A Photographic Life

In episode 137 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering photography and magazines, gatekeepers who don't respond and the risk of using Instagram instead of a website. Plus this week photographer Denisse Ariana Pérez takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which she answer’s the question ‘What Does Photography Mean to...

In episode 136 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering photographers designing photo books, building teams of experienced people, and documentation of 'The Troubles' in Norther Ireland. He also announces that the UNP shop is now open! Plus this week photographer Aletheia Casey takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in...

In episode 135 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering the importance of being nice, telling the story of a photographer that became a baker, and reflecting on the jet-set lifestyle of one of the greats of British photography. Plus this week photographer Paul Lowe takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which he answ...

To mark the publication of his book What Does Photography Mean to You? The presenter of the A Photographic Life podcast Grant Scott spoke online with Bill Shapiro about the book, his process creating the podcast and what he has learnt from listening to the photographers who answer the question he sets them each week. This is an edited version of that conversation. Grant Scott is the founder/curato...

In episode 134 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering what makes an iconic image and music photography, the importance of editing, and the appropriation of 'lockdown' as a fashion photography moment. Plus this week photographer Lois Greenfield takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which she answer’s the question ‘...

In episode 133 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering the recent US Election and the continued importance of the photographic image in shaping narrative and existing as a historical document. In this episode Grant reflects on specific images and photographers that define US political history and those that may define the past four years of Trump's presidency for future gene...

In episode 132 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering photographic good practice, the importance of listening, avoiding scams and why those who commission should have some photographic knowledge. Plus this week photographer Eduard Korniyenko takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which he answer’s the question ‘Wha...

In episode 131 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering technology and photography, marking the passing of Frank Horvat, and reflecting on the portrait photograph as a historical document. Plus this week photographer Olivia Rose takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which she answer’s the question ‘What Does Photogr...

In episode 130 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed marking the passing of Chris Killip, reflecting on the relationship between photography and travel, and encouraging photographers to network for creative and mental wellbeing. Plus this week photographer Robin Schwartz takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which she answer...

In episode 129 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed stating that it's okay not to understand everything, reflecting on the excessive interpretation of images, and noting how Zoom is taking over our lives, but not in a negative way. Plus this week photographer Yael Martínez takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which he answ...

In episode 128 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering PHD's in photography, yet more 'pay to play' scams, and photography's response to social distancing.  Plus this week photographer Nancy Borowick takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which she answer’s the question ‘What Does Photography Mean to You?’ Nancy Bor...

In episode 127 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed marking the death of Harry Evans and his importance to photography, rejecting the need to label photographers by practice and celebrating the serendipity of consequence.  Plus this week photographer Clare Strand takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which she answer’s the...

In episode 126 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed questioning the need to deconstruct photography, considering the state of art photography, setting up your own photo talks and revealing how the podcast is constructed.  Plus this week photographer Seamus Murphy takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which he answer’s the q...

In episode 125 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering the importance of seeing, the personal and history to photography, and how to avoid drowning in the ordinary.  Plus this week photographer Greg Marinovich takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which he answer’s the question ‘What Does Photography Mean to You?’...

In episode 124 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering the charity print sale and the photographic road trip. He also allows this week's contributor to go way over time!  Plus this week photographer Nicholas Syracuse takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which he answer’s the question ‘What Does Photography Mean to...

In episode 123 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering why some photographers get so angry and tribal, the role of the agent and why it takes more than a website to get commissioned. He also reflects on the power of the family album. Plus this week photographer Melissa Breyer takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in w...

In episode 122 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering the generational nature of photography and photographers, the need to listen to experts and identifying negative aspects whilst recognising the positive. He also reflects on the need to reply to emails and that quantity does not always mean quality. Plus this week photographer Elin Berge takes on the challenge of supplyi...

In episode 121 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering photographic ethics, common decency, empathy, inclusion and the importance of rules and knowing when to break them.  Plus this week photographer Daniel Meadows takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which he answer’s the question ‘What Does Photography Mean to Y...

In episode 120 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering the payment for image usage, calling for an end to indecipherable writing on photography and reflecting on the potential for a new era of photographic road trips. Plus this week photographer Ethan Hill takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which he answer’s the...

In episode 119 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering the pyramid scheme of photography, photo gambling and pressing the video button. He also suggests buying a kid a camera! Plus this week photographer Michael Jang takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which he answer’s the question ‘What Does Photography Mean to...

In episode 118 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering the importance of the 'back story', the need for photography to listen, and calls for a sense of balance within the photographic community. He also reflects on street photography during lockdown and Paul Fusco's RFK funeral train images. Plus this week photographer Aaron Turner takes on the challenge of supplying Grant w...

In episode 117 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering the Japanese concept of 'ikigai', blended teaching of photography, maintaining mental wellbeing and the importance of photography in troubled times. Plus this week photographer Jan Töve takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which he answer’s the question ‘What...

In episode 116 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering the need to keep on going, reflecting on when photography raises issues larger than the simple image, and addresses's fashion photography's need for rawness and reality in a superficial world, based on the work of Nan Goldin. He also mentions the morality of teaching photography. Plus this week photographer Rhodri Jones...

In episode 115 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering photography as a business and if the photo festival is a tired format in need of a reboot. Plus this week photographer Danna Singer takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which she answer’s the question ‘What Does Photography Mean to You?’ Danna Singer is a phot...

In a packed episode 114 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed considering taking control of personal circumstance, becoming a photography teacher, living outside of the metropolitan bubble, why computational photography needs to be recognised and addressed, the importance of archives and libraries, and a photographer's transferable skills. Plus this week photographer Tim Davis takes o...