Street Shots Photography Podcast

"We photographers are nothing but a pack of crooks, thieves and voyeurs. We are to be found everywhere we are not wanted; we betray secrets that were never entrusted to us; we spy shamelessly on things that are not our business; And end up the hoarders of a vast quantity of stolen goods." -- Brassai   In this milestone 200th episode of the Street Shots Photography Podcast, Antonio and Ward are joined by fellow Unusual Collective buddies, Dave Szweduik and Mark Reierson. It's a relaxed, friendly chat among these brothers-in-light, reflecting on this podcast's journey and how photography has woven into the fabric of their lives. They share personal anecdotes and insights, diving into the significant moments that have shaped the podcast. It's all about the community they've fostered, their individual growth, and where their creative paths might lead next. It’s like sitting in on a conversation with old friends, reminiscing about the good times and dreaming about the future. The discussion shifts to the philosop

  "Photography is a discovery of life which makes you look at things you’ve never looked at before." "You walk around at times thinking the whole world is a painting. Light is my work." -- Trent Parke   In this first episode of 2024, Antonio and Ward explore the profound and enigmatic world of Trent Parke, a master of black and white photography. The discussion transcends a mere overview of Parke's work, delving into the essence of his artistic vision, where each photograph is not just an image but a powerful narrative in itself. The rarity and intrinsic value of Parke’s photo books, elevate them from simple collections to extraordinary art forms.   The episode weaves through the emotional landscapes captured by Parke, reflecting on how his unique Australian heritage and personal experiences bleed into his imagery, creating a visceral connection with the viewer. Antonio and Ward contemplate Parke’s approach, drawing parallels with other iconic photographers, yet highlighting Parke's distinctive ability to

"I use photography to help me explain my experiences to myself." -- Duane Michals "A picture should be looked at - not talked about." -- Elliott Erwitt   In this final episode of 2023, Antonio and Ward warmly reminisce about the year. Antonio talks about his new interest in fountain pens, linking it to his love for photography and the therapeutic act of journaling, reflecting on how these activities encourage a more thoughtful approach to life and art. Ward gives his perspective on recent technological shifts, particularly the implications of smartphones and AI in photography, and both of them express excitement and concern for the future of the craft. Ward also shares his aspiration to venture into outdoor fashion photography, inspired by the iconic style of Peter Lindbergh, demonstrating his desire to explore and expand his creative horizons.   Looking forward, Antonio is enthusiastic about his teaching endeavors, preparing to introduce students to the world of Lightroom Classic and the art of making zine

"I am forever chasing light. Light turns the ordinary into the magical." "I use photography as a way to help me understand why I am here. The camera helps me to see." Trent Parke   In this solo episode, Antonio shares his recent foray into the world of fountain pens and notebooks, a hobby sparked by previous discussions on photo journaling and “Photomancy.” This new interest, while initially a divergence from his photography passion, actually complements it by enhancing his photo journaling practice. He delves into how the tactile experience of writing with quality pens on smooth paper has deepened his engagement with his photographic works, tying it all back to the importance of documenting and preserving memories. Next, Antonio is excited about a photo publication titled "Closed" by Martin Amis, a book that starkly captures the changing landscapes of UK neighborhoods with its focus on shut-down shops. He draws interesting connections to James and Karla Murray's work, reflecting on the powerful role of

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." -- Ansel Adams   "My photography is a reflection, which comes to life in action and leads to meditation." -- Abbas Attar   The episode kicks off with a discussion about renowned photographer Larry Fink, whose recent passing left Antonio and Ward with a sense of regret for not exploring his extensive body of work earlier. They delve into Fink's distinctive photography style characterized by dramatic flashes and striking compositions, sparking their curiosity to explore his book "The Vanities" and his contributions to the field. Transitioning to the tech side of photography, the Antonio examines Sony's new camera, the a9 III, capable of capturing a remarkable 120 frames per second. Antonio raises practical concerns about its utility for most photographers, including storage and editing challenges, while Ward sees potential in specific scenarios like sports photography. Their discussion highlights the ongoing push for te

