Make Photography Great Again Podcast

On this April Fools day episode, there is little fooling around! We will talk about the 6 things that encapsulate being a Professional Photographer in 2019, and how they are SO important especially for those looking to make photography a new career for themselves going forward. We will also breakdown why Styled Shoot workshops are the Antichrist of the photography educational universe. Plus, why Ted loves the Twilight Zone so much!

We are back after a long hiatus! On this week's episodes we talk about about what prints are worthy of recognition in judged image competitions, as well as the relevance and need for a separate wedding photography degree within the Professional Photographers of America's degree program. Of course, we squeeze in some movie talk as well! Its great to be back!

We don't stick with one topic for too long on this episode - basically we rant. And then we rant some more.

After discussing the prerequisite food and movie topics, we move straight into the new craft store session fad and sound off without restraint. Have a listen and send us hate mail if it will make you feel better, we'll just sent it straight to the trash can, anyway.

Even though the magic of Christmas time is over, we DID make some time to sneak in a visit to Pulitzer Prize winning photographer (and my good friend) Scott Shaw, for what ended up being a magical interview. Scott spends some time chatting about how he got his start in photography, as well as the story behind his 1988 Pulitzer prize winning image of baby Jessica McClure being rescued after falling into a well in Texas. Scott is now shooting weddings and portraits, and we spend a little time at the end of the episode chatting about his transition from shooting for major newspapers as a photojournalist, and his thoughts about where the industry is heading.

A bold episode inspired by some bold people. Of course you'll have to put up with more talk of hibachi, first, but it's a small price to pay.

A day late and a dollar short, as usual. Ted and Christine make up for their erratic schedule by insulting newbies left and right. Not really. Well, maybe. Actually, we discuss the path from ignorance to knowledge and our favorite QUICK ACTION ways of improving our photography.

This episode dives into a very important topic that's sometimes ignored by photographers until it's too late: Business. Speaking loud and clear is Brent Watkins, owner of Sylvart Studios in Barberton, Ohio, a three-generation photography studio. Brent also serves as the President of the Professional Photographers of Ohio, where he is an ambassador of business education for photographers. Give it a listen.

It takes us awhile to get there, but today's driving topic is declining memberships in professional photography associations. Somewhere in there we blame a bunch of stuff on Millennials.

Episode 25!! Happy Anniversary to us! To celebrate, we whine about whiners. Yesiree, we do. Brides whining, women whining, photographers whining, it's all here - give it a listen and then whine back. For reals, though, we discuss clients that *JUST HAVE* to be on our websites, Nikon's marketing faux pax and the outrage being fueled by a leading woman photographer...

Hold onto your hats, folks, seriously, hold onto your hats, the flood of IQ points racing from your brain may cause it to float away. This episode covers some outrageous decisions made by people in charge of very important things...

Join the podcast duo as they trade in their microphones and give Skully and Mulder a run for their money as armchair detectives, weighing in on a recent crime against an Ohio photographer who failed to buy insurance, as well as a variety of other folks utilizing GoFundMe for ridiculous reasons.

Join us as today as we review the numerous types of questionable activities surrounding the 2017 Eclipse Apocalypse, offend about 93% of eclipse fans everywhere, and introduce a new eclipse photography contest...

We head to the PPNC Convention to record this week's episode from a laptop that has a REALLY crappy microphone (spoiler alert). What wasn't crappy was the incredible convention put on by the fine folks at the Professional Photographers of North Carolina, and we were lucky enough to be joined by outgoing PPNC President Ned Winn. We chat a little about the importance of local and state photography organizations with Ned, and wrap up the show chatting about the IPC angst that seems to be taking social media by storm.

Welcome to the anniversary episode where Ted and Christine touch on their favorite topics, including those lovely editing "techniques" (we cant say that without laughing, can you?) learned by photographic newcomers. Christine goes off on a black and white pet peeve tangent and Ted continues to expand on his disenchantment with the photography "workshop" trend.

The final final IPC deadline has finally passed. Or has it really? We discuss the hazy IPC deadline situation as well as a new set of rules about to be implemented by a state organization (who shall remain nameless) that we strongly disagree with. From there we discuss Ted's new head shots and a customer that pushed the envelope on the "customer is always right" mindset.

The 4th of July is here, but sadly Christine is not! We'll give her a break as she's resting from some fun at the dentist, and we'll instead talk a little about what makes the 4th of July an extraordinary date in history. Plenty of history in today's episode, plus you get to hear Christine's favorite song ever!

Join Ted and Christine as they wax eloquent about their favorite summertime activities, which include pushing IPC deadlines to their max. They review their case entries for this year and their angst-filled processes of creating the perfect competition entry. As usual, there are brief forays into fishing, food and trophies. Go figure.

