On Taking Pictures

Bill and Jeffery discuss a new Blade Runner photography book, reflect on Pollock's art and creative process, explore the role of purpose in creativity, and dive into AI tools for photography. They feature photographer Jeff Cowan and ponder the value of 'doing nothing' in a creative life. SV105401 Blade Runner contact sheets david sylvian “the distance between the killer and the killing“ Bone Recor...

Bill and Jeffery gripe about Apple's new pricing and gear decisions, then get into Norman Rockwell's staged reference photography after a Vermont museum trip, and wander through social media algorithms, creative burnout, and letting go and moving onto the next project, before wrapping with photographer of the week Frank Horvat. Photograph search of Norman Rockwell Archives Norman Rockwell “Behind...

Bill and Jeffery grumble about Apple's Mac mini and Mac Studio price increases and Jeffery’s love for the Supernote Manta, then spend most of the episode remembering photographer Jay Maisel, touring stories and photos from his cavernous bank-building archive and debating what makes a photographic legacy. They wrap up with this week's Photographer of the Week, Life magazine shooter Nina Leen. Super...

Bill and Jeffery dig into where creative legitimacy actually comes from now that gatekeepers like ASMP and Magnum have lost their grip, and talk about why they stopped chasing metrics and just make the show for its own sake. They also swap stories about a QR-code standoff at the Air and Space Museum and their shared guilt over unfinished projects and letting themselves have fun, before closing wit...

Bill and Jeffery talk through a buggy macOS beta, a $10 thrift-store flatbed scanner, and the endless search for a good digital asset manager, then get into why they both might be pulling back from Instagram and just taking photos for themselves again. They also swap stories about vintage audio gear, dream up a DJ-style internet radio show, wrestle with headphone pad mysteries, and close with Phot...

Bill and Jeffery ramble from brushes with celebrities and growing up before the internet to a deep dive into old Mold-A-Rama toy machines, vanishing physical media, and why modern life feels so overwhelming, before wrapping up with this week's featured photographer, Arthur Elgort. Freedom Train Mold-A-Rama Mold-A-Rama Gorilla Ebba Forsberg Album on Apple Music PotW Arthur Elgort Estella Warren in...

Episode 375 opens with a personal reflection on the death of photographer William Coupon, a friend Bill made through the show years ago, and a broader conversation on grief and mentorship. Bill also describes vibe-coding a custom Mac app with Claude Code to automate uploading episodes and drafting WordPress posts. The back half covers David Hockney's photographic collage work and how scale affects...

Ansel Adams in AI color? Yuck! Do we ever get past the fear of complete failure and should we? Color grading footage and getting lost. Montana native Robert Osborn is our Photographer of the Week. Danziger response to the AI Ansel Adams print Degas “Woman seat beside a vase of flowers” Bill’s portrait of Alon at a piano Burden video of “Shoot” (User discretion advised...

How to teach an old dog new tricks by learning new skills, tools, and processes. Also some discussion of first stage movie making and William Gottlieb as our Photographer of the Week. Jacob Collier Berklee Commencement Speech William P Gottlieb on Wikipedia

Big long conversation about change and mental health, then a trip down a used camera rabbit hole. Emma Summerton is our Photographer of the Week. “Bowling Alone” John Stewart talking about AI PotW – Emma Summerton Sandra Huller in Vanity Fair

Jeffery & Bill are back to discuss the amazing pictures from Artemis II and the cameras they used, as well as whether doing something without it trying to be great is doing it at all. Lillian Bassman, who has a show at The Met in NYC right now, is our Photographer of the Week. Lunar Eclipse from space – Artemis 2 Strong Songs – Both Sides Now Liza Minelli and Michael Feinstein Hockney...

Is it worth going backwards in order to go forward? Finding yourself again in things you thought were in your past. Pioneering documentary photographer Alice Seeley Harris is our Photographer of the Week. “Conjuration” by Pepper Adams “Blame it on my Youth” played by Keith Jarrett Trio Ze Frank “The Wave” video Alice Seeley Harris on Wikipedia

We're back!! At least every once in a while when we feel like it. This time to discuss Bill fixing the battery door of his beloved Pentax, how changing technology is effecting the reasons why we make things, and whether anyone has a good reason to buy a new camera anymore. Helen Levitt is our impromptu Photographer of the Week. The Quest for Perfection Is Stunting Our Society Kodak Brownie 3a Hele...

