Picture Perfect City Radio

Glenn Mann

A photographic journey in and through NY pictureperfectcity.substack.com

Episodes

  1. 01/24/2023

    Blue Gray Days and Other Camera Ways

    In the latest episode of the companion podcast, I talk about my most recent post about winter in New York, and how despite these gray days that can make you feel blue, you still can discover a lot in New York with your camera. There’s intrigue and sometimes even wonder to be found in the contrast that exist in spaces between seasons. Flushing Meadows Corona Park (December 2008) I also discuss a recent NY Times article about Gen Z’s apparent fascination with decades old point and shoot digital cameras. Does the urge to appeal authentic for the sake of cultural distinction just another trend or an earnest pushback against sleek polished imagery? The Hottest Gen Z Gadget Is A 20 Year Old Digital Camera-NY Times Want Didn’t I Say On The Podcast? I love the irony that younger generations often look and borrow from the past to forge something “new” while some among older generations fixate on what’s considered “in”, an attempt to not be out of style, but which eventually leads them back to trends and fashions they already experienced and participated in. Culture isn’t a single line, it’s a circle. Want To Support Picture Perfect City? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mannglenn You Can Listen To Picture Perfect City Radio on Apple Spotify Amazon and Google. Note: The photo I chose for this episode is also part of the cover for a music EP I produced and released in 2021 called Excursions: Volume 1, under the name The Artist Price, it’s five instrumental tracks created for groove oriented contemplation and relaxation and it’s available on Apple and Spotify and all major music streaming platforms This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pictureperfectcity.substack.com

  2. 11/12/2022

    Picture Perfect City Radio: Odyssey Opportunity

    For the latest episode of Picture Perfect City Radio, I’m talking about what I call odyssey opportunity, a self given universal license that practicing photography can provide, but what is it? A camera in your hand invites exploration, a journey that can lead to many paths. I also talk about the presence of the camera and the photographer and what role that plays in documenting experiences and people. In the world of physics there is the observer effect, the thought that observing an object or event can invoke change, an idea that’s no stranger to human behavior and is part of this odyssey opportunity. Somewhere Midtown West (2017) What did’t I say on the podcast? When I think of legendary documentary photographers like Gordon Parks and Robert Frank and others held in that same high regard, one of the first things that comes to my mind in relation to their work is empathy. I think an appreciation and understanding of our shared humanity is just an important as equipment or technique. Is it too sentimental to see the lens as an extension of the heart? And of course odyssey opportunities are not exclusive to documentary and street photography. The first artist that really opened my eyes to how wide and expansive photography could be as a storytelling medium is conceptual artist Cindy Sherman, whose iconic self portraits have inspired a generation of artists. Sherman along with others from the Pictures Generation, in addition to the works of Alex Prager are constant reminders to me that the camera can take you everywhere from reality to imagination and all that resides in between. You can listen to Picture Perfect City Radio on Apple and Spotify Want To Support Picture Perfect City? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pictureperfectcity.substack.com

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A photographic journey in and through NY pictureperfectcity.substack.com