Visual Revolutionary

On this episode of the podcast we get the chance to talk to photographer, alchemist, wet plate collodion pioneer, and all around inspirational figure Ian Ruhter.  Although many know Ian from the short film "Silver and Light" that instantly burst him onto the public stage, he was a very accomplished shooter years before that.  Ian had created a solid reputation as a talented snowboard photographer with a career trajectory that seemed to be moving quicker than he could have ever anticipated.  He was pushing the limits, and became one of the shooters helping to elevate snowboard photography to a world of complicated lighting schematics and big sets.  The work was fun, the money kept coming, and it seemed inevitable that he would most likely head towards the world of fashion and lifestyle photography.  In the midst of what most would consider "success" however, Ian had an unsettling feeling of dissatisfaction.  He began to lose interest in what he was shooting and started to question the rampant consumerism that he was helping promote.  He then did what most could never imagine doing.  He walked away from all of it and set out on a mission that some told him was impossible.  He built the largest wet plate collodion camera the world had ever seen, that was housed inside a truck, and began touring the country with a reinvigorated passion for photography.  During our conversation we get the chance to ask him what it was like walking away from a career many would kill to have, how he continued to believe in his vision in the midst of so much doubt, what it's like to shoot portraits that sometimes take hours for each plate, how inspiring it was to work closely with actor Gary Oldman teaching him the process of wet plate photography, and what the next chapter holds for Ian and the crew.  So join us for a great story with an amazing "underdog" message of following your dreams.   To Learn More About Ian Ruhter Visit: http://www.ianruhter.com Check out their Latest Film "The Carnival of Dreams"  https://vimeo.com/198070852   About Visual Revolutionary: http://www.visualrevolutionary.com Because we are interested in people's story, and not what type of gear they use, we introduce a new much needed podcast in the world of photography and filmmaking.  Featuring in-depth conversations with some of the world's leading photographers, filmmakers, and other visual artists, we are bringing you the backstory on how they got to where they are today.  

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by renowned street photographer and Magnum member Bruce Gilden. Have you ever found yourself walking down a busy street, looking into the faces of those who walk by, wondering to yourself what they are thinking, or projecting your own emotions or stories into their life? That’s what Bruce has made a living doing. Although some critics have accused his work of being exploitive, after almost two hours of talking and laughing with him, I can say with a fair amount of confidence that the only thing he is exploiting is himself. Whether he sees the family figures he grew up with, the old characters of the streets he used to play in, or the pain and suffering of his own journey and struggles, he connects with faces at a very emotional and gut level. He sees a glimpse of himself and tries to capture it. Growing up in Brooklyn, Bruce used to look out the windows and watch the characters of the city go by. His father was a tough character in his own right and someone Bruce feels like he has photographed over and over again. When Bruce found sports, he started to find his own voice. He excelled in basketball and baseball, but he always wanted to box. Although his father would never allow him to get into boxing, Bruce ended up developing an aggressive one two punch with his style of street photography that he would become famous for. Today we talk about his legendary career and how it all started. We get the chance to hear about some of his favorite places he’s been, what he feels like is a common thread in the people he shoots all over the world, and what’s kept him going for all these years. So sit back and enjoy this conversation about characters from a true character. To Learn More About Bruce Gilden Visit: http://www.brucegilden.com   About Visual Revolutionary: http://www.visualrevolutionary.com Because we are interested in people's story, and not what type of gear they use, we introduce a new much needed podcast in the world of photography and filmmaking.  Featuring in-depth conversations with some of the world's leading photographers, filmmakers, and other visual artists, we are bringing you the backstory on how they got to where they are today.  

