Three days ago, I posted here that Michael and I would be leaving The Digital Photography Show to launch our own podcast. I told you that our farewell episode, which Michael and I had already taped and sent to The Podcast Network (TPN), would be posting soon.
Unfortunately, it appears that episode will never air. But we don't want you to think it was our choice to end it like that!
Here's how it went down. We wrote TPN on September 26th that we would no longer be doing the show. Upon receiving my note, TPN immediately changed the passwords to our account, effectively silencing our voices. That rendered us unable to post any blog notes or new episodes.
That immediate suspension of our ability to communicate with you came as a huge surprise to me and Michael - that was not at all the reaction we expected.
Despite that, based on discussions we had with TPN, we believed would be permitted to post a final episode and note. We really wanted to say goodbye to our listeners in the actual show, since the vast majority of them don't read this blog.
In the final episode we taped for TPN, which you apparently will never hear, we said our goodbyes. We let everyone know where they could find us in the future (which is, for now, right here on www.scottsphotoblog.com). We said we would be starting a new show soon, and that it would feature the same kind of commentary, review, instruction and interviews that we love doing. We expressed our appreciation to TPN for giving us our start, and we wished the best to any new hosts who might take over The Digital Photography Show (exactly as I did in my October 10th post here).
I have to take a moment for a brief aside here. Since it breaks up the story of Why You'll Never Hear Our Last Episode, I'll indent it.
After we ran through all our thank-you's (we actually had more of a "script" for the show than we usually do, since we didn't want to leave anyone out) Michael said there was one more person he wanted to thank. As we had already written and rewritten the list a number of times, I had no idea who he could be thinking of.
"Who?" I asked him, wondering who we could have overlooked.
"You," Michael said. He went on to say a couple of nice things then, which I really can't remember because, to be honest, I was too concentrated on not choking up.
As you can imagine, taping our last episode - saying goodbye to all of you and and putting closure to something which had been such a highlight of our lives - well, the whole thing was pretty emotional to begin with.
Leave it to Michael to almost push me over the edge.
And yes, I said nice things about him too, none of which were sufficient to let the guy know just how much I love and value him, though. No point in both of us blubbering.
Those of you who know us know that we would never have recorded a show that was ugly, unkind or unfit for posting. We just wanted to put closure to the endeavor which had been our passion for two and half years now.
We sent our farewell episode to TPN three days ago. We were subsequently informed that they wouldn't post the show, nor would they post the note we had written. Instead, they put up their own notice.
Their notice didn't mention that Michael and I would be doing a new show and it didn't link back here. Hence, the vast majority of people who listened to the show or even read the TPN blog will never know where to find us or that we'll be back on the air soon. They'll just think we disappeared and left without even the courtesy of a "so long."
They'll think "oh, those guys went on and on about how we were a community of friends and then they just quit without even saying goodbye. Jerks."
You can imagine how that makes us feel.
I won't try to characterize, explain, defend or criticize TPN's decisions in all this. It is what it is. Once TPN changed our passwords, they had total control over what got posted on The Digital Photography Show, and they have chosen to exercise their control in this way. Give us the serenity to accept those things we can't control, right? And move on.
But we did want to let you know that it was never our intention to so abruptly disappear or leave without saying "goodbye." If you know any other listeners of The Digital Photography Show, will you let them know too, please?
So, that's our story.
Starting our new show will be harder without the ability to tell listeners of The Digital Photography Show where to find us. But Michael and I are resourceful. We've also made many wonderful friends in the digital photography business over the years - you know who some of them are. Heck, you are some of them.
We'll be counting on all of you to help us get out the word about our new show. Stay tuned! And thanks for all the nice comments and emails. We really appreciate your support, understanding and patience through all this.
Scott,
I have listened to each of the DPS shows over the past year, catching up on the ones that were prior to my listening. You two have a friendly banter that is easy to listen to.
It is very unfortunate that individuals in a tight community such as photography would alienate not only listeners, but also prospective podcaster in the way TPN treated you. A simple sign-off would have sufficed to be an equitable solution.
As has been stated in previous comments here, the two of you will have no problem generating a listening base once you start up new venture. I am sure it will be more successful than ever.
Out of diversity, comes victory!
Posted by: Doug Peek | October 15, 2008 at 01:26 AM
Michael and Scott,
Contrary to what that infantile moron said above, we didn't leave you eight months ago and quite frankly I don't want you to change how you do your podcasts. The show has been anything but formal and I always feel as though I'm sitting with you two in a coffee bar somewhere having a relaxed chat about photography. Those occasions when you don't want it to end. That's what your podcasts have been like and that's why we've been tuning in again and again and again. Intelligent, relaxed, informative and good humoured.
