The Photowalk
The Photowalk is a mailbag-driven podcast where we walk, make pictures together, and meet with special guests along the trail. For anyone who likes to take pictures.
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#490 Walking the perimeter of the UK!
07/04/2025
#490 Walking the perimeter of the UK!
Quintin Lake is my guest today, sharing stories from the literal edges. From 2015 to 2021, he walked the entire coastline of mainland Britain, covering all 11,000 km of it, creating The Perimeter, a six-year photographic journey that explores light, isolation, design, and the quiet drama of the country's outermost margins. A fine art and architectural photographer, Quintin’s eye has always been drawn to form and structure. We also talk about his personal work, including Absent Pyramid, a study of Chernobyl 21 years later, and Cold War Spaces of Fear. Quintin’s work is marked by precision, stillness, and a deep attentiveness to place. In this conversation, we explore endurance and creativity, the solitude of long walks, and what it means to photograph with intention. Also on the show today from the mailbag: Jade Lee has an idea for our 500th episode that allows you to participate, wherever you are in this world. Christopher Parsons shares how sneaking into the right place led to the shot, Bill Frische gifts us a new word you’ll want to make your own, and Reed Gidez explores an abandoned hospital with a camera in hand. Also, today, Gary Ramage invites you to take part in the new One Word Assignment for July. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show, plus our without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#489 Become wild with wonder
06/27/2025
#489 Become wild with wonder
This week, I’m walking with Thomas Nicolon, a National Geographic Explorer whose camera has led him through the dense rainforests of Central Africa and the tangled frontlines of wildlife trafficking in the Amazon. He’s a photographer, filmmaker, and conservation storyteller who studies some of the world’s most vulnerable ecosystems. Thomas spent five years in the Democratic Republic of Congo, working as a journalist before shifting his focus entirely to the natural world. Since then, he has collaborated with conservation organisations such as WWF and WCS, and published his work in Le Monde, Reuters, GEO, and Mongabay. Thomas has an insatiable love for photography, and that comes across today as he invites you to embrace your childhood wonder and see through the eyes of a nine-year-old. From the mailbag, Allin Sorenson reflects on his creative legacy, Patrick Gerke’s lost in a jungle of grass, and Michael Brennan delivers a heartfelt letter and boldly bins off social media’s pesky algorithms. I announce a special Photowalk meet up planned for July 30th and Paul Hutson invites you to take part in the One Word Assignment. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show, plus our without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#488 The lens cap that almost cost me my life!
06/20/2025
#488 The lens cap that almost cost me my life!
In this episode, I’m joined by a former frontline military photographer whose camera has been trained on the complexities of human nature through the lens of conflict and resilience over the course of three decades. But it was one small slip, a dropped lens cap, that nearly cost Gary Ramage his life. We discuss the moments behind the images, the weight of documenting conflict, and how one decision in a war zone can alter everything. We also talk about what it means to return from the intensity of conflict zones and adjust to the quiet normality of everyday life—how you make sense of war when the world around you carries on as if nothing happened. Also on the show and from the mailbag, John Kenny introduces the curious sport of shin-kicking (don’t try this at home), Tony Lorenzo tackles imposter syndrome with style, and 35mm film. Andrew Gardner tells a story with a radioactive twist, (perhaps), Graham Harries talks about urbex, and Paul Hutson sets June’s One Word Assignment. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show, plus our without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#487 This wondrous world of light
06/13/2025
#487 This wondrous world of light
In this episode, philosophical YouTuber Sean Tucker is back to talk with me about the parts of creative life we don’t often say out loud, anxiety, self-doubt, the “Is it good enough?” spiral, and what to do when you feel like giving up. It’s an honest, uplifting conversation about the why behind the work, and how we find our way back when the spark dims. From the mailbag, Paul Friday swears by checklists as an antidote to anxiety (with proper ticks, not the woodland kind), Lars Hegaard introduces a book that might just change your shelf forever, and Jason Ingram prompts me to consider the real nature of importance. Plus, Valérie Jardin returns for Teach Me Street, and we’ve got June’s One Word Assignment from Paul Hutson. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show, plus our without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#486 To SEE and be SEEN
06/06/2025
#486 To SEE and be SEEN
