B&H Photography Podcast

This episode we’re talking to the multi-talented, Bea Chu. Bea dives into how her content creator journey began and how she balances education and creativity. We talk about creator communities and tips for improving your audio game.   Guest Bio: Bea Chu is a content creator who started her career as a theatre sound designer and audio engineer. She has over a decade of video-creating experience, and gained popularity with her viral video “How to Turn Your Headset into a DIY Lapel Mic.” Since then, she has been educating and inspiring fellow creators through insightful content about the creator economy, as well as producing engaging videos on cinematography, personal branding, and growing on social media. Click to Subscribe to the to the Creators Green Room Channel: https://linktr.ee/CreatorsGreenRoom Stay Connected: Instagram    Credits  Host & Creative Producer: Deanna Tesa  Creative Producer: Elena Maidebura Creative Editor: Larissa Mattei Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

“If you look very intensely and slowly things will happen that you never dreamed of before.” This Aaron Siskind quote neatly sums up the deeply contemplative discussion we had with landscape photographers John Paul Caponigro and Joel Simpson in this week’s podcast. Siskind’s name is mentioned several times in our chat—as are many other 20th century photography legends—making this show both an exploration of photo history and an exercise in a holistic way to envision and record the world around us. Our focus on landscape quickly diverges from realistic depictions in favor of terrain that celebrates abstraction and metaphor. Follow along as we unpack the unwieldy term Pareiolia—the tendency to see familiar things in otherwise random patterns—and discover unique pathways to relate to the natural world. As John Paul Caponigro aptly points out, “I think of every exposure that I make as having a conversation with the subject and myself. I think of every move that I make in Photoshop as having a conversation with the image that started one way and is developing in another. And I ask, you know, what does the image want?”   Guests: John Paul Caponigro & Joel Simpson   Episode Timeline: 3:30: Joel Simpson describes his early landscapes as a way to re-experience being elsewhere. 9:24: Pareidolia: what it means and its relationship to Joel’s photographs. 13:24: John Paul’s relationship to the term pareidolia: a way to find patterns and make sense out of chaos. 19:12: The influence of Gestalt psychology when interpreting abstract patterns and photographing the bare bones of the earth. 24:55: Differences between making pictures with the aid of pre-visualization vs going in empty and refining ones’ vision in post using digital tools. Plus insights about getting beyond the imitation phase to find a path to originality in your work. 35:58: How do you know when your unique vision from the pictures you make are ready to be released into the world? 42:12: Episode Break 43:24: John Paul’s approach to post-processing—using the tools as a laboratory to make multiple iterations. 47:00: Joel describes the discoveries he made when finessing photos of a wonderous landscape from Zhangjiajie, China. 50:21: How does AI factor into crafting an authentic vision, plus the mind as the original AI. 1:03:18: Using photography to tap into things that haven’t yet been discovered and elicit a sense of wonder from viewers’ responses. 1:06:50: Joel and John Paul talk about the places that inspire their respective photographic projects.   Guest Bios: John Paul Caponigro is a digital media pioneer, combining his painting background with a variety of photographic processes using the latest in digital technology. His work is about the perception of nature and the nature of perception. Widely respected as an authority on creativity, photography, and fine art printing, John Paul’s images and writings are widely published in periodicals and books, and he’s been a contributing editor to a variety of magazines and websites. He’s also author of the video training series R/Evolution and the book “Adobe Photoshop Master Class,” now in its second edition. As a highly sought-after speaker and educator, John Paul has presented lectures and workshops around the globe. His art has been exhibited internationally, and his prints are housed in numerous public and private collections. Select clients include Adobe, Apple, Canon, Kodak, and Sony, and he is a member of the Photoshop Hall of Fame, Epson’s Stylus Pros, and X-Rite’s Coloratti.   Joel Simpson began making pictures as a teen in the 1960s, turning pro in 2002. Since that time, he’s had more than 50 exhibitions in the US and abroad. His work has also been widely published and received numerous awards, including a Nautilus Gold Award for Art and Photography for his 2019 book Earthforms: Intimate Portraits of our Planet. His new book, Faces in the Rocks: Beyond Landscape to Psycho-Geological Photography, organizes his discoveries about the aesthetics of abstract and figurative forms in the earth, concluding with a tongue-in-cheek collection of imagined extra-terrestrial landscapes and future cityscapes. In addition to his career in photography, Simpson holds a PhD in comparative literature, and spent 22 years as a professional jazz pianist. He lives in Union, New Jersey.   Stay Connected: John Paul Caponigro Website Instagram Facebook YouTube 1980’s Guardian advertisement “Multiple Points of View”   Joel Simpson Website Instagram YouTube   Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

