Shutter Nonsense: A Nature Photography Podcast

How do you keep growing as a photographer when the tools, trends, and places around you keep changing? We talk with Gary Randall about nearly a quarter century of photography and the choices that have helped him keep going.

Gary shares why some early equipment advances mattered to him, why he doesn't feel compelled to replace the camera he uses now, and how experience has made his fieldwork more deliberate. We also talk about the point where a recognizable style can become a comfortable groove, revising things you once taught, and setting boundaries around processing and care for locations.

The conversation reaches beyond technique into what photography has meant in Gary's life, the people his work has touched, and his encouragement to keep a printed portfolio for yourself.

Come share with us what has changed in your photography and what you’ve held onto in our free Patreon community!

👉 https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Focused Fan members and above get new episodes before the public release and without the public-release ads. Free followers can still join the conversation and upgrade any time if they want early, ad-free access.

Highlights

• How nearly 25 years of photography have shaped Gary Randall’s approach.
• What shooting film can teach us about photographing with intention.
• Finding comfort and direction through photography during difficult times.
• Protecting fragile locations and putting nature before the photograph.
• Staying true to your style without chasing social media trends.
• Setting personal editing boundaries and being honest about your work.
• How workshops help connect technical knowledge with experience in the field.
• Building confidence, staying curious, and creating a legacy through printed photographs.

Related Links

• Gary Randall: https://www.gary-randall.com/
• Gary's Mount Hood History Site: https://mounthoodhistory.com/
• Gary's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GaryRandallPhotography
• Mount Hood Cultural Center and Museum: https://mthoodmuseum.org/
• Sandy, Oregon Historical Society: https://www.sandyhistory.com/
• Nature First: https://naturefirst.org/en/principles/

Learn more about Michael's photography: http://www.michaelrung.com
Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: http://www.jeffreytadlock.com

What would make your photography feel successful if nobody could see the like count?

We welcome Australian photographer Grant Swinbourne, host of Landscape Photography World, to look at what four years of interviewing photographers have taught him about creative growth. The answers reach beyond making better-looking pictures: they touch on why we photograph, how we learn, and what we want the work to mean.

We talk about the value of those first familiar photographs, the move toward personal expression, and the mindset that helps you find another subject when the planned view isn't working. Grant shares how listening to other photographers has changed his own thinking, while we compare notes on learning to see and recognizing progress that isn't measured by an audience.

The conversation also considers the realities behind a photography income and why honesty about how you create your work matters.

Come tell us what success looks like for you in our free Patreon community!

👉 https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Focused Fan members and above get new episodes before the public release and without the public-release ads. Free followers can still join the conversation and upgrade any time if they want early, ad-free access.

Highlights

• How photography and time outdoors can help quiet the mind and support mental well-being.
• Defining success for yourself—and why social media engagement doesn’t tell the whole story.
• Why making a familiar photograph can still be an important achievement.
• How imitation can lead to independent creative choices.
• What to do when the planned landscape isn't working.
• Learning through conversations, mentorship, workshops, and self-directed study.
• The realities of earning an income and being honest about how images are made.
• Balancing the pull of photography trends with making work that satisfies you creatively.

Related Links

• Grant Swinbourne:https://www.grantswinbournephotography.com/
• Landscape Photography World on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/@grantswinbournephotography
• Landscape Photographers Worldwide Discord:https://discord.gg/2M3VYqDnm
• Gary Graham motorsports photography:https://www.instagram.com/gsg_images/
• Gary's podcast episode with Grant:https://landscapephotographyworld.podbean.com/e/landscape-photography-world-podcast-gary-graham/
• Steve Balasco offshore photography:https://www.stevebelasco.net/
• Circle of Light:https://www.circleoflightphoto.com/
• Circle of Light podcast episode with Grant:https://landscapephotographyworld.podbean.com/e/the-circle-of-light-women-elevating-nature-photography/
• Frank Hurley, A Pioneer of Photography:https://shackleton.com/en-us/blogs/articles/frank-hurley
• Arthur Conan Doyle and the fairies hoax:https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-55187973

This is a special excerpt from the bonus episode we released on Patreon. We share some exciting updates about our 2027 workshops and we didn't want to keep them from you!

