In episode six of Zone Focused: a Street Photography Podcast, the gang kicks it and chats about recent and upcoming events, as well as their latest camera acquisitions. Then, the focus shifts to tips for those looking to get more comfortable on the street – comfortable with interactions, confrontations, ethics, self-esteem, and all the other things that can get in between us and taking a photograph.

• 00:00 – Introduction, Updates, Events
• 10:00 – "Shot Both Ways" gallery
• 16:00 – New camera day for Matt (Nikon) and Ryan (Leica)
• 18:00 – Benefits of a monochrome sensor
• 29:30 – Main discussion: getting more comfortable as a street photographer
• 39:45 – Ethics of photographing children
• 42:00 – Getting reps at busy events
• 44:30 – Acknowledging and interacting with people on the street
• 48:00 – Ethics of photographing hardship
• 59:00 – Documenting versus creating art
• 64:00 – Listener Write-In Q&A
• 84:30 – Instagram Live Q&A
• 89:00 – Outro

In episode five of Zone Focused: a Street Photography Podcast, "Goodyear Ryan" returns, and the gang catches up on recent events and moments on the street. Then, a deep dive into the topic of flash photography on the street: techniques, settings, ethics, styles and more. Plus, some listener Q&A's to wrap up the show.

• 00:00 – Introduction
• 3:30 – Goodyear Ryan's first experience with flash
• 7:30 – Matt's work for Adorama at WPPI
• 15:30 – Ryan's photowalk with FujixWeekly and Nuzira in Downtown Phoenix
• 22:30 – Main Discussion – flash photography on the street
• 24:00 – Understanding shutter speeds, sync speeds, and leaf shutters
• 31:00 – What are "stops" anyway?
• 37:00 – Off camera flash, confrontations, and flash "styles"
• 44:00 – Listener Q&A
• 57:00 – Outro

In episode four of Zone Focused: a Street Photography Podcast, Matt and "Dowtown Ryan" sit down with Zack Kaufman (@thingsibrought), a street photographer doing meaningful work on the streets of Phoenix, Arizona. The gang hangs out and talks about Zack's evolution in photography, diving into topics ranging from settings for beginners, the value of dark room printing and photography classes, social media, imposter syndrome, and more.

To hear and see more from Zack, check out his Instagram @thingsibrought

• 00:00 – Introduction
• 4:00 – Value of photography classes
• 9:30 – Cameras, gear, film that Zack uses for film and digital
• 16:30 – The evolution of Zack's approach to street photography
• 22:30 – Settings for beginners – should you shoot in automatic or manual?
• 25:45 – Zack's influences: Rueben Radding, Paulie B's videos, Billy Dee
• 30:00 – Studying photographs and photographers
• 35:00 – Zine swaps, Zack's first zine, and imposter syndrome
• 45:30 – Thoughts on social media in photography
• 59:30 – Separating your identity from your photography, and the value of having your photos critiqued
• 59:00 – The value of darkroom printing
• 71:00 – Closing thoughts – why street phography?

In episode three of Zone Focused: a Street Photography Podcast, the gang goes around the horn with updates from a week of shooting, and then debates and discusses one of the hottest topics in popular street photography today: film versus digital. Which is better? Which is harder? What is the best way to get started? And how does ISO work in film? Also discussed is black and white photography versus color, the benefits of monochrome sensors, and much more.

Episode 3: The One with the Battle Between Film and Digital

• 00:30 – Introduction and updates from the group
• 8:00 – Matt's upcoming work for Adorama; studio portaits with the Graflex and Instax film
• 15:00 – Recommendations for getting into portraiture; lighting, YouTube, Josh Wool, Phil Sharp, Richard Avedon
• 18:00 – Nuzira and FujiXWeekly Photowalk in Phoenix, Arpil 2025
• 20:00 – Main Discussion: Film vs. Digital
• 31:00 – Black and White vs. Color – digial and film
• 31:30 – Monochrome sensors vs. color to B&W conversions
• 36:45 – Explainer on Film ISO; box speeds, pushing, and pulling
• 41:30 – Matt and Ryan's favorite film stocks
• 44:00 – Color grading RAW files versus Film Simulation Recipes versus true film
• 52:00 – New film camera options available today and innovations we hope to see in film photography
• 58:30 – Is film a fad?
• 62:00 – Does shooting film make you a better photographer?
• 69:00 – Tips for folks looking to get into film photography
• 74:00 – Outro

In episode two of Zone Focused: a Street Photography Podcast, the gang checks in with some stories from the last week of shooting on the streets, and then dives deep into the art (and social gymnastics) of street portraiture. Also discussed are photo projects, shooting street in rural and small towns, and the work of Mary Ellen Mark.

Episode 2: The One About the Creek

• 00:30 – Podcast Introduction, sharing that day's experiences of shooting on the streets, and the "shot that got away"
• 9:00 – Street portraiture experience
• 11:00 – Biggest fear in street portraiture
• 13:30 – Using a 28mm lens for portraits, choosing your subjects
• 17:15 – Posing people on the street, connecting with folks, and capturing emotions
• 20:00 – Mary Ellen Mark's documentary portaiture, and getting a deep level of connecting in a brief moment on the street
• 24:30 – Matt's street portraiture process from start to finish, and his "secret sauce" for a street portrait
• 31:00 – Mary Ellen Mark and environmental portraits
• 34:30 – Recent confrontations on the street
• 43:30 – Shooting in different environments; Metro-area Phoenix, rural Florida, and really-rural Iowa; Popcorn Days and "the crick"
• 49:45 – Shooting in your home town
• 59:00 – Our "dream" photo project
• 67:00 – Outro

Welcome to the pilot episode of Zone Focused: a Street Photography Podcast – a place for street photographers to just hang out and talk about all things street photography. From the art and the science behind discipline, to it's history, present, and beyond; from gear to printing and developing, to funny stories and invaluable experiencs, co-hosts Matthew Stella, Ryan Currie, and Ryan Faer cover it all.

Episode 1: The One Where the Gang Starts a Podcast

• 00:45 – Podcast Introduction
• 01:15 – Ice Breaker: brand loyalty and our history with cameras
• 04:00 – The quest to get an X100VI and Shooting on Leica
• 07:30 – Our first cameras and lenses shooting on the street
• 14:30 – Personal Introductions: who are we and why are we here?
• 32:30 – What draws you to the street?
• 36:30 – How much is too much post-processing, manipulating?
• 39:00 – Ryan F's style and influences
• 42:00 – Ryan C's process
• 44:00 – Getting comfortable with getting up close, confontations, and shooting from the hip
• 61:00 – Tips for getting started on the street: cameras, lenses, mindsets
• 65:00 – Getting into the scene with a 24/28mm lens; Garry Winogrand and "building the scene"
• 68:00 – Our plans for the podcast