B&H Photography Podcast

A photographer's success hinges on access. This is an underlying thread in the tapestry woven in this week's show. Our discussion covers multiple facets and cultural attributes of Indian society, as seen through the eyes of a photographer with a knack for being in the right place at the right time. In this month's episode of the series, Picturing World Cultures, we speak with Indian photographer Pablo Bartholomew about his long career as a documentarian and photojournalist. From his early intimate views of 60s-era hippies launching a counterculture invasion from the West to his photojournalistic coverage of historic events, Bartholomew shares insights about dynamics at work behind the scenes. We also discuss changes to the marketplace for pictures over time, and whether an iconic picture is still able to affect a change in the world. As an antidote to a life chasing the news, Bartholomew embarked on a ten-year documentation of India's remote Naga tribes. In the show's second half, he walks us through his background research and the permissions process involved in photographing tribespeople and their customs with professional lighting gear. There's also a personal motivation behind Bartholomew's Naga Project. As a child, he had heard many stories about goodwill the Naga showed his father's family during their flight from Burma to India during World War II. "Principally, what I couldn't wrap my head around was that headhunters, they're supposed to be these ferocious people. Why would they let fair game pass through their backyard, to the degree where they would provide food and shelter?" he says. "So, there was in this savage something very kind. And I wanted to find out what the contradiction was." Tune in today for more on the Naga tribes and other stories from India! If you haven't already listened, check out all the episodes of our Picturing World Cultures podcast series here. Guest: Pablo Bartholomew Episode Timeline: 2:16: Pablo describes how the caste system functions as a defining aspect of Indian culture. 7:18: The influx of the Western hippy counterculture in India as recorded in Pablo's earliest pictures. 12:27: Capturing life on the streets of Delhi, Bombay, and Calcutta, a photo essay on Calcutta's Chinatown, and Pablo's work with the renowned Indian film director Satyajit Ray. 17:05: The rise of Pablo's photojournalism career, the dynamics of a photographer's access, and his iconic images of the tragic gas leak at Bhopal. 29:09: Pablo discusses how the work of a photojournalist has changed in the past 40 years. 32:53: Go-to camera gear, the various cameras Pablo's used over the years, and his transition from analog to digital. 36:37: Tips for mitigating the heat and humidity of India, plus equipment for image storage and film scanning. 40:10: Episode Break 41:23: Pablo's long-term project documenting the Naga tribes in Northeast India, his preliminary ethnographic research on the tribes, and gaining permission to photograph with full lighting gear. 51:43: Animist practices within the Naga tribes, and distinctions between tribes within the Naga identity. 1:00:05: Naga rituals it may be too late to photograph, and a memorable festival held by the Konyak tribe. 1:04:09: Pablo's cross-cultural project documenting economic emigres from India who have resettled in the US, France, England, Madagascar, and Portugal. 1:14:38: Pablo Bartholomew answers our PWC Visual Questionnaire. Guest Bio: Pablo Bartholomew, a self-taught photographer born in New Delhi in 1955. His father Richard was a noted art critic as well as a photographer, allowing Pablo to learn photography at home at a very young age. In his subsequent career of nearly fifty years, Pablo has documented societies in conflict and transition, while also recording intimate details of his own generation maturing amid a changing India. From 1983 to 2004, his photojournalistic work was featured in every major international publication, from National Geographic to Paris Match and beyond. Pablo's photographs have been recognized by World Press Photo on three different occasions, including a 1985 'Picture of the Year' award for his riveting image from the Bhopal gas tragedy. In 2013, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contributions to photography, and in 2014, he was honored with the status of Chevalier de L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government. For more information on our guest and the gear he uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/picturing-world-cultures-pablo-bartholemew-india Stay Connected: Pablo Bartholomew Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pablobartholomew/ Pablo Bartholomew Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/parabart Pablo Bartholomew Bhopal photo from World Press Photo 1985: https://www.worldpressphoto.org/collection/photocontest/1985 Pablo Bartholomew Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Bartholomew Pablo Bartholomew Nagaland Project: https://ninefish.in/viewing-room/the-nagas/ TEDxIIMRanchi: Pablo Bartholomew - A Life in Photography https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBldVr4YIBE Kishor Parekh: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kishor_Parekh

