Choosing Black & White

Choosing Black & White

Author: Steve Brazill April 7, 2022 Duration: 57:38

I don’t think Dr. Larry Tiefenbrunn, or Dr. T as he’s known to many, ever sleeps. Larry is a practicing pediatrician, and active photographer, and he’s the founder and CEO of Platypod.

I first met Larry through Rick Sammon, and we have been friends ever since. His company Platypod makes some of my favorite photo accessories – the larger Platypod Max and the smaller Ultra, one of which is next to me every show. Their most recent product is the Platyball, a unique bullhead available in the Ergo and Elite models. I have an unboxing of both Platyball options up on the YouTube channel here.

One special part of this show is that Larry is sharing details of a new Platypod product that’s in development. If you are a fan of Platypod, like I am, this new product sounds very interesting.

Larry has been on the show once before, on episode 57 in 2018. On that show we talked about a great guitar image he did, and discussed Better Product Photography. This time we are going a different route…

if you look at Larry’s portfolio you’ll notice that Larry shoots a lot of different genres, from portraits, to animals, landscapes, street, and studio work. One thing you may also notice is that Larry has an eye for Black & White images. His B&W work has a contrast and depth I enjoy, and he manages to strip the story down to the basic components needed to help a viewer better understand the story. Today, we are going to explore not just the process of making a photo black & white, but the thought process behind when and why you might choose to remove the color from an image.

Join businessman and photographer Dr. Larry Tiefenbrunn and me as we explore his approach to Black & White photography, and as we discuss the new Platypod Extreme, on this episode of Behind the Shot.

Larry’s First Time on Behind the Shot

Episode 57 – 2018: Better Product Photography

Connect with Larry

Portfolio: ljtmd.smugmug.com

Platypod

Website: platypod.com
Instagram: @platypodtripods
Twitter: @platypodtripods
Facebook: @platypod
YouTube: @platypod

Larry’s Photographer Pick

Bryan Peterson: bryanfpeterson.com

Bryan Peterson’s Books

Understanding Exposure: amazon.com
Learning to See Creatively: amazon.com

Ansel Adams Book Mentioned by Larry During the Show

The Negative: amazon.com

Software Mentioned by Larry During the Show

Nik Collection from DxO: nikcollection.dxo.com

Platypod Extreme


Steve Brazill hosts Behind the Shot-Video, a series that goes far beyond gear lists and camera settings. Each conversation is a deep exploration of the creative and technical journey behind compelling images. You’ll hear working photographers unpack the entire process-from the initial spark of an idea and the challenges of the location to the critical decisions made in post-production. This podcast sits at the unique intersection of art and practical technology, offering tangible lessons for anyone looking to improve their visual storytelling. Rather than abstract theory, these discussions provide a real-world look at problem-solving under pressure and the artistic choices that define a signature style. Tune in for honest, detailed breakdowns that reveal how memorable shots are truly built, layer by layer. It’s an essential resource for visual artists seeking both inspiration and actionable knowledge, all grounded in the lived experience of accomplished creators.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 200

Behind the Shot - Video
Podcast Episodes
Better Product Photography [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Duration: 1:14:12
Back in 2017 I was dealing with a Copyright infringement and ended up reaching out to Ed Greenberg, one of the guys behind the great website The Copyright Zone.The phone conversation with Ed turned into one of my most po…
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Duration: 38:36
Rick Sammon is an award winning photographer, and one of the members of the elite Canon Explorer of Light program. A tireless, prolific and inspirational image-maker, Rick, called by many “The Godfather of Photography,”…
Reaching Your Photography Goals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:41
Terry Jack comes from a photographic family. I first found out about him through his brother, music photographer Dustin Jack, after recording a Behind the Shot with Dustin years ago – you can find that episode here. Terr…
Composition, Creativity, and Workflow [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:44
It’s hard to know where to begin when trying to write about David Bergman. As a concert photographer myself, David is someone I have looked up to for a long time, and I am hoping to avoid sounding like a fan. That may be…