The Perceptive Photographer

In this episode of the Perceptive Photographer podcast, I kick off 2025 diving into the topic of photography critique. After a quick update and thanks to everyone for their support as I dealt with my medical issues, I wanted to dig into how photographers can approach feedback. Instead of just answering questions about their work, I suggest flipping those questions to gain deeper insights. This fil...

Happy New Year everyone. In this episode, I share a bit about my recent experiences with health issues that have affected my energy and productivity, which have also led to a brief hiatus from work. So thanks to everyone for reaching out and much gratitude for your support As we approach 2025, I cheated and recorded a podcast when I am supposed to be off work, and I wanted to share five wishes for...

In this episode of the Perceptive Photographer podcast, we are going to dig a little deeper into the visual language of photography. Before we jump into our topic, I did want to let you know if the energy is a little off it is due to some recent struggles with medication and anxiety, which are hopefully getting resolved. As we jump into our topic, there is a connection between how understanding vi...

In this episode of the Perceptive Photographer Podcast, I dig into the topic of distractions in photography, focusing on not just the technology of AI generative tools that remove unwanted elements from images, but how we think about distractions in our work. These new tools have impressive capabilities and their potential impact on a photographer’s approach to composition can’t be eas...

In this episode of the Perceptive Photographer podcast, I tackle two listener questions. First, I dive into the role of language in photography, discussing how articulating thoughts about my work can deepen personal connection and understanding. While some argue that photos should speak for themselves, I believe language can enhance this visual storytelling. Then, I respond to Christine, a long-ti...

Hey there, fellow photography enthusiasts! Welcome to another episode of “The Perceptive Photographer”. We’re diving into episode 508, which coincides with the hustle and bustle of Cyber Monday. While the world around us is caught up in the frenzy of consumerism, I want to offer you something else to focus your attention on over spending some cash on something you don’t nee...

In this episode of “The Perceptive Photographer,” I dive into the theme of balance in both life and photography. I kick things off with a quote from Ani DiFranco about striving for balance over perfection and dive into an expeirence many years ago in a yoga class, where I noticed how balance—or the lack of it—can reflect broader life. Over the past week I have been thinking about how t...

In this episode of the Perceptive Photographer podcast, I spend some time reflecting on the passing of the influential photographer Paul Caponigro. I really admired Paul and got to meet him several time and so I wanted to shared a few personal stories about Paul, including some lessons and anecdotes on his approach to photography. I also wanted to touch on the current tension and anxiety so many a...

In this episode of my podcast, the Perceptive Photographer, I dive into the concept of “layers” in photography, drawing inspiration from the movie “Shrek.” You know how Shrek says ogres have layers? Well, I believe photographs do too, with multiple layers of meaning. I chat about how elements like composition, emotions, and even political implications can add depth to an im...

In this episode of the Perceptive Photographer Podcast, I dive into the importance of working the balance between simplicity and complexity in our photography. It all started with me finally starting to learn how we see complexity in a scene and how distilling them to their core improved my work. This simplification isn’t about minimalism but about focusing on the core elements. I Don’t forg...

In this episode of the Perceptive Photographer podcast, I dig into how we go about dealing with mistakes and unexpected outcomes in our creative process. The topic came to mind in thinking about why sometimes bad things happen in my process, and yet, other times it is just a “happy accident.” I wondered how much of that was my reactions to the errors verse the errors themselves. I star...

In this episode of podcast, I ponder and dig into how perception shapes our understanding of photographs. It all starts from thoughts of donuts from Oscar Wilde and mirror from Ralph Waldo Emerson. With their quotes in mind, Igot to thinking about how much of our perception is subjective and influenced by our mental state and not actually factual. As you look at your own work, one of the things in...

In episode 501 of “The Perceptive Photographer,” I really open up about the concept of “mailing it in” when it comes to photography and creativity. Hitting the milestone of 500 consecutive episodes got me thinking about how crucial it is to stay truly engaged and not fall into the trap of complacency in our creative journeys.  So with the podcast this week, I want to encourage you to stay foc...

In this special 500th episode of the Perceptive Photographer Podcast, I reflect back on my journey in podcasting and photography. I am very grateful for your listening, support, and friendship which has been instrumental in keeping me going to reach this milestone. In this week’s episode, I dig a bit into the creative challenges and expectations that come with being a photographer, discussin...

Hey there! I’m excited to share the latest episode of the Perceptive Photographer Podcast. This episode is particularly special to me as it marks the 499th episode, leading up to the big 500th milestone. In this episode, we dig into the importance of understanding the purpose behind a photograph and how you can learn to see better by critiquing before you ever grab the camera. To help you with thi...

In this episode of the Perceptive Photographer Podcast, I delve into the continuing dialog and conversations around the evolving role of generative AI in photography. Reflecting on my recent experiences, I share frustrations about people’s reactions without justification and start to set the stage for a broader discussion on AI’s impact. As I always try to call out, there is a differen...

In this episode of the Perceptive Photographer podcast, I explore the inner monologue and external dialogues we photographers have when critiquing our work and others. It all starts with a story about a friend from my 20s constantly questioning one’s ability to drive after having a drink at the bar is an example of how we often ask questions we already know the answer to. (If you are asking...

Tune in to this weeks episode of the Perceptive Photographer whre we dig into how theater, photography, sitcom A, B, and C narratives in epsisode can be lessons to apply to our photographs.

In this episode of the podcast, I talk about some of the challegenes we can face when we look at our photographs under the lens of thinking we knew what they were about when we really didn’t know.

In this episode of the podcast, we dig into the impacts of tension on photography. Not the tension in the frame, but rather the tension we carry with us bedhind the camera and how that can impact what we see, photograph and create.

Welcome to the podcast episode 493. Today, I’m diving deep into a debate that really got me thinking: Can anything truly be taught? It all started with a professor’s bold statement that even the most original thoughts or unique artistic perspectives, like those of van Gogh, can be learned. I question whether those innovative ways of seeing or thinking are truly teachable or if they&#82...

In this episode, I dive into Stephen Shore’s thought-provoking photography concept of mental models and thinking about your images based on his book, “The Nature of Photographs”. In the podcast, we explore how framing, composition, and external influences shape our understanding of photographs on both a mental and physical level. Couple of other notes from the podcast Just a remi...

In take 357 of episode 491 of the podcast, I dive into the impacts of forks in the road of our creative process. From the early excitement and motivation of creative processes to balancing the struggle of staying true to oneself while connecting with others. We dig in and explore some of the journies and paths we might find ourselves in photography, and the tough choices between giving up and push...

In this episode, I delve into the impacts of fragmentation in our photography, emphasizing its unique ability to fragment the world in various ways. Starting off with some great quotes from Jasper Johns and Ursula K. Le Guin about fragments of knowledge and then digging into how photography mirrors the fragmented nature of how we frame, see and compose. Over the course of the podcast, I disuss the...

This week in episode 489, I dig into the intersection of chance, self-expression, and photography. In revsiting the text from Clive Scott’s “The Spoken Image” I dig a little into the impact of whether photography is more about reacting to spontaneous moments or preparing for them. So as you listent to the podcast, ask yourself are you more of a ‘ready-for-the-moment’...