Artificial intelligence is a polarizing topic, and its rapid evolution within content creation has set our once familiar world on edge. To help demystify this gargantuan subject and add clarity to important concerns, we’re turning to an artist positioned at the very center of the debate between photography and AI imagery. Above photograph © Boris Eldagsen German media artist Boris Eldagsen made global headlines after entering his AI-generated image, “The Electrician,” in the Sony World Photography Awards. He won a top prize, and then ultimately declined the award due to a lack of open discussion about the need to categorize photographs and AI-generated imagery differently.  Join us for this frank and informative discussion about generative AI. Some of the diverse topics we cover include ways creativity is shared between man and machine, the effects of different languages (and even phrasing) when creating text prompts, inherent biases in AI training data and ways to counter this, the emergence of AI agencies, the newly created job title of Prompt Engineer, and much, much more. And for those listeners who fear AI as a threat to their photo careers, our discussion ends on an upbeat note, with the classification of generative AI as a knowledge accelerator, being most beneficial to practitioners with a solid background in traditional photography and the visual arts. To quote Eldagsen, “For the first time in history, the older generation has an advantage...” We’ll let you listen to hear the end. Guests: Boris Eldagsen For more information on our guest and the gear he uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/fake-memories-promptography-and-generative-ai-with-boris-eldagsen Stay Connected: Boris Eldagsen Website: https://www.eldagsen.com/ Boris Eldagsen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boriseldagsen/ Boris Eldagsen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boriseldagsen Boris Eldagsen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EldagsenBoris/ Boris Eldagsen Workshops: https://www.eldagsen.com/lecturingworkshops/ Boris Eldagsen Panama Exhibition: https://www.eldagsen.com/pseudomnesia3/

Fake Memories, Promptography, and Generative AI, with Boris Eldagsen

Above photograph © Ashok Sinha How central is your personal drive and unique creative vision to the pictures you make? If these characteristics strike a chord or are traits to which you aspire, then you won’t want to miss our inspiring chats with photographers Ashok Sinha and Anabel DFlux. We caught up with both of these accomplished creatives earlier this year at B&H’s 2023 Depth of Field Conference. We begin with architectural photographer Ashok Sinha, whose personal project to document iconic mid-century structures and classic cars in Southern California resulted in the crowd-pleasing monograph Gas & Glamour, now in its second printing. Sinha offers valuable insights about how channeling his passions and not overthinking the details allowed him to bring his photography career to new heights—resulting in his work being displayed as a massive billboard in downtown LA, released as limited-edition NFTs, and featured in gallery exhibitions in collaboration with an international fashion brand. After the break, professional animal photographer Anabel DFlux describes how she fashioned a personal penchant for pets into a sustainable career path while still a teen. Yet, despite her clear passion for and talent with pets, DFlux reaches beyond a single photographic specialty to cultivate work across multiple niches—including the heady realm of rock and roll. Check out these real-life career examples and walk away with an equal measure of inspiration and practical tips. Guests: Ashok Sinha and Anabel DFlux For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: blogd7.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podca…-anabel-dflux Stay Connected: Ashok Sinha Website: https://ashoksinha.com Ashok Sinha Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashoksinhaphoto  Ashok Sinha Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashok.sinha.3720  Ashok Sinha Twitter: https://twitter.com/ashoksinhaphoto  Ashok Sinha YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ashoksinha2167  Ashok Sinha Gas and Glamour book: https://ashoksinha.com/BOOK/1 Anabel DFlux Website: https://www.deliquesceflux.com  Anabel DFlux Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anabeldflux  Anabel DFlux Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeliquesceFlux  Anabel DFlux YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/anabeldflux  Anabel DFlux at Sigma: https://blog.sigmaphoto.com/author/anabel-dflux Pelican Cases Link:  https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Pelican/ci/4457/N/4232860887

Photographer-Driven Projects, with Ashok Sinha and Anabel DFlux

Rodney Smith was a photographic visionary, with an allegiance to the image above all else. Long acclaimed for his iconic black-and-white pictures—not to forget his later jewel-like color scenes—Smith captured enchanted worlds full of subtle magic and lighthearted humor. Using only analog film and the aesthetics of natural light, his dream-like photographs are matched in quality by the craft and physical beauty of his prints. Smith died in 2016, yet the enduring precision, elegance, and whimsy of his world view is nowhere more evident than in our conversation with Leslie Smolan, his widow and executive director of his estate; and his long-time assistant, master printer Terence Falk. Listen in as Smolan discusses key aspects of Smith’s career development and describes her recent collaboration with the J. Paul Getty Museum on the book, Rodney Smith: A Leap of Faith. And Falk provides firsthand anecdotes about the unique experience of working on a Rodney Smith shoot—an experience that led one powerful New York executive to call his secretary from a midtown pay phone and exclaim, “I feel like I’m in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off!” As New York Fashion Week ushers in the fall season, we’re looking back on the career of one of the most distinctive photographers to infuse business and fashion with a timeless sense of style and grace. Guests: Leslie Smolan and Terence Falk For more information on our guests and their gear they use, see: The Estate of Rodney Smith Website: rodneysmith.com/ The Estate of Rodney Smith Facebook: www.facebook.com/rodneysmithphotography/  The Estate of Rodney Smith Instagram: www.instagram.com/_rodneysmith/ The Estate of Rodney Smith Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/rodneysmithpics/  Rodney Smith Lecture at the B&H Event Space: www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photog…mith-1970-2016  Conversation about Rodney Smith at FIT Amphitheater: www.fitnyc.edu/museum/events/index.php  Rodney Smith Exhibition at Staley Wise Gallery in New York: www.staleywise.com/exhibitions/rodney-smith2  Rodney Smith: A Remembrance with Dr Rebecca Senf: santafeworkshops.com/creativity-con…-rebecca-senf/  Rodney Smith: A Leap of Faith book: shop.getty.edu/products/rodney-s…th-978-1606068465

