with Marsh, about the making of The Unconcerned Photographer.

After a break, Marsh elaborates on the publishing model they employ at Minor Matters—a hybrid of crowdfunding, support membership, and a direct, organic connection between artist, publisher, and consumer. Have a look at their catalog, which presents work from established photographers and new voices in the medium. Join us for this compelling discussion.

Guests: Joan Liftin and Michelle Dunn Marsh

Photograph © Joan Liftin

Becoming Sculpture - Cameraless Photography, with Alison Rossiter Aug 27, 2020

One of the remarks that stuck with me from this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast was Alison Rossiter’s casual mention, “I know how to rock a tray.” Rossiter is noted for her cameraless fine art photo prints, often made on expired photographic paper, some sheets dating back one hundred years or more. Her comment was a simple reference to how she guides developing solution over paper in the darkroom, but understanding the time and dedication she has put into her darkroom techniques, it seemed the ideal understatement for her refined yet simple processes, which include traditional photo printing, photograms, light drawings, and her current exploration, which enables vintage photo paper to speak for itself, processed and fixed, but free from the bullying dominance of projected light.

With her ongoing exhibit, Substance of Density 1918-1948, at the Yossi Milo gallery, through September 26, 2020, Rossiter presents a “chronology of assemblages” made of expired photographic papers from her personal collection. Papers chosen from specific years create a minimalist narrative through three specific decades of the 20th Century, suggesting a relationship between these photographic “leftovers” and historical events of those years. The exposed photo papers are grouped and presented in such a way to form dynamic abstract compositions, made more contemplative by the paper’s own history. The work is a creative comment on a range of themes fundamental to 20th-century film photography: archival preservation, industrial production, physical and chemical degradation, social justice, and even the medium’s creative response to painting and sculpture.

With Rossiter we speak about her darkroom techniques and supplies, about her evolution to cameraless photography, about sourcing expired paper, and the incredible gifts she has received in that regard. We also discuss the thrill of developing paper to find the clues of previous owners and the “fails” of the aged emulsion. Primarily, we revel in imagination and the stories that can be told when the past speaks to us through the still verdant magic of the darkroom. Join us for this unique episode.

Guest: Alison Rossiter

Photograph © Alison Rossiter

All in the Family with Julie Blackmon and the New Normal for Photo Galleries Aug 20, 2020

We present a fun conversation on this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast,, perhaps due to the midwestern charm of photographer Julie Blackmon and the matter-of-fact discussion of her wonderful tableau vivants of family life in middle America.

We also welcome back to the show gallery owner Robert Mann, who is currently hosting an exhibit of Blackmon’s photographs titled Talent Show. Mann was a guest on our show in 2018 when we spoke about the work of Australian photographer Murray Fredericks.

Blackmon also has an exhibit at Fotografiska New York titled Fever Dreams, which runs until October 18, 2020.

The medium format compositions of Julie Blackmon infuse innocent playtime with a creeping sense of danger to create works with a wonderful dark humor. There is also a welcomed D-I-Y spirit to her work and we talk about the creation of her photos and the involvement of her own family and friends in the images; even photos that have up to twenty-five subjects are produced and organized with her sisters and fellow parents. She is hands-on in all aspects of the work, including making the large prints herself. We also talk about her use of the Hasselblad H system and how she combines wide angle and normal perspectives in her detailed final prints.

After a break, Robert Mann takes the lion’s share of the questions as we discuss the many challenges faced by photography galleries. In addition to the expense of a brick and mortar gallery and the proliferation of online viewing and sales, the COVID pandemic has forever changed the idea of a public art gallery. Mann relates the decision to close his Chelsea gallery and receive collectors on a by-appointment basis, as well as his thoughts on creating editions and limiting prints and the general state of the fine-art photo market.

Join us for this enlightening four-way conversation as we gain insight from the perspective of both the artist and the gallerist.

Guests: Julie Blackmon and Robert Mann

Photograph © Julie Blackmon

New Camera and Lens Announcements—Summer 2020 Aug 13, 2020

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome Kevin Rickert, who is a camera and lighting sales trainer for B&H. In other words, he teaches and updates the Pro Photo staff on all the features and specs of new cameras and often gets these cameras in his hands well before anyone else. Could there be a better guest for this episode, in which we discuss the many recent camera and lens announcements from the major manufacturers?

Much of the chatter in new camera circles has been about the Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6, as well as the Nikon Z5 and the Sony Alpha a7S III, but Olympus and Leica have also put out impressive new cameras in recent weeks. There have in addition been several interesting lens announcements over the course of the summer, including the HD PENTAX-D FA* 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW lens and affordable fixed-aperture telephoto lenses from Canon and Tokina. We also take a look back at the XT-4 and X100V cameras by FUJIFILM that were announced toward the beginning of the year and discuss a few compact cameras from Sony and Panasonic aimed at the travel and vlogger set. Join us for this comprehensive and very informative discussion of the new photography gear announced in 2020.

Guest: Kevin Rickert

A History of Hip-Hop Photography (Encore) Aug 06, 2020

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, licensing of images. 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 us for this incredible conversation.

Janette Beckman began her career at the dawn of punk rock in the U.K., photographing The Clash, Sex Pistols, and Boy George, as well as three Police album covers. Moving to New York in 1982, she was drawn to the underground hip-hop scene and photographed pioneers such as Run DMC, Slick Rick, Salt’n’Pepa, Grandmaster Flash, and Big Daddy Kane. She has published four books and currently has an exhibition of silkscreen prints at 212 Arts in New York.

Eric Johnson has created iconic hip-hop images of Notorious B.I.G, Lauryn Hill, Dipset, Li’l Wayne, and newer artists like G Herbo and Cakes da Killa. His work stretches across music genres to include Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Maxwell and, for the past decade, he has helmed Upstairs at Eric’s, a loft space in Manhattan that is equal parts studio, gallery, disco, lounge, and design studio.

Danny Hastings has shot 150 album covers and directed more than 40 music videos. Listed in Complex Magazine as one of the rap photographers every rap fan should know, his most notable album covers include Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Big Pun’s Capital Punishment, Nas’s IA, as well as album art for Raekwon, Eminem, and Jeru the Damaja. Hastings is now directing his second feature film.

Vikki Tobak is a journalist, correspondent, and former CNN producer who currently writes and produces for Complex, Mass Appeal, and The FADER. She is the author of Contact High: Hip-Hop Photography + Visual Culture, an upcoming book from Penguin/Random House.

Guests: Janette Beckman, Eric Johnson, Danny Hastings, Vikki Tobak

Internal Thoughts about Past Histories: Aaron Turner and Laylah Amatullah Barrayn Jul 30, 2020

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we present a conversation with two photographers. We start with Aaron Turner, who is also a scholar, an archivist, and the host of the podcast “Photographers of Color.” Turner will stay with us as we later speak with Laylah Amatullah Barrayn about her street portraiture during the COVID-19 outbreak in New York and the recent uprising in Minneapolis.

With Turner, we talk about the genesis of The Center for Photographers of Color, which is currently located at the School of Arts at the University of Arkansas, and how it grew from a Twitter feed as an attempt to recognize and connect the many African-American photographers both currently working and of historical significance and influence. We discuss the Center and its research, exhibition, archiving goals, and overall mission to develop and maintain a community of photographers. We also chat with Turner about his personal photography and how that has evolved over the years from photojournalism to documentary to a more conceptual form integrating personal and cultural histories.

After a break, we welcome Laylah Amatullah Barrayn and jump right into a conversation about her decision to return to her Brownsville, Brooklyn neighborhood to photograph the residents during the early uncertain days of the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition to an assignment on funeral directors, she created a wonderful series on the fashion and cultural statements of wearing a mask. We also speak about her work in Minneapolis during the June uprising there, and how she focused on portraiture of the residents, as opposed to the protests themselves. We also discuss technique with a FUJIFILM mirrorless system and a 35mm lens, the need to bear witness, the value of working with a community of photographers, and the “power of the archive.”

Join us for this wide-ranging and passionate conversation about the importance of recognizing tradition, supporting your fellow photographers, and pushing for necessary changes within the photography sphere and the culture at large.

Guests: Aaron Turner and Laylah Amatullah Barrayn

Photograph © Aaron Turner

Garden Photography with Larry Lederman Jul 23, 2020

Whether photographing your own garden or the sculpted acreage of the Rockefellers, following the light and finding infinite new angles to present the flora is time well spent. That is the clear takeaway from this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast with photographer Larry Lederman. However, we also discuss practical tips on bracketing, histograms, tripods, and zoom lenses for medium format cameras. It really is a nice chat with a photographer who has found pleasure in photographing not only his own garden, but some of the most immaculate gardens, both public and private, on the East Coast.

Lederman is the author of six books featuring his botanical and horticultural photography, including the upcoming Garden Portraits: Experiences of Natural Beauty, which will be published by The Monacelli Press on October 13, 2020 and is available for pre-order. He has photographed for the New York Botanical Garden and other famed gardens in the New York area and brings a perspective that, forgive me, sees the forest for the trees. He understands blending the universal with the personal and capturing his impression of the natural and designed beauty while also illustrating the unique essence that the gardener, landscape architect, or owner has created.

Largely self-taught as a photographer, Lederman discusses his transition from using Leica M system cameras to the Nikon D850 and the Pentax 645Z system. We also talk about his preference for zoom lenses, the relationship he feel between architecture and landscape photography, his technique when approaching a new space, and the need to return to a garden in all four seasons, often starting in winter, in order to fully understand and depict these spaces that are both natural and human-made. Join us for this informative chat and let us know in the Comments section the tricks and techniques you use to photograph the gardens in your life. Also join Larry Lederman as he leads a webinar for B&H on October 28, 2020.

Guest: Larry Lederman

Photograph © Larry Lederman

Profoto Lighting with Cliff Hausner and Shar Taylor Jul 16, 2020

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we discuss lighting gear from the best, with the best, Shar Taylor and Cliff Hausner of Profoto. Taylor is a past guest on our show and Hausner is one of the most recognized people in the New York photo industry, having worked for a variety of companies and events, and being an established photographer in his own right. While we do talk specifically about Profoto’s latest light modifiers and AirX updates for iPhones, we also take a minute to get to know the work of our guests, including Hausner’s work lighting the annual team photo for the New York Giants football team and his biannual trip to Washington D.C. to light the official photo of the U.S. House of Representatives.

During the second half of our conversation, we really dig into the range of lighting options that Profoto has to offer for the professional studio photographer, including the Pro-10 Power Pack, and for the photographer who needs portable lighting solutions, such as the C1 Plus. Our guests also offer insights as to why Profoto’s emphasis on simple design and ease of use attracts new customers who might be timid venturing into the world of off-camera lighting as well as seasoned professionals who recognize the value of a proven system. We discuss the incorporation of LED lighting into their systems, the advantages of TTL, and compatibility across lines. You can be sure that both the incredible B10 and B10 Plus Flash Heads are discussed, as is the D2i Industrial Monolight.

Join us for this very informative and, at times, hilarious conversation.

Guests: Cliff Hausner and Shar Taylor

Redefine the Medium – A Conversation with Duane Michals Jul 09, 2020

Our conversation on this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast is with the fabulous and innovative Duane Michals. Of the many comments he made about his photography practice, a practice that has been commercially and artistically successful for almost sixty years, one that stood out was his aside that “photography has failed [him] as an art form.” The comment comes late in our conversation but refers to the idea that his goal of pure expression is not accommodated by photography alone, he needs to turn to sequential narrative, to writing on photo prints, even to painting on photos to get to the expression that he wants to convey.

For anyone looking for how-tos or technique tips, you’ve come to the wrong episode, but to light the path to a true artistic self-expression, Michals’ words hold much promise. We spoke with him about a range of subjects, from how a constant curiosity combined with good work habits fueled his work and success. We talk about his working-class upbringing, his youthful adventures to Texas and later, to the U.S.S.R. during the Cold War, where he first took photos in earnest. About specific images, we asked about his “Death Comes to an Old Lady,” and he also related a story about photographing Warren Beatty in a New York hotel room. We even spoke about Canon cameras and the references he draws upon for his work, from Walt Whitman and William Blake to Pierre Bonnard and Robert Frank, but mostly we discuss his creative instincts and process, which seem to start and end with the idea, “if you already know what you’re going to do, then you’re not being creative.” Join us for this insightful conversation with a true photographic innovator.

Guest: Duane Michals

Photograph © Duane Michals, Courtesy DC Moore Gallery, New York

OPTIC 2020 Roundup: New Gear from Canon and Sigma Jul 02, 2020

This week on the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome two old friends of the podcast to talk about the latest gear from their respective companies. First up is Rudy Winston, Technical Advisor at Canon USA, and then we welcome Marc Farb, Technical Rep from Sigma. Both Winston and Farb are breaking records with this, their fifth visit to our show.

With Rudy Winston, we discuss a few cameras that were released last year or earlier in 2020, such as the EOS 6D Mark II DSLR and the EOS 1D X Mark III DSLR, in order to get a sense of how they are being received, and then we briefly discuss what may be the most-anticipated camera of 2020, the upcoming Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital Camera. In addition, we talk about the latest Rebel T8i DSLR, CF Express memory cards, and the incredible RF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens.

After a short break, we start our conversation with Marc Farb, discussing the impressive Sigma fp Mirrorless Camera, which was announced almost a year ago but has become the latest big deal for those wanting a compact full frame camera that can be the basis of both a complete photo or cine system. From there, we talk lenses. Sigma continues to produce incredible lenses in all categories and for most major camera systems, including the 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Lens for the Sony E system and the just-announced 16mm f/1.4 DC DN and 30mm f/1.4 DC DN for L-mount systems. After a quick mention of Sigma’s adapters and their new UD-11 USB Dock for Leica L-mount lenses, Farb relates an all-time favorite lens of his that is ideal for sports, wedding, and concert photographers, among others: the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports Lens.

Join us for this informative and practical discussion of the most interesting new gear from Canon and Sigma.

Guests: Rudy Winston and Marc Farb

Saul Leiter and the Saul Leiter Foundation Jun 25, 2020

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome Margit Erb and Michael Parillo, of the Saul Leiter Foundation, to discuss Saul Leiter’s career and their work preserving the art and the legacy of this pioneer of color photography.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Leiter veered from the traditional religious path his parents desired for him and moved to New York City to follow his own calling. Met with early success in the 1950s—Leiter’s photography was included in exhibits at MoMA and he built a steady career as a fashion photographer for Esquire and Harper’s Bazaar—by the 1980s, he was forced to give up his studio and struggled financially, but late in life his huge archive of color street photography, much of which was unseen beyond a few curators and colleagues, became a treasure chest of fine art photography. A painter and photographer, he left behind a tremendous amount of work, including hundreds of rolls of unprocessed film, that has been entrusted to Erb and the Leiter Foundation.

We talk with Erb and Parillo about Leiter’s early life, his growth as a photographer, his shooting style, his work in fashion, and even how he turned down an invitation to be included in the legendary “Family of Man” exhibition at MoMA. After a break, we discuss the nuts and bolts of organizing and maintaining an archive that is at once massive and unwieldy and a never-ending source of inspiration. Join us for this fascinating conversation about a photographer whose complete body of work is yet to be fully appreciated.

Guests: Margit Erb and Michael Parillo

Photograph © Saul Leiter Foundation, courtesy of Howard Greenberg Gallery

Leica Ambassadors Ashly Stohl and Craig Semetko Jun 18, 2020

Today on the B&H Photography Podcast we are joined by Craig Semetko, a documentary and street photographer who is much more than those two descriptors. He came to photography from a career in performance and comedy and that makes a lot of sense, noting the observational skill and humor found in his compositions. His first book, UNPOSED, published in 2010, with a forward by Elliott Erwitt, was followed by India Unposed, in 2014. Sly, ironic, absurd, all come to mind when you see the moments he captures and we talk about how it’s hard to photograph “funny,” about attitudes and techniques, and the difference between laughing with someone and at them. We also ask about the work he has done during the pandemic shutdown.

After a break, we welcome photographer Ashly Stohl. A Leica Ambassador, Stohl’s best known work concentrates on her family, particularly her three children. She is also the publisher and co-founder of Peanut Press, begun in 2015 with her first book, Charth Vader, which takes a look at her youngest son, clearly a big fan of Star Wars. Her second book, Days and Years, follows up with an intimate portrait of her three children.

A quote from Stohl sums up why she is a welcome judge for our Leica Photo Challenge: “There is a saying that all portraits are really self-portraits. So, what are portraits of your kids? They are portraits of a parent. I take pictures of my kids, and if you’ll look closely you’ll also see me in there—my worries and fears, my attempts to correct the problems of my own childhood, my heart and my struggles.”

Join us for this inspiring and enjoyable episode.

Photograph © Craig Semetko

2020 OPTIC Conference Preview, with Lisa Langell and Pete McBride Jun 04, 2020

We encourage all of our listeners to register for the free digital online edition of the Outdoor Photo/Video Travel Imaging Conference (OPTIC) 2020 hosted by B&H and sponsored by Panasonic, Sony, Nikon, Canon, FUJIFILM, Godox, and many others. As most of you know, the B&H Photography Podcast has regularly attended this annual conference, in New York, and recorded wonderful interviews with the likes of Michael Kenna, Joyce Tenneson, and Ron Magill. This year, the conference will be held online, but still with an incredible lineup of photographers and speakers, including keynote speker Clyde Butcher.

On today’s episode of the podcast, we offer a taste of the photographic insight found at OPTIC. First, we welcome wildlife and bird photographer Lisa Langell, who is also at Tamron and FotoPro Ambassador. With her photo gracing the cover of the current issue of Outdoor Photographer magazine, Langell discusses creating wildlife photography for the home and hotel décor market, about her favorite places in Alaska to photograph bear, and about the personal and interactive way she hosts seminars and webinars. She provides food for thought to those looking for new ways to photograph wildlife.

After a break, we welcome National Geographic photographer and Sony Artisan of Light Pete McBride. McBride speaks of his amazing 750-mile walk across the Grand Canyon, which became a NatGeo story, and also a book and a feature-length documentary. At OPTIC you will get the full story—from “River to Rim”—along with images, but we also spoke with McBride about his long-term work shooting the world’s river systems; we gained some insight into aerial photography; and learned how his Sony a7RII weathered a year in the Grand Canyon—and with which he created not only a magazine story, but a book and a movie with that one camera.

Guests: Lisa Langell and Pete McBride

Photograph © Lisa Langell

Comedian Jeff Garlin May 28, 2020

Today we welcome a special guest to the B&H Photography Podcast: actor and comedian Jeff Garlin.

Jeff Garlin is well-known as a stand-up comedian and, of course, as a star of the hit television shows, The Goldbergs and Curb Your Enthusiam. About fifteen years ago, he turned a love for photography, for the work of the masters—Alfred Eisenstadt, Jim Marshall, Mary Ellen Mark, to name a few—into his own photographic practice, and we are all the beneficiaries of his engaged eye.

In March, Garlin debuted his series, “A Big Bowl of Wonderful,” at the Leica Gallery Los Angeles, and we talk to him about how this series of portraits of his co-stars and friends in the television community—many taken on set or backstage—developed over a long curve, one founded in respect for the medium and applied with a simple stratagem: see something interesting and frame it in the most creative way possible. With that in mind, we talk about trusting your gut, not overthinking a shot, being comfortable with your subjects, but also about gaining the confidence to take photos, especially of those you know and respect.

Garlin also talks about his affinity for Leica, especially the M system, about the difference between actors and comedians, and talking photography with Jeff Bridges. We also ask him about his role as executive producer on the film, Finding Vivian Maier. This really is a photography lover’s conversation, summed up best by one of Garlin’s comments: “I’m taking a picture because it brings me joy.” Join us for a great episode.

Guest: Jeff Garlin

Photograph © Jeff Garlin

Fear of Flying? Pfft! – Women Drone Photographers May 21, 2020

As an industry and as a hobby, the numbers indicate that drone flying and drone photography are still primarily the domain of men, but sustaining this disparity is ridiculous and it should and will change. Our two guests today are part of bringing about that change, and they do so by being good at their craft, by spreading the joy of flying, and teaching drone operation and photography to women and girls.

Our first guest today is an Emmy Award-winning camerawoman for CBS News and F.A.A. licensed drone pilot Carmaine Means, who incorporates quadcopter footage into her news coverage and, of course, flies for fun. After a break, we are joined by Yasmin Tajik, a documentary photographer and F.A.A. licensed drone operator who is also the Brand Ambassador Director for the educational and advocacy group Women Who Drone.

We get to know the work of each guest, asking Means how and when she decides to use aerial footage in a news segment, what her personal guidelines are for putting up a drone, and what the planning stage is like with her producers. We also talk about the value of certain aerial shots in telling a story, about the equipment she uses, and handling the drones in various conditions. Currently, she flies with a DJI Phantom and an Inspire.

With Yasmin Tajik, we mention the Federal Aviation Administration licensing process and she recommends the FAA Drone Zone as a good place to start. We also ask her about using drones in documentary work and some of the restrictions placed on flying in the U.S. and other countries. As a resident of Arizona, she discusses some of the advantages of flying in that state, as well as unique guidelines they have established. We also speak about how she learned to fly after initially being hesitant, the work done by Women Who Drone, and taking her Tello Quadcopter into schools and the interest it generates from the next generation of flyers. Tajik also points to the many industries and services that are incorporating drones and the growing opportunities available for licensed pilots, but we don’t forget to talk about the joy she gets by using her DJI Mavic 2 to provide a perspective on the world that our land-based cameras can never match.

Join us for this enjoyable and inspirational conversation and if you are a female drone flyer, we’d love to hear your experiences and see your images.

Guests: Carmaine Means and Yasmin Tajik

Photograph © Yasmin Tajik

Food Photography and Food Styling May 14, 2020

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we talk about food photography with photographer Chelsea Kyle and food stylist Drew Aichele. There are few photography disciplines that are as complicated as food photography. With the pressure of time, heat, cold, color, and light, a small team must work together to create an image that realistically illustrates the sumptuousness of a dish, but also is a visually striking composition. Collaboration is key and, in this case, it’s fortunate that Kyle and Aichele are also a couple, engaged to be married. We are grateful they were able to join us today.

We discuss aspects of the professional process from client and editor, to recipe experts, to the stylists and photographers, and ask who determines what the “look” will be and how that is played out on set. We also discuss camera and lenses, lighting gear, and all accessories that are used in this space, which is part kitchen, part workshop, and part photo studio. Kyle stumps host Allan Weitz, mentioning a piece of grip gear with which even he is not familiar.

Because our guests live together, and despite the huge hit the industry has taken, they have been able to work during the shutdown, and we discuss how they have adapted to handling all aspects of a shoot within their own kitchen. We talk about sourcing supplies when many stores and bakeries are closed, about using Zoom to direct a remote shoot, and speculate on the future of this very collaborative profession.

Join us for this insightful episode and let us know how these tough times have affected your photography… and your cooking.

Guests: Chelsea Kyle and Drew Aichele

Above photograph © Chelsea Kyle

Ray Collins - The Two Ingredients are Water and Light May 07, 2020

Ray Collins’s portraits of waves are hard to describe because you don’t want to describe them. Like the wave itself, the photographic abstraction refuses words; indescribable and amorphous become unique and powerful in his hands. One look at his work and it’s clear that he is in his element in the surf, transforming what he knows so well into a profound and universal statement.

We have been looking forward to speaking with Collins for a while, and are very pleased to present our conversation with him on this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast. We start our chat asking how he went from being a coal miner in New South Wales, Australia, to a photographer, and then melding that new love with his first love, surfing and the ocean. It’s a good story and it gets better as we learn how he transitioned from surf photography to fine-art photography and book publishing.

We ask about working in the ocean, the dangers, “knowing” certain waves, and the ability to maneuver his gear and body to anticipate the photos he wants to capture. We also discuss the gear he uses, from his Nikon D850 to Aquatech housing, to the surprising range of lenses he uses in the water. We also discuss the non-photo equipment he needs to stay afloat and navigate.

After a short break, we discuss his post-process decisions and how he looks for texture as much as color when deciding upon which images he prefers. Interestingly, for a photographer whose color work is so gorgeous, Collins is color blind and he talks about how he has turned that into an advantage for him. We also chat about printmaking and book publishing with this incredibly talented and friendly photographer. Join us for an inspiring conversation and check out the work of Ray Collins.

Guest: Ray Collins

Above photograph © Ray Collins

Contemporary Photography from Africa, with Ekow Eshun Apr 30, 2020

This week on the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome journalist, curator, and author Ekow Eshun to discuss his incredible new book, Africa State of Mind.

With more than 250 photographs by fifty photographers, the book is a gorgeous collection of contemporary art photography from throughout Africa. Established artists such as Pieter Hugo and Zanele Muholi are profiled, along with many lesser-known photographers working in (and between) a range of genres. Supported by Eshun’s insightful commentary, the book delves into the unique voices depicting their Africa experience today.

Our conversation begins with the master portrait photographers of the mid 20th century, such as Malick Sidibé, but quickly jumps to the contemporary as we ask about his research for the book, the book’s four intriguing sections, and the common threads that tie together the varied photographers’ work.

"I was really interested in photographers who aren't interested in reality per se… who don't claim that their photos are what is!" Like our conversation, this book offers an introduction to the artists, from Morocco to South Africa, who are utilizing their subjective experiences and particular talents to reimagine what it means to be African. Join us for this informative and enjoyable discussion.

Guest: Ekow Eshun

Photograph © Ruth Ossai

Steve Winter – The Real Tiger King Apr 23, 2020

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome National Geographic photographer Steve Winter back to the program. Winter joined us, in 2016, to discuss his wildlife photography, specifically his work photographing cougars in the hills of Los Angeles, California, and today we will be discussing tigers.

Over the past several years, Winter has been working on stories about tigers, initially in Sumatra, Thailand, and India, but most recently in the United States, where there are more tigers in captivity than exist in their increasingly shrinking natural habitats in Asia. The majority of these tigers are pets, are in sanctuaries, or are used as part of small private zoos and tourist attractions. His most recent story for NatGeo, which was honored with a 2020 World Press Photo award, explores this phenomenon—the good, the bad, and very ugly of it.

We speak with Winter about the production and research for this series, about photographing the animals, as well as the owners, handlers, and tourists, and the dangers of each. We discuss how he utilized his news and documentary skills, in addition to his wildlife photography experience, and about the gear decisions he made to help bring this story to life. We also dig into the practice of breeding, crossbreeding, and maintaining predator cats for profit and the issues of illegal trafficking, tiger farms, and of legitimate sanctuaries. Finally, we focus on the positive changes that have come from Winter’s many stories on the world’s big cats.

