Prime Lenses

Ray Di Pietro is a working photojournalist based in Nashville. From political candidates to protests, street scenes to t-shirts he shoots it all. I found him almost by accident when searching on Instagram and was struck by his style and felt like we'd get on. I was proved right by this wonderful conversation which I think you'll all enjoy and which starts and finishes with Ray's attire which compliments the way he shows up every day.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.

I asked Stasia if she would be up for speaking with me about her book, Ephemerality, for a little midweek episode this week. She's fantastic company so the excuse to get her on a call seemed like a good one. Of course, because it's me, we talk the book but we also talk about future guest Krystle Wright, my one camera rule, sensor cleaning, Irn-Bru and haggis.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.

Nitrate Fox is a wet plate portrait photographer who has made a name for herself shooting incredible hand crafted tintypes and most recently has released a book of Roller Derby players shot all over the USA. As you'll hear, she put herself through it to create this body of work. She was a fantastic guest using a very specialist process to make magical images and I hope you enjoy this conversation.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.

This week in a special episode I speak to Dan Rubin about his beta testing of the new software by Affinity and what a powerful and free. creative suite of tools means for the next generation of creatives.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.

My guest today is Ted Forbes. A photographer and educator from the US who has made videos online for over 16 years. He released a book last year summarising his thoughts and feeling about the art form and spends much of his time on workshops traveling the world and sharing knowledge. I've watched Ted's videos for pretty much all of those 16 years so the opportunity to spend a hour speaking with him was a real treat, I think you'll get a kick out of our 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.

In this special episode I speak with AJ Woomer and Dan Rubin about AJ's first book of photography, It Feels Like The Beginning Again.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.

Davide De Martis is an Italian photographer known for his portraiture of cars and people. He is a student of the visual arts and a treat to spend time with. I tracked Davide down because when I was in Germany at the Leica event, someone had driven there in a very fancy Lamborghini with Italian plates. I posted a picture to socials and was challenged by a listener to find the owner of the vehicle and ask them what the story was. It turns out that Davide shoots for the famous Italian car brand and had pitched the idea of driving to the event in the car and then writing about it for Italian Rolling Stone. Wild eh? Once I had tracked him down it seemed like I should get him on the show, he obliged and here we are. Some conversations with new guests are like long chat with an old friend and this is most definitely one of those. I would drop everything to sit down with Davide again over a coffee in a heartbeat. I hope you enjoy this chat with Davide.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.

This week, a special extra episode with Phil Penman to talk about his new book, Street Scenes.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.

Jasper Fforde is a writer based in Wales. He writes absurdist fiction which I love, but I only recently discovered after 20 years of reading his books, that he's also a photographer. Shooting film pretty much exclusively he has a collection of amazing vintage film cameras that rivals any selection I've ever come across.In the episode we talk about Alice Longstaff's photos and you can find out more about her by listening to a previous episode. I couldn't find the Red Square photographer unfortunately.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.

This week I was able to sit down with friend of the show Brandon Ruffin to talk about his new book, Migration Patterns. In this first book, Brandon shares images that help us to understand his family journey, his heritage and will encourage readers to reflect on where we come from and where we're going.We also discuss Rahim Fortune's book Hard Tack, Jamel Shabazz's A Time Before Crack and Shin Noguchi's In Color Japan.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.

Ellie Rothnie is an award winning wildlife photographer based in the UK but as you'll hear spends more time on the road than at home. A passionate photographer, she picked up a camera along side a “real job” before ditching the nine to five of agency life for one making photos, leading workshops and experiencing the incredible beauty that our natural world has to offer.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.

This week I'm in London to speak to Mathieu Bitton, a photographer I've admired for some time and was lucky enough to meet in Germany earlier this year. He took time out from his work on tour with Dave Chappelle to talk to me about his love of vintage lenses and his home city of Paris as depicted in his new book, Paris Blues.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.

