The Documentary Photographer Podcast – Episode 19: Jonathan Desmond & Roger Overall – Pre-qualifying Your Clients for Documentary Work

In a change from the norm, Canadian photographer Jonathan Desmond takes the reins of the podcast and asks me questions about how I approach documentary photography. In particular, we talk about how to explain to both wedding and corporate clients what documentary photography is. We also discuss the importance of letting your passion for the authentic moment shine through.

The Documentary Photographer Podcast – Episode 13: Gina Glover – Bringing the Personal into Your Work

How do you choose the things that you want to photograph?

Our personal circumstances and interests play a big part in our choices, of course. But so does serendipity.

Gina Glover's story is a good example of this. She launched her career photographing something that was on her doorstep: a former nuclear missile launch site.

Gina's career has spanned several decades and in that time she has explored the missile site in detail – digging in and engaging with it from a number of angles and perspectives. Over time, her technique, gear and approach changed, but the topic remained the same – gradually being revealed layer by layer, deeper and deeper.

In this episode of of The Documentary Photographer podcast, we discuss her seminal Playgrounds of War, as well as practical issues such as gaining access to sensitive areas and her approach to colour.

Special thank you: this episode of the podcast owes much to the help of Richard West at Source magazine. Want to know why? Listen in.

© Gina Glover

Links and more info

Gina Glover's website
Gina Glover's blog
Source (magazine)

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The Documentary Photographer Podcast – Episode 4: Doug Menuez – Advertising Documentary

In this episode of The Documentary Photographer podcast, I get to talk to one of my heroes: Doug Menuez.

Doug is a US photographer who has found the holy grail - being paid advertising rates to photograph documentary images his way. The perfect blend of art and commerce.

We talk about how he gets access to his subjects and how he engages with them to gain their consent to their likeness being used in advertising. We also discuss his archive of photographs from the early(-ish) days of Silicon Valley - starting when Steve Jobs was reeling from being punted out of Apple.

Doug's work is profoundly evocative and rich. I think the photographs from his tequila project are among the most beautiful I've seen. They are infused with life and insight. They give a sense of cultural context. They lift a veil. They reach out to the viewer.

Doug is the author of one of the most important articles that I have ever read. Every photographer should take half an hour to read and reflect on his piece On Chaos, Fear, Survival and Luck. It is a beacon for me whenever I lose the faith in myself and my ability.

Links

Doug's Website
Doug's Blog

Tequila

This slideshow comprising work from his Heaven, Earth, Tequila project will give you a good idea of Doug's style and storytelling genius.


You can subscribe to The Documentary Photographer podcast by clicking on any of these links:

iTunes
Zune
Blackberry