Photography is Nothing

Dec 10

Episode 16 - It’s that time of year when the sun sets early and we photographers are forced to practice our low light skills. Candlelight is not very bright and often inconsistent, but it’s one of the best sources for creating warm, cozy, moody, contrasty light. In this episode Zach & Courtney talk about how to photograph with candlelight and what makes it effective. Zach has lots of practice with candlelight while photographing events like A Merry Prairie Holiday at Conner Prairie in Fishers, Indiana. Zach & Courtney also look at some examples from photographers around the world. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index 0:00 - How to make artistic photos. 0:28 - Today’s topic: Taking photos by candlelight. 3:26 - Photographing in low light without flash. 6:31 - New camera technology for low light photography. 7:36 - Using the LCD screen on a camera to manually focus in low light. 10:02 - Taking better photos in low light with your phone. 12:48 - It’s okay to use high ISO in low light. 14:26 - Examples of candlelight photography - Merry Prairie Christmas. 15:54 - Available light photography captures the ambiance of the scene. 18:00 - RAW files give you better image quality in low light. 20:45 - The people of Conner Prairie. 22:28 - Putting reflective surfaces next to candles for more light. 23:04 - Photographing candlelight Mass. 24:23 - How to get sharp photos without a tripod. 26:43 - Get sharp photos in low light by shooting in bursts 27:49 - High contrast photos in low light 29:38 - Kamakura festival in Yokote, Japan. 📷 Peter Essick 31:51 - The Miracle of the Holy Fire. 📷 Simon Norfolk 34:00 - Los Crucificados. 1990. 📷 Flor Garduño 34:55 - Day of the Dead. Brazil. 1966. 📷 Bruno Barbey 36:11 - Elsa Maxwell's Toy Ball at the Waldorf, New York (3 Cigarettes), 1955. 📷 William Klein. 37:26 - Catholics in China. 1993. 📷 Lu Nan. 38:15 - Share with us your candlelight photography. Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_ About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Dec 4

Episode 15 - Photographers love to talk about bokeh. So let's get into it. We talk about the origins of the word and just how recently this came into the photography lexicon. Also, more important to us than how it works from a technical standpoint is how it's used in photos to direct a viewer's eye or tell a story. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index 0:00 - We’re in a new location 1:43 - Today’s topic: Bokeh! 2:14 - Etymology of the word “bokeh” 2:31 - The first time “bokeh” appeared in western media 3:41 - “How do you get that background blur?” 4:19 - What is bokeh? How do you use it? 7:56 - Bokeh happens a lot in low light 8:26 - Photographing holiday lights with lots of bokeh 10:02 - Getting maximum bokeh photographing holiday lights 14:48 - Big foreground bokeh 17:57 - Using bokeh to direct people’s eyes 22:04 - Why street photographers don’t use bokeh much 23:21 - How Gueorgui Pinkhassov uses bokeh 34:37 - Bokeh is great for capturing the vibes of a place Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_ About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Nov 26

Episode 14 - Zach has always enjoyed photographing cars. Going to the occasional car shows and gatherings has been a regular part of our family life since the beginning. Today we welcome our boys to the podcast who also enjoy photographing cars with their dad. We talk through their images as well as some of our favorite car photos by other photographers. Cars & Coffee, Carmel Artomobilia, and the Indianapolis 500, are just a few subjects we get into on this episode. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index 0:00 - Introduction: Car shows are popular in our household 2:34 - Zach started photographing cars in high school 3:17 - Henry was into cars & trucks at a young age 5:36 - Carmel Artomobilia is our local car show 7:03 - Cars & Coffee at Graham Rahal Performance 12:39 - Henry & the Indy 500 rings 14:00 - Courtney loves the Indy 500 15:46 - Looking at Henry's car photos 23:12 - Car photos Henry likes 30:13 - Henry's favorite cars 33:23 - Photographer Horst Baumann - 1960's auto racing 39:54 - Welcome Jett to the podcast 40:26 - Car photos by Jett 46:46 - Welcome Townes to the podcast 47:44 - Photographing at car shows together 49:53 - Car photos by Townes 53:38 - Bonus content: social media edits Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_ About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Nov 19

Episode 13 - For any household with Swifties, the number 13 has special meaning. So for this 13th episode of Photography is Nothing, Zach & Courtney invite their daughters to discuss the meaning and evolution of Taylor Swift's album art through the eras. As Taylor Swift worked her way from teen country artist to international pop phenomenon, her album photography changed, too. It's no surprise that while she was taking control of her music and image, she also played larger roles in the direction of her photography. Today, we'll go through the various photoshoots for her 12 albums and talk about how the photography reflects the mood and themes of the albums. We get into the photography of The Eras Tour as well. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index 0:00 - Taylor Swift Album Photography Intro 2:32 - Our girls' favorite photos 6:23 - Debut (2006) - 📷 Andrew Orth 9:50 - Fearless (2008) - 📷 Joseph Anthony Baker, Ash Newell, and Sheryl Nields 12:52 - What does Taylor's Version mean? 15:40 - Fearless (Taylor's Version) - 📷 Beth Garrabrant 17:23 - Speak Now (2010) - 📷 Joseph Anthony Baker 19:41 - Speak Now (Taylor's Version) - 📷 Beth Garrabrant 21:10 - Red (2012) - 📷 Lowfield* 24:09 - Red (Taylor's Version) - 📷 Beth Garrabrant 25:53 - 1989 (2014) - 📷 Lowfield 30:45 - 1989 (Taylor's Version) - 📷 Beth Garrabrant 32:21 - Reputation - 📷 Mert & Marcus** 40:21 - Lover - 📷 Valheria Rocha 46:02 - Folklore - 📷 Beth Garrabrant 54:02 - Evermore - 📷 Beth Garrabrant 56:54 - Midnights - 📷 Beth Garrabrant 1:03:14 - The Tortured Poets Department - 📷 Beth Garrabrant 1:07:20 - The Life of a Showgirl - 📷 Mert & Marcus 1:15:55 - The Eras Tour Photography 1:20:53 - The Eras Tour Indianapolis N2 Outfits 1:24:00 - Did The Eras Tour photography capture the experience? 1:25:04 - Zach's photos documenting outside The Eras Tour *Lowfield is the team of Sarah Barlow & Stephen Schofield ** Mert & Marcus is the duo of Mert Alaş & Marcus Piggott Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_ About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Sep 17

Episode 12 - This week Zach & Courtney visit Tennessee, both literally and photographically. They discuss Zach’s photos from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, view historical images from the Tennessee Valley Authority, and learn about the incredible Tennessee-based photographer Stacy Kranitz.“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index0:00 - Intro - I’m not old, I had a Nintendo!2:18 - Not much for kids to do in Nashville2:59 - The Parthenon in Nashville built in 18974:22 - Spending one day in Great Smoky Mountains National Park8:12 - Zach photographs the national parks to document how people use them.9:38 - 📷 Lee Friedlander. Mount Rushmore. 196913:51 - Zach learns about parenting in nature while taking photos15:53 - 📷 Zach’s favorite photo from Great Smoky Mountains National Park - top of Kuwohi (2018)17:44 - 📷 Historical photos from the Tennessee Valley Authority27:23 - Zach is against colorizing historical photos31:34 - 📷 The Pulitzer Prize-winning photography of Stacy Kranitz33:55 - 📷 As It Was Given To Me - Photos documenting life in Appalachia by Stacy Kranitz43:14 - Kranitz’s photos are misrepresented by CNNLinksStacy Kranitz Websitehttps://www.stacykranitz.com/Pulitzer-winning story w/ ProPublicahttps://projects.propublica.org/the-year-after-a-denied-abortion/Roger May's Interview w/ Kranitz about CNN photoshttps://www.rogermayphotography.com/walkyourcamera/tag/KranitzFind ZachWebsite: https://zachdobson.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphotoThreads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphotoFind CourtneyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessonsThreads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_About the PodcastPhotography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.Fair Use StatementThis document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Sep 3

Episode 11 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss photographing road trips, including Zach’s photos on the road and in the Florida Keys, plus Joel Sternfeld’s project from the 1970s and 80s, American Prospects. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index 0:00 - Intro - Missing a great moment because he ran out of film 0:45 - We loved road trips growing up 3:18 - Road trips were more fun/dangerous in the 80s & 90s 4:43 - Zach’s photos from rest stops and gas stations on the way to Florida 📷 9:22 - A road trip through the Florida Keys 📷 17:16 - Joel Sternfeld’s American Prospects feels like a road trip across the United States. 17:38 - McLean, Virginia, December 1978. 📷 18:01 - Joel Sternfeld’s idea behind American Prospects 20:17 - After a Flash Flood. Rancho Mirage, California. 1979. 📷 20:42 - The Space Shuttle Columbia Lands at Kelly Air Force Base. San Antonio, Texas. March 1979.📷 21:21 - Exhausted Renegade Elephant. Woodland, Washington. June 1979.📷 23:33 - Glen Canyon Dam. Page, Arizona. 1983.📷 24:19 - Wet ’n’ Wild Aquatic Theme Park. Orlando, Florida. 1980.📷 25:05 - Buckingham, Pennsylvania. August 1978.📷 25:43 - Bikini Contest. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. March 1983.📷 27:22 - Near Akron, Ohio. May 1983.📷 28:26 - Portage Glacier, Alaska. August 1984.📷 29:15 - Lake Oswego, Oregon. June 1979.📷 30:38 - Canyon Country, California. June 1983.📷 31:52 - Courtney says this series is a great introduction to the vastness of the United States. 33:32 - This project helped Zach to realize that there’s wild stuff happening everywhere all the time if you’re looking for it. 35:01 - West Aztec Avenue. Gallup, New Mexico. September 1982.📷 35:25 - Great Salt Lake, Utah. August 1979.📷 For links to all the sources for this episode, check out our resources page here...https://blog.zachdobson.com/2025/09/photography-is-nothing-ep11/ Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_ About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Aug 20

Episode 10 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss their visit to the Indiana State Fair plus Zach’s project documenting fairs & festivals around the state of Indiana over the last 15 years. They also look at some photography of fairs by some of the all time greats like Danny Lyon, Inge Morath, Garry Winogrand, and others! “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index0:00 - Zach got scammed. 2:33 - Zach and Courtney visit the Indiana State Fair. 5:33 - How to find the best fair food. 9:55 - How much it cost us at the state fair this year. 12:04 - How to find the best lemon shakeups 13:14 - Zach’s Indiana Fair Project started in 2010. 📷 22:12 - Danny Lyon’s portraits of carnival workers. 📷 23:20 - Bruce Davidson’s photos of Jimmy Armstrong. 📷 23:37 - Diane Arbus photographed outsiders in their personal spaces. 📷 23:54 - Danny Lyon’s photos were the basis of The Bikeriders, a 2023 film starring Austin Butler. 24:30 - René Burri - Fair ride. Zurich, Switzerland. 1980. 📷 26:10 - Inge Morath - Puck Fair, Killorglin, County Kerry, Ireland. 1954. 📷 26:48 - Martin Parr - Manorhamilton Sheep Fair, County Leitrim, Ireland. 1981. 📷 27:02 - Gueorgui Pinkhassov - Blackpool, England. 2018. 📷 27:32 - Garry Winogrand - Texas State Fair. 1964. 📷 28:35 - Wolfgang Suschitzky - Hampstead Heath Fair. 1938. 📷 29:06 - Garry Winogrand - World’s Fair. New York City. 1964. 📷 29:34 - Zach will continue to photograph fairs and festivals. 📷 Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphotoThreads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_ About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Aug 7

Episode 09 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss starting a photography business and a family at the same time and how they work to fully integrate their lives together. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Notes Where it says, “Photo stories with the family,” on the screen from 35:31 until the end, what that means is for every one of those images, we were all together as a family, or Zach was out with the kids. Clearly some of the photos have the kids in them, but many are documentary images of the places we’re visiting. We wanted to show the breadth of work it’s possible for us to do when we’re together. Courtney mentions a Helena Bonham Carter quote. Here it is… “I think everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk. Your smile and your personality. What you believe in, and all your dreams. The way you drink your tea. How you decorate your home. Or party. Your grocery list. The food you make. How your writing looks. And the way you feel. Life is art.” Index 0:00 - The parameters are there to help us grow. 1:33 - Who are Zach & Courtney? 2:11 - Meeting at Indiana University and sharing an interest in travel & storytelling. 3:17 - Zach started his photography career in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. 5:01 - Courtney moves to Chicago and Zach follows. 6:12 - Zach & Courtney start their photography business in Indianapolis in 2006 15:17 - Working as a documentary commercial photographer 17:52 - Booking our own weddings as a photographer 18:58 - A special visitor to the set 20:12 - Multiple streams of photography income. 21:44 - Courtney solo parenting while Zach works nights. 25:26 - Why we decided to homeschool our kids. 30:00 - Being in charge of our own time. 33:14 - The Personal Legend Project 35:40 - Creating stability at work and home 40:00 - Society wants perfection. The interesting is in the mess. Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_ About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.