The Write Stuff

On this episode, Antonio speaks with Minnesota-based photographer and podcaster, Dave Szweduik. He’s been a friend of the show for a while now and this chat has been a long time in coming. Lately, Dave’s been putting pen to screen, as it were, writing some incredibly thoughtful (and perhaps a little provocative) blog posts on his photography website. Three recent posts delve into what it means to be a successful photographer, how social media plays a role in that, and the idea that the pressure of creating art may be killing our passion. Dave and Antonio talk about these posts in particular and also about the tasks of maintaining a blog as a photographer. For Dave, writing about his thoughts and feelings about the photographic journey is almost as important as taking the photos themselves.

Show Links:

Dave's website

"Is the pressure of creating art killing our passion?"

"Photography Success, Chasing The Wrong Dream?"

"The Photographic Long Game : A classic approach to photography"

Digital Soup Podcast

The Why

In this 70th episode, Antonio ponders the "why" in photography. Why do we care about taking pictures? Why do we want to share our photos in social media? Why do we care? Why, why, why? We all would like to know the "why" when we take pictures and why we want to show them and why we keep them. and why we photograph what we photograph. This is more a stream of consciousness than any really defined subject of photography.  Join Antonio on this wondering journey, as he begins this discussion which is sure to continue well past the end of this show. 

Show Links:

Why do we take pictures? – Sushicam

Overexposed? Camera Phones Could Be Washing Out Our Memories : NPR

“Mirrors With Memories”: Why Did Victorians Take Pictures of Dead People? | Mental Floss

This Photographer Deleted His Social Media with 1.5 Million Followers

All Good Things

Well, the time has come to say adios to Tom as a regular host on Street Shots. In this episode, Antonio and Tom talk about what it's been like to have created such a fun team with Switch to Manual and this podcast. Not a whole lot of practical photography tips spoken about but more about what it's been like for the two of them to have worked together to create STM and what the future will be like with just Antonio hosting the podcast. So grab your favorite beverage and chill with the STM guys on this bittersweet episode. Oh, and it's not all bad news.   

Opinions are like…

This week, Antonio scours the photography news site called PetaPixel and adds his two cents about some the recent stories published there. 

Show Links:

500px gets acquired

Odd pricing at 500px

Lensbaby Burnside Lens

New Fuji X-H1

Canon’s AI Flash

Lightroom Update

Stupid Photography Terms

The B-Word

Peter Lik “Faked” Moon Image

NYC Street Coincidences

Technicolor

In this episode, Antonio is joined by his friend and co-worker Reed Means to discuss the technical and emotional impact of adjusting colors in both film/video and still photography. Tapping into Reed’s extensive experience as a film/video colorist, they talk about how color editing (also called color “grading”) affects our feelings about a visual scene and the information conveyed to a viewer. Color editing in film and still photography share a lot of similar ideas and Antonio and Reed discuss those commonalities and how they can be used to help an artist express themself.

Show Links:

Palm Tree Shoe Productions

Reed’s color grading sample video

Color Grading Central

Alexis Van Hurkman

Film LUTs

Color Harmony

DaVinci Resolve Software

Behind the scenes of the Hobbit

The Psychology of Color

Ruminations

In this episode, Antonio ponders other podcasts (and shoutouts), new lenses, and image processing. Also, he starts to pave the way for a future episode where he'll discuss the films and TV shows that shape his visual DNA. All this from a late night recording from the STM studios. 

Links:

ShutterTime with Sid and Mac

Let's Talk Photography

Machine Nation

In this episode, Antonio follows up on his newest birthday toy, the Polaroid OneStep2. A recent trip with the instant camera changed the way to have fun with a camera, or maybe he rediscovered how to have fun. Also, he discusses a new and perhaps disturbing trend in automated photo editing and processing: machines that learn what a "good" photograph is and tell you how to fix your flawed images. Something to fear or embrace? Antonio is sure to share his opinion about that. The machinations of the algorithm.

Show Links:

Petapixel: Google’s New AI Can Score Photos on Technical and Aesthetic Quality

Google Nima: Neural Image Assessment

PhotoLemur

Show and Tell

In this episode, Antonio shares his latest experience with printing and hanging a show of his street photography at a Brooklyn brewery/gallery. Some tips and lessons learned. Also, after receiving a Polaroid OneStep camera for his birthday, Antonio chats about his new, or we should say renewed, foray into the world of instant photography. 

Show Links:

Island to Island Brewery

Digital Soup Podcast

ShutterTime with Sid & Mac

Polaroid Originals

2017 Photo Expo

It's October and that means Antonio is walking the floor of the PDN Photoplus Expo again. On this episode, Antonio chats with a few of the vendors at the show and a photographer who shares his opinion about cameras as status symbols. Tune in and take a virtual tour of the Expo with one of the STM guys.

Show Links:

Ken Shung Photographer

Polaroid Pop

Polaroid Originals

Lomography & Lomo'Instant Square

Macphun/Skylum Software

My Case Builder

Photography as Therapy

In this episode, Antonio is joined by longtime STM friend, Mac Sokulski of the Shuttertime with Sid and Mac podcast. First we get an update about Mac's foray into shooting film for an entire year. Also, Mac and Antonio discuss several Kickstarter projects featuring unique takes on digital cameras. Finally, they chat about whether or not picture taking can be considered a form of therapy. Can you tame some of your inner struggles by just going on a photo walk or testing a new camera? Hear how Antonio and Mac find some inner peace when taking out their gear and taking some pictures.

Show Links:

MiKSMedia Photography

Shuttertime with Sid and Mac

Let's Talk Photography Podcast

The Lomo'Instant Square Camera

Jollylook - The First Cardboard Vintage Instant Camera!

I'm Back - Digital back attachment for analog cameras

Yashica digiFilm Camera

Miroslav Tichý