Episodes
With some areas of the world appearing to be turning the corner on Covid-19, we explore whether the pandemic has fundamentally changed art, the new creative impulses and business incentives it may have precipitated, and what kind of films and photographs we expect to see coming out of this bizarre period in human history. Follow the show: instagram.com/candelapodcast Follow Alan: instagram.com/alan_schaller Follow Chris: instagram.com/christopherhooton            
Published 04/25/21
National Geographic photographer and Asia specialist Michael Yamashita joins us in this episode, discussing the vast changes to the photography industry that have taken place across his career, disappearing communities and environments, NatGeo's booming presence online, and his role as a volunteer fireman in the small town he calls home. Follow Michael: instagram.com/yamashitaphoto Follow the show: instagram.com/candelapodcast Follow Alan: instagram.com/alan_schaller Follow...
Published 03/15/21
A Puerto Rican-born photographer now living in New Jersey, Paola Franqui has, under her handle @monaris_, become known for her cinematic street photography, often shot in New York City and evoking the feeling of a bygone era. We talk to her about finding movie moments among the everyday, how she was influenced by photography greats Vivian Maier and Saul Leiter, and doing client work on something as simple as an iPhone.Follow Paola: instagram.com/monaris_Follow the...
Published 02/16/21
Not focus the lens kind but focus the human kind: being able to concentrate and stay determined is crucial to success in pretty much anything, so how can you foster it? We are certainly not experts *checks phone notifications*, but here we discuss attempts at focus in a world of distractions and health/political crises.Follow the show: instagram.com/candelapodcastFollow Alan: instagram.com/alan_schallerFollow Chris: instagram.com/christopherhooton   
Published 01/27/21
Ford v Ferrari, Nebraska, Downsizing and 3:10 to Yuma cinematographer Phedon Papamichael joins us, to discuss the future of movies, using a blue light in a black and white film, Hollywood's reluctance around b&w films, working with camera cars, the incentives around doing flashy rather than naturalistic cinematography, and much more.Follow Phedon: instagram.com/papa2Follow the show: instagram.com/candelapodcastFollow Alan: instagram.com/alan_schallerFollow Chris:...
Published 01/09/21
Indian street photographer Vineet Vohra joins us to discuss his distinctive, playful style, trying to capture photos that feel like hitting a 'pause' button on life, shooting in Varanasi and his native New Delhi, and much more.Follow Vineet: instagram.com/vineet_vohraFollow the show: instagram.com/candelapodcastFollow Alan: instagram.com/alan_schallerFollow Chris: instagram.com/christopherhooton   
Published 12/23/20
We're a mere blip in history. Many of the artistic mediums that are dominant now weren't as little as a hundred years ago, and with technology progressing so fast, they'll likely change again on a much shorter timeframe. Here we attempt to take stock of photography, cinema and other forms of storytelling at this moment in time, assess the outlook for them, and think about where the world of art/storytelling/whatever-you-want-to-call-it may be headed.Follow Candela:...
Published 12/08/20
Friend and confidante of the great Stanley Kubrick, Larry Smith was the cinematographer on 'Eyes Wide Shut', lit 'The Shining' for which he served as gaffer, and was also on set for 'Barry Lyndon'. We speak to him about Kubrick's unique directing and business style, using Christmas lights for effect on 'Eyes Wide Shut' (the longest film shoot on record) Larry's work with Nicolas Winding Refn on 'Only God Forgives', and much more.Follow the show: instagram.com/candelapodcastFollow...
Published 11/24/20
The USA is so frequently the setting for both cinema and photography, so what's the attraction? We attempt to put it into words, discussing monolithic facades, contrasting cultures, rampant consumerism and other classically American traits, along with our own experiences travelling and working in the States.Follow Candela: instagram.com/candelapodcastFollow Alan Schaller: instagram.com/alan_schallerFollow Christopher Hooton: instagram.com/christopherhootonEpisode sponsor: HonestBrew (for £10...
Published 11/16/20
Travelling photographer Jord Hammond joins us to discuss how drifting around Asia caused him to drift into photography, the research that goes into his cinematic landscapes, and how video games influenced his style.Follow Jord: instagram.com/jordhammondFollow the show: instagram.com/candelapodcastFollow Alan: instagram.com/alan_schallerFollow Chris: instagram.com/christopherhootonEpisode sponsor: HonestBrew (for £10 off, use promo code CANDELA at checkout!)   
