Creative Banter

With the start of spring, questions abound. In this episode, we discuss a bit about gardening and native plants, as well as the challenges of printing your photographs, and the navigation of the future ahead. LINKS Canon Pro-1000 Brian Lackey Portrait of a Photographer  — OnLandscape Joel Truckenbrod SUPPORT THE SHOW Join Our  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

At what point do we allow ourselves to give up on our dreams? When do we declare “enough is enough” and throw in the towel? We start our conversation off with thoughts along these lines, as I continue to contemplate the results of my recent trip, as well as whether the photographs I walked away with, are even worth sharing. LINKS Death Valley Germans Tyndell Photo Cases Caroline Forster SUPPORT TH...

Now that I am back from my two-week trip to Japan, Ben and I focus on what I observed, photographed, and learned. In truth, I am still grappling with the trip as a whole, uncertain whether I did right by the new country and various experiences. I question if my expectations led me astray, as well as whether I came away with anything worthwhile. LINKS Eric Bennett Sho Hoshino Yokota Shinji Mark Dav...

In this conversation, Cody and Ben discuss various topics ranging from personal experiences with jury duty to travel plans, particularly focusing on Cody's upcoming trip to Japan. They delve into the preparations for the trip, including gear essentials, weather expectations, and the cultural immersion that awaits. The conversation also touches on the relaunch of Cody's newsletter, managing...

At what point does having access to cellular service, or the internet, while out in the wilderness, shift from being a safety feature to being a crutch in terms of experience? How does our access to information — and, therefore, misinformation — affect our ability to think critically? Why do we tend to fall into traps of impostor syndrome, despite knowing better? If only Ben and I had the answers...

With Ben back from his trip to Kaua’i, he brings along various thoughts around people, perceptions of paradise, and the politicization of environmental disasters. We also discuss culture shock and pop-up newsletters as I continue preparations for Japan.  LINKS Willem Verbeek Ibarionex Perello’s GoFundMe The Candid Frame Podcast Marcus Ubungen Marcus’s GoFundMe Alone Atop Mt. Fuji   - A Pop-Up News...

Sometimes, a bit of a break from tradition is necessary. Other times, the break is caused by overthinking and poor communication. Either way, we’re catching up this episode to discuss a variety of topics, which somehow fit together, in a loose fashion you should all be used to by now. LINKS Schwinn IC4 Bodycraft Elite Ultimate Homegym Mark Davis Brian Lackey Sho Hoshino Stu Thomson SUPPORT THE SHO...

It’s been over a year since Nick Carver and Cody Schultz sat down to discuss creativity at large. Life has a tendency of slipping by like that. LINKS Nick Carver Creative Banter Episode 57 Cal Newport Datsun 240Z Restoration Epic Spaceman Secret Invasions Intro Controversy The War of Art  by Steven Pressfield How to Think like a Roman Emperor  by Donald J. Robertson Simon Sarris SUPPORT THE SHOW J...

Originally recorded on the 29th of November, 2024. In this episode, Ben and Cody discuss the different ways in which photographers create and send newsletters, as well as the ongoing prioritization of portfolio eBooks as a way to control how your photography is shown. Our featured photographer this week is Nate Merz. LINKS Sarah Marino Cody’s Newsletter David Kingham Brian Lackey Nate Merz LPW Dis...

First and foremost, Ben and I are requesting your feedback on what should be done with the Patreon account in the new year. Feeling as though we aren’t doing as much with it as we would like, we offer forth a few ideas, but we’d appreciate hearing from you, as well. In the meantime, we discuss the selfish nature of humanity, sparked by an epiphany Ben has while in the peanut butter aisle of Target...

The great Edward Abbey acts as our quasi-guide as Ben and I discuss overpopulation and ticketing systems within the national parks, sparked by his recent trip to The Wave and my trip to Yellowstone back in September. We talk about the environmental and ethical concerns of running a workshop in lesser-known areas, as well as the idea of sacrificing more popular natural areas in the hopes of protect...

Not long after arriving home from his fall trip to Zion, Ben is headed back that way, passing through as he heads to North Coyote Buttes (The Wave). We discuss a bit about what this means for his previously-stated plans of beginning his year in the fall, as well as his expectations for the trip overall. LINKS Andrew Baruffi Marty Quinn Everett Ruess Manuel Moreale Antonio Carter SUPPORT THE SHOW J...

