Innovation and design thinking are at the forefront of tech start-ups and lots of corporations looking to maximize profits and meet the demands of their customers. Interestingly, there's lots of profound parallels where these concepts can improve our landscape photography when implemented. Today's guest on my podcast, Jeff Zias, is a photographer who spends his time as an innovation coach. He's a thought-leader in the innovation space and we both thought his ideas would provide tremendous value to photographers looking to improve their images. On this week's episode, we discuss: How Jeff got interested in photography. What is "design thinking" and how does it relate to landscape photography? The concept of deep empathy and how it relates to our photography. The concept of self-empathy and how it can improve our work. Knowing when we have had a true emotional response with our subjects. Figuring our what our photography should be about. Narrow and rapid experimentation and how it relates to nature photography. Photography as a metaphor. And a lot more! Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week: Support the podcast on Patreon. The Natural Landscape Photography Awards. Jeff's book, The Intrapreneur’s Journey. Jeff's book, The Innovation Animals. Jeff's photography book, Along the Coast. Watch podcast episodes on YouTube, where we overlay photos with our conversation via video. Here is who Jeff recommended on the podcast this week: Shane McGeehan. Adrian Hill. Lynne Blount. 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! 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.

Including man-made objects in our landscape photographs is sometimes quite challenging! I personally find it to be one of the hardest things to do well in this genre of photography; however, today's guest on my podcast, Michael Blanchette, has mastered it.  On this week's episode, we discuss: How Michael transitioned from his career in software engineering to landscape photography. Michael's proclivity for including "the hand of man" in his landscape photographs. Michael's approach for including man-made objects in his photographs. What Michael loves most about landscape photography. Michael's approaches to planning his photography shoots. The tools that Michael uses to maximize his success as a photographer. The pros and cons of social media and how it has changed over the years for Michael. Michael's thoughts on compositing. And a lot more! Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week: Support the podcast on Patreon. The Natural Landscape Photography Awards. Nature Photographer's Network - get 10% off using the code "FSTOP10". Watch podcast episodes on YouTube, where we overlay photos with our conversation via video. Here is who Mike recommended on the podcast this week: Betty Wiley. Tom Mackie. Jeremy Noyes. 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! 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.

Immersing ourselves in other cultures can be a very rewarding experience and can dramatically improve our photography.  On today's episode, I had a blast speaking with Kevin Pepper, a Canadian photographer and fellow Muench Workshops instructor. Kevin and I first met on my first trip with Muench last year to Antarctica and we really hit it off. I became deeply interested in his passion for Mongolia, which was largely the focus of today's podcast.  On this week's episode, we discuss: How Kevin transitioned from working for Autotrader.com to being a FT photography instructor. Kevin's deep immersion into the Mongolian culture. Tips and tricks for telling stories with our images. How Mongolia has changed over the past decade. Kevin's approach to making images within a different culture. Mongolian Eagle Hunters - their history and why they exist. And a lot more! Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week: Support the podcast on Patreon. The Natural Landscape Photography Awards. Workshops with Kevin Pepper. The Eagle Huntress movie. Kevin Pepper on Instagram. Watch podcast episodes on YouTube, where we overlay photos with our conversation via video. Here is who Kevin recommended on the podcast this week: Jeff Wendorff. Richard l'Anson. 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! 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.

Nature Photography can be a powerful tool for self-expression, self-discovery, and personal transformation. The keys to leveraging this visual communication medium for these purposes can be elusive, but once they are tapped into fully, the impacts can be quite fruitful! On today's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Astrid Preisz, a phenomenal photographer from Austria. Astrid has some of the most creative and mind-bending images I've seen and so it was great to get to know her through the podcast and get to learn what her approaches are to making her exceptional images. In this episode, you'll learn how her approach to photography has set her on a path of self-expression that has completely transformed her as a person. On this week's episode, we discuss: Astrid's journey into nature photography starting in 2015. How photography has aided her in finding a path for self-expression which has allowed her to shed her emotional armor. How we can encourage other photographers to place less pressure on themselves to perform and why that approach can help us. Pitfalls for visual communication and overcoming them. The concept of play and how it makes us better creatives. Defining our work as photographers. And a lot more! If you enjoyed our chat, you can catch a bonus episode on Patreon where Astrid and I discuss our approaches to focusing on experiences instead of results.  Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week: Support the podcast on Patreon. The Natural Landscape Photography Awards. Astrid on Instagram. Watch podcast episodes on YouTube, where we overlay photos with our conversation via video. Here is who Astrid recommended on the podcast this week: Madeleine Lenagh. 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! 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.