Rodney Smith’s Leap of Faith: An Intimate Chat with Leslie Smolan & Terence Falk

According to food photographer Mica McCook, the secret sauce is more than simply visual appeal, it’s connecting to how the images make you feel. As McCook likes to say, she creates cravings, one photo at a time.  McCook’s photos are dramatic like telenovelas, embracing the magic of a chef's palate, and delighting in the vibrant flavors that bring dishes to life. Her approach is theatrical and bold, akin to setting the stage for a grand performance. Each element, from the decadent chocolate drizzle to the vibrant pop of a fresh herb, contributes to the culinary drama. For McCook, food is not just about sustenance, it's an experience.  In a world where fast food and quick meals are often the norm, McCook is here to remind us of the richness and pleasure of a well-composed dish, and to celebrate the chefs who create, the farmers who cultivate, and the diners who savor. As an extension of her photography business, McCook launched her biweekly podcast, The Savory Shot, in June 2022, because she is perpetually curious about the food industry and those who dwell within it.   Listen in to hear how a life-altering trip to the Reading Terminal Market, in Pennsylvania, laid the groundwork for McCook’s career transition from people to food, and even inspired her unique business name of Austin Food Guide. We also discuss how her background in theater influences her flavorful photographic approach, the dramatic lighting she favors, as well as her collaborative, community-oriented outlook. McCook was recently accepted into an innovative mentorship program for BIPOC photographers led by Apostrophe Reps. Don’t miss the juicy details about how to apply! Above photograph © Mica McCook Guest: Mica McCook of The Austin Food Guide For more information on our guest and the gear she uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/finger-lickin-food-photography-with-mica-mccook-the-austin-food-guide Stay Connected: Mica McCook Website: https://micamccook.com Mica McCook Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mica.mccook Mica McCook LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micamccook Austin Food Guide Website: https://austinfoodguide.com Austin Food Guide Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinfoodguide Austin Food Guide Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/austinfoodguide Austin Food Guide Twitter: https://twitter.com/ austinfoodguide Austin Food Guide TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@austinfoodguide The Savory Shot Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/savory-shot/id1618801583

Finger-Lickin' Food Photography, with Mica McCook, the Austin Food Guide

Bruce Gilden is a street-photography icon. With summer in full swing and International Street Photography Day (otherwise known as Henry Cartier-Bresson’s birthday) looming on the horizon, what better time to feature a lively chat with the master himself, recorded at B&H’s 2023 Depth of Field Conference, just before the Magnum photographer’s keynote lecture. Gilden’s emotionally fraught depictions of real people up close are an acquired taste, and we address this aspect of his work during our chat, with Allan admitting that Gilden’s work has terrified him in the past. We also touch on a somewhat surprising facet of Gilden’s career—fashion photography—as he discusses making pictures for high-end clients such as Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabana, and Diesel. From the influence of early 20th-century mugshots on Gilden’s aesthetic to the importance of making, and living with, visual choices to keep the photography fresh, our discussion covers a lot of ground. Stay to the end to learn about Gilden’s long held photographic wish—photographing murder in a beautiful way. And for anyone who’s ever fantasized about a taking workshop with Gilden, check out the link below to his upcoming street photography workshop in New York! Above photograph © Bruce Gilden Guest: Magnum photographer Bruce Gilden For more information on our guest and the gear he uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/closer-look-bruce-gilden Stay Connected: Bruce Gilden Website: https://www.brucegilden.com Bruce Gilden Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BruceGilden Bruce Gilden Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bruce_gilden Bruce Gilden Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/brucegilden Bruce Gilden’s Magnum page: https://www.magnumphotos.com/photographer/bruce-gilden/ Bruce Gilden’s Upcoming New York Workshop: miamistreetphotographyfestival.org/bruce-gilden