Most people's perception of prison life revolves around sensationalized news stories and Hollywood movies depicting drab, inhospitable environments far outside our reach. In today's show, we're challenging that view in a chat with two educators who use photography as a framework for teaching visual literacy and the art of storytelling to incarcerated men. Cameras, computers, and sometimes even books, are prohibited from classrooms inside lock up, which forced our guests to come up with creative workarounds, using the generosity of the photographic medium as a path to engage in dialog with their students. As one of our guests, Nigel Poor, puts it: "With a little bit of ingenuity, there's always a work around to come out with something really beautiful and emotional. And that's one of the pleasures of working in a prison, is that you've got to really rely on your imagination and your ability to hit a road bump and find a way around it." Don't miss this inspiring discussion with two artists and educators who successfully adapted their teaching to the prison workaround, then connected with students on a human level, ultimately triggering their capability to "see fascination everywhere." Guests: Chantal Zakari & Nigel Poor For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/pictures-from-the-inside-seeing-fascination-everywhere-with-chantal-zakari Top shot courtesy of Nigel Poor and the San Quentin State Prison Museum, with thanks to former Warden Ron Davis and retired Lieutenant Sam Robinson Stay Connected: Chantal Zakari Website: https://www.thecorner.net/chantal-zakari Chantal Zakari Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/show.n.tll/ Chantal Zakari's Pictures from the Outside book: https://www.thecorner.net/picturesfromtheoutside Tufts University Prison Initiative (TUPIT): https://sites.tufts.edu/tupit/overview/ Nigel Poor Website: https://nigelpoor.com/ Nigel Poor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nigelpoor/ Nigel Poor's San Quentin Prison Project: https://nigelpoor.com/project/san-quentin/ Nigel Poor's San Quentin Prison Project book: https://aperture.org/books/the-san-quentin-project/ Ear Hustle Podcast website: https://www.earhustlesq.com/ This is Ear Hustle book: https://sites.prh.com/thisisearhustle Mount Tamalpais College: https://www.mttamcollege.edu/

Documenting a culture can be a daunting process, especially when it involves a history of conquest and colonialism. Synthesizing such a complex and traumatic past in a contemporary narrative is a formidable task, requiring extensive researchh and dedicated planning. This is the back story to today's podcast. Above photograph © Juan Brenner For the seventh chapter in our monthly series, Picturing World Cultures, we speak with Guatemalan photographer Juan Brenner about his recent projects in the country's Western Highlands. Our chat begins with Brenner's introduction to photography as a youth, and the protective bubble surrounding him during the country's brutal civil war. He left Guatemala at age 20 to forge a career as a fashion photographer in New York, which filters into our discussions about portraiture and photo gear. But our primary focus is on Brenner's recent personal projects, created after his return to Guatemala, and an epiphany he had about the idea of "Indigenous Power." Listen in as he describes how this concept was subsequently called into question. You'll gain insight into the unequal power quotient that comes with being a "Mickey Mouse" photographer and discover how critical aspects of communication extend well beyond the basic structure of language. As Brenner notes during our chat, "You have to be really careful just being a photographer. It's so colonialist, you know, having a camera. You have this big robot that you stick in people's faces. You have this advantage. And, for me, it's really important to think about that a lot." If you haven't already listened, check out all the episodes of our Picturing World Cultures podcast series here. Guest: Juan Brenner For more information on our guest and the gear he uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/picturing-world-cultures-juan-brenner-guatemala Stay Connected: Juan Brenner Website: https://www.juanbrenner.com Juan Brenner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juan_brenner Juan Brenner Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/JuanBrenner5/ Artist talk with Juan Brenner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPiwQXWUMJ8&t=40s Juan Brenner's book Tonatiuh: https://editorialrm.com/en/producto/tonatiuh/

