Behind the Shot

I have been so lucky over the years the have had wonderful, talented photographers on this show. Often, it’s a photographer I saw online and reached out to, asking if they’d like to be on the show, but most of the time my guests were referrals from people I trust. Sometimes it’s a suggestion from a close friend, or a brand that reaches out, while other times it’s a friend of a past guest. One source for guests has came as a surprise. A few years ago I heard from the folks at Wonderful Machine, which is an agency that represents photographers. That first cold email from them sent me into research mode. I wanted to know who they were, and if I’m being honest, if it was a scam. Once I realized that they represent some high end photographers I was in, and in the past few years they have introduced me to some global talent I would have never discovered on my own. Such is case with Australian photographer Irwin Wong. Originally from Melbourne, Irwin is has been based in Tokyo for over two decades, and his editorial and commercial work explores the people, places, and craftsmanship that define contemporary Japan, and trust me… it does that in a way that is uniquely Irwin’s. His subject matter is so unique, and his photographic eye seems to create images that make you feel like you are there, while also creating questions about what, or who, you’re seeing. For this show we bounced back and forth considering a shot from his Subculture series, his Auto series, or any of the other creative categories on his site. If I am being honest, I wanted to pick a Subculture shot he sent me, because…. it was world I never knew existed, but in the end it was the technical aspects of his Auto work that I felt I had the most question about. Irwin specializes in portraiture, travel, industrial, and automotive photography, and his skill at combining documentary style with a commercial feel is wonderful. His assignments have had him working for publications including The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Forbes, The Hollywood Reporter, The Sunday Times, Travel + Leisure, and Car Design News. His commercial clients include Apple, Amazon, Christian Dior, Ferrari, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, OMEGA, SK-II, and Boss Coffee, to name a few. He also works closely with tourism organizations and destination marketing agencies to create campaigns that showcase Japan’s regional culture, craftsmanship, and landscapes to international audiences. It really is wonderful to be exposed to artist like Irwin, that I may not have found organically, and I do hope to someday check out his books. Irwin is the author and photographer of Handmade in Japan (2019) and The Obsessed: Otaku, Tribes and Subcultures of Japan (2022), both published by Gestalten. His latest book, “Another Japan – Life and Culture Beyond the Metropolis”, continues his exploration of Japan beyond its major cities, documenting the traditions, creativity, and resilience of communities across the country. Join Tokyo based portrait, editorial, and commercial photographer Irwin Wong and me as we discuss the complexities of car photography, on this episode of Behind the Shot. Chapter Timestamps 00:00:00 – Jump To Chapters 00:03:25 – Interview with Irwin Wong 00:14:24 – Ranking the Importance of Photo Attributes 00:20:32 – Intro Before Discussing Photos 00:24:33 – Photo 1: Mitsubishi Concept SUV 00:54:47 – Photo 2: Car in Lobby 00:59:18 – Photo 3: Float Painter 01:01:47 – Photo 4: Band Portrait 01:02:16 – Photo 5: Group Portrait 01:02:34 – Photo 6: River Rafting 01:03:36 – Speed Round Q & A 01:05:34 – Irwin’s Photographer Pick – Dan Winters 01:06:04 – Outro Connect with Irwin Website: irwinwongphoto.com Instagram: @irwinwongphoto Irwin’s Books All Books: irwinwongphoto.com/Books/1 Irwin’s Photographer Pick Dan Winters: danwintersphoto.com | @danwintersphoto Shots From the Show