A Closer Look at Bruce Gilden: Depth of Field 2023

The integration of AI technologies with Adobe software has set the creative world on its head. To get a read on this hot-button, rapidly evolving field, we tapped two generations of tech wizardry—Scott Kelby, the original Photoshop Guy, and retouching powerhouse Kristina Sherk. We sat down with both of these experts at B&H’s 2023 Depth of Field Conference in February 2023. Our first guest is Scott Kelby, the original Photoshop guy, who discusses the good and the bad of AI technology, from how it helps create workflow efficiencies to the potential for costing some photographers a job. Kelby envisions a future comprising high-end pros and serious iPhoneographers. With this in mind, we delve into the growing advantages of capturing images on a mobile device, while also identifying subjects that still require more robust gear. After a break, Kristina Sherk shares details about the powerful AI selection tools integrated into the Classic and Mobile versions of Adobe Lightroom, which are disruptive in a good way. Stay to the end for her story about saving the day for a wedding photographer whose sharp focus was disrupted by a rogue officiant, who stepped in front of the lens just before a couple’s first kiss. Guests: Scott Kelby & Kristina Sherk For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/adobe-software-and-ai-scott-kelby-kristina-sherk-at-depth-of-field-2023 Above photograph © Kristina Sherk Stay Connected: Scott Kelby Website: https://scottkelby.com Scott Kelby Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottkelby Scott Kelby Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SKelby Scott Kelby YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/kelbymediagroup Scott Kelby Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/skelby01  Kristina Sherk / Shark Pixel Website: https://www.sharkpixel.com Kristina Sherk / Shark Pixel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shark_pixel Kristina Sherk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharkpixel Kristina Sherk / Shark Pixel YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SharkPixel

Adobe Software and AI: Scott Kelby & Kristina Sherk at Depth of Field 2023

Do you have questions about establishing your photography business and legally protecting yourself and your images? From setting up a business entity to drafting client contracts to key terms in a model release, we cover these points and much, much more, during an in-depth discussion with intellectual property attorney Rachel Brenke. Listen in and learn about the value of contracts as the center point in any sort of business transaction. You’ll also discover how the legal tripod of a business entity, attorney-drafted contracts, and liability insurance can create a powerful force field of protection. During the show’s second half we explore various infringement scenarios, and even take the plunge into potential legal implications in the wake of AI technology and other current trends. Guest: Rachel Brenke For more information on our guest and the gear she uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/legal-matters-for-photographers-with-rachel-brenke-thelawtog   Stay Connected: Rachel Brenke Website: https://rachelbrenke.com TheLawTog® Website: https://www.thelawtog.com Eden Law Website: https://eden-law.com Rachel Brenke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbrenke TheLawTog® Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelawtog TheLawTog® Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelawtog TheLawTog® Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thelawtog Audio-Technica Link: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Audio-Technica/ci/15748/N/4232861079

Legal Matters for Photographers, with Rachel Brenke, TheLawTog®

Like good acting—and skilled retouching—masterful lighting is an accomplished skill that should remain mostly unseen. This is the takeaway from our conversations with two great lighting whisperers, Canon technical advisor Eric Stoner and Nikon Ambassador Joe McNally. We sat down with both of these experts earlier this year at B&H’s 2023 Depth of Field Conference.   Our first guest is Eric Stoner, a Canon technical advisor who specializes in creating portraits with Speedlites and colored gels. He offers insights about the high degree of control these tools provide, describing how adding colored gels boosts creative improvisation and heightens impact. We also discuss the technological advances of the past 20 years, while reflecting on how great photography still hinges on learning the craft and connecting with your subjects.   After a break, Nikon Ambassador Joe McNally discusses his mission to light photographs in a way that provides an unfettered experience for the viewer. In addition, we explore his long and successful career as a working professional, from his formative years as a LIFE magazine staff photographer to the recent exhibition of those very same images in a fine art gallery. Stay to the end to learn about his latest book The Real Deal, which he wrote during COVID, and hear about his busy schedule of international workshops.   Guests: Eric Stoner & Joe McNally For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/lighting-whisperers  Above photograph © Joe McNally Stay Connected: Eric Stoner Website: https://www.mystonegallery.net/ Eric Stoner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericstonerphoto Joe McNally Website: https://joemcnally.com Joe McNally Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joemcnallyphoto Joe McNally Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joemcnallyphoto Joe McNally YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/joemcnallyphoto Joe McNally Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeMcNallyPhoto Joe McNally Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/joemcnallyphoto

Lighting Whisperers: Eric Stoner & Joe McNally at Depth of Field 2023

“To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.” There is no better role model for this Thomas Edison quote than Steve Sasson, the electrical engineer fresh out of grad school who was hired to work in a Kodak research lab, in 1973. With a passion for scavenging parts and a penchant for invention, he developed the world’s first self-contained digital camera just two years after his arrival in the lab. In honor of National Camera Day, we invited Sasson to the podcast for an in-depth discussion about his invention of this revolutionary device. Listen in to hear about the surprising reception Sasson’s prototype received from Kodak executives during early demonstrations of its use, the complicated mix of cultural and business factors confronting a company in the throes of innovation, the many years that elapsed before Sasson was allowed to speak publicly about the camera, and much, much more.   In addition to being a storyline worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, our conversation offers rare insight into the inner workings of a long-established, successful company that knows a lot about the problem but doesn’t like the answer. Stay to the end to hear Sasson make a comparison to a groundbreaking technological development in the corporate world today. Guest: Steve Sasson For more information on our guest and the gear he uses, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/invention-of-digital-camera Above photograph © Courtesy of the George Eastman MuseumStay Connected Steve Sasson Profile at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: https://eng.rpi.edu/about/alumni-achievements/steven-j-sasson Steve Sasson at the National Inventor’s Hall of Fame: https://www.invent.org/inductees/steven-sasson Steve Sasson at the National Science & Technology Medals Foundation: https://nationalmedals.org/laureate/steven-sasson/ The George Eastman Museum: https://www.eastman.org

