The Perceptive Photographer

If you are like me, you know the frustration of returning from a day out wtih the camera to find that the images do not match the magic of the moment. In this episode of The Perceptive Photographer, I dig into seeing and looking, a challenge that every photographer faces. It often comes from moving too quickly, letting the camera dictate choices, or assuming the viewer will feel what you felt. Clo...

If you’ve ever looked at one of your photos and wondered, “What does this  mean ?”—you’re not alone. In episode 543 of  The Perceptive Photographer , I dug this very question through the lens of thoughtful critique, drawing inspiration from Sylvan Barnet’s  A Short Guide to Writing About Art . I try to focus on how to move beyond simply describing what’s in a photograph and begin to...

‘If I put something out there that is truly meaningful to me, that truly engages with me, I want to be understood.’ If you’ve ever shared a photograph and felt that nobody “got it,” you’re not alone. we’ve all been there. In this conversation of  The Perceptive Photographer , Ken Carlson and I dig into Roland Barthes’ famous essay,  The Death of the Author , and what it means for...

In episode 542, I explored a topic that I have discussed on more than one occasion. While it’s easy to skip over naming your work—maybe leaving images untitled or defaulting to file names. They’re a powerful way to deepen your understanding of your work and offer viewers a richer way into your images. One hesitation I often hear is, “Won’t a title limit how others see my photo?” I get it. We want...

In episode 541 of the podcast, I dig into something that’s been a swirl of ideas, conversations and reactions from different things over the past few weeks. Each one was a little about balance, symmetry and living in an imperfect world. All those got me thinking about the notions of wabi sabi. It’s a Japanese aesthetic rooted in Zen Buddhism, and it’s all about finding beauty in imperfection, impe...

Composition comes up all the time in photography conversations—and honestly, it’s one of those topics that can be both helpful and frustrating. Like a lot of folks, I started out learning the so-called “rules”: rule of thirds, leading lines, foreground interest… you know the list. They’re easy to teach, easy to check off. But over time—and with influence from people like Robert Adams, Paul Caponig...

In this episode of  The Perceptive Photographer , I explore three ideas that have been shaping my creative process lately: truth, wonder, and trust. A recent chat with my friend Bruce and a stack of good reading got me thinking about how these elements are often at the core of meaningful work. When they’re all in balance, photography becomes more than just technical execution—it becomes a spa...

In this week’s episode of the Perceptive Photographer podcast, I dig deep into a topic, prompted by a thoughtful question from a long-time listener, Dennis. His struggle is one I know many of us share: Are we creating for ourselves, or for others? In this post, I want to break down the main themes from that episode, offering nuanced insights for photographers and creatives who are navigating...

In the first episode of my new  In Conversation  series, I sit down with my friend and fellow photographer Ken Carlson to talk about his decision to pursue an MFA in photography. Ken’s path to grad school isn’t the usual one—and that’s exactly what makes his story so insightful. From a career in veterinary medicine to deep dives into critique and artistic voice, Ken brings a unique persp...

In this episode of  The Perceptive Photographer , I spent some time digging into a concept that’s easy to overlook but deeply important: the point of entry in photography. It’s that first moment of connection—the thing that makes you stop, raise your camera, and engage. Sometimes it’s obvious: striking light, bold color, or an expressive face. But often it’s more subtle, like a mood, a memory, or...

In this week’s episode of  The Perceptive Photographer , I take some time to reflect on the people who shape us, the dual nature of photography, and the internal compass that guides our creative work. Episode 537 feels especially personal as I honor my mentor, Seth Thompson, and revisit the big questions that keep me engaged behind the camera. Seth isn’t just someone who taught me how to see...

As a photographer, I’ve often found myself drawn to the allure of the “bucket list” shot—the iconic landscape, the famous cityscape, the image that everyone seems to want in their portfolio. In this episode of the  Perceptive Photographer podcast, I explore why this mindset can actually hold us back, and how shifting our focus to personal expression opens up a deeper, more fulfilling path in...

