<description>The photography industry has just lost a "full-stop" of light.</description>

Remembering Kevin W. Raber

<description>I sat down with Genesis "Geno" Falls, a Chicago-based film photographer whose work cuts through the digital noise with striking black-and-white film portraiture that captures raw human moments. </description>

I sat down with Genesis "Geno" Falls, a Chicago-based film photographer whose work cuts through the digital noise with striking black-and-white film portraiture that captures raw human moments.

In the latest episode, I sat down with Genesis "Geno" Falls, a Chicago-based film photographer whose work cuts through the digital noise with striking black-and-white film portraiture that captures raw human moments. 
 
 
 
We discuss her feelings about winning the 2023 Flickr x <a href="https://blackwomenphotographers.com/">Black Women Photographers</a> Grant, and why people should <a href="http://Beyond the Frame: Genesis Falls on Film Photography, Authenticity and Representation">enter this years grant competition</a>.Catch them on Instagram at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/geno_tatted/">@geno_tatted</a>. 
 
 
 
A Technical Journey Rooted in Tradition 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Genesis's approach to photography is refreshingly intentional in our spray-and-pray digital era. Her journey began at age seven, shooting with her grandfather's instant camera—a brief but formative experience that would eventually lead her to formal training in Cinematography at Flashpoint Chicago. 
 
 
 
"What's fascinating about Genesis's workflow is her technical commitment to film," I noted during our conversation. "She's not just choosing film for aesthetics—she's embracing the constraints and proximity requirements of vintage gear to foster genuine connections with subjects." 
 
 
 
Over the past 2-3 years, Genesis has specialized in black-and-white portraiture that demands physical closeness to subjects. This technical limitation becomes a feature, not a bug, in her process—creating an intimacy that digital zoom simply can't replicate. 
 
 
 
The Award-Winning Moment 
 
 
 
In 2023, Genesis received the $2,500 Flickr x Black Women Photographers grant for "Children at Play"—a photograph captured at Chicago's Millennium Park that freezes a moment of pure joy as children interact with water features, light streaming through the spray. 
 
 
 
"What struck me about this image," Genesis explained, "was capturing an unplanned moment that still required technical precision to execute properly." The result speaks to her philosophy that authenticity and technical skill aren't mutually exclusive. 
 
 
 
Her work has been featured at the Evanston Art Center and Chicago ArtSpace, building a portfolio that challenges viewers to look beyond surface impressions. 
 
 
 
From Grant Recipient to Judge 
 
 
 
The timing of our conversation couldn't be better, as Genesis now serves as a judge for the third BWP x Flickr Grant alongside myself, BWP founder Polly Irungu, Flickr's MacKenzie Joslin, and SmugMug's Alastair Jolly. 
 
 
 
The grant offers: 
 
 
 
 
* $5,000 cash toward photography practice 
 
 
 
* Two-year Flickr Pro membership 
 
 
 
* One-year SmugMug Pro membership 
 
 
 
 
<a href="https://blackwomenphotographers.com/smugmug-flickr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sign up now! Applications close April 14, 2025</a>, and must align with the theme "The Spaces We Occupy." 
 
 
 
Documenting Underrepresented Artists 
 
 
 
Genesis's current project, "Through My Lens—An Artist's Story," documents BIPOC artists across various disciplines, creating a visual archive of creators who often remain invisible in mainstream coverage. 
 
 
 
This work embodies the Gordon Parks philosophy she lives by: "It is the heart, not the eye, that should determine the content of the photograph." 
 
 
 
The Technical Meets the Human 
 
 
 
What makes Genesis's approach particularly compelling is how she balances technical proficiency with human connection. In an age where gear obsession often overshadows purpose,

Beyond the Frame: Genesis Falls on Film Photography, Authenticity and Representation

<description>Flickr hits a milestone worth celebrating - 21 years of giving photographers a true home for their work.</description>

Flickr at 21: When Your Favorite Photo Platform Can Finally Buy You a Drink

<description>Explore the intersection of fly fishing and automotive photography!</description>

Explore the intersection of fly fishing and automotive photography!

We photographers often talk about finding our niche, but what happens when your creative passion refuses to stay in one lane? In this week's episode, I sat down with Devan Ence, and I've got to tell you – this conversation challenged some common assumptions about specialization in photography. 
 
 
 
The Journey from Water to Wheels 
 
 
 
What struck me most about Devan's story was how organically his journey evolved from casual point-and-shoot fishing photos to professional documentary work. During our chat, he shared how watching serious photographers with their DSLRs on the river sparked something deeper. Instead of just capturing the catch, he developed an eye for the complete story – from dawn coffee with friends to the final release of a fish back into the river. 
 
 
 
Embracing Risk for the Shot 
 
 
 
Here's what I love about Devan's approach to gear: he's refreshingly real about it. While many of us (myself included) get precious about our equipment, his philosophy is beautifully simple: "If I'm not willing to risk it, then why even have it out there?" Sure, he's lost a few camera bodies to the water, but the shots he gets – often with his camera hovering just an inch above the surface – are worth every heart-stopping moment. 
 
 
 
Two Worlds, One Vision 
 
 
 
What fascinates me is how Devan seamlessly bridges two seemingly opposite worlds. When he's not documenting river conservation with Idaho's Henrys Fork Foundation, he's deep in the automotive world as editor for both F-Series Builders Guide and Tread Magazine. His current project, a "slam Bronco" (a 1978 Ford Bronco modified to lay frame on the ground), shows just how far creative vision can stretch across different passions. 
 
