The Perceptive Photographer

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...

I am participating in the Photoshop Creativity Summit at the end of the month and one of my sessions is on the processing of framing and getting your work onto the wall. That session has really had me thinking about the impact of finishing the work and what it means to finish the work. Over the years, I have made a lot of photographs that have been processed or even printed that just ended up on t...

In episode 521 of the Perceptive Photographer Podcast, I dive into the Hawthorne effect and its impact on photography. I chat about how observing and photographing can change our behavior and perception. Reflecting on my own experiences, I discuss how having a camera in hand alters my awareness and creative process. I also touch on the differences in photographing people versus landscapes. Don&#82...

In this episode of “The Perceptive Photographer,” I celebrate the podcast’s ten-year anniversary, marking its 520th episode. I reflect on the significance of milestones in my photographic journey and the evolution over the years. I emphasize the importance of recognizing and celebrating achievements, no matter how big or small. I encourage you to look back at your past work to ap...

In this episode of the  Perceptive Photographer  podcast, I take a step back to reflect on the evolution of a photographer’s journey—your journey, my journey, and the ever-changing creative path we all walk. I share some of my own experiences that shifted my relationship with photography, and I explore the pressures that come with making images in today’s world. Maybe you’ve felt it too—that weigh...

In this episode of  The Perceptive Photographer , I explore the nature of knowledge—what we know, what we don’t know, and the even more elusive realm of what we don’t know we don’t know. This idea is especially relevant in the creative process, where growth often comes not just from refining our skills but from stepping into the unknown with curiosity and openness. One of the key themes I dis...

In this episode of  The Perceptive Photographer , I explore the idea of focus—not just in terms of sharpness or camera settings, but the deeper reasons behind why we take the photos we do. Using the classic journalistic questions—who, what, when, where, why, and how—I reflect on how these can help us connect more emotionally with our work. Photography isn’t just about capturing what’s in fron...

In the latest episode of “The Perceptive Photographer,” I dip my toe back into the pool of critiquing photographs. Critique is more than just forming an opinion; it’s a structured approach to understanding and evaluating photographic work. In this episode, I’ll try to offer up some advice to help you improve your critique skills. We start with a Quick Look at critical Theor...

In episode 515 of “The Perceptive Photographer,” I talk about the importance of finishing work in photography. As I prepare for an upcoming art show in Seattle, I reflect on the clarity and sense of accomplishment that comes with completing projects. There are lots of insights that come from finishing work Completing work, I believe, reveals a photographer’s identity and intentio...

In this episode of “The Perceptive Photographer,” I talk about what makes a photograph “good.” But before we dig in, I just wanted to say my thoughts for those affected by the fires in Southern California. This episode is all about the qualities that define a good photograph, such as the photographer’s skill, the uniqueness of the image, and the thought behind it. I a...