I'm really looking forward to your next podcasts especially when the DSLR world is changing so rapidly. And to think you guys do this for the love of photography is brilliant!
James
Freiburg, Germany
Posted by: James Walker | October 15, 2008 at 02:50 AM
Hey guys, I know exactly how you are feeling. We too are formerly of The Podcast Network. We were not quite as up front as you were with Cam about leaving and for this exact reason. We did want to the chance to run the last show. We also did some other stuff on the blog so that our listeners could find us. Not disclosing them here as they are still working for us :)
The other thing is that I would encourage you in so much as that our podcast took a hit in numbers and it took bugger all time to actually build up again and actually get BIGGER than we were at TPN.
I am really looking forward to seeing what you get up to next. Count on myself and the crew at the Aussie Geek Podcast to promo it and link to you guys.
I think you made the right decision and I am truly saddened that you could not do as you wanted and that a network with so much potential is hemorrhaging to death.
Posted by: Dave Gray | October 15, 2008 at 06:55 AM
photo graphy is an subject to learn more and more it will give you the more result.
Posted by: digital photography | October 15, 2008 at 07:43 AM
Hey Scott and Michael,
I was very sorry to hear about your recent troubles with TPN. I noticed on the digital photography show show notes page that Cameron said there was a 98th episode but it didn't meet his "quality standards". What a joke!
You can rest assured that I will still be a loyal listener and will anxiously be awaiting your new show. The only suggestion I have regarding the new show is perhaps you could start up the contests again? I always enjoyed participating in your contests even though I never made it to the finals. I learned a lot listening to the photo critiques.
Good luck with the new show.
Posted by: Jim Prechel | October 15, 2008 at 09:34 AM
I'm really sorry the show had to end. Hopefully your new show will be up and running soon and we can continue to be enlightened, entertained, and made better photographers and people because of it. You guys have great chemistry together and that can't be replaced. Thanks.
Posted by: Bill | October 15, 2008 at 11:05 AM
And WHY exactly did you decide to call it quit with TPN and effectively end the show?
Posted by: Salia | October 15, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Yes,
i can confirm
http://www.scottsphotoblog.com/atom.xml
works as a feed link. Scott, you could just put a link to that on top of teh main page :)
Mau
Posted by: Mau | October 15, 2008 at 07:25 PM
I hope to see your podcast resurface somewhere else real soon. I enjoy your format, it's like listening in on a conversation of friends. I'll be checking this blog for more information.
Good luck!!!
Posted by: Roger | October 16, 2008 at 08:09 AM
Hey guys, it is sad what has happened to The Digital Photography Show, what is even sadder is the pathetic and deplorable actions by Cam to shut out what was for a long time the most listened to and visited podcast in the whole network.
As with the aussie geek podcast, if you can get a new site up, and pushing out new material, then I have no doubt that you'll grow bigger than the TPN would have ever allowed.
This will hurt the TPN much more than Cam thinks, especially with a network that is rapidly coming apart at the seams.
On a lighter note...
Good luck with the new podcast, if it is anything like the old show, then it will be a blast!
Posted by: Tim | October 16, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Hey Scott & Michael,
It's too bad that things had to go down this way. It'd be great to have you post up that last show here as an MP3 so folks could have a listen.
If you need a promo for the new show, I'd be glad to get one recorded for ya.
Posted by: Keith (AGP) | October 16, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Hey Michael & Scott,I'd been going through severe withdrawal symptoms awaiting your next show. I've been an avid listener since the start, enjoying the informative interviews & reviews, but in particular really loved the banter between you guys (listening to Scott eating in the background always made me chuckle). I have listened to all the podcasts more than once. After snooping around on the website to find out what was going on, I was mortified to find you would no longer be broadcasting & without any explanation. I decided to go to Scott's Blog to see if you had an explanation over there, because I just knew that you are not the type of people to just cut us off like that. Your show has been fantastic and you have been my constant companions for the last couple of years,listening to you as I was travelling & in my workshop whenever possible. I will sorely miss you guys in the interim. I know the workload must be enormous with your jobs & family life as well to contend with. I really don't know how you find the time & energy to do it, I'm just greatly appreciative that you do. I will be constantly checking your blog site for any info on your new show, wating in eager anticipation for mark II. Meanwhile I have unsubscribed from those meanspirited plebs at TPN. You can tell them it's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice! Best Wishes.