Guest: Steve Winter

Photograph © Steve Winter for National Geographic

It is What It is—Mark Mann on Portrait Photography (Encore) Apr 17, 2020

This episode was originally published on March 14, 2019. It's pretty funny. Enjoy this encore presentation and we'll be back with a new episode next week. Thanks so much for listening!

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Today, we welcome portrait photographer Mark Mann to the B&H Photography Podcast and, as Allan notes at the top of the show, if you name a celebrity or famous politician, Mann has probably photographed them. His body of work is incredible. As an example, in 2014, he was tapped by Esquire to photograph eighty boys and men, from age one to eighty, for its 80th anniversary issue. That “who’s-who” list alone would make a career, and it was just one year for Mann.

Over the course of this engaging conversation, we touch on many topics, from interaction with subjects, to gear choices (Leica medium format S and full-frame SL systems), to retouching, to shooting with or without a tripod. We also dig into his early career, when he assisted legends like Nick Knight and Miles Aldridge and what he calls the “slow grind” of years of freelance work. While Mann is known for tight-cropped, high-resolution portraits, we also discuss his motion and After Effects work, how he “grounds” himself by occasionally shooting with a Graflex and antique lenses and, of course, the development of his signature lighting techniques.

Also joining us is Cory Rice, who photographed Mann as part of the What is Photography? portrait series and asks pertinent questions on portraiture. Our conversation is loaded with belly laughs as Mann recounts his portrait sessions with Bill Murray, Robin Williams, President Obama, and others. Join us for this enjoyable and informative episode and don’t forget to join the B&H Photography Facebook group.

Guest: Mark Mann and Cory Rice

Ike and Tash – Faith, Hope, and Wedding Photography Apr 08, 2020

Ike & Tash are a husband-and-wife photography team. You know what? They tell it better than I can.

“We are a FAMILY business, a LEGACY business, a husband-wife team that found our dream and our FUTURE behind the lens. With our 3-year-old daughter, Wisdom, we travel around the country teaching photographers, taking pictures and making memories... all the while helping others to keep theirs, forever.”

Ike & Tash joined us for a conversation at the Depth of Field Conference to talk about their wedding and engagement photography, senior portraiture, and work as educators and mentors. We touched on photo, business and family topics and how they individually and collectively approach storytelling. We also find out why Ike loves the Nikon Z system so much. It was just a really nice chat that made clear how a business is “built on integrity.” That’s the first part of this week’s B&H Photography Podcast.

Understanding how the wedding photography business has been particularly affected by the coronavirus outbreak, we asked Ike & Tash to send us a quick follow-up on how they’ve been doing the past few weeks, and they were kind enough to agree.

We thank Ike & Tash for joining us and our listeners for sticking with the show these past few weeks. We look forward to a holiday break next week and to coming back with great new episodes. We also appreciate your comments on Apple Podcasts and the B&H Photography Podcast Facebook Group. Enjoy the episode and stay safe.

Guests: Ike and Tash

Photograph © Ike & Tash Photography

Greg Gorman – Lighting Up Hollywood, Then and Now Apr 02, 2020

Flying in directly from a post-Oscar party in Hollywood, Greg Gorman joined us for a conversation at the 2020 Depth of Field Photo Conference this past February, where he was the key-note speaker. Given all that has happened since, it seems like a long time ago, but this is the type of chat we wish would have just kept going, so enjoyable was Gorman and his tales of Hollywood then and now.

Still in-demand by A-listers, Gorman’s work reaches back to touch the Golden Age of Hollywood, with portraits of Brando, Hitchcock, and Orson Welles from his early career and just about everyone else since. It’s not even worth listing the “who’s who;” we do ask about a few famous names and how he got started, but mostly we talk technique and lighting.

We start with his thoughts on film versus digital photography and then delve into his work with continuous lighting compared to strobe and his current penchant for Rotolight LED with Canon and Sony camera systems. We also discuss the importance of gaining the trust of your subjects and having a consistent production team to maintain your desired look, as well as an efficient workflow.

We wrap with a segment on the importance (and difficulty) of self-editing and then touch on the selection and sequencing process for the eleven books he has published and the career retrospective that is in the works and scheduled for publication later this year.

Check out Gorman’s incredible body of work and join us for this fun conversation.

Guest: Greg Gorman

Photograph © Greg Gorman

Photojournalists Covering the Coronavirus Outbreak Mar 26, 2020

Today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast hosts a compelling conversation with four photojournalists who are covering stories related to the COVID-19 outbreak in New York. We discuss the stories they have been photographing, the precautions they are taking, how they’ve adjusted their shooting styles, and about the assignments they are willing to accept and those they would like to pitch.

Joining us are Sarah Blesener, a documentarian covering stories for The New York Times and Wall Street Journal. She is a recipient of an Alexia Foundation grant and is a Catchlight and Eugene Smith fellow. Her 2019 project, Beckon Us From Home, received a first-place prize in the Long-Term Project category of World Press Photo.

We also welcome veteran photojournalist John Taggart, who has worked for The New York Times, the Washington Post, Bloomberg, Reuters, and many other outlets. Based in Brooklyn he is no stranger to the streets and subways of New York.

After a break, we speak with Desiree Rios, a Mexican-American photojournalist and documentary photographer from Fort Worth, Texas. She is currently based in New York, working for The New York Times, but has covered stories from California to Cuba.

Finally, we welcome Andrew Seng, who is based in Brooklyn and also works in Portland. His work focuses on creating a visual archive of the Cambodian diaspora, while questioning the formation of visual ideas of race and identity. He has worked for The New York Times, WNYC, Teach for America, The Los Angeles Times, and The Guardian, among others. Seng has also been a past guest on our show.

Join us for this timely and informative episode.

Guests: Sarah Blesener, John Taggart, Desiree Rios, and Andrew Seng

Photograph © Andrew Seng for The New York Times

’Scuse Me While I Kiss the Sky - Rock Photography of the 1960s Mar 19, 2020

Today, we discuss some of the most recognized images of rock-n-roll history and those that made them.

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 1950s 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 currently producing a book of his images on the seminal rock group, The Band. Landy was the official photographer of the famed Woodstock music festival and responsible for unforgettable images of Van Morrison and Bob Dylan, among others. Elliot is running a Kickstarter campaign to create Contacting the Band, which will take a deep dive into the thousands of photos he took of the group in concert and around their homes, in Woodstock, NY. We encourage you to check the Kickstarter link above and enjoy this episode.

Guests: Amelia Davis and Elliott Landy

Photograph © Jim Marshall Photography LLC

"Under Every Yard of Sky" – Sebastian Meyer and Iraq's First Photo Agency Mar 12, 2020

It’s easy to admire Sebastian Meyer, not simply because he’s a talented photographer who also co-founded the first photojournalism agency in Iraq, but because he is confident enough to speak of his shortcomings, his naiveté, and of tragedy, and not forget the importance of humor.

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome Meyer to discuss his “love at first sight” for photojournalism, how he jump-started his career, the Metrography photo agency he opened in Iraqi Kurdistan, and the colleague and friend he lost to the violence of the war against ISIS.

We also laugh a bunch during this episode and talk about being an “arrogant white guy,” how research can create preconceived ideas, the tropes of war photography, a bit about gear, and about the conditional nature of journalistic standards and freedom of the press.

After a short break, we learn of Meyer’s involvement in a prolonged hostage situation, his return to photojournalism, and how his new book, Under Every Yard of Sky, is not only a beautiful chronicle of modern Iraqi Kurdistan, in war and in peace, but is also a tribute to a friend taken too soon.

Join us for this powerful conversation that touches on so many important issues of the contemporary documentary and photojournalism.

Guest: Sebastian Meyer

Photograph © Sebastian Meyer

A Moment in Time, with Shari Belafonte Mar 05, 2020

Today’s guest, Shari Belafonte knows cameras from both sides and she brings an understanding to the medium that is as palpable as her sense of humor. It was a pleasure to welcome her to the B&H Photography Podcast. Of course, we knew of Shari as the face from so many magazine covers in the 1980s and ’90s—no kidding, every other face at the check-out line melted away when you saw that smile. Of course, she has the same last name as a 20th-century legend (who just turned 93 this week, by the way), but did not use it at the beginning of her professional life. However, as her modeling career grew, so came television and movie roles, and she is currently a regular on the hit show, The Morning Show. Multi-talented? Yes, and we didn’t even talk about her singing voice, but what we didn’t know was that she went to school to work behind the camera and never really put it down, including stills and motion work over the years.

First to admit her modelling career came as a bit of a surprise, Belafonte did have her first professional shoot with none other than Richard Avedon, and that Calvin Klein campaign included a memorable early video component. In that period, she graced the cover of more than 300 magazines, including VOGUE, Jet, and Glamour. We speak with her about learning the modeling craft as she continued to learn the crafts of camera and lighting, working with the likes of Avedon and Francesco Scavullo.

We also flash back a bit and talk about growing up the daughter of singer, actor, and civil-rights activist Harry Belafonte, discussing his Leica cameras, the role of photography in their household, dealing with the press and paparazzi, and a few of the famous shots of her father with his friend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Shari had her first camera at age four and generally spent high school and college in the darkroom before modeling and acting took over. Later, a well-timed gift of the then-new Canon EOS camera reignited her passion for making images and she continued, exhibiting several series of work over the years, shooting stills and BTS on films, even learning Steadi-Cam and “dp’ing” on music videos and shorts. We talk technique, interaction with talent, post-production, and about the power and beauty of creating a “moment in time.” Join us.

Guest: Shari Belafonte

Photograph © Shari Belafonte

Photography Has Nothing to Do with Cameras - A Conversation between Nancy Borowick and Adriane Ohanesian Feb 27, 2020

What obstacles have gotten in the way of your photography? When life’s troubles arise, where do you point your camera? Or do you set it down? Photography can be a weekend hobby or it can be a life’s calling and, for our guests on today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, there is no doubt that photography is part of their very being, and meshed into the most intimate aspects of their lives.

Adriane Ohanesian and Nancy Borowick have been friends since they studied together at the International Center of Photography, and have remained close despite careers that have put them on opposite sides of the globe. Both had specific aspirations while studying, both have received professional recognition as photographers, and both have faced tragedy and pain with a steady hand and unflinching eye. In addition to her many assignments for the likes of Time magazine and the New York Times, Borowick documented her parent’s parallel treatments for stage-four cancer. And as a photojournalist in East Africa, Ohanesian has covered war, refugee crisis, climate change, and illegal mining. Not only has she witnessed and documented extreme human brutality, she has been caught in the crossfire on more than one occasion.

As part of B&H’s content for International Women’s Day, which is on March 8, 2020, we asked Borowick and Ohanesian to join us for a conversation about the role photography has played in their lives and to discuss their careers thus far. For both women, 2019 will be a watershed year—Borowick welcomed her first baby and Ohanesian survived a plane crash that has left her broken but unbowed. After a decade of “the hustle,” they also take a moment to gaze into the future of their photo careers and we are proud to be privy to this conversation and present it to our listeners. Join us for this real-world conversation among two accomplished photographers.

Guests: Adriane Ohanesian and Nancy Borowick

Photograph © Adriane Ohanesian

New Gear Announcements from Depth of Field 2020 Feb 20, 2020

This week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast is a healthy set of conversations with gear representatives and camera experts from several of the major camera and lighting companies that we recorded at the 2020 Depth of Field Conference.

First we speak with Steve Heiner, of Nikon, discussing that company’s new DSLRs, including the flagship D6 and the D780. We also ask about the mirrorless Z system cameras and new lenses for that system. Next up is Joe Edelman, of Olympus, to discuss his company’s new flagship, the OM-D E-M1 Mark III, and its incredible image stabilization system. Our next guest is Shar Taylor, from Profoto, and with her we discuss the A1 AirTTL Studio Light, the Air Remote TTL, as well as the popular Profoto B10 OCF Flash Head.

After a short break, we welcome Casey Krugman, product develop from Luxli, to discuss the incredible LED light panels, including the new Taiko 2x1 RGBAW LED light. Our next guest is food photographer Chelsea Kyle, who joins us on behalf of Canon to discuss the gear she works with, including the Canon EOS 5DS DSLR. Canon has also just announced the new EOS R5 full-frame mirrorless camera and other lenses in development. It has also released the RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM lens for its full-frame mirrorless system.

Following our visit with Chelsea Kyle, we welcome Marc Farb, from Sigma, to update us on the latest news from the L-mount alliance and the Sigma fp Mirrorless Digital Camera. He also discusses new lenses, including the highly anticipated Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art lens for Sony E-mount cameras and the 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art lens from Leica L mount cameras. Our final guest is Jason Mantell, of Sony, who updates us on the latest from the Alpha mirrorless systems, including the Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital Camera and the Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital Camera. Join us for this informative conversation.

Guests: Steve Heiner, Joe Edelman, Shar Taylor, Casey Krugman, Chelsea Kyle, Marc Farb, and Jason Mantell

Nikon (00:00)

Olympus (22:40)

Profoto (37:25)

Luxli (45:15)

Canon (1:03:30)

Sigma (1:20:00)

Sony (1:32:30)

Protect Your Copyright, with David Deal; Episode 1 of "The Disfarmer Case" Feb 13, 2020

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome back to the program intellectual property attorney David Deal to discuss issues regarding copyright infringement, particularly as they involve three high-profile cases in which he is involved.

Deal spoke with us last year about a case he had just litigated, Brammer vs Violent Hues Productions, in which he successfully argued to reverse a lower court’s decision, thus protecting his client’s photograph from copyright infringement. While it was a relatively small case, the decision carried positive ramifications for photographers and should stand as precedent going forward. Deal provides a summary of why that case is so important to photographers. He also brings us up to speed on a high-profile case in which he represents many possible heirs to the copyright of Vivian Maier’s photo catalogue.

On the second half of our show, we will speak with Deal about the current case in which he is involved, regarding the estate of noted rural portrait photographer Mike Disfarmer (1884–1959). This conversation will serve as an introduction to a serial segment we will record with David Deal over the coming months about the Disfarmer images. Disfarmer’s work is well known and sought after in the art world, but the question remains as to who are the rightful heirs of his work and whether they have been properly compensated. Because his images have been reproduced and sold for many years by various vendors, the case is complicated, and Deal walks us through the issues surrounding this fascinating photographer and case, which involves heroes and villains from small-town Arkansas to big-city New York. Keep your eyes (and ears) open for the future segments of this series as Deal and his team work through the many layers of research and legal briefs, hopefully to sort out the legal entanglements and set the record straight.

Guest: David Deal

Photograph © Mike Disfarmer

Photographing Australia’s 2020 Bushfire Season Feb 06, 2020

On the suggestion of a listener, we contacted a few Australian photographers to get their take on the devastating bushfire season that has burned more than 18 million hectares and taken thirty-four lives, since June 2019. We were fortunate to connect with Nick Moir, self-described storm-chaser, wildfire photographer, and current chief photographer at the Sydney Morning Herald. On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we speak with Moir about his experiences photographing this year’s fires, as well as the overall news coverage of this disaster.

Moir won a 2003 World Press Photographers Award for his coverage of that season’s bushfires, so he knows of what he speaks, and we talk with him about his approach to shooting such a dangerous subject, including planning, gear, safety measures, and the type of fire photos he prefers to make. We also discuss with Moir the fire season itself and why this year is so much worse than previous seasons. Finally, we talk about the news coverage of the fires and how his news organization covers the many stories that are part of this disaster, in comparison to how international journalists and news organizations cover the story.

Before we speak with Moir, we welcome David Brommer, organizer of the 2020 Depth of Field Professional Portrait, Wedding, and Event Photography Conference, which takes place here in New York and streams online, on February 11 and 12. Join us for this timely conversation.

Guests: Nick Moir and David Brommer

Photograph: © Nick Moir

Photography Wins! Sara Bennett and Joseph O. Holmes Jan 30, 2020

I don’t know if we’ve ever had two photographers with such divergent styles on the same episode. It would make little sense to even have them on together, except that their individual work is exceptional, and they are married to each other.

This week on the B&H Photography Podcast, we return to a format that has served us well in the past—speaking with a couple who both work in photography. We really hit the jackpot this time, with Joseph O. Holmes and Sara Bennett, not simply because they are interesting photographers and really nice folks but, between them, they embody a wide range of photo skills, from the technical and artistic, to the narrative and journalistic, from portraiture and art photography, to advocacy and social documentary. It’s quite an interesting situation and Holmes and Bennett, each in their own way, offer personal insight into their varied projects, and they also generously allow us a glimpse into how they work together as a couple, raising a family and supporting each other’s work.

Sara Bennett’s photography, which has been published in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, and the PBS/News Hour, grew from her years working as a lawyer, primarily on cases related to battered women and the wrongly convicted. Her portraiture of women in prison and transitioning from incarceration humanizes as it advocates and educates. Her books, Life After Life in Prison, The Bedroom Project, and Looking Inside: Portraits of Women Serving Life Sentences, are beautiful and simple documents that serve a higher purpose, and we talk with Bennett about her intentions and the long process to find the right women to photograph and the complications and joys of photographing in prison.

With Joseph Holmes, we start the conversation with New York City—and I don’t think we ever leave. Holmes could make a great image in a dark closet, but his work has such an understanding of our city and the subjects he has chosen to photograph—“Cooks on Breaks,” “Urban Wilderness,” “Streit’s Matzoh Factory,” and “Tracing the Underground,” are so New York, without ever touching the boiler plate. Blending portraiture, documentary, and street photography, Holmes’s dedication to the photo series and his technical aplomb represent the best of fine-art reportage. His work is represented by Jen Bekman Gallery, and pieces are included in the permanent collection of several museums, including the Lower East Side Tenement Museum and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Check out his photo annuals and enjoy this wonderful conversation as much as we did.

Guests: Sara Bennett and Joseph O. Holmes

Photograph © Joseph O. Holmes

For more information on the Nikon, Sigma and Fujifilm gear discussed in this episode follow this link

To Be or Olivia Bee... Jan 24, 2020

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome editorial, fashion, art, and music photographer Olivia Bee. That’s a lot of tags and she’s earned them all in a relatively short time span. Her “origin story” is well-documented in photo circles, so we won’t go into that much, but in a career now a decade old, we discuss where those early successes have brought her, what she enjoys about photography, and what she is working on now.

With clients that include Hermes, Nike, L’Oreal, Sony, and editorial assignments from Vice, Elle, the New York Times, and Complex Magazine, Bee has created a comprehensive body of commercial work while continuing to evolve the personal aesthetic that got her noticed in the first place. She is also now directing music and other videos and beginning a narrative film effort.

We speak with Bee from her bucolic Oregon acreage and discuss a wide range of topics, from the evolution of her gear, including her current use of 8x10” view cameras, to her self-portraiture techniques, to publishing her first book, Kids in Love, with Aperture. We also spend some time discussing her work with musicians, the different approaches to an editorial assignment with a musician, and working on album art or a portrait. Finally, Bee lets us in on her dream assignment and Allan promises to make that dream come true. Join us for this pleasant and informative conversation.

Guest: Olivia Bee

Photograph © Olivia Bee

Space Odyssey - Photographing the James Webb Space Telescope, with Chris Gunn Jan 16, 2020

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 set-ups. 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

Photograph © Chris Gunn

Clyde Butcher - Photographing the Everglades and Selling Clocks Jan 09, 2020

During a little holiday trip, producer John Harris made a visit to the gallery and studio of photographer Clyde Butcher. For anyone who grew up in Florida, Butcher’s work should be very familiar; his photography is often found on the walls of local libraries, municipal buildings, and, as Miami native Jason Tables points out, “every doctor’s office I’ve ever been in.” Butcher’s images of the Florida landscapes, particularly of the Everglades, are legendary, and although he has a brisk print sales business, many of the photos in libraries have the attached placard, “Donated by Clyde Butcher.”

Although he is known primarily for his large format black-and-white photography of “the swamp,” Butcher’s photographic career extends back over many decades and includes architectural photography, mountain and western landscapes, filmed documentaries, and decorative color photography. Interestingly, Butcher began his career selling prints at small art fairs and, in the 1970s, he had a thriving business selling thousands of prints through department stores such as Sears and Montgomery Ward.

This episode of the B&H Photography Podcast is a casual conversation that glides through several topics including Butcher’s work with large format cameras, his recent foray into Sony digital cameras paired with Canon tilt-shift lenses, the incredible set of vintage enlargers in his giant darkroom space, the business models he and his family employ to market his images, water conservation, and, of course, his relationship to the Florida landscape for which he will be forever linked. Join us for this conversation with a true master.

Guest: Clyde Butcher

Some of Clyde Butcher’s current and future exhibits:

America the Beautiful:

Midwest Museum of American Art April 17, 2020 - July 12, 2020 - Elkhart, IN

Fort Wayne Museum of Art October 1 - December 31, 2021 - Fort Wayne, IN

CUBA:

Ave Maria University December 10th – February 28th 2020 - Ave Maria, FL

IMAG History & Science Center March 6 - May 31, 2020 - Fort Myers, FL

Everglades Exhibit:

Ding Darling Wildlife Society Nov 7, 2019 – February 7, 2020 - Sanibel, FL

The Butler Institute of American Art September 13 – November 22, 2020 - Youngstown, OH

The B&H Photography Podcast – Memorable Moments from 2019 Dec 24, 2019

It’s hard to believe that another year of the B&H Photography Podcast is on the books and, as has become our way, we close out the year with a casual conversation about our most memorable episodes from 2019. But before we get started, a recent count showed that we have listeners in all but 15 countries. To us, that’s remarkable, and we’d like to offer a very heartfelt thank you and best wishes for a happy holiday season to all our listeners around the world. We look forward to your feedback and suggestions for photography conversations in 2020.

Allan Weitz starts off today’s show with a few of his favorite 2019 episodes, including our talk with photographer Stephen Mallon, who documented the recovery of Flight 1549—referred to as the “Miracle on the Hudson”—from the icy waters of the Hudson River after its forced landing in January 2009. On that episode, we welcomed Denise Lockie, a passenger on that flight. Allan also mentions our conversations with Albert Watson and Vince Aletti as favorites and our chats on car photography with Nate Hassler and on D.I.Y. camera makers.

For his part, Jason Tables starts his list with our episode on storm chasing and extreme-weather photography as a favorite. He also recalls “The Copyright Infringement Superhighway” with attorney David Deal, our talk with photographer Corinne May Botz on her series “Milk Factory,” and our hilarious and insightful conversation with portraitist Mark Mann.

John Harris begins with some of the 2019 episodes that performed best in terms of number of downloads, some of which surprised us. He also discusses a few of his favorites episodes, including “Conflict Photography—Motivation and Consequence.” Other memorable episodes he mentions are “Commitment to Community—Rhynna Santos, Michael Young, and the Bronx Documentary Center,” our talks with rock photographer Mick Rock and photojournalist Shahidul Alam, and, of course, our conversation with actor and photographer Jeff Bridges.

Enjoy our casual end-of-the-year chat, subscribe to the B&H Photography Podcast on Apple Podcasts, join our Facebook group, and have yourself a happy new year.

Photograph © Jason Tawiah

Nothing is Impossible: Imagined Reality, with Erik Johansson Dec 19, 2019

The B&H Photography Podcast wraps up 2019 expanding our minds, with the help of Swedish photographer Erik Johansson. Enabling his playful and slightly sinister imagination with a wealth of design and photographic talent, Johannsson makes images that toy with the veracity of a photo while using relatively basic photographic processes to create them. It is certainly worth viewing Johansson’s website or Instagram feed before (or while) listening to this episode to familiarize yourselves with the images we discuss and to gain a sense of his mastery of scale and narrative.

Combining landscape photography, staged scenes with actors, oversized props, and the best of digital collage, Johansson creates images that seem to emanate directly from his dreamy imagination, but are undoubtedly the product of much real-world work, and he kindly takes the time to explain his process and workflow to us. A woman emerges from a shopping mall escalator to find herself in a dark forest, a man pulls a lonely country road across a field like a bed sheet, a house is tossed as verdant farmland turns into a violent tidal wave. These scenes, along with many others (and some with a decidedly MC Escher feel), have us wondering, “how does he do it?”

Join us for our conversation with Johansson to find out the tools he uses (starting with his Hasselblad camera system and Profoto lights) and the amount of time and production it takes to create each of these surrealistic vignettes.

As we celebrate our 200th episode, chime in on our Facebook group with your all-time favorite episode or let us know a subject you’d like us to cover in 2020. Thanks! And have a great New Year.

Guest: Erik Johansson

Photograph © Erik Johansson

Cameras of the Year, 2019 Dec 12, 2019

It’s that time of year again at the B&H Photography Podcast. Now firmly established as a tradition, with the end of the year in sight and gifting season in full swing, we take an episode to talk about the most interesting—dare I say, best—cameras of the year. Our guests include podcast regular Levi Tenebaum and B&H SuperStore camera expert Georgina Diaz.

This year, we start with an overview of mirrorless cameras announced in 2019, including the new full-frames from Panasonic, Sony, Leica and Sigma. We also mention the new APS-C and Micro Four Thirds format cameras such as the FUJIFILM X-Pro 3, the Sony Alpha a6600, the Nikon Z50, and the Olympus OM-D E-M1X Mirrorless Digital Camera. Perhaps most interesting are the mirrorless medium format high-resolution cameras that were introduced, including the FUJIFILM GFX 100 and Hasselblad X1D II 50C.

Jumping ahead to DSLR cameras, we see that Nikon and Canon updated their flagship models, Canon offering the EOS-1D X Mark II DSLR and Nikon, the D6 DSLR Camera. Canon also announced its compact mirrorless full frame, the Canon EOS RP. High-end point-and-shoots from Sony and Canon were released, as were three new waterproof tough cameras from Ricoh, FUJIFILM, and Olympus.

After a break, we take on the subject of lenses and accessories and highlight a few lenses that caught our attention, such as the FUJIFILM XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR, the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lens, and several others. We wrap up the episode with a discussion of lights, tripods, drones, and other accessories.

Our guests bring their expertise to this conversation as we compare new cameras to their predecessors, discuss specs, and get insight from the SuperStore floor regarding what have been the hot items from 2019. Join us for this timely and educational episode.

Guests: Levi Tenenbaum and Georgina Diaz

Celebrating Food Photography and "Eating Delancey" Dec 05, 2019

With the holiday season upon us (and today's celebration of the 86th anniversary of the repeal of prohibition) we figured it a good time to revisit a wonderful episode on food photography. We will return next week with a new "Cameras of the Year" episode. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Photographing food is far from being a new facet of photography. Whether for commercial or artistic purposes—think William Henry Fox Talbot, Edward Weston, Irving Penn—it can be found throughout eras and styles, but it sure seems like we are currently witnessing a boom in food photography. With the foodie culture exploding and the profusion of #foodstagramming, there is no shortage of photographed meals flying around the Internet.

