This Week in Photo (TWiP)

The newest revision to the popular anti-tripod device called "The Platypod" recently launched and fully funded another Kickstarter campaign. This time it was for their newest product called the Platypod Extreme. Billed as "the world's most compact tripod base", this newest iteration refines the original idea and modernizes it for the needs of today's photographer.

The company's founder and CEO, Larry Tiefenbrunn, joins the podcast to discuss what's new and improved in this latest version of the device.

Platypod Extreme Kickstarter

The Platypod Story

Platypod Extreme

Platypod Pro LLC is a small and family-owned business committed to making excellent quality products for professional photographers at affordable prices. We believe our unique and simple design makes the Platypod an extremely versatile piece of equipment, that’s usefulness is as vast as the user’s creativity.

The inspiration behind the original Platypod Pro happened when Larry, the CEO, and Inventor, had to make a choice between packing a lens or a tripod on a hike through Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. The need for a steady shot forced his hand and he begrudgingly chose the tripod. By the end of the hike, the extra weight made him feel like he needed both a chiropractor and a cardiologist. He searched for a light, small, and practical mini tripod for shooting in the field but couldn’t find anything able to support a DSLR camera with a heavy lens.

After several jury-rigging attempts at attaching a tripod head to a metal plate with stud adapters, the solution hit him and he began manufacturing a simple, sturdy, and flat plate that could support even the heaviest of photo equipment. Thus, at 4 mm thick the world’s most compact mini tripod, was born.

Inspired by the duck-billed platypus, an animal with flat and broad feet, Platypods are designed with an unusual but highly ergonomic and elegant shape, perfectly balanced for DSLRs and lenses.

In this interview FreeJuice founder/director Allison Retina Stewart and her vice president, Toni Gibbs join the podcast to discuss their mission of increasing diversity in photographic career fields.

About FreeJuice

Free Juice is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to support BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) professionals following the dream of advancing a passion for photography into a thriving career.

http://www.freejuice.info

Allison Retina Stewart

About Allison Retina Stewart

Allison Retina Stewart, the creator of Free Juice, is a forward-thinking and innovative entrepreneur. After graduating in the top ten of her class at Parsons School of Design, Allison began working as a professional photographer, landing jobs with well-known firms such as the NBA, Refinery29, Jordan, SeatGeek, Godfrey Dadich Partners, and Glossier.

Tony Gibbs

About Toni Gibbs

Toni Gibbs, a native New Yorker, weaves her giving spirit with her area of expertise in the retouching field to contribute vital knowledge and insight to Free Juice. After graduating from Parson’s School of Design, she dove right into visual storytelling through layering and artful processes that capture a person’s profound being in one single, impactful image. She currently manages post-production workflows for several high-end publications.

Instagram: @allisonretina and @freejuicenycLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonretina/Site: Freejuice.info

This week I sit down with Cancun-based creator Felix Hernandez. Felix has created an incredible body of work by designing and building, then photographing models placed in custom-made dioramas. The result is complete control over the creative process — from idea to post-production.

About Felix, in his own words...

Felix Hernandez

I’m a 47 years old graphic designer, photographer, digital artist, and miniature artist. Husband and father of two, living in Cancun, Mexico.

I manage my photography studio where I create high-impact images for the advertising industry, branded content for digital media, and personal projects. My specialty is “creative photography”, normally working indoors shooting scale models and dioramas, doing practical effects as well digital art. By mixing all these disciplines I have developed a personal “visual language” that defines my style, which I call “Dreamphography”

For me, photography is the means by which I can portray, not the reality, but all the ideas that arise from my mind.The most important photo is the one I’m working on and my best photo is the one I’m going to create tomorrow.

I started 15 years ago doing “regular” commercial photography mostly for local businesses. About 7 years ago I decided to change the course of my career and life pursuing full time a kind of photography that nowadays isn't very common. I went mixing my passion for toys and scale models with photography and digital manipulation to develop a “new” way to communicate my ideas and dreams. It didn't take so long for my new approach to photography to catch the attention of the photo community and it was followed by brands all over the world wanting to make commercial projects with my approach.

Felix Hernandez's Website

The Diver & The Mermaid features an amazing collaboration between underwater photographer Brett Stanley, professional mermaid Hannah Fraser, commercial diver Joshua Myers, and documentary maker Justin Lutsky.