This week I was able to sneak in an extra episode, talking about the new Hektor lenses from Leitz Cine. Seth was gracious enough to sit down with me for a little bonus 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.

Like many folks I like to talk to on the show, Bil Brown is a multi-media artist. He studied writing and poetry but things changed for him when he saw a Leica round Allen Ginsberg's neck. I was initially interested in how Bil's commercial and political work coexisted but as you'll hear, like me he loves to just dive in and our conversation is very wide ranging covering composition, motivation, gear, it's a whole thing. This one's densely packed and we keep returning to why we make photos and I really enjoyed it.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.

This week my guest is Laurence Bouchard, a British photographer based in Tokyo. He captures the rain soaked streets in incredible detail, his images are also most graphic illustration as much as they are photos and I wanted to speak to him about he approaches the futuristic city he calls home, what it was like to be in a short film shot on vintage glass, and whether he's fully acclimatised now he's 20 years into his time in Japan.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.

Pete Souza is a former Whitehouse photographer, serving during the latter part of the Reagan Presidency, but was better known to me as the head of photography for the Obama Whitehouse where he and his team made an archive of almost two million images, made history by capturing the first official presidential portrait on a digital camera, and captured moments big and small for posterity. Pete has also had an interesting post presidency, as a private citizen he is outspoken and uses his images to highlight issues he's worried about in the current political climate.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.

My guest today is Goughie, a photographer and YouTuber in the UK who shoots a variety of photo projects on his various systems to share with his audience online. From posting to a small number of folks back in 2019, he has grown his following and as you'll hear, I think has a healthy balance to his work online. It's in service of the photos he wants to make, not the other way around.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.

My guests today are Charys Schuler and Marwan El Mozayen from Silvergrain Classics. In an age of AI and digital consumption on ever increasing numbers of screens, they are charting a path in the opposite direction. Analogue photography of all kinds is celebrated every quarter in their beautiful magazine which they produce in Germany and send around the world. They are also half of a new company Silver Bridges, helping to bring back the wonderful Widelux camera, a favourite of many photographers and in particular loved by Jeff Bridges, yes, that Jeff Bridges.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.

This is a midweek mini episode to go along with the newsletter this week. I'm speaking with a few friends about upcoming projects. Hope you enjoy it! Guests - Tom Oldham & @hann_onfilmMore 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.

Welcome to a slightly different format this week as my guests are Joel Meyerowitz, Maggie Barrett, Manon Ouimet and Jacob Perlmutter. They are the creative team behind Two Strangers Trying not to Kill Each Other, a documentary following the life of Maggie and Joel, two artists reckoning with aging, their relationship with one another and their work. A chance encounter with Jacob and Manon in the Café in Wetzlar resulted in an invitation to London to record with all four of them to talk about making the film. As you'll hear they have formed a strong creative partnership and although the film wrapped some time ago they continue to work on projects together. 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.

Mynxxi White is a photographer and filmmaker from New York City. Specialising in celebrity portrait and commercial work she started out as a makeup artist and then creative director but was frustrated by some of her collaborators to the point that nearly 10 years ago she picked up the camera herself and hasn't looked back. We missed each other in Germany earlier this year so I'm thrilled that we got to sit down and talk about our shared love of image making, the work she's looking to take on next and the lens she needed to shut all the boys up when she walked into a room.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.

Jack Lodge is a landscape and wildlife photographer based in the south of England. This conversation is well timed as he's gradually moving from purely landscape to wildlife with a little bit of astral in there for good measure, and if I had to guess I wouldn't be surprised if film showed up at some point in the not too distant future. He was lovely company, I hope you enjoy this chat with Jack.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.

This week on the show I spoke with Sam aka 2bitboy, the creator of the 2bittoy, a modification kit for the gameboy camera. You can 3D print this add on kit, take the innards of your Gameboy Camera out, put them in this shell and then use the camera with a variety of lenses. This was exactly the sort of madness I wanted to delve into and Sam was kind enough to give up some of his weekend to talk to me about it. This is nerdy in the best ways possible. I hope you enjoy it.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.