I grew up a fan of rock photography, and the walls of my bedroom were my gallery. Back then, before social media existed, our connection to our favorite bands was to actually go to concerts, or to buy printed posters, or look at the vinyl album jackets. That part of my life influenced me so much that I began a career in radio, because if I couldn’t be the lead singer in a band (society is better for that decision) I might as well play the music. Fast forward to me in my 40s, and my radio career helped jump start me into the world of concert photography, in a wonderful full circle moment in my life. Those iconic photos from my youth have played a role in every phase of my life, and the photographers that captured those images will always hold a special place in my heart. Today’s guest is one of those legends. When talking about the music photographers that created the images that defined rock & roll there are simply too many to list, but a few always come to mind: Jim Marshall, Bob Gruen, Mick Rock, Henry Diltz, Neil Zlozower, Neal Preston, Baron Wolman, and Robert M. Knight – my guest today. Before I go any further into talking about Robert, or my love of his photography, and before someone comments that there are great music photographers today too… yeah, I know. I am lucky to call a few of them friends, and their work inspires my shooting daily, and those current photographers will all tell you that they were influenced by many of the legends I mentioned above. When talking about Robert M. Knight the conversation could go so in many directions. Robert has photographed legendary artists, like The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Run DMC, Green Day, Jimmy Page, Elton John, Slash, Jimi Hendrix, BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Aerosmith, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Steve Vai, and Carlos Santana. You’ve seen his photos, even if you didn’t know it at the time. I actually tried to come up with a few favorite images of his to ask him about using in the show, but that task was beyond me – I love way too many. His Zeppelin shot in front of the plane is special, then there’s the black and white shot of BB King laughing, or the extensive work he’s done with Jeff Beck. He even has some portrait work, like his shot of the late actor Robert Mitchum, that are just next level. Robert was one of the first photographers to capture Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, and he was the last to photograph Stevie Ray Vaughan. You can still find his book “Rock Gods: Fifty Years of Rock Photography”, in Hardcover and Paperback, on Amazon, and the 2009 documentary “Rock Prophecies” is a great introduction to not only Robert the photographer, but into some of the more personal areas of Robert’s life. Rock Prophecies was actually my first introduction into Robert and his wife Maryanne’s work with Guitar Center’s Hollywood RockWalk, or his work with up-and-coming guitarists. A few years ago a guitarist friend of mine, Chase Walker, posted photos he did with Robert, and I was so excited for him. I’d photographed Chase many times, and even interviewed him and his band, but for my friend to do a session with Mr. Knight was so cool. I do want to mention that Robert’s wife, Maryanne, is an amazing photographer as well. Be sure to check out their website, linked below, to see both of their work. Join Rock ‘n Roll photographer Robert M. Knight and me as we talk about a few of his shots, and the stories behind them, on this episode of Behind the Shot. Chapter Timestamps 00:00:00 – Intro 00:01:28 – Interview with Robert M. Knight 00:19:32 – Ranking the Importance of Photo Attributes 00:23:47 – Intro Before Discussing Photos 00:25:13 – Photo 1: Led Zeppelin 00:29:00 – Photo 2: John Bonham 00:32:15 – Photo 3: Elton John 00:35:17 – Photo 4: Keith Richards 00:37:03 – Photo 5: Jimi Hendrix at Winterland 00:40:55 – Photo 6: Jimi Hendrix in Hawaii 00:42:29 – Photo 7: Steven Tyler 00:45:32 – Photo 8: Stevie Ray Vaughan Live 00:49:53 – Photo 9: Stevie Ray Vaughan Portrait 00:51:43 – Photo 10: Ringo & Friends 00:55:37 – Photo 11: Brian WILSON & Friends 00:58:27 – Speed Round Q & A 01:07:48 – Robert’s Photographer Picks 01:09:03 – Outro Connect with Robert Website: knightbilham.co.nz Instagram: @robertmknightphoto Documentary About Robert Rock Prophecies: Trailer on YouTube | Wikipedia Robert’s Book Rock Gods: Fifty Years of Rock Photography: amazon.com Robert’s Photographer Picks Maryanne Bilham: knightbilham.co.nz | @maryannebilhamphoto Jenn Devereaux: jenndphotography.com | @jenndphotography | Behind the Shot Episode “Backstage Portraits” Shots From the Show Rock Gods: Fifty Years of Rock Photography Book Covers – Hardcover & Paperback