As Ben and I discuss our recent fall trips, we find ourselves settling into new routines, leading to revelations regarding how to proceed through not only the rest of this year but, also, 2025. We talk about how our bodies and minds are affected by long car rides (even if we don’t recognize the correlation), and how this ultimately affects our creativity and wellbeing. Along these same lines, we s...

No matter how hard we try, lately it feels like every episode is about Ben and I catching up, unable to maintain our usual schedule. Most of this, recently, has had to do with my trip to Yellowstone and then starting a new job, which just so happened to overlap with a recent camping trip Ben took with his wife and Oliver the dog. Perhaps someday we will find our footing, once again, but until then...

As the season shifts toward autumn, so, too, does the light, leading Ben to ponder whether everyone notices such subtle changes or if it is only artists, those who may be more visually attuned to light. Despite Ben’s ability to see these slight alterations over time, he is not immune to making mistakes, overlooking what others may not have, as put on display when speaking on a recent print order....

Alister Benn sits down with Cody this week to discuss mental health, insecurity, and the effect labels have on both your personal and creative life. We talk about embracing your fears, redefining how we perceive rewards and time itself, as well as the over-use of the term mindfulness. This is just the beginning of what I hope will be a reoccurring conversation, as I firmly believe in being open re...

A bit deeper of a conversation this week, at least for the majority of the episode, as we look at the overarching question,  Who am I?  This is a question which, despite seeming simple at face-value, drives a lot of what we do in life, even if we don’t immediately recognize it. Our photographer of the week is Matt Redfern. LINKS Deliverance Manuel Moreale Tim Parkin Ben’s Zine To Photograph is to...

A few have been asking what caused the lapse of episodes, why we had an unannounced (and, frankly, unplanned for) two-week break. I’m taking this episode to address that question, as well as provide a bit of insight into where my mind’s been the past few months. LINKS David Kingham Nature Vision Magazine Ben Horne’s 2024 Print Portfolio Landscape Photographers Worldwide Discord Beth Buelow   SUPPO...

Despite going back and forth, I have finally committed to joining David Kingham and Jennifer Renwick in Yellowstone this September, on top of heading to Acadia for a week in October. This means I’ll need to stock up on cold weather camping equipment, but luckily, there appears to be something on the horizon that will help with that. LINKS Exploring Exposure Workshops Alex Noriega Cindy Lee Christe...

It’s been a minute, and we’ve got a bit of catching up to do, so let’s go back to July 25 and talk about ghost cats, visits to the emergency room, and the interactions between Emmie the dog and deer. LINKS Salomon Boots Alex Noriega Canon Pro-1000 Printer Fine Art Prints by Cody Schultz Lee Nordbye SUPPORT THE SHOW Join Our  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join...

Reading  Desert Solitaire  by Edward Abbey brings a few topics to the forefront this week, namely my thoughts around a winter trip to Utah and how I write. Meanwhile, watching  The Bear  makes me wonder, at what point does one’s obsession over craft become too much? LINKS Garrett Hess Desert Solitaire  by Edward Abbey Guy Tal The Monkey Wrench Gang  by Edward Abbey The Bear (Hulu) Andreas Resch SU...

As I only just begin seriously training Emmie, Ben has Oliver trained almost exactly how he would like, though the barking and little grumbles at backyard rats could be better. This week, in between conversations around random life events, Ben and I discuss the obsession over gear and whether it should feel special in your hand. LINKS Denial of Death by Ernest Becker The Trouble with Being Born by...

What goes on inside the mind of a puppy, especially one with a high prey drive? Does Oliver fear for his life, when he sees Ben hold a flip-flop in his hand? These are the real questions we are facing in this week’s episode. LINKS Dodge & Burn Digest Nick Carver Printing Videos Andalucia Zine  by Nick Carver Ben’s Personal Patreon Pamela Sherlock SUPPORT THE SHOW Join Our  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

While away in the Palouse, a lot happened. There was the challenge of seeing subjects differently, of using a telephoto lens for the first time, and debates on color versus monochrome photography. More importantly, there came a conclusion that teaching, in one form or another, needs to be a part of Cody’s life. LINKS GF 500mm 5.6 John Pedersen John Barclay Michael E. Gordon Chuck Kimmerle Garrett...

Back from a trip to Vermont, Ben and Cody discuss dew claws, engagement, house prices, and sore feet from barefoot backpacking. There is also a bit of talk around Cody’s trip to the Palouse. LINKS Brenda Petrella Vivo Barefoot GF 500mm 5.6 Blake Farrell SUPPORT THE SHOW Join Our  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join The  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Discussion ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...