On this episode of the podcast we get the chance to sit down with Patagonia's own photographer, director, and creative brand agent Jeff Johnson.  Although he's currently pretty busy with his newest adventure of being a father to his 15 month old daughter, he's best known for documenting amazing trips around the world as a writer, photographer, surfer, climber, and all around interesting guy.  At a very early age, growing up in a small town in California, Jeff's father would take him on trips into the mountains of Tahoe to go skiing.  It was during this time that the seeds of adventure were planted.  When skateboarding and surfing came into Jeff's life as an early teen, he finally felt like he had found his calling, and the trajectory of what his future would hold took a turn that would lead him to living in Hawaii right after high school.  It was there, on the North Shore of Oahu, that Jeff started to meet some of the characters that would provide an abundance of stories to tell, and the confidence to tell his own.  As he tried to make a living as a flight attendant and a life guard on the North Shore, he started to document his surroundings and trips into his journal, and soon began to incorporate the camera as well.  After one of these documented trips was published by the Surfers Journal, Jeff began to get a little more recognition and soon met the man that would give him the chance of a lifetime, Yvon Chouinard.  Jeff moved to Ventura to work with Patagonia.  During this time, he was introduced to a story about Yvon and Doug Tompkins and he started planning the trip of a lifetime to recreate one of their legendary adventures.  That trip became the documentary 180% South, and the rest is history. Jeff has continued to work with Patagonia and has created a beautiful body of work, becoming an ambassador for Leica in the process.  So sit back and listen to our conversation with Jeff Johnson, and get ready to be inspired to get your maps out and start planning your own epic journey.   To Learn More About Jeff Johnson Visit: http://www.jeffjohnsonstories.com   About Visual Revolutionary: http://www.visualrevolutionary.com Because we are interested in people's story, and not what type of gear they use, we introduce a new much needed podcast in the world of photography and filmmaking.  Featuring in-depth conversations with some of the world's leading photographers, filmmakers, and other visual artists, we are bringing you the backstory on how they got to where they are today.  

For our first show of 2017, we get the chance to sit down with one of the most legendary surf photographers in the business, Brian Bielmann.  Although Brian can't say he picked up the camera at an early age and knew he wanted to be a photographer like some of our past guests, he did know from a very early age that all he wanted to do was surf.  From there, he made the fairly logical decision that he would be more likely to make it as a surf photographer than a surfer.  To say he won that gamble would be an understatement.  With over 150 magazine covers to his name, a client list full of some of the biggest brands in the world, and close friendships with almost every superstar surfer you could think of, Brian has made his name known in the world of surfing.  Growing up in Virginia, and looking up to his older brother who was already surfing, Brian would take any chance he could to make the drive to surf the Outerbanks of North Carolina.  Once he graduated High School, he immediately made the journey to the North Shore of Oahu to join his brother and finally get a chance to surf the waves he had been dreaming about as a kid.  It was in Hawaii that Brian made the decision he wanted to be a surf photographer.  He began purchasing equipment and telling others of his plans for his new career.  However, it wasn't until an accident that almost killed him and sidelined him from the water that he began to really take the craft of photography seriously.  Before long he began getting his first publications, and the rest, as they say, is history.  On this episode we get the chance to talk music and vinyl collections, what it's like swimming Pipeline at age 59, how hard it is to make money in the current world of surf photography, and how he stays relevant in a young man's game.  So join us in a fun conversation with a guy who has definitely got some stories to tell.   To Learn More About Brian Beilmann Visit: https://www.brianbielmann.com   About Visual Revolutionary: http://www.visualrevolutionary.com Because we are interested in people's story, and not what type of gear they use, we introduce a new much needed podcast in the world of photography and filmmaking.  Featuring in-depth conversations with some of the world's leading photographers, filmmakers, and other visual artists, we are bringing you the backstory on how they got to where they are today.      

On this week's episode of the podcast, we sit down with photographer, author, teacher, and all around nice guy Michael Clark.  He's become one of the most respected adventure sports photographers around, working with huge clients like Red Bull, Nikon, and Adobe, as well as almost every sports brand and publication you can think of.  But photography wasn't always his first choice.  Although he showed early promise as a talented artist, Michael chose to study physics in college and pursued a career in science right out of school.  Rock climbing had also come into his life around this time however, and before long he realized that his true calling was to travel and climb. He quit his job in the university physics department and took off on a road trip that would last years.  During that time, the camera became a familiar appendage to capture the adventures that were now ruling his life.  Climbing photography would be what propelled Michael into the world of professional photography, but his science background would have him constantly looking to deepen his knowledge of photography, and soon he found himself immersed in the world of adventure sports in general.  Michael would go on to travel the globe, working with a huge list of editorial and corporate clients.  He also began to teach others how he achieved the looks he was known for in several published books.  During our conversation, we get the chance to ask Michael how adventure sports photography might lead to flow states of consciousness, how the pressure of "getting the shot" gets amplified when athletes are putting their lives on the line, and how he continues to evolve as a photographer after all these years of shooting.  So enjoy our conversation with Michael Clark.   To Learn More About Michael Clark Visit: http://www.michaelclarkphoto.com   About Visual Revolutionary: http://www.visualrevolutionary.com Because we are interested in people's story, and not what type of gear they use, we introduce a new much needed podcast in the world of photography and filmmaking.  Featuring in-depth conversations with some of the world's leading photographers, filmmakers, and other visual artists, we are bringing you the backstory on how they got to where they are today.    

