The Talking Pictures Podcast

Visual journalist Andy Abeyta sat down with me way back in September 2019 just before leaving the Quad-Cities to start a new job a the Cedar Rapids Gazette. Yes, I know it's been 9-months since we've posted an episode. Well here is the lost episode with Andy, hopefully there are more to come in the near future. Fingers crossed :)

Our guest is Tim Hynds, the visuals editor of the Sioux City Journal, in Sioux City, Iowa. Tim is also a the newspaper's beer columnist. His column started in 2017 and has chronicled the rise of the craft beer industry in both Iowa and around the country. If you like beer and photojournalism, especially beer, then this is the perfect episode for you.

Dave Marran, the retired sports editor of the Kenosha News and my old high school friend, talk about his successful and happy life after journalism. We also talk about the importance of adapting to the changing face of journalism. Usually, we stick to our guests being photographers, or the topic being photo-centric, but Dave's story is important for anyone working in journalism in 2019. We hope this is the first of the success stories we feature on the podcast. The landscape of the industry is ever-changing and having an open and honest discussion of finding happiness after the newsroom is important.  If you have a suggestion for a topic please email the show.

This week's episode is a master's class with photojournalism legend Phil Greer. He is currently the Photojournalist in Residence and Senior Lecturer for Southern Illinois University's School of Journalism. Phil tells great story after great story while preaching the gospel of photojournalism. From his assignments in Central America; to his friendly competition with Sun-Times legend John White; to the Iran/Iraq war; and his emotional meeting with Emmett Till's mother - every story teaches a valuable lesson. During his illustrious career Greer worked for the Champaign/Urbana News Gazette (Ill.), Dayton (Ohio) Daily News, The Courier (Champaign/Urbana, Ill.) and the Chicago Tribune. During his 24 years at the Tribune he served as a staff photographer, Chief Photographer, Director of Photography and Senior Photographer. "He was nominated several times for the Pulitzer Prize in Journalism, and was a member of the Tribune team that won the prize for ‘Gateway to Gridlock’ in 2001." - SIU bio.

We're back and things get personal in this edition of the podcast. Todd M fired up the basement studio to thank listeners for sticking with the podcast, despite the long hiatus, and share his emotional story of change.

The team has recently experienced some milestone firsts but none bigger than Jess enduring her first mid-western snowstorm. She hails from Alabama and needless to say she is currently experiencing a little bit of climate-shock. Photographically speaking we talk about Meg and Jess successfully completing their first photo stories for the newspaper. Other highlights of this episode include Jess' first Pacesetter location portrait shoot and team surfing the blue wave on election night.

Jess and Todd sit down with veteran reporter Jonathan Turner to talk about his recent series of articles on the suicide epidemic. The series featured Todd's collection of black and white portraits titled: "Left Behind - The Pain of Suicide still haunts these loved ones."

In this week's episode Brian Powers, of the Des Moines Register, talks to us from his mobile newsroom outside the Iowa State Fair. Brian, a graduate of Western Kentucky University, talks to Todd and Jessica about some of his recent projects which includes a powerful series of video interviews dealing with abortion, a muslim TV reporter and an immigration ceremony. A fantastic photojournalist and storyteller Brian also shares his insights on how photographers should deal with criticism via social media. We also talk about pizza, baby pictures and RAGBRI.

This week's podcast introduces the newest member of our team - Jessicia Gallagher. The 23-year-old old ginger haired photojournalist comes to us from Georgia, by way of Alabama and seven other states. She brings a fresh new perspective to the podcast and we think "y'all" will really like hearing what she has to say and the images she makes.

We are back!!!! Todd and Todd get out of the normal studio and tape a late night podcast this week. Some of the topics include - beer, Belgian lawn games, how to avoid setting a high school athlete on fire, flop sweat, white backgrounds are all not created equal, B&W photography in photojournalism, nutmeg, cutlines and beer.

