10FPS A Photojournalism Podcast for Everyone

Episode 168: Ed Kashi (Archiving Photography)

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Ed Kashi on Archiving, Personal Projects & the Future of Photojournalism

Insights from the “10 Frames Per Second” Podcast with photojournalist Ed Kashi, co‑founder of Talking Eyes Media, and his newest book A Period of Time (Briscoe Center, UT Austin).

Ed’s career spans 40 years of visual storytelling—from early analog darkrooms to iPhone coverage of Hurricane Sandy, from Iraq’s Kurdish frontlines to a decades‑long “Aging in America” project. His journey offers timeless lessons for anyone who creates, curates, or consumes visual media.

10 Frames Per Second – a weekly photojournalism podcast from Loyola Radio (WLOY) – brings together veteran photojournalists to discuss the craft, the business, and the stories that shape our world. In episode 168 (released 12/02/25), hosts Molly Roberts, and guest host Stephen Crowley (a guest on Episode 91) sit down with Ed Kashi, a 40‑year visual storyteller who has worked for National Geographic, The New Yorker, Time, MSNBC and more.

“We love to start with an origin story. So, Ed, how did you first fall in love with photography?” – Molly

The interview uncovers the hidden gems behind Kashi’s career, his new retrospective book, and the lessons he’s learned while navigating a changing media landscape.

If you’re a photojournalist, documentary filmmaker, or simply love visual storytelling, you’ve just landed on a summary of Ed Kashi’s recent interview on the 10 Frames Per Second podcast. We break down:

  • Ed Kashi’s origin story and why photography hooked him 50 years ago.
  • The making of his new book A Period of Time (Briscoe Center, UT Austin).
  • Why archiving is essential for a sustainable career.
  • The power of personal projects—especially his “Aging in America” series.
  • Mentorship tips for emerging photographers.
  • Ethical challenges in the age of AI.

    • Grab a coffee, skim the headings, and dive into the actionable takeaways!

    How Ed Kashi Fell in Love With Photography
    • Freshman at Syracuse University (1976) – originally wanted to be a novelist, but a poetry professor told him he was “a really bad writer.”
    • Discovered the Newhouse School of Public Communications, one of the world’s top photojournalism programs.
    • Took a basic black‑and‑white darkroom course, learned about legendary photographer Imogen Cunningham (who was still shooting in her 90s).
    • Realized photography could synthesize politics, art, and storytelling—the perfect medium for his activist spirit.

      • “Even at age 10 I was stuffing envelopes for Hubert Humphrey against Nixon. Photography just seemed the vehicle to combine that political impulse with art.”

      Takeaway for Readers

      If you’re just starting out, look for a mentor or a historic figure who inspires you. That spark can sustain a 50‑year career.

      A Period of Time: A 40‑Year Retrospective
      Why a Retrospective Now?
      1. Archive donation – Ed Kashi gave 127 banker‑boxes of negatives, slides, prints, and ephemera to the Briscoe Center for American History (UT Austin).
      2. Unexpected invitation – Briscoe’s director, Don Carlton, asked Ed Kashi, “How does one get collected?” and then offered to collect him.
      3. Creative freedom – The Center gave him full editorial control: “This is your story. Do whatever you want.”
        4. The Book’s Core Idea
        • Linear, issue‑oriented storytelling – Each chapter is a deep dive into a major project (e.g., Northern Ireland, Kurds, Aging in America).
        • Scholarly rigor meets journalistic depth – The book reads like a photo‑anthropology textbook with stunning visuals.

          • “Opening the book felt like holding a newborn—overwhelming but beautiful.”

