On Taking Pictures

This week, are film shooters just better photographers? Also, we discuss a TIME article that suggests the idea that traditional photographs will soon become relics, out of time with the future of photography. Plus, a listener asks what we think of the classic “nifty fifty.” Pedro E. Guerrero is our Photographer of the Week. Links for this episode: On Taking Pictures - Google+ - Assignment: #vintag...

This week, we unpack some of the challenges around deciding that something is not art, just because you don’t agree with it or understand it. Does making art an “ism” stifle growth and innovation? Also, long before drones surveilled us, there were...pigeons? Plus, a tease of next week’s show, where we will be talking about what some believe to be the future of photography. Ilse Bing is our Photogr...

This week, we talk a little about gear and the ongoing debate over megapixels, using the new Sony A7R II as an example. We also talk about film and why it’s ultimately pointless to keep having the “film v digital” discussions. Spoiler: they’re just different. Use what challenges you and gets you out taking pictures. Grete Stern is our Photographer of the Week. Links for this episode: On Taking Pic...

This week, inspired by a recent NPR story, we talk about the idea of art as an experience, where the mechanics of viewing objects become almost more important than the objects themselves. We also discuss some of the opportunities that young people have today, with regard to the viewing and sharing of their experiences, that we simply didn’t have when we were growing up. Plus, with so many cameras...

This week, on our first all east coast edition of the show, we’re taking a stab at answering some of your questions. You have asked some really great questions this time around - around process, gear, where we think art is going, even asking about some of our favorite things. Anuar Patjane is our Photographer of the Week. Links for this episode: On Taking Pictures - Google+ - Assignment: #Favorite...

This week, we talk about the temporal nature of the things we make. Should they be preserved for the future or allowed to decay to a natural end, whatever that means? We also discuss transitions and how making the decision to leap can come from a variety of sources and happen for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is fear. Plus, an interesting looking trailer has emerged for a new biopic...

This week, prompted by a member of the OTP G+ Community, we begin with a bit of follow up on the discussion from last week about the influence of Robert Frank. Also, there is no best, but there just might be a best for you. Plus, a terrific photographer that neither one of us had ever heard of. Pinup photographer Bunny Yeager is our Photographer of the Week. Links for this episode: On Taking Pictu...

This week, we’re discussing a recent New York Times article about Robert Frank, specifically the breadth of his influence on photography and the degree to which he either pursued or avoided fame and celebrity. We also discuss a few news items sent in by listeners, including an interesting piece about a new book by David Bailey which seems to be comprised mostly of mistakes from the darkroom. Rebec...

This week, we geek out a little over the New Horizons images of Pluto. Think about this: it will take four months to receive all of the data from nearly 4 billion miles away. We also discuss Chris Arnade’s photos from Hunt’s Point and whether or not being a good person is unethical. Plus, can you sell out as an artist anymore? Magnum photographer Alex Webb is our Photographer of the Week. Links fo...

This week, we talk about change and some of the things that means for photographers in a market that never seems to stop. How do you view your own work and are there ways that viewing it differently could lead in new or exciting directions? Also, an interesting discussion around the NY Times article we teased last week with Cindy Sherman and Laurie Simmons. Larry Sultan is our Photographer of the...

This week, we discuss the TED talk we mentioned last week by Jimmy Nelson and how things aren’t always as they seem or as we want them to be. Also, we’re all making stuff and it’s okay to want it to be liked. Plus, generational changes in the art market: important or just theater? Rondal Partridge is our Photographer of the Week. Links for this episode: On Taking Pictures - Google+ - Assignment: #...

This week, an article sent in by a listener gets us discussing the idea of doing what you love. Is it a fantasy or can you really love doing something and still call it work? If everyone does only what they love, who does the work that nobody loves? Also, we talk a little about gear, including the allure of Petzval and Helios lenses and the new DxO One add-on camera for iPhone. Another suggestion...

This week, where do the lines of completionism, perfectionism and obsession intersect? Can you be one and not the other? Also, we talk about compromise—what can come out of it and how much is too much. Plus, we chime in on a couple entries from the Crit Wall. Stan Douglas is our Photographer of the Week. Links for this episode: On Taking Pictures - Google+ - Assignment: #windshield a subway in nyc...

