Photography is Nothing

In Episode 54 of Photography is Nothing, Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken explore the remarkable photography of Adger Cowans, a pioneering photographer whose work spans street photography, documentary photography, portraiture, jazz, fine art, and more than 30 motion picture sets.

From his early days in Columbus, Ohio, to assisting Gordon Parks in New York City, Cowans built an extraordinary career documenting everyday life, capturing cultural icons, and finding beauty in unexpected places. We look at some of his most compelling images, including his evocative street photographs, expressive portraits, experiments with light and abstraction, and behind-the-scenes photographs...

Zach & Courtney take the family to New York City for the first time. Over the past few years, Zach has been working regularly in New York, but the rest of the family (Courtney included) had yet to visit the city.

In this episode, we talk about experiencing New York with our five kids. We visit spots like Times Square, Battery Park, Chinatown, the 9/11 Memorial, Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History, and more! 

This show is packed with photos from Zach, video clips from Courtney, and some images b...

In this interview with Australian photographic artist Tajette O’Halloran, we talk about the inspiration behind her projects like In Australia, The Quarry, and Regional Rituals. She talks about her difficult upbringing in the Northern Rivers area, and how that put her on a path to tell the stories of adolescence. 

We also talk about parenting, incorporating our kids into our art, and her practice of incorporating both film & digital into her work.

Based in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia, Tajette’s photography ranges from documentary to portraiture to conce...

Tajette O’Halloran is a photographic artist based in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia. Her work ranges from documentary to portraiture to conceptual. The common thread is examining adolescence and identity; both her own and others’.

Tajette’s projects include In Australia, where she revisits her hometown and creates scenes reminiscent of her youth, and the ongoing The Quarry, a series of portraits of young people at a local swimming spot. Her most recent project is Regional Rituals, commissioned by Powerhouse, a museum in Sydney, Australia.

This episode is an int...

In this 50TH episode, Zach & Courtney talk about what they’ve learned so far from running a photography business, starting a podcast, raising 5 kids, homeschooling, and just being generally busy making things for 20 years.

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

Index

0:00 - Grow or die

1:40 - Starting a business

4:31 - Courtney & Zach had the same idea

5:57 - Starting a life after college

12:46 - We had abandoned our intuition

17:04 - Starting our own business...

Episode 49 - In this episode Zach & Courtney talk about how football and photography came up together since the late 1800s. We can see how as the technology advanced, the style of photography changed as well.

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

Index

0:00 - Film becomes the subject of the photo.

3:49 - The oldest football photo I could find. Old division football.

5:06 - Earliest football photos were mostly posed & portraits.

7:29 - Early action photos, college and professional footbal...

US Copyright laws exist to protect artists and their art. Zach & Courtney take copyright seriously and have retained the copyright for all of Zach’s photography since the beginning of their business.

In this episode of Photography is Nothing, Zach & Courtney talk about famous court cases involving photographers protecting their copyright as a means to teach how these laws benefit photographers and other artists.

Cases discussed include:

Zach & Courtney interview Christopher Morris, a documentary photographer who has covered war, politics, and fashion since 1981.

In this interview, Morris talks about being mistaken for a CIA agent, living with the consequences of witnessing atrocities firsthand, working to make sure his vast archive lives on, and more.

Christopher Morris got his start with the Black Star agency covering conflicts in the Philippines, Panama, the Persian Gulf War, Yugoslavia, Chechnya, Yemen, Iraq, and more. 

Largely leaving war photography behind in the early 2000s, Morris covered t...

Christopher Morris is a documentary photographer who has covered wars, politics, and fashion since 1981. In this episode, Courtney & Zach introduce Morris’s photography ahead of next week’s interview with the photographer.

Christopher Morris got his start with the Black Star agency covering conflicts in the Philippines, Panama, the Persian Gulf War, Yugoslavia, Chechnya, Yemen, Iraq, and more. 

Largely leaving war photography behind in the early 2000s, Morris covered the Bush and Obama administrations for Time Magazine. He left Black Star in 2001 and was one of the founding members of VI...

Episode 45 • Kiliii Yüyan

Zach & Courtney interview Kiliii Yüyan, National Geographic photographer, Explorer, and speaker. Kiliii’s work focuses on indigenous communities around the world with special attention to environmental issues.

Indigenous Photography

Kiliii is himself of Chinese and Nanai/Hèzhé descent and speaks often of how his own background informs his photography with Indigenous people of the world. He spends extended periods with each group of people that he photographs, building relationships and serving as an active member of the communities.

Kiliii has phot...

Zach & Courtney introduce you to the work of Kiliii Yüyan, National Geographic photographer. Kiliii’s work focuses on indigenous communities around the world with special attention to environmental issues.

This week we talk about Kiliii’s background and some of his best known work so you’ll be familiar with his photography and approach before our next episode, an in-depth interview with Yüyan.

In February 2026, Kiliii published a new book: Guardians of Life: Indigenous Knowledge, Indigenous Science, and Restoring the Planet. 

“Photography is nothing–...

Zach & Courtney talk about supporting their kids taking photos. Zach has always been open to letting kids use his professional cameras, even if it made him nervous at first. 

ICYMI, Zach & Courtney ARE married! They have 5 kids together, who have free rein with cameras whenever they ask. 

In this episode, Zach & Courtney talk about how they work to support their kids’ creativity and individual styles without putting their own personal preferences and aesthetics onto the kids’ photography.

