In the latest episode of The Perceptive Photographer, I found myself diving into the heart of photography — not just its surface beauty or technical perfection, but the deeper meanings that lie beneath each image. Too often, we rush to label photographs as “good” or “bad,” but real growth comes when we ask better, more thoughtful questions about the work we encounter (and create).
Book Club
As part of that spirit of deeper exploration, I’m excited to announce a new project: the launch of a Photography Book Club! This club is for anyone who loves photography and believes that engaging with great writing can sharpen our vision and understanding. Each month, we’ll dive into a different photography-related book, starting in June with Camera Lucida by Roland Barthes — a classic that explores the emotional and philosophical side of photography. Later selections will include works by Geoff Dyer, Robert Adams, and Susan Sontag, offering a wide range of voices and ideas to enrich our conversations.
Upcoming Studio Days
If you’re looking for more hands-on learning, I’m also opening up a series of Studio Days here in the Pacific Northwest. These sessions are a chance for you to visit my studio, get personalized help with editing, critiques, and printing, and connect with other photographers in a relaxed, supportive environment. We’ll work together, share ideas, and enjoy lunch and refreshments while we dig deeper into our creative processes.
Moving Beyond “Good” or “Bad”
One of the themes I keep returning to — both in the podcast and in my own work — is the idea that “good” and “bad” are often unhelpful ways to talk about art. They’re subjective judgments that can limit our ability to see a photograph’s deeper meaning.
I was reminded of this when recently rereading Gilda Williams’ How to Write About Contemporary Art. In one section, she suggests asking a few simple but profound questions when encountering a work of art:
- What is it?
Focus on describing the content and the formal elements. What’s actually there in the frame? - What might it mean?
Open yourself up to multiple interpretations. Resist the urge to pin down a single, “correct” answer. - So what?
Think about the photograph’s relevance. Why does it matter? What larger conversations might it be part of?
These questions have helped me slow down and engage more thoughtfully — not only with other people’s work but also with my own. Hopefully, they’ll help you too.
Thanks for reading — and I hope to see you at a Studio Day or in the Book Club soon!