The team set out to photograph diver Joshua in an original World War II-era dive suit, complete with an authentic brass helmet. Add to that, the wonderful mermaid Hannah, in frigid 60º degree water near California's Catalina Island.

Their mission? To tell the story of a treasure-seeking diver who meets his fate deep below the surface.Get the whole story at: www.thediverandthemermaid.com

About Brett Stanley:

Brett Stanley

Brett is renowned for his creative underwater portrait work and has made a name for himself as an innovative photographer pushing the boundaries of this niche genre. He specializes in creating unique underwater sets for his clients to play in, stretching the imaginations of his viewers, and challenging the technology available to bring these worlds to life – even to the point of manufacturing his own equipment to complete the task. His images have been seen and published worldwide, in magazines and album covers, and even a few awards.

As an underwater performance coach, Brett knows how to get the best out of people when they are in the water – even those who have never performed below the surface before, and those who might not know how to swim! His patience and calm nature help to bring a peace to the set, creating an environment where the work is not rushed but polished.

Whilst Brett is known for his photographs, he works just as well as a cinematographer – bringing his creative eye and smooth sweeping motions to the moving picture. He is comfortable on any size project and is more than happy to lead the creative or to be a part of the team – it’s all part of creating something amazing!

Brett's website

https://youtu.be/aWMBXQx0Kdo

This Week in Photo is made possible by our amazing partners! 

MPB.com: The world’s largest online platform for buying and selling used photo and video kit.

This week artist, journalist, mathematician, and photographer Alexander Tsiaras shares how he spearheaded advancements that revolutionized medical photography. And how his new initiative, StoryMD, aims to create a rich, interactive story of YOUR health.

Alexander Tsiaras

Mr. Tsiaras grew StoryMD out of his already well-established journalism and technology enterprise. His self-styled journalistic career began in 1972 when, at the age of 19, he co-authored his first book Death Rituals of Rural Greece (Princeton University Press) and went on to author Conception to Birth, Architecture, and Design of Man and Woman and the InVision Guides to Healthy Heart, Sexual Health and Life Blood.

Recipient of numerous awards, including the World Press Award, Webby, and the prestigious Satava Award for his work in the improvement of medicine through advanced technology. His work has been featured on the covers of Time, New York Times Magazine, Smithsonian, LIFE, and the London Sunday Times Magazine.

https://storymd.comhttps://alexandertsiaras.com/

This Week in Photo is made possible by our amazing partners! 

MPB.com: The world’s largest online platform for buying and selling used photo and video kit.http://thisweekinphoto.com/mpb

Zenfolio: Discover a professional photography website solution to Show, Share & Sell your images and grow your business. Try Zenfolio for $1 for 1 month. http://www.thisweekinphoto.com/zenfolio1

In this interview, I speak with Dima Sytnik - Skylum's Chief Product Officer. We discuss the idea behind their newest flagship product, Luminar NEO as well as his thoughts on such forward-looking technologies as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and cryptocurrency.

http://www.skylum.com

This Week in Photo is made possible by our amazing partners! 

MPB.com: The world’s largest online platform for buying and selling used photo and video kit.http://thisweekinphoto.com/mpb

Zenfolio: Discover a professional photography website solution to Show, Share & Sell your images and grow your business. Try Zenfolio for $1 for 1 month. http://www.thisweekinphoto.com/zenfolio1

Nikon Ambassador Joe McNally joins the podcast for an insightful discussion about Nikon, specialization, and self-assignments.

About Joe McNally

Joe McNlally

Joe McNally, Nikon Ambassador, is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning photographer and filmmaker whose prolific career includes assignments in 70 countries. McNally won the first Alfred Eisenstaedt Award for Journalistic Impact for a LIFE coverage titled, “The Panorama of War.” McNally has been honored numerous times by Communication Arts, PDN, Graphis, American Photo, POY, and The World Press Photo Foundation.

McNally is masterful at lighting and is known for his large-scale production work, in addition to his vast storytelling experience which stems from assignment work for legendary publications such as LIFE and National Geographic.

His work is regularly cited in social media surveys as sources of inspiration and industry leadership. He is also a Capture One Ambassador. 

https://www.instagram.com/joemcnallyphotohttps://twitter.com/joemcnallyphotohttps://joemcnally.comhttps://joemcnally.com/blog

This Week in Photo is made possible by our amazing partners! 