The journey of nature photography can be amazing. Through it, we can learn to be better humans. Such is the case for today's guest of my podcast, Nic Stover. Nic has successfully managed to grow his online and physical photography business by aligning his core values and focusing on what really matters to him.  On this week's episode, we discuss: How Nic has found a way to differentiate himself by aligning his core values. Why Nic isn't on social media and how he promotes his business instead. Finding the right framework to evaluate your creative journey. Lessons learned from his experience being in a gallery and being critiqued at FotoFest. How Nic has carved out a niche presenting to camera clubs and what he's learned along the way. Having a professional mindset. Nic's website, Nature Photography Classes and the Speaker Series - use the code "FSTOP" for a discount! How Nic is giving back through The Inspired Creator. And a lot more! Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week: Support the podcast on Patreon. The Natural Landscape Photography Awards. The Wallas Model for Creativity. The Artist Way by Julia Cameron. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. The E-Myth book. Watch podcast episodes on YouTube, where we overlay photos with our conversation via video. Here is who Nic recommended on the podcast this week: Tony Sweet. Sean Tucker. 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! 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.

Development of a unique style in nature photography is something most of us strive for in our quests as photographers of the landscape. Sometimes it is hard to put into words what that even means or looks like, and there are a plethora of variables that impact one's unique style. On today's podcast episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with one of my favorite Canadian nature photographers, Jason Pettit, about his journey and approach to the craft, including his approach for distillation of subject, which I found to be quite interesting. Sit back, relax, and enjoy our chat! On this week's episode, we discuss: Jason's journey into photography. What life is like in Prince Edward County, where Jason lives and grew up. Using photography as a vehicle for self-discovery and therapy. Why we choose nature photography over something else. Our evolution as photographers. Identification of a unique style and what even means in nature photography. Distillation of subjects for maximum impact. Making home a lifelong photography project. Jason's earliest and current influences. How Jason copes as a nature photographer who is color blind. And a lot more! If you enjoyed our chat, we did a whole bonus episode on Patreon where Jason and I pontificate the ramifications of AI on nature photography. Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week: Support the podcast on Patreon. Join me over on Nature Photographer's Network and use the code "FSTOP10" for a 10% discount! My article in On Landscape on Jason Pettit. The Natural Landscape Photography Awards. My Print Lab Review Article and Video. LensWork #161 & The Plateau of Despair. Eliot Porter - Intimate Landscapes. Galen Rowell - Mountain Light. Watch podcast episodes on YouTube, where we overlay photos with our conversation via video. Here is who Jason recommended on the podcast this week: Paul Wakefield. Alexey Korolyov. Donna Doyle. 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! 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.

Printing our landscape and nature photographs can bring a lot of joy and can provide tremendous opportunities for making money from your artwork. There's a lot to decipher before you start. What paper do you use? How do you calibrate your monitor? Why are my prints so dark? Fortunately, resources exist to make this process easier for you to figure out. As such, I was excited to record this week's podcast! On today's episode, I sat down with the legendary Australian print-maker and fine art educator, Les Walkling. Dr. Walkling has devoted his life to the arts, and taught contemporary fine art photography and history at RMIT University for many years. He is perhaps more well-known in the landscape photography community for his excellent YouTube videos that compare and contrast various fine art papers for printing. On today's podcast we talk about his research, how to evaluate and choose a fine art paper, and tips for monitor calibration. Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week: Support the podcast on Patreon. Watch podcast episodes on YouTube. Essays & Notes from our Les Walking's website: Words Calibrating The Joy and Despair of Becoming a Photographer Digital Print Categories and Characteristics Paper Classifications Introduction to Monitor Calibration Matching Prints to Screen Lighting Theory Why Les Walkling & Co. Pty Ltd Bespoke Printer Profiles? My Emotional Theory of Aspect Ratios My Emotional Theory of Print Size Peter Dombrovskis - Journeys into the Wild Videos from Les Walkling's YouTube Channel Evaluating Files Before Printing Advanced Soft Proofing Monitor Calibration Advanced Soft Proofing Monitor Addendum The New Canson Infinity Inkjet Papers An Aesthetic Evaluation of Fine Art Inkjet Papers Brush Work Education & Services Workshops (Live and interactive via Zoom) Consultations (Online) Production Services (including remote Bespoke Printer Profiling) Here is who Les recommended on the podcast this week: Tony Hewitt Peter Eastway Adam Katseff 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! 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.

