Thoughts on Photography
151 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 8 years ago - ★★★★ - 68 ratingsThis podcast explores what it means to live a photographic life. What does it mean to be an artist who uses the medium of photography to express themselves artistically to the world. What subjects do we choose and why? How are we influenced by other photographers, art, and the world in general? You won't find any gear-talk, camera reviews, or Photoshop tips here, but rather, you'll find an exploration of our relationship to photography as we continue to refine our vision, our craft, and our art.
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Episodes
ToP #0049: Interview with Joe Wigfall
January 14, 2009 02:37 - 44 minutes - 40.4 MBJoe Wigfall is a New York-based street photographer who first came to my attention through a WNYC radio station project and contest highlighting the working styles and philosophies of several working street photographers in New York. The short video of Joe is wonderful to watch (as are many of the other videos made for other photographers). Joe went on to win the contest and I found his photos (and his process for making them) to be truly excellent. Joe's approach to street photography is ref...
ToP #0048: My Podcast Resolutions
December 22, 2008 01:21 - 9 minutes - 8.55 MBIn this podcast, I discuss the one year anniversary since I started Thoughts on Photography (October 15th actually), why I started the podcast, and some of my New Year resolutions for the podcast going forward for 2009.
ToP #0047: Favorite Photo Books of 2008
December 21, 2008 23:50 - 9 minutes - 8.27 MBIn this podcast I pull together a list of my favorite photography books published in 2008. The book list includes: Saul Leiter Helen Levitt America by Zoe Strauss Cuba: Campo Adentro by Susan S. Bank Planet Shanghai by Justin Guariglia Fading Hutongs by Julio De Matos Ideology in Paradise by Hiroshi Watanabe Interior Exposure by Jessica Todd Harper Domestic Vacations by Julie Blackmon A Certain Alchemy by Keith Carter
ToP #0046: Howard Zehr and Contemplative Photography
December 07, 2008 23:19 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MBHoward Zehr is known worldwide for his work in transforming our understanding of justice, particularly restorative justice, and is a faculty member at Eastern Mennonite University's Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. He is also the General Editor of The Little Books of Justice and Peacebuilding series of which The Little Book of Contemplative Photography is a part. Zehr is also an accomplished photographer (particularly in creating the documentary-style photographs for his books) and teach...
ToP #0045: William Eggleston
December 05, 2008 01:24 - 6 minutes - 5.71 MBIn this podcast I discuss the current resurgence in interest in the work of William Eggleston. An retrospective exhibition of Eggleston's work on display at the Whitney Museum of American Art along with a new book/catalog of the exhibition. Coincidentally, a new DVD documentary is also available as well. There has never been a better time to get to know the work Eggleston than now.
ToP #0044: Interview with Ibarionex Perello
December 02, 2008 01:10 - 1 hour - 64 MBIbarionex Perello is a California-based photographer, writer, and educator. Ibarionex is a contributing writer for Shutterbug Magazine, PC Photo, and Digital PhotoPro. He is co-founder of Alas Media, a studio dedicated to telling stories through a variety of media, and is the host of the Candid Frame, a podcast focused on interviews of photographers across the wide spectrum of the photographic world, and FotoBoy, a blog on photography.
ToP #0043: Getting Known as a Fine Art Photographer
November 11, 2008 18:11 - 7 minutes - 7.31 MBGetting known as a fine art photographer, that is getting your work out into the photographic public and gaining some name and photographic recognition, is not easy and there isn't a magic solution. This podcast discusses some things you can do though to increase your exposure and help you build a career in fine art photography.
ToP #0042: Exhibiting & Sharing Your Photography
October 20, 2008 00:13 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBIn this episode, I explore the philosophy, reasons and rationale behind sharing your photography both as a way of completing what I call the "cycle" of photography and as a way of living the photographic life.
