All posts by John Pedersen

Alister Benn Out of Darkness



Jack and John are honored to welcome Alister Benn to the show.  Alister is regarded as one of the leaders in the landscape photography genre with his expressive and introspective work.  He comes to us today to talk about his new printed book, Out of Darkness. Here is how Alister describes the genesis of the book: “In January 2017 I travelled to one of the emptiest places on earth; The Gobi Desert in northern China. There, I underwent a complete creative epiphany, and over the following 6 expeditions into that region, began to rewrite the story of my life and gain understanding and perspective on my mental health. It is no understatement to say that my creativity has been the gateway to a more balanced and accepting life.

Alisters Bio:

Scottish born Alister Benn is an award winning Landscape Photographer and founder of Expressive Photography Limited.

His passion for individual creativity and expression make him an enthusiastic instructor and someone who wants everyone to have the confidence to express their own unique voice.

“It is unfortunate that in these days of popularity and social media, that many of us have lost the pure basic reason why we started making landscape photographs in the first place – to be outside, engaging with nature.”

Alister is a strong advocate of engaging with the landscape in an organic way, unrestrained by conventions, rules or the pressure of external validation.

Expressive Photography Website:  https://expressive.photography

The We Talk Photo podcast is dedicated to being an entertaining, informative and lighthearted discussion about a wide range of photographic topics centered around landscape and nature photography.  Hosted by Jack Graham and John Pedersen, long time industry professionals, they will bring you in to their conversations about gear, recent trends, insightful interviews with industry leaders as well as entertaining stories from their collective experience in the photography business.


Michael Gordon in Lenswork



John and Jack welcome back Michael Gordon to the program to talk about his most recent accomplishment, having a collection of images, titled Denizens, featured in Lenswork Magazine.  Lenswork is one of the premier magazines devoted to photography and it’s quite an honor to be published within.  During this discussion they also touch on the concepts of portfolios and the benefits of constructive criticisms.

Michael Gordon in Lenswork Magazine

Lenswork Magazine: https://www.lenswork.com/

Michael E. Gordon is an award-winning fine art landscape photographer best known for his black and white impressions of California’s deserts which, said Broughton Quarterly, portrays “stunning ethereal beauty from terrain where others see only a bleak landscape.” A lifelong student of nature and wilderness, Michael’s intimate relationship with the natural world yields quiet images of depth and discovery.

Michaels Website:  https://www.michael-gordon.com

The We Talk Photo podcast is dedicated to being an entertaining, informative and lighthearted discussion about a wide range of photographic topics centered around landscape and nature photography.  Hosted by Jack Graham and John Pedersen, long time industry professionals, they will bring you in to their conversations about gear, recent trends, insightful interviews with industry leaders as well as entertaining stories from their collective experience in the photography business.


100th Episode!



We celebrate our 100th episode by gathering together a few of our close friends on this special podcast.  Sharing stories and funny anecdotes, part of our joy of photography is the friendships and experiences we share along the way.  Please join us on this special episode and think about all the great times you’ve had while involved in photography.  Such a wonderful passion we all share!

Thank you to all our wonderful listeners out there!  Without you, we wouldn’t be doing what we’re doing.  You are the best!!!

Jack graham and john pedersen in the forest

Help support We Talk Photo by becoming a Patron of our program.  Visit patreon.com/user?u=84369479 to support our work.

 

Thank you all from the bottoms of our hearts!


Discussion with Cole Thompson



Jack and John welcome back to the show master BW photographer, Cole Thompson.  In this episode we discuss a variety of topics including portfolios and the concept of developing your personal vision.  We were fortunate enough to catch Cole between workshops and he had time to bring his fantastic perspective to the show!

Excerpt from Coles Bio:

I am often asked, “Why black and white?” I think it’s because I grew up in a black-and-white world. Television, movies and the news were all in black and white. My heroes were in black and white and even the nation was segregated into black and white. My images are an extension of the world in which I grew up.

For me color records the image, but black and white captures the feelings that lie beneath the surface.

Coles Website:  https://colethompsonphotography.com

The We Talk Photo podcast is dedicated to being an entertaining, informative and lighthearted discussion about a wide range of photographic topics centered around landscape and nature photography.  Hosted by Jack Graham and John Pedersen, long time industry professionals, they will bring you in to their conversations about gear, recent trends, insightful interviews with industry leaders as well as entertaining stories from their collective experience in the photography business.


HD Aluminum Prints



Jack and John both love printing their photographs and for those who have seen them, nothing quite beats printing a photograph on metal.  There are a lot of good companies in the market making metal prints, but on todays show, we talk with a photo printing shop that is used by several of the best PNW photographers and we are excited to join the list of supporters of their incredible quality, craftsmanship and customer service.  Derek from HD Aluminum Prints, located in Vancouver WA, joins us on the program today to talk about their process and offerings and how their printing techniques do not require an overcoat finish to protect the photograph.

Website:  https://www.hdaluminumprints.com/home

New customers can receive a 25% discount by signing up with them.

Inside the HD Aluminum Prints shop


Interview with Joe McNally



Jack and John are overjoyed to welcome the world famous Joe McNally to the podcast, along with Bill Fortney.  Joe is one of the finest photographers and an amazingly outgoing, humorous and enjoyable people and his excitement for life is infectious.  Listen in as Jack and John have a casual conversation about Joes amazing career, his outlook on photography and several funny stories from his time in the field.