We are back after our three month hiatus. Thank you for sticking with the Talking Pictures Podcast we really appreciate it. If you are a regular listener you already know we moved to new offices in late Decemeber 2017. The combination of getting situated in our new digs and a busy high school sports season conspired to keep us from taping any new episodes. We returned to the studio this week just in time to say goodbye to one of our own. Tune in and find out which member of the Talking Pictures Podcast is walking into the sunset wearing a cowboy hat and Nikes.

We apologize for the delay in posting a new episode. We have been busy moving to our new offices but before we moved out we recorded one last episode in our old photo studio before moving to our new offices. Max Gersh, of The Villages Daily Sun photographer, calls into the show to talk about his fantastic sports portrait project. The elaborately staged portraits were shot for the Villages Daily Sun’s high school basketball kick-off issue.

The real estate listing for our soon to be former home at 1720 5th Avenue in Moline reads as follows; "Current Daily Dispatch Property. Now available for purchase. Over 53,000 SF of office and warehouse space……Will be vacated within the next 120 days.’ Well those 120 days are just about up, so we decided to gather six current and former Dispatch/Argus photographers to take a hilarious and heartfelt trip down memory lane about life at 1720.  As for our new home, the Jefferson’s theme said it best - “Well we're movin' on up to the east side.”  We will be moving into a beautiful new building just down the road in East Moline. But before we go forward, we take a look back. We hope you in enjoy the show. Our panel includes Todd Welvaert, John Greenwood, Gary Krambeck, Paul Colletti, Todd Mizener and on the phone from Kansas City, Dan Videtich.

Our guest this week is Kyle Grantham, the National Press Photographers Association clip contest chairman. In addition to giving us an inside look at the monthly clip contest, Kyle weaves some great stories from his days as a photojournalist in Delaware, Indiana and Wyoming.  Tune into the podcast and find out what body part freezes first when it is -27 degrees in Casper, Wyoming and much, much more.

During the course of your career you come across those unique characters on assignment that just stick with you. 100-year-old Betty Sample is one of those people for me (Todd M). This week’s podcast is about Betty and the portrait I shot for her 100th birthday. The portrait will be posted on the Talking Pictures Podcast blog.

Todd Welvaert returns to his co-host seat to talk about his new photographic passion - tintype photography. The early form of photography dates back to 1853. Todd talks about how a great deal at a priest's estate auction and his desire to try something new, albeit old, very old, has turned into a full blown obsession to make 100 great tintype portraits. To see a video of Todd making a tintype go to our blog - http://bit.ly/2fNrDup

In a recent Facebook post former Dispatch/Argus reporter, Brian Krans, wrote: “To any journalist friends who are covering Hurricane Harvey: one, remember your stay in a hotel room makes one less for evacuees. Two, go into counseling immediately after your assignment is done. You're going to see things you wouldn't normally expect and then go home to people acting like everything is normal. The juxtaposition can be jarring.  I learned the latter the hard way covering Katrina from the ground. It changed me forever.” Brian talks candidly about his experience covering Katrina and his more recent experience covering the violent protests in Berkley. We also talk to Brian about the state of journalism in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Brian, who left the Dispatch/Argus in 2009, is currently working on a Master’s Degree in Journalism at the University of California, Berkley. The veteran reporter also hosts The Rock Town Podcast

Alan Sheidler, the President of the Quad-Cities' Popular Astronomy Club, is excited about witnessing his first total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017. Before leaving for Columbia, Missouri he was kind enough to chat about photographing and witnessing the eclipse.

The summer is coming to a close and our interns are going back to school soon. Before they head back to campus we wanted to sit down for a chat with reporter interns Hannah Rodriguez, Luke Cummings, Jessica Moon and photo intern Nate Manley. They were one of the best crop of interns we have ever had here at the paper. Tune in and learn all about the Breakfast Club for Magicians and the weird and wacky world of a door to door salesman. (Thumbnail composite photo by Meg McLaughlin)

This week’s episode is an quick status update on the podcast and an explanation for our unexpected hiatus. Rest assured the podcast isn’t going anywhere and we have some new episodes in the works.