Focus Ring #16: New Toys, the Evil Video Commeth?, and More
October 06, 2008 01:14 - 1 hour - 60.3 MBThis episode of the Focus Ring (a round-table discussion featuring podcasters from the Photocast Network) features Boris Nienke (nSonic), Rolf Steinort (Meet the Gimp), Chris Marquardt (Tips from the Top Floor), and Paul Giguere (Thoughts on Photography). In this episode, we discuss lots of new developments and announcements from Photokina 2008, some philisophical questions concerning the new video capabilities being introduced into DSLR cameras, and more. We also mention various products and...
ToP #0041: Interview with Meg Birnbaum
September 26, 2008 01:43 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBMeg Birnbaum is a photographer based in Massachusetts whose photographs evoke a certain modern sense of nostalgia. From her botanical photos to her scenes from county fairs to her almost fantastical world in the "Fly by Night" portfolio, Meg's work stimulates our imagination and our memories of events both lived and only dreamed of. Some photo reviews mentioned in this episode include: FotoFest Review Santa Fe Photolucida
ToP #0040: Tao of Photography
September 16, 2008 03:06 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBI recently picked up a book by Philippe Gross and S.I. Shapiro called "The Tao of Photography: Seeing Beyond Seeing." Ignoring the overused "Tao of Whatever" as a part of the title, I found this book to be excellent and the advice useful at all stages of your photography.
ToP #0039: Attending Photo Workshops
September 16, 2008 03:02 - 5 minutes - 4.99 MBI recently attended a photo workshop at the Center for Photography at Woodstock in Woodstock, NY with Constantine Manos. Photo workshops can be fun, invigorating, and yes, expensive and even unsettling but I think they are one more thing we can do lead a photographic life.
ToP #0038: Interview with Lorenzo
September 10, 2008 01:48 - 41 minutes - 38.3 MBLorenzo is a New York City based street photographer who began using digital cameras just a few years ago. His use of the digital cameras as a part of his work flow has liberated him and has allows him to achieve new creative (and prolific heights) with his photography including several self-published books through Blurb.com. Lorenzo's intense passion and interest in photography helps him to lead a photographic life in the truest sense.
ToP #0037: Robert Frank
August 23, 2008 01:36 - 4 minutes - 4.31 MBThe German book publisher Steidl is in the process of releasing reprints of photography books by Robert Frank (some of which are in newly edited editions supervised by Frank himself). The titles include: The Americans (50th Anniversary Edition) Robert Frank - Peru Robert Frank - Paris Zero Mostel Reads a Book Although I'm extremely happy to be re-exposed to Frank's work, of particular interest to me is the Zero Mostel book which I found to be a delight. All of these books are not only worth...
ToP #0036: Film vs Digital?
August 23, 2008 01:30 - 7 minutes - 6.5 MBAlthough digital cameras have been with us for quite awhile and the quality of images produced with digital cameras can equal or are better than film-based cameras, the issue of film versus digital continues to permeate our photographic discussions. This podcast attempts to re-frame the issue as not one of quality but rather process (or how we like to work). I know this can still be a hot button issue but hopefully my thoughts add, in a constructive way, to the decision-making that some photo...
ToP #0035: Interview with Aline Smithson
August 06, 2008 01:52 - 33 minutes - 30.9 MBIn this podcast, photographer Aline Smithson and I have a conversation regarding her approach to photography, the creative process, and a wide range of topics related to the photographic life. You can see Aline's work and read more about her at her web site. Aline also maintains a blog called Lenscratch where she frequently discusses work by other photographers and news of interest to the fine art photographer.
ToP #0034: Leave Your Comfort Zone Behind
August 05, 2008 17:23 - 6 minutes - 6.28 MBSometimes our photographic comfort zone (the typical subjects, tools, and places that we are most comfortable with in our photography) can be our biggest barrier to making creative leaps in our work. Finding the courage to occasionally leave your comfort zone behind can lead to the "next step" in your photographic life. This episode references the book "Art and Fear" by David Bayle and Ted Orland and is highly recommended.