Julia Blaukopf is not afraid to think big, particularly when it comes to her photographs. She's also not afraid of blurring the lines between fine art and commercial enterprise. Equal parts photographer, designer, visual artist, and entrepreneur, Julia is the founder of Fotografica—an arts-products venture with the goal of re-envisioning options for photography and photo-based products. Top shot © Julia Blaukopf In this week's podcast, Julia leads us along her inspiring path—from her early days working with alternative processes and forging relationships with crafts people to her latest collaborations with architects, designers, and developers in the creation of architectural-scale commissions and custom photo-based installations. When collaborating with professional partners and clients on huge projects, psychology is key, which we discuss in detail. Blaukopf also describes the critical importance of seeking out the best printers and installers. Besides a command over technical details such as sound absorption, color fading, and bubbling, she sheds light on lesser-known yet equally essential construction issues such as fire codes. In addition to Blaukopf's commercial work, she is also a documentarian with a passion for women's empowerment and social justice. Towards the end of our chat she describes her work in that realm, offering insights about connecting with non-profits, and sharing stories through photography that have the ability to galvanize change. Guest: Julia Blaukopf For more information on our guest and the gear she uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/larger-than-life-julia-blaukopfs-custom-photographic-wall-decor Stay Connected: Julia Blaukopf's Website: https://www.juliablaukopf.com/ Fotografica Website: https://www.thefotografica.com/ Julia Blaukopf's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliablaukopf/ Fotographica's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fotografica_official/ Julia Blaukopf's Twitter: https://twitter.com/juliablaukopf Julia Blaukopf's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julia.blaukopf/ North Bar Wall Covering: https://www.thefotografica.com/north-bar Julia's book The Rain Parade: https://www.abingdonsquarepublishing.com/rainparade.html

How much do you know about New York City's 1982 Loft Law, which established a process for artists to obtain legal occupancy of the raw industrial spaces they inhabited, while also providing rent stabilization and protection from future eviction? Or the pigeon fanciers who were once a fixture across the rooftops of Brooklyn and remain valued as neighborhood sentinels? If these poetic vestiges from Gotham's storied past have you dreaming about the good old days, then you won't want to miss our podcast with gen-Z New Yorkers (and good buddies) Joshua Charow and Josh Katz. Their ambitious, self-assigned photo projects explore rarified mini-worlds featuring magical artist spaces and exuding West Side Story vibes. While their respective explorations occupy opposite ends of the struggle for prized urban space, the insights they share when discussing both their working methods and their paths to publishing are instructive and inspirational. What's more, their spirited camaraderie in conversation is infectious! As Charow aptly notes toward the end of the episode, "I have to say, I don't know if this book would exist without Josh Katz. Because I started this project towards the end of him finishing his, and as a close friend, he was able to basically show me the roadmap of how you get from idea to a finished book. And like he said, it's really hard to understand how that works without someone in your life who can show you the steps you have to take." And for bonus points, listen up to discover the former guest of the show who also sat down with Charow, and ultimately lined him up with a book agent! For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/nyc-artist-lofts-brooklyn-rooftops-with-joshua-charow-josh-katz Guests: Joshua Charow and Josh Katz Top shot © Joshua Charow Stay Connected: Joshua Charow Website: https://www.joshuacharow.com/ Joshua Charow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuacharow/ Joshua Charow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshcharow Joshua Charow Twitter: https://twitter.com/joshuacharow/ Joshua Charow YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joshuacharow Joshua Charow Loft Law book: https://www.damianibooks.com/en/collections/charow-joshua Joshua Charow Westwood Gallery Exhibit: https://www.westwoodgallery.com/exhibitions/loft-law-photographs-by-joshua-charowosh Katz Website: https://www.joshkatz.me/ Josh Katz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshkatz/ Josh Katz YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/joshkatz Josh Katz Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/joshkatz/new-york-in-quarantine-rooftop-culture-through-crisis?ref=5bku66 Josh Katz On the Roof book: https://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/books/on-the-roof-new-york-in-quarantine-hardcover Josh Katz Skatefolio Project: https://skatefol.io/

