Photo Forward

Well, this is certainly not a podcast episode I thought I'd have to make but it's one that ought to be made. In this time of incredible uncertainty and confusion surrounding Coronavirus and COVID-19, I just wanted to provide a little bit of respite for all of you photographers all of you videographers, with just a few things to keep in mind and ways to come out the other side of this better than when you started.

Which I know sounds pretty much impossible right about now. This episode's gonna get into seven ways that you as a photographer or a visual creator can really make the most of this time of social distancing as we try to fight the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. And on top of that,

I want to provide some ways to help out some of our freelance brothers and sisters in the visual community, so today's episode is gonna touch on a little bit of all of that.

Picture this: It’s late 2018. Feels like a lifetime ago, right? Like the whole damn world’s changed since then. Enter me: Freelancing pretty regularly, working at a past desk job and feeling creatively TOAST — I wasn’t happy with the quality of the work I was producing, but without any buffer time in my life to practice my craft and grow as a photographer. What would you do? Well, if you’re crazy like me, you’d respond emphatically with... start a podcast? Yep. That’s right.

Hey everybody and welcome back to another episode of the Photo Forward Podcast, where we explore the stories behind some of the greatest visual storytellers in the world. From their photographic origins, to finding work-life balance as creative professionals, to how to actually make a living as a photographer, videographer, or multimedia creator — we uncover what makes them tick and their shutters click. I’m your host, Ben Brewer.

It’s become pretty trite to even say anymore but, back in 2018, the social media and digital world was changing in a big way. (Remember again that January 2018 marked the beginning of Facebook openly and frankly saying that they were going to radically de-emphasize commercial content in the news feed and favor “friends and family” content over “brands and pages”) And in that creative TOAST that I described earlier, I was feeling more and more disconnected from my visual creator brothers and sisters even though we were all connected and sharing on Facebook, Instagram and the like. So it hit me — as a freelancer, the way to actually feel connected to a community of photographers, cinematographers and more wasn’t to drop my work off the cliff into the news feed. What I needed to do was start to create a community myself through teaching and learning from some of the most knowledgeable, talented, and creative visual storytellers out there – the kind of creators that you’ve seen their byline and their work, but you don’t yet know their story.

It’s now been a full year of creating content for the Photo Forward Podcast and, whew, I finally feeling like I can call myself an honest to goodness podcaster. And yes, that does sound as weird to me saying it as it probably does hearing it if you’ve discovered this podcast from my photo and video work. So with that, I wanted to share a little bit of Insight And some lessons learned From my first year creating this very photo forward podcast for you guys who may be considering doing the same (which I would highly recommend anyone start a podcast if you have a pulse and think you have a message to share with the world) So without any further ado, let's get into my biggest lessons learned starting the photo forward podcasts in 2019.

#1 – Podcasting forced me to expand outside of my normal skillset as a photojournalist.

Immediately, upon telling people that I was going to start a podcast, I had to field questions like – “What do you think you’ll talk about? Do you think that photographers really want to sit down for an hour-long interview? Have you done this kind of thing before?” These threw me into a fair share of tailspins as I started to do the legwork to get the podcast off the ground and interviewing the first few guests in person and over Skype. Sure, I'd recorded audio on set and interviewed people for documentaries or content marketing pieces, but nothing quite like that ultra-real, authentic face-to-face (or Skype) podcast interview connection with no cameras, no lights, and no crew in sight.

There's something to finding that extra level of vulnerability and deeply connecting with your guests face to face, eye to eye in person. Us visual creators often use our cameras as a shields of sorts. Sure we can capture beautiful, moving cinematic images, but we often do so at the detriment of actually experiencing those moments firsthand. Or maybe if we're experiencing them, we're not truly feeling them. So that's one of the things that really drew me to the format of the long-form interview podcast.

#2 – Podcasting WILL, I repeat WILL, enable you to communicate more clearly in everyday life.

It might sound like apples and oranges, but being a better private speaker makes you a better public speaker. You might be crammed into your jankily soundproofed bedroom closet makeshift studio on microphone recording your interview introductions, but it FOR SURE translates into being a more deliberate and confident public speaker. Because you’re able to get immediate feedback on your speech (Did I stutter through the delivery of that sentence? Why do I sound so sad or angry when I’m trying to make my voice sound happy?) you can directly correct those accidental mannerisims that we mindlessly move past in everyday speech with colleagues, friends and loved ones. Hearing and truly LISTENING closely to your voice is an incredible way to make sure you’re sharing the best version of yourself to the world.

#3, Closely relat...

Hello everyone and welcome to the Photo Forward Podcast, where we explore the stories behind some of the greatest visual storytellers in the world. From their photographic origins, to finding work-life balance as creative professionals, to how to actually make a living as a photographer, videographer, or multimedia creator — we uncover what makes them tick and their shutters click. I’m your host, Ben Brewer.

