Yugoslavia-born, Paris-based artist Sergej Vutuc joins me for a deep conversation about pushing the boundaries with his creative work. Combining sound, live performance, analog film and zine-making, Sergej possesses a singular creative approach that is inspiring to behold.

Sergej Vutuc website

Sergej Vutuc Live Performance video

Sergej Vutuc Instagram

A look at the life and work of a true art world enigma, Ray Johnson. Author Ellen Levy joins me to discuss the reluctant genius, sometimes referred to as "the most famous unknown artist." Collages and mail art and photos and more.

Links:

Ray Johnson Estate

Ray Johnson work at The Art Institute of Chicago

Ellen Levy on Instagram

A Book About Ray / Ellen Levy website

How To Draw A Bunny documentary

Arthur Tress has been a prolific photographer since the mid 1960s. Though he may have flown under the radar when compared to some of his contemporaries, a new retrospective at The Getty Center in Los Angeles aims to change that. I had the pleasure of discussing the "new to me" work of Tress with The Getty's Senior Curator of Photographs, Jim Ganz.

Arthur Tress website

Arthur Tress at The Getty website

Flood Dream photo

Danny Clinch was born "down the shore" in New Jersey. From humble beginnings, he ascended the ladder of rock and roll photography to become one of the top shooters in the world of music. He's photographed everyone from Johnny Cash to Tupac; the Beastie Boys to "The Boss" Bruce Springsteen. This conversation has tons of Jersey references, but you don't gotta be from the Garden State to enjoy!

Danny Clinch website

Transparent Gallery

Metallica at San Quentin photo

Sea.Hear.Now. Festival in Asbury Park

An encore presentation celebrating the life of Joan Liftin, who passed away earlier this year.  We had a wonderful conversation back in season one.  Sharing this as the dust settles from my recent trip to Paris Photo 2023.

Joan Liftin had an illustrious career in photography. Besides being a photographer with three monographs under her belt, Joan spent many years as a teacher at the ICP and a photo editor at the esteemed Magnum Photos. Plus, she was married to photographer Charles Harbutt. I really enjoyed this conversation, I hope you do, too.


Joan Liftin at the ICP

Charles Harbutt at Artnet

Magnum Photos

This episode I welcome the Executive Director of the Penumbra Foundation and self-described iconoclast, Geoffrey Berliner to the podcast. We have a lively chat about photography's past (as well as its present and future), alternative processes and putting artists first!

Links:

Penumbra Foundation website

Sally Mann Tintypes article

Geoffrey Berliner upcoming exhibition (with Romualdas Pozerskis)

A fun, New Jersey style chat with book designer and creative force of nature, Yolanda "Yo" Cuomo. We discuss her start in the publishing world, her work with Marvin Israel, and her stellar photo book design work for Paolo Pellegrin, Sylvia Plachy, Edward Keating and Diane Arbus. Lots to dig into here!

Links:

Yolanda Cuomo website

Diane Arbus: Revelations

Revelations Book (Amazon)

Marvin Israel video

Sylvia Plachy: Unguided Tour

Legendary British photographer Brian Griffin joins me for an enjoyable chat about his career, especially his music / album cover work with such luminaries as Depeche Mode and Echo & The Bunnymen. My music geekery comes out in full force on this one; it brings back fond memories of hours spent listing to my vinyl albums back in 1980s New Jersey! What an honor to speak with a living legend of music photography.

Links:

Brian Griffin website

MODE book

Depeche Mode: A Broken Frame photo

Echo and the Bunnymen: Ocean Rain photo

My guest for this episode is writer Giancarlo Roma. Not only is he the son of noted photographer Thomas Roma, and the grandson of Lee Friedlander, he also manages the photo book imprint Haywire Press. A fun conversation about growing up surrounded by photography!

Links:

Haywire Press

Friedlander First Fifty book (written / compiled by Giancarlo Roma)

Thomas Roma website

A nice conversation with photographer and writer Tim Carpenter. Tim's book "To Photograph Is To Learn How To Die" is available now and is well worth the read. This episode is for all the existential photographers out there... you know who you are.

Links:

The Ice Plant: publisher of Tim's book; buy it here

Tim Carpenter website

Season Three starts off with a bang! Legendary graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister joins me for a great discussion about Werner Herzog, creative bravery, working hard, and how today might just be better than you think.

