B&H Photography Podcast

This episode of the B&H Photography Podcast was originally published on July 29, 2021. We revisit it today to mark the passing of the podcast torch from creative producer John Harris to Jill Waterman, a creative content writer for the B&H Explora blog, who appears as a guest with Davies. Harris will continue to be an avid listener to the show, and we hope he'll also grace us with his voice on occasion as a future guest. Photographer Sally Davies embodies a remarkable creative spirit, and we think that spirit also resides in the homes of the 72 New Yorkers she photographed for her colorful book of environmental portraits, appropriately titled, New Yorkers. If this spirit does not exist and Davies is not in tune with it, how could she have captured the essence of her subjects and their abodes so efficiently, in some cases in just minutes? We answer that question and many others in this discussion about the making of her book. We are also joined by Jill Waterman who has been photographed by Davies, and has written about her work. Our conversation gets to the heart of Davies' fanciful project, and touches upon its themes of inclusiveness and of gentrification, but also digs into the process of photographing in cramped quarters with little time, and of the surprisingly difficult task of getting people not to smile for a portrait. We talk about Davies' decision to eschew light stands for on-camera flash and to use a Sony mirrorless camera and Zeiss 18mm lens. We also talk about the importance of creative freedom and rejecting preconceived expectations. Davies photographed a wide range of New Yorkers for this series and did not refuse a single person suggested to her, but when it came to organizing a book, edits needed to be made, and we discuss this process, as well. Davies is well-known for her street photography, and we mention her projects on neighborhood storefronts and vintage cars, but this series of interior portraits is as "New York" as it comes. Join us for this engaging conversation. Guests: Sally Davies and Jill Waterman Photograph © Sally Davies For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we continue our coverage of the 2022 OPTIC Conference with two highly invigorating segments about exploring the world after dark. Our first guest is Susan Magnano, who specializes in luminescent night painted portraits. Our chat is revealing on many levels, from the balance of careful orchestration and randomness inherent in her portraits to a mention of the OM Systems OM1 as Magnano's newest secret weapon. After delving into her playful yet powerful arsenal of lighting tools, we gain insight into her multifaceted career—from beginning at a local newspaper to her currently thriving wedding photography business, and her upcoming schedule of intensive photo workshops. After a break, we welcome Sigma Ambassador Jack Fusco to discuss his unique blend of astrophotography with idyllic nocturnal landscapes. During our conversation, Fusco distinguishes astro work from deep sky photography, weighs the differences between DSLRs, the latest in mirrorless cameras, and even mobile phones such as Google's Pixel 6 Pro, (check out Fusco's Pixel 6 Pro photos here). In addition to elaborating on his favorite Sigma lenses for nocturnal imaging, Fusco provides insights about advanced accessories such as star trackers, all the while offering encouragement to anyone seeking to embark on a new adventure chasing the stars. Please join us for these otherworldly conversations about photography at night. Guests: Susan Magnano and Jack Fusco Photograph © Susan Magnano For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast we return to the 2022 OPTIC Conference for two enjoyable and pragmatic segments about macro photography. While both photographers we speak with are well-rounded professionals, their not-so-secret joy is crawling around in gardens and woods, making beautiful close-up macro photographs of insects, plants, and the tiny wonders of nature. Our first guest is Chris McGinnis, who specializes in spider and insect photography and is an OM System Ambassador. Our chat with McGinnis is incredibly elucidating, not only about OM System lenses and cameras, but also about computational photography and his macro techniques with flash. After a break, we welcome Sigma Ambassador Heather Larkin to discuss her macro work with flowers and to learn a bit about her specialty portrait work. Primarily, we discuss the wealth of macro subjects available in your own backyard and garden, but we also learn of the latest Sigma macro lenses and a few very specific tips for approaching your subjects and maintaining focus. Join us for these insightful conversations on macro photography. Guests: Chris McGinnis and Heather Larkin Photograph © Chris McGinnis https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we are pleased to welcome photographer and director Brandon Tauszik and journalist Pendarvis Harshaw to talk about their recently completed project, "Facing Life," an effective blend of form and content, whose principal image format is the cinemagraph and whose content speaks to one of our society's most pressing issues: prison reform. Our discussion takes on both aspects as we learn how cinemagraphs are produced and how Tauszik uses this process to create resonating portraits that blur the line between still and motion photography. We also come to understand the motivation for these two creators to address the changing landscape of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and profile the joys and struggles of eight people recently released from life sentences. Our conversation brings together the technical and creative aspects of this imaging process, including Tauszik's thoughts on portraiture and the specific gear and techniques for making these hybrid images, as well as the issues of mass incarceration and "mass integration." We also come to understand the working relationship between Tauszik and Harshaw—who is primarily an audio journalist and author—and how they met their subjects and developed their stories over several years. While this project may ultimately find its way into galleries or print form, it was devised as an online project and we see, in "Facing Life," eight stories that succinctly and compassionately blend form, content, and presentation to tell important contemporary stories. Guests: Brandon Tauszik and Pendarvis Harshaw Photograph © Brandon Tauszik https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts https://www.facing.life/