I’ve always been fascinated by the use of Remote Cameras, but it’s not something I’ve had the chance to try, unfortunately. The last time I cover it on the show was on the episode Using Remote Cameras with Canon Explorer of Light David Bergman, and then I also had the legendary Peter Read Miller Miller talking about how he used them in Sports Photography. I, however, had never thought about using them for Wedding Photo Photography, that is until I was talking to Canon Explorer of Light Bob Davis at Imaging USA this year. His presentation on the Canon stage was on just that topic, and after watching how he was using remote cameras, in his case for both wedding and wildlife photo, I knew this would be a conversation a lot of people might find fascinating. Bob & Dawn Davis are an international wedding photography and design husband and wife team based in the Chicagoland area. When I first met them back in 2020 for an interview at WPPI, it was immediately clear that this couple was an amazing team. I’ve since seen them both together, or as part of a panel, or individually, on the Canon stage at a conference multiple times, and the passion they bring to what they teach is amazing. What a lot of people don’t know is Bob’s history behind the camera. Bob began his career in the newspaper industry as a photojournalist, and over drinks one day, while we were looking through his old Chicago Bulls photos on his phone, I was blown away how this guy can shoot anything so damn well. The last time he was on the show was for an episode about Bob and Dawn’s wildlife photography: Photograph in the Wild. Bob & Dawn Davis Photography & Design has a client list reads like a “Who’s Who” of entertainment’s elite. They have had the honor of photographing “A” list weddings such as Eva Longoria & Tony Parker’s wedding in Paris, Salma Hayek & François-Henri Pinault’s wedding in Italy, La La Vazquez & Carmelo Anthony’s TV wedding in New York, Tracey Edmonds & Eddie Murphy’s wedding in Bora Bora, ABC’s TV show The Bachelorette Ashley’s wedding to J.P. in California, along with many other fabulous events with Oprah Winfrey. Bob was also commissioned to work on the book America 24/7 that was featured on the Oprah Winfrey show and was a New York Times Best Seller. Their work has been featured in publications such as People, OK, O Magazine, InStyle, Inside Weddings, Town & Country, Munaluchi, Grace Ormonde, Modern Luxury Brides, The Knot, Ritz-Carlton magazine, Professional Photographer, Rangefinder, Popular Photography and more. Bob is in that small and highly elite group of photographers known as Canon Explorers of Light, along with being a member of the Westcott Top Pro Elite, SanDisk Extreme Team, and a ProMedia Gear Influencer. Together Bob and Dawn are the authors of two books, Lights Camera Capture, and We’re Engaged! Earlier I used the word “passion” when talking about their willingness to teach and share their craft, but that word can be used to describe many areas of Bob and Dawn’s world. They are passionate about their faith, their marriage, their family, and making the best of their lives. This a power couple. Bob and Dawn also lead wildlife photo workshops to places around the world, like Africa, or Alaska for their Alaska Brown Bear Adventure Workshop, which at the time of this writing still has 3 spots left for their next trip in Sept of 2025. Join Canon Explorer of Light Bob Davis and me as we do a deep dive into how Bob and Dawn use remote cameras on their wedding shoots, and we’ll touch a little on how they use them for wildlife shoots too, on this episode of Behind the Shot. Connect with Bob & Dawn Wedding Website: bobanddawndavis.com Wildlife Website: inthewild.bobanddawndavis.com Blog: bobanddawndavis.info Facebook: @bobanddawndavis Instagram: @bobanddawndavis Instagram: @bobanddawn_inthewild YouTube: @bobanddawndavis Workshops Alaska Brown Bear Adventure: inthewild.bobanddawndavis.com Bob’s Photographer Pick Art Streiber: artstreiber.com | @aspictures Behind the Shot Episode: Complex Photo Shoots with Art Streiber Shots From the Show More of Bob & Dawn’s Work

There have been so many times that I’ve made a mental note that I need to include more photojournalism on the show, only to have a mental dog eat my homework. Finally, today, I am checking that off the list. Still, if I’m being honest, it wasn’t my mental note that made this show happen. It was a series of events that include an email, a referral, and a conference. It ends out that today’s guest had reached out to me directly back in August of last year. His email started with “Hey Steve. I have been a loyal listener to your podcast for years. It’s been my favorite photo-related podcast by far. I’d love to be featured on your show.”, but unfortunately at the time I wasn’t in need of any guests – I try not to book too far out these days. Still, I checked out his work and figured someday I needed to follow up. Then, a few months ago, my buddy Kersten Luts, of the Camera Shake Podcast, mentioned a guest that he’d had on his show, and suggested