B&H Photography Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Abelardo Morell, Alchemist of Photography Sep 15, 2022

Show notes

The art of photography offers boundless potential for altering and enhancing human perception—this is the focus of our conversation on this week's podcast. Listen in as we go down the rabbit hole of visual discovery with alchemist of photography Abelardo Morell. From his early desire to enlighten students by transforming his classroom into a camera obscura to his ever-expanding universe of ideas—and the subsequent tools he uses—to record moments in light, Morell is an undisputed master in conjuring magic from a cross section of art and science, time and space.

Guest: Abelardo Morell

Photographs © Abelardo Morell, Courtesy of Edwynn Houk Gallery

For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/the-camera-obscura-and-recording-time-and-space-in-images-with-abelardo-morell

Episode Timeline

3:30: Abelardo Morell's Street Photography Roots 4:29: The Power of a Visual Language 5:50: Creating a Camera Obscura in the Classroom

7:30: Making Pictures Inside the Camera Obscura 7:58: Reciprocity Failure in Film Captures 9:50: Determining Exposure Times When Polaroid Isn't an Option 11:18: Framing Up Compositions Inside the Camera Obscura 11:56: Shifting from Analog to Digital Cameras 12:22: Phase One Digital Allows the Capture of Moments in Light 14:22: From a Pinhole to Projecting an Image Using Diopters and Lenses 17:47: Morell's Digital Workflow and Working with a Digital Tech 18:55: Juggling Multiple Projects, Genres, and Tools 20:33: Picturing Childhood as a Creative Breakthrough

25:20: Episode break

26:04: Conceptualizing the Tent Camera for Use in the Landscape 30:25: Shooting Tethered in the Field 31:18: Developing the Tent Camera's Prism Periscope Lens 32:22: Shifting the Projected Image from the Wall to the Ground 33:00: Patina of the Ground and a Philosophical Meaning 34:00: Channeling Fox Talbot in Cliché Verres 37:42: Morell's Preference: Black and White or Color? 38:43: Becoming a Painter by Photographing Paint Drying 41:04: Composition and Tension in the Hitchock Series 43:35: Morell's Preference Between Studio or Landscape 46:26: The Value of Experience and a Benefits of a Teaching Career 48:00: The Bravery in a Lifetime of Artistic Work

49:10: An Evolving Vision for Alice in Wonderland

51:06: Abelardo Morell's Upcoming Projects and a Residency in Italy

52: 47: Morell's Upcoming Show at the Montclair Art Museum

Stay Connected:

Personal Website: https://abelardomorell.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abelardomorell/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/abelardomorell

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbelardoMorellPhotography

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abelardo-morell-82848827

On Location and Studio Portraits with Monica Sigmon & Michael Taylor Sep 01, 2022

Show notes

A well-crafted portrait is a beautiful thing, and this week's podcast takes a deep dive into creating individual, group, and family portraits, both on location and in the studio. Our guests are master portraitists Monica Sigmon and Michael Taylor, co-owners of SigmonTaylor Photography in Williamsburg, Virginia. Please join us for tips on everything from how to arrive at a signature style when working on location to the practicalities and pitfalls of establishing a dedicated portrait studio and turning client's heads in today's competitive marketplace.

After listening, if you're still hungry for more portrait photography insights, look no further than Sigmon Taylor's six-part series Portrait Studio Intensive, produced by the B&H Event Space in February 2022.

Guests: Monica Sigmon and Michael Taylor

Photograph © Sigmon Taylor

For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

Episode Timeline

2:37: How does one arrive at a signature style when shooting portraits in an infinite variety of different locations?

4:03: Building a visual library and exploring your photographic personality to make your portraits stand out.

5:52: Location portraits are more about the story you are telling than what the background looks like.

6:49: Use of lighting conditions as a common thread in defining your signature portrait style.

8:40: How to establish a high-end portrait niche and deliver the goods from the start. Creating work and an experience the client will love.

11:14: Every portrait is a self-portrait, and the value of stepping back to look inside yourself.

13:24: The skill of cultivating an interest in your subjects. People all have stories to tell.

14:18: Tips for expanding from an individual portrait to a group session, and the importance of scheduling a preliminary design session.

16:20: The smallest children rule the day. Keeping the attention of the adults while keeping the children entertained.

17:26: The portrait photographer as symphony conductor. How to take control of the portrait session and bring everything together in a single moment.

21:52: Valuable advice for new portraitists: Understand your limitations and have joy in what you are doing.