The dictionary defines culture as "the way of life for an entire society." But sometimes larger forces create rifts within the whole, inevitably leading to a confrontation between factions. A prime example of this cultural struggle is playing out today within the cities and villages of Ukraine, the focus of today's episode. Above photograph © Maxim Dondyuk In this sixth installment of our monthly series, Picturing World Cultures, we speak with Ukrainian photographer and visual artist Maxim Dondyuk, and his wife and artistic manager, Irina. Our conversation stretches beyond the current conflict, to encompass other aspects of Ukrainian society. From Maxim's early series on a country doctor's final visits with patients (which drew inspiration from the work of W. Eugene Smith) to his in-depth coverage of Ukraine's TB epidemic, we witness the evolution of his working methods and his dedication to long term documentary projects. Step behind the scenes of a military camp for children run by Cossacks, and gain insight into the cultural split between pro-Russian and pro-European factions, which Maxim photographed for his book Culture of Confrontation. As he writes in this book, "One culture tried to cling to old times, old ways of living. They were nostalgic for a past that meant a lot to them, to their parents, and grandparents. Yet there was another culture that felt completely differently. They looked ahead to forging something new, a different country." Join us for this frank discussion about how such conflicting forces take visual form in Maxim's powerfully arresting images. If you haven't already listened, check out all the episodes of our Picturing World Cultures podcast series here. Guests: Maxim & Irina Dondyuk Stay Connected: Maxim Dondyuk Website: https://maximdondyuk.com/ Maxim Dondyuk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maximdondyuk/ Maxim Dondyuk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maximdondyuk Maxim Dondyuk Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/maximdondyuk Maxim Dondyuk Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxim_Dondyuk Maxim Dondyuk's W. Eugene Smith Grant: https://www.smithfund.org/2022-maxim-dondyuk

For anyone familiar with the photo industry, the mammoth lawsuit between The Andy Warhol Foundation and renowned music photographer Lynn Goldsmith should be no secret. This complex battle over the rights to her 1981 portrait of the artist formerly known as Prince lasted seven years and went all the way to the Supreme Court. But do you know the circumstances behind her original portrait session with the famously reserved musician, and were you aware of all the misinformation about this case that was disseminated in both legal documents and the press? Lynn is a longtime friend of the show, and our 2017 episode about her extensive, long-term work with the band Kiss, among other crazy stories, was a fan favorite. We invited her back to discuss this case in 2022, when the Supreme Court first agreed to hear it, but heeding the advice of her legal counsel she wisely declined our offer at that time. In May 2023, the Supreme Court ultimately ruled in Lynn's favor in a 7-2 decision, which has already been shown to benefit others seeking remedies for the misuse of their creative works. Yet, while this landmark decision happened last year, the case itself was not officially resolved until very recently—Friday, March 15, 2024, to be exact—a day some might recognize as the Ides of March. Now that the final resolution has been signed, sealed, and delivered, we felt it was a perfect opportunity for Lynn to give us a recap of this David vs Goliath battle, with all its complexities and underlying bias. From details about the Fair Use doctrine, to the matter of copyright registration, to her thoughts about the current photographer community, to the importance of standing up for one's rights, Lynn provides a clear and insightful assessment of one of the most traumatic and threatening experiences that any independent artist can face, as only she can. To her very core, Lynn believes creativity can make anything possible, an ideology she sums up aptly at the end of our chat. "I felt like some higher power picked me for this," she says. "And that I had to make myself feel like a 1940s film with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, where there was going to be a happy ending, that everything would work out just fine, and that I was going to prevail." Guest: Lynn Goldsmith Top shot © Lynn Goldsmith Episode Timeline: 2:50: The backstory to Lynn Goldsmith's 1981 photo session with Prince. 