The Candid Frame: Conversations on Photography

*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "3c4ecdd6-9259-4699-a20e-6f62c749d2b8" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> *]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "d14385bd-93ee-414e-8a58-a6609ae6aa09" data-testid= "conversation-turn-16" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> When photographer David Walter Banks began turning his lens toward the spaces where power, faith, and ideology take physical form, he set out to explore more than architecture. His photographs examine how belief systems—political, religious, and cultural—shape the built environment and, in turn, influence how we move through the world. From monuments and government buildings to evangelical megachurches, David's work reveals how space is used to project authority, belonging, and conviction. That inquiry has evolved into a thoughtful body of work that blends visual rigor with deep research. Rather than offering simple critique, David approaches his subjects with curiosity and nuance, allowing viewers to grapple with the complex relationships between belief, identity, and place. His photographs invite us to slow down and consider how the environments we create reflect our values—and how quietly, yet powerfully, they shape our collective experience. Resources: David Walter Banks https://davidwalterbanks.com Trembling Earth Book https://bsgeneralstore.com/products/trembling-earth-a-transcendental-trip-through-the-okefenokee Altadena Photographers https://www.altadenaphotographers.org/ Support Ibarionex & The Candid Frame GoFundMe BuyMeaCoffee eBook Purchases Websites The Candid Frame Patreon Page The Candid Frame PayPal Contribution Link Signed Editions of "Making Photographs: Developing a Personal Visual Workflow." Sponsors Charcoal Book Club https://charcoalbookclub.com Frames Magazine https://readframes.com Education Resources: Momenta Photographic Workshops https://momentaworkshops.com/workshops/ Candid Frame Resources The Candid Frame Newsletter & Substack Blog The Candid Frame Alexa Skill Making Photographs: Developing a Personal Visual Workflow The Candid Frame Flickr Pool The Candid Frame YouTube Channel Contribute a one-time donation to the show thru Buy Me a Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/thecandidframe Support the work at The Candid Frame by contributing to our Patreon effort. You can do this by visiting patreon.com/thecandidframe or the website and clicking on the Patreon button. You can also provide a one-time donation via PayPal. You can follow Ibarionex on Instagram and Twitter.

*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "30b1bb61-f703-4f69-b4ee-3fabc600f4a9" data-testid= "conversation-turn-8" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> *]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "3c4ecdd6-9259-4699-a20e-6f62c749d2b8" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> When photographer Ben Geier first began making images, it was his Midwest upbringing and a fascination with abandoned places that set him on a path of visual discovery. Over the past decade, Ben's work has led him across the United States in search of once-vibrant theatres, roadside restaurants, neon signs, motels, and storefronts—places that carry the texture of America's cultural and architectural history. What distinguishes his photography is not just what he shoots, but how he sees: with a design-informed eye for composition, color, and the quiet beauty in forgotten spaces. Trope Publishing Co That journey has culminated in Viewing Hours, Ben's debut book, which brings together more than 150 images from 15 states, capturing the fading allure of America's vernacular architecture and roadside culture. Rather than simply documenting decay, Ben's photographs evoke nostalgia, solitude, and a reverence for the stories embedded in these places—reminding us why these spaces matter and why they are worth remembering before they disappear entirely. Trope Publishing Co+1 Resources: Ben Geier https://www.bengeier.com/ Viewing Hours https://www.bengeier.com/pages/viewing-hours Bengeier Altadena Photographers https://www.altadenaphotographers.org/ Support Ibarionex & The Candid Frame GoFundMe BuyMeaCoffee eBook Purchases Websites The Candid Frame Patreon Page The Candid Frame PayPal Contribution Link Signed Editions of "Making Photographs: Developing a Personal Visual Workflow." Sponsors Charcoal Book Club https://charcoalbookclub.com Frames Magazine FRAMES Magazine | Because Excellent Photography Belongs On Paper (readframes.com) Education Resources: Momenta Photographic Workshops https://momentaworkshops.com/workshops/ Candid Frame Resources The Candid Frame Newsletter & Substack Blog The Candid Frame Alexa Skill Making Photographs: Developing a Personal Visual Workflow The Candid Frame Flickr Pool The Candid Frame YouTube Channel Contribute a one-time donation to the show thru Buy Me a Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/thecandidframe Support the work at The Candid Frame by contributing to our Patreon effort. You can do this by visiting patreon.com/thecandidframe or the website and clicking on the Patreon button. You can also provide a one-time donation via PayPal. You can follow Ibarionex on Instagram and Twitter.

