F-Stop Collaborate and Listen - A Photography Podcast

For episode 493 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, Host Matt Payne sits down with David Lloyd, a New Zealand-born wildlife photographer acclaimed for his black and white minimalism and unwavering commitment to ethical, unmanipulated imagery. David Lloyd shares his journey from London’s Richmond Park to world-renowned wildlife destinations, unpacking how years of experience and a background in desig...

For episode 492 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, Host Matt Payne welcomes photographer/director Scott McDermott, a New York City–based professional with 25+ years spanning sports, fitness, celebrity portraiture, commercial campaigns, directing, and fine art. McDermott describes learning through five years assisting across genres, then building a career by pivoting as opportunities changed, includ...

In episode 491 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, host Matt Payne talks with guest Meredith Fontana, a Denver-based landscape photographer and former paleontologist, about the journey toward discovering a unique photographic voice. Drawing on her scientific background, Meredith Fontana highlights how observation skills honed in paleontology have profoundly shaped her approach to photography, allowi...

In episode 490 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, Matt Payne talks with guest Mark Scheffer, a fine art photographer who transitioned from a thirty-year career in hospital operating rooms to focusing full-time on landscape photography. The discussion centers on the concept that self-imposed limitations, whether in gear, subject matter, or technique, can actually foster greater creativity and lead t...

Episode 489 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen features Mali Davies, a photographer, podcaster, and educator from Northwest England, newly transitioned from a decades-long graphic design career to full-time photography. Host Matt Payne and Mali Davies explore the motivations behind leaving the corporate world, with Mali Davies explaining how his daughter’s autism and mental health journey became a c...

In episode 488 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, Matt Payne interviews Ajani Charles , a Toronto-based visual strategist, photographer, and Canon Canada ambassador, about sustaining a major creative project over nearly two decades. The conversation centers on Project TDOT, Ajani Charles' long-term documentary effort capturing Toronto’s hip hop culture, which started as an unfunded black-and-white...

In episode 487 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, Matt Payne interviews acclaimed documentary photographer Mark Asnin , whose deeply personal and collaborative approach has shaped seminal works such as his thirty-year project "Uncle Charlie" and the curated volume "Final Words", which presents the last statements of executed inmates alongside their mugshots. Mark Asnin discusses his Brooklyn upbrin...

Episode 486 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen features Darren Pellegrino, a Boston photographer known for headshots and his new project, the Monochrome Collective. Darren Pellegrino discusses the challenge of balancing profitable commercial work with personally meaningful projects, sharing how building a community around black and white photography has provided fresh creative energy. They address i...

Episode 485 features photographer Nevada Wier, an expert in infrared (IR) photography. We discuss the technical and creative aspects of shooting in IR, including camera and lens choices, scene selection, and the heavy post-processing required, especially for vibrant 590nm images. Nevada shares how her adventurous background and transition from black-and-white to color inspired her IR work and emph...

Episode 484 features legendary Yellowstone photographer Tom Murphy. We explore how Murphy’s ranching and anthropology background shapes his unique style and storytelling. Murphy shares advice on pursuing personal passion, observing nature deeply, and building a body of meaningful work. He emphasizes photographing wildlife in context, not just what an animal is, but who it is, and discusses the evo...

In episode 483 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, host Matt Payne sits down in person with aerial photographer Scott McCook at the end of a photography tour through Western Australia. Known for his abstract aerial images capturing both the region’s dramatic coastlines and its vast mining infrastructure, Scott McCook discusses his journey to aerial photography, balancing a career in construction, an...

Episode 482 features Rick Bebbington , a UK-based photographer, discussing how personal growth and life experiences deeply impact creative work. The conversation focused on overcoming common blocks like perfectionism and imposter syndrome by letting go of expectations, shifting away from external comparisons, and embracing photography as a fulfilling, evolving process, rather than a pursuit of per...

