The United Nations of Photography

A Photographic Life

Arts EN ↓ 440 episodes

"To take a photograph is to align the head, the eye and the heart. It's a way of life." Henri Cartier-Bresson. Whatever your level of engagement with photography The Photographic Life Podcast explains the realities of working with and learning about the medium. Each week photographer, writer, lecturer, filmmaker, and BBC Radio contributor Dr. Grant Scott reflects on news, discussions, themes and issues surrounding the photographic community. This is a podcast for those who do not want kit reviews, photoshop techniques, marketing babble or camera talk. It is for those who want informed conversa...

Author

The United Nations of Photography

Category

Arts

Latest episode

Jul 8, 2026

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Episodes

A Photographic Life - 229: Plus Richard Bram 21.09.2022

In episode 229 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on working with William Klein and the passing of too many photographers over too short a period of time. Plus this week, photographer Richard Bram 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?’ Richard B...

A Photographic Life - 228: Plus Lise Johansson 14.09.2022

In episode 228 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on embracing failure, how to judge photography competitions, not entering photography competitions and staying positive. Plus this week, photographer Lise Johansson 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...

A Photographic Life - 227: The Conversation with Bill Shapiro 'The Gatekeeper' 07.09.2022

In this first episode of a new monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with editor, writer and curator of photography Bill Shapiro. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Bill comment on the photographic environment as they see it. This month they reflect on the role of the gatekeepers and curators, how to approach them and how they should engage with photographers. Bill Shapiro B...

A Photographic Life - 226: Plus Nicola Muirhead 31.08.2022

In episode 226 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on overcoming obstacles, photographic anxiety, combining the personal and professional and the search for the new Instagram. Plus this week, photographer Nicola Moorhead 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...

A Photographic Life - 225: Plus Guy Dickinson 24.08.2022

In episode 225 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on posting images on Twitter, and working for free. He is also joined by photographer Jim Mortram to talk about his #PhotoPrintDay. Plus this week, photographer Guy Dickinson 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 Photogr...

A Photographic Life - 224: Plus Sean Lotman 17.08.2022

In episode 224 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on who decides if images are low quality and how, the importance of research in making images, Annie Leibovitz's Ukraine portraits and words on photography that make no sense. Plus this week, photographer Sean Lotman takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which h...

A Photographic Life - 223: Plus Sodiq Adelakun 10.08.2022

In episode 221 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the ethics of photographing children, making a living from photography and welcoming the non-photographer photographers to photography. Plus this week, photographer Sodiq Adelakun 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...

A Photographic Life - 222: Desert Island Photo Book Special Part 2 03.08.2022

In episode 222 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott has lost his way, been set adrift upon the open seas and found himself on a desert island with only eight photo books for company, the complete works of William Shakespeare, the Bible and just one luxury item. In this episode he reveals the final four of those photo books and his luxury item choice. The Final Four Desert Island Books Grant Chooses...

A Photographic Life - 221: Desert Island Photo Book Special Part 1 27.07.2022

In episode 221 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott has lost his way, been set adrift upon the open seas and found himself on a desert island with only eight photo books for company, the complete works of William Shakespeare, the Bible and just one luxury item. In this episode he reveals four of those photo books. The First Four Desert Island Books Grant Chooses this week: On the Other Side of the...

A Photographic Life - 220: Plus Neil Massey 20.07.2022

In episode 220 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the documentation of social/economic deprivation, whether class is relevant to making photographs and the slow death of the DSLR. Plus this week, photographer Neill Massey 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 Photogr...

In Search of Bill Jay, Episode 7, 'The Photo Study Centre and The Teaching Begins' 19.07.2022

In episode 7 of this new podcast series Grant Scott continues his search for Bill Jay, and documents the opening and closing of the Photo Study Centre in the ICA, London with support from the founder of The Photographer’s Gallery, London, Sue Davies, curator William Messer, photographer Daniel Meadows, photographer/photo editor Bryn Campbell and one-time Bill student Mark Trompeteler. William ‘Bil...

In Search of Bill Jay, Episode 6, 'Bad Decisions and Goodbye to Magazines' 14.07.2022

In episode 6 of this new podcast series Grant Scott continues his search for Bill Jay and documents the end of Album magazine and Bill's move to the ICA with support from the founder of The Photographer's Gallery, London, Sue Davies and Bill Jay himself! William ‘Bill’ Jay (12 August 1940 – 10 May 2009) was a photographer, a writer on and advocate of photography, a curator,  a magazine and picture...