Instagram and Twitter have become key components to lives of both photojournalists and teenagers. Inspired by This American Life podcast's episode #573: Status Update, we explore the use of Instagram and how the world sees us and how we see the world. Are we any different than the teenage girls featured in #573. What is the photojournalist equivalent to "you're so pretty"? Are we posting photos for the likes, or is it just another avenue for our creativity. We also discuss some of our favorite Instagram feeds like @Barleythebrepup, @blockhouseroller_markhirsch, @davidhumekennerly and @scottstrazzante Note: There is some minor swearing that has not been beeped in this week's episode. Follow us on Instagram: @dispatchargus, @tmizener, @megmclau, @toddwelvaert, @isopaul79

Nikon or Canon? Nikon or Sony? Sony or Fuji? Talking Pictures Podcast co-host Paul Colletti recently had to answer the difficult question of what camera system buy. After over 8-years with the Dispatch/Argus Paul is moving on to start his own photography business. Rest assured Paul isn't leaving the podcast but in this week's episode we cap off his career with the paper and discuss his big gear selection. Tune in to find out if he switched from Nikon to Sony...or maybe Fuji.

John Wangelin is a pet photographer with a big heart. John sits down with us to discuss a variety of topics including his 2017 pet calendar to benefit a local animal shelter. The John Deere painter has turned his love of dogs and his passion for photography into a side business which helps shelter dogs.

The incomparable Mark Hirsch sits down with us to his discuss his book "That Tree : An iPhone Photo Journal Documenting a Year in the Life of a Lonely Bur Oak ” and his experience as a Quad City Arts Visiting Artist. Mark’s journey to “That Tree” and beyond is both fascinating and inspirational.

This week's episode was sparked by an anonymous complaint that our Pacesetter (athlete of the week) photos of female athletes make them look like "pin-up girls". We wholeheartedly disagree with the reader's thesis and discuss how each of our photographers approaches shooting Pacesetter images. We also examine some of the negative photographer stereotypes and how they effect us while on assignment. Go to http://talkingpicturespodcast.blogspot.com to see the photo in question and the two months worth of Pacesetter images so you can judge them for yourself.

We chat with Chicago freelancer Ting Shen about his quest for the perfect camera strap, shooting NBA basketball and his experience covering the Dallas police shootings. On July 7, 2016 four Dallas police officers and one DART officer were gunned down on the streets of Dallas, Texas. Ting, who was working as the photo intern for the Dallas Morning News, was sent to Baylor University Hospital. He recounts the events which led up to making the unforgettable image of a DART police officer comforting a colleague in the emergency room entrance. He also discusses the lessons learned in the wake of the tragic event. http://interactives.dallasnews.com/2016/rally-shooting/

Former Chicago Sun-Times photojournalist and current Media Specialist, University Photographer, Adjunct Instructor for the University of Wisconsin - Stout, Brett Roseman, makes his long awaited debut on the podcast. Brett, a former Dispatch/Argus intern and Quad-Cities native, talks about the emotions of being one of the Sun-Times 28, how he bounced back and landed in Wisconsin. We also talk about internships and why they are so important for aspiring photojournalists.

If you are a photo gadget geek like us you’ll love this week’s episode. We talk about our new gear and why we think you should know about these items. Paul Colletti makes a return to the podcast to talk about the new Sony a99ii along with the Sigma f1.4. Todd Welvaert just purchased a Fuji Xt2 and Todd Mizener talks about his amazingly affordable newly rebuilt portable lighting kit.

The hosts true crime podcast "Suspect Convictions", journalist Scott Reeder and WVIK producer Lacy Scarmana, talk about their new podcast which revisits the 1990 murder of Jennifer Lewis and the case against Stanley Liggins. Stanley Liggins has been twice convicted for the murder, but both convictions have been overturned. The locally produced podcast has gone viral and as of Jan 19, 2017, it was the #2 Podcast on iTunes.