How much can you change a nature photograph before it becomes something other than a photograph of the moment you experienced? There is no clean line, and that is what makes the question useful.

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, we dig into the spectrum between documentary and interpretive nature photography. We talk about why even a highly representational photograph still involves choices, how RAW processing and composition already shape a scene, and where our own comfort levels change when editing moves from emphasizing what was there to creating what was not.

We also get into the ethics side - audience expectations, sky replacements, composites, generative AI, digital art, disclosure, and why authenticity matters more to us than trying to force every photographer into the same rules. Michael explains how his own editing became more restrained as his field craft improved, while Jeffrey makes the case for experimenting with techniques before deciding they do or do not belong in your work.

The conversation is not an argument that representational nature photography is morally superior. It is a framework for thinking about your intent, your audience, your creative process, and the promises your finished images make to the people viewing them.

Join the free Shutter Nonsense community on Patreon and tell us where your line is. Are sky replacements fair game? Do abstracts change your rules? Is disclosure enough, or do you think nature photography should stay closer to the scene?

👉 https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Focused Fan members and above get new episodes before the public release and without the public-release ads. Free followers can still join the conversation and upgrade any time if they want early, ad-free access.

Highlights

• Why pure documentary photography is difficult, even before post-processing enters the picture
• How composition, focal length, timing, JPEG profiles, RAW processing, and film choice all interpret a scene
• The difference between enhancing light that was present and creating conditions that were not
• Why stronger field craft can reduce the need to rescue photographs in editing
• Why Michael and Jeffrey give themselves more freedom with abstracts and black-and-white work
• What non-photographers may assume when they see a nature photograph
• Composites, AI, digital art, and the role of honest disclosure
• Why business, workshops, print sales, and competitions can raise the stakes around representation
• How a personal ethics statement can help you define your own working rules
• Why experimentation is still one of the best ways to find your photographic voice

Related Links

• Episode 10 - Evolving Editing Styles with Murray Livingston: https://www.shutternonsense.com/post/episode-10-evolving-editing-styles-with-murray-livingston
• Episode 08 - Matt Payne and a Deep-Dive into Photo Competitions: https://www.shutternonsense.com/post/episode-008-matt-payne-and-a-deep-dive-into-photo-competitions

Continue with the educational guide for a practical framework you can use to define your own line between representation and interpretation, decide what deserves disclosure, and write a simple personal ethics statement for your photography:

https://www.shutternonsense.com/post/documentary-vs-interpretive-nature-photography

Learn more about Michael's photography: http://www.michaelrung.com
Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: http://www.jeffreytadlock.com

Can a landscape photograph do more than show people a beautiful place? And if you care deeply about wilderness, how do you move beyond saying it matters and actually become useful to the work of protecting it?

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, we sat down with nature photographer, author, and conservationist Eric Bennett to talk about the relationship between photography and conservation. Eric shares how years of exploring Utah changed both the way he photographs and the way he thinks about wilderness, why he believes affection and reverence matter alongside legal protection, and how photographers can help people care without pretending a photograph can solve every environmental problem.

We also get into the harder parts of advocacy: misinformation, audience fatigue, choosing issues you actually understand, and resisting the pressure to weigh in on everything. Eric explains why he focuses close to home, how writing and self-initiated projects led to relationships with conservation organizations, and why sending one email can sometimes be more useful than waiting around for an invitation.

A major part of the conversation centers on something that is easy to leave outside the frame entirely - natural silence. Eric talks about the ideas behind Space, Stillness, Silence, his work with Quiet Parks International, and why protecting a place should include more than preserving what it looks like.

Join the free Shutter Nonsense community on Patreon and tell us about the place you feel most protective of. What changed your relationship with it, and have you found a way to contribute beyond making photographs there?

👉 https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Focused Fan members and above get each new episode before the public release and without the public-release ads. Free followers can upgrade whenever they want early, ad-free access while still joining the same community discussion.

