F-Stop Collaborate and Listen - A Photography Podcast

For episode 494 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, host Matt Payne sits down with Roxanne Bouché Overton, a Pacific Northwest–based photographer known for her imaginative approach to creativity through intentional camera movement (ICM), multiple exposures, and unconventional ways of seeing. Overton reveals her origin story—starting with a film SLR and a curiosity about multiple exposures—before delving into the neuroscience of perception, how our brains filter visual information for survival, and why breaking from this default allows for greater artistic vision.

Together, they unpack actionable strategies for cultivating creativity, such as seeking details rather than subjects, training your awareness for shifts in light and shadow, letting go of rigid photographic “rules,” and embracing unique viewpoints—even with simple gear or an iPhone. Overton shares philosophies like working in “liminal time” (always shooting toward the future) and reframing negative self-talk with positive, exploratory language. She highlights workshops, community, and varied education as keys to unlocking your own voice—not just copying others. The episode closes with Overton’s book and Substack newsletter recommendations, plus names four inspiring photographers for future interviews.

Links and Resources:

Get a copy of the Muench Workshops Destinations Magazine

Roxanne Bouche Overton

Support the show on Patreon

Roxanne Bouche Overton's Book, Awaken Creativity

Roxanne Bouche Overton's Creativity Newsletter (Substack)

Bluristic (iPhone app for creative long exposures)

Santa Fe Workshops

Shelly Vandegrift

Michael Clark

Jennifer Spelman

00:00 Podcast Introduction
01:09 Meet Roxanne Bouché Overton
04:11 How Perception Shapes Photography
06:54 Peripheral Vision & ICM
12:31 Community and Creative Kinship
17:43 Technical and Creative Aspects of ICM
22:27 Mobile and iPhone Creative Tools
25:00 Learning to See Creatively
33:02 The Infinite Journey of Creative Work
36:07 Cameras as Recording Devices
41:45 Gear Minimalism for Creative Freedom
43:13 Mindset Shifts for Awareness
52:19 Vocabulary & Positive Framing
65:10 Overton’s Book & Substack
74:33 Guest Recommendations
80:48 Wrap Up

For episode 493 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, Host Matt Payne sits down with David Lloyd, a New Zealand-born wildlife photographer acclaimed for his black and white minimalism and unwavering commitment to ethical, unmanipulated imagery. David Lloyd shares his journey from London’s Richmond Park to world-renowned wildlife destinations, unpacking how years of experience and a background in design shaped his artistic vision (00:10). The episode runs deep into practical and philosophical territory: minimalism in composition, the benefits of returning to the same locations, and developing vision through persistence, not just natural talent (06:03; 11:19).

The conversation tackles the ethical line in post-processing, what honesty in wildlife photography really means, and why digital manipulation and AI-generated images risk undermining public trust (23:28; 33:12). David Lloyd reflects on the pressures of wildlife competitions and what separates exceptional images from the technically perfect but forgettable (37:57), as well as the growing problem of safari overcrowding and impacts on animal behavior (42:52).

Both photographers call for greater transparency and humility in the field, online, and within themselves. They close with insights into what guests underestimate about wildlife safaris and the unpredictable delight of the “one-in-a-decade” photograph (50:46). Don't miss our bonus episode on Patreon where David discusses some absolutely awesome wildlife encounters!

Links and Resources:

Get a copy of the Muench Workshops Destinations Magazine

David Lloyd Wildlife Photography

Support the show on Patreon

Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards

Greg du Toit

Richmond Park (London)

Masai Mara National Reserve

00:00 Intro & Meet David Lloyd
06:03 The Giraffe Cover Shot & Minimalism
11:19 Developing Vision and Voice
23:28 Ethics of Editing & Manipulation
33:12 AI, Authenticity, and Competition
37:57 Award-Winning Wildlife Images
42:52 Safari Crowding & Animal Welfare
50:46 Managing Expectations on Safari

For episode 492 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, Host Matt Payne welcomes photographer/director Scott McDermott, a New York City–based professional with 25+ years spanning sports, fitness, celebrity portraiture, commercial campaigns, directing, and fine art. McDermott describes learning through five years assisting across genres, then building a career by pivoting as opportunities changed, including ongoing cityscape images from his Queens window. He contrasts mindsets between commercial photography (client-driven deliverables), directing (big-picture storytelling for the edit), and fine art (freedom without external endpoints). McDermott explains his Backline fine art series, inspired backstage at a Red Hot Chili Peppers show, photographing road-worn instruments and gear as “modern relics,” plus a cassette-tape print project marketed via separate branding, galleries, art fairs, and Instagram. He discusses developing style through experimentation, differentiating over-photographed subjects, pricing uncertainties, balancing personal and commercial work, and sustaining longevity through stubborn persistence, risk tolerance, and adaptability, including surviving a year without work during COVID.

