Shows
Photography is NothingTennessee - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCrackenEpisode 12 - This week Zach & Courtney visit Tennessee, both literally and photographically. They discuss Zach’s photos from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, view historical images from the Tennessee Valley Authority, and learn about the incredible Tennessee-based photographer Stacy Kranitz.“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index0:00 - Intro - I’m not old, I had a Nintendo!2:18 - Not much for kids to do in Nashville2:59 - The Parthenon in Nashville built in 18974:22 - Spending one day in Great Smoky Mountains National Park8:12 - Zach photographs the national parks to document how people use...
2025-09-1751 minPhotography is NothingRoad Trip! - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCrackenEpisode 11 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss photographing road trips, including Zach’s photos on the road and in the Florida Keys, plus Joel Sternfeld’s project from the 1970s and 80s, American Prospects.“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index0:00 - Intro - Missing a great moment because he ran out of film0:45 - We loved road trips growing up3:18 - Road trips were more fun/dangerous in the 80s & 90s4:43 - Zach’s photos from rest sto...
2025-09-0337 minPhotography is NothingState Fair - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCrackenEpisode 10 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss their visit to the Indiana State Fair plus Zach’s project documenting fairs & festivals around the state of Indiana over the last 15 years. They also look at some photography of fairs by some of the all time greats like Danny Lyon, Inge Morath, Garry Winogrand, and others!“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index0:00 - Zach got scammed.2:33 - Zach and Courtney visit the Indiana State Fair.5:33 - How to find the best fair food.9:55 - How much it...
2025-08-2031 minPhotography is NothingBackstory - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCrackenEpisode 09 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss starting a photography business and a family at the same time and how they work to fully integrate their lives together.“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson NotesWhere it says, “Photo stories with the family,” on the screen from 35:31 until the end, what that means is for every one of those images, we were all together as a family, or Zach was out with the kids. Clearly some of the photos h...
2025-08-0746 minPhotography is NothingIconic Album Covers Part Two - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCrackenEpisode 08 - This week Zach & Courtney follow up with comments from last week’s album choices and discuss everything from lawsuits to successful collaborations between photographers and musicians.“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson INDEX0:00 - Intro - Be more interesting!2:30 - Following up on comments about The Beatles Abbey Road conspiracies.6:57 - We each have one Mandela Effect we believe.10:06 - Our thoughts on the Nirvana Nevermind alum cover.13:43 - Album covers that had lawsuits filed: Dido’s Safe Trip Home and Vampir...
2025-07-3043 minPhotography is NothingEight Iconic Album Covers - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCrackenEpisode 07 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss 8 iconic album covers and the stories behind them. They define what makes an “iconic” album cover, analyze the photos, tell how they were made, who the photographers were, and some of the myths that formed around the images.“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index0:00 - Intro - Zach’s brush with Free Jazz0:31 - We will call photographers out on their poor behavior. Including W. Eugene Smith. 1:47 - Today’s topic: Eight Iconic Album Covers.2:15 - How d...
2025-07-2347 minPhotography is NothingPhoto Stories That Went Too Far - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCrackenEpisode 06 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss photography projects that became obsessive, including Japanese photographer Masahisa Fukase’s Ravens, Catherine Leroy’s coverage of the Vietnam War, W. Eugene Smith documenting Pittsburg for two years, and Zach’s own project of photographing lost golf balls in the woods and the creek.**NOTES**- W. Eugene Smith’s Country Doctor story was photographed in Kremmling, Colorado.- It’s true the W. Eugene Smith would copy his correspondence for posterity.- The first woman photographer to win a Guggenheim grant was...
2025-07-1645 minPhotography is NothingThe Only Revolution is Within - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCrackenEpisode 05 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss everyday photography, Zach’s 180 on fireworks photos, an important quote that influenced Courtney, and the work of photographers Sally Mann and Larry Fink.“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index0:00 - Showing after every trip to the grocery store.0:19 - This is a podcast about photography and everything else.0:57 - We’re getting great feedback on the podcast!2:43 - Irish accents make Courtney feel cozy.3:43 - Question: What photo...
2025-07-1053 minPhotography is NothingYou Should Monetize Your Hobbies - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCrackenEpisode 04 - This week Zach & Courtney discuss monetizing hobbies, the importance of consent, taking photos when we travel as a family, drawing people in public, and more!“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index 0:00 - This is a VIDEO podcast. 0:47 - We lost some video last week.2:21 - Shoutouts to Erik and LeAnn3:35 - You should monetize your hobbies.4:41 - Do you have to monetize something to make it worth doing?7:56 - We start...
2025-07-021h 10Photography is NothingYour Purpose is to Create - Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCrackenThis week Zach & Courtney discuss how every single person is meant to create, a Pacers game 7 loss, what makes for a great summer photo, and more!“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index0:00 - Indiana is subtropical0:59 - Indiana is SAD1:46 - We love the Pacers3:45 - We went to a Pacers watch party + life in a midsize city4:38 - This is Photography is Nothing, Courtney has a rabbit.5:56 - Zach’s Pacers watch party photos 📷9:06 - How to take photos that feel like summer 📷14:40 - Great summer photos from other photographers 📷15:12 - Photo: Martine Franck. “...
2025-06-2650 minPhotography is NothingAI is Getting Dumber - Photography Is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCrackenThis week Zach & Courtney discuss how AI is eating itself, photographing kids in the style of a war photographer, how famous women are remembered for their trauma, and more!“Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index0:00 - Courtney & Zach debate how to pronounce "moire"0:26 - Zach thought he didn’t get any good photos but he did2:05 - Courtney thew a Nerf battle birthday party & Zach was surprised about the photos he took 📷 5:49 - How Nerf war photos were influenced by war photographers 📷 10:07 - Photographers want people to see large versions of their photos 11:22 - Zach can tel...
2025-06-1842 minPhotography is NothingIt's Easy to Start a Podcast - Photography Is Nothing with Zach Dobson & Courtney McCrackenWelcome to our very first episode of Photography is Nothing! This week Zach & Courtney discuss starting a podcast, literally dropping a $5000 camera, attending & photographing the Indy 500, documenting the neighborhood swim team, and more!"Photography is nothing–it's life that interests me.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson Index0:00 - Intro: Talking photography at you is boring 2:22 - Courtney & Zach take a trip to the 2025 Indianapolis 5003:52 - It's easy to start a podcast 7:12 - Our favorite part of the 5008:30 - Zach's Indy 500 photos 📷 9:55 - Remember: your first photos...
2025-06-1836 min