Episodes

This week’s perceptive photographer podcast dives into the dynamic interplay between time and creativity. This episode peels back the layers of how a non-linear approach to time can reshape our photographic journey and push the boundaries of our artistic process! “And yet we have memories and we have anticipation of the future, and we have all sorts of things that sort of shift our notion of time.” Key Points Time’s role in the creative process Misconceptions about linear progress Circular ...

In this perceptive photographer podcast this week we focus on how coming up with three key goals can make a difference in your work. From setting strategies for goal setting, exploring the impact of language in photography, connecting with your subject, and looking at history, social sharing, or business aspects of photography, getting the right goal can be a wonderful stepping stone to a deeper connection with and emphasizing the importance your work. Key Points Expand beyond low-hanging frui...

In this episode of the Perceptive Photographer, we dive into the impacts of influences on our work. From life’s twists to jazz beats and social justice, explore the diverse elements that shape our sense of seeing. “Our influences come from a broader spectrum than just the other photographers.” Key Points Influences extend beyond photography Emotional life experiences as creative fuel Art forms other than photography inspire The impact of photography training Environment & social issues in...

This week’s podcast explores the distinction between knowledge and wisdom in photography, emphasizing the importance of experience and trusting yourself. My goal is to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone, trust your existing skills, and take action to explore your creativity to have more uniqueness in your work. “Trust that you already know enough, trust that you already have the skills you need, and then take those steps to actually try it out and see what happens.” Key Points Pho...

In this episode 451 of the Perceptive Photographer this week, I discuss the significance of commitment and personal growth in photography. By focusing on our unique perspectives and experiences to create meaningful images, I believe we end up capturing the essence of who we are in our photographs. I also talk about the need for continuous evolution and reinvention rather than staying stagnant. Key concepts from the podcast this week: Emotional awareness greatly impacts the mood and essence of ...

As a photographer, I believe it’s essential to step out of our comfort zones to improve the quality of our images. In this episode, I discuss the significance of exploring new techniques, embracing uncertainty, and actively engaging with the creative process. I also stress the importance of taking the time to sit with our feelings, identifying any issues that may be hindering us, and using a checklist approach to analyze and edit our images. In addition to that, I recommend exploring unknown te...

In the podcast this week, we take a look at ten thought-provoking questions that delve into the motivations, emotions, and personal approaches of photographers. It emphasizes the importance of paying attention and taking progressive steps forward in the creative journey. My goal this week is to help prompt you to reflect on the most amazing images and things you have witnessed through the lens and whether you continue to actively seek out more of the same experiences. Would you photograph if yo...

In a recent conversation with a friend, they mentioned they were moving on from a job. They had been there since the early days in the company and now found that too much had changed, and they felt as if they were having to be something they weren’t. Rather than focusing on doing what they love, it was all smart goals, stretch goals, meetings and delays. The whole reason they got into it was lost. This podcast episode explores how the introduction of smart goals and corporate buzzwords can hind...

In the podcast this week, we take a look at how using metaphors and developing multiple metaphors in your photography can help you find a more exciting and consistent voice in your work. One of the questions I get asked frequently is what sort of equipment do I use to record my podcast. I have used a variety of equipment in the years that I have been recording, but here is the current list of equipment that I am using. Also as an FYI and full disclosure, the links are affiliate links to Amazon.

I like to eat junk food. There are so many good cakes, pies, cookies, ice cream, funnel cakes and more. I also know that too much junk food isn’t good for me and causes all sorts of issues. I know what to do to eat healthy, but I only sometimes do it. I also have learned that dieting to fix an issue is a short-term fix and that the term diet isn’t something you do. It is what you actually eat. Our creative process is a lot like eating. We can live on junk food and the costs that come with it, o...

We often hear that gear doesn’t (or does) matter. Those on the doesn’t matter side will discuss how great images are made independently of the gear used. However, in this week’s podcast, we take a look at how the gear you use impacts the type and style of work you do. We also look at how much of the reason we might buy gear that has no effect on our work. This leads us to the question, are we using the right gear for what we do? One of the questions I get asked frequently is what sort of equipm...

This week is episode number 444 of the podcast. In honor of the episode number, we are looking at three lists of four great ways to improve, have fun and make more photographs. One of the questions I get asked frequently is what sort of equipment do I use to record my podcast. I have used a variety of equipment in the years that I have been recording, but here is the current list of equipment that I am using. Also as an FYI and full disclosure, the links are affiliate links to Amazon.