We’re kicking off the B&H Creators Green Room with the very talented Shuang Hu. Shuang is a renowned actress, writer, director, producer, and viral content creator with over 12 million followers. Tune in to learn about her creative journey, inspiration, and what it takes to grow as a modern creator.   Guest Bio: Shuang Hu is a talented Chinese-Australian actress, writer, director, producer, and content creator who has gained over 12 million followers since starting her online content in March 2020. Her YouTube channel, THEONESHU, was listed as one of the top 50 most viewed US channels by Tubefilter.com, and her most viral short-form video has received over 298 million views. Shuang has appeared in various TV shows, films, and plays. She also co-wrote, co-created, produced, and starred in Amazon Prime's first original feature film, "Five Blind Dates," launched in February 2024, and she aims to continue sharing engaging stories across different platforms.   Stay Connected   TikTok  Instagram YouTube   Credits  Host & Creative Producer: Deanna Tesa  Creative Producer: Elena Maidebura Creative Editor: Larissa Mattei Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens   Click here to Subscribe

The photo world is filled with remarkable young and up-and-coming talents. They often don’t get the visibility they deserve, so we created Next Frame—a new monthly series aiming to shine a light their way. These bite-sized episodes are equally inspired by the guests we speak with and the invaluable contributions of local creative arts programs that have played a key role in their development. We’re launching this series with photographer, filmmaker, and boxing & music aficionado Josh Nass, an alumnus of Baltimore’s Wide Angle Youth Media programs. From nailing his Photoshop skills while still in middle school to trading in his boxing gloves for a camera during college and beyond, Josh regales us with practical tips about both the successes and challenges all young creatives must face as they transition from trading pictures for access to molding media skills into a profitable career. Looking back on his early days chasing both music and fashion scenes, Josh notes, “Your main role as a photographer—especially with talent and famous people—you know, I thought I was just making them look cool, but I'm making them money. I'm marketing them for their next tour, for their current tour. Looking back, I've learned a thing or two about how to get users’ attention online.” Guest: Josh Nass   Episode Timeline: 2:04: Baltimore/DC-based photographer Josh Nass talks about first picking up a camera to fill his time after hanging up his boxing gloves. 3:40: Leveraging social media to get on stage and photograph his favorite Caribbean singer, then trading free pictures for ongoing access. 7:25: Navigating one’s comfort level as an up-and-coming photographer, plus making a distinction between comfort with gear and social ease with subjects and clients. 9:08: Making pictures of cool moments, creative editing decisions to draw out the cool factor, and being first to deliver the files are all key to Josh’s success. 14:02: Street hustling at New York Fashion Week to gain access to photograph top artists and celebrities, and the tough lessons Josh learned in the process. 19:06: Josh’s connection to Baltimore’s Wide Angle Youth Media and the formative role their programs have played in his early photography success. 22:50: Being referred by Wide Angle for a Comcast commercial, and the backstory to what transpired behind-the-scenes.  29:49: Josh weighs future career options and whether he’ll choose to pursue photography full time.  35:40: Essential advice for emerging photographers: Prioritize building your skills and don’t overvalue your work early on. Plus, a look at Josh’s first big paid gig for a Keke Palmer concert and marketing campaign.    Guest Bio: Josh Nass is a Baltimore/DC-based freelance photographer and a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he’s pursuing a bachelor’s degree in information science. As a high school graduate of The Baltimore School for the Arts and a participant Baltimore’s Wide Angle Youth Media non-profit, he’s honed his subject-based style to give each of his shoots, whether its celebrities, musicians, athletes, or models, a unique “wow” factor.   Stay Connected: Website Instagram Facebook Wide Angle Youth / Comcast Video   Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Join CJ Wolfe, a Philadelphia photographer and entrepreneur, Maria Clinton, a New York filmmaker, and Benjamin Von Wong, a globetrotting visual engineer and environmental activist, as they share their inspiring journeys. CJ discusses how photography transformed his life and his entrepreneurial aspirations. The trio delves into the evolving role of AI in creativity, the importance of community support, and the intersection of filmmaking with generational perspectives. Their reflections on storytelling showcase the power of art in connecting people.

