Photography is Nothing

Episode 34 - In this episode, Zach & Courtney talk about the importance of documenting our lives. 

It’s could be easy to dismiss photographing everyday life and the world around us, but it’s an important practice. We learn a lot about the past from ordinary images, maybe even more than we learn from the major events that people might consider “photo worthy.”

What did people really look like and dress like? How did they interact with each other? What did people do in their daily lives? What do the places where they live and work and interact look like?

Photographers who document the world are not just making a record of their family, but also providing a view of our society as a whole.

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson 

Index
0:00 - Intro: These pictures will matter.
3:12 - Barriers to entry for “documentary photography”
4:39 - When Zach started documenting everyday life
12:07 - We underestimate the wider value of photographing our families
21:36 - We need photos of daily life to know what the past was like
23:56 - William Eggleston’s photos weren’t well received at the time
25:24 - How do you do documentary photography
29:03 - Awesome photo of baseball player Jo Adell taken by a fan
32:04 - Documentary photography brings the story to a larger audience
39:16 - Just start taking photos. Don’t worry about making good ones.
47:25 - The only impact we have on the world is what comes from within us

Find Zach
Website: https://zachdobson.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast
Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. 

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement
This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 33 - In this episode, Zach & Courtney talk about their recent trip to the ballpark and learn about a photographer from the golden age of baseball. 

Charles M. Conlon photographed baseball between 1904-1941, taking absolutely gorgeous photos of some of the game’s most famous names.

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson 

Index
0:00 - Intro: Photographers need to share their photos
0:53 - Going to an Indianapolis Indians baseball game
6:15 - Photos of being a spectator at the baseball game
9:04 - One of the greatest baseball photographers: Charles M. Conlon
12:05 - Photo of Ty Cobb sliding into third base
17:49 - Portraits from the golden age of baseball by Charles Conlon
24:25 - Conlon photographs Shoeless Joe Jackson w/ Black Betsy
26:53 - Cornelius McGillicuddy aka Connie Mack
28:16 - Rube Waddell
31:14 - Charles Conlon focused on the people & personalities
32:48 - Masking photos the old fashioned way
40:07 - Charles Albert “Chief” Bender
41:01 - Photographing players’ wives and children
44:05 - Why Charles Conlon destroyed half of his negatives
45:51 - Part of being a photographer is sharing your work

Find Zach
Website: https://zachdobson.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast
Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. 

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement
This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 32 - Zach & Courtney talk about one of their favorite trips: Moab, Utah! They visit Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, and more!

Zach used to photograph weddings and that’s how he ended up in Moab 3 years in a row. Courtney & Henry went, too, on the second year. On this episode they discuss their highlights from the trip, which (in addition to the parks, of course) included staying at Whispering Oaks Ranch in the La Sal Mountains.

Zach & Courtney talk about the trip, life lessons they learned, and the photos Zach took along the way.

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson 

Index
0:00 - Intro: Does Google own my photo now??
3:19 - How we started booking weddings in Moab
5:46 - Driving to Moab via Denver
7:55 - Every road in Moab felt like different terrain
10:18 - Some background on Arches, Canyonlands and Moab
17:44 - Getting married under Double Arch in Arches National Park
19:31 - Courtney & Henry visit Moab for the first time with Zach
24:23 - Favorite breakfast: Jailhouse Cafe
25:31 - Best fish tacos ever: Miguel’s Baja Grill
27:30 - Carrying a toddler through the National Parks
32:16 - It looks like you’re closer to the cliff’s edge than you are
36:14 - Moab wedding number 2
39:26 - Visiting Canyonlands National Park
42:10 - Finding the Petroglyphs
46:30 - A third wedding in Moab at Whispering Oaks Ranch
49:17 - A final photo at night on the La Sal Mountains

Find Zach
Website: https://zachdobson.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast
Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. 

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement
This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 31 - Zach & Courtney talk about a trip to Hoeft State Park located on the beautiful shores of Lake Huron in Rogers City, Michigan. They stayed in a 1929 Sears Roebuck house just 100 yards from the beach, visited 40 Mile Point Lighthouse and Rogers City Marina, and took in a super early morning sunrise.

Zach & Courtney talk about the trip, life lessons they learned, and the photos Zach took along the way.

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson 

Index
0:00 - Intro: Adventures lead to personal growth
0:55 - Visiting Lake Huron in Michigan
2:32 - How to find an amazing cabin in Michigan
10:55 - Courtney loves the Edmund Fitzgerald
15:03 - All about the cabin at Hoeft State Park
18:20 - Kids don’t care if the water is cold
22:57 - Visiting Rogers City and the Marina
24:10 - Zach’s favorite photo at the marina
26:26 - Going fishing inland Michigan
28:06 - Packing food for a whole trip
29:30 - Why it’s important for families to have adventures
31:36 - Our teen insisted on seeing the sunrise over Lake Huron
33:50 - Visiting the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse
40:27 - Telling a story in a photo
41:10 - Taking a family photo during our adventures

Find Zach
Website: https://zachdobson.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast
Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. 

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement
This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.

Episode 30 - Zach & Courtney talk about a favorite family trip: A roadtrip through the Florida Keys! In 2018, Courtney, Zach, and (then) 4 kids, drove nearly 3,000 miles from Indianapolis, IN to Key West, FL (and back, of course).

On this episode we talk about the experience, including our favorite spots, things we learned, and the photos Zach took along the way.

“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson 

Index
0:00 - Intro - He stitched two mattresses together to make a giant bed
0:49 - Going on a Florida Keys Roadtrip
1:44 - Planning to escape the Midwest in winter
3:44 - Racing to beat a snow storm
7:03 - Driving into the Keys from Miami is supposed to be quick
8:48 - Are the Florida Keys kid-friendly?
10:25 - There are very few natural beaches in the Keys
11:10 - Plan to stay in motels in the Florida Keys
15:18 - Zach had never seen water this color
15:44 - Visiting Key West as a family
24:10 - Ernest Hemingway’s house in Key West
25:28 - Kids are learning their own way
28:12 - Easter Mass in Key West
29:29 - Southernmost Point of the Continental US
30:13 - Bahia Honda State Park
31:03 - Marathon and Islamorada
33:15 - The story behind my favorite Florida Keys photo
35:15 - John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
38:04 - We need a bigger car than a Chevy Suburban

Find Zach
Website: https://zachdobson.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto

Find Courtney
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymccracken_/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@courtneymccracken_

About the Podcast
Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. 

Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world.

Fair Use Statement
This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner.