From huge ensemble photographs to celebrity portraiture, advertising high-rollers, and about every movie and television poster you’ve ever seen, Art Streiber anchors the spot where Hollywood and the magazine industry meet. His versatility and production acumen are well-recognized, and our conversation ambles easily through a wide range of subjects, but what remains evident-- in addition to his quick wit-- is that Streiber is a professional problem solver. Big concept, small budget? No problem. Giant set piece with 150 A-list subjects? We’ll figure it out. Just you, me, a camera and a hotel room window? Done. Streiber learned early that being a jack-of-all-trades does not correlate to a master-of-none and that the answer is always, "Yes."

With Streiber, we speak about soaking up the magazine aesthetic through his family’s business in Los Angeles, about early rejections, understanding the story behind a photo concept and how the image “bears the burden” of telling that story. We also talk about his work with Vanity Fair and dig deep into his archive to discuss specific images of Steven Spielberg, Paul Rudd, Oscar nights and others. We touch on picture research, budgeting for concepts, lighting and gear choices, working with celebrities, seeing big photos on small screens, CCD sensors, and “how to eat an elephant.” This is a funny and incredibly informative episode of the B&H Photography Podcast. Join us.

Guest: Art Streiber

Photograph © Art Streiber