B&H Photography Podcast

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

On this week's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast we spoke with AP photojournalist Richard Drew about his powerful and haunting photograph, "The Falling Man", taken during the attacks at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. However, during our conversation, we also touched upon other aspects of his career including the night of June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, when Robert Kennedy was assassinated. We felt this material, while not fitting with our "Falling Man" conversation, was worth a listen and have created a short "bonus" episode for those interested. In addition to his experience at the RFK assassination, Drew discusses his Pulitzer Prize-winning work during the 1992 presidential campaign, his early years as a reporter in Southern California and the changes in gear and methods of image transmission that he has seen in his fifty years of photojournalism. Join us for this educational conversation. Guest: Richard Drew Image: AP Photo/Richard Drew

"The Falling Man" is the name that has been given to the photograph of a man falling from the north tower of the World Trade Center during the attacks of September 11, 2001. The image depicts a lone figure falling headfirst against the backdrop of the vertical lines of the twin towers. As an image, it is a striking composition and the casual position of the man's body bisecting the two towers, has even been described as graceful. These visual elements mask the horror of its immediate context and perhaps add to the upsetting response that often accompanies this image. Unlike other photographs from that day, this image does not explicitly depict carnage and destruction, but it is this image that has been often singled-out as too disturbing to view, too galling to publish. In fact, the image was published by many newspapers on the day following the attacks and was received with such recoil that editors were called to apologize for its inclusion and almost immediately, it fell under a shroud of obscurity, which in the sixteen years since 9/11, has been slowly lifted. On today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we welcome veteran Associated Press photojournalist Richard Drew who took this now iconic photograph. We talk with Drew about his experiences on September 11, 2001, about media self-censorship and about how this photo, which is simultaneously peaceful and deeply painful, had been received, rejected and perhaps now, accepted as part of the whole story and a symbol of all that was lost that day.

On today's episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we continue our exploration of photographic collaboration with photojournalists Ben Lowy and Marvi Lacar. In addition to sharing a vocation, they also share two children and a life together. Photojournalism is a decidedly independent, at times dangerous, career, certainly not one known for a routine home life, but when domestic responsibilities and children enter the picture, how does a couple balance craft and career with the need to earn a living and the time needed to nurture relationships? More so, when both people are working in the same field, how does bolstering one career cross the line into debilitating the other and how does a creative couple find ways to support each other's efforts? Lowy and Lacar bring an animated humor and a willingness to talk about the difficult moments from their lives and careers and explain how they have come to recognize their best personal and professional attributes and bring those strengths into a working relationship that continues to evolve. -------------------- Gear discussed in this episode: Yongnuo YN686EX-RT Lithium TTL Speedlite for Canon Cameras Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless Digital Camera Sony Alpha a7R II Mirrorless Digital Camera -------------------- Guests: Marvi Lacar and Ben Lowy Photograph: Marvi Lacar

I don't think I've ever seen Allan as happy as he was during our recording of this episode and, if you are into vintage cameras, lenses, and all things film photography, just sit back and enjoy our conversation with Bellamy Hunt, aka the Japan Camera Hunter. The palpable enthusiasm between these two camera lovers cannot be feigned, and they talked like old friends about Nikon SP, Canon rangefinders, Hasselblads, and anything with a red dot. We also learn how an Englishman arrived in Japan, worked for a camera company, became a camera hunter, and eventually developed a business that not only sources vintage and rare cameras, but sells film, custom-paints cameras, and writes and shares his love for photography on the "JCH" site. In addition to talking about cameras, we discuss the photography culture of Japan, camera shops of Tokyo, and the renaissance of film photography. Join us for this pleasurable conversation on the B&H Photography Podcast. --------- Some of the gear mentioned in this article: Artisan & Artist LMB-M3 Half Case for Leica Black Label Bag Half Case for Leica MegaGear Ever Ready Half-Bottom Leather Case for Sony Guest: Bellamy Hunt Image courtesy of Bellamy Hunt

On August 21, 2017 there will be a total solar eclipse passing across the United States from the northwest to the southeast. While the path of totality will be in the center of the country, at least 60% obscuration will be seen throughout the U.S. and into Canada and Mexico. This is a historic event and millions of people will be viewing and photographing it. On today's episode, we will discuss the what, when, and where of the eclipse and concentrate on the best and safest ways to view and photograph it. Joining us for this discussion are Senior Staff Writer Christopher Witt, our in-house telescope and optics expert, and photographer and B&H Photography Podcast veteran Todd Vorenkamp, who will explore the best ways for novices as well as experts to view and photograph the eclipse. After a break, we welcome noted astronomer and night sky photographer Dr. Tyler Nordgren who will offer his thoughts on the eclipse and explain why it might be best to not photograph this eclipse. Finally, we will be joined by Dr. Laura Peticolas from the Space Sciences Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley. Laura will discuss her plans for the eclipse, specifically discussing the Eclipse Megamovie project, a crowd-sourcing effort to collect and share images across the path of totality. Join us for a multi-faceted conversation about this once-in-a-lifetime event. Guests: Dr. Tyler Nordgren, Dr. Laura Peticolas, Christopher Witt, Todd Vorenkamp Photograph: Tyler Nordgren Dr. Tyler Nordgren- 38:50 Dr. Laura Peticolas (Eclipse Megamovie)-56:10