B&H Photography Podcast

At the 2016 OPTIC Imaging Conference, we were immersed in the riches of nature and travel photography; so many talented and distinguished photographers were displaying work and discussing their experiences and craft. We at the podcast were fortunate to be able to sit down with several National Geographic photographers for informal yet intimate chats on subjects ranging from photographic influences to shooting styles to gear choices. This week's podcast presents a selection or compendium, if you will, of highlights from these conversations. We spoke on a variety of topics but we ended each chat with this question: if you had to choose between photography and travel, which would it be? The answers might surprise you. Guests: Ralph Lee Hopkins, Vincent Versace, Brenda Tharp, Jay Dickman, Katrin Eismann, Chris Nicholson Photo Credit: Katrin Eismann

With deference to Linda Richman, today's podcast offers its version of the 'Coffee Talk' skit from Saturday Night Live—Fuji is for Artists/Sony is for Pros… discuss! We realize, of course, that any camera—used well—can be for professionals and for artists and that artists can be pros and vice versa; we're not so naïve as to think otherwise. Given the parameters of the topic, however, we take on this idea in a conversation that touches upon the marketing for these high-end mirrorless cameras, who is actually using them, and most important, their feature sets, lenses, and system accessories. Three of our most trusted in-house experts join us to discuss their experiences with the Sony a7 series and the Fujifilm X series cameras as we attempt to clarify the most appropriate applications for each camera line. Now, I'm getting verklempt…so talk amongst yourselves. Guests: Shawn Steiner, Justin Dise, Todd Vorenkamp

The OPTIC 2016 Imaging Conference provided numerous opportunities to talk with some of the most respected nature and landscape photographers working today, but the highlights of our two days at OPTIC had to be our chat with Michael Kenna, the event's keynote presenter, and our conversation with Paul and John Paul Caponigro. It is unnecessary to summarize the work of these three photographers in any quick description but, suffice it to say, each is a master of his craft. While their work is distinctive and unique, it was wonderful to hear of their common vision, approach—and yes, spirituality—and for this reason, we present their conversations together. With Kenna we spoke of process, why he sticks with medium format film photography and what motivates and inspires his work. With the Caponigros, we touched upon the spirit of art, how to communicate with nature and, with Father's Day in mind, how to let a child discover his or her own path to artistic expression. Join us for these two inspirational conversations. Guests: Michael Kenna (1:30 - 30:05) Paul and John Paul Caponigro (31:00-57:10) Photo Credit: Paul Caponigro (l) and John Paul Caponigro (r)

Every year, B&H hosts the OPTIC Imaging Conference, showcasing the best nature, landscape, and travel photography. The 2016 edition was a stellar outing, with presentations by the most interesting photographers working in those fields. It also serves as a chance for participants to put their hands on the latest cameras, lenses, and gear from the major manufacturers. In today's episode we talk with gear experts from the most respected camera, lens and accessory manufacturers. Sigma: 2:10 Fujifilm: 10:18 Canon: 16:40 ------------------------- Lensbaby: 24:40 Sony: 35:20 Panasonic: 45:35 ------------------------ Tiffen: 54:12 Tamron: 61:17 Nikon: 68:46 OPTIC is a wonderful opportunity to embrace photography, interact with incredible photographers, and play with the latest tools of the trade. This year, legends such as Michael Kenna and Paul Caponigro spoke and presented work, and we will be sharing our conversations with them and other photographers in future episodes, but today we feature a collection of our talks with representatives of the major camera and lens makers. And while we tried to have them divulge secrets for their as-of-yet-unannounced marvels waiting for us on the designer's tables, we had to settle for updates on their newest cameras, lenses, filters, and adapters. We also snuck in some chat about the current and future state of the camera industry, and a few laughs to boot. Guests: Marc Farb, Michael Bulbenko, Rudy Winston, Ken Mitchell, Amy Klotsman, Tom Curley, Michael Cassara, K.T. Leung, Lindsay Silverman Photo Credit: Ralph Lee Hopkins

Today we talk cameras! In this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we invite two respected members of the B&H team to tell us which one camera offers them all they would ever want from one camera. Well, not exactly, but Christina Smith and Andrea Ortado do provide us with much to consider when we go on this hypothetical journey to find your "desert island" camera. Would it be full frame or film, have interchangeable lenses (but which one lens), would it be rugged and waterproof, be blazing fast or ultra-high resolution? How about high ISO or touch screen or an optical view finder? These are some of the questions we ask as we move toward the conclusion of our episode, when we each reveal which one camera we would choose if we had only one camera to use. Guests: Christina Smith and Andrea Ortado