When you hear the word “photojournalist” – What comes to mind? A warzone or conflict photographer? A sports shooter lugging a few supertelephoto lenses around the sidelines of a professional sporting event? Or maybe it’s the fly on the wall, spending countless hours following a singular subject, telling a singular, poignant story with images? Well, in my mind, it’s ALL of that and NONE of that. Let me explain

These tropes exist for a reason, they are often true. But today’s episode gets at the heart of photojournalism– applying our craft of using photos and videos to tell the most authentic, human story possible, visually. Photojournalism is everywhere and today’s guest shares her mindste and outlook as a photojournalist and editorial photographer AND how that’s helped her position herself as an expert in her craft, no matter her location.

Ruthie Hauge’s roots are in photojournalism and art. She received a scholarship to attend Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, where she majored in photography and minored in drawing. She was hired as a Staff Photographer by Sun-Times Media in Illinois where she worked for almost 7 years and earning 18 State and National Photojournalism awards. In the summer of 2012, Ruthie gave up her staff position to focus on her business and her new role as Mom. According to her bio, Before a long day of photography Ruthie's pre-game ritual includes 8+ hours of sleep, a burger, a playlist of Hall & Oates, and an iced white chocolate mocha. On assignment, Ruthie is usually doing whatever is necessary to get the best possible photo, whether it be sloshing through a ditch, balancing on the roof of a skyscraper, flying in a blimp or standing in a bathtub and She loves EVERY minute of it. Ruthie goes above and beyond for her clients while also capturing as much personality, life and storytelling in her images as possible.

In today’s episode, Ruthie and I dive in on treating your creative work as a business, how to get connected in new locations and building your tribe, and the importance of finding a partner who shares your values and complements your skills. Shownotes for today’s episode can be found at photoforward DOT media SLASH podcast. So, without any further ado, my interview with Ruthie Hauge.

We humans, big hairless apes that we are, have become proficient over millenia at a great many things – crafting tools, harnessing nature... you get the picture. But we’re also adept at something you might not even actively think about: HABITS. For better AND worse, our big human brains are very, very good at linking stimulus, response, and reward through connections in our brain called neurons. And, through a wild process called myelination, the neurons that “fire together” end up “wiring together”, making that connection stronger over time.

Basically, if your brain activates in certain areas at the same time enough times, it wants to save energy and make it easier the next time those neurons fire at the same time. There is some really incredible research going on right now on how this process of strengthening connections shapes diseases such as depression and anxiety, but we won’t go too far down the rabbit hole on that.

You’re probably wondering, what the hell I’m on about and how I’ll bring this back to photography. Stay with me. So, what does myelination have to do with habits? Like a neuronal pathway, the more you follow the action of a habit (again, both good ones and bad ones) the stronger that connection gets over time. The same holds true when we’re taking photos – how we shoot drives and dictates how we’re GOING to shoot in the future.

Now that isn’t to say that one should reinvent the wheel every time you pick up your DSLR or your camera-phone. Keeping a consistent look and overall feel in your work is a must as a professional (more on that in an upcoming article). What I’m really trying to stress here is to not switch over to autopilot, and unconsciously, habitually capture photos. Your brain is basically subconsciously going: “Well, I’ve shot in this venue before with this lens and gotten this result ... so why don’t I play it safe and do the same this time.” I know for a fact I’ve been guilty of this exact thought process.

Just a few months back, I was on assignment taking a portrait of a U.S. Attorney working here in Madison on human trafficking. While I was waiting around for the individual to arrive for our brief portrait session, I scoured the area to think of a good way to capture her image in a short amount of time. My mind first, habitually, gravitated to the front of the building at 35mm and frame her between the two major pillars of the Courthouse building. Essentially, where my brain went right away was myelination in action. With the benefit of hindsight, I can look back at countless quick portrait assignments where I took the same tack, and went to capture the photo that SAME WAY.

So what did I do next. Here’s the really critical part: I stored that photo idea away, mentally labeled it the “safe shot” and proactively did everything in my power to come up with two other portrait ideas/styles that bore ZERO resemblance to the safe, habitual choice. The first alt angle I took was to go into a unique location. I wasn’t able to shoot inside the building, being a federal courthouse and all, BUT, there wasn’t anything wrong with shooting inside the revolving door of the building. And after tweaking my positioning to avoid being directly in the reflection of the glass, I was able to get this really stark portrait of Attorney Pfluger.

So, what other things can we do to get away from our silly brain’s tendency to take the energetically simplest route and follow our photographic habits? Well, as stupid and corny as it sounds, knowing is half the battle. Seriously. Think about it.

