On Taking Pictures

They said it would never happen – that we were through, done for, washed up. Turns out, all it took was a new Mac Mini, Macbook Air, and an iPad Pro for us to dust off the mics and smash that record button. Is it a one off? Will there be more? Time will tell...

This week, we close the loop on 325 episodes of talking about photography, creativity, and sometimes just the ups and downs of life in general. It has been such a privilege to be a small part of your lives for the past six years. Speaking for myself, I am a better person for having done this show, though I would imagine Bill feels the same. This show has—in no uncertain terms—changed my life and whether you have listened to one episode or all of them, thank you for making time in your lives for us each and every week. I don’t think either one of us know what’s next, but I do know that we would love to keep the conversations going. Thank you again for six amazing years.

With only one more episode of OTP left, this week we actually start with a discussion around photography—specifically, focusing on the tools (either hardware or software) you need or will actually use in your creative workflow. Sometimes we get caught up in looking at all of what a camera or piece of software does or is capable of doing without looking at what we actually need it to do. Also, a continuation of last week’s discussion where we talk about Don McCullin’s view that at least some of his professional life was wasted documenting the human suffering associated with war. Alfred Stanley Johnson is our Photographer of the Week.

This week, a discussion around knowing (or thinking we know) when it’s time to change directions, whether in a body of work, a relationship, where to live, etc. Also, what happens when the dream you wanted isn’t the reality you get? Plus, according to a federal judge, photos on the internet are fair use...yes, even yours. Don McCullin is our Photographer of the Week.

This week, a pre-show discussion spills over into the show as we dive into the idea of myth and reputation and wrestle with the evolving definition of success. Also, episode 324 will be the last episode of OTP. We are grateful for the time that we’ve spent with you and with each other—logging well over 600 hours talking about photography and creativity—but we both feel like it’s time to explore some other areas. We’ll do one more regular show and then the final episode will be a Q&A, so send us your questions! Girma Berta is our Photographer of the Week.

This week, sometimes hardware fails or at least doesn’t perform the way you think or hope it should We start the show with a couple stories about dealing with what happens next. Also, at what point to upgrades no longer make sense. Plus, a fascinating body of work from a very unexpected source. Kenji Toma is our Photographer of the Week.

This week, we go a little off the reservation talking about connecting to a process but not to outcome of what was ultimately produced. We cite examples from photography, cinema and music. Also, a discussion around the first time we felt like we were part of a tribe and how we sometimes are still able to tap into how that felt. Vivian Cherry is our Photographer of the Week.

This week, if everyone is chasing the same aesthetic, how do you know when what you make is good? Also, where do you take your work if you feel you’ve peaked? Plus, is the old stuff really better than what’s new? Or is it just that it’s more familiar? Jim Reed is our Photographer of the Week.

This week, we’re talking about finding that type of photography that clicks with you, regardless of how broad or how niche it may be. One of the wonderful things about photography is that it’s both an art and a science and there’s room to deep dive one without necessarily losing the other. Also, self-printing seems to be a common source of confusion and anxiety - between finding the “right” printer, to then finding out that the ink will cost your more than the device itself, to having to test multiple paper types to see what works best on a given photograph. But is giving up control worth making the decision to outsource it? Francesco Cito and Gianni Berengo-Gardin are our Photographers of the Week.

This week, what happens when you decide to get off of the hamster wheel of social media and rely on your own website? Are you leaving money on the table or controlling your brand? Also, getting out of your comfort zone via the great American road trip. Plus, finding meaning in what you do beyond just what you make and share. Vanessa Winship is our Photographer of the Week.

This week, a pre-show discussion about Tom Petty and crafting the perfect pop song leads into our sense memories around specific film stocks. It sounds strange, but there’s a throughline there if you give it a chance. Also, is Instagram just one big performance art piece? Plus, a listener question prompts a discussion around objective vs subjective challenges and moving the needle. Jojakim Cortis and Adrian Sonderegger are our Photographers of the Week.

This week, we talk about refining the scope of personal projects so that they can be more productive and less of just a time suck—sometimes, you just need to tweak the brief. Also, what happens when a portrait is not a portrait but is still manages to capture the essence of a person? Plus, does your love for photography wax and wane, or is it constant? Jim Krantz is our Photographer of the Week.

This week, we discuss the potential value of critiques in a social media landscape where the conversation around the work is often not a conversation at all. Also, a terrific NYT article begins a conversation around a veteran using photography as therapy and as a way to document the lives of other service men and women. Plus, we tackle a few #askOTP questions. Hideki Fujii is our Photographer of the Week.

This week, we’re circling back to an earlier discussion around style and whether you choose your style (and maybe even overall aesthetic) or your style chooses you. Also, do you recognize the point at which emulating or being inspired by your artistic heroes became something more unique? Plus, planned obsolescence, photography in video games and do we really need a digital 8x10 camera? Ara Güler is our Photographer of the Week.

This week marks the end of year six of OTP and we’re talking about style - specifically questions around whether or not our particular style of making (photographic, design, painting or otherwise) is “baked” into how we see. If we stray too far from what we “know” does it simply look like we’re trying to emulate someone else? Also, a listener asks what (if any) obligation does one creative have to another? Mary Ellen Mark is our Photographer of the Week. Thank you for being here, for listening each week and for being so generous with your time and attention. We appreciate it. See you in year seven!

This week, a look inside four Instagram photographers who reveal the “contact sheets” behind some of their images. Turns out it can take quite a few shots to get that perfect selfie or lifestyle pic. Also, the start of a broader discussion around social media and the number of “subs” or follows as the real barrier on entry into making a living as a photographer. Also, trouble on the high seas costs one of us a lens. O. Winston Link is our Photographer of the Week.

This week, do individuals make the collective better? Do we have a responsibility to use whatever talents or gifts we may have (artistic or otherwise), or is it okay to simply walk away and do something else? Also, a recurring question from a listener around overcoming self-doubt, who asks, “does it ever go away?” Spoiler: no, but it’s often an interesting discussion. William Ukoh is our Photographer of the Week.

This week, we talk a little about the upcoming relaunch of Ektachrome and wonder whether Kodak will be able to make a boutique film commercially successful. Also, some insight into exhibiting your work from three successful curators, courtesy of the British Journal of Photography. Plus some terrific questions from YOU, the listeners, that we do our best to answer. Miranda Penn Turin is our Photographer of the Week.

This week, a conversation with Joel Meyerowitz inspires a discussion around legacy and whether art of a specific time has a shelf life of relevancy, aesthetic or otherwise. Also, what’s more valuable as a photographer, being a generalist or focusing (no pun) on one subject, area, or technique? Plus a few words about enthusiasm with 600+ hours in the rear view. Jacko Vassilev is our Photographer of the Week.

This week, a question from a listener around making photos “that have more meaning and heart” inspires a discussion around narrative and determining what we as makers are trying to say with our work versus what we want—or need—an audience to take away from it. We also touch on editing (not post processing) as a skill that often gets minimized or even overlooked in the picture making process. Plus, sometimes, you need to prepare for anything, including the valet wrecking your car 15 minutes before a shoot. Evelyn Bencicova is out Photographer of the Week.