B&H Photography Podcast

Our B&H Photography Podcast FUJIFILM X-H1 Sweepstakes is still going strong and, in a nod to FUJIFILM, we speak with a few X-Photographers during our show but, in general, we break a bit from the norm and "interview" each other about our own affinity for taking pictures. Allan, Jason, and I each take a turn at describing what it is we love about photography. I tried to fashion the question to avoid the idea of "what do we love photographing?" or "what kind of photos do we like?" to concentrate on what it is about the act of photographing that gives us that sensation of joy, of satisfaction, of love. Yes, it's hard to find the right words, but we do our best, and to help us out, we have asked three FUJIFILM X photographers to add their thoughts to the subject. We speak first with street photographer (and podcaster) Valérie Jardin who riffs on "being in the zone" and the need to make every shot count. Then, we speak with Bryan Minear, a Midwest-based freelance landscape and lifestyle photographer for whom image capture can be just the beginning of a good image, and, finally, we welcome Alaska-based adventure and travel photographer Dan Bailey who speaks on the satisfaction found in challenging yourself, whether in sports, music or photography. The work of each photographer is very distinctive and it's interesting to hear their insights, not only on why they started and continue their love affair with photography, but also into their process and workflow. Join us for our version of a gabfest and don't forget to subscribe to our podcast and enter to win a FUJIFILM X-series camera. Guests: Valérie Jardin, Bryan Minear, and Dan Bailey Photograph © Valérie Jardin

In recognition of our B&H Photography Podcast FUJIFILM X-H1 Sweepstakes (and because we were at Podcast Movement 2018 this week) we are presenting an encore episode of our Dance Photography episode with the incredible Lois Greenfield and FUJIFILM X-Photographer Omar Z. Robles. Follow the link above to enter our sweepstakes for a chance to win a FUJIFILM X-H1 Camera with the FUJINON XF35mmF2 R WR Lens or the FUJIFILM X-E3 Camera with the FUJINON XF23mmF2 R WR Lens and enjoy this insightful conversation. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are dance and photography natural enemies? Of course not, but one art form is about the still, captured moment, and the other about choreographed movement and fluidity, yet anyone who truly understands photography knows the importance of timing, grace, and harmony, and a dancer must also recognize the relevance of rest and static. Sculpture, or perhaps gesture, is their common bond and our two guests know well the significance of gesture and the conflicting and compatible characteristics of dance and photography. They join us on the B&H Photography Podcast to talk about their distinctive work and shooting styles. Lois Greenfield is one of the recognized masters of the craft, having developed a singular style sought by the world's most renowned dance companies, and Omar Z Robles, an official Fujifilm X-Photographer, brings a fresh take, blending aspects of documentary and street photography. Enjoy this episode as we discuss improvisation, inspiration, dodging taxis and, of course, lighting systems and camera and lens choices. Guests: Lois Greenfield and Omar Z. Robles Photograph © Omar Z. Robles

We are excited to announce the B&H Photography Podcast FUJIFILM X-H1 Sweepstakes! The B&H Photography Podcast continues to be one of the most popular photography podcasts available, and to thank our loyal listeners, and entice new subscribers we have partnered with FUJIFILM for this incredible sweepstakes, in which two lucky listeners will receive a complete FUJIFILM mirrorless camera system. For entry instructions and rules click on this link. The grand prize in our sweepstakes is the FUJIFILM X-H1 Camera with the FUJINON XF35mmF2 R WR Lens, and our second prize is the FUJIFILM X-E3 Camera with the FUJINON XF23mmF2 R WR Lens. One winner for each prize will be randomly selected from all valid entries. The rules and instructions for entering the sweepstakes are below. Good luck and good listening!

