Photography is Nothing

Episode 17 - In this episode Zach & Courtney talk about two photographers with opposite approaches of photographing the science of winter. Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley photographed closeup images of single snowflakes in the early era of photography (1885-1931). Esther Horvath is a photographer working today documenting climate science research, taking a broad view of the planet that spans its en...

Episode 16 - It’s that time of year when the sun sets early and we photographers are forced to practice our low light skills. Candlelight is not very bright and often inconsistent, but it’s one of the best sources for creating warm, cozy, moody, contrasty light.  In this episode Zach & Courtney talk about how to photograph with candlelight and what makes it effective. Zach has lots of practice...

Episode 15 - Photographers love to talk about bokeh. So let's get into it. We talk about the origins of the word and just how recently this came into the photography lexicon. Also, more important to us than how it works from a technical standpoint is how it's used in photos to direct a viewer's eye or tell a story. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Carti...

Episode 14 - Zach has always enjoyed photographing cars. Going to the occasional car shows and gatherings has been a regular part of our family life since the beginning. Today we welcome our boys to the podcast who also enjoy photographing cars with their dad. We talk through their images as well as some of our favorite car photos by other photographers. Cars & Coffee, Carmel Artomobilia, and...

Episode 13 - For any household with Swifties, the number 13 has special meaning. So for this 13th episode of Photography is Nothing, Zach & Courtney invite their daughters to discuss the meaning and evolution of Taylor Swift's album art through the eras. As Taylor Swift worked her way from teen country artist to international pop phenomenon, her album photography changed, too. It's no...

Episode 12 - This week Zach & Courtney visit Tennessee, both literally and photographically. They discuss Zach’s photos from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, view historical images from the Tennessee Valley Authority, and learn about the incredible Tennessee-based photographer Stacy Kranitz.“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index0:00 - In...

Episode 11 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss photographing road trips, including Zach’s photos on the road and in the Florida Keys, plus Joel Sternfeld’s project from the 1970s and 80s, American Prospects. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Intro - Missing a great moment because he ran out of film 0:45 - We loved road trips growing...

Episode 10 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss their visit to the Indiana State Fair plus Zach’s project documenting fairs & festivals around the state of Indiana over the last 15 years. They also look at some photography of fairs by some of the all time greats like Danny Lyon, Inge Morath, Garry Winogrand, and others! “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-B...

Episode 09 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss starting a photography business and a family at the same time and how they work to fully integrate their lives together. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Notes Where it says, “Photo stories with the family,” on the screen from 35:31 until the end, what that means is for every one of those images, w...

Episode 08 - This week Zach & Courtney follow up with comments from last week’s album choices and discuss everything from lawsuits to successful collaborations between photographers and musicians. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson INDEX0:00 - Intro - Be more interesting! 2:30 - Following up on comments about The Beatles Abbey Road conspiracies. 6...

Episode 07 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss 8 iconic album covers and the stories behind them. They define what makes an “iconic” album cover, analyze the photos, tell how they were made, who the photographers were, and some of the myths that formed around the images. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index 0:00 - Intro - Zach’s brush with Free Ja...

Episode 06 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss photography projects that became obsessive, including Japanese photographer Masahisa Fukase’s Ravens, Catherine Leroy’s coverage of the Vietnam War, W. Eugene Smith documenting Pittsburg for two years, and Zach’s own project of photographing lost golf balls in the woods and the creek. **NOTES** - W. Eugene Smith’s Country Doctor story was photogra...

Episode 05 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss everyday photography, Zach’s 180 on fireworks photos, an important quote that influenced Courtney, and the work of photographers Sally Mann and Larry Fink. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Showing after every trip to the grocery store. 0:19 - This is a podcast about photography and eve...

Episode 04 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss monetizing hobbies, the importance of consent, taking photos when we travel as a family, drawing people in public, and more! “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - This is a VIDEO podcast.  0:47 - We lost some video last week. 2:21 - Shoutouts to Erik and LeAnn 3:35 - You should monetize your ho...

This week Zach & Courtney discuss how every single person is meant to create, a Pacers game 7 loss, what makes for a great summer photo, and more!“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index0:00 - Indiana is subtropical0:59 - Indiana is SAD1:46 - We love the Pacers3:45 - We went to a Pacers watch party + life in a midsize city4:38 - This is Photograph...

This week Zach & Courtney discuss how AI is eating itself, photographing kids in the style of a war photographer, how famous women are remembered for their trauma, and more!“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index0:00 - Courtney & Zach debate how to pronounce "moire"0:26 - Zach thought he didn’t get any good photos but he did2:05 - Courtney thew a...

Welcome to our very first episode of Photography is Nothing! This week Zach & Courtney discuss starting a podcast, literally dropping a $5000 camera, attending & photographing the Indy 500, documenting the neighborhood swim team, and more! "Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index 0:00 - Intro: Talking photography at you is boring 2:22 - C...