The Ordinary Photographer

My first attempt at a multi-person chat!

Join me as we sit down for a chat with Dave Mihaly and Mike Gutterman of internet fame.

We talk of creativity, self-confidence, vintage signs and BMX.

Dave Mihaly is aka The Old Camera Guy on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theoldcameraguy and is on Instagram as the same: https://www.instagram.com/theoldcameraguy

Mike Gutterman is the steering captain over at the Negative Positives podcast: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/3mf4p-5fc4e/Negative-Positives-Film-Photography-Podcast which can also be found on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/negativepositives/ You can also see Mike's signs, fire escapes and all manner of other stuff on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/guttermanphoto

Listening to the Gen-X Photography podcast the other week about 135mm lenses got me thinking.

How do you see?

I tried so hard to not have any swearing in it too. Failed at the end...

Emails to theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com

Sometimes you just have to press record rather than save a title up for 2 more weeks. So a bonus episode today about overthinking.

No need for more of a synopsis, it's only 15 minutes...

Complaints to theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com

I got some emails. To be honest, the oldest is back from November 2023, but waiting until you have a handful makes things last a bit longer.

Criticism, compliments, & comedic comments to theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com

We'll do another one when we get the volume.

Thanks for listening!

It's the half century and I still have more listeners than episodes which is surely a good thing.

I kinda had a plan when I started this episode, but as is usual, it derailed in the middle. I think there is swearing in here too as I fluffed up some things and am not sure it's all edited out, so buyer beware...

Email your thoughts to theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com and when I get enough I'll do an episode on them.

And Mike. Anonymous. It's in the dictionary. Even the Kentucky one.

A lesson episode on HDR. What is it, how do you do it and when do you need it?

Also tagged Panoramas on there for the sheer twofer joy.

Complaints: theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com

When it's a book!

Another rambling diatribe that's been burbling for a while. Thankyou for continuing to listen!

Email me at theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com with thoughts, criticism, ideas, or your comedic photographic woes.

Oh, and watch out for snakes! (Eegah, MST3K episode 506 w/Richard Kiel)

Hopefully not too much of a rambling rant.

Just because you can take photos in a public place - should you?

It's been bothering me for a few weeks now and this is attempt #3 at recording this. Hope you enjoy!

What is art, when is it good and how do you know if it's good?

A clickbait title for sure, but regular listeners will understand that.

A few f bombs and s bombs in this one, so listener beware!

It's a shameless reaction podcast (is that even a thing?) to the oldcameraguy's YouTube short.

No need to listen to this, just go watch this instead: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hQX-RoCYLIg

Happy New Year to all my listeners. Hope 2024 is peaceful and serene for you all.

Ian.

Interested in a project for 2024?

Perhaps this podcast will give you an idea. No cost, no need for more gear.

Email the podcast at theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com

Crazy YouTuber: https://www.youtube.com/@arhphotographic A 365 with 365 cameras instead of 365 photos. Mad, but very cool. Check it out.

Just a quick review of the Netflix documentary I found called "Squaring the Circle" about Hipgnosis and the images behind some of the greatest album covers of all time.

I've been trying and failing to do this one for 3 weeks now. It's far from perfect, but it's here!

Just a list of my top 11.5 favourite photobooks along with some garbled reasoning. Just in case someone asks you what you want for Christmas and you've got enough socks and don't want to bankrupt them with colour film.

I really should type the list out, but I've put them all back in the bookcase now and can't remember.

See you next time!

I had toothache. And Ibuprofen. And wine.

Please listen responsibly.

What should be a beginner chat on black & white photography that descends into film talk and a mild (unsponsored!) ad for TrueGrain 2.

Neg pos episode on the Zone system (look for episode 426): https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/negative-positives-podcast-426/id1296949768?i=1000630814558

True Grain 2 here: https://grubbasoftware.com/

Another week, another episode....

This week is mostly about cinematography and movie directing.

Watch an unusual version of Raiders of the Lost Ark here: https://extension765.com/blogs/soderblog/raiders

Just scroll down to the bottom of the blog post to watch it.

More waffle than anything else with a 10 minute moaning opener to get you started. Pretty much fast forward exactly 10 minutes to skip it.

New project ideas, my reason for burning out, and how I'm getting out of it. Your mileage may very well vary!

Any interest in a new collaborative toilet zine project, please drop me an email at theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com

Self-sabotage+1

Feels like a bit of a love-in for a new camera. This podcast is gear agnostic. This episode isn't.

Nothing useful to hear in this episode. Just the quirks of living in our fair country and being English.

Multiple f-bombs too. Sorry.

email complaints to theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com

What does good look like?

