Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast #97: George Alexander Grant (IYKYK)

 by Kevin Lane

On a recent trip to New England with my wife, Debbie, I purchased a book about a photographer of whom I had never heard. His name is George Alexander Grant, and he was the first chief photographer of the National Park Service. Over the twenty-five years that he worked for the NPS, he made tens of thousands of photographs, the purpose of which was to promote Americas's national parks to a public that was just beginning to discover the rich treasures the parks were. Grant's photography also was used to convince Congress to establish several more national parks. His photography has a high degree of technical perfection and reveals a skilled eye for composition and story telling. Yet, being an employee of the NPS, he never received a credit for his work. 

George A. Grant: Scotts Bluff National Monument, 1939

The book, Landscapes for the People: George Alexander Grant, the First Chief Photographer of the National Park Service, by Red and Helen Davis (© 2015 by the University of Georgia Press) presents an extremely well researched history of Grant and his remarkable perseverance that led to him landing his dream job after years of letter writing. The authors go on to describe in detail how his work for the NPS became his life. For twenty-five years, he photographed from spring though fall and performed darkroom work in the winter. To accomplish the assignments Grant received, his travels crisscrossed the nation, racking up over 140,000 miles in the process. He never married nor had he any children. 

I discussed more of the details of Grant's life's well as several of his photographs in the podcast, but to get a true since of the scope and quality of Grant's work, you should get a copy of this handsome book. the 169 reproductions of Grant's photographs (all of which are scans of actual prints) are of the highest quality. This book not only inspires me to go out with my camera and make for myself photographs that capture the beauty of the American landscape, it also makes me want to plans trips to as many of the American national parks as I can visit before my time on earth is over. 

It is possible that you can find a copy of Landscapes for the People: George Alexander Grant, the First Chief Photographer of the National Park Service for sale at the visitor center of your nearest national park, national monument, or national battlefield. If not, you can purchase the book directly from the University of Georgia Press here.

Here is a link to a YouTube video of the authors presenting a discussion of their research on Grant.

The first half of show #97 is a discussion that stems from a great email from listener Roger Jones, in which he suggests that I rent a mirrorless digital camera with my Minolta Maxxum lenses to make color photography in Ireland next month. This is a pretty good idea, actually, and it would be a considerable upgrade from just using my iPhone for color. Of course, I also could use my Sony A100 instead of renting a camera, but rarely use that camera and don't really like its results. I'm much more comfortable shooting film, and I want the look I would get from Portra 400 (or Ektacolor Pro 400, as it is now called). Yes, it would be much more convenient to shoot digital for color, and I haven't ruled out the idea. I still have a little over a month before we land in Dublin. Stay tuned.

Wayne and I close the show with a look at the calendar, and we have two very exciting events to anticipate. Our 5th Annual Photowalk with the Shutter Brothers is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, in Huntsville, Alabama. This photowalk will have everything: urban landscape, urban parks, street photography, and of course, fellowship. Look for a Facebook event page very soon.

The second event on our calendar doesn't have a date yet, but it also will occur sometime in October. The Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast will reach 100 - episodes, that is. While we are very excited about this (and quite surprised, frankly,) we haven't a clue how to celebrate this achievement. So, we are asking you, are faithful listeners, to help us work out what to do on show #100. If you have suggestions please send us an email at unclejonesyscameras@gmail.com. And while you're at it, feel free to include your questions, tips, reviews, stories, etc. We LOVE listener feedback! Also, you can follow us on our Facebook and Instagram pages. And we also want to thank our special listeners who have made financial contributions to help us with production and hosting costs. If you would like to help, you can do so at our Ko-fi page.

Happy Photography! Now, go get some good pictures!

Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast #96: The Great Film Photo Meetup II - Louisville!

by Kevin Lane

It's a known fact that many photographers like to practice their craft alone. It's not hard to picture the lone street photographer doing his or her best to remain invisible while looking for both human and human subjects, the single nature photographer looking for just the right place to plant a tripod, or the solitary figure adjusting an enlarger in the dim red light of the darkroom. I think that most photographers like to work alone, because they believe they do their best work when they are by themselves. I happen to be one of these photographers.

However, that doesn't mean that I avoid connecting with other photographers or photographing with them. In fact, while most photographers may prefer to work alone, I believe that most of them like to get together with other link minded people and talk craft and, of course, gear while walking around looking for viable compositions. It for this reason that Wayne and I have organized our annual Photowalk with the Shutter Brothers each of the last four years, and we will do it for the fifth time this October. And last year a number of film photography podcasters decided to do the same with The Great Film Photo Meetup in my hometown of Chattanooga, TN. It was particularly enjoyable for me, as I finally got to meet several fellow podcasters in person.

Those same podcasters are dong it again this year with The Great Film Photo Meetup II, which will take place August 14-16 in Louisville, Kentucky. And know this: this event is for all photography enthusiasts. You don't have to be a podcaster or a film shooter to participate. At The Great Film Photo Meetup II you can enjoy the company with photography enthusiasts while photographing in a city known for horse racing, baseball bats, and bourbon. Wayne will be there (sadly, I cannot attend). You should be there, too. The link for the Facebook event page is here.

Meanwhile, I've been on an extended travel vacation with my wife, Debbie, to celebrate our fortieth wedding anniversary. Our fourteen day adventure took us through fifteen states and two countries (Canada), and to say that we had a wonderful time doesn't come close. We visited great museums and saw incredible scenics, and I walked around with two very different cameras. One of those, Wayne's diminutive Canon Canonet QL17 GIII, needs no introduction to film photography enthusiasts. It's often called the "Poor Man's Leica," but there is nothing 'poor' about it. It may even be the ultimate vacation camera.I used it for color film, and I give a full report of my experience with it in show #96. 

But what about the other 'walk around' camera? 

A Hasselblad 500CM? Are you kidding me?

No, I am not kidding. I walked around Niagara Falls (both the Canadian American sides) for two days shooting black and white film. Was it heavy? Yes, certainly heavier than the QL17 GIII, but not unmanageable for me. I rather enjoyed using it, and I explain my reasons in the show.

Finally, the aforementioned 5th Annual Photowalk with the Shutter Brothers will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026 in Huntsville, Alabama. Want and I are putting the finishing touches on the details, so look for an announcement and a Facebook event page soon.

Before I sign off, Wayne and I need your help. As things stand now, we are projected to release our 100th episode in October, and in show #96 threw it out to our listeners to make suggestions on how to celebrate such an achievement (something I never thought would happen, by the way.) If you have a suggestion, please send to us in an email to unclejonesyscameras@gmail.com. Even if you don't have any 100th shobw ideas, we'd still love to hear from you. Also, please follow us on our Facebook and Instagram pages. And we also want to thank our special listeners who have made financial contributions to help us with production and hosting costs. If you would like to help, you can do so at our Ko-fi page.

Happy Photography! Now, go get some good pictures!