Episode List

Welcome to episode 579 of the Perceptive Photographer. This week, we explore the unexpected connection between the distillation of alcohol and the art of photography. This idea came to me when I was thinking about a visit to a local distillery mean years ago. I was amaz…

Welcome to episode 578 of the Perceptive Photographer. In today’s show, I invited you to play a mental “what if” game. Specifically, what if nobody cared about what you care about in your photography? My hope is to challenge your assumptions about what really mak…

Welcome to episode 577 of The Perceptive Photographer. Today, I’m exploring the power of composition and especially how the edges of the frame shape what we feel and see. You know me so a few quotes from the likes of Charles Traub, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Robert Fr…

In this episode, I talk about finding the “sweet spots” in photography from camera settings and post-processing to sequencing your photos and optimizing how you view them. I share practical tips and personal insights to help you take sharper, more balanced images an…

This week, I discuss a positive “mind game” in photography that encourages a refreshing perspective on our work. Your mindset influences what you choose to photograph—whether it’s objects, emotions, or concepts. By shifting focus from tangible things to feelings or id…

In episode 574 of The Perceptive Photographer, I dig into the idea of the emotional “entry points” that invite viewers into a photograph.
This isn’t about leading lines or the rule of thirds. It’s about whether someone who knows nothing about you or your story can still…

Hey there!  I hope you are having a great week. In this week’s podcast, I wanted to talk about some of the things that came up for me when I revisited John Berger’s essay, “Understanding a Photograph.” As I was preparing for a class, this essay got me excited for…

In the start of our 11th year, episode 572 of The Perceptive Photographer, I dive back into a often discussed topic that every photographer eventually faces: conflicting critique.

It is bound to happen to all of us. That moment when two thoughtful people look at the s…

In this episode, I dive into what really makes a great photograph, drawing on quotes from Ansel Adams and Edward Weston. We dig into how composition isn’t just about following rules, it’s about personal growth and expressing how we see the world. I encourage you to …

In Episode 570 of The Perceptive Photographer, I found myself circling a couple of questions: Is an audience required for meaning, or just for momentum? And if no one ever sees a photograph, does it still matter? (and the difference between sees and seen)

As photogr…

When was the last time a photograph or moment behind the camera lens truly made you stop and catch your breath? Not just a quick “oh, that’s nice,” but a real, lingering moment of connection? Well, that is the topic for the show today, which is episode 569, btw. p…

In this week’s episode, Episode 568 of The Perceptive Photographer, I explore the tension between photographing for validation and photographing for myself. I reflect on how my work changed when I stopped trying to impress, rediscovered curiosity, and allowed more hon…

In this episode of The Perceptive Photographer, I explore why two photographers never see the same scene. Photography isn’t objective; it’s shaped by perception, experience, emotion, and intent. Every choice such as where we stand, what we include, and when we press…

In this episode, I explore how photographs are encountered rather than what they depict, focusing on two modes of looking: transitional and relational viewing. Transitional viewing moves the viewer forward, prioritizing speed, clarity, and momentum, often seen in social…

Episode 565 opens 2026 with a reflection on a feeling many of us struggle to name. When our best work starts to feel boring, it is often mistaken for a lack of creativity or momentum. In this episode, I explore why that feeling usually appears when the work is becoming …

In Episode 564, I explore the difference between consistency and coherence in photography. While consistency rewards repetition and recognition, coherence reflects a deeper continuity of attention. Through examples like Steven Shore, the episode argues that real voice s…

In this episode, I explore the shift from searching for photographs to truly seeing. Searching narrows attention and demands explanation. Seeing allows uncertainty, patience, and quiet relationships to emerge. I talk about photographs that resist clarity, images that st…

In this episode of The Perceptive Photographer, I explore why making a good photograph does not automatically mean it needs to be shared. We look at the pressure to publish everything, the value of private work, and how choosing what not to show can strengthen both your…

n this episode of The Perceptive Photographer, I talk about book ideas for the holiday season, especially for photographers and creative folks. Thanks to a listener, David, I once again share some of my favorite reads or books for giving ranging from creative practice a…

This episode explores the idea of working with what the photograph wants rather than forcing our intentions onto it. Once an image exists, it carries its own visual logic, weight, and rhythm. By slowing down, noticing what the photograph is already doing well, and letti…

In this episode of the podcast I explore the idea of editing as translation. Rather than treating editing as technical cleanup, I look at how it becomes a way to interpret the lived moment of making a photograph. The camera captures facts but not the emotional truth, so…

In this episode of the podcast, we explore the quiet tension between the solitude of making photographs and the importance of sharing the work we create. Photography often begins in private moments of deep attention, yet that same solitude can drift into loneliness and …

Episode 557 of The Perceptive Photographer, we explore how true creativity in photography comes from emotional connection rather than technical mastery. Inspired by Galen Rowell’s The Inner Game of Outdoor Photography, the episode reflects on passion as the fuel for c…

In this week’s podcast, we talk about burnout verse resting. Creative burnout and creative rest may look similar on the surface, but they come from very different places. Burnout is the slow unraveling of connection to your work . It shows up when the camera feels heavy…

n episode 555 of The Perceptive Photographer, I celebrate what I like to call “magic number day” by exploring the creative power of photographing the familiar. I share some personal stories about finding inspiration close to home and talk about how so many great pho…

As the days get shorter, I find myself paying more attention to how light changes this time of year. The low angle of the sun, the long shadows, and the quiet warmth that hangs in the air all ask for a slower kind of seeing. In this week’s episode of The Perceptive P…

In this episode, I reflect on five simple ideas to help keep your creative life moving forward. From finishing imperfect work to embracing boredom, learning from feedback, and finding value in small, steady steps, it is a reminder that progress, not perfection, is what …

In this episode of the Perceptive Photographer podcast, I explore what it means to trust your own eye. Like learning to read and write, photography requires more than technical skill. Making a photograph is not the same as understanding one. By paying attention to what …

In this episode of The Perceptive Photographer Podcast, I chat with Ken Carlson about moving from single images to building cohesive photographic projects. We explore motivation, intent, sequencing, and the role of mentorship and community. If you’ve ever dreamed of a…

n Episode 551 of The Perceptive Photographer, I explore how what I don’t know often means more than what I do in my photography. Instead of trying to control every detail or follow every rule, I’ve learned to embrace uncertainty. Leaving out elements, breaking the �…

In this podcast episode, the importance of silence in photography is explored. Embracing quiet helps us be present, notice details, and connect with subjects. By slowing down and inviting stillness, we can make more intentional choices and deepen our photographic practi…

When it comes to growth in photography, it’s easy to get caught up in the wrong metrics. In this week’s episode, I dig into the idea of measuring progress in ways that might make for better growth in our photographic practice. 

We often talk about “telling a story” in photography. But when you look closer, a single image may only hold part of the story: the introduction, the climax, or maybe the resolution.
In this week’s podcast, I explore how frameworks like Freytag’s Pyramid, the He…

In this episode, I talk with you about finding the right balance in your photography, or what I call your creative “spice level.” Based on a trip out for Thai food, I share how important it is to challenge yourself enough to stay engaged, but not so much that you fe…

Photography isn’t just about making a single strong image. It’s about what happens when we put images together. In this episode, we explore the creative shift from chasing individual “keepers” to building a body of work that tells a story.
We’ll talk about wha…

In this episode of the podcast, I explore the idea of “arrows in your quiver”. You know, the skills you don’t think you’ll ever need but that can transform your photography when the moment comes. From studying artificial lighting to better understand natural lig…

In this episode, I talk about that all-too-familiar moment when you look at your photos and realize they don’t quite match what you saw or felt in the moment. I explore why this disconnect happens and how being more intentional with composition, framing, and timing ca…

In this episode, I talk about how to look deeper into photographs and find their meaning, not just describe what’s in them. Drawing from Sylvan Barnet’s ideas on formal analysis, I explain the difference between simply listing what you see and analyzing how a photo …

In this episode, I talk about why titling photographs matters. I share how titles help us organize our work, give context, and deepen both our own and the viewer’s understanding of an image. I suggest trying out different titles for the same photo to discover new mean…

n episode 541, I explore ideas that surface across conversations, readings, and experiences—all pointing toward the spirit of wabi sabi. It’s about embracing imperfection, time, and authenticity in photography, and how those themes invite us to see—and photograph�…

In this episode, I talk about how truth, wonder, and trust support my creative process in photography. Inspired by a chat and some recent reading, I reflect on balancing technical skills with staying open to new ideas. For me, creativity isn’t just about getting thing…