The Photowalk

For three decades, British photographer and filmmaker Chris Floyd has "Been privileged to photograph people who are the best in the World at what they do. Whether it's Stephen Hawking, Paul McCartney or David Hockney, these people have defined the era in which we live." Today, I walk in Oxfordshire with this humble powerhouse of British photography whose work has appeared in some of the world’s most highly respected publications, including Vogue, Vanity Fair, The New York Times Magazine and The Sunday Times Magazine, among others. We talk about how saying YES at important moments in his life has unlocked doors to people and experiences he might never have experienced if he'd followed an expected path into accountancy. Also today, one of the most revealing answers to the question of WHY, with stories about photographing the Royal Family and 'our' Superman. There's news about Scotland 2025, plus the assignment for November set by Lynn Fraser and Jacquie Matechuk. Links to all guests and features will be on the showpage, my sincere thanks to MPB who sponsor this show and the Extra Milers without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

Today, Canon Canada Ambassador Jacquie Matechuk is my special guest as we chat about her extraordinary photographic transition from being at the top of motorsport photography to embracing a new wildlife adventure, a transition that has seen her win some of the most coveted photo awards, travel far and wide to destinations she might never have imagined, come face to face with giant bears, stared into the eyes of a silverback at close quarters, tracked polar bears and had conversations with an owl, all features of our conversation. But also, and I think this is one of the most important parts of our discussion today, Jacquie has, I think, revealed a true why of photography, and if I could make a fender or bumper sticker large enough, is going to share some words with you during our conversation today, that will have you think perhaps differently about life behind a lens. Also, news about Scotland 2025 plus a new assignment for the month of November set by Lynn Fraser and Jacquie Matechuk. Links to all guests and features will be on the showpage, my sincere thanks to MPB who sponsor this show and the Extra Milers without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

Alongside the letters I’m walking with today, my studio guest is Howard Barlow, a photojournalist who, for 50 years, has worked regularly for The Guardian, The Observer, The Telegraph, The Sunday Times and The Independent. He’s picked up numerous photographic awards, including Newspaper Photographer Of The Year. Also, today, a wondrous hatful of first-time writers, we talk about design that makes life easier, photography that makes life happier, and we learn how photography was an ever-present friend in the face of physical adversity. There are several whys of photography to answer, and atop that, Marissa Roth, a Pulitzer prize-winning photojournalist, answers a question of ethics. There’s also the final chance to take part in this month’s one-word assignment. Links to all guests and features will be on the showpage, my sincere thanks to MPB who sponsor this show and the Extra Milers without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.

Today, I’m joined by Henry Hargreaves, a visual artist and food photographer known for his boundary-pushing photography projects that are often and sometimes literally deliciously simple, tackling complex social and commercial issues. One of his most thought-provoking works, No Seconds, explores the haunting last meals of death row inmates. With a unique blend of this simplicity and deep social commentary, this project invites us to reflect on mortality, choice, and humanity in unexpected and impactful ways. Also from the mailbag, Adam Hanson finds renewed mental health through walking and photography, Mike Mixon is finding detail in his pictures he doesn’t remember seeing when he took them, John Kenny has some thoughts about covert pictures of strangers for a street project, some news about The Photowalk on Substack and Mike Miller has found a song that 34 years before the first recognisable modern social media channel came into our consciousness was giving advice about how we could best deal with the demands of a life watched over by algorithms. Links to all guests and features will be on the showpage, my sincere thanks to MPB who sponsor this show and the Extra Milers without whom we wouldn't be walking each week. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available here.