

F-Stop Collaborate and Listen
Matt Payne
This photography podcast takes you well beyond camera gear each week with weekly interviews and panel discussions with professional photographers, industry insiders, enthusiasts, and hobbyists alike. Our candid but laid-back conversations deeply explore the craft of photography and psychological drivers relating to creativity, motivation, inspiration, and workflow. We also discuss social media, photography business practices, marketing, sales, and hot topics impacting photographers from all genres, with a particular focus on landscape, nature, and wildlife photography. The show is hosted by Matt Payne, a professional full-time nature photographer and the co-founder of the internationally renowned photography competition, the Natural Landscape Photography Awards. Matt is also a mountaineer, climbing the highest 100 mountains in Colorado. Matt leverages skills he gained in pursuit of his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology to dig deeply into the hearts and minds of his passionate guests, revealing secrets and inspiration in every episode.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 14, 2022 • 1h 10min
256: Francesco Carovillano - Trying to Fail Better at Photography
Welcome to episode 256 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen!
This week on the podcast, I was joined by a travel, landscape, and stock photographer from Italy, now residing in France, Francesco Carovillano.
Francesco and I had a wonderful conversation about his journey and some revelations he has made while pursuing multiple careers in the arts.
On this week's episode we discuss:
Francesco's transition from 3D computer graphics to travel photography and now landscape photography,
How his work as an animator has influenced his work as a photographer,
Stories and lessons learned about his work on a stock photography project in New York City,
How he has found success in the stock photography market,
And a lot more!
Other items mentioned on the show this week:
1. Support the podcast on Patreon.
2. Brie Stockwell - Dream it, Do it! Quick Start guide.
Here's who Francesco recommended for the podcast this week:
Charles Cramer.
Christopher Burkett.
Francesco also recommended the study of various painters from the past, including:
Paul Cézanne
Camille Pissarro
Claude Monet
Édouard Manet
Pierre-August Renoir
Vincent Van Gogh
Paul Signac
George Saurat
Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot
Théodore Rousseau
John Constable
J.M.W. Turner
Edgar Alwyn Payne
Japanese woodblock landscape painters, who had a big influence on the impressionist painters:
Katsushika Hokusai
Hasui Kawase
Utagawa Hiroshige
I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. We also have an Instagram page, a Facebook Page, and a Facebook Group - so don't be shy!
Did you also know we have listener after-parties on Twitter Spaces? This is a great opportunity to interact with other listeners, guests, and the host (when I can) regarding your thoughts on the episode.
We also have a searchable transcript of every episode!
Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week.
P.S. you can also support the podcast by purchasing items through our B+H affiliate link.

Mar 7, 2022 • 1h 4min
255: Ashlei Payne - Creating Projects of Personal Importance
Hey everyone!
Welcome to episode 255 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen with your host Matt Payne.
This week on the podcast, I was joined by a photographer and film-maker who lives in California but travels internationally to focus on projects of personal importance - Ashlei Payne.
I was fortunate to meet Ashlei recently when I was photographing in Death Valley and she was recommended to us by former guest Talor Stone.
On this week's episode we discuss:
Ashlei's start in photography,
The differences and similarities between filmmaking and landscape photography,
Creating personal projects that are personally meaningful,
Her and Talor's project to document the impact of tourism on indigenous cultures in Greenland,
And a lot more!
Here's who Ashlei recommended for the podcast this week:
Logan Baker.
Timothy Mulcare.
Other items mentioned on the show:
1. Support the podcast on Patreon.
2. Join me at Out of Chicago LIVE! 2022.
3. Support Ashlei and Talor on Kickstarter.
I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. We also have an Instagram page, a Facebook Page, and a Facebook Group - so don't be shy!
Did you also know we have listener after-parties? This is a great opportunity to interact with other listeners, guests, and the host (when I can) regarding your thoughts on the episode.
We also have a searchable transcript of every episode!
Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week.
P.S. you can also support the podcast by purchasing items through our B+H affiliate link.

Feb 28, 2022 • 1h 20min
254: Peter Coskun - Confidence and Learning from Failure in Nature Photography
Welcome to episode 254 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen with your host Matt Payne.
This week on the podcast, I was joined by a landscape photographer living near the Sonoroan Desert of Arizona - Peter Coskun.
Peter and I have been online acquaintances for many years and have several mutual friends. I've long appreciated his photography and I've found that our personal styles have evolved similarly throughout the years. We had a great chat on this week's podcast and I'm confident you'll enjoy it.
On this week's episode we discuss:
Peter's journey into photography,
Peter's attempt at becoming a full-time professional and the lessons he learned along the way,
The pros and cons of being a full-time professional photographer,
Appreciation of place and moment in landscape photography,
Taking risks and stepping outside of our comfort zones,
Selling prints in landscape photography,
Confidence as photographers and entering competitions,
And a lot more!
Over on Patreon this week, Peter and I discuss the evolution of his post-processing style over the years, what has been behind that shift, and how he has thought about how he edits his work. To listen to this bonus episode and almost 200 others, simply support the podcast on Patreon for as little as $5 per month - it really does help. Thank you!
Here's who Peter recommended for the podcast this week:
Zack Clothier.
Jeff Kida.
Suzanne Mathia.
Other items mentioned on the show:
1. Support the podcast on Patreon.
2. Join me at Out of Chicago LIVE! 2022.
I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. We also have an Instagram page, a Facebook Page, and a Facebook Group - so don't be shy!
Did you also know we have listener after-parties? This is a great opportunity to interact with other listeners, guests, and the host (when I can) regarding your thoughts on the episode.
We also have a searchable transcript of every episode!
Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week.
P.S. you can also support the podcast by purchasing items through our B+H affiliate link.