This week, do the memories imprinted on us in our youth define the experiences of maturity? Are we somehow aesthetically tethered to our past? Also, visiting a museum with the co-curator of the show is a good thing. "The photographer of Paris par excellence," Willy Ronis is our Photographer of the Week. Links for this episode: On Taking Pictures - Google+ Assignment: #weather The Memory of Time Dr...

This week, a brief follow up on the Atlantic article about creative entrepreneurs. Also, how a single photograph (in this case, a magazine cover) can still be a cultural watershed moment. Plus, a clever response to the recent Richard Prince fiasco. Masataka Nakano is our Photographer of the Week. Links for this episode: Bronica EC - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia Caitlyn Jenner on...

This week, we discuss an article from the Atlantic on the changing role of the artist and the rise of “creative entrepreneurs.” Have you ever thought about taking a year off? We talk about Stefan Sagmeister’s creative sabbaticals. Also, get ready for Mad Max Fury Road in black and white. Jacques Henri Lartigue is our Photographer of the Week. Links for this episode: On Taking Pictures - Google+ -...

This week, we do some follow up on last week’s show, including a bit about chasing perfection, happiness, normality, etc. We also discuss the Radiolab episode we mentioned last week involving the photojournalist and the fallen soldier and who should have the say over viewing the resulting photographs. Music photographer Gregory Nolan is our Photographer of the Week. Links for this episode: On Taki...

This week’s discussion goes a little off the reservation. Should the idea of making a living from your creative endeavors factor into whether or not you pursue them? How do you decide between should and must? Also, it’s hard to live in the present when you can’t stop worrying about the future. Instagram photographer Last Suspect is our Photographer of the Week. Links for this episode: On Taking Pi...

This week, standout work from last weekend’s Paris Photo LA and some observations on the growing trend of really big prints and really banal subject matter. Also, abstraction and alternative processes in mainstream photography. Plus, a revision on the “through the window” debacle from a few weeks ago. Scottish photographer Bill Anderson is our PotW. Links for this episode: On Taking Pictures - Goo...

This week, we’re testing Mixlr for doing live episodes of OTP. We begin the first episode of Year Four (can you believe it?) with an email from a listener talking about the relative value of “formal” groups and associations with regard to photography and the visual arts. Does belonging to an “official” group, such as ASMP help your career? If so, how? Also, we discuss an interesting article talkin...

This week marks the end of three years of bringing you OTP every week. We start out the episode discussing your poll responses to last week’s court ruling around photography and privacy. We also talk about the DUFFY documentary and wonder about impact and legacy. Who are your most iconic photographers? Plus, a discussion around the recent Sally Mann essay in the New York Times magazine. Christophe...

This week, we discuss a recent ruling around privacy and art—what that could mean to you not only as a photographer, but also as a citizen. Also, we attempt to weigh in on some ideas around content vs. curation, using a recent MoMA show as an example. Plus, a link to a fantastic documentary that we’ll be discussing in next week’s show. Pentti Sammallahti is our Photographer of the Week. Links for...

This week, we’re talking footprints...social footprints and how, for some types of photography, being a good (or even great) photographer is no longer enough. It’s also about how many eyes you bring along with you. Bill shares his recent experience judging selections for a camera club in NYC. Joni Sternbach is our Photographer of the Week. Links for this episode: On Taking Pictures - Google+ - Ass...

This week, we talk a bit about the democratization of photography vs demonetization, not from the point of view of making money but from simply making pictures. Also, how can social media impact photography as an individual pursuit? When did photography become a social activity? Francesca Woodman is our Photographer of the Week. Links for this episode: OTP G+ Group - Assignment #shoes Why I would...

This week, a question sent in for last week’s Q&A show around deciding how to know when something just isn’t working sparks a terrific discussion on purpose, intent, cutting through the noise and even throwing in the towel. We also talk about how to give your own work value, when value is so subjective. Harold "Doc" Edgerton and Gjon Mili are our first dual Photographers of the Week. Links for...