ToP #0033: Interview with Gordon Stettinius
July 19, 2008 01:45 - 36 minutes - 33.3 MBIn this podcast, photographer Gordon Stettinius and I have a conversation where we discuss Gordon's approach to photography, his creative process, and a certain philosophy of photography. You can see Gordon's work and read more about him at his web site. During the course of the discussion, we also make mention of a web site called HolgaMods which is Holga camera modification and enhancement business run by Randy Smith. Since we mentioned it in the podcast, I just thought it would be good to...
ToP #0032: Cameras as Weapons?
July 15, 2008 00:01 - 7 minutes - 6.82 MBThis podcast discusses some of the essays of Susan Sontag, which can be found in the collection "On Photography", and in particular the idea that a camera can be viewed as a weapon. A controversial thought to be sure but one that I hope elicits a conversation about how photographers view their tools and the role they play in the creative process.
ToP #0031: 20X200
June 23, 2008 00:39 - 8 minutes - 8.08 MBIn this podcast I discuss the 20X200 photography and fine art print sales site hosted by Jen Bekman of Jen Bekman Gallery in New York City. Their whole approach to limited edition sales of prints involves pricing three different size prints (small, medium, and large) in different quantities (200, 20, and 2 respectively) at varying prices ($20, $200, and $2,000 respectively). This could be a whole new approach to limited editions and pricing in general for most photographers that allows the av...
ToP #0030: Entering Juried Photo Exhibitions
June 05, 2008 01:34 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MBIn this podcast I discuss juried photo exhibitions, what they are, how they work, and the pros and cons of entering them. I also provide some helpful tips should this be something you wish to pursue for your own fine art photography. An excellent resource for finding out when and where various exhibition opportunities are and other great advice for marketing your fine art photography is Mary Virginia Swanson's book "Marketing Guidebook for Photographers." Ms. Swanson also maintains a blog tha...
ToP #0029: Interview with Bill Vaccaro
May 22, 2008 01:03 - 35 minutes - 32.1 MBIn this podcast I interview photographer Bill Vaccaro to discuss his photography, his creative process, and how he goes about living a photographic life. You can see Bill's work and read more about him at his web site. Some other web sites and/or photographers mentioned on this show include: Mark Tucker Keith Carter James Fee Fan Ho Rocky Schenck
ToP #0028: Imitation and Inspiration - Learning from Other Photographers
May 20, 2008 01:45 - 8 minutes - 7.59 MBIn this podcast, I discuss how learning from other photographers and their work (sometimes through imitation) can be essential step towards learning how to see photography and contributes towards gaining inspiration for your own work and eventually your own vision.
ToP #0027: Photosharing Web Sites for Fine Art Photographers
May 18, 2008 01:58 - 8 minutes - 8 MBIn this episode, I discuss the use of photosharing web sites (i.e. Flickr) by fine art photographers as possible alternatives to creating and managing a traditional stand-alone web sites.
ToP #0026: Defining a Photographic Life
May 02, 2008 01:20 - 10 minutes - 9.39 MBIn this podcast, I try to address the question of what it means to "live a photographic life", a term I frequently use in my podcasts.
ToP #0025: Model Releases & Shooting in Public Places
April 28, 2008 00:15 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBIn this podcast I discuss the importance of model releases and I cover some important issues to remember when shooting in public. Below is a sample model release that you can copy and modify to suite your particular purpose. Also, here is a link to a document called "The Photographer's Right: Your Rights and Remedies when Stopped or Confronted for Photography" by Bert Krages, Attorney at Law. [NOTE: This podcast and associated information are not meant to be actual legal advice. Please consu...
ToP #0024: Essays About the Photographic Life
April 21, 2008 22:35 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBIn this podcast, I discuss how essays about photography can help us gain insight into our own photography. Below are links to several essay collections that are mentioned throughout this episode: Beauty in Photography: Essays in Defense of Traditional Values - Robert Adams Why People Photograph - Robert Adams Along Some Rivers - Robert Adams The Mind's Eye: Writings on Photography and Photographers - Henri Cartier-Bresson Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography - Roland Barthes On Pho...
