Creative Banter

Just another episode of Creative Banter, but this time, I’m too lazy to record a proper introduction. LINKS Minion’s Umbrella - Nate Petroski 3 Nights in Arizona - Nick Carver Things Become Other Things - Craig Mod Aloneness  - Craig Mod Dan Rubin Tokyo Bound - Craig Mod + Dan Rubin More Than A Rock - Guy Tal The Road - Cormac McCarthy Braiding Sweetgrass - Robin Wall Kimmerer SUPPORT THE SHOW Joi...

We’re talking in circles, evidently about nothing, and about everything, all at once, this episode. With Ben having sent off his zine files to the printers, a conversation ensues around the zine as a lesser quality monograph and other comparisons between those two mediums of photographic presentation. And as usual, I speak on about self-made torment as I continue debating various nonsensical aspec...

After a few weeks of introspection, Ben may have finally learned why he did not have the dreaded First Day Funk on his recent trip to Zion: a diversification of interests. With this, comes a conversation around the interconnectedness of everything, as well as questioning the true importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone. We also ask many questions this week, including how many people is to...

For me, photography is a pathway toward finding meaning in life and healing my mind, body, and soul. The process through which my photographs are made is quite important, and when I find a system that works, it is best to stick with it. This week, Ben and I work through this philosophy, while also discussing whether every photographer truly needs a large body of work. Further, we discuss the lack...

As if any of us needed a reminder how good Ben has it, he is back from his fall trip to Zion National Park, and boy did he run through a lot of film this time around. After we discuss how much the film and development cost him, as well as some other exciting details, we discuss puppy separation anxiety and how being new to something may lead to a higher competitive drive. We end this week with a n...

It seems my traditional bad luck has made its way through the microphone, latching onto Ben this week, as he struggles with multiple setbacks of varying degrees. First, his primary hard drive fails; then, his 4Runner needs repair; but that’s not all. Still, there lies here a lesson on patience and that, at the end of the day, these are only things. Things which can be fixed, or replaced. We end th...

Emmie gets a bit restless this episode and needs to step out of the studio, which leaves just Ben and I to lead the conversation. Not ideal, but we make it work. With the second issue of Nature Vision Magazine out in the world, we touch base with how that has been received, as well as the importance of representing lesser-known photographers. In a call-back to ⁠Episode 36 - Creeping on Social Medi...

The puppy adventures have officially begun, starting with this episode. As Emmie, the adorable CavaPoo, sits on my lap, Ben and I tackle a number of topics this week, none of which seem to go together at first. We talk about our ability to see being impaired by poor genetics and growing older; slimy marketing tactics that just don’t feel right; and Nature Vision Magazine Issue 2, which was recentl...

If you like the sound of a tractor mowing the lawn in the background, you’re going to love this episode. But even if you’re not a fan or background noise, there’s still plenty to enjoy, like Ben’s 73-mile cycling to Torrey Pines and Cody’s recent success with a print sale. There’s also discussion around writing more deep and personal stories, and a shared obsession with constant movement. LINKS Na...

Life is hard. So you get a puppy, because they’re man’s best friend and some say they make everything better. Until you realize that raising a puppy and keeping it from terrorizing the environment around you, is also hard. So you start going to therapy, as a way to deal with this hardship. But therapy forces you to face emotions you’ve buried away years ago. And that, too, is hard. And now you rea...

No matter what you are into outside of photography, there are always parallels which appear, connecting the creative life to all else. The steady cadence while cycling is much the same as the slow progression toward large goals. And the pure pressure a musician feels - which leads to unfortunate mental breakdowns - can be felt by all who deal with life’s ups and downs. Even finding out that the so...

Having the opportunity to witness the evolution of thought, and of practice, over a period of time, is a truly magnificent thing. To watch as someone grows and learns from past experiences. To see how their thinking changes as they encounter new challenges. That is, at the very core of it, what we are discussing in this week’s episode. As usual, I hope there is something beneficial within these ra...

