The Perceptive Photographer

As the days get shorter, I find myself paying more attention to how light changes this time of year. The low angle of the sun, the long shadows, and the quiet warmth that hangs in the air all ask for a slower kind of seeing. In this week’s episode of The Perceptive Photographer, I talk about using this shift in light as an opportunity think about how we approach our work and to build a small quick body of work.

In this episode, I reflect on five simple ideas to help keep your creative life moving forward. From finishing imperfect work to embracing boredom, learning from feedback, and finding value in small, steady steps, it is a reminder that progress, not perfection, is what keeps us creating and growing.

In this episode of the Perceptive Photographer podcast, I explore what it means to trust your own eye. Like learning to read and write, photography requires more than technical skill. Making a photograph is not the same as understanding one. By paying attention to what draws us in, moving through doubt, and listening to our instincts, we begin to see more clearly and develop a personal, authentic way of seeing the world through the camera.

In this episode of The Perceptive Photographer Podcast, I chat with Ken Carlson about moving from single images to building cohesive photographic projects. We explore motivation, intent, sequencing, and the role of mentorship and community. If you’ve ever dreamed of a book, zine, or portfolio, this conversation is packed with insight, clarity, and encouragement.

n Episode 551 of The Perceptive Photographer, I explore how what I don’t know often means more than what I do in my photography. Instead of trying to control every detail or follow every rule, I’ve learned to embrace uncertainty. Leaving out elements, breaking the “rules,” and allowing space for discovery can lead to stronger images and deeper connections. Viewers bring their own stories, and that gap between intention and perception is where the magic happens. By trusting the unknown, I create work that feels more authentic, surprising, and meaningful.

In this podcast episode, the importance of silence in photography is explored. Embracing quiet helps us be present, notice details, and connect with subjects. By slowing down and inviting stillness, we can make more intentional choices and deepen our photographic practice. Where can you invite more silence in your work?

When it comes to growth in photography, it’s easy to get caught up in the wrong metrics. In this week’s episode, I dig into the idea of measuring progress in ways that might make for better growth in our photographic practice.

We often talk about “telling a story” in photography. But when you look closer, a single image may only hold part of the story: the introduction, the climax, or maybe the resolution. In this week’s podcast, I explore how frameworks like Freytag’s Pyramid, the Hero’s Journey, and Pixar’s methods can inspire us to think differently about our photographs and how they connect with others.

In this episode, I talk with you about finding the right balance in your photography, or what I call your creative “spice level.” Based on a trip out for Thai food, I share how important it is to challenge yourself enough to stay engaged, but not so much that you feel overwhelmed. I also touch on the value of honest self-reflection and community, and let you know about some opportunities, like my Meaningful Image Workshop and the Lightroom Virtual Summit. Thanks for being part of this community and listening in as we explore the ups and downs of the creative process together.

Photography isn’t just about making a single strong image. It’s about what happens when we put images together. In this episode, we explore the creative shift from chasing individual “keepers” to building a body of work that tells a story. We’ll talk about what makes a sequence of photos more powerful than a single frame, and why the order of images can change their meaning entirely. Whether you’re building a project, putting together a portfolio, or sequencing a photo book, this episode will give you tools and inspiration to move from good pictures to great stories.

In this episode of the podcast, I explore the idea of “arrows in your quiver”. You know, the skills you don’t think you’ll ever need but that can transform your photography when the moment comes. From studying artificial lighting to better understand natural light, to learning portraiture for gesture and expression, to digging into photographic history for inspiration, these extra skills expand your creative toolkit. The more arrows you carry, the more prepared you are to adapt, experiment, and grow in your work.

In this episode, I talk about that all-too-familiar moment when you look at your photos and realize they don’t quite match what you saw or felt in the moment. I explore why this disconnect happens and how being more intentional with composition, framing, and timing can help you capture what really caught your eye. I also share some updates about my upcoming Lightroom Virtual Summit classes and mention that my photography workshops are almost full. Thanks for joining me as we dig into the challenges and joys of making photographs that truly reflect your vision.

In this episode, I talk about how to look deeper into photographs and find their meaning, not just describe what’s in them. Drawing from Sylvan Barnet’s ideas on formal analysis, I explain the difference between simply listing what you see and analyzing how a photo communicates something more. I also discuss how both photographers and viewers help shape a photo’s meaning, and why it’s okay if that meaning isn’t always clear.

In this episode, Ken and I return to a conversation we had in the past about Roland Barthes’ famous essay Death of the Author. This is an essay that can really have you rethink what you know about intention and who decides what a piece of art is really about. Barthes argues that once a work is created, the author’s intentions no longer control its meaning, but rather that it is left in the hands of the viewer. Using this as our springboard into intention, titles, purpose and what it might mean for us photographers, Ken and I wax on about whether letting go of the “author” intention frees us to create with more openness, does it change the way we connect with our work or signify something else. If you’ve ever wondered who owns the meaning of a photograph and why some images resonate in ways their creators never expected, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, I talk about why titling photographs matters. I share how titles help us organize our work, give context, and deepen both our own and the viewer’s understanding of an image. I suggest trying out different titles for the same photo to discover new meanings. I also discuss how titles can reveal themes in your work and reflect your perspective. There’s no single right way to use titles—they can be public or private.

n episode 541, I explore ideas that surface across conversations, readings, and experiences—all pointing toward the spirit of wabi sabi. It’s about embracing imperfection, time, and authenticity in photography, and how those themes invite us to see—and photograph—the world with more honesty, presence, and depth.

In this episode, I talk with Ken Carlson about photographic composition. We move past the usual rules—like lines and shapes—and focus on how composition can express deeper meaning and intention. We share our frustrations with formulaic approaches often taught online, and discuss how real impact comes from understanding why we compose a certain way. We both share some of our teaching experiences and reflect on how personal connection and context shape our choices. We agree that composition is more than technique; it’s about communicating emotion and meaning through our photographs.

In this episode, I talk about how truth, wonder, and trust support my creative process in photography. Inspired by a chat and some recent reading, I reflect on balancing technical skills with staying open to new ideas. For me, creativity isn’t just about getting things right—it’s about being curious, authentic, and willing to experiment. I hope these thoughts encourage you to find your own balance in photography.

In this week’s episode of The Perceptive Photographer, I dive into a question that comes up more often than we admit: Who are we really making our work for—ourselves or our audience? It all started with a thoughtful question from longtime listener Dennis, and it led to a deeper look at motivation, ego, and the tricky dance between personal expression and external validation. From the pull of social media likes to the sting of critique, I explore how feedback can both shape and distract us. I also talk about the importance of being your own first audience—because if your work doesn’t move you, it probably won’t move anyone else. Whether you’re creating for clients or for yourself, this episode is a reflection on staying true to your voice while remaining open to growth.

In this episode, I talk with Ken Carlson, a longtime friend and photographer, about his decision to pursue an MFA in photography at age 78. Ken shares how his background as a veterinarian and his life experiences shape his art. We discuss the challenges and rewards of being a non-traditional student, the value of mentorship, and how curiosity drives creative growth. Ken reflects on learning to listen, embracing new perspectives, and the importance of continually evolving as an artist. It’s an honest conversation about lifelong learning and finding your voice in photography.