Dial & Aperture
A podcast exploring the artistry, craftsmanship, and obsessive detail behind photography, watches, and gear. Hosts Nacho Conde and Morgan Saignes share insights and conversations about these hobbies. The show examines the tools, design, and culture surrounding capturing images and measuring time. It appeals to enthusiasts who appreciate the intersection of these interests.
Episodes
Dial and Aperture Ep. 37 - The Issue With Watch Brands Using Renders Instead Of Photography
In this week’s episode of Dial and Aperture, Morgan and Nacho explore the importance of authentic photography in watch marketing and criticize the overuse of digital renders and stock images. They discuss how real images tell better stories and connect more deeply with audiences. Before that, they quickly catch up: Nacho is in Holland, doing some work at Fratello HQ, and Morgan has been keeping bu
Dial and Aperture Ep. 36 - Catching up: running, photography, moving to Germany, and recent travels
We are back on Dial and Aperture, after a break last week. Today, Nacho and Morgan take some time to catch up and chat about what they’ve been up to. This includes a return to running and photography for Morgan. Nacho has had a lively few days. With the big move behind him, he was away in Spain for a wedding, as well as on a Tudor press trip to San Diego, to discover more about a chapter of the br
Dial and Aperture Ep. 35 - What we learned from posting daily on Instagram (and why we stopped)
In this episode, Morgan and Nacho reflect on their experiences posting on Instagram, the impact on their photography, the social aspect of the platform, and the importance of finding a healthy balance in social media use. We start with a move update from Nacho, who is in the final days leading up to it. Morgan continues to live the island life, keeping busy and enjoying the routine. They wrap it u
Dial and Aperture Ep. 34 - Catching up and Geneva Watch Days 2026 highlights
In this episode, Nacho and Morgan catch up on recent travels, getting back into their fitness routines, and Nacho’s progress on moving to Germany before diving into the Focus Point: Geneva Watch Days. They break down their favorite watch releases from the fair. Nacho also shares what it was like to attend this year and connect with friends and listeners in person. Finally, they close out the show
Dial and Aperture Ep. 33 - Planning our ideal photography trip
In this episode, Morgan and Nacho explore their dream photography trips, discussing destinations, gear, and watches to accompany their adventures. First they catch up on recent events, including some recent incidents involving home renovations and local wildlife. They wrap things up with an analog solution for keeping yourself organized and a perfect souvenir idea.Show Notes / Snapshots:Field Note
Dial and Aperture Ep. 32 - How to travel with your photography gear like a pro
In this episode, Morgan and Nacho share practical tips for traveling with your photography gear (like a pro), including bags, packing strategies, weatherproofing, and security measures. If you want to keep your gear safe, avoid hassle at airport security, and to get other practical tips, be sure to tune in. They also catch up on their experience viewing the eclipse and their attempts to view and
Dial and Aperture Ep. 31 - What to do when you don’t feel inspired to shoot
This week, on Dial and Aperture, it’s back to business as usual. Morgan and Nacho catch up on the latest. This includes Morgan’s trip to France and Switzerland, as well as Nacho’s new camera bag. For the main topic, they explore how to handle creative slumps, the importance of taking breaks, and how to find inspiration again in photography and other creative pursuits. Snapshots today include a gre
Dial and Aperture Ep. 30 - Breaking into the industry and unlocking creativity with Kat Shoulders
In this episode of Dial and Aperture, the boys are thrilled to welcome special guest Kat Shoulders to the show. Kat shares her journey from casual photography to professional work, her approach to shoot planning, and her insights on the impact of AI on photography and a new trend towards realness over perfection. We also get into gear, the creative process, and thoughts on authenticity in watch an
Dial and Aperture Ep. 29 - The challenge of less-is-more in photography
Today, on Dial and Aperture, Morgan and Nacho discuss the challenges of a less-is-more approach to watch photography. Minimalism can be appealing, but it comes with its own unique set of challenges and considerations. Before getting into it, they catch up on recent events, including Morgan’s quest for inspiration and Nacho’s impending move to Germany. Finally, they wrap things up with Snapshots, f
Dial and Aperture Ep. 28 - How to shoot and edit the perfect lume shot
This week’s episode of Dial and Aperture begins with the usual catch-up. Morgan highlights his ongoing tattoo process (two sessions away from completion) and upcoming travel to France and Switzerland. Nacho talks about a recent trip to Biel for a video project, Amsterdam for a product presentation, and the upcoming Geneva Watch Days. The guys then share a detailed breakdown of their process for ta
Dial and Aperture Ep. 27 - Watch photography campaigns we love
In this episode of Dial and Aperture, Morgan and Nacho explore their favorite watch-photography campaigns, sharing insights into storytelling, creativity, and the importance of visual narratives in watch marketing. They discuss campaigns shot by brilliant photographers (in some cases, friends of the show) for brands like AP, Baltic, Serica, and more, highlighting what makes them stand out and insp
Dial and Aperture Ep. 26 - Street Photography
Today on Dial and Aperture, Nacho and Morgan explore the art of street photography, sharing their approaches, gear setups, and insights on capturing candid moments in urban environments. They also discuss the importance of patience, ethics, and embracing imperfection in photography. They recount recent travel and nerd out on their favorite watches before wrapping up with snapshots. This week’s inc