Ted & Christine delight listeners with their take on harvest craft beers before veering off on a tangent about a new online retailer who claims to have raised the bar on fashion photography...well, we'll see about that...

Ted and Christine are back with Episode 15 which bounces from stabbings at campgrounds to stabbings at weddings. Ok, maybe the wedding stabbings are just togs glaring daggers at guests with iPads blocking the aisle. Have a listen and let us know what makes *you* wanna poke someone in the eye with a chicken bone.

Ted and Christine bemoan the introduction of Qikpix, a flat-rate photography service in Chicago. After getting a slight grip, they continue the conversation from a previous episode with further discussion of iconic photographs and whether it's within the reach of a wedding and/or portrait photographer, complete with a discussion of what photographers in recent history come the closest to being able to pull it off. Christine expands on the iconic photographs most meaningful to her and Ted lets the cat out of the bag regarding a future Pulitzer-Prize winning guest.

Ted and Christine discuss iconic photographs and photojournalism. What makes an iconic photograph? Can iconic photographs still be achieved in this day of advanced technologies and proliferation of cameras? Stepping outside the seriousness is a discussion of the man romper, its place in society and the seat-gripping question "Isn't it hard to (ahem) use the facilities?"

Jason Crocker joins Ted this week for a discussion on a topic most wedding photographers dread: what happens if you have a major injury and are unable to photograph weddings for a few months. Jason talks about his personal experience with this very issue. We also talk a little about the new Profoto B1X and why its a little pointless, as well as what it takes to become successful in photography in 2017.

Ted and Christine lead off the discussion with a recap of their recent adventures at Disney's Hollywood Studios and the infamous Facebook Live recording from the top of the Tower of Terror. Things get a little more heated when they return to the topic of Sal's ShutterFest 2017 Incident, this time in his defense. Whodathunk? Listen in while we bless the heart of a misguided PetaPixel article author.

Back once again with the topic of controversy, Ted and Christine discuss the 10 most controversial moments in the history of photography; expanding on an article written by John Ortved for History.com. To continue with the theme, they then delve into the recent hoop-lah surrounding the ShutterFest competition results.

Who *really* earned that merit/loan? Should hired retouchers be allowed in competition? At what point does someone else's editing interpretation become the reason that an image excels? A post PPA Northeast District discussion as Ted & Christine analyze the facets that conflict with the spirit of competition.

Magazine Cover Incredulosity continues as Ted and Christine critique the May issue of Photo District News (PDN), inspiring a discussion of the quality of art. Questions abound...Should Art have some semblance of technical competence. Should any work, no matter how haphazardly and skillessly assembled, be labeled as art? What happens when our art infringes on the work of another? The questions get deep and analytical as the conversation veers towards the current lawsuit brought by the creator of "Charging Bull" over the installation of "Fearless Girl" in Mew York City. This, and more deep discussion about the influence of social media on photography; Ted and Christine ponder the questions that plague the artists of today.

Today's episode covers the sticky subject of copyright, inspired by the questionable cover of the April 2017 issue of Professional Photographer Magazine, brought to the public eye by an article written by Jack Reznicki and Edward Greenberg. Ted and Christine weigh in on their thoughts and opinions regarding the image on the cover and the potential ramifications of it. They also discuss several similar issues that have occurred within the music industry, specifically Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven". The moral and ethical responsibility of photographers is analyzed and the question of "how many components of a photograph can be copyrighted?" is bandied about. There's not a whole lot of fun and games in this episode - all the minutes are allocated to this timely and concerning topic.

As usual, Ted derails the podcast with movie talk before addressing the meaty topic of what can be done to raise the bar on entry into teaching within the industry. Additional discussion centers on whether the PPA's Master of Photography degree is becoming too easy to obtain and questions on the level of discernment used in approving Super One Day instructors. Of course, there are random comments on Thin Mints and a slight sidebar on the Cocoa Cola Museum. As per past episodes, one train wreck is included; Christine's dog, Ollie, makes a guest appearance (insert rolling eyes emoticon here).

Today's podcast includes an in-depth discussion of styled shoots and whether or not images from them are appropriate for portfolios. We discuss wedding photography (again) and the role of Bridal magazines and their influence on photography expectations. Both discuss their favorite movies and some interesting information regarding the setting of "The Shawshank Redemption." Christine and Ted are also relieved that no cats appeared during this recording.

In today's episode we chat a little about the importance of the client experience, and the possibility of a produce smashing event at your next photography convention.

How offended can we all really be on a daily basis? We will try to keep track of that in today's episode, and we'll mix in a discussion about education and growing as an artist.

The title sounds like a hodge-podge of ADD. It is. But it's scads of fun - have a listen.

Greetings, salutations and welcome to the inaugural episode of "Making Photography Great Again." This episode defies description, so we'll just let you discover for yourself what we're all about.