Prime Lenses

Omar Z Robles is a Puerto Rican photographer now based in New York City. He has incorporated his background in the performing arts into his photography making beautiful work capturing the incredible physicality of dancers on the streets of NYC. I love his images and I’m not alone, he’s gained quite a following online where he also calls out BS on various photographic trends that he sees as getting in the way of what photography should be.

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.

Hannah Rheaume is an American photographer who more than anything feels a kinship to animals, and photographing open spaces. She took a chance on an Instagram contest having never left the US before, she won, and fast forward to now she is professionally photographing and leading workshops. She has travelled in her work too from the US and Canada to places like India, Morocco, Taiwan and hopefully at some point in the future, Scotland.

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.

Bobby Anwar is a street photographer based in Copenhagen, Denmark. We spoke in December fittingly while he was on the street making pictures and taking in a time of year which is much quieter for him. We discussed his work with Oberworth, his start in photography and where he wants to go next. I loved chatting to him and hope you enjoy our conversation.

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.

Misan Harriman is an award winning photographer, activist and Oscar nominated filmmaker. His work shot to prominence in 2020 after he covered protests following the murder of George Floyd. Since then he has continued to shoot protests and has been outspoken in the face of injustices he sees in the world. I met him at his exhibition titled The Purpose of Light in London and am delighted to have him as my 100th guest on the show. We cover creativity, gear and even a smattering of video game chat so for my money this is perfect Prime Lenses.

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 special extra episode I speak to Christelle Enquist of The RAW Society about their upcoming festival on the island of Menorca from the 7th - 10th May this year. You can find out more on their website, but hurry, the island is filling up fast!

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.

Alex Harrison Magrath and I had a brief introduction at an event we both attended at the end of last year. Thank you to Mari and the Leica family for that. Alex has come to photography by way of other visual art forms and as you’ll hear is interesting not only because of his gorgeous work, but also because he doesn’t feel like he needs to commit himself solely to this form medium. He’s open and honest about his confidence in his work in a way that I think we an all relate to. I really enjoyed talking to him for the show and hope you do too.

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.

This week in an extra episode, Mark Seymour joins me to talk about his travel to India, the zines and books he’s made and some folks he’s met along the way.

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.

Lukasz Larsson Warzecha is a contributor to National Geographic magazine and an award-winning documentary photographer, cinematographer and TEDx speaker. For over 16 years he has travelled the world telling scientific stories with his camera. Most recently he was featured in National Geographic.

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.

Hamish Gill is a photographer, entrepreneur and founder. For over a decade he has run 35mmc, a website about film photography started, as you’ll hear, because of a 35mm compact camera that inspired him. Hamish loves image making shooting digital, film and tons of vintage lenses so was an ideal Prime Lenses guest.

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.

Ed Smith is an athlete turned award winning photographer based in Scotland. I was introduced to Ed through a mutual friend and we got together to discuss the ways he’s documenting life on and around the river Spey in the Highlands. This is the project of a lifetime and hearing Ed speak so passionately about it was a real 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.