Dial and Aperture Ep. 25 - Photography genres we’d like to explore
In this week’s episod of Dial and Aperture we’re talking about the heat wave, new Grand Seikos, and leaving our comfort zone. Morgan and Nacho explore various photography genres beyond their usual watch photography, including wildlife, architecture, car, landscape, travel, underwater, and portrait photography. We end the show with some snapshots, which include a handy accessory to beat the heat an
Dial and Aperture Ep. 24 - Listener Q&A [Vol. 1]
In this first Q&A episode, Nacho and Morgan answer listener questions about Fuji recipes, watch features, upcoming watch events, and much more. Before getting into it they discuss their recent activities, including travel, photography and video projects, and their enjoyment of the ongoing World Cup. Finally, they wrap it up with snapshots. This week's include a couple of solid IG follows as we
Dial and Aperture Ep. 23 - Unlocking new photography techniques
In this week’s episode, Morgan and Nacho share their recent photography experiments, travel adventures, and tips on lighting, editing, and gear management. They explore newly unlocked techniques, such as combining soft and harsh light, focus stacking, and range masking, to elevate watch photography. They wrap things up with some snapshots, including a great gift for any young ones in your family a
Dial and Aperture Ep. 22 - A Post-break ppdate: Mexico, photography experiments, and tattoo sessions
Dial and Aperture is back! After a quick two-week break, Nacho and Morgan are catching up on life, travel, and gear. This week, Nacho recaps his Mexican honeymoon, a nerve-wracking close call with his Doxa, and his latest dive into underwater photography. Meanwhile, Morgan’s been keeping it low-key; prepping for upcoming travel and logging serious hours at the tattoo studio, working on his full le
Dial and Aperture Ep. 21 - (Part 2) Talking photography with Ken and James of Form & Function
In this week’s episode of Dial and Aperture, the boys are joined by special guests Ken and James of the Form & Function podcast. They share some general chit-chat and discuss topics ranging from James’ and Ken’s first steps into photography to the gear they use today. Finally, they wrap things up with some Homework/Snapshots. These include a couple of classic films, travel-friendly fitness equ
Dial and Aperture Ep. 20 - How to avoid getting stuck in a creative rut
Do you ever feel like you're running low on creativity? In this episode, Morgan and Nacho share their insights on how to get out of that situation. From employing creative photography techniques to avoiding getting stuck in routines, and practical tips for shooting and editing. They discuss how they’ve navigated the situation and ways to stay inspired in the world of photography. They wrap the sho
Dial and Aperture Ep. 19 - The Watches and Wonders debrief: Our experience
Back from the madness of Watches and Wonders 2026, Nacho and Morgan are happy to be home. In this episode, they catch up on the latest and discuss their individual experiences navigating the show, doing their best to capture as many pictures as possible of their favorite watches. They also talk about the reality of shooting during the fair and the pitfalls of a setup that requires a lot of assembl
Dial and Aperture Ep. 18 - Live From Watches and Wonders 2026
Join a slightly worse-for-wear Morgan and Nacho live from Geneva as they share their experiences from Watches & Wonders. Joining forces on day four of the fair, they discuss the latest watch releases, photography challenges, and memorable moments from the event. This, of course, includes the annual photographer’s dinner at the Buvette des Bains: the only fondue restaurant in Geneva, where duck
Dial and Aperture Ep. 17 - The Pre-Watches and Wonders 2026 Episode
In this pre-Watches and Wonders episode, Nacho and Morgan talk about how they prepare for the big show of the year. This includes everything from clearing memory cards to packing gear and charging batteries. They also touch on recent travel, Pokémon adventures, and the return of natural light to the Northern Hemisphere. They also make some predictions and talk about the brands they’re most looking
Dial and Aperture Ep. 16 - Conceptualizing our ideal cameras
Today, on Dial and Aperture, Morgan and Nacho are dreaming up their ideal cameras. The show kicks off with the usual weekly chat, where topics like Watches and Wonders prep, plans for a new tattoo, and some ongoing autodidactic activity. Our focus point this week sees the guys running through a specs sheet for their ideal camera and lens setup. Whether the real thing exists out there remains to be
Dial and Aperture Ep. 15 - Photography in the studio vs. out in the world
What are the biggest differences between shooting out in the world versus in the studio? And which of the two scenarios do we prefer? That’s the topic of discussion in today’s episode of Dial and Aperture. Join Nacho and Morgan as they explore the nuances of studio versus outdoor photography, sharing insights, experiences, and practical tips for photographers looking to enhance their craft in diff
Dial and Aperture Ep. 14 - Dream clients: brands we’d love to work for as photographers
The boys are dreaming big this week! Join Morgan and Nacho in this episode of Dial and Aperture as they discuss the brands they’d love to work for someday. They kick things off with a quick catch-up on recent goings on, including Morgan’s recent visit to an active volcano, and Nacho’s attendance at a Thundercat show and ongoing flash photography experiments. They then move on to discussing their d
Dial and Aperture Ep. 13 - Our photography workflows
