![]() |
Beyond the Image PodcastAuthor: James Patrick: Photographer, Marketer, Storyteller
Develop beyond the image in your creative career! Hosted by photographer, best selling author and marketing strategist James Patrick, this weekly podcast is made for photographers and creative entrepreneurs who are looking to do more with the work they love. This show will give you the tools, resources, insights and information you need to amplify your creative profession! Beyond the Image is part of the IconRefined.com network. Connect with host James Patrick at JamesPatrick.com or on Instagram @JPatrickPhoto Language: en Genres: Arts, Business, Entrepreneurship, Visual Arts Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
Why the Vanity Fair Portraits Made People Uncomfortable — and Why That Matters
Episode 667
Tuesday, 23 December, 2025
The recent Vanity Fair portraits by Christopher Anderson sparked an unprecedented reaction across the creative world. Some called them powerful. Others called them "bad photos." In this episode of Beyond the Image, James Patrick breaks down why that criticism reveals more about viewer expectations than photographic quality. From extreme close-ups and intentional lighting choices to the role of honesty, narrative, and authorship, this conversation explores what actually defines a successful photograph. We unpack why photography is a form of storytelling, why not every image is meant to flatter, and why some of the most important photographs in history are uncomfortable to look at. The episode also examines what this moment says about AI, creative intent, and the ethical decisions that still separate human-made work from generated imagery. This is not political commentary. It's photographic commentary. https://jamespatrick.com/












