Zone Focused cover art

Zone Focused

Zone Focused

By: Matthew Stella Ryan Currie Ryan Faer
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About this listen

Welcome to Zone Focused, a podcast where we dive into the world of all things street photography. Join us as we hang out each week and explore the art of capturing life on the streets. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting, Zone Focused is the perfect place to get inspired and learn more about street photography.

© 2025 Zone Focused
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Episodes
  • The One With All the Harsh Light
    Jun 19 2025

    After a short break, Matt and Ryan return for Episode 10, where they discuss recent life updates, new gear (on the market and in their own kit), and the main topic on many folks' minds as we move into summer: dealing with harsh light. Finally, the guys introduce a new segment – the artist spotlight – where they chat on a deserving photographer they have come acorss in their travels or online. This week, Matt and Ryan spotlight @jaredtapy, whose story and information can be found below.

    • 00:00 – Introduction, Updates, and Trips
    • 8:45 – Gear Chat: new cameras on the market; Fuji X-Half
    • 21:00 – Gear Chat: new gear in our own kit
    • 28:30 – Main Discussion: shooting in harsh light
    • 33:00 – "Leaning into" blown out highlights
    • 43:00 – How the seasons change our approach and help our photography evolve
    • 50:30 – Photos that "say something", and building a body of work
    • 55:30 – Benefits of shooting in soft Light
    • 69:00 – Artist Spotlight: Jared Tapy (@jaredtapy)

    This week's artist spotlight shines on Social Documentary phographer Jared Tapy, who is based out of New York City. Jared blends multiple styles of street photography to create something uniquely his own, capturing moments of both intrigue and vulnerability on the streets of NYC. Jared recently shared his first project, "Unveiling Savannah's Shadows", and is currently working on "Souls in an Urban Landscape", which centers on human connection (or lack thereof) in the 21st century.

    Links to Jared's Work:

    • Portfolio
    • DarkRoom
    • Substack
    • YouTube
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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • The One Where the Gang Defines a "Good Photo"
    May 28 2025

    Matt and Ryan come to you remotely this week; they catch up on recent events, debrief the "Shot Both Ways" gallery, and discuss the new gear they're using. And then for the main question for discussion: what makes a good photo?

    • 00:00 – Introduction, Updates, Events
    • 05:00 – Recapping the recent "Shot Both Ways" gallery
    • 9:45 –Gear Updates
    • 21:00 – Main Discussion: what makes a good photograph?
    • 23:00 – Technical aspects of photos vs. "the feeling"
    • 31:00 – What it means to "get the reps"
    • 40:30 – "Telling a story"
    • 48:00 – How gear, film, cameras impact style
    • 65:00 – Outro
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • The One with All the Lenses
    May 15 2025

    The guys are back together in the studio for episode 8. Matt and Ryan catch up on recent photos walks/trips, and then chat about the prints they are exhibiting at the upcoming gallery. And then for the main topic: all things lenses, inlcuding bokeh, the "look" of vintage lenses, focal lengths and lens recommendations.

    • 00:00 – Introduction, Updates, Events
    • 09:00 – Matt and Ryan walk through the prints they're showing at the upcoming gallery
    • 21:00 – New Gear Talk
    • 35:00 – Main Discussion: all things lenses
    • 37:00 – Bokeh, Unique Lens "Looks", and Vintage Lenses
    • 57:00 – Lens Purchase Decision-Making
    • 58:00 – Focal Lengths; Prime vs. Zoom Lenses
    • 70:00 – Aperture
    • 77:00 – Recommended Starter or Economy Lenses
    • 83:00 – Outro
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    1 hr and 25 mins
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