Zone Focused

Matt and Ryan return for Episode 11, where they discuss what they have been up to in the dog days of summer, new gear (on the market and in their own kit), portfolio reviews, and the main topic of the episode: is there such thing as originality in photography anymore? And finally, the guys spotlight ____, 

• 00:00 – Introduction, Updates, and Trips
• 7:00 – Portfolio Reviews
• 24:30 – Gear Chat
• 36:30 – Main Discussion: originality in photography
• 88:00 – Artist Spotlight: @derekharris_

Derek is a photographer based out of Sweden, where his work spans interior design photography to street photography. Derek pleasing tones and thoughtful compositions lead to a peaceful, natural collection of work. 

After a short break, Matt and Ryan return for Episode 10, where they discuss recent life updates, new gear (on the market and in their own kit), and the main topic on many folks' minds as we move into summer: dealing with harsh light. Finally, the guys introduce a new segment – the artist spotlight – where they chat on a deserving photographer they have come acorss in their travels or online. This week, Matt and Ryan spotlight @jaredtapy, whose story and information can be found below.

• 00:00 – Introduction, Updates, and Trips
• 8:45 – Gear Chat: new cameras on the market; Fuji X-Half
• 21:00 – Gear Chat: new gear in our own kit
• 28:30 – Main Discussion: shooting in harsh light
• 33:00 – "Leaning into" blown out highlights
• 43:00 – How the seasons change our approach and help our photography evolve
• 50:30 – Photos that "say something", and building a body of work
• 55:30 – Benefits of shooting in soft Light
• 69:00 – Artist Spotlight: Jared Tapy (@jaredtapy)

This week's artist spotlight shines on Social Documentary phographer Jared Tapy, who is based out of New York City. Jared blends multiple styles of street photography to create something uniquely his own, capturing moments of both intrigue and vulnerability on the streets of NYC. Jared recently shared his first project, "Unveiling Savannah's Shadows", and is currently working on "Souls in an Urban Landscape", which centers on human connection (or lack thereof) in the 21st century.

Links to Jared's Work:

• Portfolio
• DarkRoom
• Substack
• YouTube

Matt and Ryan come to you remotely this week; they catch up on recent events, debrief the "Shot Both Ways" gallery, and discuss the new gear they're using. And then for the main question for discussion: what makes a good photo?

• 00:00 – Introduction, Updates, Events
• 05:00 – Recapping the recent "Shot Both Ways" gallery
• 9:45 –Gear Updates
•  21:00 – Main Discussion: what makes a good photograph?
• 23:00 – Technical aspects of photos vs. "the feeling"
• 31:00 – What it means to "get the reps"
• 40:30 – "Telling a story" 
• 48:00 – How gear, film, cameras impact style
• 65:00 – Outro

The guys are back together in the studio for episode 8. Matt and Ryan catch up on recent photos walks/trips, and then chat about the prints they are exhibiting at the upcoming gallery. And then for the main topic: all things lenses, inlcuding bokeh, the "look" of vintage lenses, focal lengths and lens recommendations.

• 00:00 – Introduction, Updates, Events
• 09:00 – Matt and Ryan walk through the prints they're showing at the upcoming gallery
• 21:00 – New Gear Talk
• 35:00 – Main Discussion: all things lenses
• 37:00 – Bokeh, Unique Lens "Looks", and Vintage Lenses
• 57:00 – Lens Purchase Decision-Making
• 58:00 – Focal Lengths; Prime vs. Zoom Lenses
• 70:00 – Aperture
• 77:00 – Recommended Starter or Economy Lenses
• 83:00 – Outro

In episode seven of Zone Focused: a Street Photography Podcast, guys come to you remotely – with Matt out of his studio and Ryan in Cleveland. After catching up on recent developments on the street, they cover a topic near and dear to the podcast: zone focusing. With a brief "how to", followed by its benefits and drawbacks, and more. Finally, Matt and Ryan close with some listener Q&A.

• 00:00 – Introduction, Updates, Events
• 04:30 – Shooting in a new city
• 10:30 – Matt's new (old) Leica M
• 12:30 – Current lens choices
• 16:00 – Upcoming gallery
• 20:00 – Winogrand and Leiter documentaries
• 29:30 – Main Discussion: zone focusing
• 30:00 – How-to
• 42:00 – Pros and cons
• 62:00 – Slowing down as a photographer 
• 74:00 Listener Q&A

In episode six of Zone Focused: a Street Photography Podcast, the gang kicks it and chats about recent and upcoming events, as well as their latest camera acquisitions. Then, the focus shifts to tips for those looking to get more comfortable on the street – comfortable with interactions, confrontations, ethics, self-esteem, and all the other things that can get in between us and taking a photograph.