Our guests on today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast have a wealth of experience in this arena, having shot food photography for a combined total of... many years. Specifically, they join us to talk about their latest book, "Eating Delancey: A Celebration of Jewish Food", but while at it, we discuss food photography in general, from gear and technique to workflow for editorial and commercial assignments, and even for cookbooks. We also discuss the change in food photography styles over the years and ask their opinions on the proliferation of “food selfies.”

Aaron Rezny has photographed major campaigns for Nestlé, Duncan Hines, Kellogg's, Russell Stover, Nabisco, and Applebee’s, and his work has appeared in Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, New York Magazine, and other publications. Jordan Schaps is an author, Professor of Photography at the School of Visual Arts, and the former Director of Photography at New York Magazine. He has produced shoots for inStyle, GQ, Lincoln Motors, and many other commercial and editorial clients. Together, they have produced a wonderfully engaging book. Join us for this educational and, at times, hilarious episode.

Guests: Jordan Schaps and Aaron Rezny

Photograph © Aaron Rezny

www.rezny.com

www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcast

Dynamic Portrait Lighting, with Alexis Cuarezma Nov 27, 2019

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 in 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. Join us for this insightful and very educational episode.

Guest: Alexis Cuarezma

Photograph © Alexis Cuarezma

Aperture Publications and the Contemporary PhotoBook Nov 21, 2019

Of course, there are several renowned photography book publishers, but if you know just one name in photo book publishing, it should be Aperture. Edward Weston, Diane Arbus, Stephen Shore, Sally Mann, Deana Lawson, and Martin Parr are just a few of the artists who have had at least one of their most significant books published by Aperture Publishing. Book publishing is just one of the ways that this non-profit organization, founded by Minor White and others, supports the art and craft of photography; they produce their quarterly magazine, host exhibitions, workshops, panel discussions, sponsor book and portfolio awards, and publish The PhotoBook Review and the Aperture blog.

On today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome Lesley Martin, Creative Director at Aperture and Publisher of The Photobook Review. Who better to speak about the process of photography-book publishing and, in general, the state of the photobook community today? With Martin, we discuss the important books from their 2019 catalog and how their editorial team decides which projects to publish each year, how large the runs will be and the costs associated with publishing in the US and abroad. We also examine what distinguishes Aperture—their non-profit status, the platform they create for artists, their collaborative philosophy, and the need to balance contemporary photo projects with compilation and themed photo books, classic editions and works about photography. We also ask about the impact of Amazon on their book trade and general questions on the current state of the photo-book business.

In the second half of our show, we discuss the recently announced winners of the Paris Photo–Aperture Foundation PhotoBook Awards. This important award has three categories: Photography Catalogue of the Year, First PhotoBook of the Year, and Photobook of the Year. We ask about the criteria for judging in each category, about the subtle distinctions between a good photo series and a good photo book and clarify who can submit to the contest. Finally, we ask Martin about some of her personal dos and do nots when it comes creating your own photography book. This is a very enlightening conversation for those interested in creating a photobook and for anyone curious about what goes into running a successful editorial house.

Guest: Lesley Martin

Shahidul Alam - Politics Cannot Be Separated from My Art Nov 14, 2019

With an exhibition of his 40-year photographic career opening at the Rubin Museum of Art, in New York, photojournalist and social justice activist Shahidul Alam was kind enough to join us on the B&H Photography Podcast to discuss the current exhibit, his career, and the state of photojournalism around the world. Also joining us is scholar, archivist, and the author of Conversations on Conflict Photography, Dr. Lauren Walsh.

Truth to Power is the name of the Alam’s exhibition and it is “a tribute to the numerous acts of resistance all across the globe and gives hope to those who continue to believe that a better world is possible.” As the name indicates, Alam’s work confronts the injustices in his native Bangladesh, where he has spent a career photographing natural disasters, social inequalities, street protests, migrant workers, and investigating those murdered or kidnapped. He also founded the Chobi Mela Photography Festival and the Drik and Majority World photo agencies, which has enabled countless photographers a better chance to have their stories seen by a larger audience.

In addition to learning about Alam’s career, his 2018 arrest, and his selection as one of Time magazine’s 2018 “Persons of the Year,” we discuss with Walsh and Alam many topics crucial to an understanding of modern photojournalism. We ask about how to shape a visual narrative for maximum effect, about the benefits of including graphic violence in an edit, and how journalists must protect themselves, not just from physical attacks, but from cyber and social media attacks. We also discuss the importance (and the dangers) of local journalists covering their own stories. Join us for this incredibly compelling episode.

Guests: Shahidul Alam and Dr. Lauren Walsh

Photograph © Shahidul Alam

Technological Evolution in Sports Photography Nov 07, 2019

On today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome photojournalist and sports photographer Nick Didlick to our show. Didlick has been a freelance shooter, a staff photographer, an agency photographer for Reuters and UPI and, while covering the world news, was nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes. He also is an accomplished videographer, editor, and producer, and has served as Photo Chief for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and as Director of Photography at the Vancouver Sun, where he oversaw the staff change from film to digital photography.

As a photographer, Didlick has always been ahead of the technological curve, willing to try new cameras and transmission systems and push existing technology to its limits. He joins us to discuss his technical evolution as a sports photographer and the features that he considers important to balance technological advances with age-old experience of craft. We ask Didlick to look back on his career and discuss important steps in the evolution of his kit, including autofocus features, compact lenses, telephoto extenders, remote control, wireless transmission and, of course, the development of digital photography. We also look ahead to improvements in metadata and artificial intelligence and his overarching philosophy that all advances should be embraced if they are needed to improve your workflow.

Throughout the episode, Didlick pokes fun at my “old” DSLR technology in favor of his Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless camera but, in doing so, he underscores his point, that as photographers, the hardest part of advancing your skill set is “un-learning” what you considered fundamental and embrace the changes that can improve your photography. Join us for this rollicking and enjoyable episode.

Guest: Nick Didlick

Photograph © Nick Didlick

A Stroll Through PhotoPlus 2019; the Panasonic Sweepstakes Winners Oct 31, 2019

Our offices are just a few blocks from the convention center where the annual PhotoPlus Expo is held, and each year we wander over with our portable recorders to chat with the exhibitors whose new gear catches our eye. We approach large vendors and small and try to give our listeners a peek into the “the largest photography and imaging event in North America.” This year, we spoke with representatives from Sky-Watcher regarding this company’s motorized astro-photography mounts; Chimera about its new lighting products; and Orangemonkie about its portable lightbox studios. We also chatted with a rep from Fujifilm about the new X-Pro3 Mirrorless camera; with folk from Hahnemühle, the oldest active paper mill in Germany, and their new natural line of inkjet papers; with a representative from Viltrox, about their new lenses and adapters; and finally, with Allesandro Gibellini, the founder of Gibellini cameras and its beautiful large format cameras.

After a short break, we are joined by the two winners of our B&H Photography Podcast Panasonic LUMIX S1 Sweepstakes. This sweepstakes concluded in August, but we wanted the winners to have time to experiment with their new cameras and lenses before we requested feedback from them on how they like the gear and how it might effect their photography. We are joined by Joseph Lockwood, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, winner of the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 24-105mm lens; and then by Roger Longenbach, winner of the Panasonic LUMIX DC-G95 Mirrorless Camera with 12-60mm lens. Join us for this very informative episode.

Guests: Joseph Lockwood and Roger Longenbach

Photograph © John Harris

Vintage Dog Photography and the Museum of the Dog Oct 24, 2019

Perhaps there is one thing that all photographers agree on: we love to photograph our pets. From amateur to professional, a simple photo of our dog, cat, or guinea pig making “that face” is almost irresistible and, based on the current exhibit at The Museum of the Dog, this fascination with photographing our pets reaches into the past for as long as the medium has existed.

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome author and vernacular photography collector Catherine Johnson and Alan Fausel, Executive Director and CEO of the Museum of the Dog, to discuss the current exhibit on display at this museum. Johnson began collecting archival photos of dogs as a young girl, mostly from local flea markets, but over the years has amassed a unique collection of images—snapshots, posed portraits, cabinet cards, tintypes—dating back to the 1880s. This collection was made into the 2007 book, Dogs, and is now a wonderful exhibition at the Museum of the Dog, during the inaugural year in their new home, in Midtown Manhattan. With Johnson, we discuss the origin of her collection, the distinction between vernacular and amateur photography, and what makes for a good dog photo. We also touch upon her time working for photographer Norman Parkinson and her other photography work.

Mr. Fausel, who has thirty years of art-world experience as a scholar, curator, appraiser, and regular guest on the Antiques Roadshow, now heads the Museum of the Dog, which is affiliated with the American Kennel Club. With Fausel, we speak about curating this exhibit, the challenges and joys of running a multi-faceted institution with such a specific theme, and how to balance the interests of dog lovers of varying stripes. We also discuss the growing interest in vernacular photography in the art world and its hard-to-be-determined appraisal value. Join us for this interesting episode and check out “Photos: Please do not Bend, the Catherine Johnson Collection” on display through December 29, 2019, at the Museum of the Dog.

Guests: Catherine Johnson and Alan Fausel

Photograph © Catherine Johnson LLC

Jeff Bridges - Actor, Musician, Photographer Oct 10, 2019

“A wiser feller than myself once said, ‘Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes the bear, well, he eats you.’ ”

A few of our listeners may recognize this quote from a certain 1998 movie but, for others, well, it may just be a confusing adage. For today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, however, we did indeed “eat the bear” and are very fortunate to welcome actor, musician, and photographer Jeff Bridges to our show. In addition to being an Academy Award-winning actor, Bridges photographs the “behind-the-scenes” making of his movies with a Widelux swing-lens panoramic film camera, and over the years has collected those images in private editions, made for the cast and crew.

In 2003, he published a book called, Jeff Bridges: Pictures, and in October 2019, is releasing the incredible Jeff Bridges: Pictures Volume 2, which “expands on Bridges' intimate vision of Hollywood behind-the-scenes. Included within are rare looks at the famed actors, top directors, talented costumers, and makeup artists, skilled and creative set and art decoration, and the rest of the passionate crews involved in such memorable movies as True Grit, Crazy Heart, The Giver, TRON: Legacy, and Hell or High Water.”

With Bridges, we discuss his affinity for the Widelux, and how he handles this camera—known for its idiosyncrasies. We relate the nuts-and-bolts aspects of his workflow, from measuring exposure with a Minolta spot meter to using ISO 3200 film, to how he composes a frame with a 140-degree angle of view. We also discuss other wide-format cameras, how Bridges works on set with other actors and crew members, the creation of his new book, and the scope of his photographic work, which has become a unique documentation of movie-making from the 1980s until today.

Join us for this lively conversation and look for Jeff Bridges: Pictures Volume 2, published by powerHouse Books and distributed by Penguin Random House. All of Bridge’s proceeds from the sale of his book go to the Motion Picture & Television Fund, a nonprofit organization that offers charitable care and support to film-industry workers. When you visit his website, check the link for No Kid Hungry, an organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger and for which Bridges is the national spokesperson.

Finally, if you are in the Los Angeles area on October 15, take the opportunity to have Jeff sign your copy of his book at the Book Soup event, on Sunset Blvd.

Guest: Jeff Bridges

Photograph © Jeff Bridges

Art Between Us -- Photography on the U.S.-Mexico Border Oct 04, 2019

We welcome to the B&H Photography Podcast two photographers who have brought their talent and dedication to bear on the complex and beautiful lives that exist on the U.S.-Mexican border. Our first guest is photographer Stefan Falke, who is engaged in a 10-year portrait project called LA FRONTERA: Artists Along the US-Mexican Border, which is dedicated to documenting the “influence that artists have on their community.” He has photographed more than 200 artists, writers, singers, and photographers who live on both sides of the 2,000-mile-long border. With Falke we discuss the development of this project, his style of shooting, how he met the many artists he has photographed, and the complications and joys of shooting in border towns in the U.S. and Mexico. He also discusses how he pared down his camera and lens choices for this project to just his trusty Nikon D850 and a 24-70mm lens.

After a short break, we welcome photographer Monica Lozano, who is included in Falke’s project, and describes her portrait session with him in the main market, in Juarez, Mexico. We also discuss her incredible photographic series, which blend documentary and fine art styles to bring awareness to the struggle of migrants in Europe and the Americas. Lozano, a Mexican-American artist with roots in both countries, brings a compassionate yet objective depiction to a complex situation, and she even blends in a touch of humor. With Lozano, we discuss her evolution as an artist, the differing effects that stylized photos have compared to straight documentary, and the resounding need to understand the long and evolving history and culture of “la frontera.” Join us for this compelling conversation and check out the B&H Photography Podcast Facebook Group.

Guests: Stefan Falke and Monica Lozano

Photograph © Stefan Falke

Adventure Photography with Chris Burkard Sep 26, 2019

When one of the world’s most “followed” photographers is available for a conversation, you make the time to talk with him, and when that photographer is acclaimed adventure, landscape, travel, and surf photographer Chris Burkard, expect that conversation to include some serious insights into the passion and ambition that it takes to create the beautiful images he makes.

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we speak with Burkard about a range of subjects—and this conversation does not disappoint. We get right into it by asking about his penchant for shooting in frigid locations and how stubbornness and even persistence can be the enemy of good photography when shooting in sub-zero temperatures. We discuss the composition of his photographs and how that is indicative of his views on nature, and we dig into his “origin story” and why clients began to come to him for the kind of photography he creates. In general, however, we stick to the nuts and bolts of his photography and learn why he prefers mirrorless cameras, specifically the Sony Alpha A7R IV, and how he organizes his commercial workflow to still make time for the adventures he craves and to be with his young family.

After a break, we ask Burkard to walk us through the creation of a few of his more well-known images. Not only does he offer insight into the photographic aspects, but he elaborates to give us a better understanding of the remote locations he finds and the teamwork needed. To quote Burkard, “to better understand how the Earth was made, we must look at it from new perspectives.” Join us for this informative conversation and if you are in New York City this weekend, you can see Burkard speak at Stocked 2019.

Guest: Chris Burkard

Photograph © Chris Burkard

Day to Night, with Stephen and Bette Wilkes Sep 19, 2019

On today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we revisit our conversation with Stephen and Bette Wilkes in honor of the release of Wilkes’s great new book Day to Night, and the accompanying gallery show at the Bryce Wolkowitz gallery, in New York. We also spend a bit of time reflecting on a few of the legendary photographers who have died recently.

The Day to Night series that Stephen Wilkes has been working on for ten years has received much-deserved attention and has grown from its New York roots to encompass locations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. These photographs, which capture a full 24-hour cycle in one frame, are awe-inspiring when viewed as a whole; fascinating when analyzed in detail; and monumental when considered as a production.

On today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we speak with Stephen Wilkes and Bette Wilkes—his wife, business manager, and the behind-the-scenes producer of these incredible photographs. Our conversation is easygoing and bounces back and forth between Mr. and Ms. Wilkes, emphasizing their intertwined working relationship. With Mr. Wilkes, we speak of the genesis of the project and the influences he finds in the paintings of the Dutch Masters and the Hudson River School. We also discuss his process, which is physically and technically demanding. He speaks of a desire to “get lost” in the moment and ultimately how his images are “a representation of his memory” from the day and place. With Ms. Wilkes, we speak of the knotty and time-consuming process of arranging a shoot that will last more than twenty-four continuous hours in some of the world’s busiest and most desolate locations.

We discuss many photographs, but concentrate on two images from the Day to Night series to highlight their complicated productions—the first is a photograph of New York City’s Flatiron Building and, in the second half of the show, we visit a watering hole in the Serengeti Plain. To see these images, please visit our website, and, if you are in New York prior to October 26, 2019, check out the Day to Night exhibit at Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery.

Guests: Stephen Wilkes and Bette Wilkes

Photograph © Stephen Wilkes

In the Bag - Talking Camera Bags and Cases with the Experts Sep 12, 2019

On today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast we take a deep dive into one bag and then into another one, and another. We welcome Jeannette Garcia and Yaakov Katz, two experts from the B&H SuperStore, to discuss the materials, capacities, features, and styles of camera bags and cases that are available today.

We start with a simple question for each of them: what should one ask when purchasing a new camera bag? Both offer simple yet insightful answers to that question as they walk us down the path to finding the right camera bag for our needs. From slings to messenger bags, holsters, and pouches, we examine the differences in materials and mention the features that might serve one’s particular photographic application.

We also consider rolling cases, hard cases, lens cases, designer camera bags, and inserts and run down a list of various brands to get feedback from Garcia and Katz, including several well-known bag companies that were founded by photographers, such as Think Tank, Tenba, and Domke. Join us for this informative and enjoyable conversation.

Guests: Jeannette Garcia and Yaakov Katz

Accept the Witness—Richard Drew and “The Falling Man” - September 11th Encore Episode Sep 10, 2019

With the anniversary of the September 11 attacks upon us again, those of us in New York City, particularly, think back to that terrible day with great sadness, but also with a certain resolve and a sense of pride for the way we handled this tragedy, how we came together to support each other while fear, confusion, and anger swarmed. Mostly, we remember the friends, neighbors, and co-workers who lost their lives, and the families forever broken.

In September 2017, we published an episode of the B&H Photography Podcast with photojournalist Richard Drew who, like many photographers, raced to the scene of the terrorist attacks that morning, not knowing what to expect nor if they would even return alive. Drew captured the photo that for many encapsulated the horror of that day, so horrible that many outlets refused to print it, but with time, this image—now referred to as “Falling Man”—has become one of the iconic images of our still young century.

Today we will republish our conversation with Richard Drew in memory of all who suffered on that day and in tribute to the journalists who risked their lives to cover this story and to all of the first responders who began the long process of building back our city. Thank you.

Guest: Richard Drew

You Say You Want a Resolution; Panasonic LUMIX Sweepstakes Winners Sep 05, 2019

We have been hosting the B&H Photography Podcast Panasonic LUMIX S1 Sweepstakes for the past several weeks and, today, we are excited to announce the winners of the LUMIX DC-S1 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 24-105mm lens and the LUMIX DC-G95 Mirrorless Camera with a 12-60mm lens.

With that in mind, we’d like to thank all of our listeners who left ratings and reviews on Apple Podcasts, and particularly those who subscribed to the podcast and mentioned a favorite episode. This kind of feedback is well appreciated and helps us to develop the kind of episodes we hope you enjoy.

Before we make that announcement, however, Allan, Jason, and I reflect on our “photography New Year’s resolutions” and discuss our personal photography projects from 2019 and the gear we have been using to make them happen.

We start with Allan, who discusses his year-long process of culling his archive of images going back to 1969, including finding what he refers to as the very first “Allan Weitz photo.” He also explains how he uses his Sony Alpha a7R II Mirrorless Digital Camera as his “Franken-slide copier” and some of the gear that has impressed him this year, including the 7artisans Photoelectric 50mm f/1.1 lens and the Zeiss Batis 40mm f/2 CF lens, and his thoughts on the just-announced Leica M-E (Typ 240) Digital Rangefinder.

John continues with a brief explanation of the resolutions on which he is procrastinating, and on his return to street photography and attempts to work with the FUJIFILM X100F Digital Camera, the Ricoh GR III, and the Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) Digital Rangefinder. Finally, Jason updates us on his telephoto cityscapes, his abstract portraiture, the Sony Clear Image Zoom function and whether or not he purchased the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-56 GM OSS lens.

Join us for this enjoyable chat and check out some of the previous episodes of the podcast which we mention during this conversation, including our talks with Jay Maisel and Stephen Wilkes, our discussion about hard drives, and our talk with landscape photographer Erin Babnik.

You Say You Want a Resolution and Panasonic LUMIX Sweepstakes Winners Sep 05, 2019

We Are All Photographers - Elia Locardi and Alan Winslow Aug 29, 2019

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we present two conversations from the 2019 OPTIC Photography Conference. Both chats are with photographers who understand the value of sharing their experiences and skills with other photographers and embracing the idea that to be a teacher is also a path for learning.

Our first conversation is with travel and landscape photographer Elia Locardi, who is also well known for his photography tutorials with Fstoppers, photo tours, and YouTube series on travel photography. With Locardi, we discuss the true value of travel photography and the connections to people and cultures that a camera can grant you. We also discuss how he balances his role as an educator with his personal photography.

After a short break, we welcome photographer Alan Winslow to discuss his editorial and grant-funded photo projects, including a series in development that utilizes interactive technology and his own photography to inform viewers about threatened and endangered species. Winslow is also a FUJIFILM photographer who recently used the new GFX 100 Medium Format Mirrorless Camera to shoot “alternative” landscapes in Yosemite National Park, and we hear his impressions of this camera. In addition to his photography clients, which include the New York Times and Forbes magazine, Winslow teaches at the International Center of Photography, The Maine Media Workshop, and NYCSalt.

Balancing one’s own photography practice with making a living as a photography educator is becoming an ever more common practice and, on today’s episode, we gain an understanding of the challenges and benefits of this approach. Join us.

Guests: Elia Locardi and Alan Winslow

Photograph © Alan Winslow

Narrative and Emotion with LUMIX Ambassador Shiv Verma Aug 22, 2019

Shiv Verma is a Panasonic LUMIX Global Ambassador, so it’s no coincidence that he is joining us to discuss the LUMIX S1 Full-Frame Mirrorless Digital Camera—which is part of our current sweepstakes—and other cameras in the LUMIX line, but Verma is also a multi-talented photographer and educator who offers insight into the subtle aspects of light and narrative, as well as the technical know-how to achieve your desired photographic results.

We start our conversation relating a William Faulkner quote that Verma uses on his website, and this leads us to speculate on the nature of photography and how images can tell stories and inspire emotion. From there, we dig into Verma’s body of work to understand more clearly the threads that connect his range of styles and abilities. What connects his wildlife and bird photography to his landscapes and the professional and technical product photography he creates? We also delve into the skill sets needed for macro photography and his specialty… time-lapse photography.

In-camera time-lapse capabilities were what initially drew Verma to the LUMIX line, and we discuss how this function has evolved from model to model and, in addition to relating his experience shooting with the LUMIX S1 and S1R cameras, he provides insight into the best applications for the various LUMIX mirrorless cameras and lenses, including the GH5 and G9.

Join us for this informative episode and enter our B&H Photography Podcast Panasonic LUMIX S1 Sweepstakes for a chance to win an S1 with 24-105mm lens or a DC-G95 Mirrorless Camera with a 12-60mm lens.

Guest: Shiv Verma

Photograph © Shiv Verma

Street Photography - Two Eyes Are Better Than One and Panasonic LUMIX S1 Sweepstakes Aug 15, 2019

We are in the midst of our B&H Photography Podcast Panasonic LUMIX S1 Sweepstakes and encourage you to check the link to enter to win a Panasonic LUMIX DC-S1 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 24-105mm Lens or a Panasonic LUMIX DC-G95 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 12-60mm Lens.

For today’s episode, we present encore conversations with photographers Sisse Brimberg and Xyza Cruz Bacani.

Sisse Brimberg is a veteran adventure and travel photographer who has more than thirty stories for National Geographic to her credit. Much of her work is devoted to historical and cultural stories, but our chat focuses on the informal portraiture she does in the streets, marketplaces, and country roads around the world. Brimberg relates how she is always “seeing” photographs, how she interacts with her subjects, and how to know when a photograph is worth taking. We also discuss her late husband and shooting partner, NatGeo photographer Cotton Coulson, and how her approach to work has changed since his death.

Xyza Cruz Bacani, a Magnum Foundation fellow currently covering the civil unrest in Hong Kong, started taking photography seriously while employed as a domestic worker there. Her street photography blossomed into a career as a documentary photographer and photojournalist covering immigration, social justice, and human rights issues, but she still devotes time to “street.” We discuss the differences between the two disciplines, as well as her techniques and cameras and lens choices. Bacani has recently published the incredible book, We Are Like Air, about her mother and other migrant workers in Hong Kong.

Join us for this insightful episode and don’t forget to enter our sweepstakes and subscribe to the B&H Photography Podcast.

Guests: Sisse Brimberg and Xyza Cruz Bacani

Vince Aletti’s “Issues” - The Magazine is the Medium Aug 08, 2019

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome a true photography legend—curator, critic, and author, Vince Aletti. Anyone who lived in New York in the 1980s and ’90s, and is interested in photography, will know of Aletti as the photography critic at the Village Voice. He went on to review photo exhibitions at The New Yorker until 2016. He has also curated exhibitions at the International Center of Photography and White Columns gallery, and has authored many books, including his latest, Issues: A History of Photography in Fashion Magazines, which he joins us to discuss.

In addition to his writing and curating, Aletti is a collector, and has created a collection of the most important issues of fashion magazines from the past 100 years. The book, Issues, employs that collection to offer a history of fashion photography as it was meant to be viewed—in magazines, and our conversation focuses on the context of the magazine as “the ideal delivery system” for the best photography of several generations. We discuss the beginning of fashion magazines and introduction of photography to that format and we spend time discussing the work of Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, and Steven Meisel by looking at issues of magazines for which they were the primary, if not sole, photographer. The production of these magazines—Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue Italia, The Face, for example—are mentioned, as are the creative directors, editors, and stylists, but the point of this enlightening conversation (and Aletti’s book) is how great photographers have used the specific format of the fashion magazine for their ground-breaking and ever-evolving images.

Today also marks the beginning of the B&H Photography Podcast Panasonic LUMIX S1 Sweepstakes. Follow the above link for the rules and entry guidelines and you’ll have two chances to win a new Panasonic LUMIX DC-S1 Full-Frame Mirrorless digital camera with 24-105mm lens or a Panasonic LUMIX DC-G95 Mirrorless digital camera with 12-60mm lens. Also, look for the upcoming special episode of our podcast with Panasonic Lumix Global Ambassador Shiv Verma.

Guest: Vince Aletti

Photograph by Erwin Blumenfeld. Courtesy Vince Aletti and Phaidon

Extreme-Weather Photography and Storm Chasing Aug 01, 2019

This week, we welcome two photographers who know the joys of spending a late afternoon waiting for super cells to form, or that perfect lightning strike to appear, as well as the perils of rising waters, golf-ball-sized hail, and projectile debris in flight. Our topic today is extreme-weather photography, and we welcome photographers from two different continents to tell us about their shooting styles, safety precautions, gear, and their general thoughts on weather, social media, and the photography business.

We are joined first by photographer and filmmaker Jim Reed, who is a represented by National Geographic Image Collection. His work has been published in National Geographic magazine, the New York Times, Scientific American, and The Guardian, and has been featured on the Weather Channel, Discovery Network, and the Oprah show. He is the author of the critically acclaimed 2007 photo book, “Storm Chaser: A Photographer's Journey.” With Reed, we discuss his minimal gear setup, safety precautions, useful apps, and how his client base has shifted during his thirty-year career.