Photographic Innovation: Steve Sasson's Invention of the Digital Camera

Family portraits have come a long way since the heyday of department-store setups. In this episode of the B&amp;H Photography Podcast, we examine business and creative factors at work in this constantly evolving field, recorded on location at B&amp;H’s 2023 Depth of Field Conference. Listen in for fresh insights on family portraiture from two specialists serving very different market segments. Above photograph © Monica Sigmon, Sigmon Taylor Photography Our first guest is Michele Celentano, a serial entrepreneur who’s shifted from weddings to families to her latest focus on the big business of school and sports portraits. After getting the scoop on her career trajectory, Celentano describes how she’s modernizing and redefining this very lucrative market.  After a break, we chat with Monica Sigmon about the central role that formal family portraits can play in establishing a visual legacy and building self-worth among your clients, while she also elaborates on the complex economic factors involved in pricing your work.  Guests: Michele Celentano &amp; Monica Sigmon For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see:  https://blogd7.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/business-family-portraits-michele-celentano-monica-sigmon Top shot © Monica Sigmon, Sigmon Taylor Photography Episode Timeline: 3:37: Celentano’s early mentors, professional groups that helped coach her in business, and early advice she received. 9:55: Reinventing yourself, from weddings to portraits to school and sports photography. 14:25: Adapting a business to the volume market for school sports portraits. 16:52: Differentiating between school sports portraits and senior portrait styles and modernizing the approach to deliver a clean contemporary look. 19:28: Believing in the work you do to manifest a value-based experience for your clients. 24:58: Episode Break 26:14: The power of a family portrait to change the way that children and families see themselves, and the value of formal printed portraits that lock in time as part of family history. 34:14: The shrinking of the family portrait specialty as a full-time career. 36:00: Sigmon’s Black Label portrait series as a premium style of formal portrait. 37:42: Explaining a family portrait shoot to kids to get them on board with the concept, while minimizing studio clutter and props to keep the focus on the portrait session. 44:25: The importance of taking control of the shoot and the experience. You are hired for being an expert in what you do.  Guest Bios:  Michele Celentano  has enjoyed a professional photography career of more than 30-years, from her start photographing weddings in New York City, through a shift to newborn, children, and family portraiture to her recent focus on the school and sports portrait market. Widely known as the &quot;Queen of Group Posing,” Celentano has a passion for teaching and giving back to the photographic community. Her artwork has been published in

The Business of Family Portraits: Michele Celentano & Monica Sigmon at Depth of Field 2023

Humans and pets have shared a deep bond for centuries, yet our animal companions are now considered more a part of the family than ever. So, it’s no surprise that pet photography is a blossoming niche, and a perfect subject for this week’s podcast—especially since it’s National Pet Month! Above photograph © Nancy Borowick   We start by chatting with pet photographer Karen Hoglund, who alerted us to her work in response to Allan’s musing about using the hashtag “kittens” to generate traffic on social media. After noting that #kittens only yields a 20 percent bump over #photographer, Hoglund offers advice on the dos and don’ts of posing pets, and picking up on their non-verbal signs of anxiety or stress. After a break, we switch gears from posed pet portraits to learn about Sony Artisan Nancy Borowick’s candid editorial-style coverage of the Westminster Dog Show, and her long-term project, “Part of the Pack.” Primarily known for telling intimate stories about people, Nancy explains how an invitation to photograph the dog show helped her process the loss of both her parents to cancer. She talks about the challenges of covering the show’s frenetic atmosphere, describing how she maintains focus by seeking out telling details.  As we all agree, pets are truly a gift in our daily lives, and learning how to capture their unique personalities in pictures can only deepen this bond and enrich our experience.  Guests: Karen Hoglund &amp; Nancy Borowick For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see:  https://blogd7.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/kittens-picturing-pets-karen-hoglund-nancy-borowick Top shot © Nancy Borowick Episode Timeline:  2:06: Does #Kittens or pictures of cute pets help to drive traffic on social media?  4:28: How to recognize signs of stress and anxiety in pets, and tips for posing pets during a photo session. 7:48: Giving treats to a pet so they’ll behave during a photo shoot and behavior differences to keep in mind when photographing dogs or cats. 16:06: Tips for photographing groups of pets and people, plus advice for photographing darker-colored pets. 21:32: Hoglund’s pet photography gear bag and her thoughts on using mirrorless cameras and lenses. 25:57: Episode Break 27:04: Nancy Borowick’s love of the Westminster Dog show and the challenges of working in such a fast-paced, frenetic environment. 36:11: Difficult breeds to photograph, the benefits of real-time eye autofocus for animals in Sony lenses, and Borowick’s favorite dog breed. 39:25: Borowick’s love for close-up details as storytelling tools, and her favorite lens: a  Sony G series 85mm f/1.4. 42:30: Evolution from photographing at the dog show to Borowick’s long-term project “Part of the Pack,” and the differences between dogs and owners at a top competition setting and in a home environment 54:30: Final thoughts from Borowick and Hoglund about owning pets today.  Guest Bios:  Karen Hoglund

