B&H Photography Podcast

In the previous episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we talked about the best-selling, the most important, and our favorite new cameras from 2017. In this week's episode, we look ahead to 2018 with a discussion on "industry trends" and the new technology and photo gear we expect to see more of over the coming years. We welcome back Yaakov Adler and Levi Tenenbaum with their insight on the subject, and we discuss the improving technology of cellular phone cameras, new memory cards, wireless applications, electronic shutters, and even the "draw of analog," amongst other topics. We also mention the current cameras that are on the forefront of incorporating these technologies. On the second half of our show, we continue with our serial segment, "Dispatch" with Adriane Ohanesian. Based in Kenya and covering stories throughout Africa, Ohanesian is the 2016 Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award winner and a World Press Photo award winner whose work appears regularly in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, VICE, and other publications. After a deadly attack during a photo assignment in Congo and recovering from malaria, Ohanesian has returned to her "normal," which means extended assignments throughout the region covering conflict, resource and migration issues, and in this case, the last male Northern White Rhino in existence. Join us as we get an understanding of the working life and photographic process of a freelance photojournalist. Guests: Yaakov Adler and Levi Tenenbaum; Adriane Ohanesian

We're offering our annual end-of-year listicle of a podcast a bit early, but it comes with a good deal more information than usual. We polled the writers and experts at B&H to put together a set of cameras that represent the best or most important cameras released in 2017 and we welcomed Levi Tenenbaum and Yaakov Adler, two of our most knowledgeable staffers, to talk about the pros and cons of these cameras. To anyone paying attention to the photo industry, it should be none too surprising that new cameras from Nikon and Sony are competing for top honors, but you might be surprised at the rest of the cameras in our top ten list and at which point-and-shoot and medium format cameras come into play. Additionally, in the second half of the show, we offer statistics from the B&H website regarding the best-selling and the top-rated cameras of the year. These are not necessarily cameras announced in 2017, but we provide the top scores for cameras in all categories, as well as for lenses and accessories. Also, be sure to tune in next week for our companion episode on "Industry Trends for 2018!" Any podcast with Levi and Yaakov as guests is bound to be informative and entertaining, and this is no exception. Enjoy. Guests: Yaakov Adler and Levi Tenenbaum

With great thanks to Vikki Tobak and the Contact High Project, we welcome three photographers to our studio who are responsible for some of the most iconic images from the history of hip-hop. Janette Beckman, Eric Johnson, and Danny Hastings join us to tell the stories behind their photos of Run-DMC, Wu Tang Clan, Lauryn Hill, and many others. We also speak about issues important to photographers, from on-set technique, to artistic collaboration and influence, to gear, to networking and, of course, licensing of images. For us, this was a highly anticipated recording and it did not disappoint. Whether you are a hip-hop fan interested in behind-the-scenes stories or a photographer looking for insight, join us for this incredible conversation. Janette Beckman began her career at the dawn of punk rock in the U.K., photographing The Clash, Sex Pistols, and Boy George, as well as three Police album covers. Moving to New York in 1982, she was drawn to the underground hip-hop scene and photographed pioneers such as Run DMC, Slick Rick, Salt'n'Pepa, Grandmaster Flash, and Big Daddy Kane. She has published four books and currently has an exhibition of silkscreen prints at 212 Arts in New York. Eric Johnson has created iconic hip-hop images of Notorious B.I.G, Lauryn Hill, Dipset, Li'l Wayne, and newer artists like G Herbo and Cakes da Killa. His work stretches across music genres to include Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Maxwell and, for the past decade, he has helmed Upstairs at Eric's, a loft space in Manhattan that is equal parts studio, gallery, disco, lounge, and design studio. Danny Hastings has shot 150 album covers and directed more than 40 music videos. Listed in Complex Magazine as one of the rap photographers every rap fan should know, his most notable album covers include Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Big Pun's Capital Punishment, Nas's IA, as well as album art for Raekwon, Eminem, and Jeru the Damaja. Hastings is now directing his second feature film. Vikki Tobak is a journalist, correspondent, and former CNN producer who currently writes and produces for Complex, Mass Appeal, and The FADER. She is the author of Contact High: Hip-Hop Photography + Visual Culture, an upcoming book from Penguin/Random House. More from the B&H Photography Podcast Guests: Janette Beckman, Eric Johnson, Danny Hastings, Vikki Tobak

