
Prime Lenses
byIain Farrell
ArtsVisualTechnology
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.
Episodes(40 episodes)
Season 1 - Episode 112
Tim Paton on commercial photography today
Tim Paton is Irys Photos Global Partnerships Manager, and has worked in and around photos a photography his entire career. We spoke recently and he offered to come onto the show to talk about the commercial realities of photography today. This is a great conversation for anyone who wants to make photography their job. 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 yo...
Published: Apr 29, 2026Duration: 27m 47s
Season 1 - Episode 111
Episode 111- Jorge Delgado-Ureña
Jorge Delgado-Ureña is half of The RAW Society. Long time listeners will remember my conversation with Christelle, his partner in life and photography from episode 19. Jorge has a long career as a photographer behind him, but members of the RAW Society can also attest to his skill as an educator. We speak as preparations are under way for the first RAW Photo Fest, a 4 day celebration of photography that will take place on the island of Menorca in May.Sign up to the Prime Lenses newsletter for a mid-week treat.Support the show on P...
Published: Apr 26, 2026Duration: 59m 29s
Season 1 - Episode 111
Paul Reichert talks Artemis II
Welcome back to another midweek episode. This week I spoke to Rob Taylor of Leica about the Leitz Phone launch, how Leica think about a collaboration like this and what they wanted to achieve. I hope you enjoy it!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 wa...
Published: Apr 22, 2026Duration: 27m 47s
Season 1 - Episode 110
Episode 110 - Matt Osborne
This week my guest is Matt Osborne. An experienced portrait and model photographer, he has made a name for himself as a font of knowledge for all things Leica shooting a host of digital and film cameras he loves to test vintage lenses along side modern options and has a wealth of experience at his fingertips making him a perfect Prime Lenses guest.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 ca...
Published: Apr 19, 2026Duration: 1h 7m 3s
Season 1 - Episode 110
Leitz Phone with Rob Taylor
Welcome back to another midweek episode. This week I spoke to Rob Taylor of Leica about the Leitz Phone launch, how Leica think about a collaboration like this and what they wanted to achieve. I hope you enjoy it!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 wa...
Published: Apr 15, 2026Duration: 25m 0s
Season 1 - Episode 109
Episode 109 - Cliff Mautner
Cliff Mautner joins me to talk about his 43-year career as a Nikon photographer shooting everything from weddings to the stuff that was in front of him during COVID. I learned about his work via an open letter he wrote earlier this year that I felt contained interesting conversational fodder and invited him to take part in the show. I was delighted when he said yes.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 fi...
Published: Apr 12, 2026Duration: 1h 12m 23s
Season 1 - Episode 108
Episode 108 - Tori Ferenc
Tori Ferenc is a Polish photographer now based in the UK. We met at an event Leica were kind enough to invite me to last year and she agreed to speak to me for the show. I love her work, I think I can spot her images because of her distinctive style and although this is her first podcast, I hope it won’t be her last. 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 thei...
Published: Apr 5, 2026Duration: 1h 1m 59s
Season 1 - Episode 108
Tintype to Banjo Pipeline
In a new midweek episode, I’m joined by Artemis, a photographic artist from the UK. We met on a photo walk last year and have stayed in touch which is how I learned about their snail mail project. I wanted to share it with all of you since I’m really enjoying getting a lovely surprise every month in the post.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...
Published: Apr 1, 2026Duration: 28m 58s
Season 1 - Episode 107
Episode 107 - Reggie Ballesteros
Reggie Ballesteros is an American photographer who inspires thousands with his wonderful photography videos on YouTube. He makes beautiful images in his spare time having worked professionally as a photographer and now brings that educational and creative vision to his work at Google. He’s partnered with brands, shot many a wedding, and has loved the GRIII so he was a perfect Prime Lenses guest.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 came...
Published: Mar 29, 2026Duration: 1h 1m 59s
Season 1 - Episode 107
Expose for the fireball
This week in a special midweek episode, I’m joined by Daniel Milnor of Shifter and Blurb. It’s a great conversation about life, the universe and everything in it. We even talk about some cameras!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...
Published: Mar 25, 2026Duration: 1h 6m 15s
Season 1 - Episode 106
Episode 106 - Alan Schaller
Alan Schaller is a musician turned street photographer based in the UK. His stunning images have won him global recognition, a book deal and legions of fans turn out for his YouTube videos, but Alan also wants to make the world of photography and publishing better and to that end has founded Irys to help create a more sustainable and artist friendly ecosystem. 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...