Jeffery and Bill discuss the Dan Winters episode of the Disney/Hulu series ‘Photographer’ and how maker’s relationships with their partners and families allows them to do what they do. Adventure photographer Krystle Wright is our Photographer of the Week. 'Photographer' on Hulu Dorothy Simpson Krause Krystle Wright on IG

Should you react to changes in the industry by going on defense or offense? And what does offense in this context mean. TIF vs PSD vs PSB and more. Ken Nahoum is our Photographer of the Week. Jerry Ghionis website < Platon's portrait of Richard Serra < David Seidner show at ICP < Guy bought an Imacon scanner for $500 < TIME magazine reboot < Standard Time Vol. 2 album < Ken Nahoum

Change the variables you control when that's what's holding you back. Also, how to have your portfolio stand out and fit in to the preconceived notions of your viewers all at the same time. Bastiaan Woudt is our Photographer of the Week. Canva Acquires Affinity Rebecca Ferguson photos by @juankr Randomness - The 1975 interview "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert Pirsig Cincinatti...

Something feels different for Jeffery and it's a good thing, something feels different for Bill and it's not a good thing. Tony Notarberardino is our Photographer of the Week. Attention!: The power of simple decisions in a distracted world Jony Ive on Steve Jobs focus Bill's picture of Cisco Bill's other picture Cisco Ai Vs Artists - The Biggest Art Heist in History Tony Notarberadino on Forbes To...

Is Instagram still about photography? Even if it is, are they photographs of real life anymore or is AI imagery just the next step toward the fantasy the world seemingly wants. Bill got little Godox Lux Junior flash, but is still not sold. Jack Delano is our Photographer of the Week. EU Parliament tries to control AI New TikTok App Spotted Triathlete IG account 16,000 Artists in Midjourney Trainin...

Jeffery is copying his art to photographs and Bill has found a new online color editor which he's playing with while learning to accept and grow from critique. Todd Schick is our Photographer of the Week. San Francisco Art Institute bought by Laurene Powell Jobs Color.io Jacob Collier interview Chris Ashworth new book "The Unseen Saul Leiter" on Amazon Todd Schick on Instagram

Turns out Jacob Collier is an amazing musician even if he doesn't label his tracks. Jeffery and Bill discuss figuring out other people's process and how sometimes it's more fun not to know. Jo Ann Callis is our Photographer of the Week. LOGIC SESSION BREAKDOWN: "Bridge Over Troubled Water" Dorothy Simpson Krause Dustin Yellin Djesse Vol 4 cover art out of glass Sam Maloof Woodworker This uncomfort...

AI video is here, but who is it good for? Reviews are mixed for the new Fuji x100VI. When does change make sense and when to leave well enough lone? Marion Post Wolcott is our Photographer of the Week. Why “Shot on Iphone” Commercials Look So Good! Fuji X100VI – PetaPixel Fuji X100VI – Phoblographer Marion Post Wolcott – Flashbak Marion Post Wolcott – Wikipedia

Circus Models and Slot Cars lead Jeffery and Bill into discussing the skill of overcoming indecision and the emotional ownership of the things you make. Classic 20th century photograph Norman Parkinson is Photographer of the Week. Slot Mods article Slot Mods Man Dodging a Kettle - Know Your Meme Howard Brother's Circus "Ringmaster of His Own Design" Elton John is selling his Photography collection...

Jeffery and Bill discuss the new documentary "The Greatest Night in Pop" on Netflix, photographing art, and pictures of themselves at 21. 20th century German photographer Herbert List is our Photographer of the Week. The Greatest Night in Pop The Photography Behind Earthrise U2 Songs of Surrender cover photo Herbert List on Artnet Herbert List Archive on IG Herbert List on Wikipedia

Sitting on the knife's edge of needing people around and also wanting to be alone. Plus how do you make friends in your 50's. Bill finally got his knives sharpened and made some friends along the way. Gerald Cyrus is our Photographer of the Week. LinoType Documentary Murder of Kitty Genovese Brain and Life podcast featuring Bill Wadman PhotoWalk podcast featuring Jeffery Saddoris Unboxing Details...

Jeffery and Bill take a look at the feedback loop between confidence or competence. Also Bill's kitchen knives sharpening adventure Part One. Fashion photographer Cody Rasmussen is Photographer of the Week. Del Re Grinding Truck John's Sharpening Service Zefrank "The Innovation Wave" NYT Rat Selfies 9:30 Club in DC Search Engine Podcast Photofolio Website Tool Cody Rasmussen Portfolio Cody Rasmuss...