Hello and welcome to another episode of the Perception Podcast with me your host Caroline Partridge. In today's episode, I have the absolute pleasure of talking to veteran still life photographer, director and more latterly documentary maker, author and essayist Robert Golden. Robert shares his unique process and discloses the precise moment as an 8-year-old when he knew that making art would become his life. We also unpick the difference between seeing and looking and how generalisation is the enemy of success. Please join me as we look at life through a different lens. KEY TAKEAWAYS At just 8 years old, seeing Diego Rivera's epic murals showed Robert how art could tell impactful stories and ignited his passion for visual storytelling. Questioning assumptions, digging deeper by asking "why," and thinking critically are essential to grow creatively and in life. When photographing a scene, you must look beyond the surface and ask yourself what story you want to tell before capturing the decisive moment. Generalisation is the enemy of creative success; be specific about your viewpoint to take impactful photographs. Study the masters across mediums to improve your own work and gain insights about life. As a photographer, you are drawing with light, not just documenting an event - recognise the fleeting uniqueness of each moment. Robert aims to honour his responsibility to the people he photographs by depicting their dignity and humanity. BEST MOMENTS "I want to make stories with pictures. And I was deeply moved by it." "The real enemy of any success is generalisation." "When do you release the shutter? You're photographing emotion." "The biggest question people have is why. Why are you saying that?" "I cared for the underdog. That painted my life." ABOUT THE GUEST BIO Robert began his career in New York and then in London as a photojournalist, documenting the working lives of people in many industries. He became one of the most successfully food and still-life photographers in the UK and internationally in the 90’s, adding to his portfolio as director and director of photography, 900 television food commercials and two award winning feature films. From 1999 to 2005 he created two successful television series, Savouring the World and Savouring Europe, seen in over 40 countries. These films are good-time stories looking at the food and culture of 26 different regions around the world. He has since made another 20 documentaries about the arts and also about youth in the world. His research about many aspects of food production and his love of food and his caring for those who work so hard to produce it has led him to make THIS GOOD EARTH, which now has global distribution via Random Media. This new film, BELONGING – BECOMING concentrates on the lives, concerns and hopes of young people in the shadows of corruption, war and climate change. Socials & Links: LATEST FILM WEBSITE: https://robertgoldenpictures.com/film/belonging-becoming/ EMAIL: [email protected] MAIN WEBSITE: www.robertgoldenpictures.com AGENTS & PICTURE LIBRARY: https://www.topfoto.co.uk/groupitem/282/ FILM WEBSITE: https://this-good-earth.com LATEST BOOK: https://robertgoldenpictures.com/transient-light-fleeting-time/ WEEKLY ESSAYS: www.rjgolden.substack.com ABOUT THE HOST Bio Caroline Partridge is a unique and creative individual. She is an actress, puppeteer, educator, and artist with funny bones. She loves a story and is an expert at conveying wit and wisdom with warmth, understanding, and empathy. CONTACT METHOD FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/caropartridge LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-partridge-03131520 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/partridge_caroline This show was brought to you by Progressive Media