July 16, 2025

Stranger in a Strange Lens

1 hour 6 minutes

In this episode, Antonio and Ward talk about the challenge of photographing in new places. Antonio’s just moved to Lincoln, Nebraska and is still unpacking boxes, figuring out where to store his gear, and trying to spot what’s interesting to shoot in a much quieter environment than New York. He shares how different it feels to look for subjects like grain elevators, small-town architecture, or even backyard birds, and mentions playing around with his Fuji X-Half and a little drone to stay inspired. He also talks about noticing the slower pace of life, meeting friendly neighbors, and thinking about how he might approach more deliberate projects like set-up portraits in a community where people seem more open.

Ward describes his recent nights photographing the Calgary Stampede, explaining how he focuses on close-up, expressive portraits and uses different cameras to stay low-key in crowds. He talks about the energy of the event, shooting into the night with carnival lights, and building a long-term series he can add to each year. They talk about the tension between shooting things that have been done before and bringing your own perspective. Ward encourages just picking something and getting started, and they discuss ideas like making connections through local coffee shops, setting up portrait sessions, and simply finding a way to feel at home with the camera in a new environment.

Photo Gallery: https://adobe.ly/4kGspYf

Recent Substack Articles:

From the F Train to Farmland - Part 1

From F-Train to Farmland - Part 2

Point of Departure: Japan

Subscribe to our Substack Newsletter

Help out the show by buying us a coffee!

Support the show by purchasing Antonio’s Zines.

Send us a voice message, comment or question.

Show Links:

Antonio M. Rosario's Website, Vero, Instagram, Bluesky, and Facebook page

Ward Rosin’s Website, Vero, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook page.