Thoughts On Photography

One of the best ways to improve our photography skills is to attend a workshop.  With so many photographers out there hosting their own workshops, we have to be cautious about who and where we invest our money.  In this episode, I speak with Juan Pons (wildlife photographer and host of The Digital Photo Experience podcast) about what we need to consider when choosing a workshop to attend.  Find out more about Juan at www.juanpons.org 

One of the most challenging parts of starting a photography business, and keeping it going, is trying to do it alone.  There are so many benefits of being in a community with other photographers, whether it be locally or online.  In this episode, I speak with photographer Josh Newton about the importance of community for photographers.  Follow Josh at http://instagram.com/joshnewton  Check out some resources such as http://shootandshare.com and http://improvephotography.com/workshops 

It's that time of year here in the U.S.  Photographers and families are traveling on vacation.  In this episode, John Bragg and I share some of our stories and tips on travel photography.  You can check out some of my travel pictures at www.brianmcguckin.com and John's pictures from Europe at www.europefineartphotos.com Also, check out more of John's work at http://www.johnbragg.com  

Photographers are being discriminated against because of their professional quality gear - at least that's what this episode's guest believes.  On this episode I speak with professional photographer, Jason Lanier, about why he believes many photographers are being discrimanted against.  Check out his youtube video of two different situations where he is questioned by security.  See more of Jason's work at... https://instagram.com/jasonlanierphotography https://www.facebook.com/jasonlanierphotography http://www.jasonlanierworkshops.com  

With wedding season taking off, many photographers are too intimidated to shoot them. In this episode, I talk with Erica Kay about her workflow to help give photographers a glimpse of wedding photography.   To find out more about traveling to China with the Improve Photography Network and how you can be there with us go to www.improvephotography.com/china      

Today there seems like there's a Reality TV show for almost anything - so why not photography?  In this episode I talk with Justin Mott, resident photographer of the first ever photo reality TV show - Photo Face-Off.  Justin tells us about his experience on the show and shares about some of the challenges he faces.  Learn more about Justin by following his journey here on facebook.   Here's his award-winning shot mentioned in this episode!   

What would you do if you saw a picture you took, but it wasn't a picture you took?  What if you found out someone was copying your photography and profiting from it financially?  Sound confusing?  In this episode I talk with creative portraiture, Joel Robison, and his recent experience.  Check out the article here and follow him on Facebook here!

With wedding season kicking off, one of the most important aspects of wedding photography is having relationships with wedding planners.  In this episode I talk with wedding planner Monica Richard of Mon Amie Events Inc. about how photographers can build those relationships and the importance of working together as a team with other vendors. Also, be sure to check out Improve Photography's Lightroom Preset Sale lasting only three days (May 4th-6th, 2015) as mentioned in the podcast.  

Why bother using a drone when you can shoot from a helicopter or airplane?  In this episode I talk with Brad Cavanaugh from Air One Aerial Photography.  Our conversation ranges from recommended gear and settings to keeping an eye on the weather.  Check out Brad's work at aironephoto.com

If you've been a subscriber to Thoughts on Photography over the years you may have realized a recent change in the host's voice.  With the wonderful Paul Giguere retiring from podcasting, Thoughts on Photography is now hosted by Brian McGuckin from the Improve Photography Network.  Brian McGuckin has been shooting since 2006 and has had many unique photography opportunities ranging from the NFL and celebrity/athlete events to weddings and travel photography that has taken him all around the world.  In this episode, fellow Improve Photography Network host, Nick Page, talks with Brian about the podcast and his photography journey.  To see more of Brian McGuckin's work go to www.brianmcguckin.com     

Instagram is much more than a place to post pics of your favorite food or selfies.  In this episode I talk with photo enthusiast, Elaine Li, about how she networks with some of her 68K+ followers through Instagram.  Check out Elaine here and follow her on her journey! 

Who doesn't like the idea of standing on the top of a skyscrapper, giving a whole new perspective of how you view the world???  In this episode, rooftopper Daniel Lau and I talk about what it's like on top of the world.  Check out some of the amazing views he's captured here on Instagram or on his website.  

To watermark, or not to watermark?  That is the question.  Many photographers have a strong opinion on when, where, and how to add a watermark to their images.  In this episode, commercial photographer Jason Lavengood and I discuss the use of watermarks and why you may or may not want to use them.    

Photography changes lives - period.  Not anyone can be a professional photographer, but almost anyone can take a photograph.  There are many organizations out there that use photography to impact the lives of others.  This interview is with MaryBeth Jackson, founder of The Viewfinder Project, a nonprofit organization that provides a curriculum to anyone wanting to teach photography and create change makers.  We discuss how her ideas have been used all over the world and hope this converstion will help plant seeds for others wanting to make a difference.  Find out more about The Viewfinder Project at www.theviewfinderproject.org    

Sports Illustrated fired all of their staff photographers.  This interview is with Evan Habeeb, a freelance photographer who has had images published in Sports Illustrated magazine.   We discuss the impact this has on freelance photographers as well as the future of the Sports Illustrated magazine itself.  Afterall, aren't the photographs the reason why S.I. is so successful today?  

The International Guild of Visual Peacemakers (IGVP) is an organization devoted to the breaking down of stereotypes by displaying the beauty of cultures around the world. The IGVP seeks, through it’s members, to build bridges of peace across ethnic, cultural, and religious lines through visual communication that is both accountable to an ethical standard and created by those who authentically care about people. For this podcast, I interview Mario Mattei, president and co-founder of IGVP.

Pete Brook is a freelance writer who focuses on the politics of media, visual culture and issues of social justice as they relate to photography and photojournalism. Since 2008, he has published writing about photography produced within and about prison on his own website Prison Photography. This year, Prison Photography was awarded a LIFE.com Photoblog Award and Prison Photography was also recommended among the Top Ten Best Photoblogs by the British Journal of Photography.For two years, Pete was a volunteer art teacher and working board member with University Beyond Bars based here in Seattle. But he'll soon be leaving to embark upon a 12-week research trip interviewing photographers who've documented the rise of America's prison industrial complex.You can support his Kickstarter project until September 29th, 2011. Pete is also lead blogger for Raw File, Wired.com’s photography blog. Pete is interested in how images are manufactured, distributed and consumed.

Dave Anderson is an image-maker whose work as both a photographer and filmmaker have been celebrated in the United States and abroad. Dave's project Rough Beauty was the winner of the 2005 National Project Competition from the Santa Fe Center for Photography and became the focus of his first book, which was published in three languages with an essay by Anne Wilkes Tucker. His latest monograph, One Block: A New Orleans Neighborhood Rebuilds, was published in 2010 by Aperture Books and featured in the New York Times and Time Magazine as well as on Good Morning America and CNN.

Wouter Brandsma has been involved with photography since his childhood. He uses photography as a form of personal expression. In January of 2011 Wouter began a photo-a-day project and posted his results to his blog. I began following Wouter's journey at the outset and have been intrigued at how his photographs truly represents a personal exploration rather than merely snapshots of his surroundings. Now, six months into the project, I felt it was time to talk with Wouter about this engaging technique for living a photographic life.

Matt Black is a documentary photographer who has focused much of the past fifteen years on photographing forgotten people and places. He has a deep interest in the themes of changing rural economies, migration and cultural change. His work has received many honors and has been noted for its combination of emotional depth, social conviction, and visual intensity.Matt's work has received grants and awards from the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Rockefeller Foundation, the California Council for the Humanities, and the Alexia Foundation for World Peace. Matt has also been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and has received a Golden Eye award from the World Press Photo Foundation. Matt is currently raising funds through Kickstarter.com to continue a long-term project called The People of Clouds which is documenting the migration of a whole culture of indigenous Mexicans called the Mixteca (or People of Clouds) to the Central Valley of California in the United State