"I take photographs in my neighborhood. I think that mysterious things happen in familiar places. We don’t always need to run to the other end of the world." -- Saul Leiter “Photos are a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone.”  -- Katie Thurmes   In this episode, Antonio and Ward delve into the nuances of capturing their local neighborhoods, with Ward sharing his outing in downtown Calgary and Antonio discussing his artist talk at the Blue Star Parlor Cafe in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Antonio emphasizes the significance of observing and photographing everyday surroundings, advocating for mindfulness in photography and the creation of a historical record through images. Their conversation also touches on the influence of famous photographers like Bernice Abbott and Eugene Smith, and their impact on Antonio's work. They explore themes such as the transience of urban landscapes, the role of street art and murals, and the emotional response to neighborhood changes. Both offer advice on capturing the essence of one'

"By the precision of their instrument, by the very mechanical limitations of shutter, lens, and film, they are invested with credibility; simple honesty will render to their pictures the dignity of fact." - Roy Stryker In this episode, Antonio kicks off with a vivid recount of a rain-soaked photo walk and shares an exciting update on an upcoming event. Ward opens up about a personal project turned poignant with the passing of one of its subjects, leading to a profound discussion on the dignity of depicting aging and illness, and the power of photography in preserving individuality. Antonio and Ward then transition into an analysis of street photography’s quality in the YouTube era, highlighting the challenges budding photographers face amidst image saturation and feeding the social media machine, yet also acknowledge the educational value of the behind-the-scenes stuff. The discussion extends into the realms of content creation, where Antonio shares his personal experiences and the duo delve into the evolvin

On this episode, Antonio reminisced about his recent photo showcase, set against a brick backdrop that brought his images to life. Mark Reierson's touch made the difference in the arrangement. The chat soon hinted at future engagements, notably an artist talk and an exciting zine collaboration.  Ward and Antonio's joint Street Shots zine, "Line of Sight," celebrates a collaboration of street photography. Crafted meticulously using the Miro app, the upcoming zine doesn't just chronicle their passion but will also support their podcast. Both are excited about upcoming projects: Antonio's nostalgic "11218+" venture and Ward's "Communities" project capturing Calgary's essence. They both revel in the idea of converting their digital captures into tactile memories. Finally, a recent outing saw Antonio lead a Scott Kelby's worldwide photo walk, favoring his iPhone 15 and dabbling with a new LIDAR-equipped Polaroid. Later, Antonio and Ward exchanged notes on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Impressed by its features, especial

In this episode, Antonio revisits his 2016-2017 street photography and discusses the evolution of his perspective, while Ward stresses the importance of understanding an artist's context. As Antonio prepares for an exhibit at the Blue Star Parlor in Brooklyn, recounting his innovative plans to use foam spacers and adhesive strips to display prints on brick walls. The duo also deliberates over exhibition details, with insights from colleague Mark Reierson enhancing the narrative flow of Antonio's showcase. Ward reflects on a poignant Diane Arbus exhibit he attended, particularly moved by the "Untitled" series that resonated with his experiences with developmentally challenged children. Antonio and Ward explore the contemporary relevance of Arbus' evocative imagery, pondering its resonance with today's youth amidst the deluge of intense visuals they face daily. The conversation touches on the emotional toll art can exert on its creators, referencing Arbus' tragic demise and the lingering impact on other artist

Antonio and Ward dive into the vibrant pages of James and Karla Murray's new book "Store Front NYC: Photographs of the City's Independent Shops, Past and Present" on this episode of Street Shots. The Murrays recount their serendipitous journey, starting from documenting the graffiti art scene in the late '90s to capturing the rapid transformations of NYC's iconic mom-and-pop stores. The book, a testament to the city's cultural evolution, captures the spirit of neighborhoods spread across the five boroughs. The duo discusses the challenges of capturing these ever-evolving spaces and the poignant stories of the store owners. The conversation takes a deeper turn as James and Karla reflect on the emotional ties New Yorkers have with these corner stores, especially the immigrants who found both livelihood and community in them. With many of these shops now only memories, the Murrays hope their work sparks a renewed appreciation for these unique, irreplaceable facets of New York's identity. Their photographs stand

