The Photography of William Camargo
In Episode 56 of Photography is Nothing, Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken explore the work of photographer and educator William Camargo. Based in Anaheim, California, where he was born and raised, Camargo creates conceptually driven photographs that examine gentrification, cultural appropriation, colonialism, police violence, and the experiences of Latinx communities. One of the projects we discuss is Camargo’s response to photographer John Divola’s series As Far as I Could Get. Divola photographed himself running away from his camera in different landscapes. Camargo reinterpreted the idea from his own perspective, asking an important question: Would a person of color have the same freedom to run through a public space without attracting suspicion or the attention? We also look at how Camargo references and reinterprets the work of other artists, using those connections to explore cultural identity, history, and power. His photographs challenge viewers to consider whose stories are being told, who has control over images, and how the meaning of a photograph can change depending on the person making it. The episode also explores Camargo’s background in photojournalism. After covering breaking news, violence, immigration, and funerals, he found himself drawn toward a different way of telling stories. He eventually returned to school to pursue an MFA and began developing a fine-art practice that allowed him to approach these subjects on his own terms. We also discuss his project All That I Can Carry, which uses everyday family objects to explore memory, family history, and the sentimental value we attach to the things that surround us. **In this episode:** - William Camargo’s photography and the communities that inform his work - Race, privilege, and the different ways people experience public spaces - Cultural appropriation, colonialism, gentrification, and the preservation of history - How artists reference and reinterpret the work of other artists - The power of photography to shape narratives and influence how people are seen - Camargo’s background in photojournalism and his transition to fine-art photography - His project All That I Can Carry and the relationship between family, memory, and everyday objects This episode is an introduction to William Camargo and his work ahead of our upcoming in-person interview with him. Subscribe to Photography is Nothing for more conversations about photographers, the ideas behind their work, and the ways photography helps us understand the world. Find William Website: https://www.williamcamargo.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billythecamera/ Find Zach Website: https://zachdobson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachdobsonphoto/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachdobsonphoto Threads: https://www.threads.com/@zachdobsonphoto Find Courtney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happylifelessons/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@happy_life_lessons About the Podcast Photography is Nothing with Zach Dobson and Courtney McCracken is a weekly conversation about photography and all its impact. Each week Zach and Courtney discuss their latest adventures, life lessons, and anything else that sounds interesting. Photography is Nothing invites you into the conversations they were already having as a married couple running a photography and media company in the current world. Fair Use Statement This document contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. I have determined this to be "fair use" of the copyrighted material as referenced and provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this document for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain express permission from the copyright owner. #PhotographyIsNothing #WilliamCamargo #Photography #DocumentaryPhotography #FineArtPhotography #Photojournalism #LatinxPhotography