With the ubiquity of iPods and i Phones, and the scarcity of quality radio programs, it baffles me that I continue to get blank stares when I tell people about the podcasts I listen to.
If you (like the people I hang out with), have no idea what a podcast is, think of it as a radio show (produced by professionals, like the shows from National Public Radio, or by independent creators as well) which can be listened to at your convenience on your computer or iPod.
If you have a favorite radio show, there's probably a podcast version. If you have any interest, be it music, language, politics, economics, or, yes, photography (!), there is a podcast about it.
The easiest way to search for podcasts is at the iTunes store. You can use the store on Mac or Windows. Here's a summary of how to find podcasts at iTunes.
My favorite photography podcasts are these:
Thoughts on Photography, by Paul Giguere. I only discovered this podcast a few weeks ago, when he was interviewed on another podcast by Ibarionex Pirello (see below). This podcast is geared especially for the aspiring and emerging fine art photographer. He covers topics such as getting your work in galleries, entering photo reviews, promoting your work, pricing your work, and self-publishing. (all of the things you want to know but nobody seems to tell you!) He interviews emerging and established fine-art photographers. He reviews fine-art photography magazines and books. Most of all, he offers thoughtful commentary from the perspective of "leading a photographic life." I cannot recommend this podcast highly enough!
The Candid Frame, by Ibarionex Pirello. This podcast consists of interviews with established and emerging photographers. What's fascinating about this podcast is that all types of photographers are interviewed: photojournalists, fine-art, commercial, stock, sports, emerging, and established. The great thing is that there's something to be learned from all of them, even if your work has nothing in common with theirs. This podcast is a great way to discover photographers you may have never heard of, or find out more about your favorite photographer. A bonus is that each interviewed photographer recommends another photographer that the listener should investigate.
Lenswork, Photography and the Creative Process. This is the granddaddy of photography podcasts. Brooks Jensen, editor of Lenswork Magazine (the finest photography magazine around), has been podcasting his thoughts on photography since before podcasts had a name! He is approaching his 500th podcast. His topics include everything under the sun about photography. He can find connections between ordinary life and his photographic life which the rest of us would never notice. Well worth the listen. If you don't subscribe to his magazine, as well, you are missing out!
Of the dozens of non-photographic podcasts I listen to, here are four favorites:
The Classic Tales. B.J. Harrison brings classic stories to life in his free, weekly podcast. Recent authors have included Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Dickens, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Edgar Rice Burroughs, O Henry, Rudyard Kipling, and others. This is my favorite way to pass time while driving to my photographic destinations. I have listened to many professional audiobook narrators, and B.J. Harrison is equal to the very best of them. If you've never listened to an audiobook, you are in for a treat. His voice makes the characters come alive, and how he creates a different voice for each character is remarkable! I encourage you, as well, to use the "donate" button to enable him to continue his wonderful work, or subscribe to his bonus podcasts of more lengthy novels for a very small fee.
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day. Add a word-a-day to your vocabulary. Can't hurt your Scrabble game!
Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips. Peeved by sloppy grammar, or want to clean up yours? Mignon Fogarty can help!
A Way With Words. Language mavens Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett will keep you on your linguistic toes in their entertaining hour-long show.
