The Diffusion Tapes

Hi friends, I’m Blue Mitchell, photographer, publisher of Diffusion Annual, and now podcaster. You’re listening to the Diffusion Tapes, a podcast where I chat with photographers, curators and writers working in the field of fine art photography. More specifically, the tapes are conversations with people that I’ve befriended on my journey as an artist and publisher. In these conversations I get to learn a little more about these folks that I admire and respect and I’m inviting you into the conversation. Welcome to The Diffusion Tapes.

For Tape no.1 I sat down with writer, curator, historian, walking photographic encyclopedia, and guinea pig, George Slade. We talked about his history in photography, his passion for the medium and his camaraderie with Minnesota photographers. Recorded during Click! Photography Festival, October 2018. All conversations are recorded face-to-face. These are… the Diffusion Tapes.Show notes:PhotoNOLAPhotolucidaClick!Aline SmithsonLenscratchBrian James CulbertsonPhoto-eyePhoto-eye book reviews by Georgere: photographicaMinnesota Center for PhotographyPhotographic Resource CenterAlec SothLittle Brown MushroomAlec Soth and George Slade conversation at Walker Art CenterSleeping by the Mississippi by Alec SothTom ArndtAlan TrachtenbergBen LifsonApertureMagnumTed HartwellTemple SmithMary Virginia SwansonNan RichardsonContact by Jake ShiveryJake ShiveryContact book review by GeorgeMcNight Artists FellowshipsTobia MakeoverMurmurations ExhibitTC PhotoGeorge’s LinkedinTHE DIFFUSION TAPES THEME SONG COMPOSED BY JEFF LOUVIEREDownload or stream the full length theme song:iTunes | Spotify | Cd Baby | Google Play | Amazon Music | Deezer

In Tape no2 I chat with Lori Vrba. Vrba is a multimedia/mixed media photographer, curator, retreat host, and fire eater. We talk about her journey in life, personal work, family, her friendship with Keith Carter, some notable exhibitions and her involvement with Pigs Fly Retreats and Click! Photography Festival. Recorded during that very festival, October 2018. All conversations are recorded face-to-face. These are… the Diffusion Tapes.Show notes:Lori VrbaPhotoNOLAClick! Photography FestivalThe Light FactoryKeith CarterKeith Carter 50 years bookCassilhausNasher Museum of ArtTexas Monthly magazineJennifer YoffyLori Vrba - Piano FarmPiano Farm exhibit video from CrusadePiano Farm walkthrough from BluePDN magazineThe Louise Vitry House - HistoryA Gallery for Fine Art PhotographyFox Talbot Museum: TRIBE exhibitionInterview with Roger Watson, curator of the Fox Talbot MuseumPigs Fly RetreatsAnne BerryMurmurations ExhibitionHeidi KirkpatrickTobia MakeoverBryce LankardHorse and Buggy PressCenter for Photographic Art - Tribe ExhibitionThe Diffusion Tapes Theme Song + Music VideoTHE DIFFUSION TAPES THEME SONG COMPOSED BY JEFF LOUVIEREDownload or stream the full length theme song:iTunes | Spotify | Cd Baby | Google Play | Amazon Music | Deezer

In Diffusion Tape no.3, I visit with mixed media photographer and educator Heidi Kirkpatrick at her home and studio in Portland, Oregon. We talked a little about her history, her evolution from 2-d photography to 3-d photo objects, her camaraderie with fellow photographers, her themes of femininity and family history and how teaching has been one of the most rewarding parts of her photo career.Recorded Nov. 2 2018. All conversations are recorded face-to-face. These are… the Diffusion Tapes.Show notes:Heidi KirkpatrickPhotolucidaLori VrbaDiffusion Tape no.2: Lori VrbaAnne GeorgeOregon College of Arts and CraftPhil HarrisBlue Moon Camera: Drinking with JakeClick! Photography FestivalJim LeisySusan Kae GrantBarbara CiurejRyan ZoghlinLishui Photography FestivalPhotolucida covers the 2013 Lishui FestivalMurmurations ExhibitionGriffin Museum of PhotographyBear KirkpatrickLacock AbbeyFox Talbot Museum: TRIBE exhibitionNorthwest AcademyNewspace Center for PhotographyCenter for Photographic Art: Tribe ExhibitionPortland Art Museum: brown bag seriesPortland Photo MonthRockland ColloidThe Diffusion Tapes Theme Song + Music VideoHeidi’s Portrait by William AnthonyTHE DIFFUSION TAPES THEME SONG COMPOSED BY JEFF LOUVIEREDownload or stream the full length theme song:iTunes | Spotify | Cd Baby | Google Play | Amazon Music | Deezer