Posted by: Leigh in Australia | October 16, 2008 at 09:19 PM
THE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW is over but the real show goes on, that is the SCOTT AND MICHAEL SHOW, Like MARTIN AND LEWIS, ABBOTT AND COSTELLO, CAGNEY AND LACY etc; you guys will endure. The two of you and have a synergy and chemistry that transcended the content of the show.
Hang in there and keep up the good (the excellent) work. Look forward to your next offering..and then who knows..TV.. a movie!
Norm
Posted by: Norman | October 16, 2008 at 11:36 PM
I found your update via Camera Dojos post. I'm sure a huge part of your audience will do the same :)
Look forward to your future works.
Posted by: TI | October 17, 2008 at 12:32 AM
Hi Scott and Michael,
Wow, I'm so glad I came by here - I've been wondering where the show had gone. I found a note on Camera Dojo and came to see if there was more news.
I wish you both well, and I'll be there when the new show starts too. I've learned alot from your show and always enjoy the relaxed style.
Come back soon!
Posted by: ralph | October 17, 2008 at 01:56 AM
Hi Scott & Michael,
Returning after a short holiday last Monday one of the first thing I did when I got home was to go to TDPS site to download the expected show 98. I almost fell off the chair when I read you guys had left the show! Luckily my heart started to beat again when I saw here that you will continue under a new show name. Great!
So R.I.P. TDPS! I mean, what is the point of continuing with new hosts under that name? Scott & Michael, you WERE the show. And you did a goddamn great job being it!
Long live the new show! I hope to be able to download it very soon!
BTW, will the first show under the new name then be number 99? :-)
Posted by: Stefan | October 17, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Man, so close to episode 100 too! Seriously though guys, love what your doing and keep going.
P.S. I posted a comment on thedigitalphotographyshow.com with a link to here. It's awaiting moderation. Bummer.
Posted by: Chris | October 17, 2008 at 05:31 PM
Just when do we expect this gem of a new show to begin?
Posted by: Michael Cortina | October 18, 2008 at 01:01 PM
I imagine that thedigitalphotographyshow@gmail.com address still works... That wasn't part of TPN.
Posted by: Herne | October 18, 2008 at 08:48 PM
Well, TPN has officially severed the cords - TDPS no longer has web space on their network. There is still a link to it in the list of shows, but TDPS no longer has public access. I think Cam probably realized the negative approach was backfiring because people would see his last comment "It wasn't up to our standards" and then nothing after that, pretty much saying "Stop asking me questions." So, the show is no longer. :(
What's rather amusing though is that before I had learned about how things went down, I threw in an audition tape. Never would do the show now, after learning more about it, but the folks at TPN didn't know that. Still, never heard back from them. Not sure how professional that is (or isn't), but it does seem as though the fate of TDPS has been sealed. Please start up again soon Scott and Michael - we miss our weekly podcast! :)
Posted by: Jason | October 19, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Phew! Just saw that you guys are coming back! NICE! I just tried the link for show on my RSS and the show is totaly gone from TPN site. Would a boycot of TPN be in order (along with the usual email complaints, etc.) or would that be in bad spirit (to other podcasters). Can't wait for the new show.
Posted by: Ryan | October 19, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Scott & Michael,
I am eagerly awaiting the release of your new show. I listen to a wide variety of photo related podcasts and your's is one of my favorites. Given the problems with The Podcast Network earlier this year I am glad to see you guys moving on.
Posted by: Alex Chaney | October 19, 2008 at 06:53 PM
Off the air, and STILL nominated for a Podcast Award over at http:///www.podcastawards.com! Just goes to show you how much of a fan base you have and how clueless they were at TPN for not only letting you go, but for cutting off the site. Posthumous congratulations to Scott and Michael! :)
Posted by: Jason | October 20, 2008 at 02:05 AM
Hey Scott,
Sorry for what happened. I have not being able to listen to your show in the past few weeks and it was a big surprised to find out you guys were out. However, I came straight to your blog to find out more details, and I believe all your listeners will do the same. One way or another everyone will find you guys. Cannot wait to hear you guys again!
Eliu
Posted by: Eliu | October 20, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Hi guys..
I'll put a link to this blog on the flickr site... and a link here to the fickr site..... LOL
http://www.flickr.com/groups/thedps/
If Michael and Scott can contribute to that forum - we should all be able to find one another again.
I've been an avid listener of TDPS from it's beginnings, and miss the banter and tips - come on guys, post something positive for us who are hungry for more information.
Di
Posted by: Diane | October 20, 2008 at 12:02 PM