Photograph With Intent

Photograph With Intent

Author: Steve Brazill June 1, 2017 Duration: 36:06

Editors Note: This episode was originally distributed through TWiP – This Week in Photo, and the YouTube Video above is through the TWiP YouTube Page. Please be sure to subscribe to their YouTube page, and visit their site to check out all of the TWiP shows.

Alan Hess is a San Diego-based commercial photographer specializing in concert and live-event photography. Currently the house photographer for a large concert venue in Southern California, Alan stays busy with events ranging from concerts and comedians, to hockey and the rodeo. He has photographed hundreds of concerts, three songs at a time. Alan enjoys the fast pace of shooting on the fly, the rush of the house lights going down, and the drive to capture the “show”. 

When he isn’t out shooting events, he is writing photography books.

The wide variety of bands that Alan has shot include: Billy Idol, Black Eyed Peas, Bullet for my Valentine, Death Cab for Cutie, Derek Trucks Band, The Grateful Dead, John Legend, Marilyn Manson, Robin Williams, Slayer, The Smashing Pumpkins, Steel Pulse, Widespread Panic, and Willie Nelson.

His work has been published online and in print, and his images have been used for various CDs and other promotional work.

He is the author of the best selling “Exposure Digital Field Guide” and “Composition Digital Field Guide”, and has written two books on Sony DSLRs the “Sony Alpha A700 Digital Field Guide,” and the “Sony Alpha A200 Digital Field Guide.” Alan is also the Author of the iPad Fully Loaded series and theNight and Low Light Photography Photo Workshop all for Wiley Publishing. Alan has also contributed to Photoshop User magazine and is a part of the Instructor Dream Team at Photoshop World since 2009.

In this episode of Behind the Shot, Alan joins me to discuss his image from the PBR Velocity Tour.

Connect with Alan

Personal: alanhessphotography.com
Twitter: @ShotLivePhoto
Instagram: @AlanHess
Facebook: @alanhessphotography

Alan Online

Amazon (Books)


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
10 Questions with… Jesse Feyereisen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:23
Today is a new type of show, its: 10 Questions with… Jesse Feyereisen I have been thinking a lot lately about doing some shows that are a bit different from the normal format. Something just for fun, and shorter than the…
High-Fashion Wedding Photography [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:11
I first heard about wedding and portrait photographer, and wedding videographer, Andre Brown through my buddy Ant Pruitt’s show “Hands on Photography”, when Andre was on for a Photographers’ Go-To Tip. I knew I wanted to…
Commercial Lifestyle Photography [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:24
PRODUCTION NOTE: I unfortunately had some issues with the guest audio on this show, so you will hear some echo at times. My apologies to my guest, and to you – the viewers and listeners. Tim Gerard Barker is an award-win…
Capturing That Precise Moment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:26
Today’s guest, former White House photographer Pete Souza, is a bucket-list item for me. I started Behind the Shot because I am a fan of great photography, or more specifically great photographers. Through the over six y…
Photographic Shapes, Gestures, and Symbols [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:16
I often talk about how much I love being a part of the photo community. I have made such amazing friends being around this world of creativity, and today’s show is the product of those friendships. There are times that t…
Photography in Mongolia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:26
One of the best parts of doing this podcast is getting to see the amazing photography community at work. I mentioned this a few weeks ago when I had Kersten Luts (Creative Portraits and Headshots) on the show. He had bee…
Documenting the Golden Era of Motocross [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:58
I am so excited to have David Dewhurst back on the show again! David is one of those legends that I could talk to everyday. His work spans through multiple genres, and has consistently stood the test of time. The first t…
Capture Better Wildlife Photos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:37
Rick Sammon has been referred to as the Godfather of Photography, because he is one of the best there is. He jokes that he “specializes in not specializing”, but the reality is that he understands light, his gear, and hi…
Using An iPhone As Your Vacation Camera [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:58
Jefferson Graham is a Manhattan Beach, California based writer-photographer, educator, and the host/producer of the travel photography series “Photowalks with Jefferson Graham”, which streams on YouTube, Tubi and the Rok…
Creative Portraits and Headshots [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:34
It looks like I will owe Dave Williams a beer, or whisk(e)y. Dave is one of the best there is, and I am so lucky that he’s been on the show a few times. Well, a few weeks ago Dave emailed me to introduce me to Kersten Lu…