Today, I’m joined by world-renowned portrait photographer Platon. Known for capturing some of the most iconic faces in modern history, from world leaders to cultural figures, Platon shares an insight into the emotional depth of portraiture, human connection, and the responsibility that comes with photographing power. We explore how photography can give voice to the unheard, why vulnerability matters more than perfection, and what it really means to see someone. From the mailbag, Mark Christensen shares the story of how his flash may have saved his life, Phil Ferris is looking behind the sofa for his mojo, Jade Lee’s filming snakes at her feet, and Allin Sorenson brings a poem to the path that ties beautifully to my chat with Platon. Plus we have a new assignment from portrait photographer and writer, Paul Hutson. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show, plus our without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#485 Travel isn't a picture, it's a pulse
05/30/2025
#485 Travel isn't a picture, it's a pulse
David duChemin is a photographer, author, and adventurer whose work and words have helped countless creatives reconnect with the why behind their work, which plays perfectly into the story of this podcast. Known for his deep reflections on vision, presence, and the stories we tell with a camera, David brings a grounded honesty to conversations about creativity. He talks today about taking personal risk, his love of the wilds, his deep trust of animals and why travel is such a precious part of his life. To quote, “I don’t want to go through life having only experienced the World through the pages of National Geographic, I want to see it, and touch it and smell it.” This week, I’m proud to announce something new. The Journey Beyond is a new travel venture for photographers, writers, and creatives heading to places like Mongolia, India, and beyond, not just to see, but to feel, listen, and make work that matters in an experiential way. More news on the show. Also, from your letters, Anders Ekmark shares how he silences that inner troll when self-doubt creeps in. There’s a poignant farewell letter to Sebastião Salgado, penned by my friend Tomasz from Fujilove. Kelvin Brown talks about finding the courage to ask, “Can I make your portrait?” a deceptively simple but deeply human question, and Dennis Linden reminds us one more time for May, of this month’s One Word Assignment. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show, plus our without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#484 Time to talk?
05/23/2025
#484 Time to talk?
I have a trio of guests on the show this week. Photographer, author and adventurer David duChemin joins me ahead of his full appearance next week for a shorter but powerful conversation that weaves through some of the themes we’ve explored on the show over the past year: presence, obsession, talent, adversity, courage, comparison, and yes, that old imposter syndrome chestnut, all with David’s signature warmth and insight. My good friend, documentary photographer Giles Penfound, joins me for a walk and shares a disarming way to connect with people you might never normally speak to. If you've ever felt that knot-in-the-stomach hesitation when approaching a stranger and asking, “Can I make your portrait?”, Giles might just have the key to making those conversations feel not only possible but natural, and Valérie Jardin returns for this month’s Teach Me Street, ahead of our summer recording in Paris. From the mailbag and also on the show, Robin Chun reckons he’s made his picture of the year, William Leonard’s been having camera bag nightmares, Paul Moore’s in a derelict hospital shooting for a client while listening to our supernatural episode, and I’ve a story to share about how homelessness led to a walk… which led to a book… which has now become a film, out next week. If you know the story already, I hope you won’t mind the revisit. It’s a path worth walking again. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show, plus our without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#483 Just say YES!
05/16/2025
#483 Just say YES!
My guest on the Photowalk show today, Liza Gershman, is a travel and food photographer who’s just as interested in the people and places behind the meal as the food itself. Her work has taken her to over 50 countries, always with a focus on storytelling and travel, whether through the steam rising off a street vendor’s stall or the quiet moments shared at a family table. Liza’s path into food photography wasn’t necessarily planned, however. It started with a yes, and grew from there. In this episode, we talk about the role food plays in identity, how travel shapes the creative eye, and the way photography can slow us down long enough to really notice what’s in front of us. From the mailbag today, you might want to brace yourself before the first letter lands, Charles Mason is to blame, with a tale involving something he calls photographer’s knee. Craig Wilson’s up a mountain with his camera, Paul Friday’s wrapping himself in cotton wool (the reason will become clear), and Bob Shonkoff has a 4am story that might just have you glancing over your shoulder. Plus, we reveal the winner of last month’s ‘context’ photo assignment, and there’s a fresh new challenge to get stuck into. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show, plus our without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#482 The 1,100km Photowalk!
05/09/2025
#482 The 1,100km Photowalk!
