Foto Update - April 2024

In this episode, we sit down with Nick Gervin, a documentary photographer from Portland, Maine, whose raw and unfiltered work captures the unseen side of city life. Nick shares his journey from overcoming two traumatic brain injuries to using photography as a tool for recovery and self-expression. We dive deep into his decade-long project, Portlanders, his thoughts on documentary photography, the role of flash in his work, and how skateboarding shaped his visual style. Plus, we talk about his latest project, Mainers, where he’s expanding his lens beyond the city to capture the essence of his home state.If you love honest, compelling storytelling through photography, this episode is for you.Resources & Links:📸 Follow Nick Gervin: NickGervin.com | Instagram | Foto - nick_gervin📖 Check out his book: Portlanders 📷 Try Foto! Download Foto now on the Apple App Store and Google Play – no ads, no cropping, and a chronological feed that puts photography first!🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your fellow photographers!Foto is a community-supported organization. To receive new posts and podcast episodes and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Foto at fotoapp.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Michael Howard sits down with renowned large-format photographer and 2024 Guggenheim Fellow Lisa Elmaleh. Lisa shares her journey into large-format photography, her decision to trade Brooklyn for a remote cabin in West Virginia, and her powerful work documenting life along the U.S.-Mexico border. She opens up about the challenges migrants face, the humanity behind immigration, and how she builds trust through her thoughtful, slow photographic process. This is an inspiring conversation about art, empathy, and resilience.IMPORTANT UPDATE: This podcast was recorded in early January 2025. On the 20th of January 2025, thousands of people were devastated, that the legal path to asylum closed without further recourse due to executive order "Securing our Borders". The CBP One phone app is no longer functional. Thousands of people have nowhere to go because they cannot return due to cartel violence and other reasons, and many people will be in limbo indefinitely until something changes.🔗 Visit Lisa's Website - https://lisaelmaleh.com🔗 Check out Lisa's upcoming workshops - https://lisaelmaleh.com/workshops🔗 Deep Time Press Zine of Tierra Prometida - https://deeptimepress.com/Promised-Land-Tierra-Prometida-Lisa-ElmalehThanks for reading Foto! This post is public, so feel free to share it.Foto is a community-supported publication. Consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to support our work and receive new posts in your inbox. The Foto App is separate from our Substack. Get full access to Foto at fotoapp.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we dive deep into the growing discussion about AI and its impact on photography. We cover the potential benefits of AI in visual recognition and image labeling, the ethical concerns surrounding AI-generated images, and the complexities of ensuring creators' rights and consent. With real-world examples and thoughtful analysis, we explore the technical and philosophical nuances of AI in image creation, how different groups view its role, and the ongoing legal and technical challenges. Join the conversation about the future of AI in photography and what it means for creators and users alike.Margaret Warren - imagesnippets.com00:00 Introduction to AI in Photography00:35 The Evolution and Scope of AI01:10 Machine Techniques and Computer Vision03:44 The Rise of Generative AI04:36 Ethical Concerns and Copyright Issues07:29 User Reactions and Digital Source Types09:21 AI in Everyday Photography11:32 Challenges in Identifying AI-Generated Images23:32 Legal and Regulatory Landscape45:43 Future Directions and Final Thoughts Get full access to Foto at fotoapp.substack.com/subscribe

Daniels' Website - https://shifter.media/Daniel Milnor, the Creative Ambassador for Blurb, delves into his journey from a photographer to his role at Blurb over 13 years. He discusses his unexpected entry into photography and his transition from traditional photography practices to embracing modern challenges and opportunities, such as AI and digital technology. The conversation spans topics from the impact of AI on the creative industry, ethical considerations, the value of unique work and storytelling, and the evolving models for creators in a rapidly changing technological landscape. Milnor also shares his views on the importance of curiosity, originality, and building personal ecosystems outside of traditional platforms like social media.00:00 Introduction to Dan Milnor00:50 Journey into Photography02:35 AI and the Photography Industry12:01 The Future of Photography and Creativity16:57 The Role of Story and Unique Work31:49 Curiosity and Inspiration33:13 Where to Find Dan Milnor Get full access to Foto at fotoapp.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to the Foto Podcast! I’m thrilled to introduce Margaret Warren as a tech advisor here at Foto. Margaret has an incredible background in metadata, digital innovation, and image management, and today, we’re diving into how her expertise is shaping Foto’s future. We’ll be discussing everything from the role of metadata in preserving image context and discoverability to the importance of user control over data privacy and location settings. Margaret will also share insights on how these features can help build richer, more meaningful connections and support a thoughtful, engaging platform experience.Connect with Margaret in the following places:Visit Image Snippets - ImageSnippets is a Linked Data Annotation SystemFollow her SubstackFollow her on Foto (@mmz)Listen to the Foto Podcast on Apple and Spotify.Subscribe to the Foto Podcast here on Substack by clicking the button below. Get full access to Foto at fotoapp.substack.com/subscribe