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we are pleased to present a conversation with photographer Camille Seaman, and pleased to do so from the halls of the OPTIC 2022 Photo Conference, which we have certainly missed over the past two years. Seaman was a keynote speaker at the 2022 OPTIC Outdoor, Wildlife & Travel Photo/Video Conference, which is hosted by B&H and held from June 12-15, 2022, in New York City. Please check the above link to find an archive of the conference's presentations, but settle in now for an enjoyable and inspiring conversation with Seaman that we recorded in person after her keynote address. Seaman's photographs have been published in National Geographic, Italian Geo, TIME, The New York Times Sunday Magazine, Newsweek, Outside, and American Photo, among many others. She frequently leads photographic workshops and is a TED Senior Fellow, Stanford Knight Fellow, and a Cinereach Filmmaker in Residence. It is her work photographing Earth's two poles that first captured our attention and her "portraits" of icebergs, specifically. She has published two books on the subject, including 2014's Melting Away: A Ten-Year Journey through Our Endangered Polar Regions. But her subjects also include extreme weather in the Midwest, the peoples of Tibet, and Native Americans. Our talk was insightful, at times emotional, and her personal story is as inspiring as her photography. Join us for this wonderful chat, and in case you were wondering, the title for this week's podcast is from a quote by Seaman's mentor Steve McCurry, and holds much significance for her—as we discovered in the course of our conversation. Guest: Camille Seaman Photograph © Camille Seaman https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

The 2022 OPTIC Outdoor, Photo/Video, Travel Imaging Conference or just "OPTIC 2022" is live and in-person again and we are excited to welcome the event's director, David Brommer, to the program. Brommer will give us a sense of the updated conference, which after two years online is now a fully hybrid in-person and online event. Of course, we at the B&H Photography Podcast look forward to being back at the live events and talking with the many photographers who speak and present their work. This year's OPTIC Conference runs from June 12–15, 2022, and includes presentations by Chester Higgins, Camille Seaman, Joe McNally, and many others. There are also opportunities to try the latest gear in specialized environments, expert-led panels, portfolio reviews, a sunset cruise, the OPTIC Challenge Print Competition, and OPTIC Signature Photo Walks sponsored by Lindblad Expeditions. Online participants can check the selection of available webinars. After our brief chat with Brommer, we present a very important encore episode—important in the sense that it was our first recording at OPTIC, back in 2016, and because we interviewed three incredible photographers and really began to understand the potential of our podcast. Our guests were Michael Kenna and, in another segment, Paul Caponigro and his son John Paul Caponigro. Each of these photographers offer wonderful insights into their creative processes and to speak with father and son artists is always a treat. Join us for this enjoyable conversation and register for OPTIC 2022 here. Today's episode is sponsored by Audio-Technica. Check out their AT2040 Hypercardioid Dynamic Microphone, ideal for podcasting! Guest: David Brommer Above photograph © Camille Seaman

It's been a minute since we spoke about drones on the B&H Photography Podcast. The last time we did, it was about drones in news photography and before that, drone work in landscape photography. But today we welcome back to the show one of our earliest guests on the podcast, Randy Scott Slavin. Slavin is an aerial photographer and drone operator, as well as a motion director and still photographer. He started his company Yeah Drones in 2013, at the dawn of drone use in film and commercial work, and his clients include Showtime, Netflix, ESPN, Saturday Night Live, and CNN, among many others. Slavin's work crosses all genres from advertising to film, working with small teams and big crews, and he understands drone use from the photographer's perspective as well as a flyer, racer, and builder of drones. With Slavin, we discuss his recent projects, his workflow, and how he decides which drone is best for each assignment. We also talk about drones and cameras for large professional shoots and those geared more for advanced amateurs. We discuss new technologies and the recent improvements made in navigation, cameras, and batteries and ask which manufacturers are competing with DJI in the drone marketplace. Join us for this informative conversation. This episode is sponsored by Logitech for Creators, and their Blue Yeti USB Microphone. Guest: Randy Scott Slavin Photographs © Randy Scott Slavin

