#469 THE ART OF DISAPPEARING & GETTING PUBLISHED
FEATURING NAT GEO PHOTOGRAPHER JIM RICHARDSON
National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson has shot over fifty stories for National Geographic and Traveler and today shares the art of becoming invisible behind the lens, plus how he pitches photo stories to the world’s biggest publications. Though his work has spanned the globe, his long-term storytelling in rural Kansas is just as profound, as he reveals. In this episode, Jim, once named the Photographer’s Photographer by his peers, reflects on why blending in, embracing the ‘boring,’ and quiet observation can lead to the most powerful photographic stories. Plus, we revisit his iconic High School USA essay, a classic of documentary photography.
From the mailbag, Mark Christensen feels inspired to start his own photography podcast, Sam Hopwood crashed his mountain bike last year, which in a twist of creative fate, never mind the twisted metal, has brought him back to photography, Kyle Attwood has been exploring the streets of Perth with film, making zines to celebrate the art of the print, and Dennis Linden has been revisiting the dangers we talked about when photographing wild-fires. Plus, there’s this month’s NEW one-word assignment, and I’ll announce the winner of last month’s challenge featuring the colour red.
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MORE ABOUT names, words, THE MUSIC and places FROM TODAY’S SHOW
Henri Cartier-Bresson was a French artist and humanist photographer considered a master of candid photography, and an early user of 35mm film.
Notes from a Small Island is a humorous travel book on Great Britain by American author Bill Bryson, first published in 1995.
Glenfiddich Distillery is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky distillery located in the Scottish burgh of Dufftown in Moray, Scotland. Is owned by William Grant & Sons. The name Glenfiddich derives from the Scottish Gaelic Gleann Fhiodhaich meaning "valley of the deer", which is reflected in Glenfiddich's stag logo.
William Eggleston is an American photographer. He is widely credited with increasing recognition of color photography as a legitimate artistic medium.
Mixam is a: “Leading online printing platform that creates customisable print products for a global audience.”
Elliott Erwitt was a French-born American advertising and documentary photographer known for his black and white candid photos of ironic and absurd situations within everyday settings. He was a member of Magnum Photos from 1953.
Kelvin Brown’s flickr Photowalk inspired group - join by invite by clicking on to THIS LINK.
The ENCOUNTERS workshop in April.
MUSIC LINKS: Lia D’sau with Tom Meira Armony sang and wrote today's playout song Tumbleweed. Music on the show is sourced primarily from Artlist and also features in Michael Brennan’s Spotify playlist GoFoto.
THE SHOWPAGE GALLERY
JIM RICHARDSON
Above, pictures from the Cuba project discussed on the show, and below, photographs made during Jim’s visits to the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Photographs copyright. Not to be reproduced or used without express permission from the photographer.
KYLE ATTWOOD
Kyle Attwood (above and below) welcomes film into his life.
DENNIS LINDEN
Above and below, Dennis Linden’s photographs of wildfires from the last two decades. We talked particularly on the show today about the power in the narrative using signage.
SAM HOPWOOD
Sam discovers a love for creative photography on the show today.
NEALE JAMES
Sketchbook photos from today’s walk recording the show. Looking for verticals.
VIDEO LIBRARY
The following videos or subjects are referenced within today’s show.