This Foto Podcast Episode is an update from Michael Howard on where Foto development stands as of April 2024. Michael discusses Foto's different funding strategies over the next 6-8 months and what new features will be released in the next 1-2 months.Subscribe to the Foto Podcast on Apple and Spotify.Foto Site - https://fotoapp.coFoto Substack - https://fotoapp.substack.com Get full access to Foto at fotoapp.substack.com/subscribe

Hey Everyone!This is episode 12 of the Foto Podcast. In this episode, I share where progress is at with Foto, what we need to add before we go public, when we plan on launching Foto to the world, and our philosophy for raising capital to help grow the Foto team.Thank you for listening and for supporting what we are building! We are so grateful for your interest and feedback as we continue to move forward day by day.Cheers,Michael HowardCo-Founder of Fotohttps://fotoapp.co Get full access to Foto at fotoapp.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to the Foto Podcast. This episode features Greg Miller.In this episode, Greg takes us on a mesmerizing journey as he shares his unique experiences and insights into his artistic process. From capturing the essence of New York City streets to the delicate art of connecting with subjects, Greg reveals the stories and emotions that lie beneath the surface of his extraordinary photographs.Listen to Greg’s Podcast at photophonica.comVisit Greg’s Website at gregmiller.comYou can find Greg on Instagram at instagram.com/gregmillerfotoGreg is also on Foto at “gregmillerfoto” if you are a Private Beta User.Please consider supporting the Foto Podcast by becoming a paid Susbstack Subscriber or by giving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts.Photographs from Greg’s “Morning Bus” ProjectPhotographs from Greg’s “Nashville” ProjectPhotographs from Greg’s “Waiting for the bus in Uvalde” ProjectPublished in the New Yorker on October 17, 2022 Get full access to Foto at fotoapp.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to the Foto Podcast!In this episode, I delve into the world of large-format photography with the talented Kate Miller-Wilson, whose captivating work predominantly revolves around her close-knit family in Minnesota. Kate embraces the beauty of imperfection, exploring the power and vulnerability that lies within the flaws of her images, a departure from the pixel-perfect precision often sought in digital photography. We discuss her self-portraits and the empowerment in controlling one's representation. Kate also sheds light on the journey she’s shared with her son creating a deeper connection between them through the experiences of his autism and her photography.You can follow Kate on Instagram at instagram.com/katemillerwilsonIf you like the Foto Podcast, please consider supporting us either by giving us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or by becoming a Paid Subscriber to our Substack.Thanks for listening and I hope this episode with Kate inspires you to take more photos of your loved ones.Michael HowardFounder of Fotofotoapp.co Get full access to Foto at fotoapp.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to part three of our series with renowned photographer Richard Sharum.As someone deeply rooted in the study of history, especially the tumultuous Civil War era, Richard showcases an intense drive to understand the divisions that plague modern America. He discusses his transformative journey to unravel the mystery of the Central United States, an area often dismissively labeled "flyover country." This stretch of land, primarily covering states like Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas, has, for many, become a blind spot—overshadowed politically, socially, and culturally.Motivated by global perceptions, historical events, and, notably, the shocking Capitol storming on January 6th, Richard embarked on a mission to capture the heart and soul of these regions, free from the constraints of political bias. His project, "Spina Americana" (Latin for "American Spine"), sees him traverse a 100-mile wide corridor stretching from the US-Mexico border to the US-Canadian border. Through his lens, Richard hopes to offer a fresh perspective, allowing the world to see the people of this region as they genuinely are—diverse, complex, and unequivocally American.Join us in this compelling episode as Richard shares anecdotes from his travels, his approach to spontaneous photography, and his undying passion for discovering the hidden depths of his homeland. Whether you're a photography enthusiast, a history buff, or someone seeking to understand the multifaceted narrative of America, this episode promises enlightening insights and thought-provoking conversations.See more of Richard’s work at https://richardsharum.comFollow Richard on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/richard_sharum Get full access to Foto at fotoapp.substack.com/subscribe