7:17: Shooting both color and black-and-white in the days of film, a separate camera for each option. 11:15: Vanity Fair's 1984 use of Lynn's black and white portrait for artist reference. 13:47: Lynn's discovery of the original image use after Prince died in 2016. 19:50: The value of saving detailed records of licensing agreements for future reference. 23:14: The preemptive lawsuit the Andy Warhol Foundation filed against Lynn, and the misinformation contained in the Federal court filing. 32:15: Lynn discusses the Fair Use doctrine and the matter of copyright registration in relation to her case. 36:43: Episode Break 38:04: Meeting with the Andy Warhol Foundation and the deal on offer to resolve the lawsuit. 44:40: Lynn's thoughts about the current photographer community and the importance of standing up for your rights. 48:09: The multiple rounds of the Prince portrait lawsuit, from the first Federal case to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to the Supreme Court. 56:29: Uneven reporting about the lawsuit in the press, with the photo press being fearful to write anything, and the art press releasing misinformation without fact checks. 1:00:27: Behind the scenes at the Supreme Court hearing, the effects of the 7 – 2 decision, as well as Justice Kagan's written opinion. 1:08:48: Lynn's thoughts about generative AI. Guest Bio: Lynn Goldsmith is a multi-awarded portrait photographer whose work has appeared on and in between the covers of top magazines worldwide. Her subjects have varied from entertainment to sports, film directors to authors, and from top celebrities to the ordinary man on the street. Her forty years of photography are both an investigation into the nature of the human spirit, as well as the natural wonders of our planet. As the author of 12 major photo books, Lynn's images are also featured in numerous museum collections, yet her professional achievements are in no way limited to the world of photography. She is the youngest member ever accepted into the Director's Guild of America (DGA), where she achieved several firsts—from the first rock show on network television to the first music documentary released as a theatrical short, and more. In the mid-seventies, Lynn stopped directing to concentrate fully on photography. By the early 80s, she departed from both photography and film, to become the first 'optic-music' artist. Using the a.k.a. Will Powers, she produced the album "Dancing for Mental Health" on Island Records. Her debut album won critical acclaim and her single, Kissing with Confidence, reached #3 on the British charts. The wide range of Lynn's talents, skills and achievements are products of a belief she holds constant: Creativity is based on breaking limiting thought patterns, thus making anything possible. Stay Connected: Lynn Goldsmith's Website: https://lynngoldsmith.com/menu.html Rock and Roll Photo Gallery Website: https://rockandrollphotogallery.com/ Lynn Goldsmith's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynngoldsmith/ Lynn Goldsmith's Twitter: https://twitter.com/goldsmithphoto Lynn Goldsmith's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynngoldsmithartist/ Lynn Goldsmith's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lynn-goldsmith/ Lynn Goldsmith's GoFundMe Campaign Lynn Goldsmith's Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynn_Goldsmith Pelican 1510TP Carry-On Case: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1241003-REG/pelican_015100_0050_110_1510tp_carry_on_case_with.html

Professional tree planting is back breaking piecework—a combination of high intensity sport and industrial labor that requires both technical finesse and remarkable physical and mental endurance. Using techniques more often associated with high-performance athletes, experienced planters (commonly known as high-ballers) leap up and down through uneven and debris-strewn terrain, armed only with a shovel and 30-kg bags of seedlings on their backs. In recent years, tree planting has become a rite of passage among young Canadians not afraid of hard work and dirt under their fingernails. As seasonal work, it attracts many students from Canada's southern cities. Due to the brutal physical demands, most are under 30 years old. Out on the cut block inclement weather is common, and the swarms of biting insects are legendary. Working in—rather than on—the land for months on end, and sharing an isolated camp site creates a solid bond among planters. This has molded into a