#Kittens & Picturing Pets, with Karen Hoglund & Nancy Borowick

Tati Bruening and Anya Anti are two rising stars at the confluence of photography, digital assets, and social influence. In this week’s episode of the B&amp;H Photography Podcast, we get the lowdown on their burgeoning careers in fashion / beauty and conceptual / fine art portraits in part two of our chats from B&amp;H’s 2023 Depth of Field Conference.   Above photograph © Tati Bruening We start with Tati Bruening, who shares how her plea to “Make Instagram Instagram Again” became a global meme, ultimately prompting a response from the platform’s head. Learn how she spent the pandemic focused on daily DIY shoots with friends, allowing her to quickly master her  Canon 5D Mark IV inside and out. Today, Bruening is supported by a powerhouse management team. Hear how she made these essential connections, get tips on working with a manager, and learn which pitfalls to avoid. After a break, we shift gears to Anya Anti, who fills us in on the intricate set design and attentive compositing work behind her whimsical portraits, which seamlessly bridge fantasy and real life. She distinguishes between shooting self-portraits for a more personal approach and posing models as alter egos for more control behind the camera. We also tackle the elephant in the room—artificial intelligence in photographic creation—with Anti weighing in on both the significant ethical issues posed by AI and its positive aspects as incorporated in Adobe’s smart selection tools.  Guests: Tati Bruening and Anya Anti For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see:  https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/confronting-algorithms-and-ai-tati-bruening-anya-anti-at-depth-of-field-2023  Top shot © Tati Bruening Episode Timeline: 2:38: Tati Bruening’s offhand Instagram post that turned into an international viral movement, emphasizing the value of stills over video.  6:13: Bruening’s preferences for lighting tools, modifiers, and lenses. 11:52: Making an initial connection to a manager and assembling a wider team. 14:04: Bruening’s 5-year plan to stop being controlled by social media algorithms. 15:33: Bruening’s tips for seeking and working with a manager and pitfalls to avoid. 18:50: Episode Break 20:44: Anya Anti’s approach to self-portraits vs. photographing other people to use as alter egos in her pictures. 25:20: Concept development and preproduction process for Anti’s portraits. 28:27: Concerns about AI technology and its related ethical issues. 32:31: The beneficial aspects of AI and using Adobe smart selection tools. 34:22: Upcoming projects, a series of editing tutorials, and animation pieces.  Guest Bios:  Tati Bruening rose to fame by making personal portraits of some of TikTok&#39;s most recognizable stars, celebrating the individuality of her subjects. She made headlines in 2021 by posting a simple request to ‘Make Instagram, Instagram Again’ and the rest of the world echoed her sentiment by adding o

Confronting Algorithms and AI: Tati Bruening & Anya Anti at Depth of Field 2023

Sam Hurd and Dixie Dixon may target different photo markets, yet they both prioritize craft and emphasize a human connection to their subjects. In this week’s episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, we get the lowdown on their respective careers in wedding photography and fashion/lifestyle assignment work as part of our coverage of B&H’s 2023 Depth of Field Conference.   Above photograph © Dixie Dixon  We start with Sam Hurd, who shares the story behind his decision to shift from photographic storyteller to craftsman. He also describes how switching to mirrorless cameras has changed his process. Sam’s superpower is his inventive Ring of Fire technique for creative flare, and we discuss this in depth, while also touching on everything from image quality and lens design to the promise of AI-generating tools and the elements that get lost in the exchange.  After a break, we chat with Nikon Ambassador Dixie Dixon, who describes how making a connection with your subjects begins with detailed research well before the shoot day. She regales us with tales from major advertising projects, including how her efforts to get a release for a Ford Mustang led her to the company’s CEO. Get a first alert on her next book project and hear how her recent forays into video and directing tv commercials earned her a coveted advertising award. For more information on our guests and their photos, see:  https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/photographic-craft-connections-sam-hurd-dixie-dixon  

Photographic Craft & Connections: Sam Hurd & Dixie Dixon at Depth of Field 2023

“Do I really replace lenses or just buy more of them? That’s the major question,” says Kevin Rickert, B&amp;H Photo’s Senior Sales Trainer for cameras and lighting, in the heat of discussion for our Notable Lens Releases of 2022 and 2023 episode. Listen in as we assess the latest crop of optics from Canon, FUJIFILM, Hasselblad, Nikon, OM SYSTEM, Sigma, Sony, and Tamron. The full list makes for a lot of glass, so we’ve narrowed things down to a focused selection of primes and zooms spanning medium format, full frame, cropped sensor, and Micro Four Thirds formats. As in our annual Cameras of the Year show from December, we mix up the tech talk with practical anecdotes to help match lenses and customers based on user experience. Among the many threads of our chat, we commend the release of some new and different focal lengths—from Nikon’s 26mm pancake to Sony’s 20-70mm f/4 G-series zoom to Tamron’s 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 telephoto. “Maybe the 26mm will be the new 28, which is great,” says Rickert. “We like choices, and a lot of brands are going this route with their lens offerings.” Guest: Kevin Rickert Episode Timeline  1:45: Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM lens and its unique cat-eye bokeh. 6:32: Four new Canon RF-S lenses for APS-C cameras, plus RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM and RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM super-telephotos for wildlife and sports. 9:20: FUJIFILM XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR for portraits, XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR for wildlife and sports, XF 18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR for everyday use, XF 30mm f/2.8 R LM WR, and FUJIFILM GF 20-35mm f/4 R WR lens for medium format. 12:42: Hasselblad XCD 38mm f/2.5 V, XCD 55mm f/2.5 V, and XCD 90mm f/2.5 V lenses. 18:49: Nikon Z 26mm f/2.8 pancake lens, Z 85mm f/1.2 S for portraits, 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, and Z 600mm f/4 TC VR SZ super telephotos for wildlife and sports. 25:06: Episode break 25:58: OM SYSTEM 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS Pro lens, and the benefit of IP53 weather sealing. 31:43: Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art for L-mount and E-mount systems, plus rerelease of lenses for X-mount and Z-mount systems. 36:06: Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM, FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G, FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II, FE 20-70mm f/4 G lenses. 43:58: Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD, 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD lenses.  Guest Bio: Kevin Rickert is B&amp;H Photo’s Senior Sales Trainer for Cameras and Lighting. It’s Rickert’s job to collaborate with camera and lens manufacturers to create curriculum for training B&amp;H’s world-renowned sales staff. He knows his stuff! Born and raised in New York and self-described as a ballpark journeyman, Rickert has traveled to—and photographed—all Major League baseball stadiums in the United States since 2008. Earlier this year, he helped to represent the B&amp;H Sales Team, in Nashville, at Imaging USA 2023―where he discovered how hot Nashville hot chicken, really is! Stay Connected: B&amp;H Photo Video Website: https://www.bhphotovideo.com B&amp;H Photo Video Instagram