Now we know from learning about myelination that we are literally in direct control of changing and adapting our brains, changing real life outcomes. The best way to break out of old photo habits? Break those “wired together” neuronal pathways and DO SHIT DIFFERENTLY. Ever shoot portraits with a 400mm telephoto lens? Ever walk up to a total stranger on the street and capture their image? Ever get uncomfortably close to the subject of your photos? You’ll never wire new connections if all you do is think through it. Different and better results come from taking action.** It’s your brain chemistry; don’t let it get in the way of you creating your best photography.**

As you might have noticed, neuroscience/chemistry/all that holds a pretty special place in my life, even now as a professional visual journalist. I’m working a number of other episodes that look at some of the scientific principles behind photography and making meaningful creative work. So, if you enjoyed this and want to see more, let me know in the comments!

So, my question to you all to wrap up today’s episode is: What’s your worst photo habit? Tell me in the comment section or tag your Instagram Story using the hashtag #photoforwardmedia and I’ll share some of my favorite responses!

Typically on Photo Forward, we’re sitting down for long form interviews with a new visual creator each week and gaining some big insights about their history, their work, and their visions for the future. And, don’t get me wrong, I love crafting those interviews. But I think there’s room on this show and in this community to share some of my own insights as a photojournalist. That’s why I’ll be periodically sharing shorter-form, more bite-sized stories of visual storytelling like the one you’re about to hear today. If this is a format you’re really enjoying, let me know by dropping a rating or review on the show or tag us on Instagram with the hashtag #photoforwardmedia to share where you’re listening to the Photo Forward podcast!

Anyways, without further ado, here is our first solo Photo Forward Podcast episode all about how your cellphone is ruining your memory — and how thinking like a photojournalist can help fix it.

Photography and neuroscience. To quote the Sound of Music: “These are a few of my favorite things” I’m going to come out and say something that might seem pretty controversial, but the science is out there: Your cell phone is ruining your memory... but don’t worry, thinking like a photojournalist when you take pictures can change all that.

Okay, so as some of you might know, my formal education background is actually in Biochemistry with a focus in Neuroscience. So, when I see research like this that can make a difference in people’s lives, I love sharing it out.

Let’s get into it. Do this for me: Close your eyes and think back to the last big family event, birthday, party, going out with friends, you pick. How much do you remember about it? — The people you were there with, how much time you spent where, what you ate or drank while you were there, or what was your favorite part of it?

Alright, now open your eyes.

Did it feel like things just weren’t as clear, like you just couldn’t quite remember all of those details? Well, it’s not just you. Thanks to neuroscience, we now know why that is. It’s called the “photo impairment effect” and chances are, if you’re one of the billions of people around the world constantly documenting your life on your smartphone, you’ve probably experienced it.

Let’s look at the science behind what’s going on. So, you might think that taking photos would positively affect your memory because it focuses your attention...hence increasing how memorable the event is. But on the other hand, you’ll often pay less attention when you take photos, counting on the external device of the camera to “remember” for you. There’s a lot of research out there suggesting that people are much less likely to remember information if they expected to have future access to it — like on their camera, computer, or the behemoth of social media.

There’s a great little piece of research that was done in 2014 by psychologist Linda Henkel that dives right into this issue and presents some results that, as a photojournalist, I’ve known for years as a way to mediate this photo impairment effect. In the study, participants were asked to walk through an art museum exhibit and were instructed to either A) Just walk through and observe the artwork, B) Take mostly general photos of the artwork and the space or C) Take photos of specific parts of the artwork (like faces, swords/helmets, etc.)

So, when those three groups were tested afterwards, which one do you think recalled the artwork’s details the best? Well you might be surprised to find out, but the group that simply just walked through and observed the artwork was able to recall details of the museum exhibit the best! And, although photographing whole objects led hurt participants’ memory for visual details about the objects, zooming in on one aspect of an object preserved memory not only for the part they zoomed in on but also for the part that was not zoomed in on. Even though they took extra time and attention angling the camera and adjusting the lens so as to capture the best photo they could, the act of photographing the object allowed people to dismiss the object from memory.

And, chances are, you’ve probably felt this very same thing. And when you think about it, it kind of sucks. Let’s fix that.

When I’m out on assignment, whether it’s a crowded public event or an ongoing feature project, as a photojournalist, I’m always looking for details in the environment, fleeting moments in people’s faces, and dramatic lighting that elegantly captures the scene. Basically, I’m constantly in that third research group that’s tasked to focus on photographing details of the scene. And as a result, I definitely feel like I’m able to remember a lot more about those assignments when I keep those goals in mind.

So, when you’re out photographing your next birthday party, halloween costume or family get-together: think like a photojournalist, focus on the det...