Today, an episode where I walk with my guest along the paths of Greenham Common in Berkshire, England. We explore how photography, adventure, and purpose can align to become one path. Photographer Tom Warburton retired early and, rather than settle into a slower pace, decided to walk the length of the River Ganges, over 1,100 kilometres from the glacier source in the Himalayas to its confluence with the Yamuna near Prayagraj. It was a journey fuelled by curiosity, a love of walking, a desire to see life away from the main roads, and to photograph people and culture with care and respect. Tom had long held an interest in photography, but like many, life’s other responsibilities often came first. So with time finally on his side, he went in search of something deeper, not just images, but understanding. The result? A slow, human journey through rural villages, pilgrimage sites, nature reserves, and towns where he was often the only outsider for miles. In today’s episode, we walk and talk about what it means to truly travel with intention, to go off the beaten path, to connect with strangers, and to find portraits in moments where trust is built, not taken. This is a story of walking for photography, walking for perspective, and walking, quite simply, for the love of the road. As the walk draws to a close, Tom arrives in Prayagraj just as the Maha Kumbh Mela begins, a once-in-144-years gathering of extraordinary scale and spirit. On the biggest days, over 40 million people converge: sadhus, pilgrims, Naga ascetics, all drawn to the sacred waters where the Ganges and Yamuna meet. And there’s Tom, camera in hand, somehow slipping through the crowds and into the press areas, ready to capture it all. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show, plus our without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#481 An ever changing canvas
05/02/2025
#481 An ever changing canvas
The mailbag returns today alongside my guest Mark Fearnley, a London-based street photographer known for his minimalist, fine art approach to urban storytelling, where lines, light, and shadow play leading roles. With a background rooted in the arts, his shift to photography felt like a natural extension of how he sees the world. In this episode, Mark shares the story of how he found his visual voice, why the city of London in particular remains his ever-changing canvas, and how his work challenges the traditional idea of what street photography should look like. Alongside creating striking, often cinematic imagery, he also spends time guiding others, not just in technique, but in learning to observe with intent. Also, in the monthly feature Teach Me Street, Valérie Jardin answers what ‘makes an image,’ and unpicks how photographers can recognise that they have captured something really quite special. Plus, Extra Miler Dennis Linden sets a new assignment for the month. From the mailbag two Chris’s, Articulate and Parsons celebrate the sights and sounds of our Indian special, Charles Mason reminds us of the power of hands, and how much hands say about us in a portrait, plus Lin Gregory has important and special thoughts about safety for women photographers on the paths we tread. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show, plus our without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#480 A GRAND INDIA ADVENTURE SPECIAL
04/25/2025
#480 A GRAND INDIA ADVENTURE SPECIAL
This week, The Photowalk steps into another world. I’ve swapped the familiar footpaths of my English home for the rich tapestry of India, a country that stirs something profound in you from the moment you arrive. The air feels heavier with story, the colours seem to hum, and every turn in the road holds a scene you’ve not experienced before. India doesn’t just invite you in, it wraps itself around you. In this special episode, I travel with nine curious photographers through Delhi and Jodhpur, cameras at the ready, to witness many scenes, including the festival of colour, Holi, where colourful powders of the Spring celebration hang in the air, and the streets come alive. Alongside co-leader Jason Florio and our Indian guides Shivam and Arvind, I talk photography, travel, and the way India overwhelms every sense: the smell of spice and diesel, the sounds of laughter and rickshaws, the heat, the rhythm, the way that everyday life plays out with a sense of theatre, spontaneous, heartfelt, and unforgettable. Part postcard, part diary, this is your personal invitation to join me and become the Other Traveller. Because next year, we’re doing it again. Photographers often talk about seeing with fresh eyes, but India doesn’t just give you that. It wonderfully demands it. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to , and who sponsor this show, plus our without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#479 The passage of time: A love letter to photography
04/18/2025
#479 The passage of time: A love letter to photography
In this special extended episode, I spend the day with my good friend, documentary photographer Giles Penfound, once the head of photography for the British Army, now a passionate ambassador for the slower, more intentional world of film photography. We’re in the darkroom together, where Giles takes the film I shot recently in India and brings it to life. If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on in that red-lit sanctuary, or what it means to wait, to watch, and to witness an image slowly emerge from nothing, this one’s for you. Even if you’ve never stepped into a darkroom, there’s something in this about patience, process, and friendship that I hope might just land with you. It’s part workshop, part fireside chat, and at times it gets deeply personal. Over a cooked breakfast in a feature I call In the Fryer, I ask Giles some tougher questions, the kind you only ask a friend you trust, and the kind that lead to answers you don’t always expect. This is a story about time and about why film photography, with all its waiting and wonder, still has something powerful to teach us in a world that wants everything now. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to and who sponsor this show, plus our without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#478 What is your TRUE measure of success?