After a short break, we welcome Jordan Cantelo, from the Western Australia town of Jurien Bay. Cantelo is a local wildfire officer who began photographing weather during long stints in the bush. With Cantelo, we speak about the specific weather and storm types in Western Australia, his use of lightning triggers, his preference for medium format cameras, landscape compositions, and how he follows weather systems to get the shots he is after.

For many photographers, being a “storm chaser” seems like a thrilling way to earn a living, so tune in to the B&H Photography Podcast for our conversation with two seasoned weather and landscape photographers to get a better understanding of the dos, the don’ts, and the practical side of extreme-weather photography.

Guests: Jim Reed and Jordan Cantelo

Above photograph © Jim Reed

Mansions and Milestones - The Sony Alpha a7R IV Jul 25, 2019

For this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we took our portable recorders to an elegant mansion along Central Park, which had been decked out by Sony as a series of stylized photography sets, complete with full lighting, backdrops, and models. They also happened to have on hand many brand-new Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital Cameras and hundreds of lenses for the guests to shoot with in these mini studios. Let’s not forget about the great music, delicious food, and open bar Sony provided. All in all, it was a wonderful event to celebrate the highest megapixel full-frame camera on the market.

Sony invited many impressive photographers, writers, influencers, retailers, and… us. And we made our way through the many rooms, speaking with Sony representatives and photographers, getting their first impressions of this latest incarnation of the Alpha a7R series. Needless to say, people were impressed and, after seeing the specs and handling this new camera, so were we.

Our first guest is Michael Bubolo, Senior National Manager from Sony PRO Support. We sat with Bubolo before the crowds arrived and were able to go over some of the upgrades and features and get his thoughts on what makes this camera stand out from previous models. Next, we welcome the one and only Ken Rockwell to ask his thoughts on the camera and anything else he wanted to talk about.

After a short break, we speak with visual artist Lori Grinker about her potential uses for the a7R IV and then, with landscape and travel photographer Jude Allen, who happened to be in town from San Francisco, about his first impressions after handling the camera. Finally, we sit down with Sony Artisans Andy Katz and Colby Brown, who both had had the opportunity to shoot the new camera for a couple of weeks and report back on the features they most appreciate for the specific work they do.

Join us for this in-depth look at the latest Sony full-frame mirrorless camera, and let us know if you are ready to upgrade.

Guests: Michael Bubolo, Ken Rockwell, Lori Grinker, Jude Allen, Andy Katz, and Colby Brown

Photograph © Andy Katz

Pictures of Buildings and Building of Communities, with Ashok Sinha Jul 18, 2019

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome photographer Ashok Sinha to talk about his forthcoming book Driver-full City: The Unique Architecture of Car Culture in Greater Los Angeles and to discuss the Cartwheel Initiative, a nonprofit that he founded, which works with displaced and refugee youth, using photography and multimedia tools to inspire these youth to find their voice through art and creative thinking.

Before we get into our conversation with Sinha, however, we want to let you know about an opportunity we are offering our listeners. We will be giving away forty free tickets to a private screening of the film, Jay Myself, directed by photographer Stephen Wilkes, about the photographer Jay Maisel. Wilkes will be in attendance for a Q/A session after the screening.

Many of you may remember when Maisel and Wilkes joined us to talk about the making of this movie, and we are excited to extend this offer to the first forty listeners who request a ticket. This screening will be in New York City, on August 4, so if you cannot be in New York on that date, please do not request a ticket, and tickets are limited to two per person, but if you would like to go to the screening and meet the filmmakers, send a request to podcast@bhphoto.com or join our B&H Photography Podcast Facebook Group and comment on the post regarding the free screening. Screening details are in the post and we look forward to meeting you.

Ashok Sinha is a complete photographer and filmmaker, able to make a living from his architecture and interior design photography, but also adept at large-scale landscapes, human-interest editorial stories, and portraiture. His photographs have been widely published by editorial outlets such as The New York Times, TIME, Interior Design, and exhibited by The Museum of the City of New York, the International Center of Photography, and The Royal Photographic Society. And, as mentioned, Sinha has found a wonderful way to use photography to give back to the youth most in need of a helping hand. Join us for this inspiring episode and request your free tickets to Jay Myself.

Guest: Ashok Sinha

Photograph © Ashok Sinha

Passionate Professionals - Wildlife Photography with Ron Magill, Frans Lanting, and Paul North Jul 11, 2019

This is “Wildlife Week” at B&H Explora, and for our contribution we offer this most excellent episode of the B&H Photography Podcast. Truth is, serendipity is a goddess, and our B&H colleagues made it easy for us to bring you such great guests—the OPTIC Conference supplied a bevy of incredible wildlife photographers for our microphones and our friends at Explora created this beautiful and educational feature, please check it out, here.

First on today’s show is the one and only Ron Magill, photographer, Nikon Ambassador, and Communications Director of the Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens. Magill brings his passion for wildlife and refreshing views on photography (and photographers) to this lively discussion. He also had some good news from his recent foray photographing the Monarch butterfly migration.

Next, we are joined by polar expedition diver, photographer, podcaster, and founder of Meet the Ocean, the very talented Paul North. North is not only a doer of many good things, he is an incredibly nice man and talks of being under the polar ice in a way that might actually make someone consider going there! His intelligence and dedication is contagious as he discusses the simple quantity of life that exists in such remote, frigid places, and as he advocates for storytelling as the best way to “combat environmental apathy.”

After a break, we welcome a master. This year’s keynote speaker at OPTIC Frans Lanting joins us to offers thoughts on process, particularly the nuanced and well-researched approach he takes to an assignment before he ever picks up a camera. We talk a bit about specific projects but focus more on the importance of knowing the story you want to tell, eliminating preconceived images, and the need for a holistic method to making photographs of wildlife. Join us—it really was a treat to hear the thoughts of these three passionate professionals.

Guests: Ron Magill, Paul North, and Frans Lanting

Photograph © Ron Magill

The Copyright Infringement Superhighway Jul 04, 2019

This is a conversation we wanted to last another hour. Talking with intellectual property attorney (and accomplished photographer) David Deal about copyright protection and “fair use” in the Instagram era was such an easy education and enjoyable to boot. We already ran long on this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, just scratching the surface of these topics, and we had to edit out a side conversation we had with Deal about his fascinating work regarding the estate of photographer Vivian Maier. We plan to release that insightful interview in the very near future, but our show today focuses specifically on Deal’s work in the Brammer v. Violent Hues Productions Case and, in general, on the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, rampant copyright infringement, and the value of photography in our sharing and social media-centric culture.

We begin our conversation with an overview on the Brammer case, involving an image by photographer Russell Brammer, which had been found on Flickr, and used without his authorization and without financial compensation. After attempts to resolve the matter without litigation, Deal advanced their suit against the offending party who themselves lawyered up, setting the stage for a Federal District Court judgment and subsequent reversal by a Federal Appeals Court. Deal walks us through the twists and turns of the “fair use” arguments and hints at how this small infringement case may turn out to be a very big victory for photographers.

After a break, we take up broad questions of intellectual property protection, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the roles and responsibilities of social media platforms, and how we might right the ship, in terms of photographs being valued for the effort involved in their creation and photographers being rightly compensated. Deal also offers a few pieces of welcomed advice for photographers interested in protecting the value of their work. Join us for this very informative episode.

Guest: David Deal

Photograph © Russell Brammer

That Life and Photography Balance Jun 27, 2019

Today’s conversations address the challenges photographers encounter when “real life”—children, family, economic changes, even personal tragedy—interrupt the work we would like to be doing, namely taking pictures, and how we find our way back to the form of creative expression we all desire.

We welcome four photographers who have overcome challenges or who have found ways to incorporate their own life and lifestyle into their professional work. First, we speak with photographer Erin Babnik, who previously joined us to talk about the tech she uses in her landscape photography, but now tells of her recent brush with tragedy when her new home and studio was engulfed by the deadly 2018 Camp Wildfire, in Paradise, California. Next, we are joined by Sofia Aldinio and Colin Boyd, of Affuera Vida Productions, who have decided to take their business on the road, quite literally. Not wanting the typical white picket fence and two-car garage lifestyle, they are retrofitting an old fire department van and taking their two young children on an epic journey from Maine to Argentina, all along, photographing for clients who love their real-life family adventure content.

After a break, we welcome National Geographic Explorer and Grantee Erika Skogg to discuss her project on Scandinavian-American culture. After years spent traveling the world with her camera, Skogg decided it was time to return to her Wisconsin hometown to live. It wasn’t long before she turned her documentarian’s eye to her own culture and heritage and created a beautiful series on the traditions she knows so well.

Finally, we’ll be joined by Carissa Pelleteri, who has published two books on the people of Montauk, NY. “Car” is a Brooklyn native who, after years of vacationing in Montauk, began to notice the changes happening to her beloved getaway. Her books are visual records of the town’s transition from bucolic fishing village to an oft-crowded tourist destination at the eastern end of Long Island. Join us for this intriguing set of conversations, recorded at the 2019 OPTIC Photography Conference.

Guests: Erin Babnik, Sofia Aldinio, Colin Boyd, Erika Skogg, and Car Pelleteri

Photograph © @AffueraVida

Printers, Full-Frame Mirrorless, and Sweet Glass at OPTIC 2019 Jun 20, 2019

B&H recently hosted the OPTIC Outdoor, Photo/Video, Travel Imaging Conference, which gave us an opportunity to sit with many wonderful photographers including Ron Magill, Frans Lanting, and Erin Babnik and we will be publishing these conversations over the next few weeks, but today we welcome representatives from Canon, Panasonic Lumix, and Sony to discuss their latest wares.

First we speak with Ross Joseph from Canon about their photo printer options, specifically the imagePROGRAF PRO-1000, a wonderful 17” desktop printer with professional features. Next we welcome Tom Curley from Panasonic to talk about the LUMIX camera line and the incredible new DC-S1H full-frame mirrorless camera and the L-mount consortium. Finally, we welcome Ben Manlove, Sr. Representative from Sony Digital Imaging PRO Support. Ben discusses firmware upgrades and a range of Sony gear, including the gems of the E-mount system, new lenses from Sony and the waterproof/crushproof Cyber-shot DSC-RX0 II Digital Camera. Join us for this informative episode of the B&H Photography Podcast.

Guests: Ross Joseph, Tom Curley, Ben Manlove

Photography with Red-Green Color Blindness Jun 13, 2019

It has been a short but busy week at B&H Photo and we hosted several wonderful conversations at this year’s OPTIC Photography Conference, so today’s episode is itself, wonderful but short. We will be presenting many of the recordings made at OPTIC over the coming weeks, but our chat with veteran B&H Photography Podcast guest Chris Nicholson surprised even the normally unflappable Allan Weitz. We have become familiar with Nicholson’s professional tennis photography and his wonderful color night photography with the National Parks at Night team, so we were understandably surprised when he told us that he is red-green color blind.

With that information as our starting point, we discussed how his condition manifests itself, and the obstacles he has overcome to create his beautiful color images. We also segued into general thoughts on color blindness and the inexact nature of color, and on the tools Nicholson relies on to get his colors as close to “accurate” as possible, specifically new LED lights from Luxli that have enabled him to improve his “light painting.” Join us for this informative and inspiring conversation and, while you are at it, join the B&H Photography Facebook group—it is growing to become an active forum to share your images and thoughts on photography and to stay in touch with Jason, John, and Allan of the B&H Photography Podcast.

Guest: Chris Nicholson

Photograph © Chris Nicholson

Lost Rolls America – Telescope into the Past Jun 06, 2019

Do you have undeveloped rolls of film that have been sitting around forever? Maybe you don’t even realize that you have unprocessed rolls from the “good ol’ days of analog” in an old camera bag or a dresser drawer. Now is the time to look into this matter and have the chance to explore and share your memories, perhaps even rediscover events and people that memory has left behind.

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome the directors of Lost Rolls America, Ron Haviv and Lauren Walsh. Inspired by Haviv’s own The Lost Rolls book, they have initiated this project to create a national archive of lost, yet now found, images “to form a collective memory that prioritizes the role of photos in constructing our personal and shared pasts. In revisiting the past, this project also encourages contemplation of how the present and future will be remembered.” The idea is simple, but one look at the growing archive and the memories shared, and it becomes clear how powerful this project can be. With Haviv and Walsh, we recount the genesis of the project, how PhotoShelter, PhotoWings, and FUJIFILM came onboard as partners, and they offer insight on the future plans for the project. They also discuss a few of the more interesting images and recollections submitted, how the submission process works and, of course, they encourage our listeners to submit lost rolls.

Ron Haviv is a is an Emmy nominated, award-winning photojournalist and co-founder of the photo agency VII, dedicated to documenting conflict and raising awareness about human rights issues around the globe. He has worked in more than one hundred countries and published four critically acclaimed collections of photography. His work has been featured in numerous museums and galleries, including the Louvre, the United Nations, and the Council on Foreign Relations.

Lauren Walsh is a professor and writer who teaches at The New School and NYU, where she is the Director of NYU Gallatin’s Photojournalism Lab. She is editor of Macondo, a photo book documenting the long-term conflict in Colombia, and coeditor of the collection, The Future of Text and Image, as well as the Millennium Villages Project, a photography book about efforts to relieve extreme poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. She has appeared on CNN as a scholar of photography and digital culture, as well as in the documentary 9/11: Ten Years Later.

Guests: Lauren K. Walsh and Ron Haviv

Photograph © Mette Lampcov/Lost Rolls America

B&H Photography Podcast

D.I.Y. Camera Makers May 30, 2019

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome four “makers” who have designed and built impressive imaging tools with their own vision. Their locations, the formats, the materials, and the final products all differ wildly, but the D.I.Y. spirit of the engineer, the tinkerer, the photographer, and the entrepreneur are shared by our four guests. We get a sense of how each came to their product, developed it, and are trying to market it.

First, we speak with Sam Cornwell, inventor of The Solarcan, a unique camera designed to produce “extreme time exposures” that capture the sun’s path across the sky; and yes, it is a can. Cornwell offers his love of photography, astronomy and repurposing household objects as the seeds for this pinhole camera, which comes with its own piece of Ilford 5 x 7" photo paper already inside. After a successful Kickstarter campaign and a lot of work, his fully packaged invention is available for purchase from B&H.

Next, we are joined by Steve Lloyd of Chroma Cameras, who liked large format field cameras so much he went and designed one of his own. His are the first field cameras made of laser-cut acrylic. Appropriately available in a choice of unconventional colors, Chroma cameras feature interchangeable film backs that attach to the camera using magnets, which make it possible to switch quickly between 4 x 5" film to roll-film backs.

After a short break, Filippo Nishino, of the Swiss company I’m Back, discusses the invention created by his partner, Samuel Mello Medieros, which can capture digital images with a 35mm film camera body. Available in a universal model or numerous customized covers, the back attaches physically to your film camera, enabling high-res digital image capture. After many years in development, the I’m Back is available to the public and on sale at B&H.

Our final guest is Ethan Moses, of Cameradactyl, which is his company and his passion. Cameradactyl, along with its “subsidiary,” Butter Grip, makes 3D printed cameras, parts, and accessories, including his incredible CAMERADACTYL 4 x 5 Field Camera and X-Pin 35mm Pinhole Camera Kit. He also sells a wide range of practical and colorful grips and camera accessories, and might make something for your needs, if you ask nicely enough.

Guests: Sam Cornwell, Steve Lloyd, Filippo Nishino, and Ethan Moses

Photograph: Courtesy of Chroma Camera

Survive that Day - Freelance Photojournalism, with Adriane Ohanesian May 23, 2019

Adriane Ohanesian has been on the B&H Photography Podcast in the past and we are very excited to welcome her back to discuss her photojournalistic work in Africa. As many of our listeners will recall, Ohanesian contributed to our podcast throughout 2017 in a serial segment we called “Dispatch,” in which she provided monthly reports on her freelance assignments covering conflict and climate change in Sudan and Somalia. She also narrated the story of a deadly attack she survived while covering a story on illegal mining in Congo. It was a harrowing and tragic account that demonstrates the lengths to which photojournalists will go to cover a story.

On today’s episode, Ohanesian updates us on a few of the items we discussed in 2017, including the illegal mining story and her assignment on the last white male rhinoceros in existence, which has since died. She also talks about a recent assignment for National Geographic, covering illegal mining and deforestation in Madagascar, and her work back in Congo covering an Ebola outbreak. In addition, Ohanesian provides insight into her life as a freelance photojournalist, reflects on incorporating video and audio into her workflow to get important stories told, and offers tips on the gear she uses for her arduous and often very remote assignments.

Adriane Ohanesian is a respected photojournalist living in Nairobi and covering news stories throughout East Africa. Her coverage of the civil war in South Sudan garnered her a 2016 World Press Photo Award and she is also the recipient of the 2016 Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award. Join us for this compelling and inspirational episode.

Guest: Adriane Ohanesian

Photograph © Adriane Ohanesian

Animal Photography -- Wild and with Respect May 16, 2019

I think it’s fair to say that animals, even more than cars, sunsets, and children, are the most photographed subject by listeners of the B&H Photography Podcast and, on this week’s episode, we speak with two photographers who not only have dedicated their craft to photographing animals, but bring to their process a compassion and advocacy that goes far beyond just a pretty picture.

Our first guest, Steve Morello, is recognized for his whale and polar bear photographs, but he is also a founding partner of Natural Habitat Adventures, a wildlife adventure organization dedicated to sustainable tourism and guide training programs in Peru, Tanzania, and the Canadian and American Arctic. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Alaska Whale Foundation, where he assists on research projects and is currently working together with tourism planners, scientists, and local fishermen to conserve a newly created marine sanctuary off the coast of Peru. Morello’s photos have appeared in National Geographic and The New York Times, and he is a major contributor to the photo collection of the World Wildlife Fund.

After a short break, we welcome photographer Isa Leshko to discuss her series Allowed To Grow Old: Portraits of Elderly Animals from Farm Sanctuaries, which has been made into a gorgeous new book by University of Chicago Press. Photos from this series have appeared in The Atlantic, Harper’s, and The New York Times, and will be exhibited at the Richard Levy Gallery, in Albuquerque, and at ClampArt Gallery, in New York.

Leshko provides insight into her process and workflow as it evolved over the many years she worked on this project. Her dedication to process is clear as she explains how she hit upon this idea, why she chose certain animals to photograph, what cameras and gear she decided upon, and how the series developed into an advocacy project. She emphasizes her cognizance of the power dynamic in portrait photography and how respectful interaction for and even a form of collaboration with the animals was fundamental to create this type of portraiture. Join us.

Guests: Isa Leshko and Steve Morello

Photograph © Steve Morello

Milk Factory – A Mother's Day Chat with Corinne May Botz May 09, 2019

As we prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day, we welcome an artist to the B&H Photography Podcast who is using her camera to examine quotidian spaces and further a conversation about the “deeply felt subjective experiences of motherhood,” particularly as they are realized in the workplace. Joining us is photographer Corinne May Botz, whose current series is entitled “Milk Factory,” and it takes lactation rooms, the spaces where working mothers go to pump breast milk, as its subject. Also joining us as guest host this week is our colleague and new mom Liz Groeschen, who will be celebrating her first Mother’s Day this coming Sunday.

With her 4 x 5 film camera and digital medium format system, Botz has been invited into the varied spaces, some sanctioned and comfortable and others improvised and “multipurpose,” where women go several times a day to pump milk when away from their children. Her work engages with the mothers but, like most of her previous projects, is focused more on the often-overlooked details of the spaces we occupy, inviting the viewer to enter these rooms and gain an understanding of what they might signify to the mothers themselves and, of course, to ask us to recognize how we prioritize space for the needs of mothers and, in turn, healthy families.

We discuss the process of creating her series, how Botz interacts with the women who have invited her into their intimate spaces, and her thoughts regarding portraiture and documentation compared to fine art or “constructed” photography. We also chat about her way to maneuver a relatively large camera setup in tight quarters, finding relevant details within a space and, of course, post-processing, printing, and the Pentax 645D. While she does not consider her series to be didactic, she aspires to elevate the status of motherhood’s concerns into the highest levels of cultural dialogue, and workplace policy. In an understated but precise manner, her images make very clear the need for improvement in how we treat the experience of motherhood in the workplace.

The “Milk Factory” series was recently exhibited at the Baxter St. Camera Club of New York and supported by a collaboration between Baxter St. and the National YoungArts Foundation. Please join us for this engaging conversation.

Guests: Corinne May Botz

Photograph © Corinne May Botz

Railroad Photography and the 150th Anniversary of the Golden Spike May 02, 2019

On May 10, 2019, the 150th anniversary of the “golden spike,”—the ceremonial completion of The First Transcontinental Railroad, will be celebrated, and we at the B&H Photography Podcast are taking this opportunity to talk railroad photography. In the first half of the episode, we discuss the iconic image created by photographer A.J. Russell, at Promontory Summit, Utah, in 1869 of hundreds of workers gathered on and around two steam locomotives for this momentous occasion. We also touch upon the relationship between photography and the growth of rail travel in the United States and mention other important railroad photographers. During the second half of our show we focus on the gear, techniques, and safety protocols employed by three accomplished contemporary railroad photographers.

Joining us for this episode are Scott Lothes, photographer and President and Executive Director of the Center for Railroad Photography & Art and the editor of its journal Railroad Heritage. Lothes discusses the Russell photograph and the Center’s mission, its archive, and its publications, including the recent book After Promontory: 150 Years of Transcontinental Railroading.

We are also joined by photographers Eric Williams and Dennis Livesey. Williams is a fine art photographer who incorporates railroad and landscape photography into his work. He provides tips on workflow and shooting techniques and offers an overview of the subtle differences between the photographic styles within this subgenre. Livesey, who concentrates on urban rail transit and steam locomotives, brings his encyclopedic knowledge of railroad history and an insight on how to turn your passion into a photo project, specifically his 2016 book, Smoke Over Steamtown. Join us for this timely and celebratory episode.

Guests: Scott Lothes, Eric Williams, and Dennis Livesey

Photograph by A.J. Russell, courtesy Center for Railroad Photography and Art

For incredible railroad photographs and links to items discussed in this episode follow this link.

Black and White and Blue—Underwater Fine Art Photography Apr 25, 2019

Today we present an encore episode of the B&H Photography Podcast and revisit our conversations with two incredible photographers, Christian Vizl and Hengki Koentjoro. The timing is ideal as both photographers have new work to present -- Christian is debuting a new book, Silent Kingdom, with an introduction by Dr. Sylvia Earle, and Hengki is exhibiting work in Tokyo, Japan and at the Royal Albert Hall in England.

These two photographers from two distant parts of the globe, but both share a sense of a serene underwater world that they envision mostly in black-and-white. Perhaps, surprisingly, Hengki Koentjoro and Christian Vizl claim Ansel Adams as a prime influence on their work, and we talk with them about not only about their artistic influences but about their choice of gear, shooting styles, post-process techniques and safety concerns.

We start our episode with Hengki Koentjoro, who is based in Indonesia, and whose work on land and sea is simply stunning. His black-and-white compositions of sea creatures and the interplay between sun and water are more still life than wildlife, as they explore the textures, lines, and shapes found in the waters of his native archipelago. Koentjoro speaks with us about the simple set of tools with which he captures his images and his uncomplicated approach to exploring the waters he knows so well.

Christian Vizl brings a similar perspective to his relationship with the sea, although the creatures he normally photographs tend to be much bigger and faster-moving, and the waters he explores extend across the planet. A life-long diver, Vizl has recently received well-deserved attention for his black-and-white images of rays, sharks, and whales, including a 2017 Sony World Photography Award. His approach places experience before image and his respect for the sea and its animals is evident in all he does and says.

We encourage you to visit our podcast landing page to see examples of the images created by these two supremely talented photographers.

Guests: Hengki Koentjoro and Christian Vizl

Photo © Christian Vizl

Camera Clubs and the Coney Island School of Photography and Art Apr 18, 2019

The first amateur photographic entity in the United States was the Amateur Photographic Exchange Club, New York City, which existed from 1861–1863. The oldest continuously extant camera club in the United States founded, at least in part, by amateurs is the Photographic Society of Philadelphia, founded in 1862.

On today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast we will talk about camera clubs and, specifically, the Coney Island School of Photography and Art, which, despite its pedagogic nomenclature, is an amateur camera club that takes the famed oceanfront community and amusement park in Brooklyn, New York, as its subject. For anyone who is familiar with Coney Island, it should be clear that photographing at this beach is less about sunsets and flamingoes and more about “polar bears,” freak shows, and street photography along the beach.

We welcome three members of this camera club, Orlando Mendez, A.J. Bernstein, and Norman Blake, to discuss their personal photographic journeys, the benefits of having cohorts with whom to work and compare notes and, of course, the changing face of Coney Island itself. We also take time to talk about gear, technique, the different ways in which photographers will see the same subject, and the simple joy that photography can bring to our lives. Join us for this entertaining episode.

Guests: A.J. Bernstein, Norman Blake, and Orlando Mendez

Photograph © Norman Blake

For more photos and information on gear discussed in this episode click here

Car Photography, from Advertising to Motorsports Apr 11, 2019

This is one of the more informative and hands-on practical episodes of the B&H Photography Podcast that we have produced in some time. Obviously, it helps if you are “practicing” car photography, but the insights provided in this episode are useful for a wide range of photo disciplines, and touch on techniques for making better images of moving objects, reflective and non-reflective products, tight interiors, and how to photograph large items in a studio or on location.

For this wealth of information, we must thank photographer Nate Hassler, who joined us to talk about his extensive work photographing cars, whether for advertising, editorial, or for personal projects, a.k.a. fun. Hassler is accomplished in each of these areas, and his advertising clients include Toyota, Honda, Lexus, and Mercedes. He is also a respected motorsport photographer who shoots for Road & Track Magazine. We find out that Hassler grew up around photography, helping in his parents’ photo studio, but developed a love for cars all on his own and seems to have found the perfect career that blends his two passions. We learn a bit about the automobile advertising business, but mostly we discuss capture technique, including the rigs and gear he prefers, tips for shooting moving vehicles, stabilization, bracketing, back-lighting, lens distortion, and post-process.

This truly is an educational and entertaining episode, and check out the B&H Photography Podcast Facebook Group for an image of Hassler’s “Franken-Instax” camera that he created to make instant photos with a Schneider lens.

Guest: Nate Hassler

Photograph © Nate Hassler

Commitment to Community-- Rhynna Santos, Michael Young, and the Bronx Documentary Center Apr 04, 2019

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome two photographers who are part of the diverse and thriving cultural and artistic life of The Bronx. Rhynna Santos and Michael G. Young are also both members of the Bronx Documentary Center and, today, we discuss their individual bodies of work, the role the BDC plays in their lives and community, and we talk a bit about what makes The Bronx so boogie-down.