Podcast interview with Joe McNally

Joe McNally is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning photographer whose prolific career includes assignments in nearly 70 countries.  McNally is known world-wide as not only one of the top, technically excellent photographers of his generation, but his charming demeanor, confidence and humor make him a sought-after choice from CEO’s to celebrities to commercial and magazine clients alike.  He is among the rare breed of photographer who has bridged the world between photojournalism and advertising.

Joes Website: https://joemcnally.com/

Joes  Portfolio: https://portfolio.joemcnally.com/index

Joes YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/joemcnallyphoto/videos

The We Talk Photo podcast is dedicated to being an entertaining, informative and lighthearted discussion about a wide range of photographic topics centered around landscape and nature photography.  Hosted by Jack Graham and John Pedersen, long time industry professionals, they will bring you in to their conversations about gear, recent trends, insightful interviews with industry leaders as well as entertaining stories from their collective experience in the photography business.


Holiday Gift Guide



Jack and John discuss some of their favorite gifts for the photographer, either for others to give you or for you to give yourself :-). We want to wish you and yours the happiest of holiday seasons and look forward to being with you in the New Year.

Link to Jacks Gift Guide 

Jack graham and john pedersen in the forest

The We Talk Photo podcast is dedicated to being an entertaining, informative and lighthearted discussion about a wide range of photographic topics centered around landscape and nature photography.  Hosted by Jack Graham and John Pedersen, long time industry professionals, they will bring you in to their conversations about gear, recent trends, insightful interviews with industry leaders as well as entertaining stories from their collective experience in the photography business.


Tetons Workshop Recap



Jack and John just returned from their final workshop of 2022 in bison walking through the snowGrand Teton National Park.  Listen in as they talk about the experience, along with one of the clients on the workshop, and what a fantastic time was had by all.

Jacks Image Gallery: https://jackgraham.photoshelter.com/index/G0000rJjNZNhBz84

Johns Image Gallery: https://www.johnpedersenphotos.com/Workshop-Images/Tetons-Winter-2022/n-Q68JKt/

The We Talk Photo podcast is dedicated to being an entertaining, informative and lighthearted discussion about a wide range of photographic topics centered around landscape and nature photography.  Hosted by Jack Graham and John Pedersen, long time industry professionals, they will bring you in to their conversations about gear, recent trends, insightful interviews with industry leaders as well as entertaining stories from their collective experience in the photography business.


Fujifilm X-T5 and 2023



In this episode, Jack and John discuss the newly announced Fujifilm X-T5 and how it compares to the X-T4 and the X-H2 cameras and why someone would choose one over the other.  Plus, they discuss some photo editing software that is an essential part of their workflow.  Spend an entertaining time with Jack and John on this podcast!

screen shot of Fujifilm X-T5 camera

Jacks 2023 Workshop Schedule: https://jackgrahamphoto.com/jack-graham-2023-photo-workshops/

Johns 2023 Workshop Schedule: https://johnpedersenphoto.com/2023-photo-workshops/

The We Talk Photo podcast is dedicated to being an entertaining, informative and lighthearted discussion about a wide range of photographic topics centered around landscape and nature photography.  Hosted by Jack Graham and John Pedersen, long time industry professionals, they will bring you in to their conversations about gear, recent trends, insightful interviews with industry leaders as well as entertaining stories from their collective experience in the photography business.


Interview with Mike Moats



Jack & John welcome Mike Moats to the podcast as they engage in a casual, yet informative conversation.  Mike is an amazing close-up/macro photographer and he joins the podcast to talk about what he does, how he produces such amazing images and what inspires him.

Mike Moats Bio PictureMikes Bio:

     Mike Moats is an international award-winning, professional macro photographer from Sterling Heights, Michigan. Mike’s love of photography, which started out as a hobby in 2001, has since evolved into a full-time business. In addition to creating his own images, Mike added “Close-up/Macro Photography” workshops into the mix in 2006, and he now also makes speaking appearances at photo conferences nationwide, leads intensive Macro Boot Camps around the country, and now has an online Macro Photo Club to assist photographers with their macro goals

Recruited as a member of the Fuji Pro Talent Team in 2006, Mike is also honored to be a Tamron “Image Master” and a Vanguard Pro. He has won numerous local, national, and international awards. Mike’s first book, Tiny Landscapes, was released in 2008, and his images and how-to articles have been published in various magazines, including Outdoor PhotographerNature’s Best PhotographyShutterbugPC PhotoNature PhotographerPhoto LifeWhisper in the Woods, and Michigan Fish and Game Finder; in photography collections such as the North American Nature Photography Association’s (NANPA’s) Expressions book and the Pure Michigan tourism companion; and in various corporate collateral, including on the Tamron USA blog and in Fujifilm newsletters.

Mikes website: www.tinylandscapes.com

The We Talk Photo podcast is dedicated to being an entertaining, informative and lighthearted discussion about a wide range of photographic topics centered around landscape and nature photography.  Hosted by Jack Graham and John Pedersen, long time industry professionals, they will bring you in to their conversations about gear, recent trends, insightful interviews with industry leaders as well as entertaining stories from their collective experience in the photography business.