Remember how I mentioned about a surprise of sorts two episodes back and then swiftly ignored it? Well, in this episode, it is finally revealed. And it brings plenty of discussion to the table on what it means for the future of my art. LINKS Matt Payne Brooks Jensen - Kokoro Sarah Marino David Kingham SUPPORT THE SHOW Join Our  Patreon Join The  Discussion Save 10% on your Nature Photographers Net...

While I continue to ramble on about summer doldrums and my lack of direction in life, Ben brings to the table an interesting discussion on the connection between barefoot running and large format photography. We speak on his fears of being forced to digital - perhaps an inevitable fate, in time - and why these fears exist in the first place. Will he decide to venture to the dark side of digital, o...

After a month-long break, Ben and I are back in action, ready to discuss all things creativity, nature, and whatever else comes to mind. Given it’s the primary excuse for our absence, in this episode we are discussing my trip to Colorado and the power of proximity. We talk about the photographic struggles I was met with, the potential of a return visit, and we continue our conversation on maintain...

Due to my trip to Colorado, this is going to be the last episode for a few weeks. We’re talking about physical, mental, and emotional health, starting with Ben’s recent blueberry fiasco, which transitions us into talking about the mind-body connection. From there, we discuss stress and human evolution, wrapping everything up nicely with a bit about better connecting with nature. Truly no better wa...

Despite being a bit brain dead, both Ben and I work through this week’s conversation, talking about a variety of topics that somehow fit together. We start things off by discussing the use of shallow focus and what Ben calls the Pirate Method to aid in composition creation. Continuing to speak on finding unique compositions, we talk about the passage of time and finding stories in nature, as well...

The Spandex Warrior and I sit down this week to discuss the trips we recently returned home from. For myself, that means my rainy trip to Acadia National Park in Maine; and for Ben, that’s his trip to Southern Utah with his wife. Both of which, it turns out, were filled with pizza. Much of the conversation revolves around small scene photography and the familiarity of place that is necessary to cr...

It seems this is the time of year for beautiful trips into the wilderness, as Ben returns from his spring backpacking trip and I prepare to head off into Acadia. Most of the conversation revolves around these adventures, but as usual, we throw in a bit about productivity, anxiety, and expectations. Oh - and Ben is slowly transforming into a true Spandex Warrior. So that makes for a nice visual. LI...

Creative genius Nick Carver joins me this week for a blunt discussion on society. We kick the conversation off by discussing how terrifying lifestyle changes can be, which, I know, is a very common thread in recent months. Really, though, I wanted to bring Nick on to discuss why he chose to release a four-hour long video - and then ask people to pay for it. Through this, we discuss the societal id...

Our primary driver for this episode revolves around following your curiosity. From continuing the conversation had with Simon Baxter about maintaining a deeper awareness and connection with nature, to discussing the detrimental side effects of so many people venturing into nature, Ben and I ponder our ultimate impact as photographers. Especially for those who run workshops in the popular national...

How do you think of productivity? Do you determine it based on what you accomplish throughout the day, or throughout the year? The other night, I found myself thinking about what I have all done throughout the past year, from graduating with my bachelors, starting this podcast, working with NPN, and graduating recently with my masters. There grew within me a sense of pride that I had never felt be...

Joining me this week is woodland photographer Simon Baxter. Simon has been a major influence on my own photography, constantly influencing me to learn more about the natural world around me as well as learning to embrace the local landscape. Throughout this episode, we center our focus around these primary topics. We discuss gardening and how not to lose your passion with photography, as well as w...

Student teaching is officially over and with that comes the reality that I have more time on my hands than I have had in the past six years. Though this sounds great on paper, the mentality that Ben and I share of always having to do something can quickly make this a living nightmare. One way to cope is through health and fitness, something which I plan to take more seriously given the additional...

When starting a new leg of your journey, there are two overarching concepts about how to proceed: you may either keep your plans to yourself out of fear they won’t formulate, or you may push those plans out into the universe with hopes that good things will come your way. Now that student teaching has come to a close, I wonder which of these options is best for me. Do I commit to the habits I need...