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Artwork for A Small Voice: Conversations with photographers and filmmakers

A Small Voice: Conversations with photographers and filmmakers

Ben Smith
Photography
Documentary Photography
Identity
Paris Photo
Photo London
Brexit
Documentary Filmmaking
Ukraine
Environmental Issues
Mental Health
Climate Change
Max Pam
Travel and Leisure
Photojournalism
Community Building
Street Photography
Immigration
American Politics
Subcultures
British Culture

Fortnightly in-depth interviews featuring a diverse range of talented, innovative, world-class photographers from established, award-winning and internationally exhibited stars to young and emerging talents discussing their lives, work and process with fellow photographer, Ben Smith. The most recent 50 episodes are on this free feed, 200+ more are in the archive! TO ACCESS THE FULL ARCHIVE OF PAST... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes212Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Visual ArtsArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for A Small Voice: Conversations with photographers and filmmakers

Latest Episodes

Reuben Wu is a multidisciplinary artist who explores new ways of telling compelling stories about the world we inhabit.

His work with aerial lighting and long-exposure photography has defined a singular style in contemporary landscape photography a... more

Iva Sidash is an independent documentary photographer and visual storyteller from Ukraine. Born in 1995, she focuses on deeply personal narratives shaped by the realities of war. Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, she has documented int... more

Ian Berry was born in 1934 in Lancashire, England. He made his reputation in South Africa, where he worked for the Daily Mail and later for Drum magazine. He was the only photographer to document the massacre at Sharpeville in 1960, and his photograp... more

Richard Sharum is an editorial and documentary photographer based in upstate New York. Mainly focusing on socio-economic or social justice dilemmas concerning the human condition, his work has been regarded as in-depth, up-close and personal.

Sel... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Ian Berry
Magnum legend, photographer and author of Water
Magnum Photos
Episode: 213 - Ian Berry
Richard Sharum
Editorial and documentary photographer focused on social justice and public interest topics
Independent photographer, works with GOST for photobooks
Episode: 290 - Richard Sharum
Clémentine Schneidermann
French photographer specializing in social documentary and community-focused projects
Bleak Fabulous (co-founder)
Episode: 289 - Clémentine Schneidermann
Aria Shahrokhshahi
British-Iranian multidisciplinary artist and photographer specializing in social structures and human experience
Episode: 288 - Aria Shahrokhshahi
Lorenzo Meloni
Italian photographer known for conflict reportage and documentary projects
Magnum Photos
Episode: 287 - Lorenzo Meloni
Ximena Borrazás
Uruguayan photographer and documentary filmmaker focused on armed conflicts, migration, and humanitarian crises
Independent photographer; United Nations liaison and communications officer in Ukraine
Episode: 286 - Ximena Borrazás
Sam Faulkner
London-based photographer and founder of Print Swap
Episode: 285 - Sam Faulkner
Harriet Logan
Multi award-winning photographer and executive director of the Ian Parry Photojournalism Grant
The Incite Project; Ian Parry Photojournalism Grant
Episode: 284 - Harriet Logan
Henri Kisielewski
Self-taught photographer; founder of Soft Eyes; former Magnum Photos associate; book author
Soft Eyes; Magnum Photos (past association)
Episode: 283 - Henri Kisielewski

Host

Ben Smith
Host of A Small Voice: Conversations with photographers and filmmakers

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 839 ratings
  • Fortnightly photo inspiration

    This is hands down the best photography podcast out there. Ben Smith chats with a diverse mix of amazing photographers, blending sympathetic questioning with his very British humour.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JD tog
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Hugely informative

    Ben has built up an important collection of chats and discussions with a huge range of photographers. This is a massively important resource and a really good listen. The podcast has introduced me to lots of photographers I’d never heard of - TIP: Don’t just listen to episodes featuring the photographers you know. There’s gold here so make sure you did for it :)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nath_74
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Untitled

    A really amazing podcast with interesting guests. I just wish Ben would let the guests finish their sentences and pause for a second. It feels like he’s getting a bit ahead of the conversation and cuts off the guests sometimes. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    АннаМаленкова
    Russiaa year ago
  • Insightful

    Ben Smith’s podcast is one of the best on photography. I especially like that he focuses on the photographer rather than foolishly trying to make it a conversation between two equals. Two pet peeves: first, he is at times too intimidated by the photographers to push back or probe further when necessary (Ian Barry’s offensive comments re sexual harassment, Chris Anderson’s perennial evasiveness about his post-processing, etc). Second, he doesn’t own up to it in subsequent episodes after listeners... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Drawgrlfan
    United States3 years ago
  • I’m glad.

    That the millionth episode didn’t have any yucky girls on it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bigbabygenius
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many find the conversations inspiring, with broad coverage of photographers from around the world.
The show's interviews are seen as a valuable archival resource for learning about career paths and creative processes.
Listeners appreciate the breadth of guests, from war photographers to documentary filmmakers, and the balance between craft and ethics.
Listeners praise the host for thoughtful, in-depth questioning and a focus on the guest's life and work.
Some critiques note the host occasionally cuts guests off or dominates pace, but the overall quality and depth remain highly valued.
The tone is generally respectful and insightful, though a few listeners wish for more probing in certain episodes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#64
United States/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#31
United Kingdom/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#128
Canada/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#248
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#107
Australia/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#117
Germany/Arts/Visual Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

213 - Ian Berry
Q: What year roughly did some of the Bangladesh Bangladesh shoot happen, and what did that long walk reveal about gear choices?
It was several years before COVID, and the Bangladesh shoot followed a six-mile walk during an intense field session that underscored the value of smaller, more sophisticated cameras and a shift away from heavy gear.
286 - Ximena Borrazás
Q: How did you become involved in Tigray and what drew you to that conflict initially?
A nurse friend advised going to Tigray for greater impact than Gaza; I followed up, researched the conflict, and connected with a partner photographer to pursue reporting despite funding challenges.
286 - Ximena Borrazás
Q: What is your experience of being in Ukraine at the moment, day-to-day living and working there?
It's very exhausting due to ongoing attacks and sleep disruption; I continue field photography and UN-related work, balancing risk with a mission to document and support humanitarian efforts.
285 - Sam Faulkner
Q: How do you view the relationship between truth in photography and AI, and where does trust fit in?
Photography's truthfulness has always been central; AI challenges that truth by enabling images that may not reflect real events, so maintaining trust through credible brands and responsible practice remains essential for the medium's role.
285 - Sam Faulkner
Q: What stood out about working with Mario Testino and how did that shift your perspective on fashion photography?
Working with Mario Testino showed him a more collaborative, studio-supported approach, challenging his preconceptions that fashion photography was solely a technical, solitary pursuit and highlighting the value of a team and context in creating iconic images.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A candid, in-depth interview series centered on leading and emerging photographers and filmmaker-creators, with conversations often tracing career paths, ethical considerations in documentary work, and the evolving landscape of photography in the AI era. Guests span war reportage, long-form documentary projects, archival and archival-inspired practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration, offering practical career guidance, insights into funding, publishing, and platforming work, and reflections on memory, truth, and storytelling. A notable throughline is a focus on human stories behind image-making, the tension between art and journalism, and a commitment to social impact through projects and advocacy. Listeners are likely drawn to authent... more

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this podcast launched 11 years ago and published 212 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Ian Berry
2. Richard Sharum
3. Clémentine Schneidermann
4. Aria Shahrokhshahi
5. Lorenzo Meloni
6. Ximena Borrazás
7. Sam Faulkner
8. Harriet Logan

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