In Diffusion Tape no.4 I had a sit down with Katharine T. Jacobs. I caught up with her while she was visiting Portland this past December. Katharine filled me in our her photo history, shared some personal stories, her challenges, and unpacks some of her photography baggage.Recorded Nov 2, 2018. All conversations are recorded face-to-face. These are… the Diffusion Tapes.Show notes:Katherine T. JacobsSan Jose MFA ProgramMontana State UniversityCalifornia College of the ArtsBlue Moon Camera and MachinePortland Community CollegeType 55 filmOregon College of Art & CraftUrsula BartonAmerican Strangers seriesRainbow FestivalNew 55 filmStepmotherhood seriesHeavy Handed seriesLyceum PortlandFuji InstaxRay BidegainKatherine’s InstagramThe Diffusion Tapes Theme Song + Music VideoTHE DIFFUSION TAPES THEME SONG COMPOSED BY JEFF LOUVIEREDownload or stream the full length theme song:iTunes | Spotify | Cd Baby | Google Play | Amazon Music | Deezer

In Tape no.5 I visited photographer and educator Ray Bidegain at his home here in Portland, Oregon. We talked about his youth, his journey from commercial to fine art and his general thoughts on the craft of photography. Ray also turned the tables on me for the last few minutes of the chat.Recorded January 29th, 2019. All conversations are recorded face-to-face. These are… the Diffusion Tapes.Show notes:Raybidegain.comFinding BeautyBrooks InstituteUniversity of ArizonaIrving PennRichard AvedonHelmut NewtonEdward WestonThe KramerRuth BernhardDevon RawlingsKeith CarterThe Daybooks of Edward WestonSusan de WittLyceum PortlandEmmitt GowanPortland Art MuseumPortland Photo CouncilMaxine Sferra - tintypistOne Twelve Publishing / DiffusionLori VrbaRay’s InstagramPhotolucidaTHE DIFFUSION TAPES THEME SONG COMPOSED BY JEFF LOUVIEREDownload or stream the full length theme song:iTunes | Spotify | Cd Baby | Google Play | Amazon Music | Deezer

For Tape no.6 Heather Evans Smith was in town to give an artist lecture at the Portland Art Museum and I was happy to sit with her for an evening recording session. We explored creative beginnings, the development of her artistic voice, plus she shared some entertaining anecdotes from her journey thus far.Recorded March 21st, 2019, All conversations are recorded face-to-face. These are… the Diffusion Tapes.Show notes:Heather Evans SmithHeidi KirkpatrickPortland Art Museum - Brown Bag LecturesSeries: The Heart and the HeavySeries: AlterationsSeries: Seen Not HeardSeries: DomesticatedSeries: Self PortraitsBook: Seen Not HeardEdward ScissorhandsTim BurtonTwin PeaksDavid LynchPhoto: Let My Machine Talk to MeFilm inspired by “Let My Machine Talk to Me”: ChuckedClick! Photography FestivalMurmurations ExhibitionOutakes:Family TiesGrowing PainsKirk CameronMichael J FoxSit Ubu SitTHE DIFFUSION TAPES THEME SONG COMPOSED BY JEFF LOUVIEREDownload or stream the full length theme song:iTunes | Spotify | Cd Baby | Google Play | Amazon Music | Deezer