Martyn Goddard, a British photographer celebrated for his striking imagery of the late 1970s punk and new wave scene, shares captivating stories about his work with Blondie. He discusses his early career influences, the challenges of live shooting, and the art of capturing candid moments with the band. Goddard recounts memorable shoots with Debbie Harry, his creative techniques using unusual gear, and how he turned archival work into his book, 'Blondie: In Camera.' His vivid anecdotes transport listeners back to a revolutionary era in music and photography.

When photographer and educator Mark Comon talks about photography, his passion is unmistakable. As the owner of Paul's Photo in Torrance, California, and founder of the Creative Photo Academy, Mark has spent decades helping photographers at every level discover their creative potential. Through economic downturns, digital revolutions, and even the pandemic, he has kept Paul's Photo thriving—one of the rare family-owned camera stores to endure and grow in an industry transformed by change. Mark's philosophy is rooted in community and education. He believes that photography flourishes when people learn, share, and make images together. Whether teaching composition, lighting, or visual storytelling, he focuses on empowering others to connect with their subjects and themselves. His enduring dedication to the photographic community has made Paul's Photo and Creative Photo Academy not just places to buy gear, but true centers for inspiration and learning. Resources: Mark Comon Paul's Photo Creative Photo Academy Altadena Photographers https://www.altadenaphotographers.org/ Support Ibarionex & The Candid Frame GoFundMe BuyMeaCoffee eBook Purchases Websites The Candid Frame Patreon Page The Candid Frame PayPal Contribution Link Signed Editions of "Making Photographs: Developing a Personal Visual Workflow." Sponsors Charcoal Book Club https://charcoalbookclub.com Frames Magazine FRAMES Magazine | Because Excellent Photography Belongs On Paper (readframes.com) Education Resources: Momenta Photographic Workshops https://momentaworkshops.com/workshops/ Candid Frame Resources The Candid Frame Newsletter & Substack Blog The Candid Frame Alexa Skill Making Photographs: Developing a Personal Visual Workflow The Candid Frame Flickr Pool The Candid Frame YouTube Channel Contribute a one-time donation to the show thru Buy Me a Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/thecandidframe Support the work at The Candid Frame by contributing to our Patreon effort. You can do this by visiting patreon.com/thecandidframe or the website and clicking on the Patreon button. You can also provide a one-time donation via PayPal. You can follow Ibarionex on Instagram and Twitter.

Frank Jackson, a seasoned photographer celebrated for his striking black-and-white street photography and portraiture, shares his artistic journey. He dives into his early experiences with film processing and how those lessons shaped his aesthetic. Frank discusses the influence of Ansel Adams and his application of the Zone System. He reveals his intimate coffee cup series, exploring its emotional connections. Frank also opens up about his health struggles with Myasthenia Gravis and how it transformed his artistic perspective, urging young photographers to embrace patience and authenticity.

When photographer Jonas Paurell set out to explore the relationship between humans and the natural world, he embraced a practice that moves fluidly between art, documentary, and environmental storytelling. His images are rooted in a deep engagement with place—whether remote mountain landscapes or fragile ecosystems—and they reflect both an aesthetic sensitivity and an ecological urgency. Jonas's work doesn't simply document the environment; it raises questions about belonging, responsibility, and how our presence shapes the land we inhabit. That journey has led to long-term projects that blend collaboration with communities, careful observation, and a visual language that feels both timeless and immediate. Rather than leaning on spectacle, Jonas turns toward intimacy—capturing the quiet tension and beauty that emerge when people and nature meet. The result is a body of work that challenges us to reconsider not only how we see the world but how we live within it. Resources: Jonas Paurell https://www.jonaspaurell.com Altadena Photographers https://www.altadenaphotographers.org/ Support Ibarionex & The Candid Frame GoFundMe BuyMeaCoffee eBook Purchases Websites The Candid Frame Patreon Page The Candid Frame PayPal Contribution Link Signed Editions of "Making Photographs: Developing a Personal Visual Workflow. Sponsors Charcoal Book Club https://charcoalbookclub.com Frames Magazine FRAMES Magazine | Because Excellent Photography Belongs On Paper (readframes.com) Education Resources: Momenta Photographic Workshops https://momentaworkshops.com/workshops/ Candid Frame Resources The Candid Frame Newsletter & Substack Blog The Candid Frame Alexa Skill Making Photographs: Developing a Personal Visual Workflow The Candid Frame Flickr Pool The Candid Frame YouTube Channel Download the free Candid Frame app for your favorite smart device. Click here to download it for iOS. Click here to download it for Android Contribute a one-time donation to the show thru Buy Me a Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/thecandidframe Support the work at The Candid Frame by contributing to our Patreon effort. You can do this by visiting patreon.com/thecandidframe or the website and clicking on the Patreon button. You can also provide a one-time donation via PayPal. You can follow Ibarionex on Instagram and Twitter.