In the latest episode with Ward and Antonio, the duo dives into a variety of topics, from Ward's annual salsa-making tradition to Antonio's struggles with bird photography. Antonio is hyped about the upcoming Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk and also explores a game-changing AI feature in Photoshop that's revolutionizing photo restoration and more. When it comes to teaching photography, they share some candid frustrations. Antonio grapples with mismatched student expectations in his street photography classes, while Ward stresses the importance of connecting with the right audience, especially after taking a long hiatus from photography. They both agree that while teaching is rewarding, there's a disconnect they're struggling to bridge—whether that means tweaking their courses and talks or reconsidering how changes in the photography landscape are affecting student interests.   Subscribe to our Substack Newsletter Help out the show by buying us a coffee! Send us a voice message, comment or question. Support

In this episode, Antonio shares an unexpected acknowledgement from a local during his morning walk, spotlighting his growing local recognition as a photographer. He and Ward dive into their new Substack venture for sharing photography stories and insights. Antonio discusses challenges and a new perspective he gained while using the Viltrox 75mm lens for street photography in New York City. Meanwhile, Ward recounts his recent road trip and the emotional depth of his visits with his artist friend, ailing aunt, and mother. His journey ended up becoming a deeper exploration of personal connections and memories. They also discuss Ward's recent seminar on photo book-making at The Camera Store in Calgary, emphasizing the art of pairing photos in such books. Gallery of images can be found here: https://streetshots.photography/2023/08/16/street-shots-episode-189-walk-the-talk/   Buy Antonio's zines here at Blurb. Please subscribe to our Substack Newsletter. Help out the show by buying us a coffee! Send us a voice mes

In this episode, Antonio and Ward discuss recent updates, with Antonio revealing that he recently came down with COVID. He also shares his newfound love for creating photo zines using Blurb. Ward speaks about his latest book purchase, "The Workers" by Lee Friedlander from Steidl Publishing. Intrigued by Ward's choice, Antonio decides to be a copycat and orders the same book, along with another one by Evelyn Hofer.  Ward plans to create a spontaneous and loose zine during a trip to visit his mother in Saskatchewan, capturing everything he encounters along the way. He also shares that he's been invited by a camera store in Calgary to give a talk about his process of creating a photo book, which came about after meeting with Ted Forbes and Evelyn Drake. Antonio and Ward then delve into the intriguing world of composition in photography. Antonio, as a photography instructor, talks about his desire to instill a deeper understanding of composition in his students. They discuss the difference in their own paths of

In this episode, Antonio eagerly delves into his latest photography book finds. A neighbor gifts him a captivating book on Bresson from a local street library. Both Ward and Antonio touch on a newly published book called "The Things You Wanted to Say But Never Did" by Giloy Concepcion—a unique photo journal designed to process emotions through prompts. Motivations behind the photos spark their interest, alongside a delightful exploration of cliché subjects in the humor-filled "Photo No-Nos." They also dig into the importance of setting constraints and making decisive choices in photography. Antonio enthusiastically recommends "Think Like a Street Photographer" by Matt Stuart, a treasure trove of insights into the art. As their lively conversation progresses, Antonio gets into Helen Levitt's mesmerizing pictures of 1930s-40s New York, which lead to a fascinating tidbit about her association with Walker Evans and her distinctive presence in his secret subway portraits.   Ward then takes the spotlight, sharing

  In a laid-back chat, Ward and Antonio delve into two topics. First, they explore the process of curating photos for Antonio’s upcoming show, sharing tips on creating a flow and narrative. They stress the importance of capturing the details while considering the bigger picture. Trusting instincts and avoiding overthinking is a key aspect of curation. The conversation then shifts to street photography and lenses, with Ward and Antonio casually sharing their personal preferences. They name-drop some famous photographers who favor different lenses and engage in a friendly debate about the merits of zoom lenses versus prime lenses. They even chat about the challenges of using telephoto lenses in street photography. Oh, and Antonio quickly mentions a cool new lens for experimentation. Overall, a relaxed conversation between the boys, covering curation insights and lens choices for capturing the streets. Help out the show by buying us a coffee! Send us a voice message, comment or question. Show Links: Sean Tucker

