Almost in Focus

In this episode of Almost in Focus, Tom Warland and Tobias Beach-Wyld celebrate the people, places, and experiences that keep photography exciting. Tom begins with a chance street encounter in Russell Square, where he meets a self-taught Wing Chun practitioner who learned entirely from old YouTube videos. It becomes a reminder that stopping to speak with subjects can transform a fleeting street photo into a much richer story.The conversation then turns to Tom’s recent visit to see legendary photographer Joel Meyerowitz speak at UCL. The hosts discuss his warmth, humour, and stories about meeting Robert Frank, influencing William Eggleston, and even helping shape early versions of Adobe Photoshop. It sparks a wider chat about how valuable photographer talks can be—not just for learning technique, but for inspiration and perspective.Tom also reflects on rediscovering freedom in photography by shooting slower black-and-white film, embracing blur, shallow depth of field, and imperfection rather than chasing technical perfection. Tobias adds that many photographers lose their early spontaneity over time, and that reconnecting with that instinctive joy is one of the most rewarding parts of the craft.The episode continues with memories of talks and encounters with respected photographers including Chris Killip and Alex Soth, plus reflections on galleries, volunteering, and how being around exhibitions can shape the way photographers think about sequencing and presenting work.Finally, the hosts share upcoming projects, photo walks, and creative opportunities—including Tobias setting himself an eight-day daily photography challenge. A lively and funny episode about staying inspired, meeting people, and saying yes to photographic opportunities.Links & MentionsColour Hunt Photowalk in Londonhttps://www.photowalk.me/photowalk/colour-hunt-photowalkAlfie Cameras BOXXhttps://alfiecameras.com/Almost in Focus Podcast Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/almostinfocuspodcast/Almost in Focus Podcast YouTube (upcoming videos)https://www.youtube.com/@almostinfocuspodcastTomBobWarland YouTube (Latent Hour livestream darkroom)https://www.youtube.com/@TomBobWarlandSupport the PodcastIf you enjoyed this episode, please like, follow, comment, and share — it really helps more photographers discover the show.

Join us for an insightful conversation with photographer Simon Roberts as we explore his creative process, major projects including Motherland and We English, including in his latest book After London. We also discuss his new Brighton-based community space, POST Creatives, and the importance of patience, play, and experimentation in photographic practice.In this episode, we talk about how Simon approaches landscape, scale, and perspective, how his work evolved to be more conceptual, and how ideas from earlier projects continue to develop, including in his latest book After London.Please show your support by giving the podcast a follow/subscribe.Key TopicsCreative process behind his workThe role of scale and perspective in landscapephotography Patience, timing, and observation inimage-making The development of POST community space inBrighton The value of play in creative practice LinksSimon Roberts — https://simonroberts.com/ POST Creatives (Brighton) — https://post-creatives.co.uk/Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/simonroberts/Tom’s new book: “Light Paper Time” – https://www.tombobwarland.com/light-paper-time

In this debut episode of "Almost in Focus," hosts Tom and Toby dive into the evolving world of photography. They explore the transition from traditional photo books to the dynamic realm of social media, discussing how platforms like Instagram are reshaping photographic education and practice. With candid conversations about their own journeys and the influence of iconic photographers, this episode sets the stage for a podcast that doesn't always stay sharp but promises engaging insights into the art of photography. Join them as they navigate the blurred lines between documentary, art, and commercial photography.