New York City affords a photographer many opportunities, including the annual gathering of photo professionals at the PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo. Founded in 1983, it is the largest photography and imaging event in North America and features seminars, master classes, portfolio reviews, and a convention center filled with the latest cameras, lenses, and accessories from the major manufacturers and the not-so-major manufacturers. It is at the latter at whom we aimed our microphones as we wandered around the Expo floor. It's certainly beneficial to handle new cameras and test lenses, but at events like these, speaking with the functionaries from Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc. rarely elicits candid answers or information you can't already find on a press release, so we decided to skip the big booths and concentrate on the vendors from smaller manufacturers to find out what they are bringing to market. We spoke with representatives of long-established firms like Beseler, Fotodiox, Denny Manufacturing, and Platypod to hear what's new in their catalogs, and we also spoke with newer brands and services such as My Case Builder, Foto Op, COOPH and Film Toaster to better understand their new ideas and products. More from the B&H Photography Podcast Guests: Charlie Knecht, Steven Holand, Robert Maclay, Bohuš Blahut, Cecil Williams, Ulrich Grill, Colbert Colin, Larry Tiefenbrunn Photograph © John Harris

Bird photography is a big deal around B&H, and we're not just talking about the lenses needed to get those wonderful close-ups of warblers, herons, gulls, and raptors. Bird photography is a passion that grabs pros and amateurs alike and seems to not let go; there are very few photographers as dedicated to their craft (and gear) as bird photographers. We are fortunate to have two photographers with us to discuss the gear, technique, and protocols necessary to capture pleasing images of our feathered friends. David Speiser is a member of the Board of Directors of New York City Audubon and has been an avid bird photographer for more than twenty years. He has an incredible body of work that includes birds of all varieties, and brings not only technical excellence to his photographs, but a birder's meticulousness to his archive. Klemens Gasser is a visual artist who became enthralled with birding several years ago and turned his fixation into an exhibit of bird photographs enlarged to 72 inches across. He brings an artist's spirit to his bird photography and humor to our discussion, and clearly loves the thrill of the chase. We speak with these two photographers about the gear and apps they use, their shooting styles, favorite locations, and how digital technology has transformed bird photography. Join us for some very practical advice and a fun conversation and for links to the gear mentioned in this article follow this link. Guests: David Speiser and Klemens Gasser Photograph © David Speiser

With her latest book, KISS: 1977-1980, just released, legendary rock 'n' roll photographer Lynn Goldsmith joins us to talk about her time with this extraordinary band and what drew her to photograph and befriend them. In addition to the stories behind some of her iconic photos of Frank Zappa, Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, and Prince, we also speak with Goldsmith about her other creative outlets. Did you know that she released an album under the name Will Powers, was co-manager of the band Grand Funk Railroad and photographed for the National Lampoon? Throughout her career, Goldsmith has demonstrated an ability to photograph musicians in a manner that embodies their music and, as is the case with her new book, with an understanding of what the band's fans want to see. We talk to her about creating the atmosphere for the shot you want, about changes in music publicity over the years and the varying approaches she takes when shooting in-studio, at a live concert, or with an artist in a more casual setting. We also chat about other aspects of her photographic work and what her music and celebrity portraiture shares with her documentary and fine art work. The magic of photography and the joy of creativity burn bright in Lynn Goldsmith, so join us for this enjoyable and insightful conversation. If you are in the Los Angeles area on November 3, 2017, join Lynn Goldsmith and Paul Stanley from KISS for a special presentation and book signing at the Barnes & Noble bookstore at The Grove. Guest: Lynn Goldsmith Photograph © Lynn Goldsmith B&H Photography Podcast

