Talking Frames

In this episode Tim Bingham is joined by Gus Powell for a wide-ranging conversation about photography, creativity and the experiences that have shaped his distinctive approach to making pictures.

Although widely recognised for his street photography, Gus's work reaches beyond the conventions of the genre. His photographs often find meaning in subtle gestures, unexpected juxtapositions and moments that might otherwise pass unnoticed. Rather than searching for the extraordinary, he is interested in what happens when we pay closer attention to the ordinary. We explore how this way of seeing developed and why remaining curious is so important to his creative process.

The conversation moves through the influences that have shaped Gus’s thinking, including the unexpected connections between photography, poetry and everyday life. We discuss the role of mentorship, the importance of learning to see differently and how experiences outside photography can profoundly influence the way we make pictures.

Editing and sequencing are also central to our discussion. Making photographs is only one part of the process; deciding which images belong together, how they relate to one another and what emerges from their arrangement can be just as important. Gus reflects on the challenges of developing a coherent body of work and the discoveries that can happen when photographs are brought together.

We also explore his fascination with the photobook and the relationship between photographs, design and the physical object. For Gus , a book is much more than a collection of images. It is an opportunity to experiment, make connections and create an experience for the reader that goes beyond looking at individual photographs.

As the conversation develops, we touch on the personal experiences behind some of his work, the unpredictable nature of creative projects and the importance of allowing ideas to evolve. We also discuss what happens when an established photographer steps outside familiar territory and begins exploring new ways of working.

Throughout the episode, one question keeps returning: how do we remain open to the world around us, especially when we think we already know how to see it?

For photographers interested in street photography, visual storytelling, photobooks or the creative process itself, this is a conversation full of ideas to take away and consider.

 

Gus Powell Website

Gus Powell Instagram

Talking Frames Podcast Instagram

In this episode Tim Bingham is joined by Michael Young

Michael discusses his journey from a 20-year career in corporate finance to becoming a full-time photographer and educator. Photography began as a form of healing after the death of a friend, whose Pentax camera Michael acquired. His creative background in musical theatre, music, and breakdancing strongly influenced his photographic approach, particularly his sensitivity to movement, timing, light, and shadow.

 

Michael talks about developing his street photography through ideas such as Henri Cartier-Bresson's “Decisive Moment,” learning from other photographers, and finding compositions where the world can unfold naturally. His move from Brooklyn to the Bronx also transformed his relationship with the borough. Through photography, he began seeing beauty, humanity, and everyday stories that had previously been overlooked, creating an ongoing visual archive of the Bronx.

His work is deeply connected to community and personal experience. Projects such as his photographs of Black fathers and children led to inclusion in Framing Fatherhood and an exhibition at Photoville, while his series Sometimes I See Michael explores his father's experience with homelessness and the human condition without resorting to stereotypes.

Michael credits mentors including Jamel Shabazz, Richard Sandler, and Mike Camber with helping him develop as a photographer and understand photography as a form of connection and “visual medicine.” His involvement with the Bronx Documentary Center eventually led to his work as an education coordinator, where he teaches seniors, veterans, and intergenerational groups.

Teaching has become an important part of Michael's practice. He describes photography as a source of validation and healing for his students, particularly seniors who had never experienced having a professional portrait taken.

Ultimately, his story is about photography as more than image-making: it is a way of healing, building community, documenting the Bronx, and helping people feel seen.

 

Michael Young website

Michael Instagram

 

Some people named in this episode 

Jamel Shabazz

Richard Sandler

Joseph Rodríguez

Michael Kamber

Renzo Grande

Laura james 

Bronx Documentary Centre

In conversation  Tim Bingham  is joined by Richard Sandler and explores how one of New York’s most distinctive street photographers developed his eye, his craft and his philosophy of seeing. Richard reflects on an unconventional upbringing in New York, early encounters with creativity, and the winding path that eventually led him to photography. He talks about the mentors who shaped him, the analogue traditions that grounded his work, and the instinctive approach that became central to his style.

The discussion moves through Richard’s return to New York during a turbulent era, his fascination with the city’s energy, and the discipline required to photograph while raising a child alone. He shares insights into how photographers learn to see — the relationships between movement, stillness, foreground and background — and how a single frame can hold humour, tension and contradiction at once.

Throughout the conversation, Richard reflects on the role of craft, authenticity and mistakes in shaping a photographer’s voice. He also touches on the unexpected stories that sometimes emerge from his images years later, revealing how photographs can continue to evolve long after they’re taken.

This episode is ultimately about curiosity, mentorship, and the lifelong process of learning to observe the world with clarity and intention.

 

Richard Sandler Website

Richard Sandler Instagram

Talking Frames Instagram

The conversation between Tim Bingham and Julie Hrudová offered a fascinating insight into her distinctive approach to photography, creative storytelling, and the long-term projects that have defined her career. Throughout the discussion, Julie revealed how curiosity, careful observation, and a sense of humour lie at the heart of her work, whether she is producing commissioned assignments or pursuing deeply personal documentary projects.

