Shutter Nonsense: A Nature Photography Podcast

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey talk about the messy, subjective, and sometimes frustrating process of evaluating your own photography. They dig into what happens after a trip, from the first Lightroom pass to choosing which images deserve more attention, which ones fall short, and which ones might have potential even if they do not immediately jump off the screen. The con...

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey are joined by landscape photographer Jon Norris to talk about Joshua Tree National Park, a place that has become one of Jon’s favorite subjects and creative escapes. Jon shares what keeps pulling him back to Joshua Tree after hundreds of visits, from the strange character of the trees to the glowing rock formations, hidden corners, old mine...

One year ago, we recorded the very first episode of Shutter Nonsense in the Great Smoky Mountains. For this bonus anniversary episode, we are back in the Smokies reflecting on the first year of the podcast, answering listener questions, and talking about what we have learned from recording the show, leading workshops together, and having regular conversations about landscape photography. In this e...

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey are joined by nature photographer Brenda Tharp for a thoughtful conversation about finding your own creative voice in landscape and nature photography. Brenda shares her perspective on the pressure to photograph popular locations, follow trends, chase social media approval, and balance personal expression with the realities of building a pho...

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey talk about one of the trickier decisions in landscape and nature photography - knowing when to keep working a scene and when it is time to move on. Sometimes staying longer helps you find stronger compositions, better light, and quieter details you would have missed at first glance. But sometimes you are not really working the scene anymore,...

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey dig into the idea of growth through limitation in nature photography. What happens when you intentionally narrow your options instead of keeping every possibility open? They talk about one-lens outings, local shooting, black and white challenges, slowing down in the field, and how removing certain choices can actually help you see more clear...

In Episode 25 of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey are joined by Cole Thompson and John Barclay to talk about color versus monochrome photography, and how to know when each one makes sense. The conversation goes way beyond editing choices and gets into vision, intention, creativity, and why black and white can be either a distraction-free tool or a deeply personal way of seeing. Along the way,...

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey talk about nature photography hit rate, keeper rate, and whether taking fewer photos actually means you are becoming a better landscape photographer. They dig into the difference between intentional landscape photography and the old spray and pray approach, how culling photos after a trip can shape your view of success, and why a low hit rat...

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, we dig into minimalism vs maximalism in landscape photography and talk through what those ideas actually mean in practice. We start by catching up on the usual behind-the-scenes chaos: preparing for the long drive from Ohio to Death Valley for an upcoming workshop, building landing pages for holiday promotions, launching a new iPhone photo app, and squeezing in...

In Episode 22 of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey dig into one of the least glamorous but most important parts of landscape photography: planning and scouting. From pre-trip research to in-field decision-making, this episode is all about finding the balance between being prepared and staying creatively flexible. The conversation pulls from real experiences photographing in Utah, Colorado, and...

In this most recent episode of Shutter Nonsense, hosts Michael and Jeffrey sit down with special guest, landscape photographer Ben Horne, for a thoughtful conversation about how the way we see our own photographs changes over time. What starts as excitement or disappointment in the moment often shifts months or years later, sometimes in ways we never expect. Ben shares stories from a recent trip t...

Is photography better kept as a passion, or does turning it into a business change the relationship entirely? In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey dig into the real-world tradeoffs between photography as a hobby and photography as a source of income. The discussion explores what monetization actually looks like for landscape photographers, why prints and education tend to be th...

In Episode 19 of Shutter Nonsense, hosts Michael and Jeffrey dig into how photography trips shape us far beyond the images we bring home. Travel can spark creativity and excitement, but it also introduces uncertainty, pressure, and the challenge of balancing expectations with reality. We talk about what happens when you photograph unfamiliar places, how travel can help reconnect you with your orig...

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, hosts Michael and Jeffrey explore the often-overlooked power of local photography and why shooting close to home can make you a stronger, more fulfilled nature photographer. Traveling for your nature photography is inspiring and iconic, but local landscapes offer something just as valuable: repetition, familiarity, and the chance to truly learn a place. We talk...

In Episode 17 of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey dive deep into the business side of selling photographic prints. From pricing and production choices to fulfillment and customer service, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to make print sales work sustainably. They discuss how to think about pricing beyond just cost, the pros and cons of printing your own work ve...

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey take a candid look at imposter syndrome in photography. How it shows up, why it’s so common, and what you can actually do about it. From selling prints and filling workshops to navigating slow seasons and shifting economic realities, they unpack the pressures photographers face at every stage of their creative and business journeys. Michael...

In this episode, renowned nature photographer Alex Noriega joins the hosts Michael and Jeffrey. The trio delve into the critical importance of curating your nature photography to elevate it from good to memorable.  The conversation covers a variety of topics, including the selection and refinement of images, social media’s impact on curation, balancing personal satisfaction with audience engagemen...

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, join Michael and Jeffrey as they delve into the challenges and opportunities that arise when photographing in difficult weather conditions. From harsh midday light, heavy overcast skies, rain, snow, wind, and other less-than-ideal situations, nature photographers can face it all.  They discuss their personal experiences and strategies for adapting to unforeseen...

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, hosts Michael and Jeffrey dive into the ever evolving debate of whether camera gear still matters in 2025 for nature photography.  They discuss brand loyalty, the real-world benefits of upgrading, and how new technology impacts photography. They also highlight the common traps photographers fall into when upgrading their gear and offer advice on evaluating genu...

In Episode 12 of Shutter Nonsense, the hosts Michael and Jeffrey discuss their favorite apps for nature photographers to help with everything from pre-trip planning to campsite discovery and field navigation.  Michael and Jeffrey provide insights on essential apps such as OnX Offroad, Google Earth, Gaia GPS, Windy, and more. They also share personal experiences and tips for maximizing the use of t...

Photographer Barbara Livieri joins hosts Michael and Jeffrey in this episode of Shutter Nonsense for an in-depth discussion of photography workshops and preparation tips. The trio talks about how to prepare for nature photography workshops, the good and bad experiences they've encountered, and why mindset is crucial for getting the most out of these immersive learning experiences.  They also delve...

In this milestone episode (Episode 10!!!) of Shutter Nonsense, we explore the evolution of post-processing techniques and style with our special guest, Murray Livingston. The discussion covers how our approaches to editing have changed over time, the merits of JPEG vs. RAW, black and white versus color photography, post-processing techniques, the importance of intentionality in editing, and more! ...

In episode 9 of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey delve into photo printing, discussing the basics of getting started, the pros and cons of home printing versus using a professional lab, and how to choose the right paper for your prints.  We also cover important considerations when editing for prints and share tips based on our personal experiences to help you make the best printing choices fo...

In this episode, Michael and Jeffrey dive deep into the world of photo contests with special guest Matt Payne, host of the 'F-Stop, Collaborate and Listen' podcast and co-founder of the Natural Landscape Photography Awards (NLPA).  The discussion covers the intricacies of entering photo contests, common pitfalls, and managing expectations. The trio also touches on the importance of preserving the...

In this inaugural guest episode, Michael and Jeffrey are joined by acclaimed nature photographer and educator Sarah Marino. They delve into the rising trend of photography eBooks, discussing personal and business experiences, the value of image sequencing, and the nuances of creating engaging content. Sarah shares insights from her journey, the importance of storytelling in photography, and offers...