04/11/2025
#478 What is your TRUE measure of success?
In this holiday archive special, I’m joined by two remarkable photographers whose work has shaped how we see the world: Joel Meyerowitz and Ed Kashi. Both share how they found their craft, revealing personal stories and the ethos that guides their creative lives. I think, this will stand as one of the most inspirational editions I have edited for the Photowalk show. Joel reflects further upon his time documenting Ground Zero in the Aftermath project of 9/11. As the only photographer granted unrestricted access, he created a comprehensive archive that stands as a testament to resilience and remembrance to this day. He shares how this experience reshaped his perspective on photography and its role in chronicling history. Ed talks with me about ’The Sandwich Generation,’ a deeply personal project where he and his wife, filmmaker Julie Winokur, documented their journey of moving cross-country to care for Julie's ageing father, Herb, who suffered from dementia. Through this intimate lens, Ed discusses the emotional complexities of caregiving and challenges the common misconceptions about photojournalism, emphasising its capacity to tell profound personal stories beyond the headlines. This episode is about the narratives that shape our understanding of humanity and the measures of success that go beyond accolades. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to and who sponsor this show, plus our without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#477 Finding Mountain Therapy
04/04/2025
#477 Finding Mountain Therapy
Canadian landscape photographer Lee Nordbye hikes climbs, and skates with a camera in hand, embracing what he calls mountain therapy to navigate life and mental health. In this episode, Lee shares how time in the Rockies helped him following an unexpected career change and a battle with depression. He's now giving back by teaching, guiding, and using his lens to inspire a connection with nature. This is a wonderful conversational meander where we talk about healing, creativity, and the quiet power of the wild. Also, on the show from the mailbag, Paul Friday’s trying to coax us into photographing underwater, but after hearing what’s coming up, I’m not sure I’ll even risk a paddle in the bath. Chris Smith’s found his own kind of mountain therapy in the Lake District, Chris Hale is getting wistful about a hiking trip with his wife, and Myles Barfield is discovering a quiet comfort wrapped in the morning mist. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to , and who sponsor this show, plus our without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#476 The weight of seeing
03/28/2025
#476 The weight of seeing
Marcus Bleasdale has spent his life in places most of us would struggle to imagine, photographically documenting conflict zones and communities caught in the crossfire of politics and profit. In this conversation within The Photowalk show, Marcus talks about the responsibility of witnessing brutal truths, from child labour in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the mining of conflict minerals used in our phones and tech, and how his book The Unravelling, forces us to reckon with the uncomfortable fact that everyday convenience often comes at someone else’s expense. The mailbag is back and in today’s: Spike Boydell sends in a film link that had me properly thinking about connection. Jerilyn Owen shares how making a self-portrait is helping her learn acceptance. Samantha Ramsay finds something spiritual in photographing hands, while Greg Picone stumbles across a spooky landscape right behind his own backyard. Randy Bullerwell’s been capturing carnival season in Aruba in a way that’s anything but ordinary and Complaints Corner is open again… this time, it’s a case of the wrong pants. Plus, a quick reminder: it’s the final week for this month’s One Word Assignment, set by Claire Thomas. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to , and who sponsor this show, plus our without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#475 Where the smoke used to rise
03/21/2025
#475 Where the smoke used to rise
In this episode, I’m joined by Ian Beesley, the acclaimed social documentary photographer whose work has captured the changing face of the North of England for over four decades. From documenting the decline of heavy industry to the resilience of working-class communities, Ian’s photographs are raw, honest, and deeply human. We talk about memory, place, humour, and the role of photography in giving voice to people and stories often overlooked. It’s a conversation about seeing, really seeing, the world around us and using a camera not just to document but to care. Also on the show, Valérie Jardin returns for the monthly Teach Me Street feature, and there's a reminder of the latest one-word assignment set by the photojournalist Claire Thomas. The mailbag returns next week. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to , and who sponsor this show, plus our without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#474 An art of seeing beyond the surface
03/14/2025
#474 An art of seeing beyond the surface
Today I visit and walk with British photographer Mark Seymour, who made his name as an award-winning wedding photographer. However, his passion for photography as a medium led him beyond the wedding aisle and onto the streets of the world, where he now documents culture, tradition, and the human experience through travel, documentary photography and workshops. In this episode of The Photowalk, we talk about his transition from weddings to reportage, the power of visual storytelling, and Ronnie’s Story, a deeply personal and important body of work that not only changed Mark as a photographer but also brought vital awareness to dementia. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show and the without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#473 Today, we are climbing Mount Everest!