Highlights

• How Eric moved from destination-driven photography toward a more responsive 'conversation with nature'
• Why familiarity with one place can make conservation work more credible and useful
• How photographs can build emotional connection without replacing policy, science, or stewardship
• Why exaggeration and misinformation can undermine a conservation message
• Why Eric doesn't wait for organizations to invite him before starting a project
• Natural sound, solitude, and silence as conservation resources
• How photographers can contribute through writing, field knowledge, fundraising, documentation, and outreach
• Why one small, informed action can be a better starting point than trying to solve everything at once

Related Links

• Eric Bennett:https://www.bennettfilm.com/
• Conservation is Not Enough:https://www.bennettfilm.com/ConservationIsNotEnough
• Factory Butte Article:https://www.bennettfilm.com/ProtectingBeautyAndSolace
• Silence: The World's Scarcest Resoource:https://www.bennettfilm.com/SilenceProject
• Escalante Photo Essay:https://medium.com/@wilderness/photo-essay-touring-the-areas-to-lose-protections-at-utahs-grand-staircase-escalante-eb04b5140b65
• Escalante Boundary Reductions:https://www.bennettfilm.com/TheTragicUndoingofEscalante
• Wilderness Society:https://www.wilderness.org/
• Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance:https://suwa.org/
• Grand Staircase Escalante Partners:https://gsenm.org/
• Quiet Parks International:https://www.quietparks.org/

Eric's Book Recommendations

We may earn a small commission from purchases made through the provided links.

• "One Square Inch of Silence" by Gordon Hempton:https://amzn.to/3UpZh02
• "Desert Solitaire" by Edward Abbey:https://amzn.to/3V34U4k
• "The Voice of the Desert" by Joseph Wood Krutch:https://amzn.to/4x0Gk1E
• "Downriver" by Heather Hansman:https://amzn.to/4xoY9IB
• "The Solace of Open Spaces" by Gretel Ehrlich:https://amzn.to/3T0EXlu
• "The Quiet Crisis" by Steward L Udall:https://amzn.to/4gtqQ0Y
• "The Desert" by John C Van Dyke:https://amzn.to/4qGGiu0https://amzn.to/4qGGiu0

Learn more about Michael's photography: http://www.michaelrung.com
Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: http://www.jeffreytadlock.com

Learn With Shutter Nonsense
Don’t forget to visit the revamped Shutter Nonsense website with our enhanced educational guides related to this week’s podcast episode!

👉 https://www.shutternonsense.com/learn

Does landscape photography need a dramatic sky to be worth the trip? And what happens when chasing rare light becomes the only reason you pick up the camera?

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, we take a deliberately balanced look at epic landscape photography - why dramatic conditions are so appealing, the real skills the chase can build, and the creative tradeoffs that can appear when great weather or rare light becomes a requirement.

We talk about weather forecasting, scouting, route planning, remote locations, social media expectations, and the value of simply getting more repetitions with the camera. Michael looks back at the year he stopped chasing sunrise and sunset and how that helped lead him into woodland photography. Jeffrey explains what repeated failed sunsets at Lindy Point have taught him about patience, adaptability, and finding photographs when the sky refuses to cooperate.

Highlights:

• What we mean when we talk about an "epic" landscape or epic conditions
• Why rarity, dramatic weather, and the chase itself can be so rewarding
• How forecasting, planning, scouting, maps, and location research become part of the skill set
• Why photographing only rare conditions can reduce practice and raise expectations
• When specialization strengthens your work and when it may start feeling repetitive
• How failed sunsets and fogged-in overlooks can train adaptability and observation
• Why a temporary creative constraint can expose subjects you never knew you liked
• How we think about social-media response, personal fulfillment, and joy as measures of growth

Join the free Shutter Nonsense community on Patreon and tell us your thoughts. Do you love the planning and adrenaline of the epic chase, or has your photography become more reactive over time?

👉 https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Related Links:

• Photography Workshop Selection Checklist - https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/finding-the-right-nature-photography-workshop-checklist
• Planning and Scouting for Photography Trips - https://www.shutternonsense.com/post/episode-22-planning-and-scouting-for-photography-trips
• Does Hit Rate Matter in Nature Photography? - https://www.shutternonsense.com/post/episode-24-does-hit-rate-matter-in-nature-photography

Continue with the educational guide, where we turn the conversation into a practical framework for balancing epic conditions with regular practice, adaptability, creative experiments, and a definition of growth that still leaves room for joy.

