The Fine Art Photography Podcast

In this episode of the Fine Art Photography podcast, we examine more new data on how high-end art collectors are buying art in 2021, and we learn from the example of a real world collector -- the rapper, record producer, and businessman Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Daoud Dean). Dean talks about buying photographs from Ansel Adams and Gordon Parks, and how he got into art collecting at age 19. Listen to th...

In this episode of The Fine Art Photography podcast, we discuss the excitement and mystery of visiting and shooting abandoned places. In this case, we talk about the abandoned community at Hushpuckena, Mississippi, with a description of the scene, and a little history. My book of abandoned places: Unloved and Forgotten: Fine Art Photographs of Abandoned Places by Keith Dotson, 2019 This Petty Plac...

In this episode of the Fine Art Photography podcast, we talk about the landscape work of New Orleans-based photographer Frank Relle, who owns an art gallery on Royal Street, and has a habit of standing in dark swamp waters late at night surrounded by gators. But the results are spectacular. Sources CBS News: Frank Relle on his work, photography methods and his "happy place" March 13, 2021 Via NOLA...

In this episode of the Fine Art Photography podcast, I explain why I find Emmett Gowin's photographs of his wife surrounded by moths in flight so magical. The Fine Art Photography Podcast : My blog with full episode transcripts and links. Links and Sources Edith and Moth Flight, 2002 (frontal version) https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1153936/edith-and-moth-flight-photograph-gowin-emmet/ Edith a...

In this episode of the Fine Art Photography podcast, I'll tell you what kind of projects I've been working on as a photographer lately, and give some updates about recent developments with my photography and my art business. Links to websites discussed in the podcast: Unloved and Forgotten: Fine Art Photographs of Abandoned Places : My book of abandoned places photography on Amazon (Affiliate link...

In this episode of of the Fine Art Photography podcast, truths I have learned from making videos of my photography expeditions.  My YouTube channel: youtube.com/channel/UCHKGcho3zw2y-xBJugAnmqg My Instagram channel: instagram.com/keithdotson

In this episode of the Fine Art Photography Podcast, we discuss a string of recent news headlines with cameras being stolen in brazen daylight robberies, and cover a few tips for keeping yourself and your gear safe. KTVU Real estate photographer robbed of camera equipment while driving in San Francisco PetaPixel I Was Robbed in San Francisco While the Cameras Rolled Keith Dotson Photography Websit...

In this episode of the Fine Art Photography podcast, I'll talk about the simple photograph that totally changed my life, and started my career as a photographer.  See my black and white photographs at my website here . Read my lively photography blog here .

In this episode, another field recording. This time, experience with me the joyous sounds of an isolated forest in springtime. I was shooting some landscapes in this forest recently when I paused between shots to savor the environment, and I thought you might like to experience it too. Wherever you may be while listening to this, close your eyes, and let me teleport you to a very green place. We a...

In this episode of the fine art photography podcast, something a little different -- field recordings made during a photo outing to Moccasin Bend -- a nationally significant archaeological site consisting of forests and wetlands tucked into a big bend of the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The site has had continuous human habitation for 12,000 years. But, rather than tell you about Moc...

In this episode of the Fine Art Photography podcast, we go full-on photo nerd, discussing extreme enlargements using Pixel Shift Multi shooting composites versus Adobe's new Super Resolution Enhance process found in the latest version of Adobe Camera Raw. Which is better? This podcast mentions several brand names, but it is not a sponsored episode, and should not be considered an advertisement.

In this episode of the Fine Art Photography Podcast, we'll talk about the copyright battle between photographer Lynn Goldsmith and the Andy Warhol Foundation over a portrait of Prince. Was Warhol's use of the Goldsmith photograph transformative? A Federal Appeals court says no. Sources: AP. "US court sides with photographer in fight over Warhol art." Larry Neumeister. March 26, 2021. https://apnew...