Talk about committed, not only is Rhynna Santos a documentary photographer creating long-form series on subjects close to her heart, she leads workshops at the BDC, coordinates the Bronx Photo League and curates the Everyday Bronx feed on Instagram. Her current project, #papielmaestro, profiles her father, legendary musician Ray Santos. This series, which is on exhibit at the Bronx Music Heritage Center, documents her father’s musical legacy and examines her role as her aging father’s caregiver.

Michael Young is primarily a street photographer, but his portrait, event, and street fashion work is so strong, he is hard to pigeon-hole. We talk about his commitment to photography, the ability to take on different styles, and his current project on the people of Claremont Village, a public housing project in The Bronx.

With Santos and Young we discuss the challenges faced by artists of color and those in low-income communities, the value of embracing long-term projects, and how shooting “what you know” with the gear you have is a key to engaged photography. We also take a minute to shout-out a shared mentor, Jamel Shabazz and the role he has played in the artistic development of their photography, and we profile the Bronx Documentary Center, a non-profit gallery and community-oriented cultural center that offers workshops, lectures, exhibits, and a home base for children, adults, and seniors to get hands-on training in photojournalism, filmmaking, and documentary photography. Join us for this inspirational episode.

Guests: Michael G. Young and Rhynna Santos

Humor, Vulnerability, and Instagram - A Talk with Artists Mitra Saboury and Ben Zank Mar 28, 2019

Is it necessary to have fun to create work with humor, what is the line between humor and discomfort, can art that is funny have a serious message? How does Instagram success translate to the art world? These are some questions we address in this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, and while “humor in art” is our starting point, the conversation takes its own life and we touch on a range of subjects including, how to sustain a creative idea, the discrepancy between intent and reception, self-portraiture, and how to scale work for both a small screen and a gallery.

With these ideas on the table, I cannot think of two better guests with whom to have a conversation. Mitra Saboury and Ben Zank are both artists who explore very personal spheres with their photo and video work, and both incorporate humor and playfulness to express their worldview—and as a portal to explore thornier themes.

Ben Zank’s deceptively simple, wonderfully composed images, often with himself as model, explore the body’s relationship with its found environment. Placing a model in a sewer, a pothole, a basketball hoop, or under the yellow lines of the highway, Zank creates an, at times awkward, at times harmonious exchange. The almost self-deprecating humor belies a confident control of purpose and a delicate view of the human form.

The imaginative work of Mitra Saboury, whether alone or in collaboration with meatwreck, explores the physical and psychological effects of our quotidian toils. Like Zank, there is much humor in her work, but a persistent challenging of norms and questioning of beliefs runs through her photography, video, performance, and installation art. Some pieces are discomforting, but strength through inquiry and vulnerability lay at their core. Her work has been exhibited throughout the world, most recently at the Spring Break Art Fair, in Los Angeles, but she also thrives on Instagram and encourages audience participation, whether in person or in the semi-anonymity of the Web.

Join us for this interesting conversation, organized by Cory Rice, who also joins us on mic, and check out his portrait of Ben Zank in our “What is Photography?” series.

Guests: Mitra Saboury, Ben Zank, Cory Rice

Sweepstakes, Resolutions, and Sony Portrait Photographers Mar 21, 2019

This week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast is a bit of a grab bag. We start with an update of our new B&H Photography Podcast Facebook group and announce the winners of the SanDisk 64GB memory card sweepstakes. We also discuss the enthusiastic support we received during the first week of the new group and give a shout out to some of the individuals who have submitted images and comments. We then have a quick chat among ourselves about our photography New Year’s resolutions to see how (and if) we are following through with our plans. We also discuss some of the gear we were interested in at that time and update whether that was a true photographic need or just G.A.S.

On the second half of the show, we offer excerpts from conversations with photographers Tomaiya Colvin and Tony Gale. Colvin is a photographer from Houston who has made a career shooting senior portraits, while Gale is a portrait photographer, lighting expert, and Sony Artisan of Light. We discuss some of the trends in senior portraiture with Colvin, as well as her choice of gear, and she provides a dose of real-world motivation for photographers of all stripes. Tony Gale speaks about his blend of corporate and editorial portrait work, as well as his series on women mayors. He also discusses his switch to mirrorless cameras and the lighting systems he uses on his various shoots. Join us for this easygoing episode and subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Overcast, and join the B&H Photography Podcast Facebook group.

Guests: Tomaiya Colvin and Tony Gale

It is What It is—Mark Mann on Portrait Photography Mar 14, 2019

Today, we welcome portrait photographer Mark Mann to the B&H Photography Podcast, and as Allan notes at the top of the show, if you name a celebrity or famous politician, Mann has probably photographed them. His body of work is incredible. As an example, in 2014, he was tapped by Esquire to photograph eighty boys and men, from age one to eighty, for its 80th anniversary issue. That “who’s-who” list alone would make a career, and it was just one year for Mann.

Over the course of this engaging conversation, we touch on many topics from interaction with subjects, to gear choices (Leica medium format S and full-frame SL systems), to retouching, to shooting with or without a tripod. We also dig into his early career, when he assisted legends like Nick Knight and Miles Aldridge and what he calls the “slow grind” of years of freelance work. While Mann is known for tight-cropped, high-resolution portraits, we also discuss his motion and After Effects work, how he “grounds” himself by occasionally shooting with a Graflex and antique lenses and, of course, the development of his signature lighting techniques.

Also joining us is Cory Rice, who photographed Mann as part of the What is Photography? portrait series and asks pertinent questions on portraiture. Our conversation is loaded with belly laughs as Mann recounts his portrait sessions with Bill Murray, Jennifer Aniston, Robin Williams, President Obama, and others. Join us for this enjoyable and informative episode and don’t forget to join the B&H Photography Facebook group.

Guest: Mark Mann and Cory Rice

B&H Photography Podcast Facebook Group and SanDisk Sweepstakes Promo Mar 11, 2019

The B&H Photography Podcast Facebook Group is live and we encourage all our listeners to join. The Facebook Group will be your way to engage with Allan, John, and Jason of the B&H Photography Podcast and to post photos, ask questions, make suggestions, and comment on our show. It is also a way to interact with other listeners, learn more about our guests, and get feedback on your own work.

As an incentive to join, everyone who joins by March 13, 2019 will be eligible to win one of two SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I memory cards. We will select two winners at random from all the folks who have signed up by March 13, 2019. Good luck...and also subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcast!

Mick Rock: The Name Says It All Mar 07, 2019

The name does kinda say it all, doesn’t it? On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we speak with legendary rock ’n’ roll photographer Mick Rock. Despite his incredible body of work and numerous iconic photos, Rock’s philosophy on photography might best be summed up with a comment from this episode, “The reality is, it’s not that complicated.”

For this episode we traveled to Rock’s home studio, and he graciously invited this “dodgy-looking bunch” in to talk about the beginning of his career, his working style, the bio-documentary “SHOT! The Psycho-Spiritual Mantra of Rock,” and the many photos and album covers he created for the likes of Syd Barrett, David Bowie, Lou Reed, Blondie, Queen, Rory Gallagher, Joan Jett, Madonna, and others. We also discussed his recent work with Lana Del Rey, Karen O, the GUCCI brand, and how he approaches an advertising campaign compared to a rock ’n’ roll shoot.

Our conversation casually bounced between topics, but often returned to Rock’s ability to grasp the photographic moment, whether that moment be in a studio, at a concert or, as in many of his most intriguing images, while hanging out with the musicians offstage. Rock downplays his technical skills, but we do talk a bit about gear and, when pressed on how he could create four decades of memorable music photos, he stated, “I’ve always loved my subjects.” The same can be said about us, so please tune in for this wonderful conversation...and don't forget to join the B&H Photography Podcast Facebook group.

Guest: Mick Rock

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. The salty language and "rock-n-roll content" may offend some. Listen at your own discretion.

Memory Card Myths and Storage Solutions Feb 28, 2019

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome representatives from SanDisk, Lexar, and B&H writer John-Paul Palescandolo to discuss memory cards, storage solutions, and best practices for capturing and storing digital images.

We have also officially launched our B&H Photography Facebook Group and invite our listeners to join. Follow the link above to the group page and request to join—it’s as simple as that. We have added a small incentive: we will be giving away SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO UHS-I SDXC Memory Cards. Everyone who joins our Facebook group by March 13 will be eligible to win, and we will draw two winners at random to receive a card, generously provided by SanDisk.

We start our conversation today with Pete Isgrigg, from the Channel Marketing team at Western Digital. Western Digital is the parent company of G-Technology and SanDisk, and we speak with Isgrigg about the products they offer, as well as some basic best practices for memory card and hard drive usage. After our conversation with Isgrigg, we welcome Andrew Nahmias, from NTI sales, representing Lexar. Nahmias provides further insight into which cards are best for your workflow and how to keep your image files safe and retrievable.

We spoke with Isgrigg and Nahmias at the 2019 Depth of Field Wedding and Portrait Photography Conference, but after a short break, we’re joined in our studio by John-Paul Palescandolo to discuss other brands of memory cards sold by B&H, and to answer some general questions on the subject.

Join us for this very informative episode—and don’t forget to join the B&H Photography Podcast Facebook Group.

Guests: Pete Isgrigg, Andrew Nahmias, and John-Paul Palescandolo

New Gear Announcements - 2019 Feb 21, 2019

We’re not even two months into 2019 and there have already been several announcements for new cameras, lenses, and even a new format for a major camera manufacturer. On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast we will list the many new announcements and, along with our guests, Shawn Steiner and Andrea Ortado, offer any insights we have in terms of specs, hands-on comparisons, and general opinions.

We start off with the new Canon EOS RP Mirrorless Digital Camera and mention a few of the many lenses on the road map for this new full-frame mirrorless series. We also discuss the new Nikon lenses for their full-frame mirrorless Z-mount camera, including the NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens and the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens. From Canon and Nikon we move on to Panasonic and the huge announcement of their full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Lumix DC-S1 Mirrorless Digital Camera and the Lumix DC-S1R Mirrorless Digital Camera as well as the company’s L-Mount Alliance with Sigma and Leica, and new lenses such as the Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. lens, the Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/4 O.I.S. lens and the Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4 lens. We also highlight the impressive new Olympus flagship camera, the OM-D E-M1X Mirrorless Digital Camera.

After a break we discuss the new Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Digital Camera and the reasons it will appeal to vloggers and the new FUJIFILM X-T30 Mirrorless Digital Camera. FUJIFILM also announced a new XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR lens and the FUJIFILM GF 100-200mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR lens for their medium format GFX cameras. We continue with a brief chat on new point-and-shoot cameras including the Ricoh GR III Digital Camera, the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000 II Digital Camera and the FUJIFILM FinePix XP140 Digital Camera. Finally, we close with a brief comment on firmware, accessories such as the Wacom Cintiq 16HD Creative Pen Display, and thoughts on the new full-frame mirrorless cameras. Join us for this very informative episode.

Guests: Andrea Ortado and Shawn Steiner

Finding Your Niche in Wedding Photography Feb 14, 2019

The wedding-photography business is very competitive, so, to have a distinct client base and a way to stand out from the crowd is crucial—almost necessary. On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we discuss niche wedding photography with three photographers who have forged a career path by photographing the weddings of a specific niche demographic. To be clear, each of these photographers shoot weddings for all ilks, but they have been able to distinguish themselves by embracing a specific market.

We discuss how each of them discovered their photographic specialty, the importance of understanding traditions while balancing demands of new generations, specific tips for photographing within their areas of expertise, and how incorporating and embracing their own life stories helped find their career path.

In the first half of the show, we are joined by Charmi Peña and Petronella Lugemwa, with whom we spoke at the 2019 Depth of Field Wedding and Portrait Conference. Peña is a Nikon Ambassador and a wedding and portrait photographer who specializes in photographing Indian weddings. Lugemwa runs a New York-based, international wedding photography studio whose embrace of “multi-cultural weddings” echoes her personal celebration of her cultural identity.

After a break, we speak with portrait and wedding photographer Steven Rosen, who is featured in our “What is Photography?” series. His impeccable portraiture informs his wedding work, and our conversation concentrates on Rosen’s work photographing same-sex weddings. Join us for this compelling episode, which blends personal motivations with practical tips. For links to the gear discussed on this episode click here.

Guests: Charmi Peña, Petronella Lugemwa, Steven Rosen

Albert Watson at the 2019 Depth of Field Conference Feb 07, 2019

At the B&H Depth of Field Wedding and Portrait Conference, being held this week in New York, we were fortunate to sit down with a straight-up legend—Albert Watson. It would be hard to overstate his accomplishments as a photographer, and his ability to master a range of photographic genres—from fashion and advertising to still life, fine art, and reportage—is uncanny. He has shot more than 100 Vogue covers, 40 covers for Rolling Stone, created iconic images of Steve Jobs, Mick Jagger, Alfred Hitchcock, David Bowie, a nude Kate Moss on her 19th birthday, and a properly clothed Queen Elizabeth, who later bestowed upon Watson an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for “services to photography.”

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we present our conversation with Watson, which also serves as an intro to future episodes, which will present a sampling of conversations we held with other wonderful wedding and portrait photographers at the Depth of Field Conference. Join us for this inspiring conversation and subscribe on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Overcast and Stitcher for all upcoming episodes.

Guest: Albert Watson

Host: Allan Weitz

Senior Creative Producer: John Harris

Producer: Jason Tables

The Life and Death and Life of LIFE Magazine Jan 31, 2019

In terms of its sheer reach and influence on photographers, there is no magazine that compares to LIFE. From the 1930s into the 1970s, it was the weekly go-to for news, lifestyle, entertainment and, of course, world class photography. With the likes of Margaret Bourke-White, W. Eugene Smith, Robert Capa, Gordon Parks, Dorothea Lange, and Alfred Eisenstadt under contract, and a commitment to the photo essay, LIFE was a groundbreaking publication that has yet to be equaled. At its most popular, it sold 13.5 million copies per week.

With America’s attention switching to television by the early 1960s and, eventually, away from print media in general, LIFE slowly became a remnant of another era, but its influence on photography is still immense. On today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we discuss the magazine, and particularly its print and online reincarnations in the 2000s.

Joining us for this conversation is the former editor-in-chief of LIFE, Bill Shapiro. Shapiro, a long-time editor at Time Inc., brought LIFE out of mothballs, in 2004, and launched LIFE.com in 2009. We examine these two iterations of the famed journal. Underscoring this conversation is the larger issue of the consumer switch from print journalism to digital journalism as the primary source of news and photography. Shapiro walks us through the decisions that were made to keep LIFE viable as the eventual changes in the industry took hold, and how he infused creativity into the print magazine and the website, while maintaining its long tradition of great photography.

We also talk with Shapiro about his work as an author and, particularly, the book he co-authored, What We Keep, and how that book was influenced by the work he did at LIFE magazine. Join us for this look back at the final years of one the most important publications in American photography history.

Guest: Bill Shapiro

Photo: Courtesy Bill Shapiro

Conflict Photography – Motivation and Consequence Jan 24, 2019

On this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome neuropsychiatrist Anthony Feinstein, and the Director of Editorial Content at Adobe, Santiago Lyon, to discuss Feinstein’s latest book Shooting War.

“What makes a person choose a profession in which they know that scores of their colleagues, some of them friends, will be killed each year, while hundreds of other colleagues will be arrested and some will go missing, never to be found? Why choose a profession that entails running toward grave danger while those around you flee from it? If you can answer these questions, you begin to gain insight into the complex world of frontline journalists.”

The above paragraph begins the profile of Santiago Lyon in Shooting War, and provides an apt summary for our own episode. We discuss the motivations that drive photographers to cover war, as well as the consequences to their physical, psychological, and emotional health they face. Feinstein brings his years of clinical work studying the effects of war on journalists and Lyon adds insight from his personal experiences as a conflict photographer and editor. Of course, we also discuss the research that went into the making of the book, and Feinstein relates the experiences of several of the photographers mentioned in his book.

Anthony Feinstein is professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. He has authored a series of seminal studies exploring the psychological effects of conflict on journalists, including Journalists Under Fire and Battle Scarred, and is a Guggenheim fellow. The 2012 documentary, Under Fire, is based on his research and won a Peabody Award.

Prior to his position at Adobe, Lyon was Director of Photography at The Associate Press and a respected photojournalist who covered conflicts in Latin America, the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Somalia. As an editor at AP, he led teams that earned Pulitzer Prizes on three different occasions. He is one of eighteen photographers profiled in Shooting War. Join us for this powerful episode.

Guests: Anthony Feinstein and Santiago Lyon

Industrial Photography and the Recovery of Flight 1549 Jan 17, 2019

This week we recognize the 10th anniversary of the “Miracle on the Hudson.” On January 15, 2009, with both engines crippled, US Airways Flight 1549 made an emergency landing in the icy waters of the Hudson River, with 155 people onboard. All passengers and crew survived.

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome photographer Stephen Mallon, who documented the recovery of the airplane from the river, and Denise Lockie, who was a passenger on Flight 1549.

Stephen Mallon is that rare photographer who successfully blends editorial, documentary, commercial, and fine art photography, often in the same image. He is recognized for documenting large-scale industrial and marine projects, including the “The Reefing of USS Radford,” “Next Stop Atlantic,” and, of course, “Brace for Impact: The Salvage of Flight 1549.” His clients include the New York Times Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Publicis, Sudler & Hennessey, and MAYTAG; and his series, “American Reclamation” is currently exhibiting at the Front Room Gallery, in New York. Mallon discusses his career trajectory, his medium format and full-frame gear choices, and how he straddles the line between his documentary subjects and a fine art photographer’s vision.

Of course, we also talk about the series he produced on the recovery of Flight 1549 and how he approached such a historical subject. In the second half of the episode, we are also very fortunate to be joined by Denise Lockie, who survived the crash landing and a protracted stay in the icy waters. Lockie tells of her experience that day, her recovery process, and about looking back on such a life-changing event after ten years. We also discuss with Lockie her feelings about the images Mallon has made and the other iconic images from that fateful day.

Guests: Stephen Mallon and Denise Lockie

The Digital Photo Collage Jan 10, 2019

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome two artists whose work blurs the lines between street photography, documentary, installation and digital art, while cultivating a contemporary interpretation of the art and craft of collage. Both artists utilize photography-based processes and take urban architecture and street scenes as their subject, but from there, the work goes in very different directions.

Jennifer Williams creates large, often site-specific collages that inspect but distort the architectural scenes she documents. As she has stated, “The rectilinear shape that is the traditional photograph never fulfilled my desire to show everything in a space,” and that will be immediately clear upon seeing her work. Layering images of buildings upon one another, she creates angular and abstract collages while still providing a path for the viewer to connect the image she creates with the neighborhood or street that she photographed. Williams speaks about her process, including the original imaging, her adjustments in post-process, and her large-scale installations, often made on Photo Tex media. We also touch on previous explorations of the city as diverse as Edward Ruscha, Danny Lyon and and Jane Jacobs.

Tommy Mintz wrote a software program that creates “automated digital collages” and he has experimented over the years with how he (and the program) composes the street scenes he photographs. The tools he uses for image capture and computation have evolved and become more powerful, but unlike the painstaking control Williams exercises over her collages, the key element in Mintz’s process is the random arrangement and layering of images that the software creates. This is not to say that his images are out of his control—after all, he wrote the program. He selects the scenes to photograph and he does adjust the final product in Photoshop, but the software-generated placement of images creates layers, unexpected shadows, multiple exposures and even seeming glitches that add up to an intriguing and whimsical take on street photography.

Join us as we learn about the conceptualizations and processes of these two visual artists and hear how they integrate the Nodal Ninja, Epson 24" printers, and the Sigma dp2 Quattro Digital Camera into their workflow.

Guests: Jennifer Williams and Tommy Mintz

Photography Resolutions for 2019 Jan 03, 2019

As a companion to last week’s end-of-year review episode, and as a way of kicking off the new year, we will discuss our own photographic new year’s resolutions and gear wish lists on today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast.

As our most ardent listeners know, Allan, Jason, and I have wildly different photographic styles and our gear bags reflect those styles. We will start by talking about the photo-related goals that we each have for the coming year. Perhaps inspired by some of the guests we have had on the show this year or our “What is Photography?” project, I have a couple of long-delayed projects I want to get back to, Jason is looking to continue his long-exposure work with urban cityscapes, and Allan is going to dig back into his film archive to digitize long-hidden gems. We will talk a bit about our current work and the techniques we want to improve this year and, after a short break, we will talk a bit about gear.

Going around the table, we will discuss what we are currently shooting with and what new (or used) gear we may purchase to help us achieve our new year’s goals. Allan will start by describing the “franken-slide copier” that he built with a Micro-NIKKOR 55mm lens, a Bolt Macro Light, and his trusty Sony a7R II. Jason is looking to experiment with long telephoto lenses, such as the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens, and a new 3 Legged Thing tripod to add to his landscape photography kit, and I want to get back to my street photography roots with a fixed-lens camera such as the Fujifilm X100F or one of the Ricoh GR series cameras.

While we do talk gear and you can find links to all products we discussed here, this episode is mostly about our shared passions for photography and keeping creativity an important part of our 2019. What photography goals do you have for the coming year?

Clip Job - Favorite Moments from 2018 Dec 27, 2018

It has been a fabulous year for the B&H Photography Podcast, with an incredibly diverse set of topics we discussed and guests we welcomed. The podcast team is very thankful to those who gave their time to talk about our shared passion, and to the listeners who join us every week, and those who chime in with comments and suggestions. Although today’s episode is looking back at our favorite moments from 2018, we also look forward to 2019 and improving the podcast: experimenting with our audio stylings, expanding engagement with listeners, offering more sweepstakes and, of course, continuing to bring wonderful guests to explore the worlds of photography.

For today’s “clip show,” Jason, Allan, and I offer our own lists of best moments from the year’s episodes and then try to come up with a personal favorite. It’s not easy, but Allan settled on our recent episode with Jay Maisel and Stephen Wilkes. We include clips from this episode and few others, including my surprise favorite, “The Story Demands More,” with Greg Constantine. Some of our choices overlap, but Jason couldn’t decide between “Embracing Technology in the ‘New’ Landscape Photography” or “Time Vector—Day to Night,” with Stephen and Bette Wilkes. Have a listen to moments from these episodes and a few others, and go back through our catalog of more than 150 episodes, hopefully, there’s something for every type of photographer. Let us know your favorite of the year, and thank you again to everyone who has made this a successful and enjoyable year at the B&H Photography Podcast.

Photography is… Dec 21, 2018

On today’s show, we discuss a portrait and interview project that was created for B&H Explora, our online magazine and home base of the B&H Photography Podcast. The project is titled “What is Photography?” and, as the name suggests, we asked prominent members of the New York photo community—editors, artists, curators, technicians, and many photographers—for their definition of the medium. The responses are as varied as the individuals who participated, but it is the accompanying portraits, by photographer Cory Rice, that make this series so interesting.

Using a simple combination of elements—an Oliphant backdrop, a Hasselblad medium format digital camera, and the north light of the Highlight Studios, at Penumbra Foundation—Rice created a stylistically uniform body of work that depicts his subjects with an honesty that reflects the community-building nature of the series and also hints at their unique relationship with photography. The subjects include Pulitzer-Prize-winning photographers, editors from the New York Times, curators from the International Center of Photography, Magnum Foundation fellows, and other leaders in their field. We talk with Rice about the conception and production of the series and intersperse excerpts from an artist’s panel with several of the project's participants discussing their take on photography.

Toward the end of the episode, we speak with the winner of our recent Lumix Day Sweepstakes to see how his new DMC-GX85 Mirrorless camera with 12-32mm and 45-150mm lenses has advanced his photography. Join us for this interesting episode and check out “What is Photography?” on the Explora website.

Guests: Cory Rice, Sam Cannon, Maciek Jasik, Miranda Barnes, and Stanley Steril

Cameras and Lenses of the Year, 2018 Dec 13, 2018

It is that time of year, when we chat about the cameras that have been announced in 2018 and toss in some commentary by our in-house experts. We also make time for our favorite new lenses and a few accessories and miscellaneous pieces of gear. At the end of the show, we’ll go around the room and offer our thoughts on each of our favorite cameras from this year.

While we already touched upon the new Canon and Nikon mirrorless full-frame cameras in a previous episode, we would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge these big announcements at the top of the show. Other than these long-awaited announcements, 2018 was a comparatively quiet year for other manufacturers. Sony announced the Alpha a7 III Mirrorless full-frame camera at the beginning of the year, and both the RX100 VA and the RX100 VI; Zeiss has everyone curious about its full-frame ZX1 Digital Camera. Leica put out the Leica Q-P Digital Camera along with M10-D. Fujifilm bookended its year with two big announcements, the Fujifilm X-H1 in February, and the X-T3 later in the year—and added a few smaller X-series cameras, point-and-shoots, and the Instax SQ6 Taylor Swift Edition along the way. Panasonic announced the Lumix DC-GH5S as the update to the G5, and Olympus released the PEN E-PL9.

Several lenses were highlighted during the roundup episode, including the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di RXD Lens for Sony E and the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC CN lens. The Zeiss Batis 40mm f/2 CF lens for Sony E also found favor, as did the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM lens and the Rokinon 24mm f/2.8 AF lens.

In addition to cameras and lenses, we spoke about new bags from Lowepro and Peak Design; lights from Luxli and Profoto; tripods by Robus; and the DJI Mavic 2 Pro and the GoPro Hero 7.

This really was an episode full of insightful gear talk, and we discussed a wide range of products; we hope you enjoy and that it will help with any gift-buying decisions you may be making.

Guests: Chelsea Jensen and Shawn Steiner

Jazz Photography and “Harlem 1958” by Art Kane Dec 06, 2018

In 1958, Art Kane, already a successful art director looking to jump-start his photography career, pitched the idea of a “class photo” for Vogue magazine’s annual jazz edition. In addition to individual photographs of jazz legends, he proposed a group portrait of musicians gathered on a stoop, in Harlem. For music and photography aficionados, the photo, now commonly referred to as “A Great Day in Harlem,” is an iconic image, and on today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast we speak with Jonathan Kane—Art Kane’s son and an accomplished musician and photographer in his own right—about the creation and impact of this photograph. We also discuss the new book, Art Kane. Harlem 1958 - 60th Anniversary Edition, which provides context for the image's creation and never-before published outtakes.

In the second half of the show, we welcome contemporary jazz photographer Clara Pereira, who is one-half of the team behind the blog Jazztrail.net. Pereira speaks on the nuts and bolts of jazz photography, including tips on gear, technique, settings, and lighting. We find out that her simple approach is very effective, as she explains how to keep a low profile while shooting, the differences between working a club and a concert hall, and between performance and portrait work. Join us for this enjoyable episode and take a listen to our earlier episode on the image, “A Great Day in Hip-Hop,” which was photographed at the same Harlem location as Art Kane’s masterpiece.