👉 https://www.shutternonsense.com/learn

Learn more about Michael's photography: http://www.michaelrung.com
Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: http://www.jeffreytadlock.com

What happens when a place becomes more than a backdrop for your photography?

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, we sat down with nature photographer Andrew Baruffi to discuss his relationship with Zion National Park and the role the park, photography, and writing have played throughout his struggles with mental health.

Andrew shares how repeated visits to Zion gave him a place to redirect his attention, why small scenes offered a manageable sense of focus, and how adding context to his photographs eventually led to his book, Heal.

We also talk about returning to familiar routes, seeing beyond Zion's grand landscapes, the importance of creative community, and why the process of photography can matter as much as the finished image.

Join the free Shutter Nonsense community on Patreon and tell us about a place that has become meaningful to you, whether or not it is famous or far from home.

👉 https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Content note: This episode includes candid discussion of depression and experiences with mental health, including a brief reference to suicidal thoughts. If you are struggling, consider reaching out to a qualified mental health professional. If you are in crisis or concerned that you may harm yourself, call or text 988 in the United States. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Highlights:

• How Zion became deeply connected to Andrew's life and creative identity
• Why repeated visits and familiar routes can change the way a photographer sees a place
• How small-scene photography gave Andrew a contained creative focus
• Why he often photographs details, ice, reflected light, wildlife, and the ground beneath his feet
• How simple contextual writing became part of every image he shared
• The story behind Heal. and its combination of photographs and personal writing
• Why the process of photographing can matter beyond the final file
• How photography can create community and make adult friendships easier to begin
• Why nature and creative practice can support well-being without replacing professional care

Related Links & Resources

Andrew Baruffi Photography

https://www.andrewbaruffiphoto.com/

• About Andrew Baruffi - https://www.andrewbaruffiphoto.com/about

• Heal. - https://www.andrewbaruffiphoto.com/10947229-heal
• Andrew Baruffi on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andrewbaruffi/
• Andrew Baruffi on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@andrewbaruffi
• Morten Hilmer https://mortenhilmer.com/
• Thomas Heaton https://thomasheaton.co.uk/
• Ben Horne https://www.benhorne.com/
• Mountain Trail Press http://www.mountaintrailpress.com/
• Zion Forever Project https://www.zionpark.org/
• Joe Allam https://www.youtube.com/c/joeallam
• Courtney Victoria https://www.youtube.com/@CourtneyVictoria
• Grainydays (Jason Kummerfeldt) https://www.youtube.com/@grainydaysss
• Camera Conspiracies https://www.youtube.com/@cameraconspiracies
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - https://988lifeline.org/
• NIMH: Help for Mental Illnesses - https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help

Continue with the educational guide, where we explain how to build a gentle relationship with a familiar place through repetition, attention, creative practice, community, and clear boundaries around when more support is needed:

👉 https://www.shutternonsense.com/learn

Wildlife photography can create a deeper connection with nature, but what happens when that connection begins before bad habits have a chance to take hold? In this episode, Shutter Nonsense hosts, Michael and Jeffrey, are joined by Utah wildlife photographer and conservation advocate Shauna Hart to discuss her work helping young photographers learn photography, understand wildlife, and develop ethical habits in the field.

Shauna shares how a personal experience with a moose changed the direction of her photography and eventually led to her involvement with the Utah Wildlife Federation. The conversation explores her Lessons Through the Lens: Kids for Conservation program, why understanding the “why” behind wildlife guidelines matters, how to recognize signs of stress in animals, and how photographers can use their work to support conservation. They also discuss equipment barriers, wildlife crossings, local advocacy, and the small steps each of us can take to make a difference where we live.

Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members.

