Every Photo Is a Crime Scene - Brad Zellar on How He Reads Photography and Inspects an Image, E111

2026-03-19 · 107 min · 15 entities

episode page audio

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→ hosted by Matt Jacob person

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Feed author/publisher: Matt Jacob
→ discusses Education concept

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Feed category: Education
→ discusses Arts concept

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→ discusses Self-Improvement concept

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Feed category: Self-Improvement
→ discusses Visual Arts concept

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Feed category: Visual Arts
→ references Insiders website

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Link in episode "Every Photo Is a Crime Scene - Brad Zellar on How He Reads Photography and Inspects an Image, E111": https://mattjacob.co/insiders
→ references wakingup.sjv.io website

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evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Every Photo Is a Crime Scene - Brad Zellar on How He Reads Photography and Inspects an Image, E111": https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

Entities found in this episode

concepts 9

mentioned Education concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Education
mentioned Arts concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Arts
mentioned Self-Improvement concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Self-Improvement
mentioned Visual Arts concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Visual Arts
discusses Education concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Education
discusses Arts concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Arts
discusses Self-Improvement concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Self-Improvement
discusses Visual Arts concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Visual Arts
mentioned Mattyj Ay concept

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evidence rules-v5
@mattyj_ay

websites 4

mentioned Insiders website

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evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Every Photo Is a Crime Scene - Brad Zellar on How He Reads Photography and Inspects an Image, E111": https://mattjacob.co/insiders
mentioned wakingup.sjv.io website

0.45

evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Every Photo Is a Crime Scene - Brad Zellar on How He Reads Photography and Inspects an Image, E111": https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965
references Insiders website

0.38

evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Every Photo Is a Crime Scene - Brad Zellar on How He Reads Photography and Inspects an Image, E111": https://mattjacob.co/insiders
references wakingup.sjv.io website

0.38

evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Every Photo Is a Crime Scene - Brad Zellar on How He Reads Photography and Inspects an Image, E111": https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965

persons 2

mentioned Matt Jacob person

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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Matt Jacob
hosted by Matt Jacob person

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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Matt Jacob

Episode description as stored

In this episode of The MOOD Podcast, I sit down with writer Brad Zellar, whose deep relationship to photography, photo books, storytelling, and visual culture makes this one of the most thought-provoking conversations I’ve had on the show. We talk about the future of photography, why obsession matters more than concept, the role of text in photo books, what makes an image unforgettable, how portfolio reviewers really think, and why the internet may be training a generation not to care about art in the same way. Other things we discussed: Brad’s childhood in a small working-class town and the library that changed his life The photo books that first opened up the world for him Why boredom, curiosity, and challenge shaped his creative mind His collaborations with Alec Soth and how words and images can work together What he looks for in photography portfolio reviews and artist statements Why some photo projects feel alive and others feel forced The difference between a strong print and a strong book edit Why poetry rarely works inside photo books The collapse of journalism and why Brad is more hopeful about photography than writing The danger of fake online community and what in-person culture still gives us Why print, books, and real-world encounters still matter more than ever Find Brad on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradzellar ______________________________________________ Message me, leave a comment and join in the conversation! Support the show _________________________________ Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can listen and watch full extended and ad-free episodes in my community - The MOOD Insiders - where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as meet with the community on book club weekly events, special guest features, bonus content, open forum access, free resources and so much more. Join The Community - extended episodes & bonus features https://www.mattjacob.co/insiders The App That Transformed My Art & Mind https://wakingup.sjv.io/c/7738181/3958771/54965 Website: https://themoodpodcast.com Socials: IG | X | TikTok | Threads | YouTube | @mattyj_ay