Photography is Nothing

Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken
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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. “Photography is nothing—it’s life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson

  1. 15 HR AGO

    Ruedi Hofmann - Photographer & Master Printer

    Episode 36 - In this episode, Zach & Courtney talk with Ruedi Hofmann, photographer and master printer for Richard Avedon's In the American West. Ruedi Hofmann has worked as a professional photographer since the 1980s with regular clients like Giorgio Armani. But before that, Hofmann worked for 5 years with Richard Avedon as Studio Manager, First Assistant on the In The American West series, and finally as Master Printer for the artist’s most famous project. In this interview, Hofmann tells us stories about working with Avedon, how he reluctantly agreed to print In The American West, and his own career in fashion & portraiture. For his work as Master Printer, Hofmann received from Avedon one edition of each photo he printed, making him owner of one of only three complete sets of In the American West. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Introducing Ruedi Hofmann - photographer and master printer 1:39 - How Ruedi got started in photography. 4:21 - What it was like working in Richard Avedon’s studio. 15:19 - How Avedon chose Hofmann to print his photos. 22:17 - Ruedi’s terms for staying on to the end of In The American West. 25:49 - Leveraging the Avedon name for products & services. 27:09 - Working your way up at Avedon’s studio. 28:53 - The importance of the master printer’s role in making a photograph. 31:06 - Ruedi tells us Avedon’s reaction to the first ~100 prints. 34:21 - Ruedi Hofmann’s career as a professional photographer. 43:59 - Richard Avedon and Laura Wilson worked together to find subjects. 47:43 - What it was like for Avedon’s Western subjects. 55:38 - The new Avedon documentary declined Ruedi’s participation. 58:14 - A photography project is bigger than just the photographer. 1:09:27 - Ruedi’s thoughts on Avedon’s destruction of his negatives. 1:15:33 - Ruedi feels a responsibility to the people he’s photographing. In this interview, we reference a video where Hofmann speaks with Richard Corman in great detail about the technical processes of printing In The American West. You can watch that here:  https://www.ruedihofmann.com/avedon-west-collection You can learn more about Ruedi's ownership of the Avedon prints in Zach's video here: https://youtu.be/StKEn_kjc5Q 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.

    1hr 21min

  2. 13 MAY

    Famous Photographers' Family Photos

    Episode 35 - In this episode, Zach & Courtney talk about famous photographers photographing their own families.  After last week’s episode about documenting everyday life, Zach wanted to talk about some famous photographers who documented their own life, and specifically their family. Documentary photographers are known for telling stories about hard-hitting issues in the world. But some well-known photographers have very famous images that focus on their own family members or home life. Seeing how fine art, documentary, and street photographers chronicle their own family can show us how this type of work is important for any of us to do. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Intro: Courtney helps Zach gain a deeper appreciate for Sally Mann 5:27 - Sabine Weiss & her husband Hugh Weiss 7:04 - W. Eugene Smith & kids 11:22 - Christopher Anderson w/ Atlas & Marion 13:31 - Inge Morath & Arthur Miller 15:39 - William Eggleston & his kids (MAYBE) 17:04 - Stephen Shore & his wife Ginger 18:11 - Sally Mann & her kids 24:26 - Nancy Sheung & daughter 25:12 - Larry Fink & his daughter Molly with the Sabatine family 27:21 - Garry Winogrand & his kids at the zoo 30:00 - Lee Friedlander & his wife Maria and their kids 34:17 - Following up on Documentary Photography is for Everyone 36:16 - Zach feels more connected to the world when photographing it 42:45 - It’s important to strike a balance between photographer & person  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.

    46 min

  3. 6 MAY

    Documentary Photography is for Everyone

    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.

    55 min

  4. 29 APR

    Baseball - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCracken

    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.

    50 min

  5. 22 APR

    Moab, Utah - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCracken

    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.

    52 min

  6. 15 APR

    Yes, Michigan! - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCracken

    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.

    45 min

  7. 8 APR

    Florida Keys Road Trip - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCracken

    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.

    40 min

  8. 1 APR

    All-Time Best Basketball Photos - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCracken

    Zach & Courtney talk about Zach’s six selections for all-time best basketball photos. Plus, they take a look at the photography of Walter Iooss, Jr., who has photographed professional sports in 7 different decades! “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Intro - Zach didn’t know he once worked for Atlantic Records 2:16 - What is the criteria for best basketball photos of all time? 7:33 - Some of the most famous/infamous photos of basketball in Indiana 9:57 - Wilt Chamberlain photographed by Paul Vathis. 1962. 14:32 - 16 year-old Kareem Abdul-Jabber photographed by Richard Avedon. 1963. 20:41 - The Big Three. Miami Heat. Photographed by Morry Gash. 2010. 22:39 - NC State Championship. Photographed by Malcom Emmons. 1983. 32:46 - Dennis Rodman photographed by Sam Forencich. 1997. 35:20 - Michael Jordan game-winning shot photographed by Fernando Medina. 1998. 44:57 - The basketball photography of Walter Iooss, Jr. 58:30 - Kobe Bryant photographed by Walter Iooss, Jr. 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.

    1hr 4min
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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken
  • Show Website
    Photography is Nothing

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