Prime Lenses

Alex Harrison Magrath and I had a brief introduction at an event we both attended at the end of last year. Thank you to Mari and the Leica family for that. Alex has come to photography by way of other visual art forms and as you’ll hear is interesting not only because of his gorgeous work, but also because he doesn’t feel like he needs to commit himself solely to this form medium. He’s open and honest about his confidence in his work in a way that I think we an all relate to. I really enjoyed talking to him for the show and hope you do too. More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

This week in an extra episode, Mark Seymour joins me to talk about his travel to India, the zines and books he’s made and some folks he’s met along the way.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Lukasz Larsson Warzecha is a contributor to National Geographic magazine and an award-winning documentary photographer, cinematographer and TEDx speaker. For over 16 years he has travelled the world telling scientific stories with his camera. Most recently he was featured in National Geographic.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Hamish Gill is a photographer, entrepreneur and founder. For over a decade he has run 35mmc, a website about film photography started, as you’ll hear, because of a 35mm compact camera that inspired him. Hamish loves image making shooting digital, film and tons of vintage lenses so was an ideal Prime Lenses guest.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Ed Smith is an athlete turned award winning photographer based in Scotland. I was introduced to Ed through a mutual friend and we got together to discuss the ways he’s documenting life on and around the river Spey in the Highlands. This is the project of a lifetime and hearing Ed speak so passionately about it was a real treat.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Ben Fraternale returns in a midweek episode this week to talk about his new documentary about film photography in China. You can watch the film here.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Gajan Balan is a photographer and director who has made a name for himself producing films for clients around the world as well as regular viewers like us on YouTube. In this episode he returns for our second on mic chat to discuss image making, where he wants to take his career in 2026 and beyond, and of course, three more lenses!More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Iain Farrell makes a weekly podcast series called Prime Lenses. In this special episode he is interviewed by his son, Lewis. They discuss the show, Iain’s initial inspiration for it and where he’d like to take it next. More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Julia Coddington is an Australian photographer and artist. She shoots remarkable street photos, leads workshops and is leaning into being a Grandmother. I met her partner Gerry on a photowalk earlier this year and he suggested I look up her work. Look it up I did and a plan to talk we did make. We talk about the way she found photography, her love of travel and the little dogs in their family even get a look in. I think this is the perfect episode for this time of year and I hope you enjoy this episode with Julia.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

It’s Christmas Eve so what better time than now to send over a lovely midweek episode. This week I sat down with Martin Ellard, a photographer form South Wales who is a listener to the show and was kind enough to send me a couple of zines he made of work. They’re fascinating and I couldn’t pass up the chance to talk to him about them. So here’s me chatting with Martin. More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Mark Eden is a commercial and travel photographer working in Australia and around the world. In a rare turn of events he reached out to me, we chatted and I suggested we get together and talk on the show. Mark likes to travel light, go off the beaten track and connect with his subjects so he felt like a good fit for the podcast. I hope you enjoy this chat with Mark. More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Martin Parr was a decades long constant in photography who was known for his super saturated, contrasty images, both literally and metaphorically. Awarded a CBE in 2021, which for non-UK listeners is rather a big deal, and the subject of a beautiful documentary in 2024, I wanted to remember Martin who for me is up there with other British cultural icons like Vivienne Westwood, David Bowie and Alexander McQueen. When we think of British cultural exports it’s safe to say Martin’s work will be remembered along with Paul Smith, Monty Python, Doctor Who, The Beatles and the Mini Cooper. More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Judah Passow is a photojournalist from the US who has worked and lived in the UK since the 70s. He has seen the newspaper business he came up in change significantly and we discuss the fact that he has had to self fund his most recent project because it’s nigh on impossible to find funding for projects any other way these days. His images shot over 25 years of conflict between Israel and Palestine are arresting and unfortunately as relevant today as when he first went out there around 40 years ago.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Kevin Fickling is an American photographer, producer and craftsman. He wears many hats and our chat covers how he got into stills photography by way of video, some lenses he’s shared with the world that are now being used in big name productions and we even treat ourselves to the shutter sound of one of his favourite cameras. It’s a treat to sit down with someone who has such interesting creative ideas and is working with clients to bring unusual ways of seeing to life. He’s helping them to take creative risks and I think that it’s paying off in his imagery. This is a lovely chat and hopefully the first of many.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Richard Koek is a photographer born in The Netherlands who moved to the US and now calls New York his home. He has made a name for himself shooting the streets around the world making commercial work and two books on New York and Tokyo respectively. I really enjoy his outsiders perspective on the places he goes and we discuss in the conversation whether another book is on the way. Richard also has a project he’s working on with Polaroids which you can see on his website and even finds time to send out monthly postcards from New York all over the world, which is how we met. More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

My guest today is Krystle Wright. Krystle is an award winning Australian photographer who has traveled the world climbing, base jumping and storm chasing to make some truly incredible images. I discovered her through the National Geographic series Photographer. If you’ve not seen it, I can highly recommend it, it’s an incredible series filled with folks making great work. Krystle’s episode is my favourite so I contacted her to see if I could get her to come onto the show. As you’ll hear, her path hasn’t always been an easy one. This is a frank conversation with Krystle, I hope you enjoy it.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

This week as a midweek treat I’m bringing back a previous guest, Ali O’Keefe. Ali continues to play with old cameras on her One Month, Two Cameras channel, but it’s one of her newer acquisitions that I wanted to talk to her about. The conversation picks up as we both agree that we’re only getting better with age.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Ray Di Pietro is a working photojournalist based in Nashville. From political candidates to protests, street scenes to t-shirts he shoots it all. I found him almost by accident when searching on Instagram and was struck by his style and felt like we’d get on. I was proved right by this wonderful conversation which I think you’ll all enjoy and which starts and finishes with Ray’s attire which compliments the way he shows up every day.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

I asked Stasia if she would be up for speaking with me about her book, Ephemerality, for a little midweek episode this week. She’s fantastic company so the excuse to get her on a call seemed like a good one. Of course, because it’s me, we talk the book but we also talk about future guest Krystle Wright, my one camera rule, sensor cleaning, Irn-Bru and haggis.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Nitrate Fox is a wet plate portrait photographer who has made a name for herself shooting incredible hand crafted tintypes and most recently has released a book of Roller Derby players shot all over the USA. As you’ll hear, she put herself through it to create this body of work. She was a fantastic guest using a very specialist process to make magical images and I hope you enjoy this conversation.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.