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-344: 'Lee Miller, Say No to Style, and Chasing Light'

In episode 344 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 11, 202420 min

A Photographic Life-343: A Conversation with Musician, Photographer and Author Julian Lennon

In this special episode Grant Scott speaks with Julian Lennon. In a broad ranging conversation they discuss photography, truth, the documentation of memories and the importance of friends and travel to creativity. Julian Lennon is a musician, photographer, author, philanthropist and the son of John Lennon and his first wife, Cynthia. Lennon started his music career in 1984 with the album Valotte, and has released six further albums. He has held exhibitions of his photography and written several ...

Dec 04, 202446 min

A Photographic Life-342: 'Paris Photo, Selling Prints, Poetry and Photography'

In episode 342 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...

Nov 27, 202420 min

A Photographic Life-341: See/Saw with Fiona Hayes 'Abi Morocco, As We Rise, Battaglia & Turbeville'

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...

Nov 20, 202450 min

A Photographic Life-340: 'Paul Lowe, Photo Books and Ready Mades'

In episode 340 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...

Nov 13, 202419 min

A Photographic Life-339: The Conversation With Bill Shapiro 'Politics and 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 photography, politics and the iconic image. 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 ...

Nov 06, 202450 min

A Photographic Life-338: A Conversation with Curator, Writer, Editor, and Educator David Campany

n this special episode Grant Scott speaks with editor, writer and curator of photography David Campany. This conversation was instigated by an Instagram post Campany made which Grant responded to thanks to one of his podcast listenners. Grant and David's rigorous debate deals with the subject of how a photographer should/could present themselves and issues with gatekeepers. David Campany is a curator, writer, editor who has worked worldwide with institutions including Tate, Whitechapel Gallery L...

Oct 30, 202451 min

A Photographic Life-336: 'Good Ideas, Workshops and Trent Parke'

In episode 336 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...

Oct 16, 202419 min

A Photographic Life-335: 'Penn, Hands, Cigarettes and Money'

In episode 333 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...

Oct 09, 202420 min

A Photographic Life-333: 'Sylvia Plachy, Is Theory Dead? And Good Advice'

In episode 333 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...

Sep 25, 202420 min

A Photographic Life-332: See/Saw with Fiona Hayes 'Fragile Beauty, Billy Name, W J Kennedy'

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...

Sep 18, 202445 min

A Photographic Life-331: 'Jean Loup Sieff, Fred Herzog, Making Friends and Keeping Diaries'

In episode 331 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...

Sep 11, 202420 min

A Photographic Life - 330: A Photographic Conversation With Bill Shapiro 'Sports 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 ...

Sep 04, 202453 min

A Photographic Life - 329: 'Bruce Gilden, Street Photography, Empathy and Getting Work'

In episode 329 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...

Aug 28, 202419 min

A Photographic Life - 328: See/Saw with Fiona Hayes 'Tim Hetherington, Naomi Hobson, Roger Mayne'

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...

Aug 21, 202451 min

A Photographic Life - 327: 'Man Ray, What Is Real? Sports and Subject Matter'

In episode 337 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed 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 S...

Aug 14, 202420 min

A Photographic Life - 326: A Photographic Conversation With Bill Shapiro 'How To Tell a Photo Story'

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 respond to a listener's question and discuss how to create a narrative based series of images. Mentioned in this episode: www.catedingley.com Instagram: @catedingley www.greggulbransenpeds Instagram: @greggulbransenpeds www.setanta books Instagram: @setantab...

Aug 07, 202447 min

A Photographic Life - 325: 'Karsh, Coffee, Photo Bears and Holidays'

In episode 335 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed 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 S...

Jul 31, 202419 min

A Photographic Life - 324: See/Saw with Fiona Hayes 'Okamura, Ernest Cole, Beyond Fashion...'

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...

Jul 24, 202444 min

A Photographic Life 323: 'Harry Borden, Photofairs, Photo Ethics and Photo Talk'

In episode 318 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the small and big things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Mentioned in this episode: Fred and Harry Borden: Photoshoot Breakdown https://www.youtube.com/@fredandharryborden 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. Alongsid...

Jul 17, 202420 min

A Photographic Life 322: 'The Leica Look, Finding a Story, Big Macs and The Fear of Narrative'

In episode 318 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 10, 202420 min

A Photographic Life - 321: A Photographic Conversation With Bill Shapiro 'Teaching 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 teaching photography and the role of the teacher. 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-Chi...

Jul 03, 202442 min

A Photographic Life 320: 'Talking Vivienne Maier, Analogue Smartphones and Artist or Journalist?'

In episode 320 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the small and big things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Mentioned in this episode: www.vivianmaier.com Image: Vivienne Maier, Self-Portrait, 1953 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...

Jun 26, 202420 min

A Photographic Life - 319: See/Saw with Fiona Hayes 'Burtynsky, Waplington, Strizzi, Deakin...'

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 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 art directo...

Jun 19, 202441 min

A Photographic Life - 318: 'Photo Clichés, Robert Adams and The End of the Photo School!'

In episode 318 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the small and big things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Image: © Robert Adams, Colorado Springs,1974 Mentioned in this episode: https://fraenkelgallery.com/artists/robert-adams https://www.uarts.edu www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/royal-photographic-society-sell-bristol-headquarters/#:~:text=“The%20decision%20to%20sell%20RPS,mission%20of%20creating%20a%20more Dr.Grant S...

Jun 12, 202420 min

A Photographic Life - 317: A Photographic Conversation With Bill Shapiro 'Learning 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 teaching/learning photography and the role of the teacher and the student. 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 t...

Jun 05, 202446 min

A Photographic Life - 316: 'Camera Bags, W. Eugene Smith, and The Corruption of Social Media'

In episode 315 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed 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 S...

May 29, 202420 min

A Photographic Life - 315: '90s Photography, The Photo GOAT? Camera Brand Loyalty'

In episode 315 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the small and big things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Mentioned in this episode: https://www.martinparrfoundation.org/events/british-photography-in-the-1990s/ 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 phot...

May 22, 202419 min
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