22:26: How to even the playing field when photographing powerful subjects who are hesitant to relinquish control.

27:30: Getting out of your own head and being in service to someone else.

27:58: Compositing elements within a group portrait: Is or isn't it cheating?

30:19: Commanding the set and taking the time to finesse the pose. Anticipating the rhythm and flow of a shoot.

33:33: Number one creativity killer: Feeling rushed for time. Slow down and manage expectations.

34:44: An inside look at the design consultation: Establishing the rules of engagement.

36:10: Making the sale up front: Explaining to the client what their investment will be.

41:12: Working on spec vs invitational portfolio building to create the work you want to shoot next.

43:44: Episode break

44:42: How practical is establishing a dedicated portrait studio today?

46:28: Creating a unique style to turn peoples' heads and make them into clients.

46:44: Can higher prices result in increased sales?

48:22: A fair payday leads to a different attitude and better pictures.

50:12: Finding a feasible studio space to work in: Renting space vs a brick-and-mortar address.

53:18: A creative approach to personalizing your office in a neutral space.

55:18: The creation of Sigmon Taylor's signature look: Black Label portraits.

57:31: The Black Label lighting style: A marriage of classical lighting with a contemporary personality.

1:00:08: Vehicles for Sigmon Taylor portraits: Prints, wall portraits, and coffee table books.

1:01:33: Digital files of client portraits: Selling them vs gifting them.

1:03:15: Sigmon Taylor's approach to printing portraits through relationships with various labs across the country.

1:05:50: Photographers show too many images. Do not put images online.

1:06:24: Considerations for camera gear when establishing a portrait studio.

1:09:34: Effective portrait studio lighting: Profoto and Elinchrom One.

1:11:40: Connect with Sigmon Taylor on social media.

Stay Connected: Website: https://www.sigmontaylor.com/ Studio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigmontaylor/ Monica's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monicasigmon/ Michael's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelglentaylor Twitter Feed: https://twitter.com/monicaandmike Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SigmonTaylorPhotography Sigmon Taylor's six-part Portrait Studio Intensive: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/eventDetails.jsp/id/4063

Conservation Storytelling with Jaymi Heimbuch & Anne Readel Aug 18, 2022

Show notes

Nature and wildlife photographers seeking to put their images to work for the good of the planet will love this week's podcast. Our first guest, Jaymi Heimbuch, founded the Conservation Visual Storytellers Academy to teach photographers how to connect their pictures to a larger purpose. Listen in as Heimbuch discusses ways to harness the three A's—Action, Audience, and Affect—and successfully target the people you want to reach with your work.

After a break, we hear from Heimbuch's star student, Anne Readel, who reveals how the viral spread of her story on No-Mow May enabled her to recast her message with different angles, increasing the story's reach. Stay to the end for Readel's offbeat story about living with your urban turkey neighbors. Please join us for this inspiring discussion about conservation storytelling, and learn how the aforementioned three A's can be used to craft the focus of your nature and wildlife pictures and expand their impact.

Guests: Jaymi Heimbuch and Anne Readel

Episode Timeline

3:28: What is Conservation Photography?

7:00: The power of a call to action

8:40: Quick synopsis of the Conservation Visual Storytellers Academy

9:37: A look inside the Visual Storytellers Style quiz

12:25: Putting your visual storyteller style to use

14:00: Conservation stories are happening right outside your door

16:22: The effortless impact of No-Mow May

17:12: Pitching conservation stories and photo / text packages

19:08: The importance of the three A's – Action, Audience, Affect

20:15: Tips for reverse engineering a photo story

21:03: Where to pitch photo stories and how to get an editor's attention

23:18: Jaymi Heimbuch's gear tips for cameras and lenses

24:47: Two trends in lens types: wide angle macros for insects and telephoto zooms for birds

27:28: Jaymi's favorite brand of camera bag, plus backpacks vs messenger bags

28:52: Episode break

30:12: Anne Readel's first Sony camera and subsequent upgrades

31:06: Situations where Anne still uses her first crop sensor camera

32:30: Anne's go-to options for lenses

34:10: Anne's discovery of Conservation Storytelling 101

35:00: Getting to the goal line with publishing conservation stories

37:58: Anne's tips for turning scientific data into pictures with impact

38:46: Making pictures to make your point and spur people to action

39:46: More on No-Mow May and Anne's goal for the story

40:42: Recasting a story to appeal to multiple audiences and expand its impact

42:57: Focus on stories that get you excited

44:45: Countering negative media bias with a positive message – giving urban turkeys a different spin

