UNofPhoto

05/06/2024

In this monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with editor, writer and curator of photography Bill Shapiro. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Bill comment on the photographic environment as they see it. This month they reflect on teaching/learning photography and the role of the teacher and the student. Bill ShapiroBill Shapiro served as the Editor-in-Chief of…...

In this monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with editor, writer and curator of photography Bill Shapiro. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Bill comment on the photogr…

04/06/2024

A big question but one that I feel is given too little thought. It's literally a big picture question, a wide-screen discussion that too often I believe gets drawn into the weeds of academic critical theory, technical considerations or historical importance. That's fine but I think it misses the point of my question and offers too many rabbit holes to disappear inside....

A big question but one that I feel is given too little thought. It’s literally a big picture question, a wide-screen discussion that too often I believe gets drawn into the weeds of academic …

29/05/2024

In episode 315 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the small and big things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Image: © W. Eugene Smith/Magnum Photos Dr.Grant ScottAfter fifteen years art directing photography books and magazines such as Elle and Tatler, Scott began to work as a photographer for a number of advertising and editorial clients in 2000....

In episode 315 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the small and big things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Image: © W. Eugene…

28/05/2024

A gatekeeper is someone who prevents access unless they are persuaded to allow the person at the gate to pass into the garden. A conspiracy is a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful. Both terms are often used in relation to photography. Why? I think the answer is simple but the reasons are complicated. Let's begin with the simple part and at the beginning....

A gatekeeper is someone who prevents access unless they are persuaded to allow the person at the gate to pass into the garden. A conspiracy is a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or h…

23/05/2024

I am not aware of any creative practice that doesn't have its dark side or should I say practitioners within the darkest corners of life. Sexual assault, paedophilia and sexist bullying are just some of the practices that we know take place and that have destroyed the lives of those abused and the careers of those discovered to be practitioners of such vile crimes....

I am not aware of any creative practice that doesn’t have its dark side or should I say practitioners within the darkest corners of life. Sexual assault, paedophilia and sexist bullying are j…

22/05/2024

In episode 315 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the small and big things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Mentioned in this episode: Image: Juergen Teller, Self portrait, London 2015. © Juergen Teller. Dr.Grant ScottAfter fifteen years art directing photography books and magazines such as ...

In episode 315 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the small and big things that impact on the everyday engagement we all have with photography. Mentioned in this episo…

21/05/2024

I often hear photographers refer to themselves as artists. Others talking about photographers use the term. There are many heated discussions concerning the accuracy of such a description but one thing I think we can all agree with is that to make photographs you need a camera. A box with which to capture light. Unlike many artists the photographer does not have the option of choosing different implements to make their art....

I often hear photographers refer to themselves as artists. Others talking about photographers use the term. There are many heated discussions concerning the accuracy of such a description but one t…

15/05/2024

In episode 314 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the need for change, and explains how the podcast will be evolving now it is coming from a garage and not a shed! He aslo reads a short extract from his latest book Inside Vogue House: One Building. Seven magazines. Sixty years of stories... Plus this week, photographer Holly Revell takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length for the last ever answer to the question ‘What Does Photography Mean to You?’...

In episode 314 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the need for change, and explains how the podcast will be evolving now it is coming from a garage and not a shed! He …

08/05/2024

In episode 313 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the importance of being professional and not egotistical when working with clients and discovering who you really are through photography. Plus this week, photographer Tria Giovan takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which she answer’s the question ‘What Does Photography Mean to You?’...

In episode 313 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the importance of being professional and not egotistical when working with clients and discovering who you really are…

01/05/2024

In this monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with editor, writer and curator of photography Bill Shapiro. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Bill comment on the photographic environment as they see it. This month they reflect on where the magazine industry and editorial photography are today from the photographer’s perspective. Bill ShapiroBill Shapiro served as the Editor-in-Chief of…...

In this monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with editor, writer and curator of photography Bill Shapiro. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Bill comment on the photogr…

24/04/2024

In episode 311 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on looking back and looking forward, the failure of AI photography and the importance of visiting local photography exhibitions. Plus this week, photographer Chantel King takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which she answer’s the question ‘What Does Photography Mean to You?’...

In episode 311 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on looking back and looking forward, the failure of AI photography and the importance of visiting local photography…

22/04/2024

There are photographers who never make work in colour, from conception to showing, but there are also many who only make images in colour with the belief that the final choice of how the image should look can be decided through a software package. You used to have to make this choice when you loaded your camera. Black and white or colour film, a choice based on decisions other than just aesthetic....

There are photographers who never make work in colour, from conception to showing, but there are also many who only make images in colour with the belief that the final choice of how the image shou…

19/04/2024

I never make a subjective decision when sequencing photographs for a book, exhibition or published article. I always let the photographs speak to me and if I listen hard enough they give me the answer. The decisions I make are then objective rather than subjective and remove any concern I may have about the positioning of the images. Of course all final decisions have an element of subjectivity within them but the foundation of a pagination should always be led by the images and not the designer or photographer taking on the role of designer....

I never make a subjective decision when sequencing photographs for a book, exhibition or published article. I always let the photographs speak to me and if I listen hard enough they give me the ans…

19/04/2024

There are many things that cannot be seen in photography and they all begin with the photographer. The photograph may be the physical/digital artifact of what was seen but it is the unseen photographer who made the image that carries the weight of far more than just a camera everytime they press the shutter. No photograph exists without the photographer making a decision about what is important and what is not....