Photography is one of the most accessible artforms that exists and acts as a creative outlet and tool for personal expression for so many of us. Unfortunately, tapping into that creativity and modes of personal expression in photography doesn't always come naturally for all of us. Fortunately, there are techniques and strategies that exist to help us get there. On today's episode, I finally was able to speak with one of the most inspiring Canadian photographers of our time, Richard Martin. Richard is a creative powerhouse and I just love his approach to making images. Our conversation covers a huge plethora of topics revolving around his creative approaches for making images and there is a lot of actionable advice in today's episode, so I highly encourage you to listen all the way to the end. On this week's episode, we discuss: Richard's journey into photography. How growing up in the Thousand Island region near Lake Ontario informed Richard's interest in nature. How photography evolved into a vehicle for personal expression for Richard. Richard's philosophical approach to making images in the field. Keys to creative development in photography. Comparing our work to others. Balancing creative ruts with our creative and business needs. The importance of restoring our amateur status. Why we should question everything we know about photography. The role of ambiguity in photography. And a lot more! If you enjoyed our chat, we did a whole bonus episode on Patreon where Richard and I discuss perfectionism in landscape photography and how it relates to Wabi Sabi! See Richard's gallery on Wabi Sabi here. Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week: Support the podcast on Patreon. The Creation by Ernst Haas. Eric Bennett critique groups. Watch podcast episodes on YouTube. Landscape Photographer's Worldwide Discord Server. Here is who Richard recommended on the podcast this week: Stephen Patterson. Andre Gallant. Mike Grandmaison. Maurice Henri. Tony Sweet. 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! Richard's social media: Instagram Vero Facebook 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.

It happens to the best of us - we lose our mojo in landscape photography and can't figure out how to find it again. Fortunately there is a simple cure for this... In this week's podcast episode, I had a fantastic time speaking with one of my favorite UK landscape photographers, Lizzie Shepherd. We eventually do discuss losing our mojo but we also talk about how this is actually not a bad thing. Our chat covers a lot of important ground and it was a true delight speaking with Lizzie about her approach to making images. I highly recommend this podcast. On this week's episode, we discuss: Lizzie's journey into photography. Going a long time without taking images and how to get back into it. Cross-country skiing in Norway. Why Scotland is one of Lizzie's favorite places to photograph. Our role as photographers in protecting and promoting nature. Using social media as a photographer. Approaches to teaching workshops. Intimate vs. grand scenic approaches to making images. And a lot more! If you enjoyed our chat, we did a whole bonus episode on Patreon about print sales in the UK and our approaches to open vs. limited edition prints. Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week: Support the podcast on Patreon. Join me over on Nature Photographer's Network and use the code "FSTOP10" for a 10% discount! Watch podcast episodes on YouTube. Landscape Photographer's Worldwide Discord Server. Here is who Lizzie recommended on the podcast this week: Alex Hare. 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! 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. Please see our full show notes to see some of Lizzie's fantastic photography!

Finding our people is something I think we all strive for. For some of us, this is easy and for others, it can be quite difficult. In the landscape and nature photography community, there are well-established cliques of people who photograph together frequently, often comprised of white men. Why this is the case has always been a mystery to me; however, I genuinely always want to put myself in the shoes of others who are not like me to understand what it is like to live like them. This week I had the pleasure of hanging out and chatting with Angela Ledyard. Angela is a landscape photographer living in Texas, originally from Ohio. She recently created a group called the Black Female Landscape & Nature Photographers, which has become a prominent community and beacon for African American nature photographers. It was awesome hearing her story and to hear about why and how she created the group. I think you'll enjoy our chat. On this week's episode, we discuss: Angela's journey into photography. Why Angela has chosen nature photography as her medium. Why and how Angela created the Black Female Landscape & Nature Photographers community. The challenges of being a black female in the landscape photography realm. What Angela's goals are with her photography. How moving from Ohio to California changed how she saw nature as a photographer. Angela's 5-day trip to Peru and what it was like for her to photograph there. And a lot more! Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week: Support the podcast on Patreon. Join me over on Nature Photographer's Network and use the code "FSTOP10" for a 10% discount! Watch podcast episodes on YouTube. Here is who Angela recommended on the podcast this week: Keisha Holmes. David Greaves. Allison Holmes. James Bland. 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! 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. Scroll down to see more of Angela's photography.