Back in March of this year I had the pleasure of sitting down with photographer, writer, and podcaster Mike Sakasegawa while he was in Portland attending a conference. I became aware of Mike a few years back because of his own podcast called Keep the Channel Open where he primarily converses with photographers and writers. In our conversation we talk about his work, the authenticity of photography, his podcasting projects, and his progression as a photographer, writer, and activist. And of course we had to dissect his famous viral lemon video.Recorded March 27th, 2019, All conversations are recorded face-to-face. These are… the Diffusion Tapes.Show notes:Blue as guest on Keep the Channel Open podcastAWP ConferenceMedium Photography FestivalMike Sakasegawa websiteKeep The Channel Open PodcastLikewise MediaLikewise Fiction PodcastSeries: All Good ThingsSeries: It Forgets youAline SmithsonJeff AscoughBlake AndrewsThe lemon videoLittle Shop of HorrorsJerry TakigawaCenter for Photographic ArtMatika WilburMatika Wilbur as guest on Keep the Channel Open podcastThe Lie Beneath the Story of My Family’s Asian American DreamToni MorrisonTHE DIFFUSION TAPES THEME SONG COMPOSED BY JEFF LOUVIEREDownload or stream the full length theme song:iTunes | Spotify | Cd Baby | Google Play | Amazon Music | Deezer

Welcome to Diffusion Tape no. 8 with the photographer, curator, editor, writer, and educator Aline Smithson. Smithson wears many hats and in our conversation, we talked about the cultural evolution of photography, female representation in the medium, archiving in a digital world, portraiture, Smithson’s personal art history, her family, and the importance of play in the creation of photography. Aline Smithson is a Los Angeles based artist best known for her conceptual portraiture and a practice that uses humor and pathos to explore ideas of childhood, aging, and the humanity that connects us. She is the founder of the highly popular photo site Lenscratch. Recorded April 27th, 2019, All conversations are recorded face-to-face. These are… the Diffusion Tapes.Show notes:Aline SmithsonPhotolucidaShadows and StainsLenscratchPlates to PixelsFractionFlak PhotoJonas YipBook: Self and OthersLenscratch: MixtapesShe Shoots FilmRL GrimePDNBlake AndrewsFugue StateJeff Phillips: Lost and FoundRichard DiebenkornGordan StettiniusSusan BurnstineEvanescent EnergyAmani Willett: The Disappearance of Joseph PlummerAint-badKris Graves ProjectsLos Angeles by Aline SmithsonTHE DIFFUSION TAPES THEME SONG COMPOSED BY JEFF LOUVIEREDownload or stream the full length theme song:iTunes | Spotify | Cd Baby | Google Play | Amazon Music | Deezer

Welcome to Diffusion Tape no. 9 with curator Hamidah Glasgow. Hamidah is a member of Strange Fire Collective and is the Executive Director of the Center for Fine Art Photography in Fort Collins, Colorado. We sat down for a nice chat during the 2019 Photolucida Festival in Portland. I’m in awe of this woman and I hope you enjoy hearing some of her personal stories as much as I did. We talked about her youth, her path to art, her exciting and unconventional career path (spoiler alert, there’s helicopters), the amazing work she’s done at the Center for Fine Art Photography, and her involvement with Strange Fire Collective. The only thing I think we missed talking about is our mutual love of good bourbon… maybe next time.Recorded April 28th, 2019, All conversations are recorded face-to-face. These are… the Diffusion Tapes.Show notesThe Center for Fine Art PhotographyCrazy Horse MonumentThe ToastDiffusion Annual Exhibition @ C4FAPClaire WardenThe Gallery at Carnegie Center for CreativityC4FAP exhibition locationsTemple GrandinColleen PlumbThe University of Colorado - DenverStrange Fire CollectiveZora J MurffJess T. DuganRafael SoldiSociety for Photographic EducationElton John album coverThe diffusion tapes are hosted and produced by Blue Mitchell.