👉 http://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Highlights:

• How Shauna found her way from landscape photography to wildlife photography
• The encounter with a familiar moose that changed the direction of her work
• The growing problem of unethical wildlife viewing and photography
• Creating Lessons Through the Lens: Kids for Conservation
• Why teaching young photographers may create lasting change
• Recognizing when an animal is stressed or changing its behavior
• Making photography accessible regardless of someone’s equipment or budget
• Wildlife crossings, vehicle collisions, and the importance of slowing down
• Building relationships and taking action at the local level
• Shauna’s goal of expanding the youth program beyond Utah

Related Links:

• Shauna’s website: https://www.shaunalhart.com/
• Utah Wildlife Federation:

https://www.utahwildlifefederation.org/

• Jason Loftus: http://www.untamedimagesbyjl.com
• Beyond the Wild podcast: https://www.beyondthewildpodcast.com/
• Youth Photography Camp: https://www.utahwildlifefederation.org/post/youth-conservation-photography-camp-offers-rare-opportunity-to-learn-from-top-utah-wildlife-photogra
• Local article on the camp: https://www.ksl.com/article/51336771/photographer-launches-ethical-photography-program-to-help-utah-wildlife-thrive
• Fossim Rim Wildlife Center: https://fossilrim.org/
• Save People Save Wildlife: https://www.savepeoplesavewildlife.org/
• Shauna’s recognition for wildlife crossing advocacy: https://www.savepeoplesavewildlife.org/post/local-photographer-shauna-hart-earns-national-recognition-and-highlights-the-need-for-wildlife-cross
• Crossings by Ben Goldfarb: https://www.bengoldfarb.com/crossings
• Lydia Ripplinger: https://www.instagram.com/lydebug/?hl=en
• National Wildlife Federation: https://www.nwf.org/
• Bertie Gregory Nat Geo profile: https://explorers.nationalgeographic.org/directory/bertie-o-gregory
• Utah’s new rules for accessing wildlife refuges: https://www.ksl.com/article/51492990/utah-plans-to-adjust-wildlife-management-area-access-heres-what-is-changing

Learn more about Michael's photography: http://www.michaelrung.com
Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: http://www.jeffreytadlock.com

What happens to the photographs that do not make your first edit? In Episode 32 of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey take on the archive dilemma. Defining what a photo archive actually is, deciding what is worth keeping, and explaining why older files are often more valuable than they first appear.

They talk through the practical and creative sides of holding on to your work. That includes revisiting older images with a more experienced eye, using newer editing tools to rescue files that once felt unusable, and accepting that a technically imperfect image can still be a successful photograph. They also compare their very different approaches to Lightroom ratings, folders, collections, storage, and backups.

Have a different archive workflow? Join the conversation with us over on Patreon. Free members can participate in the post-episode discussion, while paid supporters help keep Shutter Nonsense going and get early access, bonus episodes, and more.

👉 https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Highlights

• What separates a true archive from photos that are still waiting to be edited
• Why photographers should not automatically treat older work as junk
• How a fresh perspective, changing style, and better software can reveal overlooked images
• When it makes sense to delete a photo and when it is better to keep it
• Michael and Jeffrey’s very different systems for star ratings, labels, filters, and culling
• Why an image does not have to be technically perfect to be worth sharing or printing
• The argument for keeping RAW files, even after an edit is complete
• Folder structures, Lightroom collections, and backup strategies for a growing archive

Related Links

• PhotoPack Pro FAQ: https://www.photopackpro.com/faq
• Landscape Photographers Worldwide: https://discord.gg/xnJs9vXjJ
• Murray Livingston: https://www.murraylivingston.com/
• Michael’s free ebooks: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/free-ebooks
• Michael’s Hidden Gold blog post: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/post/finding-gold
• Michael’s Lightroom organization guide: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/post/pro-tips-for-using-ratings-color-labels
• Michael’s Survey View tutorial: https://youtu.be/VUJOCmXdwZc
• “Into the Shadow Realm”: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/product-page/into-the-shadow-realm
• Suzanne Mathia’s Lightroom organization: https://suzannemathiablog.com/exploring-efficient-folder-organization-in-lightroom-classic/
• Chrissy Donadi’s Lightroom organization course: https://chrissydonadi.com/lets-get-organized-course
• Michael’s article on backup solutions: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/post/photography-backup-workflow
• Backblaze backup service: https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-backup/personal

Learn more about Michael's photography: http://www.michaelrung.com
Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: http://www.jeffreytadlock.com

Carbon transfer printing is one of those processes that somehow feels more complicated the longer you talk about it, and that is exactly why we wanted to have Michael Strickland on the show.