When photographer Dimitri Staszewski began his Close to the Bayou project, he was drawn to the layered and deeply personal relationship between people and place in southern Louisiana. His photographs explore the impact of land loss, environmental change, and cultural resilience, capturing stories that exist at the intersection of identity, heritage, and survival. Rather than portraying the region solely through the lens of crisis, Dimitri embraces its complexity—revealing beauty, strength, and an ongoing dialogue between past and present. At its heart, the story also reflects an intimate exploration of mortality, acknowledging how lives and traditions are shaped by both loss and continuity. His work asks us to consider how landscapes shape lives and how photography can honor both fragility and endurance. Close to the Bayou is a testament to the power of visual storytelling to preserve memory and amplify voices in communities too often misrepresented or overlooked. Resources: Dimitri Staszewski https://dimitri.studio Close to the Bayou https://dimitri.studio/close-to-the-bayou Altadena Photographers https://www.altadenaphotographers.org/ Support Ibarionex & The Candid Frame GoFundMe BuyMeaCoffee eBook Purchases Websites The Candid Frame Patreon Page The Candid Frame PayPal Contribution Link Signed Editions of "Making Photographs: Developing a Personal Visual Workflow. Sponsors Charcoal Book Club https://charcoalbookclub.com Frames Magazine FRAMES Magazine | Because Excellent Photography Belongs On Paper (readframes.com) Education Resources: Momenta Photographic Workshops https://momentaworkshops.com/workshops/ Candid Frame Resources The Candid Frame Newsletter & Substack Blog The Candid Frame Alexa Skill Making Photographs: Developing a Personal Visual Workflow The Candid Frame Flickr Pool The Candid Frame YouTube Channel Download the free Candid Frame app for your favorite smart device. Click here to download it for iOS. Click here to download it for Android Contribute a one-time donation to the show thru Buy Me a Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/thecandidframe Support the work at The Candid Frame by contributing to our Patreon effort. You can do this by visiting patreon.com/thecandidframe or the website and clicking on the Patreon button. You can also provide a one-time donation via PayPal. You can follow Ibarionex on Instagram and Twitter.

When multi-media artist Javiera Estrada speaks about her work, it's not just about aesthetics or technique—it's about transformation. Born in Acapulco, Mexico and raised in the United States after emigrating in 1989, Estrada brings a rich cultural memory of vibrant color, ritual, and mysticism into everything she creates. Whether working with photography, photograms, textiles, or mixed media, her art bridges the seen and unseen—merging earthly material with spiritual inquiry. Her work doesn't divide the physical and metaphysical, the beautiful and the chaotic—it unifies them. Philosophically, Estrada rejects the idea of separation. Artistically, she explores this through layered, immersive processes that slow time and call her deeper into presence. From sculptural explorations of the female body in communion with nature, to cosmic fields of ink and color that evoke the prima materia of existence, her pieces are meditations on unity, consciousness, and becoming. Estrada describes her process as both frenzied and laborious, embracing mess and unknowing as necessary steps to uncover what lies beneath the surface. In a world defined by speed and distraction, her work is an invitation to move differently—to let intuition guide and to give the sacred a place in the mundane. It's bold, beautiful, and deeply human. Resources: Javiera Estrada https://www.javieraestrada.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/javieraestrada/ Altadena Photographers https://www.altadenaphotographers.org/ Support Ibarionex & The Candid Frame GoFundMe BuyMeaCoffee eBook Purchases Websites The Candid Frame Patreon Page The Candid Frame PayPal Contribution Link Signed Editions of Making Photographs: Developing a Personal Visual Workflow Sponsors Charcoal Book Club https://charcoalbookclub.com Frames Magazine FRAMES Magazine | Because Excellent Photography Belongs On Paper (readframes.com) Education Resources: Momenta Photographic Workshops https://momentaworkshops.com/workshops/ Candid Frame Resources The Candid Frame Newsletter & Substack Blog The Candid Frame Alexa Skill Making Photographs: Developing a Personal Visual Workflow The Candid Frame Flickr Pool The Candid Frame YouTube Channel Download the free Candid Frame app for your favorite smart device Download for iOS Download for Android Contribute a One-Time Donation Buy Me a Coffee Support the Show Monthly on Patreon You can also support the show via PayPal. Follow Ibarionex on Instagram and Twitter.