A Photographic Life - 219: Plus Arne Svenson 13.07.2022

In episode 219 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on embracing experiences and life, empathy and context in photographic documentation, and protecting your legacy through your own actions. Plus this week, photographer Arne Svenson 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 P...

In Search of Bill Jay, Episode 5, '1970 and The Beginning of Album' 11.07.2022

In episode 5 of this new podcast series Grant Scott continues his search for Bill Jay and reflects on the birth of Album magazine in 1970 with support from its publisher Tristram Powell and Bill Jay himself! William ‘Bill’ Jay (12 August 1940 – 10 May 2009) was a photographer, a writer on and advocate of photography, a curator,  a magazine and picture editor, lecturer, public speaker and mentor. H...

A Photographic Life - 218: Plus Andrew Moore 06.07.2022

In episode 218 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the word photograph, music and creativity, poetry and photography and positive news for some commissioned photographers. Plus this week, photographer Andrew Moore 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...

A Photographic Life - 217: Plus Jillian Edelstein 29.06.2022

In episode 217 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the definition of contemporary photography, avoiding labels and he announces a new addition to the A Photographic Life broadcasts. Plus this week photographer Jillian Edelstein 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 P...

In Search of Bill Jay, Episode 4, 'The Sixties End and The Future is Bright' 23.06.2022

In episode 4 of this new podcast series Grant Scott continues his search for Bill Jay and reflects on the importance of Creative Camera magazine and the impact Bill had on photography in the UK as its editor before leaving in December 1969. Bill Jay was a photographer, writer on and advocate of photography, curator, magazine and picture editor, lecturer, public speaker and mentor. He was the first...

A Photographic Life - 216: Plus Mickey Smith 22.06.2022

In episode 216 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on photographs as memories of lives lived and lost, and reducing the pressure on making work. Plus this week photographer Mickey Smith 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?’ Mickey Smith is an A...

A Photographic Life - 215: Plus Shane Rocheleau 15.06.2022

In episode 215 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on photography in your fifties, the importance of integrity in documentation, and learning from the past, whilst listening to the present. Plus this week photographer Shane Rocheleau 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...

A Photographic Life - 214: Plus Dominic Davies 08.06.2022

In episode 213 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on writing your own biography, post-graduate education for photographers and travel photography without travelling. Plus this week photographer Dominic Davies 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...

A Photographic Life - 213: Plus Bill Shapiro Mid-Year Review 01.06.2022

In this extended episode Grant Scott speaks with editor, writer and curator of photography Bill Shapiro. In an informal conversation they discuss NFTs, photography in the Metaverse, photo books and photo book clubs, photographic curation speak and digital conflict imagery. Bill Shapiro Bill Shapiro served as the Editor-in-Chief of LIFE, the legendary photo magazine; LIFE’s relaunch in 2004 was the...

A Photographic Life - 212: Plus William Saunders 25.05.2022

In episode 212 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the price of residential workshops, the future of portraiture and bullying in photography. Plus this week photographer William Saunders 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?’ William Saunders...

A Photographic Life - 211: Teaching Photography Special 18.05.2022

In episode 211 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott hands over the podcast to five of his photography graduates to explain what photography means to them. The students contributing to this week's episode include Cameron Howard, Laura Skog, Jack Rees, Sasha Burdian and Sophie Jeffreys. All five students are graduates from the Photography BA (HONS) at Oxford Brookes University a course created to ref...

In Search of Bill Jay, Episode 3, 'Tony Ray Jones, Diane Arbus and Weegee in NYC' 16.05.2022

In episode 3 of this new podcast series Grant Scott continues his search for Bill Jay and hears from photographer Alen MacWeenie and Anna Ray Jones about Bill's relationship with Tony, Tony's beginnings as a photographer and the impact a trip to New York in 1968 had on the history of photography in the UK. Bill Jay was a photographer, writer on and advocate of photography, curator, magazine and pi...

A Photographic Life - 210: Plus Edmund Clark 11.05.2022

In episode 210 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the documentation of the everyday, the latest NFT news, not needing rules and listening to young photographers. Plus this week photographer Edmund Clark 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?’...

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