Today, on Dial and Aperture, Nacho and Morgan are discussing their photography workflow. From packing their camera bag to file management, editing, and delivering finished images. The episode begins with the usual catch-up and weather report. Morgan is back on Reunion Island after an intense week of shooting watches in Geneva and Paris. And Nacho had an interesting outing to Amsterdam to shoot som
Dial and Aperture Ep.12 - A slightly jet-lagged catch-up
In this week’s episode of Dial and Aperture, Morgan calls in from Geneva as he kicks off a week of client work, and Nacho is coming off the jet lag after two back-to-back press trips. It’s been two weeks since the boys spoke, so they skip the focus point and spend the episode catching up. Morgan tells us about his ongoing client work and pre-Watches and Wonders plans. Nacho gives a report of his T
Dial and Aperture Ep. 11 - Finding your photography style
In this episode of Dial and Aperture, hosts Nacho and Morgan discuss developing your own photography style. Before getting into it, they chat about recent volcanic eruptions, photography opportunities, and their upcoming travels. The conversation begins on the importance of experimentation in finding one's photography style. They delve into the role of gear, editing techniques, and the significanc
Dial and Aperture Ep. 10 - Printing your photography
In this episode of Dial & Aperture, Morgan and Nacho talk about recent watch events, the benefits of renting gear, and Nacho’s recent purchase of a flash. They also explore various aspects of photography, focusing on the importance of printing images and the many considerations involved. The conversation also touches on creating photo books and the joy of sharing prints with friends, committin
Dial and Aperture Ep. 9 - Shooting wipeouts, bald eagles, and brand campaigns with Zach Piña
In this episode of Dial and Aperture, Nacho and Morgan welcome special guest photographer Zach Pina to discuss his journey into photography, the evolution of his skills, and the intersection of photography and watches. Zach shares insights on transitioning from hobbyist to professional, the importance of capturing a subject's essence, and the challenges of shooting in various environments. The con
Dial and Aperture Ep. 8 - Our go-to gear for casual walkabout photography
In this episode of Dial an Aperture, hosts Morgan and Nacho discuss topics including the weather, outdoor activities, and their love of following a run with a quick dip in the ocean. The discussion then focuses on walkabout photography gear. They highlight some of their go-to kit, both over the years and currently. They share insights on what makes gear suitable for this casual photography style,
Dial and Aperture Ep. 7 - Turning your passion into your profession
In this episode, Nacho and Morgan discuss their journeys from pursuing photography as a passion to making it their profession. They share personal experiences, the challenges of working with brands, and the importance of networking and persistence. The conversation also touches on finding balance between work and personal life, the significance of quality in photography, and the learning process o
Dial and Aperture Ep. 6 - Watch photography tips and tricks Vol. 1
In this episode of "Dial an Aperture," hosts Morgan and Nacho dive into their recent experiences in the world of photography, particularly focusing on product photography tips and tricks. Morgan tunes in from Brittany, France, and shares his hectic week visiting independent watchmakers in Switzerland and France, where he took over 7,000 pictures, while Nacho recounts his one-day trip to Geneva to
Dial and Aperture Ep. 5 - Shooting Watches and Wonders: the world’s biggest watch fair
In this week's episode of Dial an Aperture, hosts Nacho and Morgan discuss their experiences with photography, travel, and the challenges of shooting at the Watches and Wonders fair. They share insights on packing for travel, dealing with flight cancellations, and the importance of having the right gear for photography. The conversation also touches on their current watches, photography techniques
Dial and Aperture Ep. 4 - What’s in our camera bags?
In this episode of Dial an Aperture, hosts Morgan and Nacho give a field report on their start to 2026, including recent and upcoming travel, current photography work, and some extreme winter weather and volcanic activity. The focus point today is on the guys’ camera bags and their content. If you're curious about the essential gear Nacho and Morgan use, look no further. The conversation highlight
Dial and Aperture Ep. 3 - Our most worn/photographed watches of 2025
In this particularly watch-focued episode of Dial an Aperture, hosts Nacho and Morgan give a field report on their holiday experiences, including weather reflections and personal updates. They share unique Christmas traditions, gift highlights, and their current wrist checks. The conversation shifts to the focus point of their most photographed and worn watches of 2025, exploring photography chal
Dial and Aperture Ep. 2 - Formal Introductions: who we are and what we do
In this episode of Dial & Aperture, Nacho shares a field report on his recent experience at the Big Wave Challenge in Nazaré, Portugal, discussing the challenges and excitement of capturing such an event. Morgan also talks about his recent experiments with outdoor flash use and blending it in with natural light. The conversation delves into photography techniques, the impact of AI on workflow
Dial and Aperture Ep. 1 - How we got into photography / what inspires us as photographers
Welcome to Dial & Aperture!In this inaugural episode, hosts Nacho and Morgan discuss the Focus Point of how they got into photography and who/what inspires them today. They first share some Field Notes on Morgan's recent trip to the Dubai Watch Week watch fair, and Nacho's press trip to Miami to photograph and cover the launch of the new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean. They wrap up with some Sna
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