Chicago Tribune photojournalist Brian Cassella talks about covering the Chicago Cubs historic playoff run and scoring the iconic front page image of the team celebrating the final out of the World Series. Cassella also explains how the Trib’s team of photographers and editors used the latest photo tech to make deadline and keep social media updated. While fans were on edge of their seats and emotions were running high, the 4-man team of photographers had to stay focused on their jobs.

It was a week that started with a fatal fire and ended with 6 high school football players taking a knee during the National Anthem. Our photos from both events garnered reaction on Twitter. In this week’s edition of the Talking Pictures Podcast we talk about what makes people react passionately on Social Media? We also discuss our reaction to people’s personal and professional attacks on our character and our images.

Tom Kimmell, one of the paper’s most decorated photographer alumnus returns home for his 40th class reunion and sits down for a chat with Todd and Gary. He worked for The Daily Dispatch from 1980 to 1983 before moving to Colorado where he was as a member of a Pulitzer Prize winning team at The Gazette in Colorado Springs. Tom talks about his most famous photos from his Dispatch days, what it is like to win a Pulitzer prize and his work with Olympic athletes.

We took the podcast on the road to the John Deere Classic golf tournament and recorded this episode during a rain delay. Our special guest for the second-half of the episode is award winning photojournalist John Schultz. Tune in and see what the photographers talk about when the rain comes down and the golfers run for cover.

This week's podcast revolves around our coverage of Donald Trump's first campaign stop in Davenport since accepting the Republican nomination for the presidency. Part 1 - Todd takes the podcast to the streets and interviews a cross section of the people who attended the Trump rally. Part 2 - Meg and Brian talk about their experiences photographing the event, inside and out.

We have been waiting for months to get our hands on the new Nikon D500. Meg jumped into the deep end of the pool and bought one as soon as it was released. Here is our (her) review of her new favorite storytelling tool.

In this week’s episode of the Talking Pictures Podcast we talk to former Dispatch/Argus reporter, and local African American leader, Brandy Donaldson, about media responsibility when covering tragedy in the black community. We taped this episode the day after the ambush killings of Police officers in Dallas, TX and the officer involved shootings of two black men in Louisiana and Minnesota. We want to encourage everyone to listen to the entire episode. We hope you’ll find our conversation thought provoking and honest.

Todd Welvaert and Paul Colletti return to the podcast to discuss the scandal surrounding famous photographer Steve McCurry his altered images. Steve McCurry is world renowned for his National Geographic cover - 'Afghan Girl’. The three of us had admired McCurry for years so we disappointed to learn but the And it turns out he - or someone who works for him - faked the content of some of his photos. The resulting fallout has sparked a debate on the internet about photo ethics and the wider implications.

He says that he is an accidental editor but native Iowa photojournalist Scott Norris is a born leader. 15-years ago Norris left his home state of Iowa to work for Gannett’s original flagship paper, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, in upstate New York as the assistant photo editor. 800 miles from Iowa City and 15 years later he is now the historic newspaper’s Consumer Experience Director. In this week’s Talking Pictures Podcast Todd M sits down with his old friend to discuss the changes in the way newspapers deliver the news to their customers. The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle is on the cutting end of digital news delivery and a world away from the world ToddM and Scott worked in back in Iowa City in the 1980’s.

After 23-years at the Dispatch/Argus co-host Todd Welvaert is retiring from the daily grind of newspaper work. Long-time podcast listeners don't worry, he'll still be doing the podcast. ToddW is a born storyteller so sit back and enjoy the show. We also introduce the newest member of the team, Brian Achenbach. The Iowa State grad has big shoes to fill but we think he is more than up to the task.

Paul Colletti makes his return to the podcast to talk about sports photography and his budding freelance career. Gary Krambeck, 40-year-veteran of the Dispatch/Argus photo dept. makes his debut on the podcast and tells the funniest story ever about being a photojournalist in the days of flashbulbs.