When photographer Justin Black first picked up a camera, he was drawn not just to the art of image-making but to the power of photography as a tool for exploration, conservation, and connection. Over the years, that passion has evolved into a remarkable career that bridges fine art, environmental advocacy, and education. As a co-founder of Visionary Wild and former executive director of the International League of Conservation Photographers, Justin has helped shape how we think about the relationship between photography and the natural world. In our conversation, we explore Justin's journey from working alongside legendary photographer Galen Rowell to leading transformative workshops in some of the world's most extraordinary landscapes. Through his work, Justin invites others not just to see more clearly—but to care more deeply. Resources: Justin Black https://justinblackphoto.com Visionary Wild https://visionarywild.com International League of Conservation Photographers https://www.ilcp.com Support Ibarionex & The Candid Frame GoFundMe Buy Me a Coffee eBook Purchases Websites The Candid Frame Patreon Page The Candid Frame PayPal Contribution Link Signed Editions of "Making Photographs: Developing a Personal Visual Workflow" Sponsors Charcoal Book Club https://charcoalbookclub.com Frames Magazine https://readframes.com Education Resources Momenta Photographic Workshops https://momentaworkshops.com/workshops/ Candid Frame Resources The Candid Frame Newsletter & Substack Blog The Candid Frame Alexa Skill Making Photographs: Developing a Personal Visual Workflow The Candid Frame Flickr Pool The Candid Frame YouTube Channel Download the free Candid Frame app for your favorite smart device: Download for iOS Download for Android Contribute a one-time donation to the show through Buy Me a Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/thecandidframe Support The Candid Frame by contributing to our Patreon effort. Visit patreon.com/thecandidframe or click the Patreon button on the website. You can also provide a one-time donation via PayPal. Follow Ibarionex on Instagram and Twitter.

When filmmaker Ilie Mitaru first discovered Serbest Salih's Instagram feed, he was struck by the power of the photographs—vivid, intimate images made by children from displaced and marginalized communities across Turkey. These weren't typical snapshots. They revealed a bold visual instinct and emotional clarity that defied the children's limited experience behind the camera. Ilie saw not just compelling photographs, but a powerful story of self-expression—one that urgently needed telling. That story became First Frames, a film that shifts focus away from trauma and instead highlights the playful, curious, and complex inner lives of its young image-makers. Rather than treating the children as passive subjects, Ilie embraced their perspective—amplifying their imaginations and voices. The result is a vibrant, deeply human portrait told through the children's own lenses, reminding us that some of the most resonant stories come from those who are so often overlooked. Resources: Ilie Mitaru https://iliemitaru.com First Frames Film https://wepresent.wetransfer.com/stories/first-frames-film Serbest Salih's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fotohanedarkroom/ Altadena Photographers https://www.altadenaphotographers.org/ Support Ibarionex & The Candid Frame GoFundMe BuyMeaCoffee eBook Purchases Websites The Candid Frame Patreon Page The Candid Frame PayPal Contribution Link Signed Editions of "Making Photographs: Developing a Personal Visual Workflow. Sponsors Charcoal Book Club https://charcoalbookclub.com Frames Magazine FRAMES Magazine | Because Excellent Photography Belongs On Paper (readframes.com) Education Resources: Momenta Photographic Workshops https://momentaworkshops.com/workshops/ Candid Frame Resources The Candid Frame Newsletter & Substack Blog The Candid Frame Alexa Skill Making Photographs: Developing a Personal Visual Workflow The Candid Frame Flickr Pool The Candid Frame YouTube Channel Download the free Candid Frame app for your favorite smart device. Click here to download it for iOS. Click here to download it for Android Contribute a one-time donation to the show thru Buy Me a Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/thecandidframe Support the work at The Candid Frame by contributing to our Patreon effort. You can do this by visiting patreon.com/thecandidframe or the website and clicking on the Patreon button. You can also provide a one-time donation via PayPal. You can follow Ibarionex on Instagram and Twitter.