On this episode of the podcast, we sit down with renowned photographer Glen E. Friedman.  To take a look through some of Friedman's archive is like stepping back into time and getting the chance to live through the subcultures he was there to bare witness to.  He created images that would help define a generation.  From the Dogtown Days of skateboarding with Tony Alva and Jay Adams, to the raw energy of punk with Black Flag and Minor Threat, to the early days of hip hop with the Beastie Boys and Run DMC, Friedman was there with a camera in hand.  The list of recognizable names and artists that he helped visually introduce to the world goes on and on and stands as a testament to his own taste in what he thought was important to photograph.  From a very early age, Glen E. Friedman was attracted to photography and began to realize that some of the people that were shooting the culture he was a part of didn't seem to know how to approach it.  By the age of 15 he was getting published in Skateboarder magazine, and a few years later he was shooting the punk bands that had begun to become the soundtrack of his own rebellious attitude.  After venturing into a new endeavor of managing and producing an album for Suicidal Tendencies, Friedman started to get turned on to some of the new sounds of hip hop coming out of New York.  It wasn't long before he became friends with Rick Ruben and Russell Simmons and started shooting some of the iconic album covers that those of us that lived through the 80s and early 90s will definitely remember.  Through it all, Friedman always stayed passionate about photography, and tried to only shoot the things that he was moved by.  During our conversation we get the chance to ask Friedman what he thinks the next youth movement will be, what it's like to work with some of the biggest names in music, and the advice he gives to others about following their passion.  So enjoy our conversation with Glen E. Friedman.   To Learn More About Glen E. Friedman Visit: http://burningflags.com/home/   About Visual Revolutionary: http://www.visualrevolutionary.com Because we are interested in people's story, and not what type of gear they use, we introduce a new much needed podcast in the world of photography and filmmaking.  Featuring in-depth conversations with some of the world's leading photographers, filmmakers, and other visual artists, we are bringing you the backstory on how they got to where they are today.  

On this episode of the podcast we sit down with Commercial Photographer, Canon Explorer of Light, and Teacher Joel Grimes.  As a kid, Joel was always creative, but it wasn't until his freshman year in high school that Joel finally picked up a camera and knew that he had found the art form he was looking for.  Although Joel had some early success in the world of photography and was building a national client base, it wasn't until he decided to completely reinvent himself, and his overall look, that he suddenly burst on to the scene as a recognizable name.  Using a three light setup, composites, and somewhat of a grunge look, Joel became a very sought after commercial shooter.  Soon he began teaching others how he created the look and realized that he really enjoyed teaching. After several public speaking events, he created a video tutorial system and started teaching his own personal workshops across the country.  Joel has gone onto to shoot some of world's top athletes, worked on huge ad campaigns, and continued to help others to realize their own dreams in photography.  During this conversation we get the chance to ask Joel what has kept him excited about photography for all of these years, how he deals with sometimes being "pigeonholed" for a certain aesthetic, the amount of personal projects he tries to challenge himself with every year, and the advice he gives to others on building a portfolio.  So enjoy this talk with Joel Grimes. To Learn More About Joel Grimes Visit: http://www.joelgrimes.com To Learn More About Joel's Workshops Visit: http://www.joelgrimesworkshops.com   About Visual Revolutionary: http://www.visualrevolutionary.com Because we are interested in people's story, and not what type of gear they use, we introduce a new much needed podcast in the world of photography and filmmaking.  Featuring in-depth conversations with some of the world's leading photographers, filmmakers, and other visual artists, we are bringing you the backstory on how they got to where they are today.  

