Photography is Nothing

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about how their painting styles were reflected in their photographs, and address the importance of these photos as a historical document of a community that largely lived their lives outside of public view.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.

Ruedi Hofmann - Photographer & Master Printer

Episode 36 - In this episode, Zach & Courtney talk with Ruedi Hofmann, photographer and master printer for Richard Avedon's In the American West. Ruedi Hofmann has worked as a professional photographer since the 1980s with regular clients like Giorgio Armani. But before that, Hofmann worked for 5 years with Richard Avedon as Studio Manager, First Assistant on the In The American West series, and finally as Master Printer for the artist’s most famous project. In this interview, Hofmann tells us stories about working with Avedon, how he reluctantly agreed to print In The American West, and his own career in fashion & portraiture. For his work as Master Printer, Hofmann received from Avedon one edition of each photo he printed, making him owner of one of only three complete sets of In the American West. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Introducing Ruedi Hofmann - photographer and master printer 1:39 - How Ruedi got started in photography. 4:21 - What it was like working in Richard Avedon’s studio. 15:19 - How Avedon chose Hofmann to print his photos. 22:17 - Ruedi’s terms for staying on to the end of In The American West. 25:49 - Leveraging the Avedon name for products & services. 27:09 - Working your way up at Avedon’s studio. 28:53 - The importance of the master printer’s role in making a photograph. 31:06 - Ruedi tells us Avedon’s reaction to the first ~100 prints. 34:21 - Ruedi Hofmann’s career as a professional photographer. 43:59 - Richard Avedon and Laura Wilson worked together to find subjects. 47:43 - What it was like for Avedon’s Western subjects. 55:38 - The new Avedon documentary declined Ruedi’s participation. 58:14 - A photography project is bigger than just the photographer. 1:09:27 - Ruedi’s thoughts on Avedon’s destruction of his negatives. 1:15:33 - Ruedi feels a responsibility to the people he’s photographing. In this interview, we reference a video where Hofmann speaks with Richard Corman in great detail about the technical processes of printing In The American West. You can watch that here:  https://www.ruedihofmann.com/avedon-west-collection You can learn more about Ruedi's ownership of the Avedon prints in Zach's video here: https://youtu.be/StKEn_kjc5Q 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.

Famous Photographers' Family Photos

Episode 35 - In this episode, Zach & Courtney talk about famous photographers photographing their own families.  After last week’s episode about documenting everyday life, Zach wanted to talk about some famous photographers who documented their own life, and specifically their family. Documentary photographers are known for telling stories about hard-hitting issues in the world. But some well-known photographers have very famous images that focus on their own family members or home life. Seeing how fine art, documentary, and street photographers chronicle their own family can show us how this type of work is important for any of us to do. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Intro: Courtney helps Zach gain a deeper appreciate for Sally Mann 5:27 - Sabine Weiss & her husband Hugh Weiss 7:04 - W. Eugene Smith & kids 11:22 - Christopher Anderson w/ Atlas & Marion 13:31 - Inge Morath & Arthur Miller 15:39 - William Eggleston & his kids (MAYBE) 17:04 - Stephen Shore & his wife Ginger 18:11 - Sally Mann & her kids 24:26 - Nancy Sheung & daughter 25:12 - Larry Fink & his daughter Molly with the Sabatine family 27:21 - Garry Winogrand & his kids at the zoo 30:00 - Lee Friedlander & his wife Maria and their kids 34:17 - Following up on Documentary Photography is for Everyone 36:16 - Zach feels more connected to the world when photographing it 42:45 - It’s important to strike a balance between photographer & person  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.