On this episode (481) of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, Garrett Hess, a colorblind photographer from Erie, Pennsylvania, talks with Matt Payne about building a creative practice centered around photographing the Great Lakes region, an area often overlooked by landscape photographers. They discuss how embracing local landscapes, weather extremes, and personal limitations like color vision deficienc...

In episode 480 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, Matt Payne is joined by photographers Ben Maze and Murray Livingston, who share their journeys in landscape photography, growing up during the rise of social media and how it has influenced their artistic development for better and worse. The discussion covers their approach to intentional image-making, the importance of seeking inspiration beyond I...

In episode 479 of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," Matt Payne talks with photographer and army veteran Nichole Vild about her unique journey from a 20-year military career to building a new life rooted in creativity and neuroscience. Nichole shares how her experiences moving around the world shaped her perspective, the role photography played in her transition out of the military, and her passion...

In episode 478 of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," Matt Payne welcomes back Jason Bradley , publisher and content director of Wild Eye Magazine , to explore the intersection of passion, creativity, and photography publishing. Jason Bradley shares his journey from underwater photography to founding Wild Eye, gives insight into the evolving landscape of nature photography magazines, and stresses the...

In episode 477 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, host Matt Payne welcomes landscape photographer and podcast host Grant Swinbourne for an insightful conversation about Grant's journey from a childhood fascination with photography to becoming more intentional and artistic in his work, especially after retirement. Grant shares how life events, including a lengthy IT career, family priorities, and th...

In episode 476 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, host Matt Payne interviews wildlife photographer and conservationist Ian Wood, delving into his impactful work raising awareness for orangutans and badgers. Ian Wood shares the story behind his award-winning urban badger photograph, which sparked renewed public attention and activism regarding the controversial UK badger cull, ultimately contributin...

In episode 475 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, host Matt Payne interviews Belgian photographer Hanneke Van Camp, whose work is rooted in her deep love for nature and her background in biology and science communication. Hanneke Van Camp shares the motivations behind her award-winning “Sápmi Living Landscapes” project, which explores the land and culture of Northern Scandinavia and the indigenous...

In episode 474 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, host Matt Payne chats with photographer Ulana Switucha about her deeply intentional, minimalist landscape photography and her decade-long project photographing Torii gates across Japan’s spiritual and geographic landscapes. Ulana Switucha shares how living in Asia and practicing long exposure photography has shaped her contemplative approach, blendi...

In episode 473 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, host Matt Payne sits down with acclaimed visual artist Reuben Wu , discussing Wu’s creative journey from industrial designer and musician to innovative landscape photographer. Wu shares how his interdisciplinary background shaped his approach, emphasizing craft, experimentation, and the joy of physically engaging with his subjects. They dive into Wu...

In episode 472 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, host Matt Payne chats with Shaun Keenan, an American photographer living in Hokkaido, Japan. They dive deep into the issue of over tourism, especially its impact on beloved photo locations in Japan and worldwide, and discuss the ethical dilemmas photographers face when sharing these places. Shaun Keenan shares his personal journey from theater and f...

In episode 471 of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," Matt Payne sits down with New Hampshire landscape and wildlife photographer John Welch to discuss his emotionally charged long-term project, "Healing from Loss: A Season with Loons." The conversation follows John Welch's journey of integrating photography with family life, shifting his focus from big bucket-list locations to meaningful local work...

In episode 470 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, host Matt Payne sits down with photographer Joe Doherty to discuss his deeply personal new book, " The Johnny Chronicles ," which documents his brother Johnny's life with Down syndrome through decades of photographs and playful, touching stories. Joe Doherty shares the origins of the project, how photographing Johnny shaped his skills and perspectiv...

In episode 469 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, which was recorded in-person and is audio-only, I sit down with Kathy Lichtendahl, a certified Wyoming naturalist and conservation storyteller (and amazing photographer). We recorded this right after wrapping up our winter photography workshop in Yellowstone. We dive deep into what makes the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem unique, from dramatic season...