On Taking Pictures

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116: Freefalling Jul 15, 2014

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This week, we begin with a follow up to last week’s discussion about direction and confidence (or lack thereof, as the case may be). All you really control is when you begin and when you ship. Recognizing those things that truly are beyond your control (and letting go of them) can be liberating and just the fuel you need to move forward. Todd Hido is our Photographer of the Week.

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115: Doing It For Love Not Money Jul 08, 2014

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This week, interviews with Bob Dylan and Frank Zappa beg the question, is there such a thing as being past your creative prime? Also, where do the great ideas come from and what do you do when they stop? Daido Moriyama is our Photographer of the Week.

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114: Creativity On A Wire Jul 01, 2014

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This week, we’re discussing the difficulties in making decisions - creative or otherwise - without first knowing the outcome. Also, beyond likes and hit counters, what’s the real value in going viral? Plus, Apple’s recent announcement about the future of Aperture has us musing on our reliance on software and what to do when the tool(s) you love are no longer available. Conceptual fine art photographer Brooke Shaden is our Photographer of the Week.

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113: A Day Late & A Dollar Short Jun 25, 2014

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This week, we begin with a discussion about gear - specifically how newer crop-sensor cameras compare to full frame and why more megapixels leads to bigger, but not always better images. Plus Tom Cruise as a metaphor for refining yourself away from a borrowed life. This week we’ve got two Photographers of the Week - Robb Kendrick and David Stoecklein - both shoot similar subject matter, yet their results are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

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112: You Wanted A Do-Over Jun 17, 2014

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This week, what happens when creativity doesn’t go the way you want it to? Sometimes there’s “good enough,” while other times, you get the opportunity to take another pass at it. How do you know when to choose one over the other? Also, we talk about fear as not only an obstacle, but also as a motivator to get you “living above the 45.” Randy Scott Slavin is our Photographer of the Week. Oh, and happy 71st birthday to The Man Who Writes the Songs (even though he didn’t write that one), Barry Manilow.

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111: Desert Island Book Choices Jun 10, 2014

Show notes

This week, you’ve got questions and we do our best to answer them on topics ranging from choosing to shoot in color or black & white and best practices for deliverables to getting your work in front of art buyers and whether or not a signature “look” to your work is important. Someone even asked for our desert island book choices. Listener-suggested Australian Magnum photographer Trent Parke is our Photographer of the Week.

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110: The ‘Why’ is Much More Interesting Jun 03, 2014

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This week, Bill’s recent viewing of Tim’s Vermeer inspires a discussion around the technical nature of creating art. If we allow the process to be augmented by technology, at what point is the art in the making and not in the end result? Also, we discuss an interview with Cartier-Bresson and wonder if he would embrace modern changes in photography such as Instagram. Andreas Gursky (Rhein II) is our Photographer of the Week.

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Sponsored by Squarespace Use the coupon code OTP at checkout to save 10% on your order.

109: Cause and Effect Issue May 27, 2014

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This week we’re talking about intent. Whether how you shoot, how you practice or what tools you use, intent seems to be directly proportional to outcome. Also, what makes a curator? Does accreditation automatically mean better or more valid or can you just have great taste? Former Look and Life shooter Douglas Kirkland is our Photographer of the Week.

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108: Capital “P” Picasso May 20, 2014

Show notes

A big discussion on the differences between art and craft lead off this week’s show, inspired in part by a listener email. We also talk about obstacles, both personal and professional and how they can sometimes relegate Making Things to the back burner, if only for a while. Larry Fink is our Photographer of the Week.

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107: Backwards To Go Forwards May 13, 2014

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This week, a big discussion about creativity - how sometimes you need to put down the todo list and just focus on making the work that makes you happy and let the chips fall where they may. Also, some thoughts from Picasso on why you shouldn’t compromise in your art. Diane Arbus is our Photographer of the Week.

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