Outdoor Photography Podcast

Episode 61: Today I sit down with Oregon-based landscape photographer and educator, Sean Bagshaw , to chat about: How he transitioned from teaching middle school science to being a full-time landscape photographer and photography educator How he analyzed his own photographs and how that helped to improve his photography early on The importance of connecting with other photographers as part of his...

Episode 60: Today’s Tidbit Tuesday topic was prompted by one of our listeners, who asked a question about when to create multiple exposures of a high dynamic range scene.  I also discuss other types of multiple exposure blending used in landscape photography and why you might choose to use them.  Enjoy! LINKS MENTIONED: Episode 24: How to Expose for High Dynamic Range Scenes Episode 30: Understand...

Episode 59: Today I sit down with Maine-based landscape and nature photographer, John Putnam , to chat about: How his background in filmmaking led to how he approaches still photography today Documenting nature in an artistic way His decisions around opening a gallery on Mount Desert Island and the pros and cons of having a gallery How he balances his creative work with family life, running the ga...

Episode 58: In today’s short Tidbit Tuesday, I answer three of your questions about how my science background has influenced my photography, explaining aspect ratios and printing, and what a lens limit switch is and how to use it.  Enjoy! LINKS MENTIONED: “Ask Us Anything” - Linda Nickell’s Happiness Hour Episode 11: Finding Inspiration in the Texas Landscape With Linda Nickell Episode 25: Reveren...

Episode 57: Today I sit down with California-based professional landscape photographer and educator, Michael Frye , to chat about: His early days working at the Ansel Adams Gallery and who were some of his sources of inspiration What the art and craft of landscape photography means How both light on the landscape and the light from within can evoke emotions and moods in landscape photography The d...

Episode 56:   As a continuation of our recent “how to photograph” themed Tidbit Tuesday episodes, today’s topic is how to photograph waterfalls and streams.  Waterfalls and streams are some of my favorite subjects to photograph because they provide so many compositional opportunities, and they are a great subject on which to practice different exposure techniques.  Today, I share some tips on gear...

Episode 55: Today I sit down with award-winning landscape photographer, Cheyne Walls , to chat about: How his formal training as a photographer learning both film and digital photography shaped his approach to landscape photography Why he uses an ALPA 12 TC camera with a Phase One digital back How to use stitched images to create unique perspectives as well as large printable files Why he uses a l...

Episode 54: Have you tried to photograph the moon only to be disappointed by your results?  Perhaps it’s too small, or it just looks like a big white blob, or it’s blurry?  In today’s Tidbit Tuesday, I answered a listener question about how to photograph the moon, including gear, settings, and some tips on composition.  Enjoy! LINKS MENTIONED: Episode 6: Protect Yourself From Ticks and Focusing in...

Episode 53: Today I sit down with Iowa-based photographer and educator, Justin Tedford, to chat about: Photography as a side hustle and balancing it with a full-time job and family Using intentional camera movement (ICM) as a creative exercise Structuring and pursuing passion photography projects Using photography to tell stories How to connect with and gain trust with your subjects Using natural...

Episode 52: Today’s Tidbit Tuesday is all about Milky Way photography, including recommended gear and accessories, camera settings, and planning.  This episode is geared towards someone who is new to Milky Way photography or just needs a refresher.  Enjoy! LINKS MENTIONED: MeteoBlue PhotoPills Fridays Dark Site Finder Map Dark Sky Map Episode 48: How to Stay Safe While Hiking Alone OPS Article: IS...

Episode 51: Today I sit down with full-time nature photographer and educator, David Kingham , to chat about: The pros and cons of living as a nomadic nature photographer Returning to in-person workshops post-Covid The benefits of getting outside of your comfort zone How to deal with creative burnout Finding inspiration through doing the work What he connects with in the landscape How to manage a b...

Episode 50:  This (remixed) Tidbit Tuesday is a little more philosophical in nature as I answer two of our listener questions around photo manipulation - whether that is done in the field or in the digital darkroom.  Is there a difference between photo editing and photo manipulation?  And if so, where’s the line?  Who makes that call?  Should you disclose when you have manipulated an image?  What...

Episode 49: Today I sit down with California landscape photographer and climber, Claude Fiddler , to chat about: How an early experience on the John Muir Trail laid the foundation for his passion for the mountains and mountaineering How to think about risk assessment and learning how to safely dig deep mentally and physically The photographers and writers who influenced how he approaches photograp...

Episode 48: In today’s Tidbit Tuesday, I share some tips on how to be safe while hiking and doing photography alone.  It’s a question I get often, so I hope these tips help you feel more prepared and comfortable when you trek out into nature.  Enjoy! LINKS MENTIONED: Listen to the So You Want to Be a Photographer Podcast My interview with Gina - Episode 39 Register for Out of Chicago LIVE! Episode...

Episode 47: Today I sit down with Arctic specialist and photographer, Talor Stone , and award-winning filmmaker, Ashlei Payne , to chat about: Their individual paths, experiences, and stories that have led them to collaborate on an impactful conservation project in Greenland How to develop a film and photography project from initial inspiration and story idea into reality How science and art can c...

Episode 46: In today’s short Tidbit Tuesday, I explain some important concepts around depth of field before answering a listener question about how to photograph the moon with a foreground and get both in focus.  Enjoy! LINKS MENTIONED: Join me at Out of Chicago LIVE! 2022 Chrissy Donadi’s Let’s Get Organized in Lightroom Course (use OPS20 to get 20% off until 3/15/22) Episode 12: How to Get Sharp...

Episode 45: Today I sit down with John Barclay, to chat about: His unexpected journey into photography The lasting impact of his mentors, Nancy Rotenberg, Freeman Patterson, and others How to overcome negative self-talk or beliefs about not being creative How his photography workshops and contemplative photography retreats differ and the value of each approach How to create personally expressive i...

Episode 44: Today, we’re paying tribute to the last ten incredible guests we’ve had on the podcast.  Each of them has shared their wisdom and valuable perspectives about photography, creativity, composition, and connecting with nature.  This special Tidbit Tuesday is a compilation of their responses to the question: What does connecting with nature mean to you?  As many of you know, it’s the last...

Episode 43: Today I sit down with photographic artist, educator, author, speaker, and Canon Explorer of Light, Erin Babnik , to chat about: How traveling independently as a small child helped her learn to travel with ease as an adult How she navigated the tumultuous time of losing her new home and all her belongings in a deadly wildfire Her core values that keep her focused, happy, and productive...

Episode 42: Today we return to our normal, more technically oriented Tidbit Tuesday episode with an explanation of exposure compensation - what it is, and how and when to use it in your outdoor photography.  I tie together important photography concepts around exposure, priority modes, why histograms are better than camera meters, and more.  I also announce the winner of the Backblaze license give...

Episode 41: Today I sit down with wildlife and landscape photographer,Juan Pons, to chat about: How the right teacher at the right time inspired his journey into photography How his curiosity and interest in studying wildlife led to becoming a wildlife photographer His approach to teaching and leading photography workshops and why many of his workshops are all-inclusive Why winter is a great seaso...

Episode 40:  Is there something that you really hope to achieve in your photography this year - something that you would really love to improve or to grow in some way - so that at this time next year, you can look back and feel proud of your progress?  Well, I’ve been thinking about this a lot myself lately, and so in this short Tidbit Tuesday episode, I share with you how I’ve been approaching th...

Episode 39: Welcome to another special episode!  This week, I’m thrilled to share with you a guest episode from the So You Want to Be a Photographer Podcast with Gina Milicia , where she interviewed me about my journey from molecular biology to nature photography, ethical landscape photography, whether HDR is overrated, the importance of learning how to read natural light, what portrait photograph...

Episode 38: Today’s Tidbit Tuesday is a slightly condensed replay of Episode 2, which was all about landscape photography filters.  I explain the four different types of filters most commonly used in outdoor photography, the three that I think are the ones worth having, how and when to use them, what to look for when choosing a filter, and I answer two listener questions.  So if you are considerin...

Episode 37: Welcome to a special episode!  This week, I’m thrilled to share with you an episode from my friend and wildlife conservation photographer, Jaymi Heimbuch , who hosts Impact: The Conservation Photography Podcast .  Jaymi was a guest on our show in Episode 7, where she shared super helpful and practical advice on conservation photography projects and visual storytelling.   Her interview...