In Episode 535 of  The Perceptive Photographer , I explore a topic that’s been on my mind for weeks: the art and practice of seeing in photography. Not gear. Not technique. Just the fundamental skill of observation and connection. One of the highest compliment I can get on a photograph is:  “That’s a well-seen image.”  It tells me I noticed something others might have missed—and that I was able to...

In this week’s episode of  The Perceptive Photographer , I explored something that doesn’t always get the love it deserves—mundane photography. You know, the kind of work that isn’t flashy or dramatic. It’s not towering landscapes or intense street moments. It’s ferns on the forest floor. The corner of a quiet room. The way sunlight hits the sink at 3 p.m. These might seem like bo...

In this episode of  The Perceptive Photographer , I talk about the connection between form and content—especially during editing and sequencing. These stages shape how our photographs are experienced, and understanding this relationship is key to making work that resonates. A photograph doesn’t hold our memories—it only shows what’s in the frame. While we may have deep personal stories behind our...

In the latest episode of  The Perceptive Photographer , I dive into the often-overlooked balance between the rational and irrational aspects of photography—and how wisdom emerges when we learn to navigate both. On the rational side, we have the technical tools: aperture, shutter speed, ISO—each essential for crafting a well-exposed image. But there’s a danger in getting stuck there, cha...

In this episode, we dive into  The Americans , Robert Frank’s groundbreaking photo book that reshaped the way we think about documentary and street photography. Frank was born in 1927 in Switzerland. Growing up with Nazism, he had deep skepticism of authority. After moving to American in 1947, Frank received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1955 and set off on a cross-country journey to photograph every...

In the latest episode of  The Perceptive Photographer , I found myself thinking about Steve Jobs. You know that classic moment in his presentations when he’d pause, turn back, and say, “Oh, just one more thing…”? It was his signature move—something small that ended up being hugely impactful. And it got me thinking about photography. That idea— just one more thing —has stuck with me. It’...

In the latest episode of  The Perceptive Photographer , I found myself diving into the heart of photography — not just its surface beauty or technical perfection, but the deeper meanings that lie beneath each image. Too often, we rush to label photographs as “good” or “bad,” but real growth comes when we ask better, more thoughtful questions about the work we encounter (and create). Book Club...

In this episode of  The Perceptive Photographer  podcast, I dive into a topic that often goes overlooked in our digital world: the significance of print sizes in photography. I think you’ll find that how we choose to print our images can fundamentally change how they’re seen—and felt. If you really want to dig in to this more, I’m also running a workshop on fine art printing, where we’ll explore a...

Embracing the Art of Seeing: Overcoming Overthinking in Photography In this latest episode of the Perceptive Photographer Podcast, I dig into a common challenge many photographers face: the transition from enjoying photography as a creative outlet to overthinking the process in pursuit of “better” photographs. This shift can often lead to a disconnect between what photographers see and...

Welcome to episode 526 of the Perceptive Photographer Podcast. I want to share these insights with you, focusing on the distinction between photographing individual subjects (things) and the relationships between those subjects within a frame.  This episode is about understanding how elements within a photograph relate to one another and how your relationship with the subject can influence th...

In this episode of the Perceptive Photographer Podcast, we discuss the impact of the “New Topographic—A Man-altered Landscape” exhibition on modern landscape photography. The New Topographics opened in 1975 at the George Eastman House, curated by William Jenkins. Unlike traditional landscape photography from earlier in the 20th century, employing romantic lighting and composition to ev...

Welcome back to another episode of the Perceptive Photographer podcast, as we continue our exploration of the distinctions between simplicity and minimalism in photography. If you missed the first part, I highly recommend catching up at some point with part one where I cover some of the more central differences between the two. While simple compositions can be clean and balanced, minimalism takes...

Welcome to another deep dive into the world of photography! In episode 523 of the Perceptive Photographer Podcast, released on March 17, 2025, I wanted to take a moment to honor my late brother on his birthday, which coincides with St. Patrick’s Day. I’ll be raising a toast with a glass of Midleton Irish whiskey in his memory tonight. I had promised this two-part podcast as while back...