Photography Insights - important industry interviews by Phlogger

Hey everybody, welcome to episode 94 of photography insights and today we are going to feature another great artist.  As I said in my previous episode I’m trying to reach out to a wider scope of people and this is another example – a photographer from Russia!  

Gulnara comes from the region of Autonomous Republic of Bashkortostan and was the only female photographer.  She moved into the world of press photography under the belt of "associated press" in the USA.  She has won competitions and awards including world press photo.  Her work is known around the world now and one example is that of 9/11, where she was at ground zero.  In this podcast we do not discuss this as her interview with Bob at Street Photography Magazine covers all you need to know (plus its a great magazine).

I came across Gulnara because of her awards and her lovely work with street photography.  Gulnara is the founder of "womenstreetphotographers.com" too, where she showcases work of others. One of Gulnara’s projects caught my eye and listen out as we discuss hand painting.

Areas discussed

Links

Gulnara website- https://www.gulnara.com/

Gulnara Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gulnara_nyc/

women street photography - https://www.instagram.com/womenstreetphotographers/

Mentioned:

Street photograph interview - https://streetphotographymagazine.com/article/interview-with-gulnara-samoilova/

Dominique interview - https://phlogger.co.uk/dominique-interview-with-a-street-portrait-photographer/

Dominque Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dominique_nyc/

Pay it forward:

Ximena Echague - https://ximenaechaguephoto.com/

Friends of the show

Pete at Static Age - https://www.staticage.co.uk/

Film Dev - https://filmdev.co.uk/

It's another week and time for another show and again something completely different.  You can see how my choice of guests is influenced by events and people around me!

Recently I have talked about the point of looking for with my guests and choosing them for a reason.  It's something that has played on my mind recently and how I should open up more.  The consensus in my mind (we had a vote) is that I should look for people that haven't had their voices heard from the minorities or speak to those that are trying to do great work for the society of those not privileged.

So today I'm pleased to bring you the rather lovely Sheila Pree Bright.  Sheila is an ambassador for Leica, comes from America and has this habit of using the world of photography to talk about the world from a different perspective.  Some of her projects include Young Americans, 1960NOW, Suburbia, Plastic Bodies.  We talk a lot about the life of being black in America, opportunities and what she has seen.  Some of her travels around the states have even shocked her, so listen out for when we discuss Baltimore.

So in this one, we discuss:

FURTHER INFO

We discussed Jim Crow

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/08/150806-voting-rights-act-anniversary-jim-crow-segregation-discrimination-racism-history/

To find out more about the ATlanta murders

https://wsbt.com/news/entertainment/hbo-documentary-sheds-new-light-on-atlanta-child-murders

We also mention John Lewis

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/18/us/John-Lewis-Atlanta.html

Sheila's video of the McCleung musuem talk is here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ_3bFS4T2E&t=2558s

LINKS

Sheila has a great degree of work and you should check out her website for more information.

https://www.sheilapreebright.com/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/1960now/

It's my pleasure to bring an artist and photographer from the top of his game - Joel Tjintjelaar from Holland.  Joel's images are really outstanding and thought-provoking, based around his concepts of fine art.  His images are based around black and white (he explains why too) and usually involve long exposure.  Joel works in the world of architecture using both digital full-frame and large format film to produce high-end work for clients.  This involves him using Photoshop skills and teaching these too.

Joel comes from a different background to most, after a career in I.T. and being a qualified criminal lawyer.  If you look at his brand you can see blog articles, courses, critiques, guides, books and has a unique relationship with Hitech filters (has his own range of N.D. filters).  He's an intelligent person who perfects his skill through learning from other forms of art and reading a lot!  

Random questions

It was clear from talking with Joel before the interview he had a great sense of humour, so i put him through a couple.  So, find out why:

Links

Joel recommended this book various times during the show by Margaret Livingstone

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vision-Art-Updated-Expanded/dp/1419706926

To check out Joel's filters, books, presets, courses, blog then check out his website.

Joel's website - https://www.bwvision.com/

Joel Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joeltjintjelaar/

Hello everyone,

Hello everyone,a quick message to say there is no episode this week as I've been interviewed myself.  Yes, please do check out Tim at Cheapshot podcast, where I was a guest for episode 8!  Tim's a great and friendly character so really nice to be talking with him (link at the bottom).

