Prime Lenses

Thorsten Overgaard is a Danish photographer who’s synonymous with Leica. He’s shot with their cameras for decades, has written a book on just about every model in that time and has shot just about every lens. Talking to him about everything from the camera you just have to have to the lenses that on reflection you don’t, was a real treat. Warning, this is a long one, you may want a snack.

Sign up to the Prime Lenses newsletter for a mid week treat.

More about this show:

A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

In this shorter summer vacation episode we hear from listeners and previous guests about the setup they're taking with them on their holidays. Enjoy!

Sign up to the Prime Lenses newsletter for a mid week treat.

More about this show:

A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Christelle Enquist, is one half of the the founder couple behind The RAW Society, a community for photographers dedicated to really teaching craft, helping them to grow and be better as well as providing a community of peers. Her work has been exhibited around the world and she was recently published in a book celebrating female street photographers.

Sign up to the Prime Lenses newsletter for a mid week treat.

More about this show:

A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Simon Baxter swapped extreme sports for photography 10 years ago and the world of image making is all the better for it. From his home in North Yorkshire he and his trusty dog Meg explore woodlands finding all manner of interesting compositions. His photos are wonderful and I hope you enjoy this conversation with Simon.

Sign up to the Prime Lenses newsletter for a mid week treat.

More about this show:

A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Emily Lowrey has an infectious love for photography that she shares with the world through her Micro Four Nerds community and YouTube channel. A firm believer that all camera gear is good gear she shows her fans that it’s technique over technology that will lead to great images. She was tremendous fun to talk to for this week’s episode. 

Sign up to the Prime Lenses newsletter for a mid week treat.

More about this show:

A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Mel McVeigh is an award winning photographer and creative director that I’ve had the privilege of knowing for over a decade. I wanted to talk to her because recently she’s been experimenting with generative AI tools as she continues to explore themes of intimacy and relationships in her photography. Combining these human themes while using tools which to many are inherently in-human might seem like a contradiction to some but it’s fascinating and led to a great conversation. 

Sign up to the Prime Lenses newsletter for a mid week treat.

More about this show:

A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

John Kasko has shot professionally for over 40 years. In that time he’s gone from dropping expensive cameras at weddings photographing the defining artists of our time from Elton John and Madonna to Steve Martin and seemingly everyone in between. A no nonsense pro with a preference for a simple setup he has seen and done it all and it was great to talk to someone who is still trying to change and evolve their photography over time. It’s no longer about perfection for him and he doesn’t put pressure on himself to always use the “best” camera he has with him. His YouTube channel has me itching to get a flash and some lights, you’ll get the bug too once you spend any time with him.

Sign up to the Prime Lenses newsletter for a mid week treat.

More about this show:

A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Dan Baker is a UK based photographer specialising in seaside photos, although specialising doesn’t really cover it. Dan doesn’t just specialise. He set himself the challenge of shooting a single 100m stretch of beach front in his home town. This hyper specifc focus has produced beautiful colour imagery that’s rich, playful and often features a dropped ice cream cone.

I love his work we had a great conversation about three very similar lenses, but then that’s very Dan, he has found great variety and depth over several years in a place most photographers would feel they’ve explored in an afternoon.

Sign up to the Prime Lenses newsletter for a mid week treat.

More about this show:

A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

David is the founder of a company called Pixii, a French based team of folks who decided to make a new type of camera. A digital rangefinder without a screen that seeks to reinvent the way that we engage with a high quality interchangeable lens system. I worked with David over a decade ago in open-source software and was stunned when I saw his face on the website for Pixii a couple of years ago. He’s passionate about his company and what they can make. He and his team are making something special and it was a real thrill to talk to someone making a camera. How often do you get to do that!?

Sign up to the Prime Lenses newsletter for a mid week treat.

More about this show:

A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Mattias Burling has worked in media production since 2007. Experience in Production, video and stills made a YouTube channel about photography a natural fit and to date he has published over 420 videos about cameras. For me he’s one of photography’s permanent fixtures and I often watch his videos as I really trust his no nonsense approach to technology not to mention his fantastic eye. His images are stunning, dynamic, and beautiful.

Sign up to the Prime Lenses newsletter for a mid week treat.

More about this show:

A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.