I fail to answer this question, but do manage to talk about the exciting news that Hollywood money, Dude enthusiasm, and German engineering are looking to make a new Widelux.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tHl4yAP6qc

Part of the advanced course I ran, this is just a summary of what's involved in shooting film if you wanted to have a go but were too afraid to ask.

Things to look out for, things to think about, and APS cameras to avoid.

Failure. How it can be demoralising and, over the 17 minutes, how you can talk yourself into getting something positive from it. Or try to...

The title is from a poster. Guesses via email at theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com

Has the occasional S-bomb. I tried.

29 minutes of me waffling about making my latest zine.

£5 if you want a laugh, with all profits going to St Luke's Hospice in Cheshire. https://www.slhospice.co.uk/

Email me if you want one! ; theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com

I had an email from the RPS about AI in photography. It was a bit weird, so I thought I'd talk about it.

Your thoughts & opinions appreciated: theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com

Questions:

(Q1-4 are all "Yes/No/Maybe" choices) 1. Do we need traditional photography if images created by AI are better and quicker to create than photographs taken by people? 2. Do you consider AI created images to be real photography? 3. Is it fair for AI algorithms to be trained using images without permission or payment for the original creator? 4. Could AI imagery lead to a rise in fake news and lying? 5. Which of the following best describes your view of AI for photography? Choices here are up to 2 from: An opportunity, Cautious, Dangerous, Excited, Fearful, Don't care.

Just the final episode in the Lesson series for now. It's not worth me doing the Intermediate & Advanced courses as they contain a lot of reviewing of previous material which would be pointless when folks can just go relisten to the episodes.

If you want the handouts that go with the course, drop me an email at theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com. They'll likely be £10 + postage.

They're 48 page A4 softcover booklets with space for notes inside and follow the lessons as they've been published on the podcast.

Hoods, Tripods, Filters, Software, raw vs jpeg, and even camera bags. the mixed bag of all the stuffs that people can buy that isn't a camera or a lens.

My first interview!

It's not the best, engineering wise. Any experts in nailing down earth hums, please get in touch!

This week I have a chat with long time encourager of the podcast, Richard Hall. Yes. After promising chats with ordinary photographers, I finally deliver. 3.5 years too late. Procrastinate? Me? Never.

10 points and a pint to the first guesser of the Outro music. Unless your name is Richard.

You can get in touch/see his work at:

Twitter (or is it xcom baby?) : @richardhall

Instagram : @connexions

Blog : https://richardhall.online/

Complaints about the show, or spam, as always to theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com

Improving your photography with feedback and critique.

theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com for complaints.

A nice relaxing listen (hopefully!) this week where I just talk about composition and how it can pretty up your photos.

tl;dl - Tools, not rules!

email: theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com

It's a bit whiny and self indulgent this week, so please don't listen if you're easily offended.

tl;dl - I'm after some guidance on dealing with self-doubt, because I've got lots of it and want a bit less.

email: theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com

Lenses, focal length & sensors...

The last of the technical stuff hopefully!

Email me at theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com. Unless you want to improve my SEO. Or my website. Or help your uncle with a financial problem. Or offer me a bride from somewhere. In which case - don't.

A quick one this week discussing focus, it's importance, and blurred photos - what causes them and how to avoid them.

No homework either. Easy peasy.

Contact me at theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com if you have any questions!

This episode is about understanding the relationship between ISO, shutter speed and aperture. I cover the automatic modes your camera has, as well as the semi-automatic modes, auto-ISO, and exposure compensation. This would suit someone who has listened to the previous episodes on shutter speed, aperture and ISO, or knows what they are.

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Homework (if you're following):

Pretty light on homework this week. It's all about practise and getting comfortable with your camera. So take lots of pictures!

- Have a play around with the different modes. Try and spend a bit of time in one mode to get used to it - especially Aperture Priority (A or Av) and Shutter Priority (S or Tv)

- Check to see if your camera has the auto-ISO function. If it does, see what it's set to and find out how to get it working

- Do an internet search for "Exposure Triangle Graphic". Look for a pic that has little running men in it as that is a really good one.

Any questions, comments or thoughts to theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com

A Ted Viera length episode without the sexy voice. What can I say.

Just been thinking about how practise can really help you become a better photographer. So yep. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Complain to theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com

In this episode we continue the technical journey by talking about aperture. Aimed at complete beginners who know nothing about photography, this lesson talks about aperture, what it is, how it works, and what effects it might have.

If you're new, consider listening to previous lessons before this so that things make a little more sense.

Bullet points from today:

• F numbers are the 'bottom' of fractions which is why the hole gets smaller as the numbers go up.

• Large/Wide aperture = large opening = small depth of field = small f number (f/1.8)
• Small/Narrow aperture = small opening = large depth of field = large f number (f/18)

Email me at theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com with any questions, feedback, or comments. I'll collate questions for a feedback episode once I get enough.

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Homework reminder (if you're following):

- Continue taking pictures for your project. Any pics you take, print them out and stick them in your scrapbook making a note of the settings next to them. Taking photos on auto is fine at this point.

- Consider whether aperture is something that is of value to your project. If so, experiment!

- Set your camera to aperture priority (A or Av). Grab a portable subject (something small & handheld) and stick it on the coffee table in your lounge. Get fairly close to it, and take a photo on the widest aperture (lowest f number), the middle one, as well as on the narrowest aperture (largest f number). Compare the results on your computer, looking specifically at the depth of field. Print them out, stick them in your scrapbook and write the settings next to them so you have a permanent reminder.

- Spin up your Lightmeter app, set the shutter speed to 1/125sec, the ISO to 400, and wave the camera about at differently lit scenes to see the aperture change.

In this episode we continue the technical journey by talking about ISO. Aimed at complete beginners who know nothing about photography, this lesson talks about ISO, what it is, how it works, and what effects it might have.

If you're new, consider listening to previous lessons so that things make a little more sense.

Email me at theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com with any questions, feedback, or comments. I'll collate questions for a feedback episode once I get enough.

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Homework reminder (if you're following):

- Continue taking pictures for your project. Any pics you take, print them out and stick them in your scrapbook making a note of the settings next to them. Taking photos on auto is fine at this point.

- Check your camera's ISO ranges so you know what the capabilities are. Chesk to see if your camera has Auto-ISO

- Set your camera to Program mode (P), set your ISO to 100 and take a photo. Then change your ISO to whatever the highest is that it will go to and take another photo. Compare the two side by side. Have a close look at the high ISO image to see if you can see the digital noise. Bonus points: Take a series of pictures at different ISOs, 1 stop apart (100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 etc) and analyse them to see when you can start to see noise appear.

- Download a Lightmeter app, set the aperture to f/8, the shutter speed to 1/125sec, and wave the camera about at differently lit scenes to see the ISO change. Don't worry about what aperture means, we haven't talked about that yet! Best place to do this is probably in your living room during the day.

I just spent the last few days making over 90 prints of the same test photo on different paper. This is 28 minutes of me telling you about it, so if you have an option to watch paint dry, feel free!

tl;dl - All the papers I tried give great results.

In this episode we start the technical journey by talking about shutter speed. Aimed at complete beginners who know nothing about photography, this lesson talks about shutter speed, what it is, how it works, and what effects it might have.

If you're new, consider listening to Lessons 1 & 2 before this so that things make a little more sense.

Email me at theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com with any questions, feedback, or comments. I'll collate questions for a feedback episode once I get enough.

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Homework reminder (if you're following):

- Begin taking pictures for your project. Any pics you take, print them out and stick them in your scrapbook making a note of the settings next to them. Taking photos on auto is fine at this point.

- Consider whether shutter speed is something that is of value to your project. If so, experiment!

- Set your camera to shutter priority (S or Tv). Set your shutter speed to 1s and go take some photos! Do some research on ICM (Intentional camera movement) to see the sort of effects you can create. Upload any photos you're particularly pleased with to The Ordinary Photographer group on Flickr.

- Download a Lightmeter app, set the aperture to f/8, the ISO to 400, and wave the camera about at differently lit scenes to see the shutter speed change. Don't worry about what aperture and ISO mean, we haven't talked about them yet!

I'm figuring this out as I go along I reckon. E15 is about the importance of research to any photographic journey.

Book referenced : https://amzn.to/3FhdHVK (Referral link - helps to support the show. Search for "Taschen 20th Photography" if you don't want to click!)

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Homework (if you're following):

If you want to join in with the Assignment, you can do. Nothing is time sensitive, so take things at your own pace. No prize, no certificate, no qualification. 

- Pick a theme. Buy a scrapbook (or create an e-one). Popular themes if you're out of ideas are: My Favourite Place, In Nature, Mostly (Colour), My Pet. Keep 'em really simple to begin with. Search online for "photographic themes" if you're stuck, but pick something and stick with it. Don't dither once you've chosen.

- Get someone to interview you about it to help you do a Proposal. Record this. Add it to your scrapbook.

- Research. Start with Google images but try and narrow it down to professional work. Collate everything into a moodboard in your scrapbook.

Any questions, comments or thoughts to theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com

A brief few words about inspiration and how helpful it can be.