Guests: Jonathan Kane and Clara Pereira

Building and Curating a Photography Blog Nov 30, 2018

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome photographer Rick McGinnis and curator Julie Grahame, to discuss blogging and archiving. While this is certainly a broad subject, we will focus on the work of our two guests while considering how best to keep your collection of photos vibrant and valuable.

Rick McGinnis is a veteran portrait, editorial, and travel photographer based in Toronto. Most of his assignments and self-assignments had been for local newspapers and magazines and, when this professional landscape changed and motivation was lacking, he almost got out of the business entirely. With a little encouragement, he began to explore the many images he had shot over the previous twenty years—some he had never even viewed—despite being gorgeous portraits of well-known musicians, actors, and artists. The result of this deep dig was a blog he simply called someoldpicturesitook. The blog proved to be an avenue not only into his past, but to his future, because images never seen were now appreciated, discussed, shared, and ultimately, licensed. McGinnis is now on to a new travel blog and a new chapter in his career, and we will hear what he has learned along the way.

Curator, consultant and writer, Julie Grahame is the publisher of aCurator.com, a full-screen photography magazine, and the associated aCurator blog. She directed the Retna photo agency for 16 years and currently represents the estate of Yousuf Karsh for image licensing and maintains the extensive karsh.org website. We speak with Grahame about the benefits of a blog compared to a website, Instagram, or in her case, a webzine, and we discuss her relationship with the Karsh archive and insights she has drawn from licensing his iconic portraits.

Throughout the humorous conversation, we consider Google search tools, tagging, preferred blogging sites, and repurposing older work, but we also touch on the personal, professional, and historical importance of valuing and maintaining your photo collection.

Guests: Julie Grahame and Rick McGinnis

Shooting Hoops—Basketball Photography with the NBA's Best Nov 21, 2018

Today we welcome two of professional basketball’s best photographers, and that’s not just me talking. Nat Butler is Senior Photographer for NBA Entertainment and has worked the last thirty-three NBA Finals. He is also the official photographer for the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. Andrew Bernstein is the longest-tenured official NBA photographer, the photographer for the L.A. Lakers and L.A. Clippers, a recent inductee to the NBA Hall of Fame, and the photographer of the new book, The Mamba Mentality, by Kobe Bryant. So, enough of the bona fides, these two photographers are also great friends, and they bring their easy-going banter and the ultimate insider’s perspective to the B&H Photography Podcast.

Our conversation covers a wide range of topics, from the gear they use (and what they don’t), the lighting systems they’ve developed, the intimacy of basketball photography compared to other sports, and how fashion and social media has affected their day-to-day work. We also dig into the shooting strategies they employ for each game and how their images are used by NBA Photos. Butler noted that in the past, a cover photo on Sports Illustrated would have been seen by approximately 3 million subscribers and, now, with tethering and instant feeds, a game photo can be seen by up to 30 million subscribers to the NBA Instagram feed within five minutes of the photo having been taken.

Whether you are into sports photography, event and production photography, or NBA history, this episode is for you.

For more info on the items discussed in this episodes:

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II DSLR Camera

Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM Lens

Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM Lens

Guests: Nat Butler and Andrew Bernstein

Lumix Day Sweepstakes at the B&H SuperStore Nov 16, 2018

We tried something new for this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast—we ventured into the B&H SuperStore to interview camera shoppers, fans of the podcast, and attendees of the Panasonic Lumix Day Event. We coordinated with our marketing team and organized a sweepstakes to give away a Lumix DMC-GX85 Mirrorless camera with a 12-32mm lens and a 45-150mm lens. We became acquainted with our audience a bit better by asking people two simple questions and chatting with them about photography. The first question was: “Which is the favorite photo you have ever taken?” and the second question was, “How would winning a GX85 change your photography?”

The answers were as varied and entertaining as one would expect, and we include several of these short conversations in this episode. When we finished our recordings, we randomly picked a winner of the sweepstakes, and the winner will also be announced toward the end of the show.

Because we were recording as part of the Lumix Day event, several interesting photographers and videographers, each a Lumix ambassador, were speaking at the B&H Event Space. After their talks, they joined us for a brief chat, and we include these conversations with documentary filmmaker Griffin Hammond, lifestyle photographer Jeff Carpenter and wedding and travel photographer William Innes. Each brings insight to their respective disciplines, and the engagement with shoppers and fans is not to be missed. Join us for this fast-paced and entertaining episode.

Guests: Jeff Carpenter, William Innes, Griffin Hammond, B&H SuperStore Shoppers

Jay Maisel, Stephen Wilkes and the Documentary, "Jay Myself" Nov 08, 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 have almost one-hundred and fifty to choose from, there is no doubt that this week’s 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 this weekend, at the DOC NYC Film Festival, Wilkes is premiering his documentary about Maisel, called Jay Myself. We sat with Maisel and Wilkes to discuss the making of the film and their personal and professional relationship that has lasted for almost 40 years.

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 and see the trailer of the film here.

Part I, Maisel and Wilkes: 00:00 - 38:40

Part II, Jay Myself and The Bank: 39:00 – 83:50

Guests: Jay Maisel and Stephen Wilkes

“Still” Photography for Film and Television Nov 01, 2018

When you think of an image from your favorite movie, what comes to mind? Is it a well-edited sequence, a dramatic crescendo, or perhaps simply a static photo, maybe even the poster art itself? If it is a static image, chances are it’s a photo taken by an on-set “still” photographer. On today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we discuss this craft with two photographers who make their living as still photographers, working on location and in-studio on television and film productions alongside the camera assistants, boom operators, grips, DPs and myriad crew members, who make the movie magic.

Joining us are JoJo Whilden, a fine art and still photographer who has worked on numerous films, including Silver Linings Playbook and The Fighter and television series such as Orange Is the New Black, and Homeland. Her clients include HBO, Netflix, CBS, Sony, and Killer Films. She is the 2018 recipient of The Society of Camera Operators Lifetime Achievement Award in Still Photography. Also joining us in the studio is David Giesbrecht, an editorial and still photographer with credits on The House of Cards, The Blacklist, Mr. Robot, Jessica Jones, and many other shows and films.

We speak with Giesbrecht and Whilden about the specific photography skills required on-set, the working relationship within a film crew, their gear setup, and the changes that the profession has seen with the onset of digital streaming, cell phones, mirrorless cameras, social media, and the growth of the episodic television series. This is a very informative episode about a craft that is often overlooked and misunderstood.

For more info on the products mentioned in this episode:

Nikon D5 DSLR Camera

Nikon Z6 Mirrorless Digital Camera

FUJIFILM X-H1 Mirrorless Digital Camera

Guests: JoJo Whilden and David Giesbrecht

Photograph by JoJo Whilden, from the film "A Late Quartet"

Landscape Photography Takes Flight with Drones Oct 25, 2018

Can you imagine a better perspective? On today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome two shooting buddies who, perhaps not so coincidentally, happen to be talented and inspirational landscape photographers. Ryan Dyar and Miles Morgan are both well recognized for their gorgeous “land-based” landscape photography and post-production skills, but over the past few years, both have incorporated drone photography into their workflow. Our show today is a discussion of their aesthetic approach, and of the techniques and gear Dyar and Morgan use to make their stylized landscape images with the DJI Mavic Pro, Mavic Pro 2, and Phantom 4 Pro drones.

The topics we discuss are the differences between aerial photography and drone photography (Morgan is also a pilot) and, of course, composing from a tripod as opposed to a monitor image relayed from a few hundred feet in the air. We also talk about camera settings, long-exposure photography, drone choices, flying techniques, how to handle inclement weather, scouting locations, and the legal restrictions on drone operation. It is quite an informative episode but what also becomes clear is the camaraderie between Dyar and Morgan and how their friendship not only informs when and where they photograph but also how they work, how they view photography as a practice and certainly the influence each has upon the other in terms of their shooting styles. Join us for this enjoyable conversation.

Guests: Miles Morgan and Ryan Dyar

Night Photography - Exploring the Creative Possibilities Oct 18, 2018

On this week's B&H Photography Podcast we dig deep into the vault for one of our most successful early episodes.

In less than an hour, this podcast will teach you everything you need to know about night photography. Seriously. While our show is not a tutorial, the conversation is so broad and so deep; it touches upon every aspect of the craft. Guests Gabriel Biderman and Todd Vorenkamp blanket this subject with an engaging and humorous tone—from the psychological predisposition common to night shooters and the science of rods and cones to cameras, gear, apps and a recipe for creating images of star trails. This is truly an episode for all levels of shutterbugs seeking to explore or master image making at night. Well done guys!

Click here for more info on all the gear you need for night photography.

Guests: Gabriel Biderman and Todd Vorenkamp

**We are presenting this episode as a response to listener requests...and it also allows us the time to prepare our next few episodes, which look to be incredible. We will be speaking with Ryan Dyar and Miles Morgan about shooting landscapes with drones, with on-set still photographers in the film and movies business, with NBA basketball photographers, and are planning a very special episode with photographers Jay Maisel and Stephen Wilkes. Stay tuned.

New Gear from photokina 2018 Oct 11, 2018

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we get the old band back together for one more gig. Joining us are Explora writers and podcast veterans Todd Vorenkamp and Shawn Steiner. They are not on the show just because we like them so much, but also because they are experts on camera gear and have written up most of the camera news from photokina 2018. In addition, we welcome Dana Glidden, the B&H social media manager, to join us. Glidden attended this year’s camera trade fair, which was held from September 26-29, 2018, in Cologne, Germany.

We start the episode with Glidden, who provides an overview of the biggest, and perhaps most important camera expo on the planet, and then we go to Steiner and Vorenkamp to fill us in on the most impressive of the cameras, lenses, and other gear announced at this year’s show. Although announced before photokina, the Canon EOS R and the Nikon Z6 and Z7 mirrorless full-frame cameras were still the biggest draw at the convention. The Zeiss ZX1 Digital Camera, the Fujifilm X-T3 and the Panasonic Lumix S1 and S1R also received their share of attention, as did the new medium format Fujifilm GFX 50R Mirrorless Camera. If it wasn’t already clear that high-end mirrorless cameras were in full display this year, a new silver Leica CL Mirrorless Digital Camera was also announced.

Many lenses were also unveiled at photokina 2018, including the Zeiss Batis 40mm f/2 lens, the Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens, the Voigtländer NOKTON 50mm f/1.2, as well as several lenses for the new Nikon and Canon full-frame mirrorless systems.

Other products discussed on the show are the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, the GoPro Hero 7, the Profoto B10 Off-Camera Flash and the Gitzo Mini Traveler tripod. Join us for this comprehensive overview of the latest cameras and photography gear from this year’s photokina trade fair.

Guests: Dana Glidden, Shawn Steiner, Todd Vorenkamp

Photoville 2018 Oct 04, 2018

Under starry skies, we took our recorders and headphones to a collection of shipping containers in Brooklyn, known as Photoville 2018 and Photoville did not disappoint—what a wonderful collection of photo exhibits. The exhibits span the breadth photography, but with an overarching theme rooted firmly in documentary and social justice photography. Many shows were sponsored—by the U.S. Marines, by magazines, universities, or collectives; others were curated by New York Public School children, and another by the New York Municipal Archives. As in years past, it was a wonderful, perspective-expanding experience run by people who love photography. We chatted with organizers and photographers from a handful of the exhibitions.

First on today’s B&H Photography Podcast, we speak with Michael Lorenzini, from the Municipal Archives of the NYC Department of Records. Lorenzini, along with co-curator Matthew Minor, organized the exhibit “NYC Work and Working,” a beautiful selection of images from the collection of the WPA Federal Writer's Project. In addition to discussing the current exhibition, Lorenzini offers details on the Municipal Archive itself, its mission and the multitude of historical collections it houses.

Staying in the New York groove, we met with the instructors and students from the High School of Art and Design and the High School of Fashion Industries. These photography programs, taught by Brenna McLaughlin and Ben Russell, respectively, have been a part of these high schools for decades and embrace traditional darkroom and digital techniques, offering work experience in photography, as well. The students were kind enough to wait for us to arrive after a long day of discussing their work with fellow students during New York Public School day at Photoville. Next, we speak with Pablo Farias, Isaac Guzman, and Vanessa Crowley of the exhibit, "conSEQUENCIAS/conSEQUENCES" presented by Bats'i LAB. This exhibit and its organizers are invested in creating a photographic community in Chiapas, Mexico.

After a short break, we continue with photojournalist Ron Haviv and Dr. Lauren Walsh of The VII Foundation exhibit. The focus of our chat is their upcoming film “Biography of a Photo," which traces the impact of two photographs Haviv took earlier in his career, which have left indelible marks on the countries in which they were taken. Both photographs capture isolated acts of cruelty within societies in conflict, and do so with such resonance that they have become iconic images within those societies.

Our next stop is the container curated by the Authority Collective and their exhibit “The Lit List: 30 Under-the-Radar Photographers," a show presenting thirty interesting photographers whose work deserves attention. We speak with one of the photographers, Arlene Mejorada, and organizers of the Authority Collective, which describes itself as a group of womxn, femmes, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people of color reclaiming their authority in the photography, film and VR/AR industries. Finally, we speak with Crista Dix of wall space creative, and artist Deborah Bay about their exhibit, “Internal Ballistics.” The work here is more accurately categorized as “art” photography, but its beautiful cross-section depictions of bullets and the abstract damage they create fosters an interesting debate about gun violence. Join us for this interesting set of conversations.

Guests: Ben Russell, Brenna McLaughlin, Erika Perez, Yaqueline Garcia-Hernandez, Sumona Islam, Tais Rivera, Michael Lorenzini, Pablo Farias, Isaac Guzman, Vanessa Crowley, Ron Haviv, Dr. Lauren Walsh, Arlene Mejorada, Mary Kang, Elaine Cromie, Deborah Bay, and Crista Dix

Whoever Saves One Life, Saves the Entire World—A Secret History of Leica Sep 27, 2018

The oft-quoted line paraphrased for our headline, and notably used in reference to Oskar Schindler and Chiune Sugihara, can also be applied to industrialist and Leica camera manufacturer Ernst Leitz II, who used his influence to help many Jews and other subjugated people avoid persecution, maintain their jobs, or even escape Germany during the 1930s and 1940s.

Like any story drawn from a terrible era of oppression, heroes are painted with shades of gray, and humanitarianism can be found in small gestures, but historian Frank Dabba Smith creates a narrative derived from primary source research. Our second guest, photographer Jill Enfield, recounts her family’s direct relationship with this chapter of Jewish, German, American, and photographic history. Join us for this engaging conversation.

Guests: Frank Dabba Smith and Jill Enfield

This is an encore episode, first published in November, 2015. It was an early episode for us but a subject we always thought was worth revisiting. For further images, visit the B&H Photography Podcast home page.

Hip-Hop Fellini – Anniversary of “The Greatest Day in Hip-Hop” by Gordon Parks Sep 20, 2018

This year marks the anniversary of the shooting date of two iconic photographs, taken at the same location, forty years apart. In 1958, Art Kane created the image that has come to be known as “A Great Day in Harlem.” The photo presented fifty-seven of the world’s greatest jazz musicians gathered on a stoop on East 126th Street, in Harlem, New York City. Over time, this photo has become legendary: a movie was made about it, and many recreations have been staged around the world, but none as interesting as the photo that was made by the great Gordon Parks, on September 29, 1998, on the same stoop. On that day, organized by the editors of XXL Magazine, almost two-hundred hip-hop artists gathered to be part of a photograph that was called “The Greatest Day in Hip-Hop.”

With the 20th anniversary of the 1998 photo approaching, on today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast we will discuss the making of that image. We speak with two of the people responsible for producing the photo: the editor-in-chief of XXL at the time, Sheena Lester, and writer Michael Gonzales. We also welcome back journalist and author Vikki Tobak to the show, whose upcoming book, Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop, discusses the making of this image and, finally, we are joined by artist Fab 5 Freddy, who was a participant in the photo and shares his recollection of that incredible day in Harlem. Also, in the weeks to come, we hope to publish a bonus episode with Jonathan Kane, son of photographer Art Kane, who will bring his insight to the making of and the legacy of his father’s original photo.

Guests: Vikki Tobak, Sheena Lester, Michael Gonzales, Fab 5 Freddy

Fujifilm and Canon Sweepstakes Winners, Past and Present Sep 13, 2018

On today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we speak with the winners of our two 2018 sweepstakes. During the first part of our show, we meet the winners of our Fujifilm X-H1 Sweepstakes, get to know a little about their photography, and hear their early opinions of the Fujifilm X-H1 and Fujifilm X-E3 cameras. After a short break, we will catch up with the winners of our Canon 5D Mark IV Sweepstakes, which took place in January, 2018.

We join New York resident Nalane Singh, who won the Fujifilm X-E3 and Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 lens, to speak about her early impressions of the camera and her plans to use it to advance her street photography. We also speak with the grand-prize winner, Californian Brian Duckart, who received the Fujifilm X-H1 mirrorless camera with the FUJINON XF 35mm f/2 lens. He, too, lets us know the work he expects to do with his new camera and how it has been performing since he’s had it.

In the second half of our show, we catch up with the photographers who won cameras in our Canon 5D Mark IV sweepstakes. Both Hillary Dunning and Tim Couch address the creative boost they have felt since receiving their new Canon DSLRs. Hillary Dunning, who won the Canon EOS 80D DSLR camera with a 50mm f/1.8 lens, is a nature photographer who has been invited to exhibit her work in regional shows over the course of the past nine months, and is exploring other genres, as well. She discusses the advantages of a fast lens, how the new camera has enabled experimentation, and why it’s the perfect camera for hiking.

Tim Couch is a working photographer and the Canon 5D Mark IV is a professional tool that he has incorporated into his workflow. We speak with Couch about the camera’s advantages when shooting live music events and boxing, his two main endeavors. We learn that he is now starting a photo-based webzine, and we discuss which lenses he is looking to buy now that he is using such a high-resolution camera.

We could not be happier to share our love of photography and are so pleased to know that the sweepstakes have helped some of our listeners improve their work or simply sparked their creativity. We look forward to staying in touch with all our winners and following their output in the years to come—and be sure to keep an eye out for our next sweepstakes.

Guests: Brian Duckart, Nalane Singh, Hillary Dunning, Tim Couch

Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras from Nikon and Canon and Fujifilm Winners Sep 06, 2018

We had planned a different podcast for this week, but when news broke that Nikon and Canon had announced new full-frame mirrorless camera systems, we reserved studio time and recorded an episode to provide just the basics on what we know about these new sets of cameras and lenses. Rumors on when (or if) these two companies were going to bring full-frame mirrorless cameras to market have been on-going for years, and the day has finally arrived. While we don’t have much more information on these cameras than the general public has, we were able to have some hands-on experience with pre-production models for just a few minutes and that, combined with a thorough look at the specs, will enable us to offer a conversation that we hope our listeners will appreciate.

The Canon EOS R Mirrorless camera was announced with four RF lenses and three unique adapters for EF lenses—and there is a lot to unwrap when talking about this new system. We ramble through a loose conversation on the camera system, but I encourage you to check out the specs on the B&H Photo website and also read our team’s announcement article which discusses the camera, lenses and adapters.

The Nikon Z System Mirrorless cameras were announced a few days before the Canon system, and came out of the gate with two distinct full-frame mirrorless bodies, the Z6 and the Z7. Nikon has also announced three dedicated lenses for the system, and the FTZ electronic adapter for F-mount lenses. While our guest, Levi Tenenbaum, has had a chance to play with the Z7 and joins us to offer his thoughts, again, I encourage you to check the B&H website for full specs and features and read our announcement, which not only discusses the camera, lenses, and adapter, but also the many kits available for this new system.

Finally—and after weeks of anticipation—at the end our episode, we will announce the winners of our B&H Photography Podcast Fujifilm X-H1 Sweepstakes. Stick with us until the end to find out if you are one of the two lucky winners, and thank you to all our listeners who entered the sweepstakes, left reviews, and commented on our show. We are very grateful.

Guest: Levi Tenenbaum

Tennis Photography and the U.S. Open, 2018 Aug 30, 2018

Today, we discuss tennis photography from two distinct points of view. Our first guest is an independent photographer with twenty years of tennis photography experience to his credit, and later, we’re joined by representatives from Drawbridge Digital, the company that is present for all three weeks of the 2018 U.S. Open, creating and managing the still photography used on U.S. Open.org. and archived by the U.S.T.A.

On the first half of the show, we welcome Chris Nicholson, a veteran of our podcast, and a multi-faceted photographer whose tennis work has been published in Wired, Men’s Health, Golf Digest, Tennis Magazine and the New York Times. We speak with Nicholson about the opportunities available for freelancers and even amateurs to shoot tennis matches and high-profile players. We discuss techniques, settings, and gear that will make your job easier and your photos better.

After a break, we are joined by photographer Jen Pottheiser, and Reid Kelley of Drawbridge Digital, and we explore their massive undertaking to photograph the U.S. Open for the host organization. They work with all facets of the U.S.T.A. to provide photography to the editors at usopen.org, to their social media outlets, their marketing partners, as well as provide image storage solutions so that the thousands of photos taken at the Open can be made available for future needs. We speak with Pottheiser and Kelley about managing the workflow of over twenty photographers and editors on staff during the Open, about the on- and off-court images they look for, the systems they use to edit and organize the photos, and how to maintain your creativity while shooting nothing but tennis for three weeks.

Join us for this timely and interesting look behind the scenes at the 2018 U.S. Open Grand Slam Tournament.

For more info on the products mentioned in this episode:

Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens

Manfrotto 290 Carbon Fiber Monopod

Guests: Chris Nicholson, Jen Pottheiser, Reid Kelley

The Many Lives of Color Aug 27, 2018

Edvard Munch noted that “colors live a remarkable life of their own after they have been applied to the canvas” and, on today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we dip our brushes into the palette of art and color theory and, then, we explore practical (and beautiful) applications of color through the eyes of a cultural documentarian and a fashion photographer. We start our conversation with photographer, artist, and Leica Ambassador Adam Marelli, who muses on color theory from a painter’s and a photographer’s point of view and endures our novice questions on the subject. We discuss a few basic terms, learn about Michel Chevreul and Josef Albers, and then get into questions about his use of color, about film color compared to digital, printing, and Marelli’s understanding that colors are never static, and should not be considered such when creating images—look for the subtlety between colors, he suggests.

In the second half of the show, we welcome Natasha Wilson, a Los Angeles-based fashion and lifestyle photographer who imbues her work with the colors that dreams are made of. Whether bold and bright or with a muted palette, when you see her work, there will be no doubt why we thought of Wilson for this conversation. We ask her about her process, both behind a Canon lens and in front of a computer monitor, and we discuss how she finds locations, casts models, and finds the balance between her artistic imagination and the client’s needs. Her laid-back approach belies the intensity of her vision.

Products mentioned in thie episode:

Canon EOS 6D Mark II DSLR Camera

Leica M10 Digital Rangefinder Camera

Apple 27" iMac with Retina 5K Display

Guests: Adam Marelli and Natasha Wilson

Deadline: The State of Newspaper Photojournalism Aug 16, 2018

It’s no news that the print newspaper business is going through tough times and that newsroom staffs, particularly photographers, often bear the brunt of cost-saving moves. Day rates have stagnated, staff jobs are scarce and, in some cases, entire photography departments have been laid off as video, citizen-provided material, even security footage, is often preferred over news photographs on many digital news platforms. Many factors are involved, but the trend has been clear for some time and, hitting close to home, in July 2018, The New York Daily News eliminated all its staff photography positions.

On today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome Todd Maisel, a renowned New York City photographer and one of the veteran staff photographers at the Daily News to have lost his job in the most recent round of layoffs. Maisel brings a lot of flavor to our discussion, and his years of experience as a freelancer, a staff photographer, a videographer, and a publisher make him the perfect guest to opine on the current and future state of newspaper photojournalism. Among other questions, we ask him if the days of the “chaser,” the local photographer covering spot news, are over. We also discuss the differences between the type of photos that a newspaper wants now, compared to years earlier, and where they are sourced.

Andrew Seng has a different perspective. Still in his twenties, he left a staff photographer job at the Sacramento Bee and moved to New York to work as an independent photographer in the journalism, editorial, and commercial photography fields. Seng discusses the reasons he gave up his “plum gig” to make a new path for himself, how he has found work, and how being independent enables him to work on personal projects. We consider the many new opportunities available on the digital platforms that news organizations now offer, the range of potential clients that want quality visuals for their editorial content, and the need to think like an entrepreneur, not just an employee. Join us for this very topical discussion.

Guests: Todd Maisel and Andrew Seng

The Analog Renaissance and Brooklyn Film Camera Aug 09, 2018

There is no doubt that a film photography renaissance is in full swing… just ask anyone under the age of 25. And to be fair, there are many wonderful artists—of all ages—who have never stopped using film as their primary photographic format. To anyone who grew up shooting film and then made the transition to digital, it’s a bit curious to see such a resurgence in a medium that has long been listed as “critical,” if not simply dead. At the B&H Photography Podcast, we still shoot with film cameras and enjoy the processes involved, but the guests on today’s episode are putting money (and time and energy) where their mouths are and have opened up a physical store (in addition to their online business) selling film and film cameras.

Brooklyn Film Camera, located in Bushwick, Brooklyn, sells film and film cameras --from 35mm to medium-format, disposables to underwater, pinholes to Polaroid. They are one of a few shops in the world to offer expert restoration services for Polaroid SX-70 and SLR 680 camera systems. They have a brisk online business but are also a local hub, offering repairs, photo tours, and a home base for a burgeoning community of film shooters. We speak with Kyle Depew and Julien Piscioneri about their company’s origin as an outgrowth of the Impossible Project, and about the services they provide, but we also discuss the who, why, and where of the analog renaissance and whether this is a trend or if film and digital will co-exist peacefully.

We are also joined by Michael Armato, of the B&H Used Department, and former proprietor of Armato Cameras, in Queens, NY. Armato brings his insight from running a camera store for more than forty years and sheds light on which film cameras and formats are most in demand at the used counter. Join us for this enjoyable chat and don’t forget to enter the B&H Photography Podcast FUJIFILM X-H1 Sweepstakes by August 15, 2018.