In this show I briefly discuss:

Links

Tim's podcast - https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kZmQ0NzZjL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz/episode/YjIwNWJjZTMtNzJlMS00ZDU5LWJhYzctZTM3Y2ViZTM3N2Nk?ved=0CAIQkfYCahcKEwjIi4-_8sDqAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBA&hl=en-GB

Welcome to episode 90!  

I was reading a copy of the tech/science mag WIRED recently and was intrigued by some of the photography inside, especially one particular article.  Something then suddenly flashed why don't I reach out to the photographer, as they are always credited in magazines like this.  The thing was, the article was based around forensic photography and not something I had seen much of.

So a few friendly emails later and we had managed to arrange a last-minute session together.  I'm pleased to introduce you to Max Aguilera Hellweg, who is a not only a photographer for National Geographic but a trained doctor too.

Working for National Geographic he has had some very interesting assignments that have taken him around the world and interesting circumstances!  Max started life in film and darkrooms but was forced to shoot digitally due to changes in the industry. He talks to us about his life and is very passionate about this, so watch out for the odd swear word.

A few topics we discuss are:

Although we had a 2-hour conversation, I've managed to cut some elements down to 1 hour, its not easy putting someone's career down into this amount of time.

QUOTE

“There is always a story, it doesn't matter when you arrive, stay open, be patient”

LINKS

Max recommends you visit his website to look at his work, but i've put a link to his book here too.  It's work he did photographing what's inside us humans, graphic but beautiful.

National Georgraphic - https://www.nationalgeographic.com/contributors/a/photographer-max-aguilera-hellweg/

Website - https://aguilerahellweg.com/

Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sacred-Heart-Through-Invasive-Surgery/dp/0821223771/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the-sacred-heart+max&qid=1593633660&sr=8-1

How do you introduce someone who is funny, forthright and totally committed to her role in society.  With some people its more than a job, it's more than passion, it's simply who you are.  Today's guest is the one and only Michelle Groskopf, a street and editorial photographer from Los Angeles.  

Michelle is an interesting figure in the community because her career moved rapidly from the world of the street to purses, people and some rather interesting clients.  After shooting for a certain favourite magazine of mine, Michelle was lucky enough to work with people in the tech industry.  Now when I say tech, I mean the big boss, as in Bill Gates, Jack Dorsey etc!   What is great is that Michelle took these photos in her style, not your standard corporate headshot.  

Anyway, we discuss all sorts and have a great laugh, so here are a few points from it:

I have a certain Ibarionex Perello to thank for the recommend and boy, I'm so thankful.  Michelle is nothing but honest and talks a little about her upbringing and the fight of being a female gay photographer.

Quote

After listening back to the interview I think this quote from her provides a glimpse of what we discuss - "to be a black person know and to recognise that the whole world stands in way of your greatness”.

Random questions

Michelle doesn't escape the wrath of my questions, so find out Michelle's ideal headline and the relevance of skipping school.

Links

These links refer to discussions from the podcast:

Toby Kaufmann - https://theluupe.com/blog/2020/01/23/meet-facebooks-creative-director-toby-kaufmann/

Diversifyphoto - https://www.instagram.com/diversifyphoto

Michelle Instagram - www.instagram.com/michellegroskopf

Welcome back all, a few weeks ago I brought you a double-length special with Stephen at Kosmo.  For this week I'm bringing you something really different and totally understand if it's not for you.  For one week, I've put together a double-length special focusing on mental health with a couple of photographers.  These are blunt, raw, true stories about real-life here as they talk about Mental Health and its effects.

I am very proud to present my friends Shaun Hall and Victoria Louise who have agreed to bring you honesty.  When around us there is the false world of perfection and Instagram, but behind this are people with problems.  It's about time we talked about this and stopped pretending we live these amazing lives and everything is a photo.  

Shaun is more of a landscape and nature photographer, but loves all genres to be honest and is currently living off the Yorkshire Coast.  Victoria lives in the small town of Gainsborough with her family and works in the wedding and portrait world of photography.  They will both tell you about their lives, how mental health has affected it, what part photography has played.  

In this one we discuss:

*** Please remember we are not medically trained and not offering professional advice, we are here as fellow humans with issues.  ***

Support

We have put together a few links as resources for anyone struggling.  Some of these are local to Victoria & Shaun.

Bearded Fisherman - https://www.facebook.com/beardedfishermencharity/

Be the Difference - http://www.gainsboroughwishes.co.uk/be-the-difference/4594748698

NHS - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/

Links

Here you can find links to Shaun & Victoria's work as well as our group.  Please remember the group I created is for anyone in the photography world - we don't care if you are a novice, expert, model, publisher or something else.  It's a safe space to relax and find support, some people post images, some people write - there are no rules.