Published 11/02/20
In this episode, we hone in on lens choice, looking at different focal lengths, apertures, and depths of field, what they can bring to a scene and how they can change the relationship between its subjects.Follow the show: instagram.com/candelapodcastFollow Alan: instagram.com/alan_schallerFollow Chris: instagram.com/christopherhooton    
Published 10/26/20
'Provocateur' Tyler Shields joins us to talk pissing off the president, having the Secret Service camped outside your house over a photo, doing a six-minute breath-hold for an underwater shot, nudity censorship, and dealing with backlash in the age of outrage.Follow Tyler: instagram.com/thetylershieldsFollow the show: instagram.com/candelapodcastFollow Alan: instagram.com/alan_schallerFollow Chris: instagram.com/christopherhooton   
Published 10/06/20
We discuss separating the good ideas from the bad, balancing frequency and quality, and learning to say no to yourself.----more----Follow the show: instagram.com/candelapodcastFollow Alan: instagram.com/alan_schallerFollow Chris: instagram.com/christopherhooton   
Published 09/24/20
Photographer David Yarrow joins us to discuss his distinctive black-and-white photos of wildlife, how shooting a bobsleigh race opened him up to the possibility of 'fine art photography', almost getting snapped in half by a hippo, and resisting the urge to use a telephoto lens – instead moving in closer toward what are often very dangerous creatures.Follow the show, the hosts and the guests:Candela podcastAlan SchallerChristopher HootonDavid Yarrow   
Published 09/13/20
In this episode we speak with Ted Griffin, a screenwriter best known for writing Ocean's Eleven (2001), who also co-produced The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) and executive produced Up in the Air (2009).Drilling down into Ocean's Eleven, we discuss Ted's research for the script in Las Vegas, the intricacy of creating and interweaving the stories of eleven defined characters, and his responsibility to keep the film's complicated narrative on the rails during principal photography. We also touch...
Published 08/31/20
Photographing someone you've never met and who is likely just going about their day is a strange thing, especially in this bizarre, often isolated modern world. In this episode, we look at how you can get better at it, the pros and cons of making yourself known, how attitudes on the street have changed over time, and working with models and actors who are strangers to you on intimate portraits and emotionally raw films.   
Published 08/24/20
Vietnamese photographer Tran Tuan Viet (@vietsui) joins hosts Alan Schaller and Christopher Hooton to discuss his photographic mission to show the natural beauty and life of people of his country, a place that is so often associated with war and violence in people's minds. Viet's work has been published by National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, the Guardian and other outlets, and he's worked for clients including Google, Samsung and Canon. 
Published 08/17/20
'Fine art' is a term that helped to get photography taken seriously, but is the distinction still useful? We discuss the false dichotomy of 'art' and 'non-art', and the generally blurry genres in photography.Hosts: Alan Schaller, Christopher Hooton
Published 08/08/20
Ocean photographer Ray Collins talks to hosts Alan Schaller and Christopher Hooton about the anatomy of a wave, risking life and limb for 'the shot', and how a severe injury down a coal mine led to an unlikely career in photography.   
Published 07/30/20
Technology has blurred the lines between that which is candid and that which is created. But is one more legitimate than the other? We try and talk constructively about editing, the differences between art created in-camera and on-computer, and a future where total realism can be achieved digitally.
Published 07/19/20
Oscar-winning director of photography Robert Elswit joins hosts Alan Schaller and Christopher Hooton to discuss his long-running partnership with director Paul Thomas Anderson, making the sky rain frogs in 'Magnolia', going fruit shopping with Daniel Day-Lewis in character as oil baron Daniel Plainview during filming on 'There Will Be Blood', and much more.Follow the show, see some photography/cinematography inspiration, and keep up with news on new episodes: Instagram.com/candelapodcast
Published 07/02/20
Alan's often asked which his favourite countries are to shoot in. In this episode, he and Chris discuss the unique visual aspects to different environments around the world, and what the pair do to get the most out of travelling – both creatively and recreationally. Also, an addendum on location shooting in cinema.
Published 06/26/20
How does lighting and lens choice work underwater? Photographer Cristina Mittermeier joins hosts Alan Schaller and Christopher Hooton to discuss the majesty and the difficulty of shooting marine life, 'split photography' that captures both what's beneath the waves and above it, and her mission to create healthy and abundant oceans with the initiative SeaLegacy.
Published 06/15/20
Almost all projects – from amateur to the highest levels – involve sacrifices, but when should you make concessions and when should you stick to your guns? In this episode, hosts Alan Schaller and Christopher Hooton discuss compromise in creativity. 
Published 06/05/20