A significant part of the conversation focused on her ongoing commission for Amsterdam's leading newspaper, Het Parool, where she creates a full-page vertical street photograph every week. Rather than viewing creative limitations as restrictive, Julie explained that they often become the catalyst for stronger work. Working within clearly defined parameters—whether shooting exclusively in a vertical format, using black and white, or concentrating on a specific neighbourhood—encourages her to look more closely at familiar surroundings and discover photographs that might otherwise be overlooked. For Julie, constraints provide focus, consistency, and a framework that nurtures creativity rather than suppressing it.

Julie reflected on the two major photographic series she has created for Het Parool. The first documented Amsterdam during the COVID-19 pandemic, capturing a city that had suddenly become quiet, empty, and unfamiliar. Photographing these transformed streets presented both creative and emotional challenges, forcing her to find visual stories in an environment stripped of its usual energy. Her current project explores Amsterdam after dark, where artificial light, shadows, and reflections reshape ordinary streets into cinematic, atmospheric scenes. She described how the city's diverse neighbourhoods, cultures, and vibrant public spaces ensure there is always another story waiting to be discovered.

One of Julie's most celebrated personal projects centres on Amsterdam's urban herons. What began as an observation of birds living within the city evolved into a thoughtful exploration of the relationship between wildlife and the people who unknowingly—or intentionally—support them. By documenting these subtle interactions, Julie reveals how nature adapts to urban life and how humans and animals quietly coexist in shared spaces. The project struck a chord with audiences because it encouraged people to see their own city from an entirely new perspective, uncovering moments of wonder hidden within everyday routines.

Drawing on her experience as both a photographer and a photo editor, Julie discussed how an understanding of the editorial process can help photographers present and pitch stories more effectively. She explained that the responsibilities of photo editors have changed considerably in recent years, with increasing emphasis on avoiding stereotypes and creating more balanced visual representation. At the same time, she expressed concern that the rapid pace of social media has encouraged many news organisations to prioritise speed over depth, making carefully researched documentary photography more valuable than ever.

The conversation also provided practical advice for photographers looking to develop stronger bodies of work. Julie believes many photographers weaken their projects through poor editing, weak framing, or by including too many images that communicate the same idea. She emphasised that effective editing often requires removing favourite photographs if they fail to strengthen the overall narrative. Her advice was simple but compelling: discover the subjects that genuinely excite you, commit to them over time, remain curious, and allow enjoyment to remain at the centre of the creative process.

Julie also spoke about expanding her storytelling through video. Alongside her photography, she now produces engaging reels documenting Amsterdam's unique cycling culture and creates YouTube videos that offer viewers a behind-the-scenes look at her creative process, often filmed with her Fujifilm X-T4. Rather than viewing video as a replacement for still photography, she sees it as another powerful medium through which ideas, experiences, and stories can be shared with a wider audience.

Throughout the conversation, Julie returned repeatedly to one simple but profound belief: photography enriches everyday life. Carrying a camera encourages closer observation, reveals humour and beauty in ordinary moments, and transforms even the most familiar routines into opportunities for discovery. For Julie Hrudová, photography is far more than the act of making pictures—it is a way of paying attention, remaining curious, and finding extraordinary moments hidden within the ordinary world.

Julie Website

Read the street online photography course

Julie Instagram

Talking Frames Instagram

Tim interviews Kieron Beard, a former firefighter turned street photographer based in Switzerland, about his journey into photography and how his previous career has shaped his approach to photographing strangers.

Kieron explains how years of working as a firefighter gave him the confidence to communicate with people in difficult and unpredictable situations—an experience that now helps him approach strangers on the street. He also discusses the challenges of photographing in Geneva, where concerns around privacy mean photographers are more likely to be questioned than in UK cities.

Working exclusively in black and white with a Leica M11 Monochrom and primarily a 35mm lens, Kieron talks about his preference for being physically close to the scene rather than observing from a distance. He explores how black and white removes distractions and, for him, creates a stronger connection to emotion, memory and atmosphere.

The conversation also looks at Kieron's changing relationship with social media. Moving away from the pursuit of likes and external validation, he is increasingly focused on creating meaningful bodies of work, exploring what lies beneath the surface of everyday street scenes, and using his website, writing and workshops to give his photography greater context.

Kieron also discusses the ethics of street photography, emphasising patience, respect and the importance of never exploiting vulnerable people for commercial gain. He explains why he is always prepared to talk to people about his photographs—and, if necessary, delete an image if someone objects.

A thoughtful conversation about street photography, ethics, confidence, black-and-white photography and finding greater meaning in the work beyond social media.

 

Kieron Website

Kieron Instagram