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. 5 DAYS AGO

    Basketball - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCracken

    Episode 28 - Zach & Courtney take a look through Zach’s archive of basketball photography from around the state of Indiana. Indiana is of course the best state in the country for basketball. In this episode, Zach & Courtney talk about their own experiences with the sport as well as go in-depth on Zach’s photos and his approach to photographing basketball. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Zach & Courtney each played one season of basketball 0:56 - Getting the NBA Finals patch on the Pacers jersey 3:44 - In 49 states it’s just basketball, but this is Indiana 4:51 - The largest high school gyms in the country are in Indiana 6:54 - What it was like in the 90’s 9:58 - Zach’s basketball photography 10:19 - Practicing free throws 11:19 - Player intros in black & white 14:19 - Photographing basketball above the rim 16:50 - The crowd jeers during free throws 18:58 - Why take photos from low angles 20:01 - Zach is in the Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame  21:39 - Inspiration from a photo of Babe Ruth 22:47 - Photographing basketball behind the scenes 24:57 - Why photographing with a wide lens is better 26:03 - Photographers photographing photographers 27:02 - Photographing the scale of the games  28:29 - Basketball is THE entertainment in small towns 30:38 - Trey Lyles before he played in the NBA 31:26 - Zach’s favorite cheerleader photo 32:32 - Courtney says the physical closeness of sports is important for boys 34:21 - A detail photo from a small town gym 34:50 - A look of confusion from the head coach  35:50 - The Wigwam in Anderson, Indiana 37:11 - The Indianapolis Indians are approved by the Miami tribe 39:24 - Photographing for the Indiana Pacers 41:25 - Basketball is the good part of Indiana 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

  2. 17 MAR

    St. Patrick’s Day - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCracken

    Zach & Courtney take the family to the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Indianapolis, IN. They talk about the experience while looking through Zach’s documentary photography from the event.  Courtney tells Zach what she learned about Irish photographer Jane Shackleton (1843-1909) and they go through some of her photos together. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Courtney wants to talk with Irish people 0:56 - Zach, Courtney, and family at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2:40 - Where do you get a St. Patrick’s Day suit? 4:49 - How do you get access to photograph a parade? 8:15 - Photographing the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Indianapolis 23:36 - Making sure to get a family photo at every event 24:46 - Courtney’s advice to parents with small kids 32:26 - The best Irish TV shows 35:43 - Must Know Photographer: Jane Shackleton 44:33 - Slideshows were the social media of the 20th century 47:01 - Talking through our favorite Jane Shackleton photos 52:04 - It’s not always easy to find historical women photographers 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.

    54 min

  3. 11 MAR

    Photography Hot Takes - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCracken

    Episode 26 - Photographers are a passionate bunch and always have hot takes about our beliefs and convictions surrounding our art. And this goes all the way to the beginning of photography with the original hot take: Is photography art? Zach and Courtney discuss some of the biggest hot takes throughout the history of photography. In this episode we talk about current & historical photography hot takes like… Photography isn’t artPhotography should only reflect realityColor photography isn’t artFilm is better than digitalPlus Zach & Courtney give their own personal photography hot takes. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - They said my high school photography was better 0:48 - Photography hot takes: past & present 1:40 - When should photographers volunteer their time 5:21 - Photography is not art 7:11 - Henry Peach Robinson wrote the book on Pictorialism 12:44 - Eugene Atget showed how documentary photography could be art 17:01 - Edward Steichen - The Flatiron (1904) 18:09 - Ansel Adams hated pictorialism 20:03 - f64 was a group of photographers advocating for realism 26:00 - Color photography is vulgar 27:03 - Don’t colorize black & white photos 34:10 - Film is better than digital 40:14 - Street photography hot take: wait to share your photos 43:38 - Zach says photographers are content creators 51:11 - Courtney cares who is behind the camera 54:46 - The internet preferred Zach’s high school photography 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.