Antonio and Ward discuss the recent announcement by Apple about their VisionPro headset, which offer spatial computing and a mix of augmented reality and virtual reality experiences. Antonio expresses his skepticism in the immersive photography capabilities of the headset, which can capture images in 3D and provide a unique viewing experience. He compares the headset to a scene from a movie called "Real Life" where a filmmaker wears a similar camera setup to document a family's life. Antonio ponders the idea of being removed from an event while capturing it through a headset and questions the authenticity of such memories.  Next, Ward remembers his recent experience at a rodeo event where he decided to approach photography in a more liberated and unconventional manner. He used a journal to explore his own mindset and capture images that evoked feelings rather than following a specific narrative. This departure from his usual approach, such as shooting for a book, allowed him to shoot freely without external

  In this episode, Antonio and Ward delve into the intriguing realm of photo journaling. This is more than just compiling images; it's a thought-provoking process that connects your photos with your insights. They also discuss the role of pre-visualizing your forthcoming projects. Furthermore, they shine a light on the allure of traditional analog journaling, a timeless practice that can help to trigger your creativity. Image gallery can be found here: http://streetshots.photography/2023/05/30/street-shots-episode-184-clicks-and-quills/ Help out the show by buying us a coffee! Send us a voice message, comment or question.   Show Links: Photo journaling for mental health PHOTOGRAPHY SKETCHBOOK IDEAS Lartigue: The Boy and the Belle Époque HP Sprocket Portable 2x3" Instant Color Photo Printer Things You Wanted to Say But Never Did: A Photographic Journal to Process Your Feelings by Geloy Concepcion Antonio M. Rosario's Website, Vero, Twitter and Facebook page Ward Rosin’s Website, Vero, Instagram feed and Faceb

There are a few things on the plate in this episode. Firstly, Antonio has curated and printed a zine featuring captivating details from his local area, while Ward recently visited an unconventional gallery in a shoe store basement, displaying work by Calgary street photographer David Marion. Then they commemorate the 100th birthday of the influential photographer, Richard Avedon, with Antonio sharing his experience of an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, highlighting Avedon's monumental murals from the late 60s and early 70s. Given Avedon's significant contribution to fashion, portrait, and fine art photography, Ward and Antonio dedicate this episode to delving into his impressive and influential work.  Gallery of images can be found here: http://streetshots.photography/2023/05/14/street-shots-ep-183-happy-birthday-dick/   Help out the show by buying us a coffee!   Show Links: Richard Avedon: MURALS Charlie Rose interview with Richard Avedon, 1993 Antonio M. Rosario's Website, Vero, Twitter and F

  In this episode, Antonio talks about the possibility of having a photo show at a local coffee shop, while Ward shares his recent captures of the aurora borealis in the sky above his area. They also discuss some of the photographs that have captured their attention and made them do a double-take.    Image gallery can be seen here: http://streetshots.photography/2023/04/29/street-shots-ep-182-double-take/   Help out the show by buying us a coffee!   Show Links: Neil Zeller's Aurora photos Antonio M. Rosario's Website, Vero, Twitter and Facebook page Ward Rosin’s Website, Vero, Instagram feed and Facebook page. Ornis Photo Website  The Unusual Collective Street Shots Instagram     Subscribe to us on: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music iHeart Radio

In this episode, Antonio and Ward delve into the idea of collecting photographs, drawing upon Antonio's recent visit to the Aipad show in New York City, which featured a diverse range of photography galleries and individual photographers. They explore the significance of collecting photographs as physical objects and the value of owning a tangible piece of art and the emotional connection that can be formed with a photograph, particularly when it captures a specific moment or memory.   Help out the show by buying us a coffee!   ----more----                                   Help out the show by buying us a coffee!   Show Links: Aipad Photography Show W. M. Hunt, photography collector and curator Elton John's Photography Collection Antonio M. Rosario's Website, Vero, Twitter and Facebook page Ward Rosin’s Website, Vero, Instagram feed and Facebook page. Ornis Photo Website  The Unusual Collective Street Shots Instagram   Subscribe to us on: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music