• 00:00 – Introduction, Updates, Events
• 10:00 – "Shot Both Ways" gallery
• 16:00 – New camera day for Matt (Nikon) and Ryan (Leica)
• 18:00 – Benefits of a monochrome sensor
• 29:30 – Main discussion: getting more comfortable as a street photographer
• 39:45  – Ethics of photographing children
• 42:00 – Getting reps at busy events
• 44:30 – Acknowledging and interacting with people on the street
• 48:00 – Ethics of photographing hardship
• 59:00 – Documenting versus creating art
• 64:00 – Listener Write-In Q&A 
• 84:30 – Instagram Live Q&A
• 89:00 – Outro

In episode five of Zone Focused: a Street Photography Podcast, "Goodyear Ryan" returns, and the gang catches up on recent events and moments on the street. Then, a deep dive into the topic of flash photography on the street: techniques, settings, ethics, styles and more. Plus, some listener Q&A's to wrap up the show. 

• 00:00 – Introduction
• 3:30 – Goodyear Ryan's first experience with flash
• 7:30 – Matt's work for Adorama at WPPI
• 15:30 – Ryan's photowalk with FujixWeekly and Nuzira in Downtown Phoenix
• 22:30 – Main Discussion – flash photography on the street
• 24:00 – Understanding shutter speeds, sync speeds, and leaf shutters
• 31:00 – What are "stops" anyway?
• 37:00 – Off camera flash, confrontations, and flash "styles"
• 44:00 – Listener Q&A
• 57:00 – Outro

In episode four of Zone Focused: a Street Photography Podcast, Matt and "Dowtown Ryan" sit down with Zack Kaufman (@thingsibrought), a street photographer doing meaningful work on the streets of Phoenix, Arizona. The gang hangs out and talks about Zack's evolution in photography, diving into topics ranging from settings for beginners, the value of dark room printing and photography classes, social media, imposter syndrome, and more. 

To hear and see more from Zack, check out his Instagram @thingsibrought

• 00:00 – Introduction
• 4:00 – Value of photography classes
• 9:30 – Cameras, gear, film that Zack uses for film and digital
• 16:30 – The evolution of Zack's approach to street photography
• 22:30 – Settings for beginners – should you shoot in automatic or manual?
• 25:45 – Zack's influences: Rueben Radding, Paulie B's videos, Billy Dee
• 30:00 – Studying photographs and photographers
• 35:00 – Zine swaps, Zack's first zine, and imposter syndrome 
• 45:30 – Thoughts on social media in photography
• 59:30 – Separating your identity from your photography, and the value of having your photos critiqued
• 59:00 – The value of darkroom printing 
• 71:00 – Closing thoughts – why street phography?

In episode three of Zone Focused: a Street Photography Podcast, the gang goes around the horn with updates from a week of shooting, and then debates and discusses one of the hottest topics in popular street photography today: film versus digital. Which is better? Which is harder? What is the best way to get started? And how does ISO work in film? Also discussed is black and white photography versus color, the benefits of monochrome sensors, and much more.

Episode 3: The One with the Battle Between Film and Digital

• 00:30 – Introduction and updates from the group
• 8:00 – Matt's upcoming work for Adorama; studio portaits with the Graflex and Instax film
• 15:00 – Recommendations for getting into portraiture; lighting, YouTube, Josh Wool, Phil Sharp, Richard Avedon
• 18:00 – Nuzira and FujiXWeekly Photowalk in Phoenix, Arpil 2025
• 20:00 – Main Discussion: Film vs. Digital
• 31:00 – Black and White vs. Color – digial and film
• 31:30 – Monochrome sensors vs. color to B&W conversions
• 36:45 – Explainer on Film ISO; box speeds, pushing, and pulling
• 41:30 – Matt and Ryan's favorite film stocks
• 44:00 – Color grading RAW files versus Film Simulation Recipes versus true film
• 52:00 – New film camera options available today and  innovations we hope to see in film photography
• 58:30 – Is film a fad? 
• 62:00 – Does shooting film make you a better photographer?
• 69:00 – Tips for folks looking to get into film photography
• 74:00 – Outro

In episode two of Zone Focused: a Street Photography Podcast, the gang checks in with some stories from the last week of shooting on the streets, and then dives deep into the art (and social gymnastics) of street portraiture. Also discussed are photo projects, shooting street in rural and small towns, and the work of Mary Ellen Mark.

Episode 2: The One About the Creek 

• 00:30 – Podcast Introduction, sharing that day's experiences of shooting on the streets, and the "shot that got away"
• 9:00 – Street portraiture experience
• 11:00 – Biggest fear in street portraiture
• 13:30 – Using a 28mm lens for portraits, choosing your subjects
• 17:15 – Posing people on the street, connecting with folks, and capturing emotions
• 20:00 – Mary Ellen Mark's documentary portaiture, and getting a deep level of connecting in a brief moment on the street
• 24:30 – Matt's street portraiture process from start to finish, and his "secret sauce" for a street portrait
• 31:00 – Mary Ellen Mark and environmental portraits
• 34:30 – Recent confrontations on the street
• 43:30 – Shooting in different environments; Metro-area Phoenix, rural Florida, and really-rural Iowa; Popcorn Days and "the crick"
• 49:45 – Shooting in your home town
• 59:00 – Our "dream" photo project
• 67:00 – Outro