Photo Breakdown

Ever feel stuck in a creative rut? Discover how movies and TV shows can become your unexpected muse. Whether you're aiming to create a podcast or simply learn to podcast better, this episode's insights on finding inspiration will resonate.

In this episode of Photo Breakdown, Scott Wyden Kivowitz explores the infinite sources of inspiration that photographers can tap into. While traditional methods like photography books remain valuable, Scott shares how the cinematography of movies and TV shows has recently become his main source of creative fuel. From the deep blues of "Ozark" to the nostalgic tones of "The Handmaid's Tale," Scott offers a fresh perspective on finding artistic inspiration in everyday entertainment.

“We get inspired in different ways. Some just from going for a walk. For me lately, it's been movies and TV shows—the more artistic ones—that really get me.”

Resources

Photo Breakdown does not currently have a sponsor, so I thought I would give a shoutout to partners of mine. Thank you to Flodesk for your continued support.

Creators and Guests

Host
Scott Wyden Kivowitz
Father, Photograper, Community Builder, Podcaster

What is Photo Breakdown?

Photo Breakdown is a podcast in which we explore the world of photography with a trusted guide, host Scott Wyden Kivowitz. His expertise and passion bring the industry to life as we explore the stories, trends, and ideas shaping it today. Join us as we dissect everything from incredible photographs and creative techniques to the latest gear releases and hot topics in the photography community.

In each episode, we break down what’s happening behind the scenes - whether it’s making a powerful image, a candid discussion on industry trends, or a reflection on the tools and technology changing how we make photographs. You’ll get insights, expert opinions, and a fresh perspective on what’s top of mind for photographers right now.

Anticipate short, engaging episodes brimming with ideas and inspiration. Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts, voice notes, and comments. Your participation is what makes our community vibrant and dynamic.

It’s more than just photography - everything that makes photography tick.

Photography Inspiration Beyond Books
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[00:00:00] I want to talk for a moment about inspiration. As a photographer. You know, there are. Countless places where you can find inspiration for your photography to improve. Your composition to improve your exposure to improve your light. Use of light. The colors that you, that you use or find shadows in depth. There's so many. Variable, so many little intricate things that you could adjust in your photography.

[00:00:33] And there's so many places where you can go to look for inspiration, right? And.

[00:00:39] I feel like for me, I've been, I've been a photographer for over 20 years at this point. And.

[00:00:46] I still enjoy looking at photography books, but I rarely, these days go to photography books to look for inspiration. Okay. And I think it's could be. I'm just tired of looking at books. [00:01:00] Maybe, I don't know. I don't know. But I think also it could be that. I just enjoy. Movies more. Right. So with that said, while I love seeing Pete SUSE's photography, one of my favorite photographers of all time. I love that he's got this documentary style, which is what I like to do, which with very clean tones, which I like to do. And he's got a way with composition, which I like to do. So. I relate to his work so much, and I can look at his photos all day long and just always be inspired by them.

[00:01:37] And. You know, try to find things that I can improve on. Glen E Friedman love his photography, skateboards music. He was around when Tony Hawk was a kid. Photographing Tony Hawk and all the others from back then.I don't know, at 62 years old, if he's still shooting as much as he is.

[00:01:57] I know he can be political at [00:02:00] times.which again comes from the whole like minor threat. music scene and things like that, but I love his photography, his music, photography, his skateboard photography has inspired a lot of my work over the years.

[00:02:14] Angela Adams. I mean, who was not inspired by his attention to detail with black and whites? By the way I have books from all three of these people. And I do look at their books from time to time. To just refresh the inspiration from them.But.

[00:02:31] I love watching movies and I find oftentimes I can be more inspired by from, from watching movies.

[00:02:39] Then I can from reading a book and maybe it's the moving picture aspect. Maybe it's the moving light aspect. But. I find that. Oftentimes, I get a new idea for, for color.

[00:02:55] In light. Or I get a new idea for a composite for [00:03:00] composition framing. From the movies from the TV shows. So, so two TV shows as an example, Ozark. The deep blues. Dark moody. I love that. Look now I don't often shoot that way or edit that way. But I love it. And it's so inspiring. Handmaid's tale. Sometimes dark, sometimes bright, always this sort of like. Nostalgic like cool, but slightly warm toned.

[00:03:31] Look to it. Love love the, the, the, the style of the cinematography in that show. But I'm also a big star wars fan. Huge use on light with effects more than light and color for. The, the ambience right. There are oftentimes where there are ambiance, where, where it is. The light, the styling, the LUTS, whatever you [00:04:00] want to call it.

[00:04:00] But. I mean, I just love star wars overall. Right? So movies, TV shows, that gets me every time. Just the other day. I was rewatching the original X-Men movie with Hugh Jackman right there, the original with actual people in it, not the cartoon.

[00:04:16] I

[00:04:18] am I, my daughter is. Is watching this with me. And she's trying to understand the story. While I'm just examining and admiring. The compositions and the lights and the colors that they use and all of that.and you know, we get inspired by different ways. Of course. I'm not saying books are the wrong way. I mean, look at flack photo, right?

[00:04:41] It's. And he's been around year for years with this like book club and sharing. Photography books from all over the world. And his collection is huge.

[00:04:53] But we all have different ways of getting inspired. Some just from going for a walk. Right. I I've [00:05:00] been doing this three mile photo walk for years. I love it.

[00:05:04] And if I can link to that in the description from this episode, if you have don't know what that means. But for me lately. It's been movies and TV shows that the more artistic ones.that that really get me. Here's a good, good, good example. Years ago. When I was in high school. I was watching CSI Miami CSI, Las Vegas, CSI, New York. And what was so interesting with Jerry Bruckheimer?

[00:05:31] Did. Was CSI Miami. Was very red in our, in gen like this like goldish color. Right. CSI New York. Was very blue, very much like Ozark in a way.

[00:05:47] And CSI Las Vegas was like, The purples and the greens and the blues and the neons. And it was everywhere, but it was very, very Las Vegas. Right. So [00:06:00] your mind went to the location of the show. And then when, again, Jerry Bruckheimer his brilliance for his, for his directing and, and, and whatnot. Is. That. When there was a crossover between for example, Miami New York. When the main character from Miami was on screen, he was always in the sun. And when the, and it was like bright and radish orange, right. Gold. Golden hour, always on him. And when the main character from New York was on, he was in the shadows.

[00:06:37] He was inside. It was very dark and blues and, and cool toned. And when they were next to each other, both on camera, it continued, they figured out a way to make that look good. And that is the kind of stuff that inspires me. When you see that happen? Yes. You can see that happen in a book. You can see that happen at an art gallery.

[00:06:59] [00:07:00] But there's something for me. Then when I see it at a movie or see it in a TV show. It, it sticks more for some reason lately, at least. So, anyway, I'm curious. About you. And. What inspires you? Where do you find your inspiration? So. If you're listening on Spotify, you can just comment, comment on this episode.if you're. If you don't use Spotify and you want to do it on good pods or pod chaser, you can do it there, apple podcasts, or you can't comment on an individual episode yet. But comment. or send me a message on threads or on Twitter, X, whatever. wherever. Just mention me @scottwyden.

[00:07:42] I'm really want to know. Where do you find your inspiration? Thanks for listening.