Links:

Sagmeister website

AIGA "Skin Cut" poster discussed

The Happy Film

Now Is Better book purchase

Werner Herzog

My season two final episode is a great one!  Magnum photographer and true master of the medium Susan Meiselas joined my for a nice chat to discuss her lifetime of work, as featured in her traveling exhibition "Mediations." We talked about many of her iconic images and series, including "Carnival Strippers" as well as her noteworthy work in a Nicaraguan war zone. Such an honor to speak with a true giant of photography.

Links

Susan Meiselas website

Susan's Instagram

Carnival Strippers at the Magnum website

"Malatov Man" photography

A great chat with Lena Fritsch, all about Japanese photography after World War 2. Some familiar names pop up, but we also discuss unsung heroes and some new stars of the Japanese world of photography. It was a pleasure to speak to Lena, who wrote the book "Ravens & Red Lipstick: Japanese Photography Since 1945" published by Thames & Hudson.

Links:

"Ravens & Red Lipstick" Book

Morimura Yasumasa

Kimura Ihei

Domon Ken

Vivo Collective

Provoke: Nakahira Takuma and Moriyama Daido, Taki Koji, Takanashi Yutaka and Okada Takahiko

Tokyo Rumando 

Nishino Sohei 

What constitutes a photograph? In its purest form, photography is literally "writing with light." A camera is not necessarily mandatory for creating photographic images. I discuss the world of cameraless photography with Lauren  Richman, who curated an exhibit called "Direct Contact" at the Eskenazi Museum of Art in Bloomington, Indiana.

Links

Direct Contact: Cameraless Photography Now

Henry Holmes Smith

An overview of the myriad ways to get your artwork in front of an audience. Get your work seen without losing your shirt or your self-respect! Some frank talk about the pros and cons of dealing with galleries, competitions and portfolio reviews, all with a healthy does of DIY enthusiasm to help you launch your artwork out into the world...and maybe even make a bit of money in the process.

Links:

PetaPixel's Tips For Showing Your Work

Lensculture's Guide to Working With Galleries

Chatter (music and artspace)

Cinema De Mes Reves (my work that is on display here in Albuquerque)

The second installment of my two-part Berlin photo book conversations. This time I welcome photographer Jason Langer, who has a striking new book out, simply titled "Berlin." We have a great talk about loss, pain, death, religion, joy, sex and everything in between. This was a really insightful chat, I hope you enjoy it.

Links:

Jason Langer website

Jason Langer Instagram

Buy "Berlin" book

This is part one of a two episode "Berlin Books" discussion. A wonderful chat with German photographer Christian Reister. Christian published his photo book "Berlin Nights" with Hoxton Mini Press in 2018, and I thought it'd be a great contrast to the second book to be discussed in my next episode. We chatted about music, Lomography, New York as well as one of my favorite cities, Berlin, Germany. A fun talk, I hope you enjoy as much as I did!

Links:

Berlin Nights book at Hoxton Mini Press website

Christian Reister's website

Christian Reister's Instagram

Lomography

Where do you draw the line when you decide to take a photograph? What subjects or approaches are off limits? What are the legal limits and obligations that a photographer faces when making photographs in public? When is consent required? All of these questions and more in this episode.

Links:

Arne Svenson: NYC Neighbors photos

Philip-Lorca diCorcia: Heads

Miroslav Tichy

Walker Evans: Subway Photos

Bruce Gilden: On the Streets video

This episode features a rollicking interview with the great entertainment / music photographer, Frank Ockenfels 3. You've probably seen his work everywhere. He's shot everyone from the cast of The Walking Dead to rock legend David Bowie. Plenty of inspiration to found in Frank's decades of work.

Links:

Frank Ockenfels 3 website

David Bowie and other music photos

Frank's Instagram

Frank's Book!

Pauline Martin, curator from the Photo Elysee Museum in Lusanne, Switzerland is my special guest for this episode. We discuss the history of blur or "flou" (the French term) which is a more accurate name for the soft, blurriness, out of focus, motion blur we often find in a photograph. A nice discussion that coincides with an exhibition of the same name that opens at the Photo Elysee on March 3rd.

Links:

Photo Elysee "Blur" exhibition

Henri Cartier-Bresson photos

Eadweard Muybridge Horse photo

It was a true thrill to be able to talk with photographer Michael Ackerman. His deeply thoughtful approach to his work, and his dedication to his art is an inspiration to me.
A true meeting of the minds.

