Articles

In this 2025 interview, legendary portrait photographer and magazine founder Rankin discusses his exploration of artificial intelligence in image making. Despite initial skepticism, Rankin embraced AI to create his project FAIK—a physical magazine and exhibition centered on AI's impact on photography. He describes a complex emotional journey, grappling with excitement and fear about AI's potential to redefine creativity. Rankin highlights the democratization of image-making enabled by technology and believes authentic photography will become more valuable, even as AI-generated imagery evolves. He remains committed to photography, adapting to new tools while reflecting critically on their implications. Read Article

This exclusive interview delves into the world of photography through the perspective of Rankin, one of the most respected and celebrated photographers in the industry. He shares insights into his approach and experiences while capturing iconic images of cultural figures. The discussion highlights his artistic vision and the impact of his work on contemporary photography. Read Article

Rankin discusses his new book, Marco Antonio X Rankin, which highlights his creative collaboration with make-up artist Marco Antonio. The book features a mix of vibrant colors and Rankin’s signature humor, showcasing the evolving ways beauty is used as a powerful form of self-expression. Their work challenges traditional beauty norms by emphasizing natural features and exploring makeup as an artistic frame rather than mere enhancement. One notable image from the book was part of a British Heart Foundation campaign raising awareness about heart disease through social media. Read Article

Photographer Raymond Meeks discusses his evolving sense of wonder in photography, emphasizing the recursive nature of inspiration and the challenge of balancing attention amid modern distractions. He highlights the creative process as a call-and-response between the inner world and the forms he discovers. Meeks advises artists struggling with editing to persevere and seek feedback from a trusted few. His workshop focuses on slowing the viewing experience to deepen perception, and his work is deeply influenced by the Hudson Valley, where he explores intimate, small orbits. He views his next book as the truest representation of his artistic growth. Read Article

Raymond Meeks, featured in the exhibition “Immersion” at the International Center of Photography, discusses his 2022 photobook “The Inhabitants,” which explores themes without a linear narrative, blending images with poetry. Meeks emphasizes the collaborative relationship between text and photography, the importance of chance in the darkroom printing process, and how his artistic approach evolves with personal growth. He reflects on the impact of analog photography against digital methods, the necessity of leaving interpretive space for the viewer, and the influence of American myth and masculinity in his work. His upcoming projects will involve a return to film and a redefined creative process. Read Article

In this interview, Raymond Meeks discusses his journey and creative process in photobook making. Drawing inspiration from children’s books and artists, Meeks explains how early experiences shaped his approach to narrative and imagery in book form. He emphasizes working closely with trusted collaborators while maintaining creative control to preserve momentum. Meeks views his audience primarily as fellow artists and values photobooks as a medium capable of developing emotional and cultural connections. He also reflects on the significance of personal focus over global reach and the subtle integration of writing within photographic works. Read Article

Lisa Kristine is an adventurer, humanitarian, and fine art photographer known for her impactful work documenting modern-day slavery. Her photography captures both the devastating and beautiful aspects of this hidden global crisis. Featured internationally, she remains an independent artist whose work is a call to awareness. This podcast episode explores her experiences on the frontlines of slavery, the artistic process behind her photos, and her perspectives on spirituality, photography, and life. It complements other episodes revealing the shocking reality of human trafficking worldwide. Read Article

Candida Höfer, a German photographer born in 1944, is known for her photographs of architectural interiors such as museums, libraries, theaters, and churches, which are characterized by luminosity, symmetry, proportion, and an existential silence. A student of the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf under Bernd and Hilla Becher, Höfer initially worked with street and community portraits but later shifted focus to empty spaces, emphasizing the presence of absence and the spatial beauty in her large-format color photographs. Her work highlights the psychological and social aspects of architecture, avoiding human figures to enhance the contemplative quality of her images. Read Article

Alexander Nemerov, an art history scholar, discusses Lewis Hine's photography, which documented child labor in the late 19th century and influenced child labor law reforms. Nemerov’s recent exhibition at the Cantor Arts Center and his book, Soulmaker: The Life and Times of Lewis Hine, offer a contemporary perspective on Hine’s emotionally powerful images. Nemerov also collaborated with photographer Jason Francisco to photograph sites featured in Hine’s work as they appear today, highlighting themes of memory and loss. The interview explores Hine’s artistic significance beyond his role as a documentarian. Read Article

Erik Hijweege, a photographer and ambrotypist, created a compelling series titled “Endangered, On Ice,” featuring ambrotypes of endangered animal species frozen on ice. Inspired by the discovery of a nearly perfectly preserved frozen mammoth, Hijweege used the fragile wet plate collodion process to capture the animals’ fragile existence. Collaborating with the Dutch Natural History Museum and the IUCN Red List, Hijweege highlights the beauty and vulnerability of species like the Sumatran Tiger and Asian Elephant. His goal is to raise awareness and encourage preservation efforts through artistic expression. Read Article

Lisa McCord is a fine art and documentary photographer known for her evocative works inspired by her upbringing in the Arkansas Delta. This exclusive interview covers her journey into photography, starting with creative experiments in high school and studies at New York University. She shares insights into her prominent project Rotan Switch, which documents life on her grandparents' cotton farm and has been published as a book. The interview also discusses McCord's choice of black and white film, her favorite photographs, community reactions, and her future projects focused on personal storytelling. Read Article

Andrea Modica is recognized as a prominent photographer of her generation, known for her long-term projects that often span many years and deeply explore personal and cultural themes. Her recent exhibition "Extended Moments" and the book "As We Wait," edited by Larry Fink, highlight her continued dedication to black-and-white large-format photography and platinum printing. Modica discusses the emotional and intuitive process behind her work, the role of trauma in concluding projects, and the significance of working with traditional photographic methods. She also reflects on her artistic connection to Italy and how it influences her creative expression. Read Article