    59 min

  4. 25 FEB

    Best Photos of the 2026 Olympics - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCracken

    Episode 25 - Bringing you the best action and documentary photography from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games!  Zach scoured the internet to find the greatest photos of the Olympics so he and Courtney could discuss the making, the meaning, and the impact they’ve had on our view of the games. In this episode we talk about…  Women showing up in numbers and making fantastic photos at the 2026 OlympicsTech used by Getty including remote cameras, thermal images, composites, and an old Graflex camera.Photos that set a scene and draw us in with excellent compositionGreat moments caught on camera that will come to define these Olympic GamesSome of Zach’s favorite photographers from this Olympics: Kohjiro Kinno, Florence Pernet, Pauline Ballet, and Gabbie Bhaskar. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Athletes being photographed by the best photographers in the world 1:57 - Great women photographers at the 2026 Olympics 5:13 - 2026 Olympics photos with great composition 16:34 - Photography helps define the most important moments of the Olympics 25:24 - Photographers capturing the same moment from different angles.  29:14 - Photography tech used at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games 30:11 - Remote cameras 32:00 - Thermal cameras at the Olympics 33:47 - Getty’s vintage Graflex camera with modern upgrades 34:51 - Composite photos from Getty photographers 38:06 - Kohjiro Kinno 39:52 - Florence Pernet 41:32 - Gabbie Bhaskar 43:44 - Pauline Ballet 46:29 - Wow! 25 episodes! Thanks for watching. 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.

    49 min

  5. 18 FEB

    Olympic Fashion Photography - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCracken

    Episode 24 - There is typically lots of fashion & editorial photography that surrounds the Olympics. For this year’s 2026 Winter Olympics, Zach & Courtney found three cool photoshoots, but feel like there should be a lot more! In this episode we talk about…  Win Tam’s high-fashion photos of Team China for VogueMan ChinaFrench photographer Mathieu Forget photographing Italian Olympians in a 5-star Milan hotelNewel Odin’s sleek, modern images of Team France We also take an historical look at Olympics editorial photoshoots by Annie Leibovitz, Bruce Weber, and Ryan McGinley and compare them to what we’re seeing today.  PLUS, Courtney talks about how the Olympics are neither the time nor place for public wedding proposals and Zach gets up in arms about how photographers need to be credited correctly for their work. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Where are the photoshoots? Are major publications commissioning less work? 0:45 - Olympic fashion photography 1:58 - Win Tam’s photos for VogueMan China 8:13 - Mathieu Forget photographs Olympians in a 5-star hotel 13:51 - Nawel Odin photographs the French Olympic bobsled & luge team 17:39 - It seems like magazines are doing fewer photoshoots for the Olympics 20:59 - Where are the editorial photoshoots by women? 23:16 - Annie Leibovitz’s 1996 Olympic photoshoot for Vanity Fair 30:59 - Where are the big photoshoots of Olympians? 33:00 - Too much coverage of Breezy Johnson’s engagement 38:11 - The right way to give photo credits to photographers 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.

    44 min

  6. 11 FEB

    Photography Q&A - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCracken

    Episode 23 - What focal length lens do you use for backstage photography? Do you ever use “silent shutter” mode? Do you use fixed focal length? Do you have insurance on all your cameras & gear? What do people who are actually from working class areas of England think of Martin Parr’s documentation of New Brighton? In this episode, we answer questions and read comments from viewers and talk about retiring the Mystery Zine. We also address some of the most common questions we’ve received in the 4 years of printing our quarterly magazine.  “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - What happens when your camera gear damages property? 0:16 - Want to learn about photography? Ask us your questions! 3:05 - What do people think of Martin Parr’s The Last Resort? 9:30 - Should I use “silent shutter” mode on a DSLR? 11:16 - What is “rolling shutter effect”? 14:08 - What focal length to use when you’re close to people? 18:25 - Film vs Digital 21:06 - How important is the camera lens? 23:19 - Should I use the same brand camera & lens? 24:53 - Camera & general liability insurance for photographers 28:00 - What happens if I damage on a photoshoot (a story) 29:47 - Is a laptop or desktop better for photographers? 32:22 - What the sigma? 35:01 - How to start publishing a photography zine Find the Mystery Zine https://zachdobson.bigcartel.com/product/mystery-zine-17 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