I should get him on my show. When he mentioned the name, Kevin Painchaud, I had the feeling I had heard of him. Still, I was a bit busy at that point, so I didn’t really pursue it. Which brings us to the conference part of the story… In February I want to Imaging USA in Texas, mainly to see some friends, like Larry and the gang from Platypod, and Kersten, who was traveling in from London. While there I met Kevin, and that meeting finally got this show off the ground. Kevin is a photojournalist for Lookout Santa Cruz, or more to the point he’s THE photojournalist for the all digital daily news organization. His road to, and through, photojournalism is an interesting one. He fell in love with photography in High School, but then, just shy of his 16th birthday, he was a passenger in a car that hit a tree and rolled down a hill. Kevin ended up badly injured, and in a coma for four days. He woke up on his 16th birthday with a new found gratitude to be alive, and an appreciation for people and their stories. Fast forward to 2023, when Santa Cruz County was battered by relentless atmospheric rivers, and destruction as a result, and Lookout Santa Cruz’s newsroom of 10 people was tasked with documenting the devastation and providing critical updates. A year later, that hard work would pay off. The Managing editor, Tamsin McMahon, had spent weeks secretly compiling all the articles, photos, and videos, to create a beautiful timeline of their coverage. Why? She was entering the coverage for a chance at the Pulitzer Prize. That had to be one hell of a Zoom meeting when she told the staff, that had no clue she’d done this, that they had won. Now, with 25 years of experience, Kevin has shot for numerous magazines and newspapers, and his work has been featured on prominent news outlets including ABC News, CBS, The Washington Post, NPR, CNN, and MSNBC. His videos were also featured on ABC’s World News Tonight. Kevin has produced several feature films, directed TV show pilots, and even earned an Emmy nomination for his music-focused TV show, Muzic on the Edge. One of Kevin’s projects that really intrigues me is that he directed PSAs for Aerosmith. Join Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Kevin Painchaud and me as we discuss his road to photojournalism, and as we dissect his award winning image of the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, on this Behind the Shot. Connect with Kevin Portfolio: kevinpainchaud.com Instagram: @painchaudkevin Kevin’s Photographer Picks Shumel Thaler: shmuelthaler.com | @shmuelthaler Patrick Tehan: tehanphotography.com | @tehanpatrick John Hefti: johnhefti.com | @johnp.hefti Kevin’s Other Work

To say I’m excited for today’s show is a huge understatement. I first met today’s guest 6 years ago, when our mutual friend Adam Elmakias asked us both to help him with his Live Music Photography Workshop. I’m sure you know that feeling of “if this is their friend, then they must be a good human” – that’s what I felt that whole day in San Diego. Looking back, I don’t think I knew at that first meeting just how good this person is at what she does. I’d suggest that she is one of the absolute best photographers working today, both in the live music & touring world, and in the commercial & editorial world. Anna Lee is someone I have wanted to get on the show for a long time. Anna is a Los Angeles-based music and portrait photographer, with a specialty in touring, and she has done a lot of touring! She has been touring since 2013 with artists in the alt, rock, and pop categories – from small clubs to stadiums. As the current tour photographer for Coldplay, I think she has been creating some of the best work out there, and in both her live music and commercial work, like the campaigns she’s shot for Tom Delonge’s To The Stars, I think her eye for composition and angle is second to none. Anna did mention to me a project she is working on for a possible fall date in LA, and while I can’t get into it here yet, trust me, you’ll want to follow her so you’ll hear about it as soon as the details are locked in. Please join me in welcoming tour photographer Anna Lee to the show to break down what she told me is her personal favorite Coldplay image from tour, and as we dive into her style of shooting both live music and commercial images, on this Behind the Shot. Connect with Anna Lee Portfolio: annaleemedia.com Instagram: @annaleemedia Anna’s Best of Series Best of 37: annaleemedia.com Anna’s Photographer Pick Skyler Barberio: skylerbarberio.com | @skylerbarberio Anna’s Other Work