 
 
The Technical Dance 
 
 
 
During our conversation, Devan broke down how he adapts his technique between environments. While his fishing work often calls for shallow depth of field and intimate close-ups, his automotive photography requires a different approach. He's mastered the art of creating similar aesthetic effects with vehicles by manipulating distance rather than just aperture – a clever workaround that proves technical skills can translate across genres. 
 
 
 
Breaking Free from Labels 
 
 
 
If there's one thing I took away from this conversation, it's that we need to stop putting photographers in boxes. Devan's work proves that you don't have to choose between being a nature photographer or an automotive photographer. With upcoming projects spanning from the SEMA show to steelhead fishing in Oregon, he's a living example of how diverse photographic pursuits can feed into each other, creating richer, more nuanced work. 
 
 
 
About Devan 
 
 
 
Based in Idaho Falls, Devan Ence specializes in outdoor and product photography, with a particular talent for documenting everyday adventures through his lens. His work stands out for its seamless integration of products – from boots to fly rods – into authentic outdoor narratives, helping brands tell their stories through compelling visual content. 
 
 
 
When he's not behind the camera, you'll find him knee-deep in a river with a fly rod, tinkering with classic American steel (particularly 73-79 Ford trucks), or crafting the perfect cup of coffee. A dedicated family man, he balances his professional pursuits with raising his 7-year-old son alongside his wife in Idaho's adventure-rich landscape. 
 
 
 
Connect with Devan: 
 
 
 
 
* Instagram (Outdoor/Fishing): <a href="https://instagram.com/encemedia">@ENCEMEDIA</a> 
 
 
 
* Instagram (Automotive): <a href="https://instagram.com/devanence">@DEVANENCE</a>

Adventure & Automotive Photography with Devan Ence

<description>Rob Grimm joins the podcast to explore Flickr's fascinating 2024 Year in Review.</description>

Rob Grimm joins the podcast to explore Flickr's fascinating 2024 Year in Review.

In this episode of TWiP, I sit down with my good friend and commercial photographer <a href="https://www.rggphoto.com/" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.rggphoto.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rob Grimm</a> to explore <a href="https://flickr.com/year-in-review/2024/?utm_campaign=year-in-review-2024&amp;utm_source=flickr&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_content=twip" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flickr's fascinating 2024 Year in Review</a>. 
 
 
 
Rob Grimm @rggphoto 
 
 
 
We unpack some surprising insights about the photography world, including Canon's continued dominance in the professional camera space and the unexpected staying power of the iPhone 13. Rob and I dive into the statistics that caught us both off guard – from the mysterious September 30th upload spike to the impressive 30% surge in street photography. 
 
 
 
We also discuss the revival of community-driven photography challenges and what these trends might mean for photographers in 2025. Whether you're a gear enthusiast, a street photographer, or simply curious about how the world of photography is evolving, this conversation offers valuable insights into how photographers worldwide captured their world in 2024. 
 
 
 
<a href="https://flickr.com/year-in-review/2024/?utm_campaign=year-in-review-2024&amp;utm_source=flickr&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_content=twip" target="_blank" rel=" noreferrer noopener"></a> 
 
 
 
Below are a few findings from the report. Head over to <a href="https://flickr.com/year-in-review/2024/?utm_campaign=year-in-review-2024&amp;utm_source=flickr&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_content=twip" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Flickr blog</a> for more! 
 
 
 
Most Popular Cameras 
 
 
 
 
* Canon dominated traditional cameras, securing 6 of top 10 spots 
 
 
 
* iPhone 13 was the most-used camera overall on Flickr 
 
 
 
* Surprisingly, 900 users still actively used the iPhone 3G 
 
 
 
* A total of 7,000 different image capture devices were used 
 
 
 
 
Photography Trends 
 
 
 
 
* Street photography saw a 30% increase in popularity 
 
 
 
* Color-themed tags (especially red and green) were among top 5 used tags 
 
 
 
* "Friendly Challenges" became the most active discussion group 
 
 
 
* "World Photography Day 2024" was the fastest-growing group 
 
 
 
 
Notable Dates 
 
 
 
 
* September 30th: Highest number of photo uploads 
 
 
 
* January 1st: Most photos taken 
 
 
 
* May 11th: Special surge in photos due to rare Aurora Borealis visibility (as far south as New Mexico) 
 
 
 
 
Popular Locations 
 
 
 
 
* Times Square 
 
 
 
* Metropolitan Museum of Art 
 
 
 
* Empire State Building 
 
 
 
* Vatican City (2,300 unique users uploaded photos) 
 
 
 
* Mammoth Cave National Park (most photographed U.S. National Park) 
 
 
 
 
Community Activity 
 
 
 
 
* Art and cultural institutions drew major photographer interest 
 
 
 
* The British Museum was among top photographed locations 
 
 
 
* Active engagement in challenge-based photography groups 
 
 
 
* Strong focus on community feedback and learning 
 
 
 
 
Conclusion 
 
 
 
The 2024 Flickr Year in Review shows us that great photography transcends equipment choices, from professional Canon cameras to legacy iPhones.

The Surprising State of Photography: Flickr’s 2024 Year in Review

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