There are many things that cannot be seen in photography and they all begin with the photographer. The photograph may be the physical/digital artifact of what was seen but it is the unseen photogra…

17/04/2024

In episode 310 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the need to regularly replenish your cretivity and inspiration source and he reads from his new book Inside Vogue House: One building, seven magazines, sixty years of stories. Plus this week, photographer Kyle McDougall takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which she answer’s the question ‘What Does Photography Mean to You?’...

In episode 310 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the need to regularly replenish your cretivity and inspiration source and he reads from his new book Inside Vogue Hou…

10/04/2024

In episode 309 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the universal availability of post-production software, the siloed nature of photography and the continued thinning out of experience amongst photography commissioners. Plus this week, photographer Mandy Williams takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which she answer’s the question ‘What Does Photography Mean to You?’...

In episode 309 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on the universal availability of post-production software, the siloed nature of photography and the continued thinning o…

05/04/2024

I'll start this by being honest in admitting that I have no interest in nature. I grew up in South London and the urban environment is my happy place. I don't get the appeal of long hikes across fields, up hills and down dales. However, I recognise that many photographers get excited by such endeavours. So excited in fact that they become the foundation of their photography....

I’ll start this by being honest in admitting that I have no interest in nature. I grew up in South London and the urban environment is my happy place. I don’t get the appeal of long hik…

04/04/2024

I receive many emails asking me to recommend photographers from people who need photographs for their businesses. Probably at least one a week. They come from different people asking for different kinds of work but they all have one thing in common. That is their elevated pitch that suggests that the job they are offering, but cannot pay for, will be 'good' for the photographer's portfolio....

I receive many emails asking me to recommend photographers from people who need photographs for their businesses. Probably at least one a week. They come from different people asking for different …

03/04/2024

In this monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with editor, writer and curator of photography Bill Shapiro. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Bill comment on the photographic environment as they see it. This month they reflect on where the magazine industry and editorial photography are today from the photographer's perspective. Bill ShapiroBill Shapiro served as the Editor-in-Chief of…...

In this monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with editor, writer and curator of photography Bill Shapiro. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Bill comment on the photogr…

27/03/2024

In episode 307 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on photography and the 1990s, keeping ethemera that may or may not be important and the importance of making mistakes to creative success. Plus this week, photographer Michael Robinson Chávez takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which he answer’s the question ‘What Does Photography Mean to You?’...

In episode 307 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on photography and the 1990s, keeping ethemera that may or may not be important and the importance of making mistakes to…

26/03/2024

You are all welcome!!

25/03/2024

I recently posted on Threads the most recent cover of British Vogue stating my disappointment in its failure as a cover. Some questioned my position on making such a comment ( I have previously art directed Elle and Tatler as well as designed many magazine and book covers over the last forty years) but the majority of comments focused only on the chosen photograph....

I recently posted on Threads the most recent cover of British Vogue stating my disappointment in its failure as a cover. Some questioned my position on making such a comment ( I have previously art…

20/03/2024

In episode 306 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on finding creativity, the royal family and image manipulation, why you should undertake an MA in photography and he reads a listener's email! Plus this week, photographer Xavi Bou takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which he answer’s the question ‘What Does Photography Mean to You?’...

In episode 306 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on finding creativity, the royal family and image manipulation, why you should undertake an MA in photography and he rea…

06/03/2024

In this monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with editor, writer and curator of photography Bill Shapiro. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Bill comment on the photographic environment as they see it. This month they reflect on the death of the magazine industry and editorial photography. Bill ShapiroBill Shapiro served as the Editor-in-Chief of LIFE…...

In this monthly conversation series Grant Scott speaks with editor, writer and curator of photography Bill Shapiro. In an informal conversation each month Grant and Bill comment on the photographic…

28/02/2024

In episode 304 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed speaking with master printer Bob Tursack about all aspects of photographic printing including photo books, fine art printing, digital, analogue and lithographic. They also discuss photographer expectations, good practice and the photographer/printer relationship. Bob Tursack, is the CEO of the high-end printing company Brilliant Graphics. He is a third-generation printer who grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs who became interested in photography when he was in junior high....

In episode 304 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed speaking with master printer Bob Tursack about all aspects of photographic printing including photo books, fine art printing, digit…

24/02/2024

Stuart Pilkington is not a 'big name' in the world of photography and yet he was important to anyone who knew of him and his initiatives. We are used to marking the passing of the greats of photography but the lesser known names are seldom written about. Those who worked selflessly without payment to make things happen for the good of photography and its sometimes fractious community....

Stuart Pilkington is not a ‘big name’ in the world of photography and yet he was important to anyone who knew of him and his initiatives. We are used to marking the passing of the great…

21/02/2024

In episode 303 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on confusion between post-production and AI, professionalism and creativity and accepting that old labels are no longer relevant. Plus this week, photographer Mark Chapman takes on the challenge of supplying Grant with an audio file no longer than 5 minutes in length in which he answer’s the question ‘What Does Photography Mean to You?’...

In episode 303 UNP founder and curator Grant Scott is in his shed reflecting on confusion between post-production and AI, professionalism and creativity and accepting that old labels are …