TWiP Talks

In this episode, I chat with Darren McBurnett (U.S. Navy SEAL, Ret.). He's a combat veteran, professional photographer, author, ambassador, and motivational speaker. Darren takes us behind the scenes into how and why he photographed the elite SEAL training program, BUD/S, in Coronado, California. We discuss his photographic "trial by fire" education, and we get a glimpse into the world of photographing the forging of the elite U.S. Navy Seals.

The Uncommon Grit official website.The Uncommon Grit book on Amazon.

Darren McBurnett (U.S. Navy SEAL, Ret.)

Over the years, McBurnett has become an accomplished speaker and motivator, presenting to companies and groups including CDW, AIG, Budweiser, Rite-Aid, Founders Brewing Company, Hilton Hotels, BMO, National Quarterback Club, Arbor Pharmaceuticals, and many others. He is also an award-winning photographer, his professional portfolio including work for NIKE, National Geographic, Fox and Friends, Rolling Stone, CBS SEAL Team, and the movie “Act of Valor.”

His work has appeared on everything from album covers to billboards to walls of Fortune 500 companies and is in the homes of Charlie Sheen, Kid Rock, Jim McMahon, John Rich, Brent Burns, Roger Clemens, and John Daly. He is proud to be an ambassador for Uncommon Grit Foundation, a nonprofit he started in 2020 to assist military, first responders, and their families—those who answer the call.

McBurnett is the author of Uncommon Grit, a 224-page fine art photography book of the journey through Navy SEAL BUD/S first phase training. It’s a unique look at the military’s toughest training from the point of view of someone who has lived it. McBurnett includes descriptions of evolutions along with his sense of humor, allowing the reader to laugh, cringe, gasp, and imagine themselves participating.

His message is not only motivational and inspiring on a corporate level, but also promotes individual and personal growth—how to navigate in an ever-changing adverse environment where critical decision-making and leadership skills are absolutely vital for success. His visually breathtaking multimedia presentation highlights the untapped potential and Never Quit intestinal drive that is the cornerstone of Navy SEAL success and shares the defining characteristics that promote leadership and sacrifice in theSEAL Teams.

Editor, Filmmaker, and Educator Lee Herbet joins the podcast this week to discuss how he's managing to survive and thrive while editing, in isolation!

About Lee, in his own words…

I'm Lee Herbet a filmmaker, educator and storyteller.

I've been creating and sharing stories for years. I'm passionate about the art of storytelling - both artistically and technically - and I want to share my knowledge, trials and errors with others.

Some people have read all the books about video filming and editing but have little practical experience. Others have immense practical experience but lack the vital technical understanding. I’m a combination of both: I have the technical and the practical experience, knowledge and understanding.

Capture.ink is where I share my stories and, hopefully, help others who want guidance or inspiration in sharing their own stories. I’m also a bit of a gear-head too, so there will most likely also be a fair bit of discussion about what type of kit people think is best for various tasks and how to use them.

Along with this I’m a Certified Final Cut Pro Master Trainer, Certified Motion 5 Trainer, Certified Compressor Trainer and a member of the Apple Consultants Network. With a Certification IV in Workplace Training and Assessment, I am qualified to deliver nationally accredited vocational training in TAFEs, private and enterprise-based registered training organizations as well as in secondary schools with vocational programs.

To find out more about my training offerings and corporate film making, visit Capture training.

Grab Lee's course on Final Cut Pro X:https://courses.creative111.com/courses/GS-FCPX20% off code - FCPX2020

Join the TWiP community:http://www.thisweekinphoto.com

In this interview, I speak with Commercial Photographer Katarina Premfors. We discuss life as a photographer in Dubai as well as her recent As week photographing ballet dancers for a 2020 calendar in aid of the Foundation of Cystic Fibrosis in Italy.

This interview is a companion to the comprehensive written article on The Phoblographer.com.

About the project, in her own words:

I am a commercial photographer whose first love is editorial photography above all else, when The National Ballet Studio in Dubai asked me to come up with some ideas for street ballet I jumped at the chance. With no budget, we quickly decided that Dubai was not the place to shoot. It had become prohibitively expensive to secure a shooting permit. We decided to go to the Sharjah Art Foundation which supports art in all its forms. We did in the end sneak up on a roof in Dubai for the last part of the shoot.