In this engaging discussion, photographer and film director Daniela Vale and cinematographer Scott Beardslee share insights from their project, "Path of Liberty: That Which Unites Us." They reflect on their road trip adventures across America, interviewing diverse everyday people to capture the essence of unity and freedom. Daniela emphasizes the creative process, highlighting her ability to adapt and find magic in the editing room. Meanwhile, Scott discusses how their work celebrates the complex narrative of American identity, blending urban and rural perspectives.

Mary Ellen Matthews, SNL's photographer in residence since 1999, shares her thrilling journey behind the lens at one of television's most iconic shows. She discusses the unique blend of excitement and stress in capturing authentic celebrity portraits, revealing secrets to her creative process. From memorable shoots with stars like Sarah Silverman to the challenges of working under tight deadlines, Mary Ellen emphasizes the importance of spontaneity and collaboration. She also nostalgically reflects on the transition from analog to digital photography, celebrating the artistry of her craft.

Industrial expansion has left an indelible mark on our natural world, fundamentally altering landscapes and ecosystems for the sake of material progress and modern convenience. This transformation has created an environmental challenge of unprecedented scale. In today’s show, we’ll connect the dots between the raw materials that make up our planet and the industrial forces visually altering our contemporary landscape in a chat with a photographer who’s documented these profound global changes firsthand for the past 50 years. Applying visual principals rooted in abstract expressionist painting, Edward Burtynsky has explored a wide range of photographic tools in his image making—from large format film to high-res digital cameras mounted to the most sophisticated of drones. Included among our many discussion topics are his distinctive approach to translating a 3-D landscape to the flat plane of a photograph; his various methods for capturing aerials using either a helicopter, fixed wing aircraft, or various types of drones; and the early business epiphany that led him to open a photo lab as an income stream, rather than work as a camera for hire. As Burtynsky shares during our chat, about the connection between nature and industry: “You know, materials are an incredibly key part of modern society. And yet we need to go to sources in nature, where these materials are found. And I'm just reconnecting a reality that we still live in a material world, and our cities are built of molecules that came from somewhere, and I’m taking you to those places that are vast and huge.” Guest: Edward Burtynsky Episode Timeline: 2:58: Burtynsky’s early interest in abstract expressionist painting combined with the magic and rituals of composing images with a large format camera 5:28: Planning for aerial views, the shift from using a minerals map in the past to Google Earth today, plus Burtynsky’s shooting preferences between a helicopter and a drone and shooting open air. 10:22: Burtynsky’s approach to translating a 3-D landscape to the flat plane of a photograph. 17:17: The planning and research behind Burtynsky’s work vs the need to pivot in the field. 19:45: Adapting to technology over a 50-year career, and how it’s shaped Burtynsky’s process—from large format film to high end digital on a drone. 23:16: Episode Break 23:59: Burtynsky talks about permissions to access mines and industrial sites and how this has changed over time. 31:44: A wrong turn on the highway in 1981 and the photos that led Burtynsky to an epiphany about human-altered landscapes.  35:48: Burtynsky talks about forming his photo lab Toronto Image Works as a ballast to provide income in printing for other photographers while pursuing personal fine art photo projects. 43:38: Burtynsky’s retrospective exhibit at the ICP in New York, his thoughts about the future of technology, plus recent collaborations with a young artist working in Artificial Intelligence.   Guest Bio:  Edward Burtynsky has spent more than 40 years bearing witness to the impact human industry on our planet. Regarded as one of the world’s most accomplished contemporary photographers, Burtynsky’s work is included in the collections of more than 80 museums worldwide and featured in major exhibitions around the globe. Born in St. Catharines, Ontario in 1955, Burtynsky’s early exposure to a nearby General Motors plant and ships navigating the Welland Canal in his hometown captured his imagination, helping to formulate his ideas about the scale of human creation he would later capture in photographs. These images explore the collective impact we as a species have on the surface of this planet. A select list of Burtynsky’s many distinctions include the inaugural TED Prize, the title of Officer of the Order of Canada, the International Center of Photography’s Infinity Award for Art, a Royal Photographic Society Honorary Fellowship, and the World Photography Organization’s Outstanding Contribution to Photography Award. Burtynsky currently holds nine honorary doctorate degrees, and in addition to his work in photography, he was a key production figure in the award-winning documentary film trilogy Manufactured Landscapes, Watermark, and ANTHROPOCENE: The Human Epoch. All three films continue to play in festivals around the world. Stay Connected: Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Linktree    - Host: Derek Fahsbender  Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens

Every photographer dreams of publishing a book of their photographs. But what exactly does that entail? In today’s show, we’re going to peek behind the scenes of this complex and daunting process in a chat with two complementary figures who’ve spent their respective careers helping to redefine what a photo book can be. Starting with three basic questions—Why a book? Why now? And what is the role of a book in your career at this time?—our discussion expands to cover a broad range of concerns. From distinguishing between the many different publishing models available today, to insights on sponsorship and publishing contracts, to tips about marketing and getting people onboard with your project, you’ll come away with inventive strategies for publishing your work in book form. We’ve envisioned this show as an impromptu master class, so get ready to take some notes! Guests: Mary Virginia Swanson & Rick Smolan Episode Timeline: 4:45: Mary Virginia Swanson’s basic advice to photographers interested in publishing their photographs in book form, plus the different publishing models available today. 10:22: Rick’s start as a freelance photographer and the story behind his shift in roles to launch the Day in the Life book series. 15:04: The importance of sponsorship or in-kind donations, plus innovative strategies for negotiating such deals. 23:04: The two different categories of photo books: greatest hits with the photographer as subject and a book that has a separate subject and overarching story. 27:55: Tips for going on press, advice about publishing contracts, and suggestions for buying back a book before it gets remaindered. 34:54: The issue of vanity presses, and the matter of requiring a subvention from authors to help cover the publisher’s costs. 43:03: Publicity and marketing: You are the best salesperson for your book. Tips for getting your book seen and heard about, from magazines to podcasts. 49:08: Episode Break 50:02: Should you create a full mock-up version of a book or just show a publisher a selection of photos? 59:22: Benefits to working with a literary agent when seeking to publish a photo book. 1:01:44: Slicing up the pie by hiring freelaners or finding a partner to share in the work. 1:07:38: The importance of publishing deadlines and many important markers tied to a calendar, plus the cover photo and book blurbs. 1:14:22: Swanson and Smolan on their picks for memorable photo books. 1:25:19: Parting advice about getting other people excited about your project.   Guest Bios: Mary Virginia Swanson has spent her career helping artists find the strengths in their work, identify receptive audiences, and present their personal vision in an informed, professional manner. Her broad background as a photo educator, author, entrepreneur and advisor spans areas of exhibiting, collecting, licensing, and marketing photographs. A few career highlights include working with Ansel Adams to manage education offerings at the Friends of Photography in California, heading Special Projects for Magnum Photos in New York, and founding and directing Swanstock as a unique licensing agency for fine art photographers. Swanson is the recipient of many awards, including the Society for Photographic Education’s Honored Educator Award and the FOCUS Award for Lifetime Achievement in Photography from the Griffin Museum in Boston to name just two. In 2011, Swanson co-authored Publish Your Photography Book with Darius Himes, which is now in its third edition. Currently, Swanson works independently from her home base in Tucson, offering classes, workshops and consulting services to artists and arts organizations, serving as an advisor for multiple nonprofits, and giving back through other community-minded activities.  Rick Smolan is both a photographer and an entrepreneur. A former contributor to Time, Life, and National Geographic, he is perhaps best known as creator of the Day in the Life book series, plus subsequent book projects of massive scope. As CEO of the multi-modal company Against All Odds Productions, Smolan designs and executes crowd-sourced, global projects that combine compelling storytelling with state-of-the-art technology. These projects capture the human face of emerging topics while engaging a wide range of media platforms to result in books, TV specials, social media apps, exhibitions, and hundreds of millions of media impressions. One such project, based on Smolan’s 1977 National Geographic cover story about Robyn Davidson’s solo travels across the outback has enjoyed continued life in multiple books, plus the feature film Tracks, with Adam Driver cast in the role of Smolan. Other recent projects include The Human Face of Big Data, which looks at how all our devices are creating a planetary nervous system, and The Good Fight: America's Ongoing Struggle for Justice, which became one of Amazon's top 100 books within a week of its release.   Stay Connected: Mary Virginia Swanson Website Instagram Rick Smolan Instagram Facebook YouTube  Against All Odds Website   Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