03/07/2025
#473 Today, we are climbing Mount Everest!
What kind of person looks at the world’s tallest mountain, a frozen, oxygen-starved, avalanche-prone giant and thinks, “Yeah, I’ll have a go at that?” Tim Kington, a photographer and adventure seeker with a dream to stand atop the world, took on Everest, facing brutal conditions where the air is too thin to breathe, the temperatures can freeze flesh, and every step is a fight against nature itself. In this episode, I talk to Tim about what it takes to climb Everest, the reality of the so-called Death Zone, and why, despite the dangers, thousands still attempt to reach the summit—some making history, others becoming part of the mountain forever. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show and the without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#472 Unearthed negatives, unforgettable narratives
02/28/2025
#472 Unearthed negatives, unforgettable narratives
A magazine feel to the show today as I talk with three guests. The discovery of Ernest Stone's archive reveals a once-hidden visual chronicle of New York from the 1960s to the 1980s, capturing its transformation, counterculture, and politics, cementing his legacy as a multifaceted artist, a legacy that may not have been uncovered without the dedication of his niece Melissa Berman, who is working to Ernie’s last wishes to share his archive, preserving a vital piece of New York's visual history. Extra Miler Lynn Fraser talks about winning the UK’s coveted Amateur Photographer of the Year award, and Rick Davy shares his visually documented look at creative individuals who live and work by the Cornish coast. Also on the show, following last week’s episode featuring the Séance photographer Shannon Taggart, Per Birkhaug shares a strange ghostly encounter from a hotel room, and Bob Demers, AKA Bob of the Desert, has his own inexplicable stories. Plus, a look ahead to three special episodes and an assignment reminder; you’ve got just one more week to take part in our February photo challenge. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show and the without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#471 How to photograph A GHOST
02/21/2025
#471 How to photograph A GHOST
My guest today is Shannon Taggart, a photographer and author renowned for her exploration of modern Spiritualism, a belief system centred on communicating with the deceased. Her fascination began as a teenager when a medium revealed details about her cousin’s grandfather's death, sparking a two-decade journey documenting Spiritualist communities worldwide. Her acclaimed monograph, SÉANCE, delves into these practices and was named one of TIME Magazine's 'Best Photobooks of 2019'. From the mailbag and also on the show, Bob of the Desert uncovers some curious coincidences at 5,000 feet, Craig Wilson captures the beauty of the Lake District, Niels de Kemp reflects on how ageing shapes mastery of photography, and Gavin Perry talks about colour blindness as a photographer. Plus David Wright reminds us of this month's photo assignment. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show and the without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#470 A polar bear ate my meatballs!
02/14/2025
#470 A polar bear ate my meatballs!
What do you do if a black bear wants a word with you, and all you’ve got for protection is a jacket? No handbook for that. The same goes for being miles from anti-venom after a snake bite or realizing a polar bear thinks you’re lunch. For National Geographic photographer and filmmaker David Wright, this isn’t fiction, it’s just another day at work. He’s got the dream job if you don’t mind bears, snakes, and the occasional impalement. We talk about David’s incredible career, laced with adventure and the occasional serving of chance! Also, on the show, Reid Naaykens shares how creating stock images has brought his work to life in ways Instagram hasn’t lately. Kyle Attwood is back with more tales of photographing rafts, the ones made from milk cartons. Meanwhile, Hegaard the Dane faces an unexpected challenge from swan song and Valerie Jardin joins us for the very first TEACH ME STREET segment. Looking ahead to next week, we meet a photographer who turned The Séance into a best-selling photobook, plus, a reminder of this month’s ONE WORD ASSIGNMENT, set by today’s guest, David Wright. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show and the without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#469 The ART of disappearing and getting published!
02/07/2025
#469 The ART of disappearing and getting published!