Links:

Michael Ackerman website

End Time City book

Hunger: Epilogue book

A solo episode focussing on the subject of fear: how it affects our creative process, where it comes from, what it looks (and feels) like and how to disarm it.
The book "Art & Fear" is the catalyst for this rambling thought flow!

Links:

Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland

Overcoming Fear in the Creative Process

Ted Forbes: Nobody Cares About Your Photography

Love him or not, you know the work of Ansel Adams. Let's explore why he is so important to the history of the medium, and so popular with the viewing public.
A convincing conversation with photo curator Becky Senf of the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson, Arizona.

Links:

"Making a Photographer" book by guest Becky Senf

Ansel Adams at the CCP

An encore episode from last season. Due to a death in my family I need some extra time preparing the next, new episode. Therefore, I thought I'd share this episode from Season One that perhaps didn't get the audience I think it deserves.

Explore the good, the bad and the ugly along "The Mother Road," Route 66. Not too many kicks to discuss, sorry to say. Featuring a closer look at the work of Pulitzer Prize winning photographer,  Edward Keating.

Route 66 song: Chuck Berry

Route 66 song: Depeche Mode

The Grapes of Wrath

Edward Keating

A look at one of the titans of American art in the late 20th Century. Photography has always been integral to the work of Ed Ruscha. We'll focus on one specific series that is an example of his typological approach to image making. Also, Los Angeles rolls up its sleeves and takes on New York for the title of greatest American art scene.

Links:

Ed Ruscha at the Yancey Richardson Gallery

Ed Ruscha Photography article in Aperture

The Cool School movie

The Ferus Gallery

An interview with photographer Rick Schatzberg, centering on his late(er) journey to serious photography, his studying for an MFA in his 50s and the publishing of his book "The Boys." A couple of middle-aged, NYC suburban guys talk about life, friendship and loss, all seen through the medium of photography.

Links:

Rick Schatzberg website

"The Boys" at Powerhouse Books

MFA Program at University of Hartford

A look at an important body of work from Lee Friedlander. Created in the 1970s, "The American Monument" is still relevant to today's viewers. We'll also take a "Worth A Thousand Words" look at one specific photograph from this series.

Links:

"Father Duffy" photograph

"The American Monument" book

CCP / "The Archive" American Monuments issue

A wonderful talk with a master photographer! Todd Hido graciously shares the story of his personal photographic journey with me, as well as his thoughts on art, life and hope. This is a longer than usual episode, but it's worth every second.

Links:

Todd Hido website

Todd Hido Instagram

About Larry Sultan's Evidence

Emmet Gowin

Harry Callahan

The subject of death has been a constant throughout the history of photography. This episode we discuss the many ways death has been represented (both literally and metaphorically) in photographs. We'll look at the past practice of post-mortem and mourning photography, as well as ponder the words and images of more contemporary  writers and image-makers. This is a special "Day of the Dead" episode.

Links:

"Beyond The Black Veil" book

"Dead Soldier" photo by Matthew Brady

Robert Mapplethorpe's Death

Susan Sontag

Roland Barthes

A wonderful discussion about the life and work of (East) German photographer Sibylle Bergemann. My guest is Ina Schmidt-Runke, a curator from the Kicken Gallery in Berlin. Ina enlightens me on the complex world that Bergemann found herself in, living and creating art behind the Berlin Wall during the days of the Cold War.

Links:

Sibylle Bergemann at the Berlinische Galerie

Sibylle Bergemann at Ostkreuz

Kicken Gallery

This episode we take a look at the classic 1986 photo book "Subway" by Bruce Davidson. A time capsule of "old" New York City and a monumental photographic study of urban life, all steeped in deeply saturated colors. Part of this episode includes a "Worth A Thousand Words" discussion about one particular image from the book.

Links:

The cover image (deep dive discussion)

Subway at the Magnum Photo website

More Bruce Davidson work on artnet.com

This episode I welcome Aline Smithson to the podcast. Aline is the driving force behind Lenscratch, a fantastic online showcase of contemporary photography, in all its varied glory. She is also a prolific photo-based artist who delves into the world of analogue processes in her inspiring, personal artwork. A great chat!