Feb 21, 2022 • 1h 9min
253: Mitch Dobrowner - A Humble Journey into Landscape Photography
Welcome to episode 253 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen with your host Matt Payne.
This week on the podcast, I was joined by a fine art black and white photographer who has broad museum and gallery representation - Mitch Dobrowner.
Mitch comes highly recommended from several past guests and has a truly inspiring story about his arrival in photography and eventual journey back into it after a long hiatus. Sit back and relax as Mitch tells us about his story.
On this week's episode we discuss:
Mitch's story of quitting his job and exploring the southwest at the age of 21,
How Mitch became so well-represented by galleries and museums,
What we can learn by studying the greats that came before us,
What makes for a great museum-quality photograph,
Storm chasing and making images of powerful storms,
And a lot more!
Here's who Mitch recommended for the podcast this week:
Kris Graves.
Nick Brandt.
Over on Patreon this week, I asked Mitch to provide our listeners with advice if they were considering quitting photography, since he once did the same thing. You can listen to this bonus episode and 184 other bonus episodes as well as gaining access to early episodes, virtual meet-ups, and other perks by financially supporting the podcast on Patreon.
Other items mentioned on the show:
1. Support the podcast on Patreon.
2. Join me at Out of Chicago LIVE! 2022.
I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. We also have an Instagram page, a Facebook Page, and a Facebook Group - so don't be shy!
Did you also know we have listener after-parties? This is a great opportunity to interact with other listeners, guests, and the host (when I can) regarding your thoughts on the episode.
We also have a searchable transcript of every episode!
Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week.
P.S. you can also support the podcast by purchasing items through our B+H affiliate link.

Feb 14, 2022 • 1h 4min
252: Julia Redl - Minimalistic Landscape Photography
Welcome to episode 252 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen with your host Matt Payne.
This week on the podcast, I was joined by a German landscape photographer who excels at making quiet and intimate photographs that spark the imagination - Julia Redl.
I have been following Julia's excellent work on Instagram for quite some time and have been really impressed and so I reached out to see if she wanted to join me for a chat on the podcast. She was reluctant due to the fact that English is not her first language, but she agreed and did a great job on the show.
On this week's episode we discuss:
Julia's journey into photography,
Why she has chosen a more minimalistic style,
Her approach to composition,
Her approach to post-processing,
The role of emotions in her photography,
And a lot more!
Here's who Julia recommended for the podcast this week:
Bruce Percy.
Helen Trust.
Franka Slothouber.
Trym Bergsmo.
Richard Martin.
Other items mentioned on the show:
1. Support the podcast on Patreon.
2. Join me at Out of Chicago LIVE! 2022.
3. Nature Photographer's Network Free Trial and Access to Discounts.
I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. We also have an Instagram page, a Facebook Page, and a Facebook Group - so don't be shy!
Did you also know we have listener after-parties? This is a great opportunity to interact with other listeners, guests, and the host (when I can) regarding your thoughts on the episode.
We also have a searchable transcript of every episode!
Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week.
P.S. you can also support the podcast by purchasing items through our B+H affiliate link.

Feb 7, 2022 • 1h 9min
251: Rachael Talibart - Originality & Self-Expression in Nature Photography
Welcome to episode 251 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen with your host Matt Payne.
This week on the podcast, I was joined by none other than Rachael Talibart, a photographer from the U.K. who is known for her wave and coastal photography.
Rachael has been interviewed countless times before on other podcasts; however, I wanted to dig deeper into what makes her tick and what her processes are in the field to make unique and exceptional work.
On this week's episode we discuss:
The importance of originality in Rachael's work,
How Rachael instills ideals of self-expression and originality into her students,
Tips on how to create more personal and unique photography,
Rachael's approaches to some of her more recent photographs on the coast,
Book publishing,
And a lot more!
Over on Patreon this week, Rachael and I discuss why she decided to specialize in photography as opposed to being more of a generalist.
Here's who Rachael recommended for the podcast this week:
Jonathan Critchley.
Ragnar Axelsson.
Other items mentioned on the show:
1. Support the podcast on Patreon.
2. Join me at Out of Chicago LIVE! 2022.