Published: Mar 22, 2026Duration: 1h 18m 52s
Season 1 - Episode 105
Episode 105 - Joe Cornish
Joe Cornish is a landscape photographer and true lover of lenses. Perhaps a little more shy in his younger years than now, you’ll hear him discuss how he came to photography. You’ll also hear some sounds in the background, the occasional kettle and the sounds of tea making. Like last week’s episode with Nina, that’s what it’s like recording on the road and I think it adds if I’m honest :) Joe has an exhibition on at the moment along with another former guest Simon Baxter. You can find out more about the exhibition on the link...
Published: Mar 15, 2026Duration: 59m 45s
Season 1 - Episode 104
Episode 104 - Nina Davidson
Nina Davidson is a photographer from France now based in Scotland with her husband and gorgeous family. Having previously run a bistro in Edinburgh she’s now a full time photographer specialising in fashion and family. She makes beautiful and real feeling images that have gained her an audience online and caught the attention of brands like Leica for whom she was part of a recent campaign. She was good enough to host this recording of Prime Lenses on location and it’s richer for it. More about this show:A camera is just a tool...
Published: Mar 8, 2026Duration: 1h 1m 28s
Season 1 - Episode 103
Episode 103 - Omar Z Robles
Omar Z Robles is a Puerto Rican photographer now based in New York City. He has incorporated his background in the performing arts into his photography making beautiful work capturing the incredible physicality of dancers on the streets of NYC. I love his images and I’m not alone, he’s gained quite a following online where he also calls out BS on various photographic trends that he sees as getting in the way of what photography should be. More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and...
Published: Mar 1, 2026Duration: 54m 0s
Season 1 - Episode 102
Episode 102 - Hannah Rheaume
Hannah Rheaume is an American photographer who more than anything feels a kinship to animals, and photographing open spaces. She took a chance on an Instagram contest having never left the US before, she won, and fast forward to now she is professionally photographing and leading workshops. She has travelled in her work too from the US and Canada to places like India, Morocco, Taiwan and hopefully at some point in the future, Scotland.More about this show:A camera is just a tool but spend enough time with photographers and you’ll see them go...
Published: Feb 22, 2026Duration: 1h 5m 6s
Season 1 - Episode 101
Episode 101 - Bobby Anwar
Bobby Anwar is a street photographer based in Copenhagen, Denmark. We spoke in December fittingly while he was on the street making pictures and taking in a time of year which is much quieter for him. We discussed his work with Oberworth, his start in photography and where he wants to go next. I loved chatting to him and hope you enjoy our conversation.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...
Published: Feb 15, 2026Duration: 59m 17s
Season 1 - Episode 100
Episode 100 - Misan Harriman
Misan Harriman is an award winning photographer, activist and Oscar nominated filmmaker. His work shot to prominence in 2020 after he covered protests following the murder of George Floyd. Since then he has continued to shoot protests and has been outspoken in the face of injustices he sees in the world. I met him at his exhibition titled The Purpose of Light in London and am delighted to have him as my 100th guest on the show. We cover creativity, gear and even a smattering of video game chat so for my money this is perfect Prime Lenses....
Published: Feb 8, 2026Duration: 1h 5m 40s
Season 1 - Episode 100
The RAW Photo Fest 2026
In this special extra episode I speak to Christelle Enquist of The RAW Society about their upcoming festival on the island of Menorca from the 7th - 10th May this year. You can find out more on their website, but hurry, the island is filling up fast!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 in...
Published: Feb 4, 2026Duration: 13m 5s
Season 1 - Episode 99
Episode 99 - Alex Harrison
Alex Harrison Magrath and I had a brief introduction at an event we both attended at the end of last year. Thank you to Mari and the Leica family for that. Alex has come to photography by way of other visual art forms and as you’ll hear is interesting not only because of his gorgeous work, but also because he doesn’t feel like he needs to commit himself solely to this form medium. He’s open and honest about his confidence in his work in a way that I think we an all relate to. I really enjoye...
Published: Feb 1, 2026Duration: 1h 5m 54s
Season 1 - Episode 99
Mark Seymour Talks Travel to India and Zines
This week in an extra episode, Mark Seymour joins me to talk about his travel to India, the zines and books he’s made and some folks he’s met along the way.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...
Published: Jan 28, 2026Duration: 46m 32s