On this episode of the podcast we get the opportunity to speak with National Geographic photographer, filmmaker, and writer Pete McBride.  Pete tells us about growing up on a ranch outside of Aspen, Colorado and the first time he remembers picking up a camera.  From his early days as a kid helping his dad herd cattle, to all the days he spent skiing in the mountains, he felt a calling to study land management and the environment around him.  It was this interest, and trying to write for publications on those topics, that finally led him to photography.  Pete quickly gravitated towards travel, adventure, and expedition work.  He wanted to take photos of the far away places and people he had always dreamed about, but he soon began to become disenfranchised with what he would call "adventure porn" and realized there was a story in his own back yard.  Although he had grown up around the Colorado River, Pete realized how little he really understood about it's history and it's destination.  He soon set out to produce a story about the river which would lead him on a path to becoming what National Geographic would call a "freshwater hero".  Since then, Pete has continued to document rivers, people, places, and the story of the planet, and has inspired many others to look at the world around them a little closer.  During this conversation we got the chance to ask Pete what keeps him from getting burned out, how to present a story and not just photography, why he stayed in Colorado after all the years of travel, and what advice he gives to those dreaming of one day working for National Geographic.  So enjoy our conversation with someone out there helping to tell the stories that need to be told.   To Learn More About Pete McBride Visit: http://www.petemcbride.com   About Visual Revolutionary: http://www.visualrevolutionary.com Because we are interested in people's story, and not what type of gear they use, we introduce a new much needed podcast in the world of photography and filmmaking.  Featuring in-depth conversations with some of the world's leading photographers, filmmakers, and other visual artists, we are bringing you the backstory on how they got to where they are today.  

On this episode of the podcast we get the chance to sit down with legendary Magnum photographer David Alan Harvey and talk about the universal language of photography and those who have risen to the level of poets.  His love for this language started at a very early age.  As a child, stricken with polio and confined to hospital wards, David spent a lot of time looking through books and magazines, experiencing what was going on in the outside world through photographs. He also had a lot of time to search the depths of his developing personality and passions and get a head start on knowing who he was and what he wanted to be.  It wasn't until later though, while on a camping trip at the age of 12, that David looked out of his tent one morning and wondered why he didn't have a camera to capture the beautiful scene he was staring at.  From that moment on, David would pursue the art of photography and would stop at nothing less than achieving the dreams he had started to envision.  From his early days as a newspaper photographer, working under another legend in the photo world Rich Clarkson, to his 7 years as a staff photographer with National Geographic, to finally finding his home with Magnum, David has traveled the world many times over trying to tell the human story.  He's won countless awards, published a huge list of books, and has been featured in galleries around the world, but he's still not satisfied and he's definitely not done. We talk about what has kept him inspired and motivated for all these years, what advice he gives to others about creating work that matters, and where he pulls the most inspiration from.  So enjoy our conversation with a photography icon.   To Learn More About David Alan Harvey Visit: http://www.davidalanharvey.com To Learn More About Burn Magazine Visit: http://www.burnmagazine.org   About Visual Revolutionary: http://www.visualrevolutionary.com Because we are interested in people's story, and not what type of gear they use, we introduce a new much needed podcast in the world of photography and filmmaking.  Featuring in-depth conversations with some of the world's leading photographers, filmmakers, and other visual artists, we are bringing you the backstory on how they got to where they are today.  

This week on the show we get the chance to talk with Actor, Skateboarder, Entrepreneur, and, most important to this show, avid film photographer Jason Lee.  Whether you know him from his days as a cutting edge professional street skater, his cult classic character Brodie in "Mall Rats", the lead singer of Stillwater in "Almost Famous", or everyone's favorite apologist Earl Hickey, you definitely know him.  What you might not have known, is that Jason Lee has spent the last 16 years devouring everything he could learn about film photography and creating a beautiful body of work with an amazing collection of vintage cameras.  Recently he partnered up with Refueled Magazine to create a limited addition coffee table book of his peel apart polaroid work that features images from his travels across the American West.  They are currently working on the second edition and Jason has plans on returning to the road in his old truck to continue shooting.  On this episode we talk about the early days of street skating, the influence that Mark Gonzales had on him, what made him want to be an actor, working with directors like Kevin Smith and Cameron Crowe, and what made him pick up a camera in the first place.  Jason has gone on to help inspire others to have a passion for film photography by starting Film Photographic, an online curated forum for people to show their work, with more plans coming soon.   To Learn More About Jason Lee's Photography Visit: https://www.instagram.com/jasonlee To Learn More About his Book with Refueled Magazine Visit: http://www.refueledmagazine.com   About Visual Revolutionary: http://www.visualrevolutionary.com Because we are interested in people's story, and not what type of gear they use, we introduce a new much needed podcast in the world of photography and filmmaking.  Featuring in-depth conversations with some of the world's leading photographers, filmmakers, and other visual artists, we are bringing you the backstory on how they got to where they are today.