subculture of sorts, which is the subject of today's show. My guest for this episode is Canadian photographer and filmmaker Rita Leistner. Rita documents communities living in extreme conditions, typically investing months or years in a project. After spending a decade as a tree planter during her youth, Rita returned to the forest in 2016 to document a new generation. In 2021, she released her results as an Art Trifecta, featuring large fine art photographs, a 256-page photo book, and the documentary feature film "Forest for the Trees." Equally in her element in forests and war zones, Rita's photographs and her writings about photography, art, and war have been published, exhibited, and collected worldwide. She is represented by the Stephen Bulger Gallery for art, and by Green Planet Films for film. Guest: Rita Leistner Above photograph © Rita Leistner For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/picturing-world-cultures-rita-leistner-canada And if you haven't already listened, check out all episodes from our Picturing World Cultures podcast series here.https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/promotion/picturing-world-cultures Episode Timeline: 2:02: The backstory to Canadian tree planting as a business 5:21: Rita's interest in photography and her early days as a tree planter. 12:43: Comparisons and contrasts between Rita's early tree planting experiences and what she found when returning to the forest to document this subject. 18:21: A typical day in the life of a tree planter and the actual planting process 26:31: How Rita landed on her distinctive photographic style of capturing fast moving planters with a PhaseOne camera and Profoto lighting. 32:40: Rita talks about how the young planters responded to her sudden presence in the camp. 36:17: Rita's lighting set up with Profoto B1 lights and coordinating with an assistant to carry all the gear. 41:56: Episode Break 43:10: Rita talks about power consumption, batteries, generators, workflow, and more when working in remote locations. 45:03: Inclement weather, dirt, and bugs when shooting both stills and video footage out in the wilderness. 48:41: The lighting details behind Rita's enchanted forest nighttime images and timelapse footage. 53:38: How the work of tree planters is perceived by both the logging industry and environmentalists, and the effects this has on the planters themselves. 1:03:47: How Rita's Tree Planter project has affected her sense of Canadian identity. 1:06:04: Rita Leistner answers our PWC Visual Questionnaire. Guest Bio: Rita Leistner is a Canadian photographer and filmmaker who creates portraits of communities living in extreme conditions, typically investing months or years in a project. After spending a decade of her formative years as a tree planter in the Canadian wilderness, she returned to this theme to document a new generation of planters from 2016 to 2019. In 2021, she released the project as an Art Trifecta, featuring fine art photographs, a 256-page monograph, and the 91-minute documentary film Forest for the Trees. Additionally, Rita has been captured by insurgents, assaulted, and shot at, and she has run into gunfire to get a photograph. She has published four books of photography including Unembedded: Four Independent Photojournalists on the War in Iraq (2005), widely considered one of the most influential anti-war books to come out of the Iraq conflict. Rita's photographs and her writings about photography, art, and war have been published and exhibited worldwide, and are in major corporate and museum collections. From 2010 to 2016 she served as Associate Professor in the History of Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at the University of Toronto. She is represented by the Stephen Bulger Gallery for art, and by Green Planet Films for film. Stay Connected: Rita Leistner Website: http://ritaleistner.com/ Forest for the Trees Website: https://www.forestforthetreesdocumentary.com/ Rita Leistner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritaleistner/ Rita Leistner Twitter: https://twitter.com/ritaleistner/ Stephen Bulger Gallery Website: https://www.bulgergallery.com/artists/45-rita-leistner/overview/ Green Planet Films Website: https://greenplanetfilms.org/products/forest-for-the-trees?_pos=1&_sid=90a01a45d&_ss=r Canadian photographer Lorraine Gilbert: https://www.lorrainegilbert.com/

