Prime Lenses podcast

1:11:41

Chris Erickon is a YouTuber, Producer and photographer from the USA who taught me and thousands of others how to get cheap Polaroid film. He’s a passionate creator and came to the show with some great lenses we’ve never discussed before and a lovely story of his Grandfather’s car. More about this show: A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.…

Prime Lenses

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Prime Lenses Episode 54 Phil Penman 1:05:33

8 days ago1:05:33

1:05:33

Phil Penman is a world renowned street photographer. An Englishman in New York for 25 years he’s shot major world events, chased weather across the globe and more recently turned his hand to books and workshops. More about this show: A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.…

Prime Lenses

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Prime Lenses Episode 53 - Danny Bligh Returns 1:08:45

15 days ago1:08:45

1:08:45

Danny Bligh is a photographer and videographer based in the USA. He’s a dear friend and was my first guest on Prime Lenses so it seemed fitting to bring him back for the first episode of year 2. We talk all things Canon, Leica and even sneak in some instant film. More about this show: A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.…

Prime Lenses

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Prime Lenses Episode 52 - Tommy Ga-Ken Wan 57:10

22 days ago57:10

57:10

Tommy Ga-Ken Wan , a Scottish photographer based in Glasgow who I struck up a conversation with on social media when he picked up a Ricoh GR a few years back. Over the years I’ve admired his work in the arts photographing theatre and dance and some comedy greats. He’s even recently featured in some work himself. Tommy speaks to me not only as a photographer but also as a person who is aware of what they need to keep themselves centred and I really enjoyed this thoughtful conversation with a great photographer. More about this show: A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.…

Prime Lenses

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Prime Lenses Episode 51 - Jessica Kosmack 1:07:00

29 days ago1:07:00

1:07:00

Jess is a Canadian photographer , my second one of those in fact, whose work I came across via the brilliant I Dream of Cameras. She has shot Formula 1 on film and has a love of fixed lens medium format, something which if the rumours are true, could make a comeback some time this year. I was delighted to talk to someone who thinks carefully about documenting life through a lens as well as being honest in their writing about creative burnout and the pressure we can put on ourselves, something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately too. More about this show: A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.…

Prime Lenses

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Prime Lenses Episode 50 - Joseph DiGiovanna 1:16:14

5 weeks ago1:16:14

1:16:14

This week my guest is Joseph DiGiovanna , a creative director, filmmaker, photographer and composer based in New York City who is undertaking an amazing project to photograph the New York City skyline over a 30-year period . We meet him as he celebrates 10 years of the project and hopefully you’ll find this conversation to be is a lovely blend of art and science, and exactly the sorts of chats I wanted to have when I started the show. More about this show: A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.…

Prime Lenses

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Prime Lenses Episode 49 - Ethan Swope 58:59

6 weeks ago58:59

58:59

This week my guest is Ethan Swope . He’s a photojournalist and documentary filmmaker in Los Angeles covering local and international news including the war in Ukraine, immigration in Mexico and Lebanon, wildfires in California, and civil unrest in the United States and the Middle East. I spoke to him to get an understanding of his work around the recent wildfires in California. If you’d like to donate and help out you can find out more here . More about this show: A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.…

Prime Lenses

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Prime Lenses Episode 48 - Alex Taylor 1:24:44

7 weeks ago1:24:44

1:24:44

This week my guest is Alex Taylor of Pennine Heritage , a group who are caring for and celebrating the work of Alice Longstaff . Alice was a photographer who lived in the north of England and made photographs throughout her life. They’ve just released their first book titled End of the Roll . More about this show: A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.…

Prime Lenses

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Prime Lenses Episode 47 - George Holden 1:07:49

8 weeks ago1:07:49

1:07:49

George Holden is a Street Photographer and YouTuber who has been a regular poster since 2018. Based in Manchester he shoots digital and film and has as of 2025 decided to simplify his kit down to 2 cameras. For now. This was one camera adjacent enough for me to want to get him on the show, he said yes, and here we are :) More about this show: A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.…

Prime Lenses

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Prime Lenses Episode 46 - James Tocchio 1:15:13

9 weeks ago1:15:13

1:15:13

James Tocchio is the founder of Casual Photophile . For over a decade he has reviewed lenses and cameras and is a staple of photography on the internet. In addition to his love of lenses and photography he also enjoys videogames and motorcycles so if you’re a petrolhead you’ll likely get something out of this episode. More about this show: A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.…

Prime Lenses

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Prime Lenses Episode 45 - Gajan Balan 1:23:27

10 weeks ago1:23:27

1:23:27

My guest today is Gajan Balan, a photographer and director who has made a name for himself producing films for clients around the world as well as regular viewers like us on YouTube. Gajan and I were able to speak ahead of his unveiling as the worldwide brand ambassador for the Leica SL3-S that was announced earlier this week. He’s be en able to travel the world as part of this project and produce a really wonderful film to promote the new camera . Full disclosure, Leica suggested the timing of this episode but as you’ll hear from the conversation we were already in contact and this is in no way a paid promotion, they just put us in touch ahead of the launch. Gajan and I got on great and I can’t wait to speak to him again in future about his next projects but for now please enjoy this first chat. More about this show: A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.…

Prime Lenses

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Prime Lenses Episode 44 - Gabrielle Motola 1:12:35

11 weeks ago1:12:35

1:12:35

Gabrielle Motola is one of the most complete photographers I’ve ever spoken to. That was the word that popped into my head repeatedly as we were speaking just before Christmas. She is thoughtful, makes thought provoking work and knows Photography is noticing, bringing connection to all her work whether it’s travel, portrait or behind the scenes with a world famous band. I loved our conversation and hope you do too. More about this show: A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.…

Prime Lenses

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Prime Lenses Episode 43 - Arun Venkatesan 1:12:35

12 weeks ago1:12:35

1:12:35

My guest this week is Arun Venkatesan , a photographer, engineer and designer based in the U S who writes a really interesting blog about design and occasionally photos and image making. He has recently written about Leica’s font and a friend passed this on to me. I r eally enjoye d his writing and decided to see if I could get him on the show. He said yes and I’m delighted to share this conversation with you all. More about this show: A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.…

Prime Lenses

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Prime Lenses Episode 42 - Stephen K Schuster 1:12:35

13 weeks ago1:12:35

1:12:35

Stephen K Schuster is a New York based photographer who co-hosts the brilliant Emulsions podcast with friend Hollis Monk Thayer . When the pair appeared on the show a couple of weeks ago I asked he’d be up for coming back to talk about his long running project City Kids. He agreed and here we are! We forego lenses in favour of a conversation about image making, terrible ideas, good ideas and we open with a Prime Lenses favourite, A Question of Color . More about this show: A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.…

Prime Lenses

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Prime Lenses Episode 41 - Declan Friel 1:04:42

14 weeks ago1:04:42