On Taking Pictures

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316: Nice Sallah There May 15, 2018

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This week, a pre-show discussion about Tom Petty and crafting the perfect pop song leads into our sense memories around specific film stocks. It sounds strange, but there’s a throughline there if you give it a chance. Also, is Instagram just one big performance art piece? Plus, a listener question prompts a discussion around objective vs subjective challenges and moving the needle. Jojakim Cortis and Adrian Sonderegger are our Photographers of the Week.

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315: A New Branch On The Tree May 09, 2018

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This week, we talk about refining the scope of personal projects so that they can be more productive and less of just a time suck—sometimes, you just need to tweak the brief. Also, what happens when a portrait is not a portrait but is still manages to capture the essence of a person? Plus, does your love for photography wax and wane, or is it constant? Jim Krantz is our Photographer of the Week.

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This week's show is sponsored by FreshBooks cloud accounting software. Remember to enter "On Taking Pictures" in the where did you hear about us box when signing up for your free 30 day trial.

314: It’s Either Silence Or A Heart May 01, 2018

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This week, we discuss the potential value of critiques in a social media landscape where the conversation around the work is often not a conversation at all. Also, a terrific NYT article begins a conversation around a veteran using photography as therapy and as a way to document the lives of other service men and women. Plus, we tackle a few #askOTP questions. Hideki Fujii is our Photographer of the Week.

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This episode is brought to you by Squarespace - Build an amazing website and get 10% off with offer code 'OTP'

313: No One Wants To Be In A Cover Band Forever Apr 25, 2018

Show notes

This week, we’re circling back to an earlier discussion around style and whether you choose your style (and maybe even overall aesthetic) or your style chooses you. Also, do you recognize the point at which emulating or being inspired by your artistic heroes became something more unique? Plus, planned obsolescence, photography in video games and do we really need a digital 8x10 camera? Ara Güler is our Photographer of the Week.

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This week's show is sponsored by FreshBooks cloud accounting software. Remember to enter "On Taking Pictures" in the where did you hear about us box when signing up for your free 30 day trial.

312: I’m Put Off By Such Comfort Apr 18, 2018

Show notes

This week marks the end of year six of OTP and we’re talking about style - specifically questions around whether or not our particular style of making (photographic, design, painting or otherwise) is “baked” into how we see. If we stray too far from what we “know” does it simply look like we’re trying to emulate someone else? Also, a listener asks what (if any) obligation does one creative have to another? Mary Ellen Mark is our Photographer of the Week. Thank you for being here, for listening each week and for being so generous with your time and attention. We appreciate it. See you in year seven!

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This episode is brought to you by Squarespace - Build an amazing website and get 10% off with offer code 'OTP'

311: Poseidon Giveth and Poseidon Taketh Away Apr 11, 2018

Show notes

This week, a look inside four Instagram photographers who reveal the “contact sheets” behind some of their images. Turns out it can take quite a few shots to get that perfect selfie or lifestyle pic. Also, the start of a broader discussion around social media and the number of “subs” or follows as the real barrier on entry into making a living as a photographer. Also, trouble on the high seas costs one of us a lens. O. Winston Link is our Photographer of the Week.

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This week's show is sponsored by Simple Contacts. Renew your contact lens prescription with our doctor-designed vision test and reorder your lenses — from anywhere, on your schedule. Use code OTP for $30 off your next purchase.
and by FreshBooks cloud accounting software. Remember to enter "On Taking Pictures" in the where did you hear about us box when signing up for your free 30 day trial.

310: Let Me Just Finish This Donut Apr 03, 2018

Show notes

This week, do individuals make the collective better? Do we have a responsibility to use whatever talents or gifts we may have (artistic or otherwise), or is it okay to simply walk away and do something else? Also, a recurring question from a listener around overcoming self-doubt, who asks, “does it ever go away?” Spoiler: no, but it’s often an interesting discussion. William Ukoh is our Photographer of the Week.

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This episode is brought to you by Squarespace - Build an amazing website and get 10% off with offer code 'OTP'

309: Giant Bags of Stuff in the Car Mar 27, 2018

Show notes

This week, we talk a little about the upcoming relaunch of Ektachrome and wonder whether Kodak will be able to make a boutique film commercially successful. Also, some insight into exhibiting your work from three successful curators, courtesy of the British Journal of Photography. Plus some terrific questions from YOU, the listeners, that we do our best to answer. Miranda Penn Turin is our Photographer of the Week.

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308: Sixth Gen VHS Tape from a Prog Rock Convention Mar 20, 2018

Show notes

This week, a conversation with Joel Meyerowitz inspires a discussion around legacy and whether art of a specific time has a shelf life of relevancy, aesthetic or otherwise. Also, what’s more valuable as a photographer, being a generalist or focusing (no pun) on one subject, area, or technique? Plus a few words about enthusiasm with 600+ hours in the rear view. Jacko Vassilev is our Photographer of the Week.

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This episode is brought to you by Squarespace - Build an amazing website and get 10% off with offer code 'OTP'

307: We’re All in the Optometrist's Office Mar 14, 2018

Show notes

This week, a question from a listener around making photos “that have more meaning and heart” inspires a discussion around narrative and determining what we as makers are trying to say with our work versus what we want—or need—an audience to take away from it. We also touch on editing (not post processing) as a skill that often gets minimized or even overlooked in the picture making process. Plus, sometimes, you need to prepare for anything, including the valet wrecking your car 15 minutes before a shoot. Evelyn Bencicova is out Photographer of the Week.

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This episode is brought to you by Squarespace - Build an amazing website and get 10% off with offer code 'OTP'

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