F-Stop Collaborate and Listen - A Photography Podcast

Episode 484 features legendary Yellowstone photographer Tom Murphy. We explore how Murphy’s ranching and anthropology background shapes his unique style and storytelling. Murphy shares advice on pursuing personal passion, observing nature deeply, and building a body of meaningful work. He emphasizes photographing wildlife in context, not just what an animal is, but who it is, and discusses the evolution of photographic technology, staying creatively engaged, and tips for strong composition. Murphy also stresses the value of giving back through conservation-focused photography and urges photographers to immerse themselves in places they love.


Resources:

Muench Workshops Giveaway

Support the show on Patreon

Tom Murphy

Tom Murphy's Books

Muench Workshops

Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Postage Stamp News

In episode 483 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, host Matt Payne sits down in person with aerial photographer Scott McCook at the end of a photography tour through Western Australia. Known for his abstract aerial images capturing both the region’s dramatic coastlines and its vast mining infrastructure, Scott McCook discusses his journey to aerial photography, balancing a career in construction, and the unique, often unseen perspectives offered from above. The conversation explores the dichotomy between the beauty and environmental toll of Western Australia’s mining operations, including the vibrant yet toxic tailing ponds, and the impact this industry has on Aboriginal communities. Scott McCook shares how his work straddles the line between art and documentary, aiming to spark curiosity and dialogue rather than delivering pointed messages.

Links and Resources:

Muench Workshops Giveaway

Scott McCook's Website

Scott on Instagram

Muench Workshops

Rio Tinto's Destruction of Juukan Gorge

Tom Putt (photographer recommended)

Support the show on Patreon

Episode 482 features Rick Bebbington, a UK-based photographer, discussing how personal growth and life experiences deeply impact creative work. The conversation focused on overcoming common blocks like perfectionism and imposter syndrome by letting go of expectations, shifting away from external comparisons, and embracing photography as a fulfilling, evolving process, rather than a pursuit of perfection or gear. A key theme that emerged was the importance of introspection and being open to new subjects, with practical advice on how photographers can get unstuck and find renewed creative purpose.


Resources and Links:

Muench Workshops Giveaway

Rick Bebbington

The Colorado Way book

Support the show on Patreon

Muench Workshops

Start With Why by Simon Sinek

Ikigai (concept overview)

Rachel Bixby

Dani Connor

Bonus Episode on the Magic Sweater

On this episode (481) of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, Garrett Hess, a colorblind photographer from Erie, Pennsylvania, talks with Matt Payne about building a creative practice centered around photographing the Great Lakes region, an area often overlooked by landscape photographers. They discuss how embracing local landscapes, weather extremes, and personal limitations like color vision deficiency can foster growth, uniqueness, and deeper connections to subject matter. Garrett Hess shares strategies for keeping local photography exciting, including studying microclimates, developing personal projects, and building a creative network. The conversation touches on the challenges of curating work for exhibitions, the emotional journey of making art close to home, and reframing one's relationship with the often-uninspiring places they live.

Links Mentioned This Week:

Muench Workshops Giveaway

Garrett Hess

Support the show on Patreon

NLPA

The Colorado Way book

Muench Workshops

Jonathan Buford

Kyle McDougall YouTube Channel

Tobias Yoder Photography

Joshua Wallace Photography

In episode 480 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, Matt Payne is joined by photographers Ben Maze and Murray Livingston, who share their journeys in landscape photography, growing up during the rise of social media and how it has influenced their artistic development for better and worse. The discussion covers their approach to intentional image-making, the importance of seeking inspiration beyond Instagram and learning from photographic history, and how they balance the pressure to produce with the creative rewards of slowing down. They explore the realities of building sustainable careers through education and workshops, especially running workshops in Scotland together, and reflect on the challenges and benefits of being younger professionals in the field. Throughout, they emphasize maintaining authenticity amidst commercial and algorithmic pressures, advocating for deep engagement with nature and diverse artistic influences over chasing trends for quick attention.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

Ben Maze & Murray Livingston

Muench Workshops Giveaway

Support the show on Patreon

The Colorado Way (Matt Payne's Book)

Peter Dombrovskis, Joe Cornish, Clark Little, Ray Collins, William Neill, Alex Noriega, Ken Duncan, Heesoo Chung, Andrea Celli, Andrea Pozzi, Luis Afonso

Looking at Photographs by John Szarkowski

Photography in Print by Vicki Goldberg

Photographers on Photography by Nathan Lyons

NLPA (Natural Landscape Photography Awards)

Discord Server for Landscape Photographers