Wet-Collodion, Daguerreotype, Tintype, Calotype, Gum Bichromate, Van Dyke Brown. Oh my! On this week's podcast, we welcome Geoffrey Berliner, Executive Director of the Penumbra Foundation, and photographer Jolene Lupo, to talk about alternative process photography. The Penumbra Foundation is an exceptional organization, dedicated to the art, science, and history of photography and Berliner outlines their history and mission and the workshops and facilities they make available to all photographers, while Lupo discusses her tintype work at Penumbra and her Spirit Photography. This episode is a true education, not just on the various alternative processes, but on the history of photography and on how learning the original pre-film processes will improve your digital photography. Guests: Geoffrey Berliner and Jolene Lupo Photograph by Jolene Lupo

The Pulitzer Prizes for Feature and for Breaking News Photography are the highest honors that a photojournalist can receive and, between our two guests, they have won four. Martha Rial won the award for her coverage of Rwandan refugees fleeing genocide, and Ruth Fremson has won the award for her team coverage of the Bill Clinton impeachment process and for coverage of the 9/11 attacks in New York and of Pakistan and Afghanistan in the months after September, 2001. Both photographers join us to discuss how the Pulitzer Prize affected their lives and careers. We talk about the assignments that earned them their honors, the process of submission, how they were notified of their awards, and how winning the awards and forever being known as a "Pulitzer Prize- winning photographer" changed their assignments and the direction of their work. Join us for this enjoyable conversation with two tremendously talented photographers who have been firsthand witnesses to our shared history. Guests: Martha Rial and Ruth Fremson

Some days, I love my job, and this was most definitely one of those days. We were in a room of heroes, not just heroes of mine, but actual heroes, people who fill their lives, risk their lives, for passion and for the betterment of humanity. The gathering was called "The Pulitzer Prize Photographers," held in celebration of the centennial of the establishment of the Pulitzer Prize and organized by the Eddie Adams Workshop, the Parsons School of Design, and supported, in part, by B&H Photo. It brought together Pulitzer-Prize-winning photographers from six decades, displayed their history lesson of potent journalism, and gave time and space for their stories to be told. At times, emotion filled the auditorium, tears were shed, but by the end of the night, there was joy—Nick Ut hamming it up in the photo booth, Adrees Latif and Ruth Fremson pressing limes for margaritas at the after-party. I shook hands with Robert Jackson, who captured the shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald, and thanked Daniel Berehulak—he risked his life to document the Ebola plague in West Africa, and in doing so, helped bring to an earlier end that horrible epidemic. Nancy Borowick, who chronicled her parent's illnesses and deaths, seemed endearingly unaware of her might, and John White brought a smile to many faces, reminding us that as photographers we are "visual servants." This episode of our podcast will do its best to bring you to this event, to share moments of insight from the speakers and provide a sense of the evening's activities. Even if photojournalism is not your primary interest, enjoy, be moved, and be inspired by the experience and wisdom put forth at this gathering of greats.

In addition to her fashion and commercial photography, Lindsay Adler is a much sought-after speaker and educator and, after listening to this episode, there'll be no surprise as to why. With clarity and conviction, she walks us through all the steps of producing commercial and editorial fashion shoots, beginning with the initial contact with the client to concept development, budgeting, casting, and collaboration, all the way to delivery of the final product. Adler offers concrete examples and insightful anecdotes that will appeal to photographers at any stage in their career. Hair, makeup, lighting, gear, set building, retouching, keeping your crew happy, and just how many assistants a professional parrot needs are all part of this enjoyable conversation. Guest: Lindsay Adler

Not Believing in Roadblocks, Part II – The Making of a Photojournalist Photojournalist and 2016 World Press Photo award winner Adriane Ohanesian joins us for a captivating two-part conversation on her work in South Sudan, Darfur, and Burma, and describes how she made the transition from anthropology student to conflict and humanitarian photographer. This conversation is divided into two parts, but its themes of women in photojournalism and the difficult but fulfilling life of freelance work in war-torn areas permeates the entire conversation. With her confident and compassionate demeanor, Ohanesian relates how she was introduced to the cultures of East Africa, snuck into South Sudan to begin her career, faced down military commanders and navigated a month-long trek into Darfur to photograph displaced families living in a cave. She also talks about the challenges and advantages of being a female photojournalist and the amazing resilience of people living through years of war and abuse. Also joining us on this compelling episode is B&H writer Jill Waterman. We're proud to present the voice of a young photojournalist from whom we expect to hear a great deal in the years to come. Ohanesian's World Press Photo award-winning photograph can be seen at http://www.worldpressphoto.org/collection/photo/2016/contemporary-issues/adriane-ohanesian Guest: Adriane Ohanesian