Episode 43

“Photography is nothi...

Episode 42 - Zach & Courtney go through the best photos of the 2026 World Cup so far. And by “best” they mean the photos they like the most.

There are a lot of great storylines that have unfolded early in the tournament and Zach & Courtney get into their favorite photos of these stories and moments.

Photos include Cape Verde goalie Vozinha, watch parties around the world, Lumumba Vea, and a great photo of Ronaldo that was posted to his account without first obtaining permission from the photographer.

“P...

Episode 41 - Zach & Courtney have talked about Larry Fink on multiple occasions, so wanted to have an episode dedicated to him.

The photography of Larry Fink was documentary in nature and full of social & class commentary. His most famous series, Social Graces, put images of Manhattan socialites of the 70s & 80s alongside images of the Sabatine family living in rural Pennsylvania. 

He also photographed social activism of the 60s & 70s, boxing in the 80s & 90s, the famous Vanity Fair Oscar parties in the early 2000s, and behind the scenes a...

Episode 40 - Zach & Courtney talk about Lourdes Grobet, an amazing Mexican photographer whose best known work is her nearly 40 years of documenting lucha libre, Mexican wrestling.

Grobet’s work isn’t just unique because of the subject matter. She did a mix of action, documentary, behind-the-scenes, and portraiture, all with great skill.

Other series by Grobet includes Paisajes Pintados (Painted Landscapes) and Laboratorio de Teatro Campesino e Indígena (Peasant and Indigenous Theater Laboratory).

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

Episode 39 - Zach & Courtney talk about PaJaMa collective, made up of painters & photographers Paul Cadmus, Jared French, and Margaret French. Between 1937 and the mid 1950s, they created a set of photos that feel like summer. 

This episode about PaJaMa is also a great way to celebrate Pride Month, as the artists are credited as being the first queer art collective on Fire Island, NY.

In this episode, we look through their vast archive of images, talk about how their painting styles were reflected in their photographs, and address the i...

Episode 38 - Zach & Courtney talk about photographer Joel Meyerowitz and his project Cape Light. This series, created in 1976-77 in Cape Cod, is a fantastic and nostalgic look at what summer feels like. 

Joel Meyerowitz is an early adapter of color photography in an era when “serious” art photographers chose black & white film. He is primarily known as a street photographer, but for this seminal series, now 50 years old, he put down the 35mm camera in favor of a massive 8x10 view camera, forcing himself to take a slower and more introspective approach. 

...

Episode 37 - Zach & Courtney head to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for their annual trek to the famed Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, aka the Indy 500. This episode is a visual experience! You have to see the sights through video clips and photos.

This is Neve’s first Indy 500, so we were all very excited to show her what it’s like, especially her older siblings Henry and Louisa, who are practically race pros by now.

In this episode we walk and talk and take you into the crowds so you can get...

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 pr...

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...

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 wh...

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 spectato...

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, li...

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...

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 b...

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 - Wi...

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 - Ge...

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<...

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…

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… 

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… 

We also take an historical look at Olympics editorial photoshoots by Annie Leibovitz, Bruce Weber, and Ryan...

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...

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 (bal...

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 a...

Episode 20 - Cats have been a part of photography since its beginnings. As early as the 1870s, people have been taking silly photos of cats in costumes or staged scenes.

In this episode, we look at the beginnings of cat photography, technology that was developed from a scientist studying cats, and some very commercially successful cat photographers. We even bought a photo book expressly for this episode!

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

Index

0:00 - Intro - Hemingw...

Episode 19 - Indiana University is our alma mater and we love it! After IU football's Rose Bowl victory over Alabama, we decided to talk about our love for the school on this week's episode.

In addition to football, we talk basketball (of course), soccer, Little 500, plus architecture, school history, and famous programs like the Kinsey Institute.

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

Index

0:00 - Zach likes the tuba part from IU's fight song.

1:18 - Indiana Footbal...

Episode 18 - In this episode Zach & Courtney talk about how football and photography came up together since the late 1800s. We can see how as the technology advanced, the style of photography changed as well.

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

Index

0:00 - Film becomes the subject of the photo.

0:51 - Welcome to Photography is Nothing! Today we talk football.

2:34 - Watch the podcast for the full experience.

3:51 - The oldest football photo I could find. Old div...

Episode 17 - In this episode Zach & Courtney talk about two photographers with opposite approaches of photographing the science of winter.

Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley photographed closeup images of single snowflakes in the early era of photography (1885-1931). Esther Horvath is a photographer working today documenting climate science research, taking a broad view of the planet that spans its entire history.

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

Index

0:00 - Photographers contributing to winter and snow research.

2:26 - Introductio...

Episode 16 - It’s that time of year when the sun sets early and we photographers are forced to practice our low light skills. Candlelight is not very bright and often inconsistent, but it’s one of the best sources for creating warm, cozy, moody, contrasty light. 

In this episode Zach & Courtney talk about how to photograph with candlelight and what makes it effective.

Zach has lots of practice with candlelight while photographing events like A Merry Prairie Holiday at Conner Prairie in Fishers, Indiana. Zach & Courtney also look at so...

Episode 15 - Photographers love to talk about bokeh. So let's get into it. We talk about the origins of the word and just how recently this came into the photography lexicon.

Also, more important to us than how it works from a technical standpoint is how it's used in photos to direct a viewer's eye or tell a story.

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

Index

0:00 - We’re in a new location

1:43 - Today’s topic: Bo...