Aline Smithson website

Lenscratch website

Fugue State portfolio

Shadows and Stains portfolio

The Lonesome Doll portfolio

Some "Hugo" information

Famed German filmmaker Wim Wenders is also a well-respected still photographer. A recent purchase of the book "Wim Wenders: Instant Stories" is the impetus for this episode, where we'll explore the crossing paths of still photography and moving pictures in his decades-spanning career. We'll also delve into his films "Alice in the Cities" and "Palermo Shooting" both of which feature still photography as an integral part of their storylines.

Links:

Wim Wenders Official website

Wim Wenders Polaroid photography

Alice In The Cities on Criterion

Palermo Shooting (bad review)

Season Two kicks off with a great interview with curator and writer David Campany. David curated the current William Klein exhibition at the International Center of Photography in New York City. We discuss the inspiring life and work of Klein in this lively conversation. The exhibit is still open until September 12th, so if your are in the NYC go see it!

Links of work mentioned in the episode:

ICP William Klein Exhibition website

Moscow "Bikini" photo

David Campany website

Many thanks to the staff at the ICP for their help coordinating the interview and accommodating my visit to the exhibition.

In conjunction with his one man show at 516 Arts, I sit down for a great talk with local Albuquerque photographer Nathaniel Paolinelli.

Links:

Nathaniel's website

Nathaniel on Instagram

516 Arts Exhibition Link

A lively discussion about the life and art of pioneering gay photographer and filmmaker, Jim Bidgood. I talk with Jim's friend and estate executor Kelly McKaig about this unique man and his groundbreaking artistic life. I also include some personal memories of my time working with Jim in the early '00s.

LINKS:

The Photos We Discussed on the Episode (open for reference of discussion!)

Jim Bidgood's work at ClampArt Gallery website

Aperture article about Jim Bidgood

Jim's NYT Obituary

A Nice Overview of Jim and his life (via gaycitynews.com)

Recorded on the side of the highway, this episode discusses the  patience required to create long-term photography projects. Sometimes the best things come to those who wait. Consider it a "ride along" as I head down the interstate, cameras at my side.
Grass, gas, or Tri-X, nobody rides for free!

Links:

Saguaro National Park

Center for Creative Photography, Tucson

Etherton Gallery

This episode, I talk with Joan Liftin, who has had an illustrious career in photography. Besides being a photographer with three monographs under her belt, Joan spent many years as a teacher at the ICP and a photo editor at the esteemed Magnum Photos. Plus, she was married to photographer Charles Harbutt. I really enjoyed this conversation, I hope you do, too.


Joan Liftin at the ICP

Charles Harbutt at Artnet

Magnum Photos

The next installment of a (sporadically) ongoing series, where I discuss one specific photograph in detail. This episode, we look at "Bubblegum" by photographer Mark Cohen.

"Bubblegum" the photo discussed in the episode

More work by Mark Cohen

Frame: a book by Mark Cohen

Mark Cohen video (shooting on the street)

Bruce Gilden video

Join me for an interview with Ward Andrews, a creative thinker, teacher and consultant. We discuss the challenges of dealing with envy in your creative practice, along with ways to shift your thinking and perspective to avoid the toxic traps that envy can produce.

More about Ward Andrews:

Design.org Blog

Drawbackwards

Ward's blog post about Creative Envy

Sensoria Project

Ward Andrews Instagram

Ward's Twitter

A discussion about the master Japanese photographer, Daido Moriyama. His life in photography... the good, the bad and the blurry... but mostly the good.

Daido Moriyama website

Provoke article in Aperture Magazine

Stray Dog photo

Bye Bye Photography 

and here, too

An interview with Albuquerque, NM based photojournalist and teacher Roberto Rosales. We discuss the challenges of maintaining a strong moral compass while doing photojournalistic work in dangerous, highly charged situations, how Roberto uses empathy to do his job, deciding when (and when not) to press the shutter button and much more!

Links:

Roberto Rosales' website

Roberto's Instagram

Roberto's work in the Albuquerque Journal

A deep dive exploration of a hauntingly beautiful image by Sally Mann. This episode is part of an ongoing series where Nick Tauro Jr. devotes (at least) 1000 words to one specific photograph.

Links:

"The Black Eye" photograph

Sally Mann

"Hold Still" book

Julia Margaret Cameron

Post Mortem Photography

A re-edit, re-visit to an interview that I did as a guest of Daniel Milnor on his "Dispatches" podcast. This is a pared down version, from Dan's original recording, but there's still plenty of good, deep photo conversation to enjoy!

Links:

Daniel's website

Daniel's YouTube channel

Werner Herzog

Fabio Miguel Roque

Explore the good, the bad and the ugly along "The Mother Road," Route 66. Not too many kicks to discuss, sorry to say. Featuring a closer look at the work of Pulitzer Prize winning photographer,  Edward Keating.

Route 66 song: Chuck Berry

Route 66 song: Depeche Mode

The Grapes of Wrath

Edward Keating

 This week, Nick Tauro Jr. will present a 100% improvised episode ...about improvisation! We will explore the value of incorporating improv into your life, and saying "yes" to the world through your creative practice, especially through your photography.

Links:

What is Improv?

Santa Fe Improv (where I study and perform)

Henry Wessel Jr.

Lomography

 

What is beauty and what is ugliness? Can you have one without the other?
These are the questions that are explored in this episode, with an emphasis on photography, of course.

Works discussed:

Caravaggio: Salome and the Head of John The Baptist

Goya: Saturn Devouring His Son

Ansel Adams

Mathew Brady

Larry Clark: Tulsa

Cindy Sherman

Robert Mapplethorpe

In this episode, Nick Tauro Jr. discusses the book "In The American West" by Richard Avedon and focusses on one particular portrait, that of Carl Hoefert, an unemployed blackjack dealer.

Links:

Carl Hoefert photograph

Amon Carter Museum: Avedon Collection

Warning: NSFW content

This episode explores the complicated confluence of sex and photography in Japan. Through the discussion of the work of Nobuyoshi Araki and Yurie Nagashima.

Links to work discussed:

Araki at The Museum of Sex

The Beauty and Toxicity of Araki

Araki: Sentimental Journey

Aperture essay on Yurie Nagashima

Nagashima in the British Journal of Photography

Arakimentari

In this episode, Nick Tauro Jr. discussed the uncovered work of a series of photographers who either eschewed fame or never received it in their lifetime. The spotlight gets placed on Vivian Maier, Eugene Atget, "The Mexican Suitcase" and Mike Disfarmer.

Links:

Vivian Maier

Eugene Atget

The Mexican Suitcase

Disfarmer

R.E.D. shirts! Shirts! Yes, shirts!

Right Eye Dominant website

The state of New Mexico, in the high desert of the southwestern United States, has always been a breeding ground for creativity. This, of course, extends into the medium of photography. I'll discuss some images and artists that helped shape my own perspective of my adopted home state.

Links of work discussed in episode:

Georgia O'Keeffe

Ansel Adams

Garry Winogrand photo

Lee Friedlander photo

Robert Frank highway photo

Robert Frank Gallup photo

Joel Peter Witkin

Thomas Barrow: Cancellations

Danny Lyon

Visit my website: righteyedominantpodcast.com

Finding validation and consolation in the words of photographer Robert Adams.
 
Links:
"Why People Photograph." published by Aperture.
 
Robert Adams photographs at MoMa

New Topographics information

When is a camera considered dangerous? When is a photographer seen as a threat? Using a recent news story as a departure point, I discuss the lines that often get blurred when a photographer works in public.

As always, you can find more information about this podcast at: https://righteyedominantpodcast.com/

Bruce Gilden at work (video)

Mark Cohen at work (video)

Gary Winogrand samples (video)

A lively diatribe / rant / motivational speech to inspire you to print your photos! A stack of snapshots is a start, but why not print you own photo book or zine? It's easier than you think. Let me convince you! As always, you can visit my website for more details and to contact me with questions or comments.
righteyedominantpodcast.com

The first episode in an ongoing series. One photograph by one photographer. At least 1000 words of commentary. To begin, we look at the iconic "Child With Toy Hand Grenade, Central Park, 1962" by Diane Arbus.

We can all look at a photograph and probably figure out what the subject is. However, what intangible things lie deeper below the surface of the obvious? There are mysteries to be discovered when we ponder what does a photograph hold.

For the first full episode of the R.E.D. Podcast, we're taking a deep dive look at the work of photographer and filmmaker Robert Frank. From his early success with his seminal photobook "The Americans" to his life-long pursuit of artistic integrity, Frank remains an inspiration for many photographers, including your podcast host, Nick Tauro Jr.

This short episode introduces the new podcast to all listeners! Join podcast host Nick Tauro Jr. for the first of many explorations of fine art, creative photography.  100% gear talk free!