Six months later I was asked to come and spend a week photographing ballet dancers for a 2020 calendar in aid of the Foundation of Cystic Fibrosis in Italy. At the end of the school term, on our way to Sweden for the summer, my young children in tow I stepped out on the Mont Blanc Glacier and started planning the shoot, in Italian and in a biting wind. I had left Dubai in 50c heat and a few hours later I was on the ice. Cystic Fibrosis affects many of the mountain guides in Italy and the area so it was only fitting we did some of the shots at 3600 m on a glacier, tethered to each other, in a glacial lake and on the side of a rock face.

About Katarina Premfors:

Katarina is a Dubai based freelance photographer covering the Middle East since 1992.

She was born in Sweden, raised between Pakistan, Turkey, and North America before launching her commercial career in the Middle-East over twenty-eight years ago.

She works across a multitude of editorial and commercial genres, and have delivered multi-national campaigns for a broad spectrum of world-leading private and public sector enterprises. Her clients include global advertising and branding agencies, major corporations, and the governments of the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Jordan, Yemen, and Afghanistan.

Her work is regularly published in The New York Times, Fast Company, The Guardian, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Greenpeace, and others. And she regularly exhibits personal and editorial work.

She is also a Fujifilm X Ambassador and a member of the global group Women Photograph whose mission is to shift the gender makeup of the photojournalism community and ensure that our industry's chief storytellers are as diverse as the communities they hope to represent.

In this interview Artist Steve Richard discusses his photographic process and why he does not consider himself a photographer. We discuss his "personal dogma" and how his approach to his art includes an obsessive focus on intent and execution. We dive into the reasons why he only creates a single print from each shoot and more.

About Steve Richard

Steve Richard has been plying his trade in the mysterious photographic arts for well over a quarter of a century. Steve is both a stills photographer and a cinematographer, thus bringing an unerring sense of style and composition to all of his work. Steve’s visuals capture the imagination, challenge preconceptions, and merge a classical ethos with urban grit and 21st Century techno-savvy.

http://www.steverichard.com

In this interview model, Riley Jade joins the podcast to share her experiences working as a popular international model posing for fashion, dance, and lifestyle. This interview focuses in on her love of the artistic nude, and how photographers can approach this genre safely and successfully.

About Riley Jade

Riley is a professional Australian freelance model. She has worked in the industry for over seven years; touring both nationally and internationally. She models in a wide variety of styles including fashion, dance, and lifestyle but her heart belongs to artistic nude modeling. She fell in love with this genre as it challenges her creatively, allows her to explore some beautiful parts of the world, work with lots of creative souls, embrace her love of dance and climb trees!

Download the "In Front of the Lens" ebook hereCheck out Riley's InstagramCheck out Riley's Linktree

In this interview, I speak with the marketing manager at Epson America, Dano Steinhardt about the evolution of ink-jet printing and how Epson has put the power of exhibition class printing in the hands of everyone.

http://www.epsonusa.com

We cover:

* Importance of printing* History of digital printing* What makes printing easier today* Editing tools* Epson’s printing solution

About Dano!

Dano Steinhardt, Marketing Manager, Epson USA

While known in the industry for his marketing roles, video production, and work in color science, many are unaware of Dano’s background as a photographer. Dano was fortunate to have studied under the legendary Warren King at Reseda High School in Los Angeles and was recognized for his photography when Scholastic Magazine awarded him the Grand Prize as the best high school photographer in North America. While still in high school Dano was assisting commercial photographers in Hollywood and that experience, combined with his work at Reseda, enabled him to graduate from Brooks Institute with honors at age 20.

Dano operated his own commercial photography studio in Chicago specializing in advertising photography for national clients. He then pursued opportunities on the business side of photography, first representing Kodak in the New York City Photo District then strategic marketing positions at Kodak’s headquarters, while also attending executive programs at leading business schools. In 2001 Dano joined Epson as its Professional Imaging Marketing Manager.

Drawing inspiration from many of the world’s best photographers with whom he has the honor to work with, Dano rediscovered his passion for photography. Taking the advice of his mentor Jay Maisel, “Carry the camera because it’s tough to take pictures without it” Dano carries his camera looking for the extraordinary in the ordinary Between Meetings.