Links and Resources:

Get a copy of the Muench Workshops Destinations Magazine

Scott McDermott Commercial Photography

Scott McDermott Fine Art

The Backline Series

Scott McDermott on Instagram

Support the show on Patreon

Matt Payne's Book, The Colorado Way

Nadav Kander

David Westphal

Reuben Wu Podcast Episode

00:00 Show Intro 

00:51 Meet Scott McDermott

02:09 Career Path NYC

04:47 Queens Skyline Project

08:13 Generalist Skills Lighting

10:41 Photo vs Directing Art

15:10 Backline Origins

18:32 Cassette Tape Prints

21:17 Selling Fine Art Online

24:01 Finding Visual Style

27:21 Experimentation Weird Gear

30:08 Standing Out De Niro

33:32 Eiffel Tower Photo Rights

34:23 Balancing Art and Ads

36:17 Finding Patronage Again

38:12 Pricing and Budget Games

44:29 Commercial Skills to Fine Art

48:07 Landscape Adaptation Tactics

51:42 Authenticity Versus AI

53:54 Staying in the Game

57:42 Making Money in Landscapes

01:01:14 Guest Recommendations

01:04:40 Wrap Up

In episode 491 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, host Matt Payne talks with guest Meredith Fontana, a Denver-based landscape photographer and former paleontologist, about the journey toward discovering a unique photographic voice. Drawing on her scientific background, Meredith Fontana highlights how observation skills honed in paleontology have profoundly shaped her approach to photography, allowing her to notice and capture details that many overlook. The conversation explores why deeply personal connections to subject matter are vital for moving beyond technical mastery and instead creating work rooted in authentic experience rather than chasing trends or iconic locations. Meredith Fontana shares strategies for photographers struggling to find their own vision, including the importance of solitude, immersion in nature, and mindful inward reflection—citing practices such as journaling, meditation, and extended wilderness trips as powerful catalysts for creative growth. The episode also touches on challenges women face in outdoor photography, the benefits of community and mentorship, and the goals of her Nature Photography Academy, which helps photographers transition from technical proficiency to artistic expression. Throughout, both speakers stress the value of pursuing what excites you and allowing your authentic interests to guide your creative process, ultimately encouraging listeners to identify and lean into the unique elements that set their photography apart.

Resources and Links:

Meredith Fontana

Muench Workshops Giveaway

Nature Photography Academy

12 Inches Behind the Camera Substack

Colorado Mountain Club

Freedom App Digital Minimalism Tool

Cal Newport's Deep Work

James Evans

David Ulrich's The Mindful Photographer

PLOS ONE (journal)

Matt Payne's Book, The Colorado Way

Support the show on Patreon

Bonus episode on Photography Exhibitions

Questions asked at the end: 

What is one moment in your photography journey that you keep coming back to, and what do you think it has been trying to teach you?

What belief about your photography, your location, your gear, or your own ability have you quietly outgrown, but are still living inside?

What would your photography look like if you stopped waiting for the right conditions, the right destination, or the right season, and simply committed to where you are right now?

Who could you become as a photographer if you stopped telling the old version of your story?

Timestamped Overview:
00:00 Influence of paleontology on photography
08:45 Capturing passion in photography
11:46 Finding Answers Within Yourself
20:07 Recalibrating attention through nature
25:42 Dealing with constant work interruptions
30:20 Slowing down to observe nature
36:03 Types of Photography Academy Participants
41:45 Expressing your unique artistic voice
45:04 Discussing the experience of photography
50:16 Understanding Photographer's Intentions
56:28 Using questions to improve photography
01:00:41 Breaking from Traditional Photography
01:09:34 Finding inspiration outside landscape photography
01:13:11 Questions for photography reflection

In episode 490 of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, Matt Payne talks with guest Mark Scheffer, a fine art photographer who transitioned from a thirty-year career in hospital operating rooms to focusing full-time on landscape photography. The discussion centers on the concept that self-imposed limitations, whether in gear, subject matter, or technique, can actually foster greater creativity and lead to a more sustainable and rewarding practice. Mark Scheffer shares his journey from chasing iconic landscapes around the globe to finding depth, freedom, and satisfaction by photographing local scenes, often in black and white infrared, and deliberately working with minimal equipment. Both speakers challenge the industry’s fixation on travel and gear, instead advocating for daily photographic practice, immersion in one’s surroundings, and the benefits of consistency over constant one-upmanship. The episode also addresses the pitfalls of social media-driven expectations and external validation, emphasizing the value of originality, personal growth, and authentic creative expression over conformity or chasing trends.

Links and Resources:

Muench Workshops Giveaway

Mark Scheffer

Support the show on Patreon

Matt Payne's Book, The Colorado Way

Michael Kenna

G.B. Smith

Natural Landscape Photography Awards

Enrico Fossati's Blog Post

Paul Zizka's The Canadian Rockies Rediscovered