Notable Lens Releases of 2022 & 23, with Kevin Rickert

No matter how  you slice it, wedding photography is a fancy business. On this week’s podcast, we take that fancy up a notch in a conversation about luxury wedding photography with James Christianson and Otto Schulze. These former competitors took a giant leap to reinvent themselves  as the  collaborative partnership  James  x  Schulze, while also adapting their sales strategy to a marketplace where the driving force is want rather than means. Listen in as they describe how they balanced economic risk with the creative freedom to chase small moments and beautiful light. You’ll also gain insight into how a luxury client’s buying psychology differs from the norm, and the essential importance of taking a client-first approach to projects.   “Confidence is the currency of the successful,” explains Christianson about the necessary shift in mindset. “If you can bring confidence in who you are and what your skills are—whether that’s with a camera, or skills with people, or both—that will take you a long way in being able to move through any room.”  Guests: James Christianson and Otto Schulze  Top shot © James x Schulze Episode Timeline   2:55: The logistics of and locations for the luxury wedding photography market.   6:38: Balancing the economics of a collaborative business with the creative freedom and flow of chasing small moments and beautiful light.   10:42: Shaking the middle-class sales mentality and adapting to the buying psychology of luxury clients.   14:45: Put your client first by asking open-ended questions and taking a genuine interest in connecting to best identify their wants.   17:56: The logistics of working with wedding planners in the high-end photography market.   21:40: Destination weddings in a post-COVID world, and the luxury client as a recession proof market for wedding photography.   26:10: James X Shulze’s go-to camera gear—from the medium format FUJIFILM GFX to the Leica Q—yet always being mindful of the special atmosphere of the venue.   31:27: Episode break   32:32: Introducing James X Schulze’s education brand Sage. Tap into the mindset and confidence needed to cultivate luxury wedding photography clients.   37:14: Distinguishing between premium and luxury wedding clients, and the relative budgets for each 40:10: Develop the story the client wants to tell with their wedding, rather than approaching the wedding as just a photo shoot.  45:14: James and Otto’s approach to education involves more than great photographs. Equally important is being a better business owner, and consistency in putting in the work.  Guest Bios: James Christianson started his career as an educator and entrepreneur. He has more than 20 years of photography experience under his belt combined with a business and education background that brings a distinctively clear voice to his work. Otto Schulze traveled the globe as a documentary photographer, spending the past 20 years in pursuit of the “decisive momen

The Business of Luxury Wedding Photography with James x Schulze

Women photographers  take center stage in this week’s show, in celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. We reveal the blind spot of photo history in a chat about the book A World History of Women Photographers, with photo historian and co-author Luce Lebart and contributing writer Pauline Vermare.  Gracing the pages of this book’s 500-page heft are images and stories behind 300 women photographers, spanning both photo history and geographic reach. Listen in to learn about  the exhaustive process Lebart and co-author Marie Robert undertook to find this range of talent and then commission essays from 160 women writers and curators. We also discuss how the position of women within photography has changed over time and across cultures. There are fresh discoveries to be made by even the most ardent photography devotees, as illustrated by the many photographer names and related resources we mention during the episode, also listed below in our show notes.   Guests: Luce Lebart and Pauline Vermare  Top shot © The National Museum of Iceland, Reykjavik Episode Timeline   4:17: Luce Lebart describes the editorial statement behind the book A World History of Women Photographers as a manifesto to complete a history that already exists.   10:14: Back stories about women working as picture editors, art directors, designers, and art buyers in photo industry trenches, with male photographers as hunter gathers in the field.  13:32: The international network behind the research for this book. Which came first—the contributing writers or featured photographers?   21:21: The matter of women photographers who stayed in the shadow of a master or did not receive equal recognition as her spouse.   26:45: Avoiding the pitfall of a western centered approach in the geographical representation of photographers selected for the book   30:56: Additional book projects and databases of women photographers.   33:44: Episode break   34:38: Pauline Vermare describes differences between France and America in their respective approaches to photography.   38:36: Pauline discusses the Japanese women photographers she wrote about for the book.   45:00: American photographer Nancy Burson’s stature as a forerunner of current trends for AI generated photographs. 49:40: How A World History of Women Photographers encourages questions of readers, inspiring Pauline to create a forthcoming book on Japanese women photographers.  Guest Bios: Luce Lebart is  co-author, with Marie Robert, of A World History of Women Photographers. A photography historian and curator currently based in Paris, she is a researcher for the Archive of Modern Conflict,  a collection and publishing house based between London and Toronto. Luce served as director of the Canadian Institute of Photography from 2016 to 2018, after spending five years directing the collections of the French Society of Photography in Paris. Pauline Vermare  is a French photography curator and