Welcome to Diffusion Tape no. 10 with photographer Ken Rosenthal.You’re listening to our long-awaited season finale. Well, I don’t know if you can call nearly two years of slow-releasing a season, but I’m going with it. It’s been a crazy time for all of us so I’m pleased to close out this chapter of the Tapes by sharing my conversation with Ken Rosenthal, one of my most favorite people I’ve met while publishing Diffusion.Recorded April 29th, 2019, All conversations are recorded face-to-face. These are… the Diffusion Tapes.Show notesKen Rosenthal websiteKen Rosenthal InstagramDays on the Mountain BookVerve GalleryJennifer SchlesingerK.K. DePaulJennifer ThoresonSnow HuntDiffusion volume IV - hardboundDiffusion volume IV - softboundSusan BurnstineNewspace Center for PhotographyPhotolucidaUSC School of Cinematic ArtsG. Ray Hawkins GalleryFahey Klein GalleryJohn DivolaRobert FleckMark JohnstoneGreg GormanHerb RittsMatthew RolstonArnold NewmanHiroshi WatanabeKeith CarterAline SmithsonDavid Emitt AdamsChris ColvilleMike LundgrenDark Springs PressAndy BurgessArt IntersectionCenter for Creative PhotographyNew Mexico Museum of ArtArtists for Artists Photo CollectiveGeorge SladeKarin BaremanKlomching GalleryAnn PallesenPhoto Center NorthwestPhoto LAThe Photographers Eye Collective

Welcome to Season 2 of the Diffusion Tapes. My first guest is Michael Kirchoff, who will from here on out be my co-host! Michael Kirchoff is a photographic artist working in the worlds of both commercial and fine art photography, an independent curator and juror, and an advocate for the photographic arts. Based in Los Angeles, California, he is Co-Host at The Diffusion Tapes, as well as Editor-in-Chief at Analog Forever Magazine, Founding Editor for Catalyst: Interviews, and a Contributing Editor for One Twelve Publishing.In our tape we talk about him growing up in LA, how his photography career evolved, some of the folks that mentored him and moments that inspired him along the way, his love of writing and advocacy of photography, and his love for the photo community. I even asked him about his day job working in the entertainment industry of LA and how that relates to all the work he does in the fine art world. You’ll discover after listening to his story that he’s pretty much a YES man and it’s aided in the evolution of his career in the most fulfilling and sometimes surprising ways. Recorded Aug 9, 2022. Welcome to the Diffusion Tapes, Season 2.Show notesMichael’s websiteAlan RossAnsel AdamsAnsel Adams GalleryGeorgia O'KeefeDiffusion AnnualLight Leaks MagazinePhotolucidaPlates to PixelsPhotoNolaBlur magazineRobert GojevicCatalyst: InterviewsAnalog Forever MagazineMichael BehlenPRYME MagazineArt in the RawOne TwelveJeff HannemanSlayerThe Diffusion Tapes Theme Song composed by Jeff Louviere

Welcome to Season 2 of the Diffusion Tapes. For our second episode, we talked with photo artist Molly McCall. Born in Monterey, California, Molly McCall was raised along the rugged California coastline of the Monterey Peninsula. Surrounded by infamous photographers, writers, filmmakers, and painters, their work provided an indelible appreciation and awareness for nature and inspired her to pursue a creative career in art and design.In this Tape, Michael and Blue discover Molly’s rich family history in the arts, her varied career paths, her dedication to the craft of photography and the photo community, her life philosophies, and even her interest in motorcycles and guns (eat your heart out Keanu). We even learned she has a strong distaste for REO Speedwagon. Recorded Sep 7, 2022. These are the Diffusion Tapes... Coinciding with this Tape, we posted an article about Molly’s newest body of work Truth be Told over on the One Twelve website. Check out Molly’s Poignant Portfolio written by Michael Kirchoff. Show notesMolly McCallClick! Photography FestivalPhotolucidaCritical MassDiffusion MagazineCibachromeREO SpeedwagonKansas (band)Boston (band)Chicago (band)RushLori VrbaAline SmithsonBig SurCoastSarah HealeyRebecca KourySan Diego Museum of ArtEdward WestonAnsel AdamsRobert Louis StevensonAl Parker (Illustrator)The Photographer’s GalleryKeanu ReevesCarmelThe Diffusion Tapes are produced by Blue Mitchell. 