ToP #0023: Overcoming Our Obsession with the Tools of Photography
April 13, 2008 00:46 - 6 minutes - 6.28 MBIn this podcast I discuss the photographer's obsession with cameras, gadgets, and technology and I offer up some tips on breaking the chain of the "must upgrade" craze.
Focus Ring #13: Lucky Number Thirteen
April 06, 2008 22:02 - 1 hour - 64.9 MBThis episode of the Focus Ring (a round-table discussion featuring podcasters from the Photocast Network) features John Arnold (PhotoWalkthrough.com), Rolf Steinort (Meet the Gimp), Benoît Marchal (Déclencheur), and Paul Giguere (Thoughts on Photography). In this episode, we discuss how to find something to shoot (when you live in the least interesting place in the world), continuous versus strobe (or flash) lighting, getting your images to the wall, and composing and shooting in a square for...
ToP #0022: Interview with Susan Burnstine
April 06, 2008 15:20 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MBIn this podcast I interview photographer Susan Burnstine to discuss her photography, her creative process, and how she goes about living a photographic life. You can see Susan's work and read more about her at her web site: www.susanburnstine.com
ToP #0021: Moving Beyond Photographic Debates
March 30, 2008 19:16 - 9 minutes - 8.29 MBIn this podcast, I discuss the various debates that have occurred in photography since its early beginnings through present day and how these debates, while sometimes useful to move the entire field of photography forward to the next evolutionary level, can also stifle our creativity as photographers.
ToP #0020: Art or Artifice - Labeling the Photographer
March 20, 2008 01:05 - 8 minutes - 7.99 MBIn this podcast, I discuss the various labels that we apply to ourselves (or are applied to us) as photographers (e.g. fine art photographer) and whether such labels are pretentious or practical.
ToP #0019: The Long Tail, Websites, and Your Fine Art Photography
March 16, 2008 01:39 - 30 minutes - 28.4 MBThis podcast focuses on a discussion of websites as a way of marketing and promoting your fine art photography. The podcast covers such issues as: - identifying your audience - setting goals for your website - elements of a fine art website - types of website solutions for the photographer Links to sites mentioned in this podcast include: VisualServer Foliolink Photobistro Artspan Flickr
ToP #0018: Creating an Artist Statement
March 09, 2008 02:31 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBIn this podcast I discuss the artist statement. Why are they important, who the audiences are for them, the different types of statements possible, and how to write them.
ToP #0017: Selecting a Subject
March 03, 2008 02:24 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBContinuing a discussion started in Thoughts on Photography #16, which looked at developing a photographic style, I discuss an approach to selecting a subject to photograph.
ToP #0016: Developing a Photographic Style
February 24, 2008 01:32 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MBIn this podcast I define what a photographic style is and what it means to you as a photographer.
ToP #0015: Flow - The Psychology of Optimal Photography
February 14, 2008 02:14 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBThis podcast explores the concept of "flow." According to the definition on Wikipedia, flow is a mental state of operation in which the person is fully immersed in what he or she is doing, characterized by a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity. In photography, flow can be used to help achieve a sense of heightened creativity with your photography. As a reference for this podcast, here is a simple chart that explains the four levels of flow...
ToP #0014: Does Print Size Really Matter?
February 07, 2008 01:51 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MBIn this podcast I discuss the pros and cons or printing large sized prints and how that relates to selling your work both to the collector and the average consumer.
ToP #0013: Limited Edition Prints
February 01, 2008 03:06 - 19 minutes - 17.8 MBIn this podcast I discuss limited edition prints, what they are, who they benefit, and whether they are right for you. I also cover some of the details that you need to consider should you wish to sell your prints in limited editions.
ToP #0012: How to Price Your Photographic Prints
January 27, 2008 02:59 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBIn this podcast, I discuss how to arrive at a price for your photographic prints regardless of whether you sell your work in unlimited or limited editions. Below is a simple formula that I discuss in the podcast for determining the price: Art Fair Pricing (unlimited) Step 1: Determine the cost of your materials for a single print. For example: - 13x19 paper - inkjet print - bag and board - add framing costs if applicable $10 for materials X 33% = $13.30 Step 2: Multiply the result from St...