Steve Simon is The Passionate Photographer, and in the short conversation we had with him at the 2017 OPTIC Conference, it became clear why. Not only does he exude a passion for photography (and for cameras) but his photographs are imbued with humanity, humor, a wonderful sense of composition, and his talent for capturing the decisive moment. Whether it is street photography, long-form documentary or his wonderful news coverage of presidential campaigns and conventions, his passion is on display. We talk with Simon about a range of subjects, including his first cameras, his popular workshops, and what motivates him to keep shooting. After a break, we return with the fifth installment of our series "Dispatch with Adriane Ohanesian." In this segment, she recounts her harrowing story of coming under attack while photographing a story on illegal gold mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ohanesian is an award-winning photojournalist, based in Kenya, who covers humanitarian crisis and conflict in South Sudan and Somalia. On this assignment, she had hiked deep into the Okapi Wildlife Reserve with rangers returning to a gold mine that had been cleared of illegal mining, only to be attacked by militia members looking to reclaim their site. Her incredible story involves hiding overnight in a mine pit within earshot of her attackers, fleeing barefoot through the jungle, only to get lost and returned to the mine she had hoped to escape. Join us for this bracing episode, which demonstrates what passionate photographers will do to tell a story worth telling. ---- Gear mentioned in this episode: Nikon D500 DSLR Camera Nikon D5 DSLR Camera (Body Only, Dual CF Slots) Nikon D5 DSLR Camera (Body Only, Dual XQD Slots) Guests: Steve Simon and Adriane Ohanesian Photograph ©Steve Simon

If inspiration is what you are looking for, the story of how Eric Kruszewski became a photographer should supply you with plenty of it. Of course, it all starts with a personal desire but, planning, networking, hard work, and even a simple Google search like the eponymic one above, all go into the recipe for success. Taking up photography as a hobby in your thirties seems a commonplace occurrence, but deciding to change careers and become a working photographer is another story altogether. Join us as we speak with travel, editorial, and documentary photographer Eric Kruszewski about his journey from newbie to National Geographic. We talk about the value of workshops, mentors, cold calls and persistence, and trace Eric's career from its inauspicious beginnings through long-term personal projects, one-off jobs, artistic setbacks, new skillsets and, ultimately, a satisfying career—paying the bills doing what he loves. Allan's "Gearhead Pick of the Week" is the TetherBLOCK QR Plus Quick Release Plate. Guest: Eric Kruszewski Photographs © Eric Kruszewski B&H Photography Podcast

This week we took our mics and questions to Photoville, the free nine-day photography festival held in in the shadow of the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge. With exhibitions held in re-purposed shipping containers and on fences throughout the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn, not only does Photoville offer a variety of incredible photography series, but it integrates seamlessly into its urban home. In its sixth year, Photoville Brooklyn has grown to include evening programming, lectures, panels and workshops and, Photoville, founded and run by United Photo Industries, has expanded to seven cities with plans for three more in 2018. The wealth of visual storytelling at Photoville is impressive—in our afternoon visit we saw exhibitions from every corner of the world, touching on the important issues of our day, and passing through all photographic genres. While there, we spoke with several photographers and curators about their work, as well as Photoville co-founder Laura Roumanos. Join our conversations with Daniella Zalcman of Women Photograph on their exhibition "Insider/Outsider," with Sergeant John Martinez of the United States Marine Corps, about the series "Battles Won," and with the Director of Photography of The Player's Tribune, Nate Gordon. We also speak with Rachel Dennis of Talking Eyes Media, about their multimedia exhibit "Newest Americans," organized in coordination with the Center for Migration and the Global City at Rutgers University, Newark, and the VII Photo Agency. Photography festivals and workshops are a gift to photographers and non-photographers alike. Join us as we find inspiration and motivation from the incredible image-makers found at Photoville and, if you are in New York, check out all the exhibitions and activities yourself, from September 21-24, 2017. Guests: Laura Roumanos, Daniella Zalcman, Nate Gordon, Sgt. John Martinez, and Rachel Dennis Please see our home page for more information and photos from Photoville https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcast https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/b-h-photography-podcast/id1052860428?mt=2

Canon has recently announced the addition of three new tilt-shift lenses to its lineup, a relatively big deal for a type of lens often considered merely a tool for architecture photography. The truth is that tilt-shift lenses are used in many photographic applications, from landscape to portraiture, and their creative possibilities are limitless. Also, with this release, Canon has expanded the format to include a TS-E 135mm lens, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with perspective-control optics. Using this news as the keystone, we have built an episode of the B&H Photography Podcast around tilt-shift and perspective-control lenses. We discuss the history and general principles of these types of lenses, as well as their common (and not so common) applications. We explain the difference between tilt and shift and address the fact that perspective corrections can now be made in post-production and, despite that, the value that in-camera control offers. We wrap up with an inventory of the many tilt-shift lenses available from B&H, including those from Nikon, Canon, Schneider and Rokinon, as well as those available in the used market and those for medium format cameras. Join us for this informative discussion and let us know about your most valued tilt-shift lens and what you photograph with it. Guest: Todd Vorenkamp