Prime Lenses

Episode 131 - Graham Niven 13.09.2026 1t 3min

Mentioned in this episodePeopleColin Prior — cited as one of the landscape photographers whose 1990s work first caught Graham's eye, before that kind of image became common in the social media era · colinprior.co.ukJocelyn Bain Hogg — London-based documentary photographer known for his books on British organised crime, The Firm and The Family · theviifoundation.orgMartin Parr — referenced as one of the few photographers who can "get away with" a heavy, unflattering flash aesthetic on his subjects · martinparr.comJames Popsys — landscape photographer and YouTuber based in Snowdonia, Wales, cited for his discipline of carrying a bag deliberately too small to fit his camera; a future guest on the show · jamespopsys.comPlacesNethy Bridge — the Cairngorms village where both Graham and Iain live, and home to Graham's Arbor Gallery · WikipediaTorridon / Liathach — the mountain and viewpoint (seen from Beinn Alligin) behind Graham's punishing winter hike story · Liathach — WikipediaThe Cuillins — the Skye mountain range referenced both as a backdrop and in Graham's composited "Madeira and Cuillin" image · WikipediaCoire an t-Sneachda — a corrie on the Cairngorm Plateau where Graham photographed wind-whipped snow and a reindeer herd · WikipediaSt Kilda, including Boreray — the remote Scottish archipelago where Graham shot his well-known black-and-white sea cliff image from a boat · St Kilda — Wikipedia · Boreray — WikipediaThe Buachaille (Buachaille Etive Mòr) — mentioned in relation to one of Graham's early-morning mountain shots · WikipediaAviemore — mentioned in passing as the location of Graham's five-a-side football game · WikipediaGear and toolsOlympus OM-1 — Graham's first camera, already 30 years old when he acquired it in the early 2000s · WikipediaLeica M (digital back on a film body) — one of two bodies Graham colour/black-and-white "loads" like film stock · leica-camera.comNikon — Graham's current system, chosen, by his own account, essentially by coin flip · nikon.comDJI Osmo Pocket — his go-to for casual video, bought secondhand · dji.comRicoh GR — referenced as the classic "glove box camera" for always-with-you shooting · WikipediaCompanies and institutionsNiven Photography / Arbor Gallery — Graham's studio and the small gallery he and his wife run on Dell Road, Nethy Bridge · nivenphotography.comMonocle — cited as the magazine that adopted a flash-heavy portrait style for its diplomat and official portraits, to mixed effect · monocle.comSupport the show on Patreon.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Episode 130 - Jocelyn Bain Hogg 06.09.2026 1t 8min

Support the show on Patreon.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Episode 129 - Natasa Leoni 30.08.2026 59min

Natasa Leoni is a photographer based in the UK who in addition to commercial work photographs causes she cares about in relation to climate and social change. Support the show on Patreon.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Episode 128 - Rachael Talibart 23.08.2026 1t 10min

Rachael Talibart is a photographer of coast and sea based in the UK.Support the show on Patreon.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Episode 127 - Dave Herring Returns 16.08.2026 1t 3min

Dave Herring returns to the show this week to talk about his remit to educate and entertain. He’s a lovely guest with excellent taste in 35mm lenses :)Support the show on Patreon.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Episode 126 - Kit Young 09.08.2026 1t 3min

Kit Young is a British analogue photographer and printer. In an age where film is a niche choice and many folks who do shoot it send their film to someone else to process and scan, Kit handles the whole process himself, making his photos, developing the film and then making the prints in a darkroom. As a result his images stand out to me and have a very specific look.Support the show on Patreon.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Appreciating the Small Stuff with Ian Bogost 05.08.2026 1t 3min

People often say “It’s the little things”, but what does that mean? Ian Bogost has written a book on this subject called The Small Stuff, and in it he describes the gratification that we can all get from paying attention to the small things that happen around us every day. The way a camera feels in the hand, the texture of our clothing, the difference in taste of a soda drunk from a can instead of a plastic bottle. All of these things can be savoured and make our lives a far richer tapestry than it might otherwise be. I am sold and hope you will be too after you enjoy this conversation. And go pick up a copy of the book, I did and it was very much worth it.Support the show on Patreon.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Episode 125 - Irene Yee 02.08.2026 1t 8min

This week, my guest is Irene Yee, a photographer specialising in the outdoors and climbing. She’s a brilliant and open guest who shares a lot of her techniques and ideas for making great creative work.Support the show on Patreon.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Stockholm Fotomarathon 2026 29.07.2026 1t 3min

Emil Gyllenberg joins me today. He is the chief organiser of the Stockholm FotoMaraton, a 24 hour event taking place in August. I had never heard of such a thing, people running around making pictures for 24 hours and then entering to have theirs selected as the best in various categories, so I contacted them and Emil agreed to come on to talk about it. Support the show on Patreon.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.

Episode 124 - Mike Chudley 26.07.2026 55min

This week I’m joined by Mike Chudley, a Photographer and YouTuber based in the UK. We begin talking about other creators we admire and spoke as he was putting the finishing touches to his video about a trip he made to China.Support the show on Patreon.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go misty eyed when they talk about their first camera or a small fast prime that they had in their youth. Prime Lenses is a series of interviews with photographers talking about their photography by way of three lenses that mean a lot to them. These can be interchangeable, attached to a camera, integrated into a gadget, I’m interested in the sometimes complex relationship we have with the tools we choose, why they can mean so much and how they make us feel.