Welcome to Season 2 of the Diffusion Tapes. In our third episode, we had a great time chatting with photographer and gallery owner Jennifer Schlesinger. Jennifer Schlesinger is an artist, curator, gallerist, and educator based out of Santa Fe, New Mexico. As we discuss in the Tape, Jennifer has approached her photography, as well as her Director role at both Verve and Obscura Gallery, with an interest in the historical development of photography as an artistic medium. In our talk, we learn how she pivoted from studying law to focusing on fine art photography, her interest in 19th and 20th-century photo processes, and her journey from the non-profit world to fine art photo gallery director. We also learn about her philosophical outlook and her marketing hustle for promoting photo artists.Jennifer, it’s always a pleasure, thanks for spending some quality time with us. Recorded November 2, 2022. These are the Diffusion Tapes... Show notesJennifer SchlesingerObscura GalleryBrant Mackley GallerySanta Fe, New MexicoPaige PinnellAlfred StieglitzKurt MarkusMonument ValleyUniversity of New HampshireSanta Fe Art InstituteDiffusionLouviere + VanessaObject Diaspora (series)Pinhole photographyAlbumen printingMark OstermanChristopher JamesBostick & SullivanSimon & GarfunkelRashod TaylorJonathan BlausteinAntidote Photo RetreatNevada WeirEdward Weston Pepper No. 30 (photograph)Cole WestonDaniel MilnorCatie SoldanSanta Fe WorkshopsNew Mexico History MuseumA Photographic Life (podcast)Bill Shapiro

Welcome to Season 2 of the Diffusion Tapes. In our fourth episode, we share some time with atomic photographer Harley Cowan. Harley Cowan is a photographer and architect based in Portland, Oregon. He shoots large format and has a keen interest in architectural heritage documentation and historical preservation. In our chat, we learn about his journey into analog photography and he shares some stories from his recent artist-in-residence located on a ship in the Arctic that he had just returned from.Harley, thank you for sharing your story and just being an all-around great guy. Recorded November 29, 2022. These are the Diffusion Tapes... Show notesHarley CowanOregon College of Art and CraftRay BidegainPortland Art MuseumContact by Jake ShiveryCamerawork GalleryKen HawkinsBlue Moon Camera and MachineOregon CavesNational Historic Preservation ActOregon Department of TransportationNational Park Service Artist ResidencyAtomic Photographers GuildManhattan ProjectHanford ReservationAt Work in the Fields of the Bomb, by Robert Del TrediciThe Arctic Circle Artist ResidencyJake ShiveryCory KaufmanPortland Film FestivalHollywood Theater Micro CinemaThe Diffusion Tapes are produced and hosted by Blue Mitchell and co-hosted by Michael Kirchoff

Welcome to Season 2 of the Diffusion Tapes. In our fifth episode, we hear exciting and history-making photography stories from Stu Levy. Dr. Stu Levy lives in Portland, Oregon. He studied with Ansel Adams, and was an instructor at the Ansel Adams Gallery Workshops, and leads photography workshops on the Oregon Coast. He has several books, works in many collections, and is a Portland icon. He’s currently heavily involved with Portland Art Museum’s photography council and he’s on the Photolucida board of directors. In our Tape with Stu he talks about his extensive history in photography, music, and even healthcare. Stu’s wealth of knowledge in regard to photo history is amazing and very inspirational. We could listen and learn for hours, which is why we invited him to the Diffusion Tapes! Recorded Dec 8, 2022. These are the Diffusion Tapes... Show notesStu LevyMinor WhiteSurdy-Greebus (band)Seymour DuncanDavid LemieuxPowell’s BooksKaiser PermanenteAnsel Adams WorkshopsAlan RossJohn SextonMichael KennaMorley BaerPortland Art MuseumPaul StrandWeston GalleryFriends of PhotographyRuth BernhardJerry UelsmannOlivia ParkerGrid PortraitsDavid HockneyPolaroidBud Clark - Former Portland MayorChris PichlerNazraeli PressPortland Photographers’ ForumBlue Sky GalleryChristopher RauschenbergFotofestPhotolucidaThe Museum of Fine Arts, HoustonThe Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of KnowledgeChefchaouen, MoroccoThe Diffusion Tapes are produced and hosted by Blue Mitchell and co-hosted by Michael KirchoffStu’s Portrait by Jake Shivery