Anecdotes with insight are an important part of any good conversation, and we certainly heard some wonderful anecdotes from our guests at the OPTIC 2018 Conference. For today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we have cherry-picked a few stories from our conversations with Brian Smith, Seth Resnick, Vincent Versace, and Simon Lewis and have added a segment, with Panasonic Marketing Manager Darin Pepple, to round out the episode. Brian Smith is a Pulitzer-Prize-winning photographer most recognized for celebrity portraiture, but his work comfortably crosses all genres and his list of awards is impressive, including a World Press Photo Award. He is a Sony Artisan of Imagery, Profoto Legend of Light, Adobe Influencer, and X-Rite Master Coloratti. As a luxury lifestyle, destination, food, architecture, and interior photographer, Simon Lewis also understands that versatility is a crucial component to being a successful freelance photographer and, as his anecdote makes clear, some tenacity helps, too. His clients include Aman Resorts, Amazon, JetBlue, Ralph Lauren, Bon Appetit, Prada, and John Varvatos. Seth Resnick can do it all (I'm seeing a trend) and the graphic nature of his work and bold use of color and form make him in-demand across the editorial, travel, commercial, and fine art photography worlds. Chosen by Photo District News as one of the 30 most influential photographers of the decade, he was an original Canon "Explorer of Light," consults for Adobe, X-Rite, and Epson, is an Ilford "Master" and is co-founder of D-65, a digital workflow consultancy. A few of our guests' anecdotes were prompted by Allan's "rabbit out of a hat" question but, with Vincent Versace, we were captivated and laughing too hard to even get to the question. Versace's insight on photography comes from a range of disciplines and we learn how acting and some serious common sense influence his work. He is a Nikon Ambassador, recipient of the Smithsonian Award in Media Arts & Entertainment and his photography books, tutorials, and workshops are very popular. After a short break, we speak with Darin Pepple, Consumer Marketing Manager at Panasonic, about Lumix cameras, the evolution of the GH series, and the unique interaction between Lumix photographers and the product developers who continue to improve this innovative camera line. Products mentioned in this episode: Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera (Body Only) Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera (Body Only) Guests: Brian Smith, Simon Lewis, Seth Resnick, Vincent Versace, and Darin Pepple Photograph: Seth Resnick

Sometimes you just have to shake your head and say, "Wow, it was a good day." When you have the opportunity to sit and chat about photography with Keith Carter, Douglas Kirkland and Joyce Tenneson, things can't be all bad. On today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast we return to recordings made at B&H OPTIC and Depth of Field Conferences and present segments of our conversations with these three photo legends—and we are not using that word lightly when speaking about these artists. Unique and prolific in their respective genres, each bring a sense of humility and sincere respect for the artistic process and the medium to which they have given so much. With Keith Carter we compare music, sculpture, and literature to photography and hear of his mother's early influence on his career. With Douglas Kirkland we also chat family and how a humble upbringing brought him to photography and the glamour of Hollywood. We also find out where and when Doug Kirkland's and Allan Weitz's photo careers intersected. After a short break, Joyce Tenneson discusses being inspired by surroundings, exploring the inner self through photography, and accepting new challenges. Each of these photographers has created enough, accomplished enough, to rest on laurels, but each is still striving, experimenting, and creating. Like I said, sometimes you just have to say, "Wow." Join us for this special episode and listen for information about our upcoming B&H Photography Podcast FUJIFILM X-H1 Sweepstakes. For more info on products mentioned in this episode: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR Camera Canon EOS 5DS R DSLR Camera Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens Guests: Keith Carter, Douglas Kirkland and Joyce Tenneson Photograph © Joyce Tenneson

The spot where still photography, video, animation, and drawing on your shoes meet is where you can find Sam Cannon and Matthias Brown. They may not always be together at that spot, but they're sure to be within shouting distance. On today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we discuss the role that still photography plays in their work and how they see the distinctions between still and moving images, as well as between old and new technologies. Matthias Brown is also TraceLoops, an "animation experiment centered around hand-drawn, physical animations that experiments with the creation and perception of movement." He specializes in stop-motion, black-and-white animation and his work has been commissioned by Converse, MTV, Purina, Warby Parker, and others, and his fine art work has been displayed at the Tate Modern. Sam Cannon is an artist and director who works between still photography and video and focuses on the "manipulation of time, space, and the female form." Whichever format the final image takes—still, video, GIF—her work asks us to explore the "never-ending" moment. She has produced commercial assignments for Nike, Samsung, and H&M, editorial and fashion pieces, and her fine art work has been exhibited extensively, including at MANA Contemporary, in Jersey City. True multi-disciplinarians, Cannon and Brown are comfortable with a variety of techniques and art forms; we discuss rotoscopes and oscilloscopes, After Effects and Dragonframe, projection pieces and soap sculptures. We also talk briefly on camera gear, self-portraiture, William Kentridge and, once and for all, we resolve the pronunciation of GIF. Join us for this fun conversation. Guests: Sam Cannon and Matthias Brown Photograph © Matthias Brown

Model Jayne Moore and photographer Michael Sanders join us on this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast to discuss the creative and collaborative process between model and photographer on a fashion campaign. From "go-sees" and casting via Instagram to the rhythm of a shoot, working with on-set teams, lighting insights, and the dos and do nots of professional interaction, we discuss the P.O.V. from both sides of the lens. The thread that runs through our conversation, though, is how a photographer and a model work together to create the best images to please themselves and their clients. Jayne Moore is represented by IMG Models, and has appeared in Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Marie Claire and in ads for Calvin Klein and L'Oreal, among many others. She has worked with photographers such as Annie Leibovitz, Dean Isidro, and Pamela Hanson, and brings to the conversation an incredible insight, not only to the work of a model, but also to the fashion industry in general and to the role a photographer should play. Michael Sanders is a return guest to our show and a regular contributor to Italian Elle magazine. His work can also be found in the international editions of Vogue, Glamour, and Marie Claire, and in the June, 2018 edition of U.S. Elle he photographed model Hailey Baldwin on the beaches of St. Lucia. Loaded with insight for photographers of any stripe and certainly for aspiring models or anyone interested in the creative fields, this is an enjoyable and informative chat. Join us. --- For more info on the products mentioned in this episode: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR Camera Canon EOS 5DS R DSLR Camera Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens --- Guests: Jayne Moore and Michael Sanders Photograph: Courtesy Michael Sanders

