Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast #59: The Brick Giveaway

 by Kevin Lane

Show #59, The Brick Giveaway, was one of my all-time favorites for one simple reason:  Wayne and I spent most of the show reading listener emails. I love getting feedback from listeners. To me, it makes the show worth all the work. Moreover, it reminds me of why I wanted to make the Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast in the first place. First Kelley and I, and now Wayne and I, want to give back to the film photography community by sharing what we know and what we learn. So, not only do our listeners matter to us because of what they say they have learned by listening, but also they matter because of what they teach us. Podcasts on the surface seem to be one-way communication only, but we want ours to be more like a conversation between us and our listeners.

To that end, we are not above using giveaways to attract listener email, as we have done with our Argus C3/Shutterhut giveaway. It's worth it to me to get the feedback I so crave from our listeners. And besides, the giveaways serve both us and our listeners in another way. We get rid of things that we no longer need, and lucky listeners get something that they want to have and will use. So, to that end, Wayne and I spend much of our show reading some awesome listener email, and three of our listeners win two Argus C3s and a Shutterhut tent. How cool is that?!

The second part of show #59 is a segment we call "Thoughts from the Field Pt. 1, and it comes from the mountain wisdom of Shutter Brother Wayne Setser. Wayne has been doing a lot of thinking about the philosophical side of photography, so he and I discuss some ideas that may help us regarding our mental approach to this fine hobby. We hope you get some inspiration from them as well. Here is what we discussed in show #59, and in show #60 we will present "Thoughts from the Field Pt. 2" 

Thoughts From The Field Pt. 1

(In no particular order.) 

1. When you get to your destination take a few minutes to get the “feel” of the place.

2. Don’t have the shot composed before you get to your destination.

3. It’s okay to head out with a shot or subject in mind, but keep an open eye. 

4. When you find a promising subject, put the camera down and find the best place to put the tripod.

5. Look for contrast.

6. Before you release the shutter, take a minute to look around for a better composition.

7. Don’t feel “invested” in the shot.

8. Watch the edges.

9. Be there. Leave your problems behind, they’ll still be there when you get back.

10. A good tripod is essential.

11. Accept that some things just can’t be photographed, although it may be worth trying.

12. Respond, step back, analyze, decide.

13. The only “rule” of composition is: “It just looks right.”

As always, we wholeheartedly invite your feedback, so please send us an email to unclejonesyscameras@gmail.com and tell us about yourself and your photography. Feel free to ask us questions, give us advice and tips, talk about your gear, and share your favorite photographic stories. You also can find us on Facebook and Instagram, and feel free to leave your feedback there. Until next time . . .

Happy Photography!