F-Stop Collaborate and Listen

Finding your why as a photographer is a noble life-long pursuit that can lead to many wonderful and satisfying years of creative exploration and output. On today's podcast, we are joined by nature photographer Jeanie Sumrall-Ajero to discuss her journey as a photographer and her pursuit of finding her why. Jeanie and I get into the weeds a bit on her past evocations, but be sure to stick through our chat as there are some valuable lessons to be gleaned from what she shares. On this week's episode, we discuss: Jeanie's wild journey in life as a software engineer, massage therapist, English teacher, and business owner; How Jeanie suffered from major burn-out in her career and how it has impacted her approach to photography; Jeanie's former business creating software for quilt-makers and how that business informs her views; Jeanie's experiences as an English teacher in Vietnam; How a tragic wild fire inspired Jeanie to work on a photography project; Jeanie's thoughts on Instagram and other social media; And a lot more! Other topics discussed on the podcast this week: Support the show on Patreon. Sign-up for 1:1 Mentoring with Matt. Brene Brown videos. Simon Sinek on Finding Your Why. Here is who Jeanie recommended on the podcast this week: Dave Showalter. Karen Hutton. Kristi Odom. Eileen Rafferty. Sean Tucker. Over on Patreon, Jeanie and I have a deep, candid, and thoughtful conversation about the dangers in comparing ourselves to others in photography including a bit of a rant about a recent article I wrote about deception - so if you're not supporting the podcast on Patreon, and this topic is of interest to you, you might want to check it out. For just $5/mo, you can support the podcast on Patreon and gain access to hundreds of hours of bonus content. 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.

Welcome to episode 260 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen with your host Matt Payne.   This week I was joined by a German nature photographer, Sandra Bartocha. Sandra is the 1st Vice President of the German Society for Nature Photography, otherwise known as the GDT. She is a well-established nature photography judge, having judged several competitions, including our very own Natural Landscape Photography Awards. Sandra's photography has a unique look and feel that is difficult for me to describe to viewers, and as such, she has differentiated herself in our crowded field of nature photography - a topic we cover at great length in today's podcast.   On this week's episode we discuss: Sandra's journey into nature photography and how she has been able to create unique and compelling work, How getting involved in photography organizations can improve your work, What Sandra looks for when she judges nature photography competitions, Why people should or should not enter photography competitions, How to think about entering a photography competition, How we can differentiate ourselves as photographers, Her new book project, Rhythm of Nature (it will be on this page soon). And a lot more! Links to topics discussed on this week's show: Support the show on Patreon. Support Sandra by purchasing her new book, the Rhythm of Nature. Gary Randall & Alyce Bender Caddo Lake Workshop. Here is who Sandra recommended on the podcast this week: Emma Davies. Isabel Diez. Allesandra Meniconzi. Kaisa Siren. Valda Bailey. Over on Patreon, Sandra and I have a wonderful conversation where we examine gender and race equity in nature photography - so if you're not supporting the podcast on Patreon, and this topic is of interest to you, you might want to check it out. For just $5/mo, you can support the podcast on Patreon and gain access to hundreds of hours of bonus content.   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.

Welcome to episode 259 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen with your host Matt Payne.   This week I was joined by an Aussie landscape and nature photographer, Ben Maze. Ben is quickly becoming one of my favorite photographers as well as one of the most genuine and thoughtful members of our community. I've enjoyed many conversations with Ben on Discord and Instagram and I was so excited to finally get him onto the podcast for a chat.   On this week's episode, we discuss: Ben's introduction into photography and his choice to not attend college. Creating community for landscape photographers on Discord. Ben's shift to project-based work, like his Geomorph project. Entering Flow State in Nature Photography. Ben's thoughts on NFTs as someone who used to do them. Photographers who inspire Ben. Other topics discussed on the podcast this week: Support the podcast on Patreon. Choosing a camera. Line Goes Up - an Examination of Crypto and NFTs. Our episode on NFTs. Here is who Ben recommended on today's show Jeff Freestone. Matt Oliver. Cesar Llaneza Pablo Ruiz Garcia. 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.

Welcome to episode 258 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen! This week on the podcast, I was joined by Mason Cummings, the Visual Asset Manager for The Wilderness Society and Dr. Greg Aplet, the Senior Science Director for The Wilderness Society. The Wilderness Society is a non-profit dedicated to the expansion and preservation of Wilderness. In this week's episode, we discuss how photography and videography can be used to advance the missions of conservation and wilderness non-profits and how photographers can play a leading role in conservation efforts. A special thank you to our listener Joe Doherty for recommending both Greg and Mason for this week's episode. On this week's episode we discuss: The mission and purpose of The Wilderness Society. Why wilderness is important. What types of photography helps conservation efforts. Can digitally-altered landscape photography help conservation efforts? How photographing like a conservation scientist can help your photography. Common practices in photography that hinder the efforts of conservation. Compromise in lawmaking in green organizations. How science and art can partner to make the world a better place. And a lot more! Other items mentioned on the show this week: 1. Join Nature Photographer's Network. 2. Support the podcast on Patreon. ----more---- 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.

Welcome to episode 257 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen! This week on the podcast, I was joined by a lens-based artist named Serena Dzenis who is originally from Australia but now lives in Iceland. Serena's photography work has shifted considerably over the past couple of years so it was great to chat with her on that transformation. On this week's episode we discuss: Serena's transition from the mental health world into photography, Why Serena has chosen to call herself a lens-based artist, Using digital editing tools to instill greater purpose into our photography, The collective effort to increase awareness of women in the photography space, And a lot more! Here's who Serena recommended for the podcast this week: Angel Fitor. Ed Norton. Mieke Douglass. Renata Dutree. Kriss Munsya. Other items mentioned on the show this week: 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.