  7. 28 JAN

    Backstage - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCracken

    Episode 22 - This week we talk about going behind the scenes and photographing backstage at concerts, shows, and events.  When attending a performance, what happens on stage is only one small part of the story. Going backstage to photograph the emotion, preparation, and all the moving parts offers a more complete sense of what it takes to make a show happen. In this episode, we go through Zach’s backstage photography of concerts, comedy shows, dance performances and more. We also look at the work of photographers Sasha Gusov (ballet), Jim Marshall (music), and Marsha Bernstein (fashion). “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - Garry Winogrand’s wife was married to a lens. 0:25 - Today’s subject is backstage photography. 1:35 - Courtney says why it’s important for kids to perform. 6:49 - Why we’re talking about backstage photography. 10:14 - Zach’s first big behind-the-scenes opportunity: a comedy festival in LA. 15:42 - What Zach learned photographing Mel Brooks backstage. 20:46 - The kids got into dance, so now we are, too. 32:32 - Photographing our kids in Bye Bye Birdie. 37:10 - A photographer’s photo. 46:50 - Russian photographer Sasha Gusov photographs the Bolshoi Ballet. 50:55 - Iconic rock & roll photographer Jim Marshall. 54:32 - Fashion photographer Marsha Bernstein. 57:37 - Courtney’s opening night performance. 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.

    59 min

  8. 21 JAN

    Martin Parr - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCracken

    Episode 21 - This week we talk about the late great Martin Parr. Starting in the black & white documentary tradition in the 1970s, Parr’s work took a bold turn to color accentuated by flash in 1982.  While still documentary in nature, in that he didn’t stage or pose scenes, Parr acknowledged that his photos were more of a personal interpretation of reality than a strict document of fact. He said… “I want to try and leave a set of images that sort of tell us about the times we live in and my relationship to it. My pictures are fictional in the sense that i'm often using flash so it's not something you would see with the human eye. I’m trying to ally it to my … feelings but it is still based on the reality that's out there so it's not lies, it's just an interpretation. So it's my personal interpretation of what i see in front of me, which is somewhat exaggerated.” Zach & Courtney go through some of Parr’s most famous, and lesser known, works to talk about his influence on the photography world and on them personally. They also talk about the Martin Parr Foundation and its mission to give back to the photographic community at large. “Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson  Index 0:00 - “A dedicated enemy to everything I believe in.”  0:35 - An introduction to photographer Martin Parr. 4:50 - I really love your early work. 9:36 - Prestwich Mental Hospital. 1972. 11:28 - The Non-Conformists. 1975-79. 19:47 - Why Martin Parr switched to color photography. 1982. 20:40 - The Last Resort. 1983-85. 27:27 - The Cost of Living. 1989-92. 29:47 - Photojournalist Philip Jones Griffiths doesn’t want Parr in Magnum Photos. 36:23 - Tourists at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. 1990. 38:26 - Documenting leisure pursuits of the Western World. 40:05 - Tourists at the Grand Canyon, Arizona. 1994. 41:18 - Martin Parr photographed a lot of cell phones. 46:28 - A photo that Martin Parr regretted missing. 48:48 - How Martin Parr influences Zach today. Interviews The World According to Parr. 2003. https://youtu.be/MCRyB2SFQZ4?si=JO_GUTdlclHZb5Rq "First priority is to make an entertaining picture." | Photographer Martin Parr | Louisiana Channel. 2022. https://youtu.be/ibqDOm3i0eA?si=he49WecFDjp-qR_3 Framelines: A Conversation with Martin Parr. 2025 https://youtu.be/S7ULlEIwqTs?si=CXHsz_3FBVJkyO2S 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
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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
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken
  • Show Website
    Photography is Nothing

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