MPB.com: The world’s largest online platform for buying and selling used photo and video kit.http://thisweekinphoto.com/mpb

Zenfolio: Discover a professional photography website solution to Show, Share & Sell your images and grow your business. Try Zenfolio for $1 for 1 month. http://www.thisweekinphoto.com/zenfolio1

Photographer, YouTuber, author, and educator Matt Granger joins the podcast for an insightful discussion about why he thinks the Nikon Z9 might just be the best camera ever made.

About Matt Granger

Matt Granger

Matt is probably known best for his YouTube channels, which have attracted a loyal following around the world and almost 150 million views.

Even before YouTube and traveling the world teaching, Matt has been a passionate professional photographer, specializing in all things 'people' related. He has been published extensively in Australia and abroad and has exhibited with the likes of Studio Harcourt.

Matts's adventurous spirit has led him all over the globe, and he now leads tours to a number of exotic locations.

Outside of work, Matt is a happy husband, a passionate traveler and explorer, and a bit of a foodie. Matt studied for economics and film studies degrees at university.

Website: http://www.mattgranger.comNikon guide: https://geni.us/NikonZsetupEducation: https://learn.mattgranger.comArt Nude Portraiture: https://learn.artnudeportraiture.comYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/mattgrangerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/_mattgrangerInstagram Art Nude: https://www.instagram.com/artnudeportraitureFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattgranger

This Week in Photo is made possible by our amazing partners! 

MPB.com: The world’s largest online platform for buying and selling used photo and video kit.http://thisweekinphoto.com/mpb

Zenfolio: Discover a professional photography website solution to Show, Share & Sell your images and grow your business. Try Zenfolio for $1 for 1 month. http://www.thisweekinphoto.com/zenfolio1

In this interview serial entrepreneur, Donnie Dinch and I discuss Bitski, his latest venture — powering the commerce layer for metaverse environments. We discuss what new capabilities and opportunities the NFT and blockchain technology will bring, as well as some of the darker things that may show up. This is an honest discussion about the reality and inevitable future, powered by and secured with the blockchain.

About Donnie Dinch

Donnie Dinch

Designer turned CEO Donnie Dinch leads Bitski to create an infrastructure that connects virtual worlds - whether they’re games, social platforms, or brand experiences - across the metaverse via NFTs.

Not only does Bitski allow creators and brands to create and sell NFTs in only three clicks, but they also made it easy for customers to purchase NFTs with a credit card - no prior crypto exchange is needed.

Before Bitski, Donnie founded the music technology company WillCall which was acquired by Ticketfly.

Donnie then oversaw the Consumer Product team there to contribute to Pandora’s $450M acquisition of the company.

Donnie believes that NFTs unlock an imaginative, new design space for interacting with digital content - ultimately impacting how we use the internet, build communities and facilitate interoperability across the internet.

Donnie also is a member of Forbes’ 30 Under 30.

http://www.bitski.com

This Week in Photo is made possible by our amazing partners! 

MPB.com: The world’s largest online platform for buying and selling used photo and video kit.http://thisweekinphoto.com/mpb

Zenfolio: Discover a professional photography website solution to Show, Share & Sell your images and grow your business. Try Zenfolio for $1 for 1 month. http://www.thisweekinphoto.com/zenfolio1

In this episode, Architectural Photographer Jeffrey Totaro shares an insider's look at the business, technique, and gear necessary to build a successful business in the genre.

About Jeffrey Totaro

Jeffrey Totaro

Jeffrey Totaro has had a life-long interest in design and construction. Before becoming a photographer, he worked as an architect and structural engineer for a prominent Philadelphia firm. During his education and early career, his strong interest in design was coupled with an interest in photographing architecture and interiors.

A self-taught photographer, Jeffrey transitioned to professional photography in 1996 and has since built an impressive portfolio of commercial, residential, and institutional photography for leading firms in Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Washington DC, and elsewhere around the country.

Website: https://www.jeffreytotaro.comWorkshop: https://www.workshop.org/organizer/jeffrey-totaro

This Week in Photo is made possible by our amazing partners! 

MPB.com: The world’s largest online platform for buying and selling used photo and video kit.http://thisweekinphoto.com/mpb

Zenfolio: Discover a professional photography website solution to Show, Share & Sell your images and grow your business. Try Zenfolio for $1 for 1 month.