Cozy up to a ringside seat for a behind-the-scenes tour of the wildest shows in sports entertainment, during our insightful chat about the still photos produced for World Wrestling Entertainment, (otherwise known as WWE). In 2023 alone, the WWE photo team traveled the globe, covering close to 170 live events, and producing 2.6 million stills to serve the organization's various platforms. You might—incorrectly—assume that WWE's still images are generated from video screengrabs. Well, this couldn't be further from the truth. In this week's podcast, we get the full scoop about stills from WWE's Vice President of photography, Brad Smith, and Senior Director of photography, Rich Freeda. Among the many details we unpack: The learning curve required for shooting a WWE event, the importance of showing all aspects of the spectacle in pictures, and the delicate dance between still photographers and TV camerapeople, who are tethered together and both wearing headphones while capturing a show. In addition to live event coverage, the photo team creates high-level studio portraits of WWE Superstars, which necessitates complex studio set ups at each venue. Given the relentless schedule of three live shows weekly, two of which are traveling, studio gear is circling the country all year long. As Rich Freeda puts it, "We could be a Consumer Reports testing lab." And when it comes to the type of photographers best suited to covering WWE shows, Brad Smith sums things up nicely. "[At first,] I instinctively thought, if we're going to hire new people, they have to be sports photographers. And now I don't think that at all. I'll tell you who I'd rather have. I'd rather have a photographer who's a tour photographer for Bon Jovi than somebody who's the Yankee's photographer, because they understand that event is the important thing." Psych yourself up for WrestleMania 40 with our WWE episode from the B&H Photography Podcast! Guests: Brad Smith and Rich Freeda Above photograph © Rich Freeda/WWE For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/still-photography-the-wwe-with-brad-smith-rich-freeda Stay Connected: WWE Still Photography Page: https://www.wwe.com/photos Brad Smith Website: https://www.bradsmithcreative.com/ Brad Smith on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradpix/ Brad Smith on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Brad-Smith-Creative/ Brad Smith on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nybradsmith Rich Freeda Website: https://www.richardfreeda.com/collections Rich Freeda on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richfreedaphoto/ Rich Freeda on Twitter: https://twitter.com/richfreedaphoto Rich Freeda WWE Profile: https://www.wwe.com/videos/the-photography-of-wrestlemania-with-rich-freeda-making-wwe

Where will you be on April 8, 2024? If you don't already know, you'd better figure it out fast, particularly if you've got an interest in observing—and ideally photographing—the awe-inspiring phenomenon of a total solar eclipse. To get you up to speed on essential eclipse details, tune in to our chat with science writer Rebecca Boyle and Gabriel Biderman from B&H's Road Marketing team. Boyle shares tidbits about Earth's silvery sister gleaned from research for her book Our Moon, while Gabe discusses preparations (and practice!) for your eclipse photo session, plus strategies for juggling multiple set-ups. To celebrate the total eclipse back in 2017, B&H teamed up with Atlas Obscura for a two-day festival in Eastern Oregon's Snake River Valley. This year, the party's expanding from two to four days! We end the episode with details about the 2024 Ecliptic Festival, held alongside the Valley of Vapors music festival in Hot Springs, Arkansas, smack in the Eclipse's umbra. Immerse yourself in this rare astronomical occurrence while rubbing shoulders with celebrated scientists, legendary musicians, artists and photographers galore, plus benefit from dedicated space—and tools—for star gazing and tracking the path to totality and back. The sky's the limit! Guests: Rebecca Boyle & Gabriel Biderman Top shot © Gabriel Biderman For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/ecliptic-visions-with-rebecca-boyle-gabriel-biderman-atlas-obscura-bh Stay Connected: Atlas Obscura Ecliptic Festival: https://ecliptic.atlasobscura.com/ Atlas Obscura Website: https://www.atlasobscura.com/ Rebecca Boyle Website: https://rebeccaboyle.com/ Rebecca Boyle Our Moon book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/611468/our-moon-by-rebecca-boyle/ Rebecca Boyle's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/by.rebecca.boyle/ Rebecca Boyle's Twitter: https://twitter.com/rboyle31 Rebecca Boyle's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rboyle31/ Gabriel Biderman's Website: https://www.ruinism.com/ National Parks at Night Website: https://www.nationalparksatnight.com/ National Parks at Night's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalparksatnight/ National Parks at Night's Twitter: https://twitter.com/natlpksatnight National Parks at Night's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalparksatnight National Parks at Night's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NationalParksatNight