Learning It by Doing It: A Conversation with Bryan Formhals

How does our “eye” develop, or even change through time? Along what dimensions do changes, both proximate and seemingly distant, inform our vision of the world? In this conversation with photographer, walker, and artist Bryan Formhals, Immaterial Voices host Brian O’Neill discusses these and many other questions. Growing up in the Midwest, Bryan eventually found himself in major metropolitan areas and art hubs: Los Angeles and New York City. Eventually ditching the car, Bryan began to find his voice amidst the intersections of walking arts, photography and photobooks. An early pioneer of the photography podcast with the LPV show, and mobilizing digital platforms like Flickr, Bryan’s career has spanned multiple different locales, but also moments in the recent history of photography and photobooks. The discussion focuses on the practice of photography and photobooks, wherein Bryan draws upon insights from his New York City Public Realm project, which spans more than a decade of work. Throughout, the conversation offers insights into strategies and maneuvers surrounding book-making and the pursuit of one’s vocation. Notes: LPV show - https://photography.bryanformhals.com/lpv-show/ Photographers sketchbooks - https://slate.com/culture/2015/02/the-book-photographers-sketchbooks-shows-the-creative-process-of-photographers-from-around-the-world.html Peter Van Agtmael - https://www.petervanagtmael.net Richard Long - https://www.richardlong.org Akasegawa Genpei and Thomasson - https://www.messynessychic.com/2017/01/18/the-inexplicably-fascinating-secret-world-of-thomassons/ Alex Wolfe, “Pedestrian” - https://atwolfe.com Joshua Dudley Greer – The Makeshift City - https://gostbooks.com/en-us/products/makeshift-city