Over the past few weeks, I have had a couple of questions sent to me in email that I thought were interesting topics for the podcast. While each question is unique, they sort of get to a central question when looking at our photography and deciding on images to keep or pass over. This week’s podcast dives into the questions of What makes a good photograph and how you choose between two similar images when picking one to have as the final image. Both are great questions that all photographers fa...

In this week’s podcast, I talk about the importance of kindness and how that can make a difference in someone’s life even when you might not be aware. Nothing about photographs this week, but something bigger than all of that clicking and f/stops. One of the questions I get asked frequently is what sort of equipment do I use to record my podcast. I have used a variety of equipment in the years that I have been recording, but here is the current list of equipment that I am using. Also as an FYI ...

In this week’s podcast, we talk about the importance of framing and the impacts framing has on compositions in photographs. I also make a personal plea for you to stop clicking on gear-related clickbait. One of the questions I get asked frequently is what sort of equipment do I use to record my podcast. I have used a variety of equipment in the years that I have been recording, but here is the current list of equipment that I am using. Also as an FYI and full disclosure, the links are affiliate...

I often hear photographers make things needlessly complicated, as if complexity is something to strive for. In this week’s podcast, we explore the idea of keeping things simple. The simpler, the better. Whether it’s discussing photographs, setting up Photoshop, or sharing prints, simplicity brings us happiness, productivity, and motivation. One of the questions I get asked frequently is what sort of equipment do I use to record my podcast. I have used a variety of equipment in the years that I ...

Ever get a song stuck in your head that you can’t seem to shake? Or, do you ever have a random fact that you can’t remember but can remember everything else about the fact? For example, you can’t remember the name of the singer of Margaritaville, but you can remember his name sounds like something at a restaurant, likes boats, eats cheeseburgers, writes books and has beach parties at his concerts. In our photography, I think sometimes how we deal with these brain glitches can have an impact on ...

This week on the Perceptive Photographer, we are talking all about being bold about how you answer some of the simple questions people ask you about your photography and the types of images you make. One of the questions I get asked frequently is what sort of equipment do I use to record my podcast. I have used a variety of equipment in the years that I have been recording, but here is the current list of equipment that I am using. Also as an FYI and full disclosure, the links are affiliate lin...

This week on the Perceptive Photographer, we are taking at look at some key considerations or questions to ask yourself about your photographic compositions. Are the objects in your composition with purpose, or are they a distraction? And, more importantly, if they are a distraction, are they a distraction of purpose? Where to your leading lines lead? After all, lines move two directions. How do you approach your two-dimensional space verse your three dimensional space? How much emotional sp...

In this week’s podcast, we take a look at how rushing and invoking our fight or flight responses to framing and composing our photographs can have an unintended detrimental impact on our work. And, how small steps like deep breaths, reimagining work and presence of mind can help us recognize compositional issues when they appear behind the lens. One of the questions I get asked frequently is what sort of equipment do I use to record my podcast. I have used a variety of equipment in the years th...

This week’s podcast is a dive into a few listener questions that have come in over the past few weeks. We look at how to approach big projects and use the amazing Matika Wilbur’s Project 562 work as an example of how big projects often require lots of time, miles and small bits. We then look at how to answer the question: what will you do with that photo? And finally, we take a peak at the tinting and toning of black and white images. One of the questions I get asked frequently is what sort of ...

In looking at photographs, there are a lot of ways to evaluate the work. Two of those approaches are content and concept. We can look at how well the concept is executed, and we can look at how well the content supports the concept. In the podcast this week, I dive into the importance of understanding a couple of key elements about content and concept in analyzing your work. Most important are understanding the default bias you bring to your analysis and how to temper your analysis against your...

One of the great aspects of working in photography is the chance to work on projects. And in this case, by projects, I just mean a collection of similar themed work. Many of us start out taking images of things that capture our attention. They might seem random or grouped somehow, but they are often disjointed. Eventually, we might see a pattern or theme develop but still continue to click away sort of ad-hoc. In the podcast this week, I talk about the value of thinking of your work as projects...

The podcast this week is a quick review of lessons observed in my last workshop out in the Palouse. One of the questions I get asked frequently is what sort of equipment do I use to record my podcast. I have used a variety of equipment in the years that I have been recording, but here is the current list of equipment that I am using. Also as an FYI and full disclosure, the links are affiliate links to Amazon.