In a world of perpetual motion, there exists a realm of profound stillness—where light doesn’t simply illuminate, it transforms. Far from home amid Earth’s frozen tundras, time itself seems suspended in crystalline air. In today’s podcast, we’ll visit these places where time hangs in the balance, and we’ll explore the intrepid mix of endurance, patience, and vision it takes to make pictures there. Joining us for this conversation are polar photography specialists Acacia Johnson and Jonas Paurell. From making distinctions between Arctic and Antarctic regions, to learning about the unique challenges involved with photographing there, our polar experts share many valuable insights. In addition to tips about packing and safeguarding camera gear in cold weather climates, we also discuss the importance of managing expectations during such trips, especially when faced with a long wait to see wildlife amid the barren stillness. As Alaskan photographer Acacia Johnson puts it, “… I think going into a trip with kind of a sense of exploration, like the joy of the trip is that you don't know, and it's completely unique to your experience. And whatever you do see is kind of a gift.”   Guests: Acacia Johnson & Jonas Paurell Episode Timeline: 3:37: Acacia Johnson’s upbringing in the wilds of Alaska and leaving the area for photo studies at the Rhode Island School of Design in the lower 48. 7:35: Jonas Paurell’s youth in Sweden and the impact his first trek to Scandinavian Arctic regions had on his soul. 14:08: The differences between Arctic and Antarctic polar landscapes, plus Acacia’s experiences during a winter in Arctic Bay, with no sun for four months. 29:13: Different approaches to storytelling about the Arctic based on subject matter, and capturing an emotion in images that does justice to the landscape. 37:31: The logistics of getting to Arctic and Antarctic locations, and expenses involved with working and living there. 43:19: The Jubilee Expedition Jonas organized to celebrate the 150th anniversary of a legendary Swedish polar expedition to Svalbard. 51:20: Episode Break 51:38: Preparations for a polar expedition and the camera gear Acacia and Jonas pack. 1:00:31: Using a large format camera on polar expeditions, plus managing gear in extreme cold conditions. 1:06:42: Managing expectations for travelers, misconceptions when planning trips, plus different types of vessels used during expeditions to polar regions. 1:16:42: Cultivating an authentic connection to place when photographing polar regions. 1:21:29: The changing ethics of photographing in polar regions, plus findings from Jonas’s Jubilee Expedition Guest Bios: Acacia Johnson is a photographer, writer, and a 2023 National Geographic Explorer based in Anchorage, Alaska. Drawn to painterly light and otherworldly landscapes, her work focuses on the environment, conservation, and connections between people and place. Over the past 10 years, she has made more than fifty expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica as a photographer and a guide—always seeking to inspire wonder and compassion for these remote regions during a time of rapid change. Her photographs have been exhibited internationally and have been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, National Geographic and TIME magazines, among other publications. In 2021, Acacia was awarded the Canon Female Photojournalist Grant, and in 2022 she received the ICP Infinity Award for Documentary Practices and Photojournalism. Jonas Paurell is an explorer, conservation photographer, photo educator, and speaker from Gothenburg, Sweden. One of his most ambitious projects is a 25-year documentation of the Arctic. Through ski expeditions and icebreaker voyages, he has captured both the resilience and vulnerability of Arctic landscapes, emphasizing the fragility of the region and the urgent need for preservation. In 2022, Jonas launched The Jubilee Expedition, recreating the historic Swedish Polar Expedition of 1872 to highlight this region’s rapid melting and the far-reaching impacts of climate change. Jonas is also founder of Terra Photography Expeditions, which offers immersive workshops in both Arctic regions and South American rainforests, helping photographers deepen their connection with nature while refining their craft. Additionally, before dedicating his life to photography, Jonas served as a human rights lawyer for the United Nations. Stay Connected: Acacia Johnson Website Instagram Facebook X Jonas Paurell Website Terra Photography Expedition Instagram Facebook YouTube   Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens