Larry Fink

Larry Fink

Episode 41 - Zach & Courtney have talked about Larry Fink on multiple occasions, so wanted to have an episode dedicated to him. The photography of Larry Fink was documentary in nature and full of social & class commentary. His most famous series, Social Graces, put images of Manhattan socialites of the 70s & 80s alongside images of the Sabatine family living in rural Pennsylvania.  He also photographed social activism of the 60s & 70s, boxing in the 80s & 90s, the famous Vanity Fair Oscar parties in the early 2000s, and behind the scenes at fashion shows. Fink once said, “The only revolution we have is within,” which became an important quote in the McCracken/Dobson household. We talk about that in depth in this episode. After our initial talk (clip from Photography is Nothing episode 05), Zach talks through one of his favorite photo books:  Larry Fink: Hands On / A Passionate Life of Looking. The book touches on every point of Fink’s career. Zach talks in depth about some of his favorite images and provides details about the stories and series they’re from. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Intro: Change the world by changing yourself 1:15 - Larry Fink and the Sabatine Family 5:31 - Courtney’s favorite quote from Larry Fink 8:02 - Larry Fink’s self portrait is an entire universe  12:19 - How we missed meeting Larry Fink 14:07 - The internal revolution manifests externally 18:15 - Photo book - Larry Fink: Hands On / A Passionate Life of Looking Buy, Sell or Trade with MPB: https://shorturl.at/Szqs2 Larry Fink: Hands On / A Passionate Life of Looking Get your copy: https://amzn.to/4fWXPuN Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_ About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.  Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Lourdes Grobet

Episode 40 - Zach & Courtney talk about Lourdes Grobet, an amazing Mexican photographer whose best known work is her nearly 40 years of documenting lucha libre, Mexican wrestling. Grobet’s work isn’t just unique because of the subject matter. She did a mix of action, documentary, behind-the-scenes, and portraiture, all with great skill. Other series by Grobet includes Paisajes Pintados (Painted Landscapes) and Laboratorio de Teatro Campesino e Indígena (Peasant and Indigenous Theater Laboratory). “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Intro: The true story behind Nacho Libre! 0:50 - Introducing Lourdes Grobet 5:54 - Paisajes Pintados (Painted Landscapes) 9:24 - Laboratorio de Teatro Campesino e Indígena 11:15 - Documentary photography of lucha libre 14:39 - Luchador El Santo 17:39 - Luchador Blue Demon 20:25 - Luchadors at their day jobs 23:19 - Portraits of luchadors with their families 30:44 - Frey Tormenta (the inspiration for Nacho Libre) 35:45 - Thoroughly documenting a subject 40:06 - Assignment: find this photo of Blue Demon The Art of Photography interview with Lourdes Grobet https://youtu.be/rElpkvx244Y?si=9rDIJyoVyC_GVcCm Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_ About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.  Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

PaJaMa Collective

Episode 39 - Zach & Courtney talk about PaJaMa collective, made up of painters & photographers Paul Cadmus, Jared French, and Margaret French. Between 1937 and the mid 1950s, they created a set of photos that feel like summer.  This episode about PaJaMa is also a great way to celebrate Pride Month, as the artists are credited as being the first queer art collective on Fire Island, NY. In this episode, we look through their vast archive of images, talk about how their painting styles were reflected in their photographs, and address the importance of these photos as a historical document of a community that largely lived their lives outside of public view. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Intro: Who is PaJaMa collective? 2:11 - Photos locations: Fire Island, NY and Provincetown, MA 5:27 - Photography used to be mostly private 12:50 - Friends of PaJaMa 16:15 - Queer history as told through photography. Alice Austen 18:48 - Jared French & Paul Cadmus paintings 23:06 - Alfred Eisenstaedt’s V-J Day photo is SA 27:52 - About Margaret Hoening French 28:25 - The photography of PaJaMa collective 38:30 - Stone Blossom: A Conversation Piece by Paul Cadmus 39:41 - What is the historical significance of PaJaMa? 44:07 - Photographer George Platt Lynes - a friend of PaJaMa 46:15 - Calvalrymen Crossing A River - Jared French **CORRECTIONS** In the audio, Zach states Chess and Politics is by Jared French. This is correct. The text incorrectly credits the painting to Paul Cadmus. Also, Zach called the Alfred Eisenstaedt photo, “V-E Day” but it’s actually “V-J Day” Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_ About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.  Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Joel Meyerowitz - Cape Light

Episode 38 - Zach & Courtney talk about photographer Joel Meyerowitz and his project Cape Light. This series, created in 1976-77 in Cape Cod, is a fantastic and nostalgic look at what summer feels like.  Joel Meyerowitz is an early adapter of color photography in an era when “serious” art photographers chose black & white film. He is primarily known as a street photographer, but for this seminal series, now 50 years old, he put down the 35mm camera in favor of a massive 8x10 view camera, forcing himself to take a slower and more introspective approach.  In this episode, we talk about the project, the creative choices Meyerowitz made, and the feelings inspired by the resulting images. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Intro: Carrying a 8x10 camera everywhere 2:41 - Who comes to mind when thinking about summer photography? 3:48 - A quick background on Joel Meyerowitz 6:36 - How Robert Frank influenced Joel Meyerowitz 9:14 - Experimenting with larger cameras to capture more detail 9:48 - Cape Light is about capturing the feel of the place 12:37 - Lightning strike from the porch 15:25 - Laundry blowing in the breeze 18:03 - Book cover photo 19:28 - Master printer Joanne Mulberg 23:52 - The Feelings evoked from Cape Light 33:20 - How Cape Light was influential 35:51 - Thumbnail previews of all 95 Cape Light photos 37:38 - Who else should we talk about for summer photos? Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_ About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.  Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Indy 500 2026

Episode 37 - Zach & Courtney head to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for their annual trek to the famed Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, aka the Indy 500. This episode is a visual experience! You have to see the sights through video clips and photos. This is Neve’s first Indy 500, so we were all very excited to show her what it’s like, especially her older siblings Henry and Louisa, who are practically race pros by now. In this episode we walk and talk and take you into the crowds so you can get a firsthand look at the experience. And as usual, Zach documents the day, so his photos are throughout the episode, too. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Intro: Zach & Courtney hide their beers. Sorta. 0:45 - Walking with the crowds to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway 8:36 - Walking into the IMS and finding our seats in Turn One 11:27 - Exploring the infield before the Indy 500 starts 14:00 - We go on the track at the speedway 16:59 - Gasoline Alley and the Pagoda 24:10 - Pre-race ceremonies at the Indy 500 26:41 - The closest finish EVER at the Indy 500! 27:56 - Thoughts on the race and walking back to the car Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_ About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting.  Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.