For the next four weeks, in addition to the regular Sunday episode, I'll be dropping a special episode with interviews from a recent event I attended. Leica invited me to their centenary celebrations at the end of June, they were celebrating 100 years on continuous camera manufacture and they invited a few of their closest friends to attend and celebrate with them. I was invited to interview a number of special guests and so I'm going to present to you four twenty-five minute episodes. 100 minutes for 100 years. 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.

Marcus Haslam is a photographer from the south of England who has retraced his roots in the north to make pictures of his hometown. Blackpool has changed a lot over the years and you'll hear about his motivation to make the project, what he found and what he's doing with the images now that he has them. It was wonderful to catch up with a friend and former colleague.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.

This is the third episode in a special series of interviews from a recent event I attended. This episode features my conversation with Inas Fayed and Sarah M. Lee. Leica invited me to their centenary celebrations at the end of June, they were celebrating 100 years of continuous camera manufacture and they invited a few of their closest friends to attend and celebrate with them. I was invited to interview a number of special guests and so I'm going to present to you four twenty-five minute episodes. 100 minutes for 100 years. 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.

Scott Toepfer is part of a proud tradition of folks who drop out of what they were doing to drop in on their calling. He has worked as a microbiologist, photographer, producer, director, I'd say triple threat but I'm not sure that covers it all. I first discovered him through his 2011 book It's better in the Wind. The book accompanied a short film and when I started the podcast I realised I should try to combine stuff I love, cameras and motorcycles, into one guest. This is a classic prime lenses chat. It goes places and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.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.

For the next four weeks, in addition to the regular Sunday episode, I'll be dropping a special episode with interviews from a recent event I attended. Leica invited me to their centenary celebrations at the end of June, they were celebrating 100 years on continuous camera manufacture and they invited a few of their closest friends to attend and celebrate with them. I was invited to interview a number of special guests and so I'm going to present to you four twenty-five minute episodes. 100 minutes for 100 years. 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.

Brandon Talbot is a Photographer, videographer and YouTuber who has been sharing his photography journey for some time. He loves landscapes and has recently started to print his work with an eye on books and other physical media in the future. One of the things I really like about Brendon is his growth mindset. He has previously been an athlete and he applies this sensibility to his craft and I love it. His enthusiasm is infectious, he's a lovely dude and I hope you enjoy this conversation with Brandon.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.

For the next four weeks, in addition to the regular Sunday episode, I'll be dropping a special episode with interviews from a recent event I attended. Leica invited me to their centenary celebrations at the end of June, they were celebrating 100 years on continuous camera manufacture and they invited a few of their closest friends to attend and celebrate with them. I was invited to interview a number of special guests and so I'm going to present to you four twenty-five minute episodes. 100 minutes for 100 years. 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.

Gaston Shutters is a photographer and entrepreneur. Like me he's dabbled in a bunch of industries from tech to tattoos but as you'll hear, the through line is a consistent love of making and tools. Now, at his company Owl Krown, he's got the band back together and is making a host of great looking straps. Gaston was in the office the day I spoke to him so there's some coming and goings which I think add a bit of texture and we end on a lens I'd love to find a good copy of. We could have talked all day, I hope you enjoy hearing from Gaston.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.

My guest today is Brandon Ruffin. Brandon was Leica's ambassador for the M11-D but as you'll hear throughout the conversation he is a lover of image making on just about any type of digital or film camera. He understands the importance of experience and the impact that can then have on the things you make. He also works at Google on the camera team and I am so glad that someone with a real understanding of photography is embedded there. A pairing of art and science is where the magic happens so I'll get out of the way and let you enjoy my conversation with Brandon.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.