Is artistic creativity passed down through generations of a family? How is style and wisdom garnered? How can a father and son collaborate to grow their work individually and as a team? These are just a few of the questions we posed to Moshe and Eddie Brakha, otherwise known as Brakha x2, during this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast. Moshe Brakha likes to say that he was "born in Israel and reborn in Hollywood," and both his early music and celebrity portraiture, as well as his later advertising and editorial work, sure have the vibe of Tinseltown. The elder Brakha built a thriving photography practice that includes not only portrait work but also high-profile advertising campaigns such as those for SKYY Vodka, Martini & Rossi, and Motorola. Eddie Brakha began collaborating with his father after graduating from film school and has expanded their work with new ad campaigns and fine-art series. They have also directed music videos, public service announcements, and "motion" campaigns for Dockers, Sharper Image, and others. The style of the Brakhas' work is very distinctive, but individually and as a team, they continue to experiment and try new methods. As such, we discuss how to evolve creatively when your style is successful. We also learn about their working relationship, which talents each brings to the table, and how clients and subjects react to having them both on set. Finally, we talk about their incredible lighting schemes, Moshe's retrospective at the Grammy Museum, Eddie's film project, and always being prepared before you go on set. Join us for this enjoyable conversation. Guests: Moshe Brakha and Eddie Brakha Above Photograph © Eddie Brakha and Moshe Brakha aka Brakha x2 https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts http://brakhax2.com

In 1966, a twenty-one-year-old French woman bought a one-way ticket to Vietnam, where the American military involvement was becoming a full-scale war. The young Catherine Leroy was an admirer of photographer Robert Capa and the "reportage" she grew up seeing in Paris MATCH magazine, but she had little photojournalism experience. Despite that, and despite her particularly small physical frame, Leroy began as a freelance "stringer," photographing the growing conflict in Vietnam. For the two years that she was working there, she was the only female photojournalist covering the war. Our guest on today's B&H Photography Podcast is author Mary Cronk Farrell, who recently published "Close-up on War: The Story of Pioneering Photojournalist Catherine Leroy in Vietnam." The book chronicles Leroy's time covering the Vietnam War and her evolution from an ambitious newbie to a respected conflict photographer with images appearing in LIFE, The New York Times, and her beloved Paris MATCH. With access to Leroy's personal letters, Mary Cronk Farrell not only details Leroy's time in Vietnam, she provides her young readers with an understanding of how the news photography business worked in that era, she mentions the 35mm Leica and Nikon gear Leroy used, and she shares insight into the war itself and the emotional and physical wounds it inflicted on her subject. The late Catherine Leroy's photo career continued after Vietnam and she photographed conflict and news stories throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Her work is preserved and promoted by the non-profit Dotation Catherine Leroy (Catherine Leroy Fund), where interviews with her and many more of her images can be found. https://dotationcatherineleroy.org/en/ We also thank Pelican for its support of this episode, and encourage you to check out Pelican Air Cases and to visit the Pelican product page on the B&H Photo-Video website. Guest: Mary Cronk Farrell Above Photograph © Dotation Catherine Leroy https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts

This is a fun conversation, very informative, and gets the creative chemistries gellin'. Our guest on today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast is Rhiannon Adam and if there is anyone who knows more about instant film photography, I don't want to meet them. She brings a wealth of researched knowledge about the history of the Polaroid company and also simple but effective techniques to improve your instant film photography practice, whether via FUJIFILM, Mint Camera, or Polaroid. Our conversation generally follows the framework of Adam's 2017 book "Polaroid: The Complete Guide to Experimental Instant Photography," which has been updated and republished in 2022 as a paperback version. The first part of the book (and our conversation) relates the story of the "Polaroid" camera and the inventions of its founder, Edwin H. Land, a.k.a. Dr. Land, which include polarizer sheeting. We learn of the race to market the various instant cameras and films until the SX-70 took the world by storm in the 1970s. We also learn of patent wars between Kodak and Polaroid, the ultimate demise of the Polaroid company and the rebirth of the brand through The Impossible Project, and eventually its return to selling camera and film products. After a break, we talk more specifically about various instant films and cameras, both new and vintage, and we also highlight several of the many techniques detailed in Adam's book and methods to improve your instant photography. From emulsion lifting and manipulation to fingerpainting, scratching, and even microwaving instant film, we discuss creative instant film processes and some noted artists. Guest: Rhiannon Adam Above Photograph © Enrique Freaza https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts