A Photographic Life - podcast cover

A Photographic Life

The United Nations of Photographywww.unitednationsofphotography.com
"To take a photograph is to align the head, the eye and the heart. It's a way of life." Henri Cartier-Bresson. Whatever your level of engagement with photography The Photographic Life Podcast explains the realities of working with and learning about the medium. Each week photographer, writer, lecturer, filmmaker, and BBC Radio contributor Dr. Grant Scott reflects on news, discussions, themes and issues surrounding the photographic community. This is a podcast for those who do not want kit reviews, photoshop techniques, marketing babble or camera talk. It is for those who want informed conversation about photography and life. Grant Scott is the founder/curator of www.unitednationsofphotography.com, a Senior Lecturer in Photography at Oxford Brookes University, UK, a working photographer, and the author of Professional Photography: The New Global Landscape Explained, The Essential Student Guide to Professional Photography and New Ways of Seeing: The Democratic Language of Photography. His documentary film, Do Not Bend: The Photographic Life of Bill Jay has been screened across the UK, and in Canada and the US. Podcast music: Written and performed by Laura Ritchie.
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Episodes

A Photographic Life-374: 'Diane Arbus Backlash and What Photographers Know and Don't Say!'

In episode 374 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his garage reflecting on the small and big things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Dr.Grant Scott After fifteen years art directing photography books and magazines such as Elle and Tatler, Scott began to work as a photographer for a number of advertising and editorial clients in 2000. Alongside his photographic career Scott has art directed numerous advertising campaigns, worked as a creative director at...

Jul 09, 202520 min

A Photographic Life-373: The Conversation with Bill Shapiro 'What Is Street Photography?'

In this monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with editor, writer and curator of photography Bill Shapiro. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Bill comment on the photographic environment as they see it. This month they reflect on street photography. Bill Shapiro Bill Shapiro served as the Editor-in-Chief of LIFE, the legendary photo magazine; LIFE’s relaunch in 2004 was the largest in Time Inc. history. Later, he was the founding Editor-in-Chief of LIFE.com, which won the ...

Jul 02, 202554 min

A Photographic Life-372: 'Nick Hedges, Documenting Life Today and Cloud Storage'

In episode 372 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his garage reflecting on the small and big things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Dr.Grant Scott After fifteen years art directing photography books and magazines such as Elle and Tatler, Scott began to work as a photographer for a number of advertising and editorial clients in 2000. Alongside his photographic career Scott has art directed numerous advertising campaigns, worked as a creative director at...

Jun 25, 202520 min

A Photographic Life-371: See/Saw with Fiona Hayes 'World Press Photo, Astronomy and Eadweard Muybridge'

In this monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with art director, lecturer and creative director Fiona Hayes. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Fiona comment on the photographic environment as they see it through the exhibitions, magazines, talks and events that Fiona has seen over the previous weeks. Fiona Hayes Fiona Hayes is an art director, designer, consultant and lecturer with over 30 years’ experience in publishing, fashion and the art world. She has been a magazine...

Jun 18, 202540 min

A Photographic Life-370: 'Salgado, Photographs on Walls and Photo Memory'

In episode 370 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his garage reflecting on the small and big things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Dr.Grant Scott After fifteen years art directing photography books and magazines such as Elle and Tatler, Scott began to work as a photographer for a number of advertising and editorial clients in 2000. Alongside his photographic career Scott has art directed numerous advertising campaigns, worked as a creative director at...

Jun 11, 202522 min

A Photographic Life-369: The Conversation with Bill Shapiro 'What Is Urban Landscape Photography?'

In this monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with editor, writer and curator of photography Bill Shapiro. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Bill comment on the photographic environment as they see it. This month they reflect on sports photography. Bill Shapiro Bill Shapiro served as the Editor-in-Chief of LIFE, the legendary photo magazine; LIFE’s relaunch in 2004 was the largest in Time Inc. history. Later, he was the founding Editor-in-Chief of LIFE.com, which won the ...

Jun 04, 202557 min

A Photographic Life-368: 'The Nick Ut/Napalm Girl Controversy and Listeners Letters'

In episode 368 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his garage reflecting on the small and big things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Dr.Grant Scott After fifteen years art directing photography books and magazines such as Elle and Tatler, Scott began to work as a photographer for a number of advertising and editorial clients in 2000. Alongside his photographic career Scott has art directed numerous advertising campaigns, worked as a creative director at...

May 28, 202527 min

A Photographic Life-367: See/Saw with Fiona Hayes 'Power and Glory, Gabriel Moses and Photo London'

In this monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with art director, lecturer and creative director Fiona Hayes. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Fiona comment on the photographic environment as they see it through the exhibitions, magazines, talks and events that Fiona has seen over the previous weeks. Mentioned in this episode: The Power and the Glory https://www.newportstreetgallery.com/exhibition/current/ Gabriel Moses, Selah https://www.180studios.com/selah Photo London...

May 21, 202544 min

A Photographic Life-366: 'Cartier-Bresson Words, One Lens Creativity and Photo Book Titles'

In episode 366 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his garage reflecting on the small and big things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Dr.Grant Scott After fifteen years art directing photography books and magazines such as Elle and Tatler, Scott began to work as a photographer for a number of advertising and editorial clients in 2000. Alongside his photographic career Scott has art directed numerous advertising campaigns, worked as a creative director at...

May 14, 202520 min

A Photographic Life-365: The Conversation with Bill Shapiro 'What About Landscape Photography?'

In this monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with editor, writer and curator of photography Bill Shapiro. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Bill comment on the photographic environment as they see it. This month they reflect on landscape photography. Bill Shapiro Bill Shapiro served as the Editor-in-Chief of LIFE, the legendary photo magazine; LIFE’s relaunch in 2004 was the largest in Time Inc. history. Later, he was the founding Editor-in-Chief of LIFE.com, which won t...

May 07, 202553 min

A Photographic Life-364: 'Walker Evans is the GOAT, Being Liked and AI Prompts'

In episode 364 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his garage reflecting on the small and big things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Dr.Grant Scott After fifteen years art directing photography books and magazines such as Elle and Tatler, Scott began to work as a photographer for a number of advertising and editorial clients in 2000. Alongside his photographic career Scott has art directed numerous advertising campaigns, worked as a creative director at...

Apr 30, 202521 min

A Photographic Life-363: See/Saw with Fiona Hayes 'Resistance, Sony WPO Awards and Eileen Perrier'

In this monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with art director, lecturer and creative director Fiona Hayes. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Fiona comment on the photographic environment as they see it through the exhibitions, magazines, talks and events that Fiona has seen over the previous weeks. Mentioned in this episode: https://turnercontemporary.org/whats-on/resistance/ ]www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards https://autograph.org.uk Fiona Hayes Fiona Ha...

Apr 23, 202552 min

A Photographic Life-362: 'The Photographer's Studio, Wacky! and What is Landscape Photography?'

In episode 362 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his garage reflecting on the small and big things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Dr.Grant Scott After fifteen years art directing photography books and magazines such as Elle and Tatler, Scott began to work as a photographer for a number of advertising and editorial clients in 2000. Alongside his photographic career Scott has art directed numerous advertising campaigns, worked as a creative director at...

Apr 16, 202521 min

A Photographic Life-361: 'Photo Winners, Minor White and Good Trouble!'

In episode 357 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his garage reflecting on the small and big things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Dr.Grant Scott After fifteen years art directing photography books and magazines such as Elle and Tatler, Scott began to work as a photographer for a number of advertising and editorial clients in 2000. Alongside his photographic career Scott has art directed numerous advertising campaigns, worked as a creative director at...

Mar 31, 202519 min

A Photographic Life-359: 'Knowledge, Photo Knowledge and Not Getting Paid!'

In episode 359 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his garage reflecting on the small and big things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Dr.Grant Scott After fifteen years art directing photography books and magazines such as Elle and Tatler, Scott began to work as a photographer for a number of advertising and editorial clients in 2000. Alongside his photographic career Scott has art directed numerous advertising campaigns, worked as a creative director at...

Mar 20, 202519 min

A Photographic Life-360: The Conversation with Bill Shapiro 'Just Say No!'

In this monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with editor, writer and curator of photography Bill Shapiro. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Bill comment on the photographic environment as they see it. This month they reflect on just saying no! Bill Shapiro Bill Shapiro served as the Editor-in-Chief of LIFE, the legendary photo magazine; LIFE’s relaunch in 2004 was the largest in Time Inc. history. Later, he was the founding Editor-in-Chief of LIFE.com, which won the 2011...

Mar 17, 202550 min

A Photographic Life-358: 'See/Saw with Fiona Hayes 'The Face at NPG, Ernest Cole and Peter Hujar'

In this monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with art director, lecturer and creative director Fiona Hayes. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Fiona comment on the photographic environment as they see it through the exhibitions, magazines, talks and events that Fiona has seen over the previous weeks. Fiona Hayes Fiona Hayes is an art director, designer, consultant and lecturer with over 30 years’ experience in publishing, fashion and the art world. She has been a magazine...

Mar 15, 202553 min

A Photographic Life-357: 'Colm Pierce, Taking Time, and Teaching Photography'

In episode 357 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his garage reflecting on the small and big things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Colm Pierce is an accomplished documentary photographer who since picking up a camera in 1987, has travelled extensively throughout his home country of Ireland as well as to France and Vietnam. Colm’s work has been featured in publications such as the Guardian, the Irish Times, Elle, Le Point and Micro Hebdo. Today, runs p...

Mar 03, 202520 min

A Photographic Life-356: The Conversation with Bill Shapiro 'Photo Social Media in 2025'

In this monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with editor, writer and curator of photography Bill Shapiro. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Bill comment on the photographic environment as they see it. This month they reflect on sports photography. Bill Shapiro Bill Shapiro served as the Editor-in-Chief of LIFE, the legendary photo magazine; LIFE’s relaunch in 2004 was the largest in Time Inc. history. Later, he was the founding Editor-in-Chief of LIFE.com, which won the ...

Feb 25, 202550 min

A Photographic Life-355: 'Kirsty Mitchell, Paying for Feedback and Landscape Photography'

In episode 355 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his garage reflecting on the small and big things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Dr.Grant Scott After fifteen years art directing photography books and magazines such as Elle and Tatler, Scott began to work as a photographer for a number of advertising and editorial clients in 2000. Alongside his photographic career Scott has art directed numerous advertising campaigns, worked as a creative director at...

Feb 24, 202520 min

A Photographic Life-354: See/Saw with Fiona Hayes 'Linder and The 80s: Photographing Britain'

In this monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with art director, lecturer and creative director Fiona Hayes. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Fiona comment on the photographic environment as they see it through the exhibitions, magazines, talks and events that Fiona has seen over the previous weeks. Fiona Hayes Fiona Hayes is an art director, designer, consultant and lecturer with over 30 years’ experience in publishing, fashion and the art world. She has been a magazine...

Feb 17, 202548 min

A Photographic Life-353: 'Photography in the '90s with Jake Chessum, James Dimmock and Chris Floyd'

In this special conversation Grant Scott speaks with photographers and founders of The Farringdon Print Shop, Jake Chessum, James Dimmock and Chris Floyd, to reflect on editorial photography in the 90s and creating a platform to monetize their joint archives. Jake Chessum’s timeless and engaging celebrity portraits have appeared in many prestigious publications and the range of celebrities he has been commissioned to photograph span the worlds of film, politics, sports and music. Born in Croydon...

Feb 12, 202545 min

A Photographic Life Episode-352: The Conversation With Bill Shapiro 'Photobook Text'

In this monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with editor, writer and curator of photography Bill Shapiro. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Bill comment on the photographic environment as they see it. This month they reflect on text in photobooks. This episode is also available as a visual recording on Youtube @UnofPhoto Bill Shapiro Bill Shapiro served as the Editor-in-Chief of LIFE, the legendary photo magazine; LIFE’s relaunch in 2004 was the largest in Time Inc. hist...

Feb 05, 202551 min

A Photographic Life-351: 'Patti Smith, Making Mistakes, and Photographer John Vachon'

In episode 351 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is reflecting on the big and small things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Dr.Grant Scott After fifteen years art directing photography books and magazines such as Elle and Tatler, Scott began to work as a photographer for a number of advertising and editorial clients in 2000. Alongside his photographic career Scott has art directed numerous advertising campaigns, worked as a creative director at Sotheby’s, ar...

Jan 29, 202520 min

A Photographic Life-350: 'A Conversation with Harry Borden on Photographers on Youtube'

In this special extended episode UNP founder and curator Grant Scott engages in a conversation with UK based photographer, Harry Borden about the importance his YouTube channel and how to use the platform to remain relevant and engaged with the medium. Harry Borden was born in New York and brought up on a farm in Devon in the South West of England. He studied photography at Plymouth College of Art and Design. Borden moved to London after graduation, where he worked as an assistant for the photog...

Jan 22, 202552 min

A Photographic Life-349: 'The Eye! Digital Archives, Sketchbooks and Feedback'

In episode 349 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is reflecting on the big and small things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Mentioned in this episode: www.kinfolk.com Dr.Grant Scott After fifteen years art directing photography books and magazines such as Elle and Tatler, Scott began to work as a photographer for a number of advertising and editorial clients in 2000. Alongside his photographic career Scott has art directed numerous advertising campaigns, wor...

Jan 15, 202521 min

A Photographic Life-348: 'Berenice Abbott, Fakes, Randoms and Reading'

In episode 348 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is reflecting on the big and small things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Dr.Grant Scott After fifteen years art directing photography books and magazines such as Elle and Tatler, Scott began to work as a photographer for a number of advertising and editorial clients in 2000. Alongside his photographic career Scott has art directed numerous advertising campaigns, worked as a creative director at Sotheby’s, ar...

Jan 08, 202521 min

A Photographic Life-347: 'New Year Special 2025' with Bill Shapiro and Fiona Hayes

In this extended episode, editor, writer and curator of photography Bill Shapiro, art director, creative director and lecturer Fiona Hayes and UNP founder and curator Grant Scott look back on 2024 and forward to 2025 whilst reflecting on photo exhibitions, books, social media, publishing and the expectations of the Twenty First Century photographer. Bill Shapiro Bill Shapiro served as the Editor-in-Chief of LIFE, the legendary photo magazine; LIFE’s relaunch in 2004 was the largest in Time Inc. ...

Jan 01, 20251 hr 9 min

A Photographic Life-346: 'Christmas Special' with Peter Fetterman

In this special extended episode UNP founder and curator Grant Scott engages in a vigorous conversation with California based curator, gallerist Peter Fetterman about the importance of passion, risk taking and empathy in photography. Peter Fetterman Born in London, Peter Fetterman has been deeply involved in the medium of photography for over thirty years. Initially a filmmaker, producer and collector, he set up his first gallery over twenty years ago. Fetterman was one of the pioneer tenants of...

Dec 25, 202451 min

A Photographic Life-345: 'Is Saul Leiter the GOAT of Photography? and Home Based Exhibitions'

In episode 345 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the big and small things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Dr.Grant Scott After fifteen years art directing photography books and magazines such as Elle and Tatler, Scott began to work as a photographer for a number of advertising and editorial clients in 2000. Alongside his photographic career Scott has art directed numerous advertising campaigns, worked as a creative director at S...

Dec 18, 202421 min
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