A World History of Women Photographers with Luce Lebart and Pauline Vermare

When was the last time you updated your website? Despite the popularity and traction of social media sites, having a stand-alone website to promote your work and build your brand is key to connecting with your given audience. In this week’s podcast, we explore the dynamics of building and maintaining a professional caliber website with insights from both sides of the coin.  We start by chatting with website designer Alex Vita, who shares pet peeves as well as the best practices he’s honed over more than 13 years of work with photo industry clients. All will benefit from Alex’s insights on building a client-focused website as a way to build trust. After a break we get the artist’s perspective from the illustrious photographer, environmental activist, and creative whirlwind Benjamin Von Wong, who also happens to be one of Alex’s clients. Listen in as Ben and Alex discuss his web strategy and take a deep dive into the challenges of staying relevant and getting noticed in an oversaturated creative climate. We also dip into thoughts about how the evolution of AI is likely to change the future of the visual world, to make photographs the starting point for a conversation rather than its final purpose.  Guests: Alex Vita and Benjamin Von Wong  Top shot © Benjamin Von Wong For more information on our guests and the gear they use,  click here. Episode Timeline   3:55: What role do stand-alone photography websites play in a world of viral social media sites?   12:16: Alex’s pet peeves in photography websites. Two general categories: poor content and poor user experience.   20:55: Bounce rates, Google analytics reports, and how to determine the success of your website.   26:17: What are the most important considerations for good SEO and how have best practices for SEO changed over time?   31:59: Alex’s recommendations for image size and compression for fast performance and readability on a wide range of devices—from mobile to retina screens.    35:55: Episode break   36:56: The varied roles that Ben Von Wong’s websites and web presence play in communicating his environmental message. 41:40: How Ben’s various microsites and social media presence helps with virality in marketing his work. 47:25: Ben’s position as an environmentalist in a world full of advertising and boosted content—Ethics and principals come first. 52:30: How the evolution of AI and integration with Chat GPT is about to change the future of the visual world. 1:02:33: Ben’s recommendations for what to look for when seeking to work with a web designer.  Guest Bios:  Alex Vita  is a professional website designer, specialized in crafting sites for photographers and photo agencies. Working from his home base in Bucharest, Romania, Alex’s super-power is thinking outside the box to grasp the big picture,  helping photographers to structure their web presence by prioritizing  maximum impact. Ben Von Wong  is a Canadian artist, photographer, social influencer, a

Building and Maintaining Your Web Presence with Alex Vita and Ben Von Wong

We’re all about flower power on this week’s podcast, in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Joining us in discussion are photography curator Danae Panchaud, co-author of the recent book  Flora Photographica, along with contributing photographer and audience favorite Abelardo Morell.   After describing the book’s genesis and scope, Danae delves into the extensive research process she and co-author William Ewing employed to sift through many thousands of photographs celebrating this wide-ranging subject. From sumptuous floral still lives to delicate blooms photographed in service of an activist cause to conceptual treatments depicting flowers as imposters of real life and beyond—this magnificent book offers fertile ground for consideration and debate. After a break we continue the conversation with photographer Abelardo Morell, whose featured images from the series  Flowers for Lisa evolved from a single photograph created as a gift for his wife to encompass a wide-ranging exploration of and homage to great artists of the past.  As an alternative to a floral bouquet, we invite you to consider the enduring value in the gift of a photograph—or better yet an entire book of floral photography—to make a photoholic’s heart flutter.  Guests: Danae Panchaud and Abelardo Morell  Top shot © Abelardo Morell For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts Episode Timeline   4:52: Danae Panchaud explains the research process for Flora Photographica and describes the joy in discovering the innovative methods photographers have used to explore this wide-ranging subject.   10:16: Distinctions between the new edition of Flora Photographica and an earlier volume by William Ewing sharing the same title, published in the 1990s.  13:53: The effects of digital tools and technologies on both the images themselves, and the research methods used to source images for the book.   16:31: Insights about Flora Photographica’s nine intriguing chapter titles: Roots, In Situ, Enquiry, Arrangement, Essence, Imposters, Hybrids, Fugue, and Reverie.   21:00: Incorporating floral pictures with political themes and conceptual work on floral subjects, and the use of captions to help convey these messages.   23:55: Using the element of surprise in picture selection and sequencing to highlight unexpected images and allow readers to discover new artists.   32:50: Episode break   34:20: Abe Morell’s first flower photograph was a double gift: A birthday gift for his wife and a gift for Abe to embark on a new challenge.   38:19: The benefits of working at home in the studio to use as a breeding ground for new ideas.   39:55: The incorporation of painting with photography, and Abe’s efforts to reinterpret and transform past works from art history. 42:34: How work on this photo series enhanced Abe’s perception of flowers as a common object.  Guest Bios:  Danae Panchaud  is a photography curator, lecturer, and m