Guests: Kyle Depew, Julien Piscioneri, and Michael Armato

Photograph courtesy Brooklyn Film Camera

Why Do You Love Photography? Aug 02, 2018

Our B&H Photography Podcast FUJIFILM X-H1 Sweepstakes is still going strong and, in a nod to FUJIFILM, we speak with a few X-Photographers during our show but, in general, we break a bit from the norm and “interview” each other about our own affinity for taking pictures. Allan, Jason, and I each take a turn at describing what it is we love about photography. I tried to fashion the question to avoid the idea of “what do we love photographing?” or “what kind of photos do we like?” to concentrate on what it is about the act of photographing that gives us that sensation of joy, of satisfaction, of love. Yes, it’s hard to find the right words, but we do our best, and to help us out, we have asked three FUJIFILM X photographers to add their thoughts to the subject.

We speak first with street photographer (and podcaster) Valérie Jardin who riffs on “being in the zone” and the need to make every shot count. Then, we speak with Bryan Minear, a Midwest-based freelance landscape and lifestyle photographer for whom image capture can be just the beginning of a good image, and, finally, we welcome Alaska-based adventure and travel photographer Dan Bailey who speaks on the satisfaction found in challenging yourself, whether in sports, music or photography. The work of each photographer is very distinctive and it’s interesting to hear their insights, not only on why they started and continue their love affair with photography, but also into their process and workflow. Join us for our version of a gabfest and don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and enter to win a FUJIFILM X-series camera.

Guests: Valérie Jardin, Bryan Minear, and Dan Bailey

Dance Photography Encore Presentation and FUJIFILM X-H1 Sweepstakes Jul 27, 2018

In recognition of our B&H Photography Podcast FUJIFILM X-H1 Sweepstakes (and because we were at Podcast Movement 2018 this week) we are presenting an encore episode of our Dance Photography episode with the incredible Lois Greenfield and FUJIFILM X-Photographer Omar Z. Robles.

Follow the link above to enter our sweepstakes for a chance to win a FUJIFILM X-H1 Camera with the FUJINON XF35mmF2 R WR Lens or the FUJIFILM X-E3 Camera with the FUJINON XF23mmF2 R WR Lens and enjoy this insightful conversation.

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Are dance and photography natural enemies? Of course not, but one art form is about the still, captured moment, and the other about choreographed movement and fluidity, yet anyone who truly understands photography knows the importance of timing, grace, and harmony, and a dancer must also recognize the relevance of rest and static. Sculpture, or perhaps gesture, is their common bond and our two guests know well the significance of gesture and the conflicting and compatible characteristics of dance and photography. They join us on the B&H Photography Podcast to talk about their distinctive work and shooting styles. Lois Greenfield is one of the recognized masters of the craft, having developed a singular style sought by the world’s most renowned dance companies, and Omar Z Robles, an official Fujifilm X-Photographer, brings a fresh take, blending aspects of documentary and street photography. Enjoy this episode as we discuss improvisation, inspiration, dodging taxis and, of course, lighting systems and camera and lens choices.

Guests: Lois Greenfield and Omar Z. Robles

FUJIFILM X-H1 Sweepstakes Jul 26, 2018

We are excited to announce the B&H Photography Podcast FUJIFILM X-H1 Sweepstakes! The B&H Photography Podcast continues to be one of the most popular photography podcasts available, and to thank our loyal listeners, and entice new subscribers we have partnered with FUJIFILM for this incredible sweepstakes, in which two lucky listeners will receive a complete FUJIFILM mirrorless camera system. For entry instructions and rules click on this link.

The grand prize in our sweepstakes is the FUJIFILM X-H1 Camera with the FUJINON XF35mmF2 R WR Lens, and our second prize is the FUJIFILM X-E3 Camera with the FUJINON XF23mmF2 R WR Lens. One winner for each prize will be randomly selected from all valid entries. The rules and instructions for entering the sweepstakes are below. Good luck and good listening!

Rabbits, Hats, and Other Stories from OPTIC 2018 Jul 19, 2018

Anecdotes with insight are an important part of any good conversation, and we certainly heard some wonderful anecdotes from our guests at the OPTIC 2018 Conference. For today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we have cherry-picked a few stories from our conversations with Brian Smith, Seth Resnick, Vincent Versace, and Simon Lewis and have added a segment, with Panasonic Marketing Manager Darin Pepple, to round out the episode.

Brian Smith is a Pulitzer-Prize-winning photographer most recognized for celebrity portraiture, but his work comfortably crosses all genres and his list of awards is impressive, including a World Press Photo Award. He is a Sony Artisan of Imagery, Profoto Legend of Light, Adobe Influencer, and X-Rite Master Coloratti.

As a luxury lifestyle, destination, food, architecture, and interior photographer, Simon Lewis also understands that versatility is a crucial component to being a successful freelance photographer and, as his anecdote makes clear, some tenacity helps, too. His clients include Aman Resorts, Amazon, JetBlue, Ralph Lauren, Bon Appetit, Prada, and John Varvatos.

Seth Resnick can do it all (I’m seeing a trend) and the graphic nature of his work and bold use of color and form make him in-demand across the editorial, travel, commercial, and fine art photography worlds. Chosen by Photo District News as one of the 30 most influential photographers of the decade, he was an original Canon “Explorer of Light,” consults for Adobe, X-Rite, and Epson, is an Ilford “Master” and is co-founder of D-65, a digital workflow consultancy.

A few of our guests’ anecdotes were prompted by Allan’s “rabbit out of a hat” question but, with Vincent Versace, we were captivated and laughing too hard to even get to the question. Versace’s insight on photography comes from a range of disciplines and we learn how acting and some serious common sense influence his work. He is a Nikon Ambassador, recipient of the Smithsonian Award in Media Arts & Entertainment and his photography books, tutorials, and workshops are very popular.

After a short break, we speak with Darin Pepple, Consumer Marketing Manager at Panasonic, about Lumix cameras, the evolution of the GH series, and the unique interaction between Lumix photographers and the product developers who continue to improve this innovative camera line.

Products mentioned in this episode:

Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera

Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera (Body Only)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera (Body Only)

Guests: Brian Smith, Simon Lewis, Seth Resnick, Vincent Versace, and Darin Pepple

Photograph: Seth Resnick

Legends – Keith Carter, Douglas Kirkland, and Joyce Tenneson Jul 12, 2018

Sometimes you just have to shake your head and say, “Wow, it was a good day.” When you have the opportunity to sit and chat about photography with Keith Carter, Douglas Kirkland and Joyce Tenneson, things can’t be all bad.

On today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast we return to recordings made at B&H OPTIC and Depth of Field Conferences and present segments of our conversations with these three photo legends—and we are not using that word lightly when speaking about these artists. Unique and prolific in their respective genres, each bring a sense of humility and sincere respect for the artistic process and the medium to which they have given so much. With Keith Carter we compare music, sculpture, and literature to photography and hear of his mother’s early influence on his career. With Douglas Kirkland we also chat family and how a humble upbringing brought him to photography and the glamour of Hollywood. We also find out where and when Doug Kirkland's and Allan Weitz's photo careers intersected. After a short break, Joyce Tenneson discusses being inspired by surroundings, exploring the inner self through photography, and accepting new challenges. Each of these photographers has created enough, accomplished enough, to rest on laurels, but each is still striving, experimenting, and creating. Like I said, sometimes you just have to say, “Wow.”

Join us for this special episode and listen for information about our upcoming B&H Photography Podcast FUJIFILM X-H1 Sweepstakes.

For more info on products mentioned in this episode:

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR Camera

Canon EOS 5DS R DSLR Camera

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens

Guests: Keith Carter, Douglas Kirkland and Joyce Tenneson

GIF Magicians - Sam Cannon and Matthias Brown Jul 05, 2018

The spot where still photography, video, animation, and drawing on your shoes meet is where you can find Sam Cannon and Matthias Brown. They may not always be together at that spot, but they’re sure to be within shouting distance. On today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we discuss the role that still photography plays in their work and how they see the distinctions between still and moving images, as well as between old and new technologies.

Matthias Brown is also TraceLoops, an “animation experiment centered around hand-drawn, physical animations that experiments with the creation and perception of movement.” He specializes in stop-motion, black-and-white animation and his work has been commissioned by Converse, MTV, Purina, Warby Parker, and others, and his fine art work has been displayed at the Tate Modern.

Sam Cannon is an artist and director who works between still photography and video and focuses on the “manipulation of time, space, and the female form.” Whichever format the final image takes—still, video, GIF—her work asks us to explore the “never-ending” moment. She has produced commercial assignments for Nike, Samsung, and H&M, editorial and fashion pieces, and her fine art work has been exhibited extensively, including at MANA Contemporary, in Jersey City.

True multi-disciplinarians, Cannon and Brown are comfortable with a variety of techniques and art forms; we discuss rotoscopes and oscilloscopes, After Effects and Dragonframe, projection pieces and soap sculptures. We also talk briefly on camera gear, self-portraiture, William Kentridge and, once and for all, we resolve the pronunciation of GIF. Join us for this fun conversation.

Guests: Sam Cannon and Matthias Brown

That Human Dance—Collaboration between Fashion Model and Photographer Jun 28, 2018

Model Jayne Moore and photographer Michael Sanders join us on this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast to discuss the creative and collaborative process between model and photographer on a fashion campaign. From “go-sees” and casting via Instagram to the rhythm of a shoot, working with on-set teams, lighting insights, and the dos and do nots of professional interaction, we discuss the P.O.V. from both sides of the lens. The thread that runs through our conversation, though, is how a photographer and a model work together to create the best images to please themselves and their clients.

Jayne Moore is represented by IMG Models, and has appeared in Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Marie Claire and in ads for Calvin Klein and L’Oreal, among many others. She has worked with photographers such as Annie Leibovitz, Dean Isidro, and Pamela Hanson, and brings to the conversation an incredible insight, not only to the work of a model, but also to the fashion industry in general and to the role a photographer should play.

Michael Sanders is a return guest to our show and a regular contributor to Italian Elle magazine. His work can also be found in the international editions of Vogue, Glamour, and Marie Claire, and in the June, 2018 edition of U.S. Elle he photographed model Hailey Baldwin on the beaches of St. Lucia.

Loaded with insight for photographers of any stripe and certainly for aspiring models or anyone interested in the creative fields, this is an enjoyable and informative chat. Join us.

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For more info on the products mentioned in this episode:

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR Camera

Canon EOS 5DS R DSLR Camera

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens

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Guests: Jayne Moore and Michael Sanders

Photograph: Courtesy Michael Sanders

Kamoinge Collective and “The Black Woman: Power and Grace” Jun 21, 2018

On this week’s B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome three members of the Kamoinge photography workshop and, through their collective eyes, we discuss African-American photography of the past sixty years and the role that Kamoinge has played in nurturing and presenting that photography. We also discuss the making of their current exhibition and the artists involved, called, “The Black Woman: Power and Grace,” which is at the National Arts Club through June 30, 2018.

To speak on Kamoinge and the exhibit, we have with us photographers Russell Frederick, Delphine Diallo and Jules Allen. Mr. Frederick is the current vice-president of the collective and provides some historical context and a sense of the mission of the group, which was formed in 1963. Mr. Allen discusses a few of the important figures in the group’s history, including Beuford Smith, Roy DeCarava, and Ming Smith; and Ms. Diallo reflects upon the appeal the workshop held for her when she arrived in Brooklyn, as well as thoughts on the obstacles women photographers still face in our industry. Each brings to the table a personal insight on the range of topics that come up during this humorous, provocative, and historically informative conversation.

Kamoinge has deep and significant roots, but it is ever-evolving, and the diverse work of Mr. Frederick, Ms. Diallo, and Mr. Allen is testimony to the wide range of photography that finds a home at Kamoinge. Join us for this lively episode and check out the “Power and Grace” exhibit, at the National Arts Club.

Guests: Delphine Diallo, Jules Allen, and Russell Frederick

Street Photography—Two Eyes Are Better Than One Jun 14, 2018

For this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we return to our conversations from the 2018 OPTIC Conference, hosted by B&H Photo. We spoke with so many wonderful photographers and will present these talks over the coming weeks but, today, we focus on the street photography of two very distinctive photographers. Our first guest is Sisse Brimberg, a veteran adventure and travel photographer who has more than thirty stories for National Geographic to her credit. Much of her work is devoted to historical and cultural stories, but our chat focuses on the informal portraiture she does in the streets, marketplaces, and country roads around the world. Brimberg relates how she is always “seeing” photographs, how she interacts with her subjects, mirrorless vs. DSLR, and how to know when a photograph is worth taking. We also discuss her late husband and shooting partner, NatGeo photographer Cotton Coulson, and how her approach to work has changed since his death.

After a short break, we speak with Xyza Cruz Bacani, a Magnum Foundation fellow and Fujifilm Ambassador. Born and raised in the Philippines, Bacani is based in Hong Kong, and started her street photography while employed as a domestic worker there. Her street photography blossomed into a career as a documentary photographer covering immigration, social justice, and human rights issues, but she still devotes time to the “street.” We compare the two disciplines, discuss shooting in different cities, talk street photography techniques and the cameras she prefers. We also ask both photographers which of all their photos they would keep, if they could only keep one.

For street, travel, and documentary photographers, this is an episode not to be missed, and subscribe to our podcast for future conversations from OPTIC 2018, including those we had with photographers Keith Carter, Joyce Tenneson, and Seth Resnick.

Guests: Sisse Brimberg and Xyza Cruz Bacani

Wildfire Photography, with Mark Thiessen and Wine Country Camera Jun 07, 2018

Hosted by B&H Photo, the 2018 OPTIC Conference for Outdoor and Travel Photography was a wonderful opportunity to speak with a range of great photographers, and we did just that. We sat down with a diverse mix of shooters, including Joyce Tenneson, Xyza Cruz Bacani, Keith Carter, and Sisse Brimberg. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will present these conversations, but today we start with National Geographic staff photographer Mark Thiessen, who, in addition to running the photo studio at NatGeo and shooting many stories for the magazine, has continued a twenty-year personal project on wildfires.

To know his subject better, to be safer, and to get closer to the action, Thiessen became a certified wildland firefighter and travels to active fires each year to photograph the fires, as well as the property destruction and human toll taken by these wildfires. We speak with Thiessen about his experiences, tools and techniques for photographing fires, and about his other work for National Geographic. Check out the B&H Photography Podcast landing page to see some of Thiessen's incredible photographs.

We also take a few minutes to catch up with Rod Clark, of Wine Country Camera. At OPTIC 2017, we spoke with Clark about the beautiful filter-holder system he developed, and we’ll find out how his company has grown this year, and what Wine Country Camera has brought to the market.

Guests: Mark Thiessen and Rod Clark

Art Streiber--The Answer is Yes May 31, 2018

From huge ensemble photographs to celebrity portraiture, advertising high-rollers, and about every movie and television poster you’ve ever seen, Art Streiber anchors the spot where Hollywood and the magazine industry meet. His versatility and production acumen are well-recognized, and our conversation ambles easily through a wide range of subjects, but what remains evident-- in addition to his quick wit-- is that Streiber is a professional problem solver. Big concept, small budget? No problem. Giant set piece with 150 A-list subjects? We’ll figure it out. Just you, me, a camera and a hotel room window? Done. Streiber learned early that being a jack-of-all-trades does not correlate to a master-of-none and that the answer is always, "Yes."

With Streiber, we speak about soaking up the magazine aesthetic through his family’s business in Los Angeles, about early rejections, understanding the story behind a photo concept and how the image “bears the burden” of telling that story. We also talk about his work with Vanity Fair and dig deep into his archive to discuss specific images of Steven Spielberg, Paul Rudd, Oscar nights and others. We touch on picture research, budgeting for concepts, lighting and gear choices, working with celebrities, seeing big photos on small screens, CCD sensors, and “how to eat an elephant.” This is a funny and incredibly informative episode of the B&H Photography Podcast. Join us.

Guest: Art Streiber

Greg Constantine—The Story Demands More May 24, 2018

What makes a photographer follow their moral compass and photograph the stories they feel need to be told, no matter what the personal costs? Furthermore, how do they do so without the support of a news outlet or even an agency to distribute that work? And then, what if they decide to shoot primarily with black-and-white film?!

On today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we speak with Greg Constantine, who made and continues to make these decisions. In this affable conversation, we find out what prompted Constantine to pick up a camera and how he made the subject of “statelessness” a recurring theme in his work. We also learn why he continued to shoot film, even after digital became the more affordable and accepted format, and why the more established route of assignments for news outlets was not the best path for his storytelling. We also discuss the financing of his work through a combination of grants, commissions, and out-of-pocket spending, the obstacles to exhibiting documentary photography, and ultimately, the satisfaction of seeing the positive impact his work has had.

As mentioned, Constantine’s work documents oppressed communities, and he has lived and traveled extensively in Asia and, more recently in Europe, to follow stories of migration and persecution. Specifically, he has worked in Burma with the Rohingya people, with the Nubians in Kenya, and with communities around the world that live without the basic right of citizenship. His current project, Seven Doors, has brought him back to his home country to document stories on immigration detention.

Constantine’s work ultimately did make it into well-recognized newspapers. He has published books and won awards, and his work has been exhibited in the halls of the U.S. Capitol Building, but he continues to press forward—guided not by credit lines, but by the desire to grow as a photographer, to be inspired by the people he photographs, and to tell the stories that demand to be told. Join us for this inspiring conversation.

Guest: Greg Constantine

Photograph: Greg Constantine

Beef, Chicken, or Fish—A Wedding Photography Smorgasbord May 17, 2018

The two-day Depth of Field Conference, hosted by B&H, was an impressive gathering of wedding and portrait photographers, each sharing their unique talents, styles, and techniques with a receptive crowd. We had our microphones ready to speak with some of the photographers before and after their presentations, and offer here our conversations with four exceptional photographers. We chose these four not only because their work is impeccable, but because they possess distinct views on the aesthetics and business of wedding photography.

We start with Andy Marcus, of Fred Marcus Studios, one of the preëminent wedding-photography studios in New York, whose clientele includes celebrities, CEOs—and even Presidents and their daughters. With Marcus, we discuss keeping a family business running across three generations, how to work huge weddings, keeping A-list clients satisfied, and the importance of consistency. Next, we are joined by Sara France, of France Photographers, who has taken her business from a “girl with a camera” to a full-service studio with branches in California, Texas, and Hawaii. We speak about how to expand your business across states, the advantages of a woman-run enterprise, and how to best utilize the “blue hour.” France is Sony’s most recent “Artisan of Imagery,” so we also speak about her use of the Sony Alpha series cameras and continuous lighting.

After a break, we are joined by Laurent Martin of Helena & Laurent Photography, a Bay Area-based husband-and-wife team who create straight-up gorgeous wedding photos. With Laurent, we discuss presets, using natural light, the joys of the wedding day, and how to embrace the chaos that comes with those joys. The success of this duo is seen in their ability to work together seamlessly, find the magical in small moments, and the lushness of their final product. Finally, we speak with Sal Cincotta, a St. Louis-based photographer whose list of accomplishments as a wedding photographer would take a second page to list. He and his team work throughout the country, and he is also an in-demand author and educator and expert on all forms of lighting. He speaks with us about the importance of constantly improving your craft and finding the time to do so.

Despite the varied approaches to wedding photography offered by each of our guests, one theme reoccurred in each of the conversations: the need to use your photography to tell the story of each wedding.

Guests: Andy Marcus, Sara France, Laurent Martin, Sal Cincotta

Elinor Carucci—A Hurricane in Its Perfect Power May 09, 2018

Appropriately, this is our Mother's Day episode, and our title borrows Maya Angelou’s description of her mother from “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” Photographer Elinor Carucci struck us with some of her own perfect power during this week’s recording of the B&H Photography Podcast. I doubt much stands in her way, but there's a calm too—born of family support, nurtured by maturity, and assured with the confidence that comes from presenting yourself to the world, warts and all—in other words, from “putting yourself out there.” Our talk today is about her photography, particularly her fine art work as represented in her books, Closer, from 2002, and Mother, from 2013. Both works are an exploration of motherhood and family, the first centered on her own mother and, the later book, on herself as a mother, and her children.

We do speak about her photographic style and technique, we talk about editing decisions, camera settings, lighting, macro lenses, and how to recreate “spontaneous” moments, but the heart of our conversation is motherhood and family and how an artist portrays family and self, particularly in a manner as personal and intimate as Carucci’s. If you know her work, there should be little surprise that, in conversation, she is candid and open about her process, her talents and her flaws. We talk about burning negatives, authorship, influences that come from strange corners, and just how difficult it is to make a good photo. If you are looking for a “Hallmark moment,” this may not be the episode for you, but if you enjoy an engaged, introspective and, at times, hilarious conversation about art, family, and culture, then settle in for this Mother’s Day present, wrapped for photographers everywhere.

Products mentioned:

Canon EOS 5DS DSLR Camera

Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Lens

Profoto ProHead Plus Flash Head with Zoom Reflector

Guest: Elinor Carucci

Deep in Gear at Depth of Field May 03, 2018

B&H Photo recently hosted the two-day Depth of Field Portrait, Wedding, and Event Photography Conference, in New York City, and invited many talented, experienced photographers to speak and show work. The conference also included representatives from most of the major camera, lens, and lighting companies. We set up our mics close to the main stage, grabbed vendors as they passed by and spoke with them about their latest and greatest offerings for photographers and videographers.

For this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we have edited together a sampling of our conversations with the following manufacturers: Nikon, Pentax/Ricoh, Westcott, Sony, Sigma, Luxli, Canon, LG, TogTees, Godox, Leica, and Adobe. It’s a long one, but we have blended a bit of elucidation with some humor and, hopefully, created an informative and enjoyable show. Join us, por favor.

Guests: Lindsay Silverman, Nikon (01:16) Ken Curry, Ricoh/Pentax (03:15) David Piazza, Westcott (08:16) Lavonne Hall, Adobe (16:35) Jason Mantell, Sony (22:20) Marc Farb, Sigma (36:24) Casey Krugman, Luxli (45:06) Rudy Winston, Canon (53:04) Gregg Lee, LG (01:00:54) Pano Kalogeropoulos, TogTees (01:10:14) Stephen Gomez, Godox (01:18:32) John Kreidler, Leica (01:25:49)

Street Portraiture -- Intention and Interaction with Ruddy Roye and Amy Touchette Apr 26, 2018

The simple theme for today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast was to be “how to speak to people in the street when you’d like to take their photo.” For this conversation, we invited two of the best street portraitists in New York—Amy Touchette and FUJIFILM X-Photographer Ruddy Roye, both incredibly talented photographers (and writers!) whose work has appeared in the New York Times, New Yorker, Time, Esquire, and many other publications. They are both also very active on Instagram, with work that seems ideally suited for the best that medium has to offer.

However, as good conversations often do, ours takes a winding road. We discuss personal and family histories, gentrification, race, and a range of subjects, all along tying these ideas to the fundamental aspects of engaging with people, often strangers, to produce passionate and compassionate street photography.

We ask our guests how they approach people, how they describe their work when asking for a photograph, and about the importance of body language and eye contact to convey your intention and develop trust. We also examine the differences in approach when photographing people from cultural and economic backgrounds different than your own, when shooting groups of people and, finally, we discuss how to handle pushback, requests for money, outright rejections, and even upsetting encounters. For the gearheads, we touch on working with formats from medium format to cellphone, and how that effects your approach and the interaction with your subjects. Join us for this inspiring conversation.

Guests: Amy Touchette and Ruddy Roye

Host: Allan Weitz Senior Creative Producer: John Harris Producer: Jason Tables

Frankencameras Apr 19, 2018

We took our mics to a basement laboratory on East 30 Street, in Manhattan, where legend tells of a scientist and his cohort who perform ungodly experiments, attempting to bring life to subjects long considered dead. What we found rattled the nerves of even our steely host Allan Weitz, and brought us to a new consideration of what can be done when modern Prometheans fuse technologies from diverse eras to create extraordinary tools for their photographic purposes.

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we speak with Geoffrey Berliner, Executive Director of the Penumbra Foundation, and Frank Rubio, the Camera Doctor, about the many “frankencameras” they have created together. In fact, they displayed six examples of their work for us. We talk about each one, most being antique view cameras modified with brass portrait lenses, modern flash systems, or for digital capture. We explain the provenance of the cameras and lenses, the process of “repurposing” them, and the practical applications for these modifications. Each of these cameras is put into regular use at Penumbra, primarily in their tintype studio, and we discuss Scovill, Graflex, and stereo carte de visite cameras; Cooke, Fox, and Hermagis lenses, and even Sony a7 cameras and Canon Selphy printers. For images of the cameras and lenses, go to our landing page.

We also speak with Berliner about his impressive lens collection, with Rubio about learning camera repair in the Army, and about their motivations and collaboration. Rubio, having worked in some of the best camera houses in New York, has established a reputation as a skilled and meticulous craftsman, trusted by artists, pros, and collectors alike, and Berliner is a walking encyclopedia of camera and photography history. Join us for this insightful conversation, which leaves only one question unanswered—which of the two is the true Dr. Frankencamera?

Guests: Frank Rubio and Geoffrey Berliner

Host: Allan Weitz Senior Creative Producer: John Harris Producer: Jason Tables

Time Vector--Day to Night with Stephen and Bette Wilkes Apr 12, 2018

The “Day to Night” series that Stephen Wilkes has been working on for several years has received much deserved attention and has grown from its New York roots to encompass locations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. These photographs, which capture a full 24-hour cycle in one frame are awe-inspiring when viewed as a whole; fascinating when analyzed in detail, and monumental when considered as a production.

On today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we speak with Stephen Wilkes and Bette Wilkes, his wife, business manager, and the behind-the-scenes producer of these incredible photographs. Our conversation is easy-going and bounces back and forth between Mr. and Ms. Wilkes, accentuating their intertwined working relationship. With Mr. Wilkes, we speak of the genesis of the project and the influences he finds in the paintings of the Dutch Masters and the Hudson River School. We also discuss his process, which is both physically and technically demanding. He tells of assembling a “realtime puzzle”, a desire to “get lost” in the moment, and ultimately how his images are “a representation of his memory” from the day and place. With Ms. Wilkes, we take up the knotty and time-consuming process of arranging a shoot that will last more than twenty-four continuous hours in some of the world’s busiest and most desolate locations.

We discuss many photographs, but concentrate on two images from the “Day to Night” series to highlight their complicated productions—the first is a photograph of New York City’s Flatiron Building and, in the second half of the show, we visit a watering hole in the Serengeti Plain. To see these images, please visit our website, and, if you are in Washington D.C. prior to April 29, 2018, check out the “Day to Night” exhibit at the National Geographic Museum, and keep your eye out for the upcoming book to be published by Taschen.

Guests: Stephen Wilkes and Bette Wilkes

Host: Allan Weitz Senior Creative Producer: John Harris Producer: Jason Tables

GI Diary and The Vietnam Slide Project Mar 29, 2018

March 29 is now the official National Vietnam War Veterans Day, set aside to “observe with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities” the commemoration of the war. More important than commemorating a war is to commemorate the service, in some cases the ultimate service, that soldiers gave their nation. For our part, we commemorate with what we know—photography—and on today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we talk about photography created by U.S. servicemen during their time in Vietnam.