In this episode of the fine art photography podcast: Another new report on the art market -- this one from Art Basel and UBS -- explains how wealthy people buy art now. The Art Market 2021 Read the full report here (Opens a PDF): https://www.artbasel.com/about/initiatives/theartmarket2021pdf Read the highlights here: https://theartmarket.foleon.com/artbasel/2021/start/

Whether you're a photographer making prints or a collector of photography, you need to know about optical brightening agents (OBAs). But are they really as bad as they seem? Sources: Aardenburg Imaging https://www.aardenburg-imaging.com/optical-brighteners-obas/ Chromaxion, Paper for Fine Art https://www.chromaxion.com/information/fine_art_paper.html Red River Paper Product Grades Explained https:...

In this episode, the life and work of photographer Edward S. Curtis (1868-1952), who was nicknamed the shadow catcher by Native Americans. His masterwork The North American Indian was monumental, but has also come under criticism for including staged, posed, and manipulated imagery. In this podcast, we learn about Curtis' life and work -- and the project that was his life's obsession. Sources: 1....

In this episode, what big art galleries learned from selling art online during the pandemic, and is there anything new that the rest of us can use? Inspired by a new article published on artnet called "After a Year of Being Forced to Sell Art Online, Gallerists Have Learned 5 Surprising Lessons—and It’s Clear There’s No Going Back." Also, news that influential NYC-based photography gallery Metro P...

As it turns out, camera fanboys go way back in history. In this episode of the fine art photography podcast, I'll read a bit of humor about love and photography from the 1891 issue of Wilson's Photographic Magazine , a New York based photography magazine that was published from 1889 - 1914.

In this episode, we remember the work of New York City street and music photographer Ricky Powell who died this week at age 59. Sources Everybody Street: Ricky Powell. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrLGg8IeyxA&ab_channel=Alldayeveryday The Guardian . "Ricky Powell, hip-hop photographer who captured New York culture, dies aged, 59" https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/feb/02/ricky-powell-hi...

In this episode, a reminder to enjoy virtual photography events. Sure, the arts have lost a lot during the pandemic, and while nothing can replace in-person visits to photo galleries and museums, virtual events can add much to the arts experience that we didn't have before. Here. I'll talk about my recent experiences, including an inspirational virtual studio visit with photographer Mark Klett.

In this episode, we discuss the auction results from the amazing David H. Arrington collection of Ansel Adams photographs, which just closed for $6.4 million USD. Adams' famous "The Grand Tetons and the Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming" came out on top, selling for $988,000, an auction high for the photographer. Sources and Links Midland Reporter Telegram , “ Midland oilman proudly...

In episode 36 of the Fine Art Photography Podcast, all about albumen prints. Intended as a resource for students, photography collectors, or photographers interested in historical processes. I'll cover these main points: 1) What is an albumen print? 2) Appearance of albumen prints; 3) Longevity of albumen prints; and 4) I'll read an 1860 step-by-step process for creating albumen paper. T...

In this episode: Steve McCurry has a new book of never-seen-before photographs , and Anjolina Jolie commits to making a movie about the life of British war photographer Don McCullin, based on his autobiography, Unreasonable Behavior: An Autobiography . Plus, Google Trusted Contacts service ends Dec. 1. Links and Sources: In Search of Elsewhere: Unseen Images by Steve McCurry, Nov. 2020 https://amz...

Photographer W. Eugene Smith and his Minamata work, are receiving new attention thanks to a new major Hollywood movie starring Johnny Depp as Smith, to be released in February 2021. Sources and Links "W. Eugene Smith, the photographer who wanted to record everything," The Observer , Sean O'Hagan https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/aug/06/w-eugene-smith-photographer-record-everything "W....

Rock-and-Roll photographer Baron Wolman has passed away at age 83. Wolman was the first staff photographer at Rolling Stone magazine, and he made some of the world's most iconic music photographs. In this episode, I bring back a recut episode about  Wolman, originally published in 2019.

In this episode, we explore the question:  Is street photography ethical? As I was writing this episode, a woman published an op-ed in the New York Daily News calling her multiple encounters with aggressive street photographers a form of assault. Regardless of whether the photographer is "in your face" or quietly capturing someone's photograph on the street, is the practice of capturing someo...