On this week's B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome three members of the Kamoinge photography workshop and, through their collective eyes, we discuss African-American photography of the past sixty years and the role that Kamoinge has played in nurturing and presenting that photography. We also discuss the making of their current exhibition and the artists involved, called, "The Black Woman: Power and Grace," which is at the National Arts Club through June 30, 2018. To speak on Kamoinge and the exhibit, we have with us photographers Russell Frederick, Delphine Diallo and Jules Allen. Mr. Frederick is the current vice-president of the collective and provides some historical context and a sense of the mission of the group, which was formed in 1963. Mr. Allen discusses a few of the important figures in the group's history, including Beuford Smith, Roy DeCarava, and Ming Smith; and Ms. Diallo reflects upon the appeal the workshop held for her when she arrived in Brooklyn, as well as thoughts on the obstacles women photographers still face in our industry. Each brings to the table a personal insight on the range of topics that come up during this humorous, provocative, and historically informative conversation. Kamoinge has deep and significant roots, but it is ever-evolving, and the diverse work of Mr. Frederick, Ms. Diallo, and Mr. Allen is testimony to the wide range of photography that finds a home at Kamoinge. Join us for this lively episode and check out the "Power and Grace" exhibit, at the National Arts Club. Guests: Delphine Diallo, Jules Allen, and Russell Frederick Photograph © Delphine Diallo

For this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we return to our conversations from the 2018 OPTIC Conference, hosted by B&H Photo. We spoke with so many wonderful photographers and will present these talks over the coming weeks but, today, we focus on the street photography of two very distinctive photographers. Our first guest is Sisse Brimberg, a veteran adventure and travel photographer who has more than thirty stories for National Geographic to her credit. Much of her work is devoted to historical and cultural stories, but our chat focuses on the informal portraiture she does in the streets, marketplaces, and country roads around the world. Brimberg relates how she is always "seeing" photographs, how she interacts with her subjects, mirrorless vs. DSLR, and how to know when a photograph is worth taking. We also discuss her late husband and shooting partner, NatGeo photographer Cotton Coulson, and how her approach to work has changed since his death. After a short break, we speak with Xyza Cruz Bacani, a Magnum Foundation fellow and Fujifilm Ambassador. Born and raised in the Philippines, Bacani is based in Hong Kong, and started her street photography while employed as a domestic worker there. Her street photography blossomed into a career as a documentary photographer covering immigration, social justice, and human rights issues, but she still devotes time to the "street." We compare the two disciplines, discuss shooting in different cities, talk street photography techniques and the cameras she prefers. We also ask both photographers which of all their photos they would keep, if they could only keep one. For street, travel, and documentary photographers, this is an episode not to be missed, and subscribe to our podcast for future conversations from OPTIC 2018, including those we had with photographers Keith Carter, Joyce Tenneson, and Seth Resnick. Guests: Sisse Brimberg and Xyza Cruz Bacani Photograph ©Sisse Brimberg

Hosted by B&H Photo, the 2018 OPTIC Conference for Outdoor and Travel Photography was a wonderful opportunity to speak with a range of great photographers, and we did just that. We sat down with a diverse mix of shooters, including Joyce Tenneson, Xyza Cruz Bacani, Keith Carter, and Sisse Brimberg. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will present these conversations, but today we start with National Geographic staff photographer Mark Thiessen, who, in addition to running the photo studio at NatGeo and shooting many stories for the magazine, has continued a twenty-year personal project on wildfires. To know his subject better, to be safer, and to get closer to the action, Thiessen became a certified wildland firefighter and travels to active fires each year to photograph the fires, as well as the property destruction and human toll taken by these wildfires. We speak with Thiessen about his experiences, tools and techniques for photographing fires, and about his other work for National Geographic. Check out the B&H Photography Podcast landing page to see some of Thiessen's incredible photographs. We also take a few minutes to catch up with Rod Clark, of Wine Country Camera. At OPTIC 2017, we spoke with Clark about the beautiful filter-holder system he developed, and we'll find out how his company has grown this year, and what Wine Country Camera has brought to the market. Guests: Mark Thiessen and Rod Clark Photograph by Mark Thiessen ©National Geographic