Podcast Summary
Building Custom Camera Gear for National Geographic: National Geographic's photo engineer designs and builds custom camera gear, like wolf-proof traps, to capture unique images in dangerous or hard-to-reach places.
National Geographic's iconic photographs are made possible through the innovative work of their in-house photo engineer, Tom O'Brien. To capture unique and previously unseen images, Tom designs and builds custom camera gear, such as wolf-proof camera traps, which enable photographers to leave cameras in dangerous or hard-to-reach environments for extended periods. These custom solutions involve protecting cables with stainless steel and ensuring they are wolf-proof, as wolves have a tendency to chew on things. Tom's workshop and inventions are essential to National Geographic's mission to explore and document the world's wonders.
Tom's innovative problem-solving as a photo engineer: Creativity, determination, and adaptability are essential for overcoming challenges and achieving goals.
Innovation and problem-solving are key to overcoming challenges, as demonstrated by Tom's work as a photo engineer at National Geographic. He combines elements of James Bond's elegance and MacGyver's resourcefulness to create unique solutions for photographers' needs. An example of this is the "funky bird train," a remote-controlled, camera-equipped train disguised as a sage grouse to capture the bird's mating dance without disturbing it. This innovative approach allowed the photographer to capture the shot while maintaining the bird's natural behavior. This story highlights the importance of creativity, determination, and adaptability in achieving goals, lessons we can all learn from both real and fictional characters.
Partnership between Jacques Cousteau and Harold Edgerton: Collaboration between innovators and explorers led to groundbreaking discoveries in extreme environments, inspiring future generations to continue pushing boundaries.
Technological innovation and collaboration have been key drivers in expanding human knowledge and exploration, from the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space. This was exemplified by the partnership between Jacques Cousteau and Harold Edgerton in the 1950s, who used advanced underwater photography techniques to capture stunning images of marine life and contribute to scientific discovery. Despite the challenges of working in extreme environments and with limited technology, these pioneers pushed boundaries and inspired future generations to continue exploring and documenting the wonders of the natural world.
Doc Edgerton and Jacques Cousteau's Collaboration Revolutionized Underwater Photography: Doc Edgerton's innovations in underwater lighting and camera technology, combined with Jacques Cousteau's vision, brought the wonders of the ocean to the public, inspiring a new generation to appreciate and protect it. National Geographic photo engineers continue this legacy, pushing boundaries with unique solutions to capture previously unseen images.
The collaboration between inventor-engineer Harold "Doc" Edgerton and explorer Jacques Cousteau revolutionized underwater photography and brought the wonders of the ocean to the public, inspiring a new generation of scientists, conservationists, and curious minds to appreciate and protect the world beneath the waves. Doc's innovations in lighting and camera technology, combined with Cousteau's vision, brought the ocean to life and ignited a sense of responsibility to preserve it. Over the decades, National Geographic photo engineers have continued this legacy, pushing boundaries with projects ranging from the search for the Loch Ness monster to capturing Alex Honnold's free solo climb of El Capitan. Tom O'Brien, the current photo engineer, continues this tradition, creating unique solutions to capture previously unseen images, such as Ronan Donovan's project to photograph beavers storing food under the ice. Through their ingenuity and passion, these engineers have enabled us to explore the world in new ways and appreciate its beauty and complexity.
Building a remote underwater camera setup: Creating an underwater camera setup involves overcoming challenges, including protecting the camera from the cold, constructing a frame, and modifying equipment. Patience and reverse engineering skills are necessary.
Creating a remote underwater camera setup involves overcoming various challenges such as protecting the camera from the cold and icy water, constructing a frame for the camera to hang above the ice, and modifying off-the-shelf equipment to fit specific needs. Tom, the maker in this story, orders an underwater camera housing online and makes modifications to it. He also fabricates a metal frame and metal pieces to keep the camera attached. The process requires reverse engineering, fabrication, and patience as Tom has less than a month to complete the project before the winter ice melts.
Searching for the perfect beaver photograph: National Geographic's photo editors meticulously sift through millions of frames to find unique and inspiring images of nature, dedicating themselves to showcasing extraordinary aspects and fostering conservation.
The process of creating a standout photograph for National Geographic involves extensive effort and meticulous attention to detail. Tom, a craftsman making a beaver cam, is working tirelessly to meet the deadline for a potential publication. However, the end result, a single published photograph, is the culmination of a photo editor's search through countless frames for an image that showcases the subject's unique personality or interaction with the environment. Kaia Burn, a photo editor at National Geographic, has been struggling to find a good beaver photograph for an in-depth story she planned. With a vast archive of over 11 million photos, she and her team regularly search through tens of thousands of frames to find the one that stands out. The goal is to showcase an extraordinary side of nature and inspire viewers to care and protect it. This process demonstrates the dedication and passion behind the creation of visually captivating and thought-provoking content in National Geographic.
Unexpected delays can lead to new opportunities: Unexpected setbacks can provide chances to innovate and explore new possibilities, transforming a disappointment into a valuable experience
Creating a sense of connection and similarity can lead to caring about something or someone, even if it's an animal like a beaver. Tom, an engineer, was excited about his beaver cam project but faced a delay due to a photographer's inability to reach the field before the ice melted. Tom was initially disappointed but then saw the opportunity to improve the project and make it more versatile. He dreamed of using it for live streaming from underwater beaver dams and even saw potential for collaboration with photographers and visual journalists. Despite the delay, Tom remained enthusiastic about the project and continued to be a one-man help hotline for his team. The unexpected setback allowed him to take a step back, work out problems, and explore new possibilities. The beaver cam, a giant robot eye, remained in his workshop, waiting for its chance to capture beavers like never before.
Exploring the world of wildlife photography and conservation: Listen to Overheard at National Geographic for up-close encounters with various wildlife species and insights into their conservation efforts, inspired by the legacy of Jacques Cousteau.
This episode of Overheard at National Geographic offers listeners a glimpse into the fascinating world of wildlife photography and conservation. From arctic wolves and sage grouse to cheetahs and beavers, the podcast brings listeners up close and personal with these incredible creatures. It also pays tribute to the legendary Jacques Cousteau, who revolutionized the way we explore and understand the ocean. The episode encourages listeners to check out previous episodes, including "March of the Beavers," and invites them to engage with the podcast community by rating and reviewing the show in Apple Podcasts. The team behind Overheard at National Geographic includes Jacob Pinter, Brian Gutierrez, Laura Sim, Alana Strauss, Maneka Wilhelm, Carla Wills, Eli Chin, Devar Ardalan, Robin Palmer, Julie Beer, Amy Kolsak, Honsdale Hsu, Karen Circa, Whitney Johnson, and Susan Goldberg, with Peter Gwen as the host. Don't miss out on the adventure – tune in and explore the wonders of the natural world with Overheard at National Geographic.