Jan 31, 2022 • 1h 33min
250: Michael Bonocore - The Triple Threat of Content Creation in Travel Photography
Welcome to episode 250 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen with your host Matt Payne.
This week on the podcast I was joined by a travel and landscape photographer hailing from Boise, Idaho - Michael Bonocore.
Michael and I have been acquainted on social media for a very long time and I've always enjoyed his enthusiasm, humor, and business acumen. As I expected, he was full of great information and easy to talk to, so I think you'll enjoy our chat this week quite a lot.
On this week's episode we discuss:
Geotagging in landscape photography,
The power of networking in the photography industry,
Storytelling in travel photography,
The Giving Lens,
PetaPixel Travel,
And a lot more!
Over on Patreon this week, Michael and I discuss the heavy topic of Travel Photography and the Conundrum of Carbon we all face as photographers.
Here's who Michael recommended for the podcast this week:
Renan Ozturk.
Other items mentioned on the show:
1. Support the podcast on Patreon.
2. Supporting fellow podcast community members.
I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. We also have an Instagram page, a Facebook Page, and a Facebook Group - so don't be shy!
Did you also know we have listener after-parties on Clubhouse? This is a great opportunity to interact with other listeners, guests, and the host (when I can) regarding your thoughts on the episode.
We also have a searchable transcript of every episode!
Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week.
P.S. you can also support the podcast by purchasing items through our B+H affiliate link.

Jan 24, 2022 • 1h 11min
249: Nathan St. Andre - Art Shows & Color Blindness
Welcome to episode 249 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen with your host Matt Payne.
This week on the podcast I was joined by Southwest Utah landscape photographer and biologist, Nathan St. Andre.
Nathan and I have been chatting on social media for many years and I've found him to be a very nice guy with a lot of insight. He happens to make the bulk of his living selling prints at art shows and so we focused a lot of our attention on this, diving deep into his motivations and how it impacts his photography.
On this week's episode we discuss:
Nathan's approach to selling prints at art shows,
How art shows inform Nathan's photography,
Nathan's "Does My Art Suck" test,
Nathan's experience as a color-blind landscape photographer,
And a lot more!
Over on Patreon this week, Nathan and I discuss how to find success in print sales as landscape photographers.
Here's who Nathan recommended for the podcast this week:
Nic Stover.
Jeff Pedersen.
Marsel Van Oosten.
Other items mentioned on the show:
1. Support the podcast on Patreon.
2. Enchroma Color Blindness Test.
I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. We also have an Instagram page, a Facebook Page, and a Facebook Group - so don't be shy!
Did you also know we have listener after-parties on Clubhouse? This is a great opportunity to interact with other listeners, guests, and the host (when I can) regarding your thoughts on the episode.
We also have a searchable transcript of every episode!
Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week.
P.S. you can also support the podcast by purchasing items through our B+H affiliate link.

Jan 17, 2022 • 1h 51min
248: Printmaking in Landscape Photography - A Panel Conversation
Welcome to episode 248 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen with your host Matt Payne.
This week on the podcast I was joined by three master printmakers, John Sexton, Joseph Holmes, and Michael Strickland for an engaging panel conversation on printmaking in landscape photography.
On this week's episode we discuss:
Why make prints at all?
Their personal approaches to printmaking and how they are different.
How their approaches to printmaking has changed their fieldcraft.
The creative process in printmaking.
And a lot more!
Other items mentioned on the show:
1. Support the podcast on Patreon.
2. Robb Hirsch's book.
3. John Sexton's newsletter archive [subscribe here].
4. John Sexton's Ventana Editions (use code MATTPAYNE10 for 10% off at checkout).
5. Michael Strickland's Platinum Palladium Printing Service (10% off by mentioning the podcast).
6. Joseph Holmes' favorite images.
I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. We also have an Instagram page, a Facebook Page, and a Facebook Group - so don't be shy!
Did you also know we have listener after-parties on Clubhouse? This is a great opportunity to interact with other listeners, guests, and the host (when I can) regarding your thoughts on the episode.
We also have a searchable transcript of every episode!
Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week.

Jan 10, 2022 • 1h 3min
247: John Paul Caponigro - Finding Our Voice | Differentiating Ourselves as Artists
Welcome to episode 247 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen with your host Matt Payne.
This week on the podcast I was joined by John Paul Caponigro - a full-time photographer living in the small town of Cushing Maine and the son of legendary photographer Paul Caponigro.
John Paul was steeped in the classical American tradition of Landscape Photography at an early age, and he has since made a name for himself by blending his photography with a variety of other artforms, both digital and analog. On this week's episode we discuss:
John Paul's journey into photography and how he has strived to differentiate himself as an artist,
The difference between what art "is" and what it "is about,"
Discovering the extraordinary in the ordinary through photography,
Finding our voice as artists (and is that even a thing?),
And a lot more!
Over on Patreon this week, join John Paul and I as we discuss his pursuit of studying creativity, how he has gone about doing it, and how it has helped him as an artist.
Here's who John Paul recommended for the podcast this week:
Eddie Soloway.
Other items mentioned on the show:
1. Support the podcast on Patreon.
I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. We also have an Instagram page, a Facebook Page, and a Facebook Group - so don't be shy!
Did you also know we have listener after-parties on Clubhouse? This is a great opportunity to interact with other listeners, guests, and the host (when I can) regarding your thoughts on the episode.
We also have a searchable transcript of every episode!
Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week.