We begin with David Parks who, in 1968, published a book about his experience in Vietnam, titled GI Diary. The book includes excerpts of the diary he kept and personal photos he took while in the army. Mr. Parks, who is the son of famed photographer Gordon Parks, dropped out of college knowing that he was likely to be drafted. He saw front-line combat and documented his experiences, in text and image, from the viewpoint of an African-American “grunt.” We speak with Mr. Parks about his ability to photograph in such a challenging situation, about the gear he used, how he processed film, if he considered his work photojournalism, and how his diaries came to be one of the first books ever published about the Vietnam War.

On the second half of our program, we welcome Kendra Rennick, of The Vietnam Slide Project. When a friend employed her help to organize a collection of photos taken by her late father, a project was born. That project took on a life, and Ms. Rennick started an archive of “slides” taken only by soldiers who served in Vietnam. Many of these images reflect the more mundane aspects of army life, but are a rare glimpse into the lives and concerns of soldiers, some on their very first trip out of the States. We speak with Ms. Rennick about the organization of her project, its future, and the relationships she has developed with the veterans and families who donate their imagery.

Guests: David Parks and Kendra Rennick

Host: Allan Weitz Senior Creative Producer: John Harris Producer: Jason Tables

KODAKOne and Blockchain for Photographers Mar 22, 2018

If you follow photography industry news, two words that may have caught your attention recently are “Kodak” and “cryptocurrency,” and the fact that they were in the same sentence might just have caused you to sit up and click. There was an outburst of opinion filling the blogosphere after the January announcement that KODAK and WENN Digital had entered into a brand-licensing agreement to launch KODAKOne, an image rights management platform, and KODAKCoin, a photo-centric cryptocurrency.

The worlds of cryptocurrency and blockchain, the distributed ledger technology supporting many virtual currencies, are arcane, but merging one of the most recognized brands in photography with these new platforms and adding into the mix a potential fix for the image licensing business brought not only a lot of opinion, but a good deal of confusion. On this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we hope to shed light on the situation and to do so we sit with the principals behind KODAKOne and experts on both blockchain technology and image-rights licensing.

We welcome Jan Denecke, the CEO of KODAKOne, and Volker Brendel, their CTO, to this discussion. We are also joined by attorney Andrew Hinkes, a professor at New York University and author of more than twenty articles on blockchain technologies and virtual currency, and Maria Kessler, the former president of Digital Media Licensing Association and an expert in stock photography and digital-image licensing.

Join us for this rousing conversation in which we get firsthand information on KODAKOne’s business plans, insight on how the blockchain will affect photographer’s interests, and a general sense of what we can buy with a KODAKCoin.

Guests: Jan Denecke, Volker Brendel, Andrew Hinkes, and Maria Kessler

Host: Allan Weitz Senior Creative Producer: John Harris Producer: Jason Tables

Aerial Photography with Jeffrey Milstein Mar 15, 2018

As Allan Weitz says in the introduction, when you see a Jeffrey Milstein photo, you know it. He has a distinctive style, which is not an easy accomplishment for an aerial photographer. But, of course, not all his images are taken from high above—he also has an incredible series shot from underneath airplanes. All kidding aside, Milstein’s work—aerial or otherwise—is infused with the complexity of observation and with the fascination of how similar forms repeat themselves in distinctive ways.

On this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we speak with Jeff Milstein about his photography, with an emphasis on his aerial photography and the process, gear, and technique he uses to capture these stunning images. We discuss his previous career as an architect and the influence that carries into his work, the medium format and 35mm format digital camera he prefers, and his lens choices. Along with Weitz, who also has much aerial photography experience, we discuss using a gyro stabilizer and the advancements made in in-camera stabilization systems. We also chat about communication with pilots and how to plan a helicopter aerial shoot.

Milstein also discusses the post-production techniques used to create his geometric compositions and the large format prints he makes, many of which are currently on exhibit at the Benrubi Gallery, in New York.

Check this link to see more of his images and a list of the gear we discussed on this episode.

Guest: Jeffrey Milstein

Host: Allan Weitz Senior Creative Producer: John Harris Producer: Jason Tables

Grunge! British Fashion Photography of the 1990s Mar 08, 2018

Are the 1990s history? Well, for today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we look back to that decade when a new aesthetic in fashion photography was born in England, and later spread to the United States and the world; a transformative style whose influence is apparent almost thirty years after its birth. First appearing in small but influential magazines such as The Face, i-D, and Blitz, and growing from a reactionary youth culture, this raw style reflected a new aesthetic, one that rejected the glam, the supermodel, and the highly stylized photos of the 1980s in favor of eclectic clothing, waifish models, a low-tech, “straight-up” photo style, and a lot of “frickin’ attitude.”

For this episode, we welcome fashion photographer Michael Sanders, who is a regular contributor to Italian Elle and who shot for many of the ’90s “style bibles” mentioned above. Sanders came of age in this era and discusses the social and economic factors that lead to this new aesthetic, the cyclical nature of fashion, and the overly simplistic idea of heroin-chic. He also provides a sense of the technologies that made this movement a reality, the gear most commonly used, and the assignment process and shooting-styles embraced. Finally, Sanders offers firsthand insight into the community of photographers, stylists, and models who are associated with this movement, including David Sims, Corinne Day, Kate Moss, Melanie Ward, and the important photographer and bridge figure, Nick Knight.

Join us for this interesting look back to the birth of a style and photographic movement that is still reverberating.

Guest: Michael Sanders

http://michaelsandersstudio.com

www.michaelsandersgosees.com https://instagram.com/michaelsandersstudio/

https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelSandersStudioGoSees https://www.facebook.com/MichaelSandersStudio/

Host: Allan Weitz Senior Creative Producer: John Harris Producer: Jason Tables

News and Gear from CES and WPPI 2018 Feb 28, 2018

On this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we’re talking gear—specifically, the latest gear announced at the two most recent trade shows, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), and Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI).

In addition to a summary of some of the items announced at CES, like the Panasonic Lumix GH5S, we speak with B&H writers Shawn Steiner and Liz Groeschen, who are currently in attendance at WPPI. Steiner gives us the lowdown on some of the big-ticket items and mentions many of the new lenses announced at this important conference, and Groeschen offers her opinion on the latest cameras, discusses items of specific interest to wedding photographers, and gives us a sense of the activity around the B&H booths.

Some of the cameras we discuss are the new Sony a7 III Mirrorless Digital Camera, the Fujifilm X-H1, the Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9, the Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera, the Pentax K-1 Mark II DSLR and the Polaroid Originals OneStep2 Instant Film Camera.

In terms of lenses, we mention the new set of Sigma Art lenses for Sony E mount cameras, the Tokina FiRIN 20mm f/2 FE AF lens, the Rokinon SP 50mm f/1.2 lens for Canon EF, the Zeiss Loxia 25mm f/2.4,and others.

Two new flashes made our critic’s picks: the new Canon Speedlite 470EX-AI with auto intelligent bounce head, and the Sony HVL-F60RM Wireless Radio Flash, as did a handful of paper and presentation material. Join us for this informative episode.

Guests: Shawn Steiner and Liz Groeschen

Get Serious with Chris Buck Feb 22, 2018

We are delighted, at the B&H Photography Podcast, to present our chat with acclaimed portrait photographer Chris Buck. Buck is an in-demand celebrity and advertising photographer, but he also maintains ongoing personal projects, such as his current series, “Gentleman’s Club.” We speak with him on a range of topics, from concept development, shooting technique, and gear, to editing decisions and self-publishing.

With a flexible yet unmistakable style that blends insight, a touch of dry, almost absurdist humor, and a pinch of the darkness within, Buck has photographed a host of luminaries from the worlds of film, music, and politics, including four of our last five Presidents. His most recent book, Uneasy, is a 30-year compendium of incredible portraits; we discuss the making of this book and, of course, some of his most recognized images. We also speak with Buck about process: his “three tiers of ideas,” thoughts on humor, his adjustment to digital photography, and DSLR versus medium format. In this wide-ranging conversation, Buck opines on his relationship with subjects, the nature of portraiture, his influences from pop culture and photography, and how “being relaxed and having fun are the enemies of a good Chris Buck photo.” Join us for this spirited conversation.

Guest: Chris Buck

Senior Creative Producer: John Harris Producer: Jason Tables

Host: Allan Weitz

3D Virtual Reality and the Vuze Camera Feb 15, 2018

For the average photographer, many aspects of the technical side of virtual reality imaging are confusing, and when you add 360° and 3D to the equation, we can really be in over our heads. Fortunately, on this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we have a guest with more than his fair share of experience in these matters, who will make the going easy as we discuss virtual reality, 3D, and 360° imaging technologies.

Jim Malcolm is the North American General Manager of Humaneyes, and an expert in VR and computer vision. As President and CMO of Ricoh, Malcolm helped bring the Theta spherical cameras to the market and has now joined the pioneering 3D company Humaneyes to launch the Vuze 4K 3D 360 Spherical VR Camera. He joins us to discuss the evolution of VR technology and gear and the current tools available for professionals and consumers. He also touches on aspects of the hardware and storytelling that still need to be developed to improve the experience. We consider how certain disciplines, such as medical imaging, are already effectively utilizing these tools and how “social VR” may be the breakthrough platform for this technology.

Malcolm also explains the features of the Vuze cameras and how they are bringing 360° 3D imaging to a whole new set of users with a sturdy and compact build, easy to use controls, apps, and software. Join us for this very educational episode.

Guest: Jim Malcolm

https://vuze.camera/

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcast

https://www.facebook.com/reflection360/videos/1633223273423640/

Murray Fredericks--Reflect the Divine Feb 08, 2018

Murray Fredericks considers his landscape photography series, “Vanity,” as just one aspect of a larger body of work, a project for which he has spent fifteen years shooting in southern Australia’s remote Lake Eyre-Kati Thanda. However, this part of the larger series has one aspect that the others do not—a large mirror placed in the lakebed reflecting other angles of the land and sky. This seemingly simple idea transforms not only the vista but our visual understanding of this singular place, and I think it’s fair to say that there is nothing comparable to these large color photographs which attempt to represent the “overwhelming emptiness and powerful emotional resonance of remote land and sky.”

For this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we took our mics to the Robert Mann Gallery, in New York, to speak with Murray Fredericks and gallery owner Robert Mann on the opening day of Fredericks’s first solo exhibit in the United States. We walked through the gallery, soaking up the sublimity of these images and discussing the challenges of the project, the gear, the prints, and all aspects of the collaboration between artist and gallery. Join us for this extraordinary conversation.

Stay tuned toward the end of the show, when we chat with the two winners of our Canon 5D Mark IV Sweepstakes and hear their reactions to winning and how they will be using their new cameras.

Guests: Murray Fredericks and Robert Mann

Embracing Technology in the "New" Landscape Photography Feb 02, 2018

This week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast posits the notion that we are in a “Golden Age” of landscape photography, and a fundamental attribute of this "new" landscape photography is its embracing of digital and mobile technologies. From soaring ISO capabilities and improved dynamic range to stacking and correction software to weather, mapping, and pre-production apps, the willing photographer can plan and execute landscape images that would have been impossible to create only a few short years ago. We also suggest that the Pacific Northwest, with its proximity to the cradle of the tech industry and a spectrum of natural wonders, is the hub of this progressive landscape photography movement. Veteran photographers have adopted new technologies and created a movement, and a younger generation is following suit, certain to take landscape photography into a future that includes drones, VR, and imaging technologies yet to be imagined. We also discuss the influence of photo-sharing platforms and new career models that enable photographers to distribute their work and travel to destinations that editorial assignments would never cover.

We welcome to our conversation two preëminent landscape photographers, Erin Babnik and Sean Bagshaw, who discuss their work and the use of the high-tech gear and applications in the creation of their photography. In addition to the obligatory Q and A about camera and lens choices, we discuss location and weather apps, post-process plug-ins, and even the latest foul-weather gear, all of which enable them to create the stunning work for which they are known. Both photographers are members of Photo Cascadia, and have a wide following of supporters and students. Their workshops sell out months in advance. After hearing their insights and seeing their imagery, there will be no doubt as to why.

Guests: Erin Babnik and Sean Bagshaw

The Joys and Challenges of Super-Telephoto Lenses Jan 25, 2018

We welcome back Chris Williams, of Lens Therapy Live, and photographer David Speiser, of lilibirds.com, to the B&H Photography Podcast for a discussion on the applications, techniques, and specific features of super-telephoto lenses. Super-telephotos lenses are most often used by sports and wildlife photographers—however, photojournalists, law-enforcement, and even landscape photographers are known to use them, as well. They offer the build quality to withstand tough conditions and the optical quality to capture distant subjects clearly.

For this conversation, we define super-telephoto as a lens with a six-degree angle of view, which, on a full frame sensor, corresponds to a 400mm lens. On APS-C format DSLRs you can get an even longer reach with your super telephotos and, while Fujifilm, Olympus, and Panasonic offer a few super teles for their mirrorless cameras, the ultra-long lenses are still the domain of the professional DSLR. There are high-quality super-telephoto zooms from Sigma and Tamron, but our conversation concentrates on the fast-aperture, prime lenses made by Nikon and Canon. We discuss their unique features, image stabilization systems, filters, methods of support, and the techniques used to handle them effectively.

Join us for this very informative episode and, while you are at it, subscribe to our show.

Guests: David Speiser and Chris Williams

Reminder - B&H Photography Podcast Canon 5D Mark IV Sweepstakes Jan 23, 2018

Just a reminder that the B&H Photography Podcast Canon 5D Mark IV Sweepstakes is open for entry until January 28, 2018! Share the news with your photographer friends and subscribe to our show to be eligible to win a one of two Canon DSLR cameras with lenses.

For two years, our podcast has presented intelligent conversation and intriguing guests - we have been fortunate to host Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalists and editors, legendary music photographers, Hubble telescope imagers, an NYPD crime-scene photographer and many of B&H’s own gear experts.

In recognition of our 100th episode and to bring our show to more subscribers we have launched the B&H Photography Podcast Canon 5D Mark IV Sweepstakes with the support of our friends and colleagues at Canon USA. In addition to the grand prize of a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR Camera with 50mm f/1.8 lens we are offering as a second prize the Canon EOS 80D DSLR Camera with a 50mm f/1.8 lens. Good luck and good listening!

Click here for details and to enter.

Norman Reedus--Art Is as Art Does Jan 19, 2018

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 book, “The Sun’s Coming Up… Like a Big Bald Head” available at Big Bald Gallery.

With the travel demands of film 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, Roger Ballen, horror films, Oxfam, and even Pee Wee Herman.

Guest: Norman Reedus

Host: Allan Weitz Senior Creative Producer: John Harris Producer: Jason Tables

Latest from Canon and the 5D Mark IV Sweepstakes Jan 11, 2018

If you are a regular listener to the B&H Photography Podcast, you’ve probably heard us talk a lot recently about our milestone 100th episode and a camera sweepstakes that we were eventually going to announce.

As the episode title should indicate, the sweepstake’s grand prize is a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR camera, but that prize also includes a 50mm f/1.8 lens—and there is a second prize: the Canon EOS 80D DSLR with a 50mm f/1.8 lens. Each of these items was supplied to us by our friends at Canon USA and, with that in mind, we invited Canon Product Specialist Rudy Winston to our studio to discuss the gear Canon has announced over the past year. We also talk about the two “prize” cameras offered in our sweepstakes and we take some time to ask Winston his thoughts on what changes we can expect to see in cameras and lenses in the future. We talk about ISO range, image processors, memory card formats, lens technology, connectivity, and the fate of the point-and-shoot. More than just a promotion for our sweepstakes, this episode is an informative chat on the state of the camera gear industry.

With much gratitude to our listeners—both newbies and long-timers—we present this sweepstakes, so stay tuned to the end of the show when we will explain how to enter. In the meantime, enjoy the conversation, tell your friends about the sweepstakes, SUBSCRIBE, and thank you so much for tuning in.

Guest: Rudy Winston

Cig Harvey — Think, See, Make, Listen Jan 04, 2018

What a start to the New Year for the B&H Photography Podcast. We are incredibly fortunate to kick off our year with photographer Cig Harvey and gallerist Caroline Wall, director of the Robert Mann Gallery. In conjunction with her new book, You an Orchestra, You a Bomb, Harvey is currently exhibiting at the Robert Mann Gallery, and we were able to speak with artist and gallerist to discuss the making of her latest portfolio and the collaborative process of exhibition.

This is Cig Harvey’s third monograph and, in addition to her photographic creativity, she is also very articulate when describing her artistic process and techniques. This is a true benefit to us at the podcast. Her description of the “gasp” moments that she seeks when working, whether they be gasps of fear or in the presence of beauty, was a wonderful moment in our interview. The titular mantra that describes part of her process is something that we will keep with us as we advance in our own photographic journey.

Join us as we talk with Harvey and Wall about how an idea becomes a series, how editing can be a physical act, and the two distinct ways she approached imaging for this most recent series. We also discuss the role that a gallery—in this case through the eyes of a trusted collaborator—plays in the editing of a body of work and, ultimately, its exhibition and sale.

The exhibit, Cig Harvey—You an Orchestra, You a Bomb, is on display at the Robert Mann Gallery through January 27, 2018 and, on that date, Ms. Harvey will be present for an artist’s talk. Her book of the same name is available wherever you find fine books and, specifically, here.

Guests: Cig Harvey and Caroline Wall

The Year-End Schmooze: Favorite B&H Podcast Episodes from 2017 Dec 28, 2017

For the B&H Photography Podcast, 2017 has been a wonderful year. We published our 100th episode, surpassed one million downloads, and reached #1 on the iTunes podcast chart in the Visual Arts category. Achievements aside, we are simply pleased with the remarkable guests we have hosted on our show, the variety of subjects we have covered, and the consistently entertaining and intelligent conversations we have published. And honestly, we are proud to have maintained our production output—week in week out—and to still really enjoy what we do. With this in mind and with gratitude to our listeners, guests, co-workers, and the management at B&H, we have cobbled together a 2017 year-in-review episode in which we discuss our favorite shows from 2017 and play a few clips of the most interesting moments from these episodes.

The highlights were many and hard to narrow down, but Allan Weitz chose our episode with photographer Lynn Goldsmith as his favorite, with a close second being our talk with Bellamy Hunt, aka the Japan Camera Hunter. He also mentioned our talks with Richard Drew on his photograph, referred to as “Falling Man,” and our episodes with photojournalists (and husband and wife) Ben Lowy and Marvi Lacar. As for Jason Tables, he pointed to History of Hip-Hop Photography and Night Photography—From Film into Digital, as his favorites. My list included a few of those mentioned above, as well as an episode on social documentary projects, but the clip I chose was from our serial segment, “Dispatch” with Adriane Ohanesian, in which she recounts the story of a fatal attack she endured while covering a story in Congo.

We discuss several more episodes during this end-of-year extravaganza and hope that the clips pique your interest and inspire you to subscribe to our show and check out programs from our catalog, which now includes more than 100 episodes. Thank you and happy New Year from Allan, Jason, and John.

Guests: Lynn Goldsmith, Bellamy Hunt, Richard Drew, Ben Lowy, Marvi Lacar, Danny Hastings, Eric Johnson, Janette Beckman, Vicky Tobak, Chris Nicholson, Lance Keimig, Adriane Ohanesian

Photographs (l-r) © Janette Beckman, Robert Rodriguez Jr., Mark Maio, Christian Vizl, Jenna Martin, Adriane Ohanesian, Art Wolfe, Daniel Kordan, David Speiser, Ryan Dyar, Steve Simon, Bellamy Hunt, Leo Sang, Thomas Roma, Jide Alakija, Griselda San Martin

Food Photography and "Eating Delancey" Dec 21, 2017

Photographing food is far from being a new facet of photography. Whether for commercial or artistic purposes—think William Henry Fox Talbot, Edward Weston, Irving Penn—it can be found throughout eras and styles, but it sure seems like we are currently witnessing a boom in food photography. With the foodie culture exploding and the profusion of #foodporn and #foodstagramming, there is no shortage of photographed meals flying around the Internet.

Our guests on today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast have a wealth of experience in this arena, having shot food photography for a combined total of... many years. Specifically, they join us to talk about their latest book, Eating Delancey: A Celebration of Jewish Food, but while at it, we discuss food photography in general, from gear and technique to workflow for editorial and commercial assignments, and even for cookbooks. We also discuss the change in food photography styles over the years and ask their opinions on the proliferation of “food selfies.”

Aaron Rezny has photographed major campaigns for Nestlé, Duncan Hines, Kellogg's, Russell Stover, Nabisco, and Applebee’s, and his work has appeared in Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, New York Magazine, and other publications. Jordan Schaps is an author, Professor of Photography at the School of Visual Arts, and the former Director of Photography at New York Magazine. He has produced shoots for inStyle, GQ, Lincoln Motors, and many other commercial and editorial clients. Together, they have produced a wonderfully engaging book. Join us for this educational and, at times, hilarious episode.

Guests: Jordan Schaps and Aaron Rezny

Celebrity News Photography Dec 14, 2017

From where do all the celebrity photos in People, Us Weekly, Vanity Fair, and other magazines come? They come from hard-working professional photographers plying their trade, and the agencies that distribute and license these images, of course. On today’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we will discuss the nuts and bolts of working in the celebrity and fashion news business—from the point of view of the agency and of the photographer.

There is no shortage of entertainment news photos, many of which are taken on the “red carpet” and through a collaborative network of celebrities, publicists, photographers, and agencies. Others, shot in less controlled settings, are a product of a photographer’s instinct and dogged persistence. This type—for good or bad—we call paparazzi photos. Arranged portrait sessions, concerts, and press conferences can also fall into this category of celebrity “news” and our guests, having experience in all the above, will discuss the distinctions between these, as well as the ins and outs of making a living in this arena.

We welcome Chris Doherty, founder and owner of Instar Images. With offices in New York, London, and Australia, Instar is one of the top independent agencies specializing in entertainment news and events. We also speak with photographer Jennifer Graylock of Graylock.com, recipient of the 2017 Top Red Carpet Photographer Award. In addition to her work for celebrity and corporate clients, her photos often grace the pages of People, TV Guide, InStyle, and Glamour magazines.

We ask Doherty what agencies look for in a photographer and what makes a good celebrity image. We also discuss the varying clients he works with, Instar’s website and archive, payment structures, and changes in the industry in the wake of smartphones and social media. Graylock brings the photographer’s perspective and talks about gear choices, protocol within the “pen,” protecting your copyright, and how to maintain relationships, get access, and stay “current.” Join us for this very informative episode.

Guests: Chris Doherty and Jennifer Graylock

Are Point-and-Shoot Cameras Still a Thing? Dec 07, 2017

With the proliferation and improvement of cellphone cameras, even the idea of a stand-alone point-and-shoot camera is becoming obsolete. Or is it? Despite the inarguable decline in sales of the traditional point-and-shoot digital camera and its decreasing number on store shelves and in jacket pockets, there are still cameras defined as “point-and-shoot” that are solid sellers, and those that offer high-end features. As Allan Weitz points out on this episode, almost all cameras can be set to a “point-and-shoot” mode, but the compact digital cameras that made up the bulk of camera sales five years ago are now struggling to find a place in the market and the trend seems to be that they are diversifying their feature sets and finding niches in which to remain viable. For example, “tough” waterproof cameras and long zoom “bridge” cameras are selling well, and large sensor point-and-shoots like the Fujifilm X100F and the Sony RX100 series, are very popular.

On today’s podcast, we welcome B&H expert and host of Lens Therapy Live on Instagram, Chris Williams, to the studio to talk about point-and-shoot cameras. We discuss which models are still selling and why, which features are appearing and which disappearing and the photographers to whom these features appeal. In the second half of the show, we go over exemplary cameras from each of the point-and-shoot categories and speculate on the future of this once beloved camera type.

Guest: Chris Williams

Industry Trends for 2018 and Episode 6 of "Dispatch" Nov 30, 2017

In the previous episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we talked about the best-selling, the most important, and our favorite new cameras from 2017. In this week’s episode, we look ahead to 2018 with a discussion on “industry trends” and the new technology and photo gear we expect to see more of over the coming years. We welcome back Yaakov Adler and Levi Tenenbaum with their insight on the subject, and we discuss the improving technology of cellular phone cameras, new memory cards, wireless applications, electronic shutters, and even the “draw of analog,” amongst other topics. We also mention the current cameras that are on the forefront of incorporating these technologies.

On the second half of our show, we continue with our serial segment, “Dispatch” with Adriane Ohanesian. Based in Kenya and covering stories throughout Africa, Ohanesian is the 2016 Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award winner and a World Press Photo award winner whose work appears regularly in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, VICE, and other publications.

After a deadly attack during a photo assignment in Congo and recovering from malaria, Ohanesian has returned to her “normal,” which means extended assignments throughout the region covering conflict, resource and migration issues, and in this case, the last male Northern White Rhino in existence. Join us as we get an understanding of the working life and photographic process of a freelance photojournalist.

Guests: Yaakov Adler and Levi Tenenbaum; Adriane Ohanesian

The 2017 Cameras of the Year and Best Sellers Nov 16, 2017

We’re offering our annual end-of-year listicle of a podcast a bit early, but it comes with a good deal more information than usual. We polled the writers and experts at B&H to put together a set of cameras that represent the best or most important cameras released in 2017 and we welcomed Levi Tenenbaum and Yaakov Adler, two of our most knowledgeable staffers, to talk about the pros and cons of these cameras.

To anyone paying attention to the photo industry, it should be none too surprising that new cameras from Nikon and Sony are competing for top honors, but you might be surprised at the rest of the cameras in our top ten list and at which point-and-shoot and medium format cameras come into play. Additionally, in the second half of the show, we offer statistics from the B&H website regarding the best-selling and the top-rated cameras of the year. These are not necessarily cameras announced in 2017, but we provide the top scores for cameras in all categories, as well as for lenses and accessories. Also, be sure to tune in next week for our companion episode on “Industry Trends for 2018!”

Any podcast with Levi and Yaakov as guests is bound to be informative and entertaining, and this is no exception. Enjoy.

Guests: Yaakov Adler and Levi Tenenbaum

A History of Hip-Hop Photography Nov 09, 2017

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, licensing of images. 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 us for this incredible conversation.

Danny Hastings has shot 150 album covers and directed more than 40 music videos. Listed in Complex Magazine as one of the rap photographers every rap fan should know, his most notable album covers include Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Big Pun’s Capital Punishment, Nas’s IA, as well as album art for Raekwon, Eminem, and Jeru the Damaja. Hastings is now directing his second feature film.

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