          The Power of a Well‑Organized Archive

          “My archive is like a garden; I can harvest what I need because everything is sorted.” – Ed Kashi

          How Ed Kashi Keeps His Archive Manageable
          • Early adoption of digital workflow – Transitioned from analog boxes to searchable digital files.
          • Meticulous cataloguing – Every image tagged by date, location, project, and theme.
          • Professional support – Collaborated with studio managers (e.g., Frish Brandt) and curators (e.g., Alison Nordstrom).
            • Benefits for Photojournalists
            • Monetization – Ability to license old images for new publications.
            • Storytelling efficiency – Quickly locate relevant photos for pitches or books.
            • Legacy preservation – Ensures future generations can study and exhibit the work.
              • Quick Tips to Organize Your Own Archive
              • Create a consistent naming convention (YYMMDD_Location_Project_Sequence).
              • Use metadata tags for keywords, people, and locations.
              • Back up on at least two external drives and a cloud service.
              • Review annually – purge duplicates and update tags.
                • Personal Projects: The “Aging in America” Series
                Why Aging?
                • Not “sexy” but universally human – Kashi wanted a topic that would outlive trends.
                • Long‑term commitment – 8 years, 25 states, $300k in grant funding (Robert Wood Johnson, George Soros).
                • Humanizing statistics – The project shows “the vitality of life, love, and hope” beyond the typical “dying” narrative.
                  • Key Outcomes
                  • Iconic image – Death scene of Maxine Peters (West Virginia) that resonates across cultures.
                  • Global collaboration – “Climate Elders” exhibition at COP 30, involving 150 photographers from 40 countries.
                    • Lessons for Emerging Photographers
                    1. Research first; then shoot – Deep immersion builds trust and authentic moments.
                    2. Secure funding early – Grants give creative freedom and resources.
                    3. Be patient – Long‑term projects earn credibility and impact.
                      4. Mentorship & Teaching: Ed Kashi’s Advice for New Photographers
                      Area
                      Kashi’s Insight
                      Actionable Tip
                      Tenacity
                      “Failure is not an option; keep going.”
                      Set mini‑milestones; celebrate small wins.
                      Ethics
                      No manipulation, no staging; honor subjects as collaborators.
                      Draft a personal ethics checklist before each shoot.
                      Access
                      Build relationships; be respectful of vulnerable communities.
                      Attend local events, volunteer, network before pitching.
                      AI & Credibility
                      Trust reputable media; AI threatens misinformation.
                      Verify sources; use AI for organization, not image creation.
                      Joy of Photography
                      Keep the joy alive—look at others’ work for inspiration.
                      Schedule weekly “inspiration sessions” with peers.
                      Ethics & AI: The New Frontier
                      • Ed Kashi worries about political actors using AI to fake images, not about entertainment misuse.
                      • He believes trusted news outlets (NYT, BBC, National Geographic) will gain more value as AI blurs reality.
                      • Over‑post‑production can create a gloomy aesthetic that misrepresents the world.
                        • Practical Guidance
                        • Never alter factual content in post‑production.
                        • Label AI‑generated edits clearly if they’re artistic.
                        • Teach media literacy: help audiences distinguish authentic journalism from AI‑fueled “deepfakes.”
                          • Closing Thoughts, Ed Kashi Call‑to‑Action

                          Ed Kashi’s journey—from a panic‑driven freshman at Syracuse to a globally respected visual storyteller—offers an actionable roadmap for anyone chasing a sustainable photojournalism career.

                          • Archive like a gardener.
                          • Invest in personal, issue‑driven projects.
                          • Mentor, learn, and stay ethically grounded.
                          • Embrace technology wisely, especially AI.
                            • Want More?
                            • Listen to the full episode on 10 Frames Per Second (new episodes drop every Tuesday).
                            • Explore “A Period of Time” at the Briscoe Center or order the book online.
                            • Join the conversation: Share your favorite archival tip or personal project story in the comments below!

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                              The post Episode 168: Ed Kashi (Archiving Photography) first appeared on 10FPS A Photojournalism Podcast for Everyone.

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                              10FPS A Photojournalism Podcast for EveryoneBy The 10FPS Team