National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson has shot over fifty stories for National Geographic and Traveler and today shares the art of becoming invisible behind the lens, plus how he pitches photo stories to the world’s biggest publications. Though his work has spanned the globe, his long-term storytelling in rural Kansas is just as profound, as he reveals. In this episode, Jim, once named the Photographer’s Photographer by his peers, reflects on why blending in, embracing the ‘boring,’ and quiet observation can lead to the most powerful photographic stories. Plus, we revisit his iconic High School USA essay, a classic of documentary photography. From the mailbag, Mark Christensen feels inspired to start his own photography podcast, Sam Hopwood crashed his mountain bike last year, which in a twist of creative fate, never mind the twisted metal, has brought him back to photography, Kyle Attwood has been exploring the streets of Perth with film, making zines to celebrate the art of the print, and Dennis Linden has been revisiting the dangers we talked about when photographing wild-fires. Plus, there’s this month’s NEW one-word assignment, and I’ll announce the winner of last month’s challenge featuring the colour red. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show and the without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#468 Wandering the Earth with eyes wide open
01/31/2025
#468 Wandering the Earth with eyes wide open
After enduring four years of dialysis and declining health, my guest, photographer Tracey Halladay had come to terms with the possibility of not experiencing all that life had to offer. However, a life-saving kidney transplant granted her a second chance. During her recovery, Tracey noticed a shift in her perception of the world. She felt compelled to share her newfound understanding and appreciation as she explored the mountains, forests, and meadows of Canada. Through her photography, Tracey aims to encourage mindfulness, curiosity, and compassion towards ourselves, others, the Earth, and all its creatures. From the mailbag today, Ewan McNeill shares why Glass is his creative social platform of choice over Instagram, Kelvin Brown invites Flickr users to join a new group celebrating the Photowalk’s assignments, Tracey Ainsley has checked into a lighthouse keeper’s cottage, Chris Smith asks you to think about what your THIS IS ME image might be, Xavier Shaver has a poem from the path, and Mark Christensen is taking the Famous not so Famous flask on tour in California. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show and the without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#467 Documenting the LA fires
01/24/2025
#467 Documenting the LA fires
I’m joined on the show by the photojournalist Ted Soqui, regarded by his peers as a visual historian of modern American life. His career spans four decades, capturing pivotal moments like the 1992 LA riots and the city’s relentless wildfires. His striking images have been featured in national and global media, telling raw, powerful stories. Ted will share the unique challenges and dangers of covering the 2025 LA fires, offering insight into life on the frontlines with a camera. From the mailbag and contributions to the show, Vicky Robb brings us a thought-provoking quote from a famous Mexican photographer, photojournalist Marissa Roth shares a powerful essay on the LA fires, and I consider how our senses shape the way we see and create. Tom Warburton whisks us away to India with a vibrant audio postcard, and Wesley Harney uncovers the beauty and storytelling potential in photos captured right on your doorstep. Plus, a reminder of Ted Forbes’ one-word assignment, which is sparking some amazingly creative entries. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show and the without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#466 Human connection: How photography changed my life
01/17/2025
#466 Human connection: How photography changed my life
Today’s conversation with photojournalist Claire Thomas takes a remarkable turn within just 20 minutes, shifting from casual beginnings to the profound realities of her work now. From those early travel ‘snaps’ to capturing global crises, Claire’s photography isn’t just about documenting what she witnesses; it’s about her genuine desire to share stories of resilience and hope. Working with clients like The New York Times, National Geographic, Amnesty International and UN agencies, her work is respected worldwide. Claire shows real humanity behind the lens and a commitment to her subjects that surpasses the act of photography alone. Also, on the show from the mailbag, Tim Bindner believes he’s discovered his true creative WHY, Bob Shonkoff has insomnia but has turned it into a photographic opportunity, Lynn Fraser and David Higton are making proper pictures of proper snow, and Mark Krajnak is celebrating Hogmanay in a place far from Scottish shores. We’ll also remind you of January’s assignment set by the Art of Photography’s Ted Forbes, plus there’s some more information about April’s ENCOUNTERS workshop and experience. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show and the without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#465 I was terrified, but I'm a SURVIVOR!
01/10/2025
#465 I was terrified, but I'm a SURVIVOR!