46:12: How to catch up with Jayme and Anne

For further details about our guests, their gear, and image galleries of their conservation photography, check out this episode on the B&H Explora blog at: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/conservation-storytelling-with-jaymi-heimbuch-anne-readel

Photograph © Anne Readel

Grassroots Baseball - America's Favorite Pastime: The B&H Photography Podcast Aug 04, 2022

Show notes

There's a special feeling to photographing sports action that hooks you from day one. Listen in as we talk sports with Sony Artisan of Imagery Jean Fruth, and longtime Sports Illustrated Director of Photography Steve Fine. In 2019, Fruth co-founded Grassroots Baseball to celebrate the amateur game at the youngest levels. In her latest book Grassroots Baseball: Route 66, Fruth photographs young players in the same heroic manner as the pros. When it comes to equipment, she recommends the best gear to fit your budget, while singing the praises of fast lenses,

As Fruth's longtime editor, Fine weighs in on the three pillars of sports photography and the vital importance of cropping. In Fine's view, great pictures are a shared accomplishment between a photographer and an athlete in a moment that cannot be repeated. Please join us for this spirited discussion about Grassroots Baseball and learn how the aforementioned three pillars can be woven into Sports Photography gold.

Episode Timeline:

4:30: Jean Fruth's start in sports photography

11:40: Synopsis of Fruth's Grassroots Baseball nonprofit

14:24: Capturing golden hour light and the love of the game

22:08: Steve Fine discusses the three pillars of sports photography

29:22: Neil Leifer's advice to shoot for the double truck

31:34: Sports is messy, hence the importance of cropping

34:29: Rules for retouching and manipulation in sports photography

37:00: Episode break

37:51: Key attributes of a great sports photographer

40:46: What's preferable: trigger happy photographers or more selective shooters?

43:42: What separates football from other sports?

45:00: There are two kinds of hocky pictures: Great and awful

46:40: Sports photography don'ts from the editor's desk—less is more

52:02: Tips for parents when photographing their kids' sporting events

56:08: Gear recommendations for the aspirational sports photographer

1:01:00: Fruth's new project about women in baseball.

1:04:00: Grassroots Baseball: Route 66 book tour and gallery exhibits

For further details about our guests, their gear, and for a Grassroots Baseball: Route 66 photo gallery, check out this episode on the B&H Explora blog.

Photograph © Jean Fruth

Harvey Stein Shares His Passion for the Street: The B&H Photography Podcast Jul 28, 2022

Show notes

With a camera in his hand, Harvey Stein owns the streets, having spent the past 50 years capturing quintessential moments and making sensitive portraits of the people he meets there. In this two-part episode, he shares details about his photographic process while also conveying the wisdom he's acquired in publishing 10 books of photographs.

We first caught up with Stein at the 2022 B&H OPTIC Conference in June, where he spoke about his newest book Coney Island People: 50 Years. He describes his interactive approach to street photography by traveling near and far in search of the human animal. Although he packs a Canon 5D for foreign locales where vibrant colors can be an important element, Stein is most at home with his Leica M4, a 21 mm lens, and a finder that lets him maintain visual contact with his subjects. We also learn about his Manhattan darkroom, and all the money he's saved by rolling his own film for all these years.

In addition to his substantial photography chops, Stein is also an expert in photo book publishing. To leave no stone unturned, we continue our conversation in the studio after a break. Stay to the end for insights about working with publishers, including pitfalls to avoid and tips for turning your own photo project into book form.

Guests: Harvey Stein

Sponsored by Logitech Blue Yeti Mics

Sapna Reddy and Matt Kloskowski: Creative Vision and Technical Mastery Jul 21, 2022

Show notes

Sapna Reddy and Matt Kloskowski have more in common than just colorful photos of birds in nature and soothing landscapes. In this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we investigate how their respective work lives have fueled the technical mastery that allows their creative vision to flourish. We spoke with them both as part of our continuing coverage of B&H's 2022 OPTIC Conference.

We begin the show with Dr. Sapna Reddy, who balances a rigorous medical career in radiology with the creative freedom of time spent outdoors, capturing scenic landscapes. Reddy's medical work is limited to a strict analysis of grayscale image data, yet her colorful landscapes provide a healing influence from the world of hospitals. Listen in to learn how she follows the light based on what nature delivers—choosing extreme wide-angle lenses for scenes with powerful foregrounds that draw the viewer's eye and using longer focal length lenses for compositions that isolate elements. Reddy also tells of mastering the technical to allow the aesthetic step in, a process she freely shares with students during awe-inspiring photography workshops in destinations both near and far.