For the first time ever, the creativity conference of the year is completely FREE! Adobe MAX is known as the event where creatives from all walks of life and all genres get together for a few days each year for some much-needed networking and creative recharging.

https://youtu.be/Pvkd0r5cdDc

In this episode, I'm joined by Adobe's Engagement Product Manager Katrin Eismann and Brittany Mosquera, Adobe's Director of Event Strategy, Content, and Marketing. We discuss the changes MAX is undergoing this year, and how, in many ways, it might be the best MAX ever. If you're involved in the creative world, this looks to be an event you won't want to miss from any angle.

Register for free at: https://max.adobe.com

In this interview, I sit down with world-renowned child photographers, Regis and Kahran Bethencourt — husband and wife duo, and the imaginative forces behind CreativeSoul Photography.

https://youtu.be/3OhOFYb39cQ

The pair gained global recognition with their AfroArt series. The collection, which showcases the beauty and versatility of afro hair, was conceived as a way to empower kids of color around the world.

Regis and Kahran Bethencourt

The couple recently authored their upcoming coffee table book, “Glory” which brings to life past, present, and future visions of black culture. With more than eleven years of working with hundreds of children, families, and brands, they specialize in child and lifestyle photography while incorporating authentic visual storytelling.

Website: www.creativesoulphoto.comIG: www.instagram.com/creativesoulphotoFB: www.facebook.com/creativesoulphotoTwitter: www.twitter.com/csphoto_atl

In this interview I speak with wedding and destination photographer Rhett Marley about his professional wedding post-processing workflow based around the iPad. We discuss why he went this route, and what going mobile allows him to accomplish that wouldn't be possible if he was restricted to only using a desktop or even a laptop computer.

https://youtu.be/o9PfYujp5a0

About Rhett…

Rhett Marley is an award-winning wedding photographer based out of Charleston, SC.

Marley Photography, LLC began while he attended college at Charleston Southern University. He had taken courses on photography and had professional gear - which naturally made him the go-to guy for newly engaged classmates!

After hundreds of weddings, engagements, and events… a wife and three kids later, he say's he is truly honored to capture milestones in life that are never repeated again.

Connect with Rhett…

https://www.marleyphotography.nethttps://www.instagram.com/marleyphotographyschttps://www.charlestonfamilyportraits.comhttps://www.instagram.com/charlestonfamilyportraits

In this discussion, Final Cut Pro expert Chris Fenwick, Lead Editor, and CTO at SliceEditorial.com joins the show to discuss his challenges as a white editor trying to "correctly" render dark skin tones when post-processing and editing corporate video projects.

https://youtu.be/uxYUEd2RXeE

http://chrisfenwick.comhttp://www.sliceeditorial.com

From Chris' About Me Page:

Chris Fenwick

Back during my first attempt at college, I was spending all my time hanging out with my friend Ron Polito. Ron was cool because back in 1983 normal people could not actually afford a video camera. Ron however, worked full time as well as going to school full time. Ron had one of the very first RCA cameras with a VHS recorder you slung over your shoulder.

Ron and I attempted our first professional video job and actually pre-sold several copies of a school wide talent show. The problem was that we didn't understand video sync and it was a disaster. After returning all the money I realized I had a lot to learn... so I dropped out of school.

I was so stupid back then that I had no idea that there was such a thing as a "broadcast major". After trying to get into a school that had broadcasting classes and realizing that my first 3 years of college had obliterated the GPA I had attained in High School. I set out to find another way to learn about video.

Again, exercising my stupidity, I got a job selling TV's, I thought I would be "getting into television", boy was I wrong. But I was able to finally buy a video camera and be just like Rob Polito but soon realized that owning a camera meant almost nothing if you didn't have a way to edit what you've shot.

Back in the mid 80's video editing was in the stone ages and without about $500,000 in broadcast VTR's, timebase correctors and video switchers you couldn't even do a dissolve between two sources. Talk about frustrating. My solution was simple... avoid editing, go into live production.

From about 1986 till 1996 I immersed myself in live television, everything from local political and community television, corporate communications and live network sports. Although the live sports was fun, mostly because I could say, "I'm working on an A's game", or "I'm doing a Sacramento King's game tonight", I soon realized I was really bad at it. Why? Because I HATE SPORTS. I really do.

In 1996 technology had made it possible for mortal man to afford video editing equipment that matched and, in some cases, surpassed the $500,000 suites of the 80's. It was an exciting time if you could get over the stigma of using a personal computer to make television.

Since the mid 90's I've tried to bring a broadcasters sensibility to what originally was referred to as 'desktop video'. Today, we just call it video production.