Welcome to Season 2 of the Diffusion Tapes. We spent some quality time with the illustrious Ann Jastrab for this episode. Ann Jastrab is the Executive Director at the Center for Photographic Art in Carmel California. Ann grew up in the village of Whitsboro, New York. She studied literature and art in college and received her MFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Since then she’s been an educator for multiple organizations, a master printer, editor-in-chief, gallery director, executive director, portfolio reviewer, and master of the universe. She still carries around a wooden view camera.In our conversation, we chat with Ann about her journey as a photographer…. Recorded January 5th, 2023. These are the Diffusion Tapes... Show notesCenter for Photographic ArtThe Savannah College of Art and DesignMaine Media WorkshopsLinhof Technika - cameraRayKo Photo CenterHolga - cameraFotoFestPhotolucidaPhoto NOLAReview Santa FePhotoAllianceCalifornia College of the ArtsEast Bay Photo CollectiveHarvey Milk CenterCarmel, CaliforniaScott Nichols GalleryFriends of PhotographyBrian TaylorChris PichlerNazraeli PressAcademy of Motion Pictures Arts and SciencesMary Ellen MarkSF MOMASonoma Valley Museum of ArtBrenton HamiltonLishui Photo FestivalGuate Photo FestivalDonggang (Seoul) International Photo FestivalE. M. ForsterThe Paula Riff Award at CPAThe Diffusion Tapes are produced and hosted by Blue Mitchell and co-hosted by Michael KirchoffThe Diffusion Tapes theme song composed by Jeff Louviere

Happy Halloween! It seems so appropriate that today we release our episode with the 'wildly interesting" Ed Bateman.Edward Bateman is an artist and professor at the University of Utah, where he heads the Photography and Digital Imaging area. The work of Edward Bateman exists in a space between photography and printmaking, although his extensive use of 3D modeling technologies is not common to either medium. Using constructed and often anachronistic imagery, he creates allegedly historical artifacts that examine our belief in the photograph as a reliable witness.In our conversation, we chatted with Ed about his artistic journey, his interest in science, and his love of all things photography, especially when time travel is involved.Recorded February 8, 2023. These are the Diffusion Tapes... Show notesEdward BatemanWasatch ComputersPhotoshop 2.0The Muse Project (Blue’s BFA thesis)AI Image GeneratorsWet Plate Collodion processIan RuhterDaguerreotype processAlphonse Eugène HubertShroud of TurinFrederick Douglass portraitUniversity of UtahLos Angeles Center of PhotographyAnne Kellyphoto-eye GalleryDiffusion AnnualRun The JewelsPaul NadarRipley’s Believe It Or Notcarte de visitecabinet cardsRapidograph pensGarry WinograndJerry UelsmannIndustrial Light and MagicAmerican Cinematographer MagazinePhillip's Gallery, Salt Lake CityHasselblad 907 cameraVery, Very Hungry (song)The Diffusion Tapes are produced and hosted by Blue Mitchell and co-hosted by Michael KirchoffThe Diffusion Tapes theme song composed by Jeff Louviere

Welcome to Season 2 of the Diffusion Tapes. In our long-awaited eighth episode, we chat with photographer, educator, and analog lover Rashod Taylor.Rashod Taylor is a fine art and portrait photographer whose work addresses themes of family, intimacy, legacy, and the black experience. He attended Murray State University and received a Bachelor's degree in Art with a specialization in Fine Art Photography. Since then, he has exhibited and published his work across the United States and internationally. Taylor also teaches workshops and presents lectures at various venues around the country.He is currently working on a series called Little Black Boy, where he documents his son’s life while examining the Black American experience and fatherhood. He lives in Springfield, MO with his wife and son.In our Tape with Rashod, we talk about his history in photography, his passion for analog, family and being a parent, the business of being an artist, and his thoughts on identity and legacy. Thanks to Rashod for spending some time with us and sharing your passion!Recorded February 10, 2023. These are the Diffusion Tapes... Show notesRashod TaylorWet Plate Collodion (process)National Geographic MagazineRashod Taylor YouTube ChannelMurray State NewsDominican RepublicPolaroid SX-70Springfield, MissouriAnderson Ranch Arts CenterJennifer DeCarlo - jdc Fine ArtJennifer Schlesinger - Obscura GalleryKen Jansen - DownpourIce fishing in MinnesotaAIPADShots MagazineGordon ParksRichard AvedonSally MannEddie Murphy - Party All the TimeMichael JacksonThe Diffusion Tapes are produced and hosted by Blue Mitchell and co-hosted by Michael KirchoffThe Diffusion Tapes theme song composed by Jeff Louviere