Shaun Hall - https://www.shaunrhallphotography.com/

Shaun (Instagram) - https://www.instagram.com/shaunhallphotography/

Victoria Louise - https://www.nocternalartistphoto.co.uk/

Victoria (Instagram) - https://www.instagram.com/nocternalartist/

Photographers Therapy group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/photographerstheraphy/

Quotes

After listening to the show and the guests, you can take a summary of their words from these quotes:

“managing mental health is like a full-time job” - Victoria 

"people say you have a choice with this life, they don't understand mental health or addiction" - Shaun

I’m pleased to bring you photojournalist Rob Pinney from Point 51 magazine.  The magazine is based around photojournalism and covers stories around Europe.  It’s a well-made publication, unique size and reads more like a long-form approach.

Rob talks to us about:

Links

Magazine website - https://point51magazine.com/rob-pinney

Photovoice - https://photovoice.org

After waiting so long I thought it would be wise to put an interview with Stephen Dowling from Kosmo foto together.  After writing for his blog last year (link) and watching his website grow from the Zorki days has been impressive.  Obviously some of you know Stephen from his film, some know him from the BBC and some from his NME days, never mind his travels around the world.

After meeting Stephen back in March 2019 at the photography show (with the rest of the crew too) it was clear he's got bags of experience and intelligence too.  I love talking to people like Stephen about the many years he has been a journalist, but mainly his passion for the analogue world of cameras.

I decided to make this an extra-length special to cover 2 weeks, as I'm still unsure if I can commit to a weekly podcast anymore (it takes up time editing etc).   Obviously I will never be short of interesting people to find, it's just finding mutual times to fit this in.

So, let's break the interview down since its an extra-length special. We talk about some of the characters out there like Jeremy (Japan Camera Hunter), Hamish Gill from 35mmc, EM from Emulsive, Steve at Chroma, Sam at Solarcan and Paul from Analogue Wonderland.    Obviously Stephen knows many people, but he's not name dropping, far from it, he's actively complimenting and talking about people who are making the film community a better place for all.

So in this one we discuss:

Random questions

Find out why we discuss tear gas!

A scoop on Dyson's next invention and why Stephen is the ultimate nosey parker!

Photographers

Stephen recommends a few important people he has come across with unique skills, so please do check out:

Clement Marion - https://kosmofoto.com/2019/02/paris-protests-minolta-film-clement-marion/

Nandakumar Narasimhan - https://kosmofoto.com/2019/04/the-indian-himalayas-on-medium-format/

David Collyer - https://kosmofoto.com/2020/05/photographs-hospital-coronavirus-film/

David Collyer (interview by Phlogger) - https://phlogger.co.uk/interview-with-father-and-son-film-shooters/

Pay it forward

Stephen recommended Rob Andrews from the London Camera Project - https://www.instagram.com/londoncameraproject/?hl=en

Links

Kosmo website - https://kosmofoto.com/

Kosmo film shop - https://kosmofoto.com/shop/

Instagram - https://kosmofoto.com/shop/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kosmofoto.blog/

Friends of the show

For all your analogue film developing, check out - https://filmdev.co.uk

If you like zines, you will love Static Age's work - https://www.staticage.co.uk/

Interview with historic sign photographer Mark Stein, is a hell of a title ain't it!  Well, I'm back after a prolonged break from this pandemic, but I am feeling in a better headspace thank god.  After chatting with Mark recently we finally nailed down a date together to get this podcast recorded.  Apologies for any audio issues on this one, so many internet-related service issues at the minute it's crazy.

As you know I like to bring you variety, as it keeps us all entertained.  With episode 85 and our lovely guest Mark Stein from Denver, Colorado, USA.  Mark has definitely found a niche project here.  He's photographing some of the vintage and historic signs along the famous route 66.  Mark was one of the guys I found through Instagram and we started talking some time ago, due to our passion for film.  I even showed him a book I had been reading a few months ago about some interesting stops along Route 66 (I mean who hasn't heard of it?)

You can tell from the interview Mark has a passion for history and photography, which makes a lovely scene and produces high class images too.  He works hard to capture these in short periods when he has time.

In this podcast we discuss:

Hopefully you will enjoy this one as I attempt to keep these interviews more chat based and focus on the person and their art.  Please do check out Mark's work online using the links.

LINKS

https://www.instagram.com/mark5280pix/

https://www.msteinphoto.com/