Mike's Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mikegutterman

Adam & Scott's Podcast: https://uk-podcasts.co.uk/podcast/the-creative-pursuit-podcast

Mandy's Work: https://www.instagram.com/theimagewitch/

Richard's Website: https://richardhall.online/

Paul's Work: https://www.instagram.com/paulemorgan/

Bear's Work: https://www.instagram.com/filmprofessorbear/

Contact: theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com

This is the first lesson in my beginners course. If you want to know what the course is about, as well as get cracking with how to take a great photograph, have a listen. 

This course covers equal amounts technical as well as creative. Not just shutter speed, aperture and ISO, but composition, feedback, & research.

Email me at theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com if you like.

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Homework (if you're following):

- Buy a scrapbook, or create an eScrapbook in your software of choice.

- Start to think about themes.

- Find your camera manual.

- Consider joining the Ordinary Photographer Flickr group. No need to post any images just yet.

An easy start :)

Unlucky for some, E13 is just a "what's happening?" return and a teaser for the future.

Email me at theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com if you like.

A pondering beginning to 2021 discussing plans (not resolutions!) and their uses in becoming a better photographer.

In the second half, I defend HP5 Plus after the podcast bashing it's recently had so if you don't shoot film you get to go home early. It hasn't really been bashed, just a couple of people said they didn't think it was exciting. I exagerrate. That's what my wife is always telling me.

Podcast referred to in the episode is The Candid Frame #546 with Jeffery Saddoris. An excellent listen. https://www.ibarionex.net/thecandidframe/2021/1/4/the-candid-frame-546-jeffery-saddoris.

Happy new year to you all!

Inventing New Words Week.

Also, "Recording Into The Right Side Of The Microphone" week too! Sound quality much improved. 

This week I wanted to talk about the ordinariest photographer - Vivian Maier.

That's about it. 

Email the "show" at theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com

I had a couple of emails from the last show and may well collate with any new ones - especially ranty ones - in January.

Have a cool yule everyone!

A prize for the longest title ever and the longest gap between podcasts.

1 whole minute of erms cut. That's a lot of erms. Say erm. For a minute. See?

Rather than a rambling moan which was what E10 was destined to be I decided to try and talk about something positive. Lots of poeple say your photos need to tell a story, but do they? Really? Regular listeners will likely know the answer.

Apologies for the sound quality. I'd forgotten how to do it properly and had to relearn everything. I guess that's an incentive if ever there was one...

In which I fluff up the beginning, sigh more than erm, and repeatedly get the book name wrong.

It's a good job I'm not getting paid for this...

Exploring the extra-ordinary work of Phillipe Halsman through three books. Sight & Insight, The Jump Book and Dali's Mustache.

Preposterous stuff.

And an apology that I repeatedly call the book Sight & Sound when that's not what it's called...

So in Episode 8 I deal with another listener email as well as one from Podbean... Well...

I also think I sound like I perhaps make unkind remarks about other podcasts. I actually heartily recommend anyone to give them a go. Whilst the content might not be everyone's cuppa, the people behind them all are talented and gifted folks... 

The Candid Frame: https://www.ibarionex.net/thecandidframe

Negative Positives: https://anchor.fm/mikegutterman

The Large Format Photography Podcast: https://largeformatphotographypodcast.podbean.com/

The Classic Lenses Podcast: https://www.classiclensespodcast.com/

Books mentioned are Ibarionex Perello's "Making Photographs" and Bruce Barnbaum's "The Art of Photography". Accept no substitutes.

So after a bit of a photographic drought, I picked up an Olympus 35RC and it inspired me.

tl;dl : Gear matters when it either contributes to your creativity or doesn't inhibit it. It's why I can't use a Panasonic camera - the menus drive me round the bend.

Also, I got an email (and a physical postcard!) from Richard Hall! @connexions on Instagram. Go buy his zine: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/RichardHallPhotos

Other than that, more erms, a motorbike, and 1 frame short of a full roll. Situation normal.

This week's incompetence....

Mixing up Iron Maiden's frontman with a Magnum street photographer

Spending more time than should be reasonable removing a nasty earth hum from the audio

More erms than I have dust on my 6x17s

"Talk like Captain Kirk" episode with amusing pauses in between. My brain is just toooo slow.

3 Instagram likes come in mid-episode. Three!

In which I read out my first email, and discuss the content because... Well, it's a simple "how do you become a better photographer" email.

Cheers Ian!

I can't get over the amount of erms!! 

Anyway, this week I witter on about the phrase "those who can't... teach...", wishing that it wasn't me but ultimately realising that it is.

Discussing mainly the advantages of night school learning, or learning ina  social environment which is possibly the worst thing to be talking about at the moment.

My wife always tells me I have terrible timing....

Roll on episode 6!

Email the "show" at theordinaryphotographer@outlook.com and consider sumbitting an image for discussion on the new Flickr group! (listen for more detail)