After a break, we shift the conversation to Sony Artisan Matt Kloskowski, whose passion for bird photography is central to his motto of "Embrace the Chaos." During our chat, Kloskowski emphasizes how technical knowledge of one's gear can minimize barriers between the eye and the subject. Along with an honest assessment about absorbing failure and challenging success rates, Kloskowski describes how the blazing frame rate of his Sony A1 and its bird eye autofocus help him achieve razor sharp bird pictures. Widely known as an Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, onOne type guy, Kloskowski also fills us in about the massive collection of online courses, YouTube tutorials, and Lightroom presets that fuels his career as a photo educator, and takes up 99 percent of his time and effort.

Please join us for these insightful conversations about photographing birds, wildlife, and scenic landscapes, and balancing the creative with the technical until your process becomes innate.

Guests: Sapna Reddy and Matt Kloskowski

Please join us for these insightful conversations about photographing birds, wildlife, and scenic landscapes, and balancing the creative with the technical until your process becomes innate.

Guests: Sapna Reddy and Matt Kloskowski

Sally Davies Encore Episode: We Are Our Stuff Jul 14, 2022

Show notes

This episode of the B&H Photography Podcast was originally published on July 29, 2021. We revisit it today to mark the passing of the podcast torch from creative producer John Harris to Jill Waterman, a creative content writer for the B&H Explora blog, who appears as a guest with Davies. Harris will continue to be an avid listener to the show, and we hope he'll also grace us with his voice on occasion as a future guest.

Photographer Sally Davies embodies a remarkable creative spirit, and we think that spirit also resides in the homes of the 72 New Yorkers she photographed for her colorful book of environmental portraits, appropriately titled, New Yorkers. If this spirit does not exist and Davies is not in tune with it, how could she have captured the essence of her subjects and their abodes so efficiently, in some cases in just minutes?

We answer that question and many others in this discussion about the making of her book. We are also joined by Jill Waterman who has been photographed by Davies, and has written about her work. Our conversation gets to the heart of Davies' fanciful project, and touches upon its themes of inclusiveness and of gentrification, but also digs into the process of photographing in cramped quarters with little time, and of the surprisingly difficult task of getting people notto smile for a portrait.

We talk about Davies' decision to eschew light stands for on-camera flash and to use a Sony mirrorless camera and Zeiss 18mm lens. We also talk about the importance of creative freedom and rejecting preconceived expectations. Davies photographed a wide range of New Yorkers for this series and did not refuse a single person suggested to her, but when it came to organizing a book, edits needed to be made, and we discuss this process, as well. Davies is well-known for her street photography, and we mention her projects on neighborhood storefronts and vintage cars, but this series of interior portraits is as "New York" as it comes. Join us for this engaging conversation.

Guests: Sally Davies and Jill Waterman

For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

Night Photography That Lets Magic Ensue Jul 06, 2022

Show notes

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we continue our coverage of the 2022 OPTIC Conference with two highly invigorating segments about exploring the world after dark.

Our first guest is Susan Magnano, who specializes in luminescent night painted portraits. Our chat is revealing on many levels, from the balance of careful orchestration and randomness inherent in her portraits to a mention of the OM Systems OM1 as Magnano's newest secret weapon. After delving into her playful yet powerful arsenal of lighting tools, we gain insight into her multifaceted career—from beginning at a local newspaper to her currently thriving wedding photography business, and her upcoming schedule of intensive photo workshops.

After a break, we welcome Sigma Ambassador Jack Fusco to discuss his unique blend of astrophotography with idyllic nocturnal landscapes. During our conversation, Fusco distinguishes astro work from deep sky photography, weighs the differences between DSLRs, the latest in mirrorless cameras, and even mobile phones such as Google's Pixel 6 Pro, (check out Fusco's Pixel 6 Pro photos here ). In addition to elaborating on his favorite Sigma lenses for nocturnal imaging, Fusco provides insights about advanced accessories such as star trackers, all the while offering encouragement to anyone seeking to embark on a new adventure chasing the stars. Please join us for these otherworldly conversations about photography at night.

Guests: Susan Magnano and Jack Fusco

For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

Macro Photography in Your Backyard and Garden Jun 29, 2022

Show notes

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

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

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

Show notes

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

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

https://www.facing.life/

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