Flora Photographica A Potpourri of Pictures with Danae Panchaud and Abe Morell

&quot;Selecting photos is a different skill than making them,” explains renowned picture editor Mike Davis in this week’s podcast. This essential understanding forms the core of Davis’s new book Creating Visual Narratives Through Photography: A Fresh Approach to Making a Living as a Photographer. Davis approaches this topic with a mix of clarity and candor, to offer deeply engaged yet highly accessible insights about making photos—and making sense of those photos—while also discussing the elusive art of selecting and sequencing pictures and other ways to create visual narratives. Some of the key points covered in our chat include the visual vocabulary Davis assigns to photographs, his ideas about elevating pictures beyond simply informational content, how making multiple passes through a photo edit can help a photographer remove themselves from the experience of making the work, and his three different approaches to image sequencing. Listeners will also gain a fresh understanding of ways in which both the art of creating visual narratives and the photo industry itself have evolved over time, to raise the bar on creative expression. In presenting this book, Davis’s goal echoes the response he has received from hundreds of photographers he’s helped to tell stories with their pictures, “I never would have thought of things that way, had we not had this engagement.” Guests: Mike Davis Photos © Mike Davis Episode Timeline 3:26: Photography as a visual vocabulary, and distinctions between, nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs. 6:25: What are informational photographs and how to make photos that rise above this basic level. 9:08: Davis’s definition of composition: the full realization of light, and color, and distance in conveying a 3-dimensional space. 18:33: How the photo industry and relationships between photographers and photo editors have changed over time. 30:42: Davis discusses his photos published in the book and shares thoughts about photographing with intention. 39:34: Episode break 44:18: Three approaches to image sequencing and how they work within the full spectrum ofrafting a narrative 46:17: Mike Davis’s most visually successful book project and a general timeframe for image sequencing. 48:06: Davis’s approach to working with photographers on sequencing a book.   51:46: Davis describes his picture editing process using multiple passes through a set of photographs. 56:40: The primary audience and Davis’s ultimate goal in writing Creating Visual Narratives Through Photography: A Fresh Approach to Making a Living as a Photographer. Guest Bio: Mike Davis is a visual consultant, editor, author, photographer, and professor emeritus. He has worked independently with hundreds of photographers as well as in staff positions for organizations as diverse as National Geographic, The White House, and several of America’s visually powerful newspapers. Mike was twice named newspaper picture editor of the year, and he rec

Visual Narratives for the 21st Century with Mike Davis

Creating and sustaining a successful photo career is no easy feat. To help aspiring young imagemakers acquire the needed creative concepts and business skills, two New York-based organizations—ASMP NY and BKC—have teamed up to offer the innovative mentorship, education, and industry immersion program The Bridge. Open to individuals from 18- to 26-years-old, The Bridge embraces diversity and offers opportunity to underserved communities, regardless of formal photography experience. Best of all, this four-month, real world program is free to accepted students. We first learned about The Bridge during a chat with program co-founder Liam Alexander for the show  ASMP-NY and the Future of Photo Trade Organizations in February 2022. Since the program’s second year recently wrapped with a gallery exhibition in Brooklyn, and plans are in the works to expand The Bridge to other ASMP chapters in 2023, we wanted to learn more about this valuable initiative in advance of the next application window this spring. For this week’s podcast, we’re joined by Alexander, who sheds light on The Bridge program’s inner workings and educational goals during the first half of the show. After a break, we speak with 2022 Bridge graduate Eli Edwards, who describes what he learned through the program, and the resulting shift in the pictures he makes, as well as in his creative point of view. To discover how to futureproof your career and learn how to apply for this free program, make sure to listen in! Guests: Liam Alexander and Eli Edwards ASMP Bridge Program photo © Saad El Amin For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see:  https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/celebrating-asmp-nys-mentorship-program-the-bridge Episode Timeline 3:50: Application and selection process for The Bridge Mentorship, a program designed to fill the gap in existing educational models. 9:27: Introduction to The Bridge program partner BKC, and program co-founder Justin Lin. 17:13: The Bridge Program coursework: Developing Your Creative Point of View. 20:52: Bridge Mentorship Program Core Supporters: The ASMP Foundation, Sony, and Freelancers Union, and a widening network of additional supporters. 25:17: A five-year vision for the program: Producing the future of the photo industry every summer. 26:50: Episode break 27:24: 2022 Bridge Program participant Eli Edwards and his easy application through Instagram. 32:42: Effects of the program on Eli’s pictures and his new confidence in making project-based work. 36:40: Is YouTube University an effective tool for learning the ropes of photography? 40:56: How Eli’s shift from social media to photography changed his creative point of view, and some social media tips. 46:38: Ways to support The Bridge program and application window for the 2023 Bridge program mentorship. Guest Bios: Liam Alexander is a fine artist and creative director who seeks to catalyze social change through artistic expression. As th

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