Episode #85 - "By Your Command" - In the Feed
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 7:38AM Our latest episode is alive in the feed and directly available here.
Frederick's interview this week is with Jeff Jochum of SmugMug.
We open the show this week with our friend, Scott Bourne, discussing PhotoFocus. This should answer everyone's questions about the new site, Scott's new podcast, some history and the plan for the future. (Hint: it's all good and always has been... so maybe the word "split" can finally be put to rest now). :)
Naturally, we discuss a bit of industry news, our picks of the week and Scott joins us for the listener questions at the bottom of the show.
More to come... working on a few things to appear in the coming hours and days. :)
- Aaron
NOTE: For the reasons explained in my post a few days ago, this entry announces and links to the new show, but we won't create an actual #85 entry in the Show Notes section until our notes writers have completed the full notes. Look for that entry to appear soon (automatically if you follow it via RSS).
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Reader Comments (19)
The site looks so much better with the original TWIP logo! Just sayin' :)
The small faint white font against the black background is difficult to read and causes eye strain.
I still like a white background.
I enjoyed the podcast from the first show and continue to be a big fan. Great work and thank you to all concerned.
I did want to make a comment about this episode. I, for one, enjoy the conversation and a feeling of coming to know the presenters a bit. That includes the jocularity. But in this episode we were about twenty two minutes in before the show really started with conversation about photography and photography news. That seems a bit much. I think the show would benefit from a little tightening up.
I may well be a minority of one with this opinion and I'm sure I'll continue to listen regardless. Just a bit of feedback. Thank you again, guys.
Now that you have put to rest rumors of a break up, shall we refer to any continuing insinuations of a split as "The Bourne Conspiracy" in honor of Robert Ludlum?
I commend your efforts to build this new site. But, the black/reverse page style is very difficult to read and enjoy. I really liked the page style of the TWIP site much better.
hey guys! Thanks for explaining all the changes in the podcast, things make much more sense now, sorry for our misunderstanding during the transition!
twiplog.com is looking a lot better with the new work! one thing I would like to point out is the empty "white space" in the header. It would look significantly better if it were made in such a way to fill in the empty space. Just a suggestion!
Look forward to more great work! thanks guys!
Thanks, Scott.
We're discussing the blank space now. It's potentially going to be either artwork or banners.
Think we're all still circling around the room, squinting at it and debating what to hang there. :)
- Aaron
I still maintain there is some underhanded dirty business going on! I'm calling for a congressional investigation!
(j/k)
I can't wait until Photofocus launches, I was really excited when I heard the format is going to be strict QA. Should be a nice complement to TWIP. There is a shortage of really good, general purpose, regularly updated, photography podcasts. It'll be nice to get a new one to look forward to each week.
I can see the new Congressional Podcast Hearings. Scott with his hand over the mic conferring with his counsel. Scores of photographers on the floor between the politicians and us cranking away.
:)
I think our formats will be complementary. And, as Scott pointed out in this week's show, there is no lack of space in the podcasting scene. Absolutely no reason why we can't collectively broaden everybody's options if we all do a good job with our respective shows. :)
My two cents...
- Aaron
Hey guys,
Just like to say that I do like the black background. Photos defiantly look better with a dark background. Did you consider 18% grey? ;-) I'm sure Alex did.
I think the text could be a shade brighter though, possibly a point or two bigger and the blue links are just a little too dark to read without leaning in. I know I'm being picky but you did invite us to make suggestions...
Anyway good job on the new site so far - and hey, keep the jocularity coming, perhaps Joe R (above) would like to see a jocularity timer installed so there is a cap on it! A jocularity judge? I for one could listen to the banter all day.
Cheers,
Dave
Hi. Overall, I enjoy the show...
HOWEVER, have you considered changing the name of the show to "This Week in WEDDING Photography" ? You don't seem to talk about anything else these days and frankly, it's starting to get tiresome.
Namasté,
george
George,
We know... (link)
- Aaron
I agree with the comment about wedding photography. I do really enjoy those interviews, and I know that so much of professional photography is event photography, but can we get some interviews on other subjects? Landscape, creative process, sports, lighting, whatever?
Keep up the great work,
Phil
Please. Please. The show has to be shorter. The show is 30-40 minutes longer than it used to be, and there ain't 30-40 minutes worth of extra show there.
It gives me no pleasure to complain on an internet message board. But before I completely quit listening to the show because it has become so slow and long and boring, some suggestions:
1. You can introduce the cast at the top of the show in 1 minute or less. I know this is true because every other podcast in the world manages it.
2. The picks of the week should be 1 minute each. If you can't explain why a tripod is good in one minute, than don't. Pick something else. This segment should be 5 minutes total.
3. It's not the jocularity people mind, Fred, it's that you laugh at your own jokes. You do it because you're nervous, which is understandable, because you don't have a lot of experience hosting a show. But please quit it. You could be great at this, and I like you, I do, but the laughing at your own jokes has to stop.
4. Edit the interviews down to 20 minutes. No one you are interviewing is worth 40-60 minutes. Which is not that they're not interesting people. They are! But they are photogrpahers, and as such can be dull, meandering speakers of the English language. You're making them seem boring by not editing the interviews down and cutting everything but the most interesting, sparkling Qs and As. Right now, the interviews are unlistenable. Their signal to noise ratio is very very low.
5. Quit complaining about irritating commenters and emailers (such as myself, perhaps) on the air. Rise above the fray, like the gentlemen you are. Hearing Scott or whoever complain about people complaining about him is as unpleasant and uninteresting as I'm sure reading those complaints was for him in the first place.
6. You really want to lead the show with your linking contest? That's your opener? Now I'm getting a bit petty, I admit, but come on. You lead the show by explaining your linking contest? That's the best foot you're putting forward? Get the show started already. Bore me later.
I apologize for giving a long rant of unwanted advice on an internet message board. Stepping back and looking at myself for a moment, I realize that I have gone insane. Apologies all around. But that said, all of my points are completely correct and quite perceptive, and I hope you adopt them, or do anything to get the show down to 60 minutes again.
Think of it this way: It's not easy for a show to lose Alex and Scott as full-time contributors, two quite engaging personalities, and break in a neophyte host at the same time. How you meet that challenge, I don't know. But nearly doubling the length of the show is not it.
Hey Wimby - You have your opinion (don't we all) - what's stopping you from stepping forward and producing the show or even setting up your own?
Best wishes
Stephen
"Producer" Wimby - Don't ruin the show! I LOVE the longer format! I LOVE the jocularity and rapport you guys have! The great thing about todays technology is the ability to fast forward when things get too annoying (as I do when Scott gets too Scott) so everybody can enjoy the show in their own way.
I'd love to hear more about the picks of the week - it is currently a throw away and I'd rather hear why it it your pick so I can decide if I want to try it.
If Scott Didn't complain he would say anything at all, not a bad thing but some people like him so again I refer you to the the fast forward button...
Over all, I truly enjoy the show and wish it were a daily podcast, but then again I listen to podcast for hours a day so... ANYWAY Keep up the great work guys and I Would listen for twice as long if I could!
I agree with Wimby on almost all his points especially Fred's laughing. If you pick a random part of any podcast there is a good chance it is Fred laughing, this has been over done. Other thing I agree on is get those guests introduced quickly and save the "inside baseball" for before taping the show or put it as an extra after the show.
I agree with Wimby. Regarding Scott: well, Scott is a little 'scotty', like it or not. This might be boring for some, but since he's not on the show too often its not a lethal dose. I have nothing against using jocularity to relax your conversation - but I don't like how it seems to replace the message. At least bring more quality content, then I won't complain about you loughing at your own jokes.