In this week's podcast we discuss the challenges of photographing the Iowa Caucuses with Des Moines Register photographers Zach Boyden-Homes, Michael Zamora, Kelsey Kremer and Brian Powers. They chased Presidential hopefuls from the Iowa State Fair's Butter Cow, to little coffee shops, hotel ballrooms and every point in-between. We compare notes and swap stories about the candidates. Who was a jerk? Who was good to the media. Who knew a Butter Cow helped pick the next leader of the free world?

This week’s guest on the Talking Pictures Podcast is Denver Post photo editor Patrick Traylor. Pat is a native of Rock Island, Illinois and a former Dispatch/Argus photo intern. We talk about editing photos of the Super Bowl bound Denver Broncos and his career path from Rock Island High School to the Mile High City. In addition to talking to Pat, Todd and Todd discuss the greatest threat to America’s Freedom of the Press - over zealous political campaign volunteers.

It's cold outside and we are inside discussing the never ending photographer quandary - what gloves to where when you shoot under cold conditions? Todd and Todd also discuss Nikon's release of the much anticipated D5 and D500 and other topics.

This week’s episode is a mixed bag of reader complaints and how we dealt with them. Every photojournalist has taken a phone call or received an email complaining about a photo they have taken. Some of the complaints are legitimate but some times they border on the absurd. In this week’s podcast we concentrate on the absurd.

The Talking Pictures podcast talks with University of Missouri photojournalist and student Tim Tai, who, while trying to cover a student protest on campus for ESPN, found himself embroiled in a heated debate about press freedom and public privacy while surrounded by angry, pushing protesters. The event was captured on a now-viral video and has brought accolades and scrutiny to the soft-spoken 20-year-old. Photo of Tim from video by Mark Schierbecker - https://youtu.be/xRlRAyulN4o

A two-part episode built around a big surprise and a wild first day on the job for Meg. In part one we surprise young Meg with a chance of a lifetime and in part-two she discusses how to shoot a raunchy burlesque show when your editor accidentally sends you to a raunchy burlesque show.

The highs and lows of producing a multimedia project about Die Hard Cubs Fans, some of which are over a 100-years-old and hard of hearing. Our thumbnail photo for this week's podcast features Mick Nelsen, 76, East Moline, Ill. who surprised us with his excellent rendition of the 1969 Chicago Cubs fight song "Hey Hey, Holy Mackerel."

Western Africa based freelance multimedia journalist Nick Loomis sits down with us to talk about living and working in Africa and Haiti. Nick is native of Davenport, Iowa and one of our favorite Dispatch/Argus photo dept. alumni. Nick is back in the United States for his annual visit and resupply mission before heading back to work in Dakar, Senegal. To see some of Nick's work from Africa see - www.nickloomis.com

It was an emotional night for everyone in Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City when former player Brett Greenwood, who doctors thought would never walk again, led the Hawkeyes out of the tunnel on Saturday Sept. 19, 2015. Greenwood is currently recovering from serious neurological injuries following his collapse during a routine workout Sept. 9, 2011, at Pleasant Valley High School. University of Iowa Athletic Dept. staff photographer Brian Ray captured a number iconic images Saturday night and we talk to him about the images and lengths he had to go to capture them. To see the images discussed go to - https://theiowahawkeyes.exposure.co/the-iowa-hawkeyes-vs-the-pitt-panthers

We take the podcast on the road (technically the river) to talk with artist, historian and shanty boat captain, Wes Modes. Wes and his dog Hazel, recently docked their shanty boat in the Quad-Cities to collect stories for his project 'A Secret History of American River People'. "Secret History is a journey to discover and collect the lost narratives of people who live and work on the river from the deck of a recreated shantyboat and present these stories through web-based digital archives and a touring art installation," Wes Modes.

Paul and Todd sit down with Chicago based photojournalist Vincent David Johnson to talk about his documentary photo project, 'Lost Americana'. For the last 20-years Johnson has ventured out across America to find vestiges of the country's once booming agriculture society. Johnson describes the project on http://www.lostamericana.com - "Lost Americana is a record of a fading bit of American history, before the land that helped build it, reclaims the buildings and people who once made it great."