I think continued education is important in order to be inspired, learn new techniques or keep up with new technologies on the horizon. In the past you had to rely on the monthly or bimonthly magazine to keep you abreast of the newest and latest topics. But now that we live in a IPOD world were Podcasts, which come in audio and video along with countless webpage stops, you can find anything about photography you want. Oh and two clicks from that is porn, just saying. So with all that is out there, and porn, where do you go to find the best information? Traditionally you would spend countless hours hunting around to find what you are looking for in which you would score or not. In the case of Podcasts to find the show or shows you want you have to listen or watch a few shows in order to get an idea if it is what your looking for. Or you can skip all that and continue to read on for my suggestions.
For me I learn best by listing and watching. So for the most part my continue education of choice has been Podcasts, and there are a lot out there. I stumble on Podcasts by pure curiosity when I was looking for something to listing to at work. I like talk radio but the things I like are not always on or on the stations I can get. So when I came across Podcast and the myriad of subjects they covered I thought I had hit the mother load. Oh and Porn, ya its one of the subjects covered in some Podcasts. So I started to down load a show or two and listen to a few of their casts to see if it was what I wanted. After a lot of shows I found a few that are worth passing along.
This Week in Photography or Twip. Frederick Van Johnson hosts this show and is accompanied by a Alex Lindsay and a verity of others that guest co-host. Topics covered are camera techniques, technology, news as well as in depth interviews with the mover and shakers of the industry. Interviews have been with people like Chase Jarvis, Trey Ratcliff developers of SumMug and a model from Model Mayhem. There has not been a subject TWiP has covered that I have not found unappealing or useful. I have been a follower of the Podcasts now for over a year and have not been disappointed in any of the subjects they cover.
What I like about this group is that they cover such a wide verity of subjects that even a weekend shooter can use. One such subject that sticks out was the episode on model releases and copyrights, episode 278. I found interesting the fact you are limited on what you can claim on a photo if you have not registered it with the copyright office. It is this type of show ant the others I have listen to that keeps me coming back. I also appreciate the way the Podcast is structured. Although there is humor and some inside jokes that come up in the show, it never strays down a childish path.
Not only should you check out the Itunes site for Podcasts but go to the Twip website to see additional articles and video postings that are not covered on the Podcasts. Most recent was the video cast with Ian Stone, Director of Business development of Zenfolio. Frederick does a very good 18min interview with Ian about what Zenfolio has to offer the pro or non pro photographer. Frederick is fair in the questions to help his viewers determine if the product is right for them. To me that is important. I need good information in order to make informed decisions about my photography.
This next Podcast is one that does and doesn’t cover photography. Chase Jarvis Audiocast is hosted by photographer/director Chase Jarvis in which “he explores art, creativity, and popular curl rue through his experiences and collaborations with visionary creative’s from around the world.” This is a great way of saying there is a lot more that is covered that directly and indirectly relates to photography.
Chase Jarvis is a photographer/director that brings in talents like Ryan Holiday author of “Trust me I am lying” A marketing book in which the author tells how he manipulate the media to get them to talk about his products without paying money in advertising. There are many other lesions on other ways to use social media to get the attention you strive for. Ryan doesn’t talk in specifics of photography but what he says in this Podcast can be applied for photographers.
I really like how Chase books guest that doesn’t directly deal with photography but through their wisdom we as photographers can grow. My favorite guest on the Podcast is Oren Klaff the author of “Pitch Anything.” This book teaches you not how to sell but pitch your ideas or products. Oren runs down along with Chase giving his experience using Oren philosophy on the pitching techniques. It is done with humor and real life examples. With most Podcast I delete them when off my Ipod when I am done. This episode I have kept it on and listen to it at least once a week. It is that good and that motivating. I am writing this before Christmas. I have put this on my list and if I don’t get it then I will buy it after words. Chase Jarvis is a must Podcast to listen to. You will learn things that you never knew that you wanted to know.
The third recommendation is a show that is called “The Grid.” “The Grid with Scott Kelby & Matt Kloskowski is a live talk-show about photography, Photoshop & other industry-related topics. Each week features a different guest (in-studio or online) and viewers are encouraged to chime in on the Liveblog here on KelbyTV.com or via Twitter by adding #TheGridLive to their tweets” If you like PhotoShop or Light Room this is the Podcast for you.
I am still combing through past episodes and listing to new ones to see how the information will benefit me. I am someone that uses PhotoShop and eventually add Light Room to my list of photo tools. But I don’t use them that deeply so some of the episodes don’t entirely interest me. Although the last episode of the year did capture my attention.
Episode 80 was on ways to become a better photographer for 2013 which caught my attention. In the episode they gave step by step information that would help you determine what path to take as a photographer, how you should better yourself and once your on the path, how to build a career out of it. For me I found this to be helpful in that it affirmed some of what I was doing and gave me a next step to follow. Although I do not always agree with their advise because of differing philosophies on photography I do find them helpful to my cause. Not only do Scott and Matt have this Podcast but there are classes that are available on The Grid website for a fee. Not to mention the books that they and other trainers offer through Peach Tree Publishing.
The last one is “The Pro Photo Show” hosted by Gavin Seim. The subjects covered can range from tips and trick to printing and photography philosophy. I find Gavin in the same boat as myself when it comes to photography. For me there are far too many poor quality photographs that could have been better if only the photographer took their time in creating the photograph. Gavin is a teacher and one who wants to change or improve the photography out there. He often talks about the master painters and their use of light and how we as photographer should incorporate that into our work. Gavin’s Podcast can originate from his home or on the road. All depending what kind of project or classes he his involved with. If you believe photography is an art and want to expand yourself in that direction then Gavin’s Podcast will be a fit.
There is a lot of Podcast out there and the few that I have mentioned may or may not fit your needs. It is important as a photographer to continue the education necessary to keep the work fresh and exciting. Not to mention to learn more about what is out there that can directly or indirectly impact our photography. I encourage you to check out these Podcast and seek out others through out the year. Most of them you will find on Itunes, just type their name, find a subject that interests you and click on play. Enjoy.
Frederick Van Johnson
Chase Jarvis
Gavin Seim
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