ToP #0011: Ten Ideas for Living a Photographic Life
January 20, 2008 19:25 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBIn this podcast, I discuss ideas that help you remain engaged in your fine art photography when time doesn't permit to actually go out and make photographs.
ToP #0010: Alternative Photographic Processes: What's Old is New Again
January 15, 2008 01:27 - 5 minutes - 5.2 MBIn this podcast I discuss alternative photographic processes and their rise and prominence in the fine art photography realm.
ToP #0009: Getting Started Marketing Your Photography
January 08, 2008 01:42 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBThis podcasts discusses how to get started marketing your fine art photography. Below is a list of the major centers of photography in the United States mentioned in the podcast that provide juried exhibition opportunities: Blue Sky Gallery 1231 NW Hoyt Portland, Oregon, 97209 www.blueskygallery.org Center PO Box 2483 Santa Fe, NM 87504 www.visitcenter.org Center for Creative Photography University of Arizona 1030 North Olive Road Tuscon, AZ 85721 www.creativephotography.org Center for P...
ToP #0008: Using Projects to Sustain Your Photography
December 27, 2007 02:36 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MBIn this podcast, I discuss the importance of developing and implementing photographic projects as a way to sustain yourself as a fine art photographer. I also cover a project planning and implementation process that listeners may find useful.
ToP #0007: Promoting Your Fine Art Photography
December 24, 2007 01:24 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBIn this podcast, I discuss the role of motivation in promoting your fine art photography. In particular, I cover three specific levels of motivation and use them to create a framework to help you effectively promote your work while remaining true to your goals as a photographer.
ToP #0006: Inspiring Photography Books Published in 2007
December 14, 2007 02:09 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBIn this podcast, I discuss six of my favorite new photography books that were published in 2007. You can get more information about these books by visiting the links below (available only via my blog, thoughtsonphotography.com): Driftless: Photographs from Iowa - Danny Wilcox Frasier Cage Call: Life and Death in the Hard Rock Mining Belt - Louie Palu (Note: this book is no longer available however, selections from the book were recently published in Lenswork) Eye of the West - Nancy Wood ...
ToP #0005: Finding Inspiration in Photography Magazines
December 09, 2007 02:41 - 10 minutes - 9.45 MBIn this podcast, I discuss various magazines that I find inspirational, informative, and pleasureable to read. Magazines mentioned in this podcast include: Lenswork Aperture Blind Spot Spot Contact Sheet Photography Quarterly Nueva Luz B&W Magazine Focus CameraArts Photo-Eye Booklist
ToP #0004: Self-Publishing A Photography Book
October 29, 2007 00:18 - 7 minutes - 6.81 MBThis podcast discusses self-publishing options for photographers using on-line publishing companies. Mentioned in this podcast is Blurb.com
ToP #0003: Attending a Photo Review - Part 2
October 21, 2007 20:38 - 17 minutes - 15.6 MBHere are some of the reviewers mentioned in this podcast: Brooks Jensen - publisher and editor of Lenswork Magazine Darius Himes - editor of PhotoEye Booklist Tim Anderson - publisher and editor of CameraArts Magazine Mary Virginia Swanson - consultant, educator Other Great Reviewers Laura Addison, Curator of Contemporary Art, Museum of New Mexico Pilar Graves - Owner and Director, Pilar Graves Fine Art Marita Holdaway - Director, Benham Gallery Julianne Newton - Editor, Visual C...
ToP #0002: Attending a Photo Review - Part 1
October 16, 2007 00:52 - 15 minutes - 13.8 MBThis podcast focuses on photo reviews (or portfolio reviews) and provides an overview of how they can help emerging photographers move to the next level with their fine art photography. Some of the photo review venues that are mentioned in this podcast include: PhotoLucida Review Santa Fe FotoFest