Jack Lowe’s Lifeboat Station Project is a profound photographic tribute to the courageous British lifeboat crews who risk everything to save lives at sea. Using a Victorian camera and wet plate collodion methods, Jack makes powerful portraits that honour the resilience and humanity of these everyday heroes and today, he is on the show to talk about his incredible undertaking and risk-taking. Jack’s project has taken a toll, though, both emotionally and financially, and he discusses and reveals how that has affected him personally. Also today from the mailbag, Randy Bullerwell is having a crisis of photographic direction, Mark Christensen finds pelicans have quite the attitude, Matthias Focks is making excellent pictures under an umbrella in a small German town, and Michael Mixon introduces us to a photographer who is questioning human connection. We have a new TEACH ME STREET series that launches today with Valérie Jardin, plus the inspirational Ted Forbes sets this month’s ONE WORD ASSIGNMENT. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show and the without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#464 Unlocking the language of photography
01/03/2025
#464 Unlocking the language of photography
Ted Forbes is a photographer, educator, and creator of The Art of Photography YouTube channel. His new book, Visually Speaking, explores photography as a universal language, offering 21 chapters filled with insights and examples for photographers of all levels to create images that truly communicate. From the mailbag, Gavin Perry shows the World is at your shutter fingertips without boarding a plane, Craig Wilson is yomping through Welsh landscapes, Simon Blakesley has a seven-decade-old personal pilgrimage picture, and Paul Friday has me revisiting photographers who make pictures of things that go bump in the night. We reveal a new assignment for this month and last month’s winner of the show flask, plus announce a new storytelling experience and workshop in London. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show and the without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#463 The WHY before Christmas
12/20/2024
#463 The WHY before Christmas
In photography, knowing your WHY can guide each choice you make, from composition and lighting to the themes you explore, ensuring your work feels authentic and meaningful. But it’s not just about the art of photography, but expressing what and how you feel and believe. Today, on this last celebratory show before Christmas, 23 of this year's guests once more reveal their own WHY in a compilation of inspiration to close out on the year. From the mailbag, Mark Christensen sets out on his first street mission, Harald Kahles has some ideas for specials in ’25, Susan Larsson has found a social replacement for Insta, Peter Turnbull is making environmental portraits, Glenn Sowerby has found the secret for enjoying photography, and Allin Sorenson with a story of 370 million pairs of eyes staring down the lens of a television camera lens at Christmas. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show and the without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#462 Photography is my ANCHOR
12/13/2024
#462 Photography is my ANCHOR
PHOTOGRAPHY IS MY ANCHOR is something that’s said by one of my three guests today. A friend of the show, Andrew Gifford, through his Glass profile, describes in pictures the most potent personal photo project, which conveys how it feels to have M.E. in a story of resilience. Then Dana Stirling’s book ‘Why am I sad?’ is a testament to just how important creative expression is during times of adversity, and a former guest of the show Jack Lowe, who’ll be appearing in a longer interview early in the new year, shares a very special project called ‘A photo for you,’ probably one of the simplest but most profound ideas I’ve heard about this year. Also, from the mailbag, Melissa Berman finds that her late uncle was somewhat of a photographic legend as his pictures of New York in three decades from the 60s go on display at one of the world’s most prestigious photo events, Craig Wilson is celebrating originality, Rikki-Paul Bunder has set himself a weekend photographic challenge with rules of curiosity and the photojournalist Peter Dench has a reminder for December’s assignment. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show and the without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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#461 Everything is a photograph: ONE LOVE
12/06/2024
#461 Everything is a photograph: ONE LOVE
Today on the show, we recognise love as "Universal, regardless of identity and sexuality." Valérie Jardin's ONE LOVE is a new black-and-white photography project in America celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, aiming to inspire greater understanding and acceptance, sharing stories of love in its most authentic form. Lydia Robinson's 'Queer Love' started as a passion project based around queer relationships and documenting couples in the UK. Through this series, Lydia aimed to show a more intimate and personal insight into LGBTQ+ relationships and how they are no different than cisgender heteronormative partnerships. She is recognised as an emerging talent by many publications, including Gay Times. Also, from the mailbag J. Reed Gidez is living my dream on Route 66, Shiraz Chanawala has started making 30,000 step walks finding the therapeutic process of photography both mentally and physically, our man in Finland, Pekka introduces us to Harry Potter-like wizardry to rescue lost digital files and a NEW assignment courtesy of the photojournalist Peter Dench lays in wait for you as we’re now in December. Links to all guests and features will be on the , my sincere thanks to who sponsor this show and the without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available .
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