My guest this week is Amelia Le Brun. She's a photographer based in the UK who shoots everything from cars to lifestyle and very occasionally her delicious VW camper van. She loves to shoot film as well as digital and we had a great talk about what she chooses to shoot and why.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.

My guest today is Summer Murdock, a Utah based photographer and photography educator who specialises in kids, lifestyle, and portraiture. She shoots everything, stills and motion, and my favourite images of hers are collections she's made under water. You'll hear in our conversation that she's not stranger to a busy set but knows how to craft and find light for quieter sessions too. I love the texture and movement in her work. She is also clearly a wonderful human being as she not only responded positively to the invite to be on the show but has also listened and was an enthusiastic supporting voice in the run up to and since we recorded.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.

My guest this week is Nick Rains. One of the great perks of making this show is getting to sit down for a while with someone whose work you've enjoyed. Nick has had a long career that has seen his photographic horizons shift from small terraced houses in Manchester to broad landscapes in countries all over the world. I came across his videos on YouTube and his calm, methodical approach has introduced me and millions of others to many a camera feature or maintenance technique. My clean camera sensor thanks you, Nick.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.

Lucy Lumen is a Photographer, writer and YouTuber based in Australia. Like a number of recent guests, she shoots a great deal of film of her client and personal work. She's got a really healthy attitude to gear, working closely with her husband to get the right tools for the job and her healthy approach to gear means she doesn't obsess. What I do like is that she focuses her attention on the ideas and thinking of creative power houses like Brian Eno and Rick Ruben and shares that with the audience she's found.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.

Dan Rubin is a photographer, creative director and designer based in the UK. His career has taken him around the world shooting campaigns with a variety of cameras and formats. As you'll hear, I caught up with Dan ahead of Photo London to talk about how he came back around to film, how Polaroid was instrumental in showing him something magical in analogue things and why he's so excited by the Widelux revival project.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.

Michael is the founder of photo sharing app, Foto. He started the project with the goal of making a better place to share images. One that is designed to embrace photography and help you enjoy it in a human way as opposed to using our favourite art form to sell us bags and show us meme videos. We discuss where the idea came from, how he allowed it to develop slowly over time and what he and the small team putting it together plan to do next. So sit back and please enjoy this conversation with photographer and maker of delightful software, Michael Howard.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.

Catriona is an artist who lives in the same village as me. She is primarily a photographer with a specialism in portraiture, weddings and brand photos. As you'll hear from our conversation she's worked hard to make sure the there work is satisfying to her creatively whatever the medium and I admire the way that she's created space for her work around her family life and embraces the fact that her practice will change over time. She was also gracious enough to let me meet a record with her at her home so this is also the first episode recorded on location.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.

Craig Mod is a writer, walker and photographer based in Japan. He has lived there for over 20 years and I love this work. If anything the podcast is proof to me that if you follow folks for long enough you'll eventually find a way to work together. Craig has a new book coming out next week so now seemed like the perfect time to sit down with him to discuss making images, leaning into limitations and the importance of focus when making. 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.

Tom Oldham is a photographer specialising in portraits and he's shot everyone. Athletes, olympians, footballers, models, everyone from Liam Gallagher and Jack White to Usain Bolt. His images are wonderful, he takes creative risks which I love and we also discuss work he does in education to get photography into schools.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.

Amy Elizabeth is an entrepreneur, photographer and teacher from the USA. She develops film soup, makes self-portraits and her own podcast so is just the sort of busy creative person I like to have on the show. As you'll hear, her creativity is also grounded in supporting her and her family practically as well as creatively. 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.

Henley Bailey is a photographer and entrepreneur based in the UK. His business, Akara Labs, makes accessories for Leica and Pixii rangefinder style cameras with more on the way, and we had a great chat about professional photography and making things as well as revealing an exciting new product idea!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.

Scott Evans is a photographer based in the Bay Area of the USA. His portrait and commercial work is fantastic and I loved talking to him about his start in photography, the lenses he loves his favourite photography podcast ;)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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.