Michael is a photographer and printmaker based in Kansas who specializes in carbon transfer printing, platinum-palladium printing, and drum scanning. He joins Michael and Jeffrey to break down what carbon printing actually is, how pigment, gelatin, UV light, and multiple transfers come together, and why the finished prints have a depth that is difficult to describe until you see one in person.

But this is not just a technical conversation. Michael also talks about the challenge of building a business around a demanding handmade process, balancing the studio with family life, stepping back from his own landscape photography for a while, and finding creative satisfaction in helping other artists bring their work to life.

From printing with soil collected from meaningful places to experimenting with gold leaf, glow-in-the-dark pigments, glass, and dimensional textures, this one goes well beyond what most of us think of when we hear the word “print.”

Join the conversation over on Patreon. Free members and paid supporters can jump into the post-episode discussion, and we’d love to hear your thoughts on culling, editing, critique, printing, creative growth, or anything else this episode brings up.

👉https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Highlights:

• Michael Strickland shares his path from music and engineering into film photography, drum scanning, and alternative-process printing.
• A plain-English explanation of carbon transfer printing and why it is a pigment-based transfer process.
• How color carbon prints are built through multiple layers, careful color separation, and extremely precise registration.
• Why one print can take days to prepare and complete, even before accounting for the trial and error involved.
• The role that materials, humidity, temperature, and consistency play in a successful print.
• Michael talks about taking a step back from personal landscape work and giving himself room to reconnect creatively.
• Why digital files, film originals, water, rich tones, and physical depth can all work beautifully in carbon.
• The wild creative possibilities of the process, including earth pigments, soil, gold leaf, glow-in-the-dark layers, glass, and custom materials.

Related Links:

• Michael Strickland’s website: https://www.michaelstricklandimages.com/
• Michael’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mstricklandimages/?hl=en
• Overview of Carbon Transfer Printing: https://www.michaelstricklandimages.com/the-carbon-transfer-service
• Ansel Adams book “The Print”: https://amzn.to/4weyEso (affiliate link)
• Edward Weston: https://www.westongallery.com/original-works-by/edward-weston
• Edward Burtynksy: https://www.edwardburtynsky.com/
• Cody Cobb: https://www.codycobb.com/

Learn more about Michael's photography: http://www.michaelrung.com
Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: http://www.jeffreytadlock.com

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey talk about the messy, subjective, and sometimes frustrating process of evaluating your own photography.

They dig into what happens after a trip, from the first Lightroom pass to choosing which images deserve more attention, which ones fall short, and which ones might have potential even if they do not immediately jump off the screen. The conversation gets into culling, sharpness, composition, edge patrol, raw files that look flat, and the role gut feeling plays when deciding whether an image is worth editing.

They also talk about feedback, including when it helps, when it becomes overwhelming, and how to decide whose critique is actually worth listening to. From one-on-one input to camera clubs, Discord groups, and online critique communities, Michael and Jeffrey discuss the balance between staying open to outside perspectives and trusting your own creative instincts.

The episode also covers knowing when an edit is done, the danger of chasing perfection, why printing can reveal flaws that are easy to miss on a monitor, and how looking back at your larger body of work can help you see growth, stagnation, and changes in your photographic style over time.

Join the conversation over on Patreon. Free members and paid supporters can jump into the post-episode discussion, and we’d love to hear your thoughts on culling, editing, critique, printing, creative growth, or anything else this episode brings up.

👉 https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Highlights:

• How Michael and Jeffrey approach their first pass through new images
• Why Jeffrey often waits weeks before seriously reviewing his photos
• The role of sharpness, composition, light, and edge patrol when culling images
• Why raw files can feel discouraging before an edit brings out their potential
• How gut feeling and experience shape image selection
• When outside feedback helps, and when it can become noise
• The value of choosing critique from photographers whose work you respect
• Why good feedback does not always mean you have to follow it
• Knowing when an edit is done and when good enough really is good enough
• How printing can reveal flaws, tonal issues, and composition problems
• Looking at your body of work as a way to measure growth and creative evolution

Related Links:

• Michael’s PhotoPack Pro app: https://www.photopackpro.com
• Photographer’s Guide to Yellowstone and the Tetons: https://amzn.to/3Sw1KVB (Amazon affiliate link)
• 50 Jackson Hole Photography Hotspots: https://amzn.to/4ezfxC8 (Amazon affiliate link)
• Michael’s free Smoky Mountains ebook: https://tinyurl.com/23fkb2cn
• Michael’s other free ebooks: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/free-ebooks
• Ben Horne: https://www.benhorne.com
• Jeffrey’s presentation offerings: https://jeffreytadlock.com/talks
• Michael’s rating and culling process: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/post/pro-tips-for-using-ratings-color-labels
• Rethink Landscape Toolkit: https://www.exploringexposure.com/products/rethink-landscape
• Alex Noriega: https://www.alexnoriega.com/
• Eric Bennett: https://www.bennettfilm.com/
• LPW Discord: https://discord.gg/xqwVXAJw
• Nature Photographers Network: https://www.naturephotographers.network/
• Gary Randall: https://www.gary-randall.com/
• Sarah Marino: https://www.smallscenes.com/
• New Mexico Fine Art: https://nmfa.io/

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey are joined by landscape photographer Jon Norris to talk about Joshua Tree National Park, a place that has become one of Jon’s favorite subjects and creative escapes.

Jon shares what keeps pulling him back to Joshua Tree after hundreds of visits, from the strange character of the trees to the glowing rock formations, hidden corners, old mine workings, and the need to explore beyond the obvious roadside views. The conversation also gets into how learning more about a place, its geology, history, plants, wildlife, and people, can shape the way we photograph it.

They also talk about the challenges of leading photography workshops in national parks, including recent CUA restrictions in Joshua Tree that led Jon to step back from offering workshops there. From there, the conversation turns toward stewardship, responsible park use, volunteering, and the role photographers can play in helping people better understand and care for public lands.

And because this is Shutter Nonsense, the episode eventually wanders into social media, Substack, websites, and the ongoing question of where photographers should be sharing their work.

Join the conversation over on Patreon. Free members and paid supporters can jump into the post-episode discussion, and we’d love to hear your thoughts on Joshua Tree, national park stewardship, workshops, social media, or anything else this episode brings up.

👉 https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Highlights:

• Jon Norris shares how Joshua Tree became his photographic “happy place”
• Why Joshua Tree rewards exploration more than checklist photography
• Jeffrey looks back on rock climbing in Joshua Tree before photographing it
• How geology, history, and ecology can add depth to landscape photography
• The recent CUA and workshop restrictions affecting photography workshops in Joshua Tree
• Why responsible workshop leaders can act as stewards for public lands
• Jon’s volunteer work with Joshua Tree National Park Association and the Desert Institute
• Leaving Instagram, finding community on Substack, and keeping your website as home base

Related Links:

• Jon Norris’ website: https://jonnorrisphoto.com/
• Jon’s Substack: https://jonnorrisphoto.substack.com/
• Jon’s interview with Grant Swinbourne: https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-fnmvs-1a19edd
• Michael Frye’s Yosemite photography guide book: https://amzn.to/4dRQ87L
• Alabama Hills: https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/california/alabama-hills-national-scenic-area
• Joshua Tree National Park Association: https://joshuatree.org/
• Desert Institute: https://joshuatree.org/desert-institute/
• Nature First Principles: https://naturefirst.org/en/principles/
• National Park Foundation: https://www.nationalparks.org/
• Michael’s Featured Frames series: https://www.patreon.com/collection/500898
• Landscape Photographers Worldwide: https://discord.gg/kCVTCFFA
• NPN (Nature Photographers Network): https://www.naturephotographers.network/

One year ago, we recorded the very first episode of Shutter Nonsense in the Great Smoky Mountains. For this bonus anniversary episode, we are back in the Smokies reflecting on the first year of the podcast, answering listener questions, and talking about what we have learned from recording the show, leading workshops together, and having regular conversations about landscape photography.

In this episode, Shutter Nonsense hosts Michael and Jeffrey talk about how working together has influenced their photography, why certain images become favorites because of the experience behind them, what happens when motivation to photograph fades, and how online photography communities can lead to real friendships and creative opportunities.

We also talk about the behind-the-scenes work of producing a podcast, including guest scheduling, systems, show notes, video editing, social media, Patreon, and why having a backlog of episodes has helped keep the show moving.

Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Highlights:

• Recording the anniversary episode back in the Great Smoky Mountain
• How working together has changed our approach to photography
• What Michael has learned from Jeffrey about streams and waterfalls
• What Jeffrey has learned from Michael about woodland photography
• Favorite photography experiences and the stories behind meaningful images
• Why some photos matter more because of the experience attached to them
• Dealing with creative ruts and not wanting to pick up the camera
• Why local photography is sometimes the first thing to get skipped
• How Michael and Jeffrey met through the landscape photography community
• What goes into producing, editing, scheduling, and publishing the podcast
• Why systems and checklists have helped keep Shutter Nonsense organized
• The hidden costs of running a podcast
• Why guest episodes have become such an enjoyable part of the show
• Books and films that have influenced how we think about photography
• Whether our wives should get their own Shutter Nonsense episode someday

Related Links:

Michael 4Runner Tour - https://youtu.be/coE_3kpf29c?si=VCetKMDTpvracOeuJeffrey 4Runner Tour - https://youtu.be/kOuH2T6u6B4?si=WRNQ6gwg_xVT_KgZLandscape Photographers Worldwide Discord - https://discord.do/landscape-photographers-worldwide/
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Life_of_Walter_Mitty_(2013_film)Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_SolitaireColleen Miniuk’s book, So Said the River - https://www.sosaidtheriver.com/

Learn more about Michael's photography: http://www.michaelrung.com
Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: http://www.jeffreytadlock.com

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey are joined by nature photographer Brenda Tharp for a thoughtful conversation about finding your own creative voice in landscape and nature photography.

Brenda shares her perspective on the pressure to photograph popular locations, follow trends, chase social media approval, and balance personal expression with the realities of building a photography business. The conversation moves from iconic landscapes and intimate scenes to print sales, creative confidence, and the ongoing challenge of staying true to what actually excites you behind the camera.

Brenda also shares stories from her own career, life on the road, photographing beyond the obvious view, and why the most meaningful work often comes from slowing down, looking deeper, and trusting what resonates with you.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why iconic landscape locations can still be worth photographing
• The pressure photographers feel from social media trends
• Finding your own creative voice instead of chasing likes
• Balancing personal passion with the business side of photography
• Why intimate landscapes and grand views both have value
• The challenge of sharing work that feels personal
• How photographers can avoid creative burnout
• Why staying true to your own vision is a lifelong process

Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members.

👉 https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Related Links:

Brenda’s website: https://www.brendatharp.com/
Brenda’s Substack: https://brendatharp.substack.com/
Pacific Northwest Art School: https://pacificnorthwestartschool.org/product-category/400-photography/
Michael’s free Featured Frames series on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/collection/500898
Northern California Council of Camera Clubs: https://n4c.org/
Richard Martin: https://www.richardmartinphoto.com/
Michael’s PhotoPack Pro App: https://www.photopackpro.com
Michael’s Print Box Set: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/limited-edition-print-folios
Ben Horne: https://www.benhorne.com/
Ernst Hass: https://ernst-haas.com/
Sammy Davis Jr, I’ve Gotta Be Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXYndNL4Mu8
Freeman Patterson: https://www.freemanpatterson.com/
Ansel Adams quote: https://photographylife.com/two-people-in-every-photo-ansel-adams
Jay Maisel: https://www.jaymaisel.com/

Learn more about Michael's photography: http://www.michaelrung.com
Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: http://www.jeffreytadlock.com

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey talk about one of the trickier decisions in landscape and nature photography - knowing when to keep working a scene and when it is time to move on.

Sometimes staying longer helps you find stronger compositions, better light, and quieter details you would have missed at first glance. But sometimes you are not really working the scene anymore, you are just standing there pressing the shutter over and over because you feel like you should be doing something.

We talk through the difference between patience and getting stuck, the temptation to keep photographing the same frame, how a second camera body can help you keep exploring, and the FOMO that comes with wondering if the best light is about to happen right after you leave. We also share a few stories from Death Valley, Lost Dutchman, Colorado, the Grand Canyon, and other photography outings where the decision to stay or move on shaped the images we came home with.

Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. https://https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Highlights:

• The difference between working a scene and repeatedly pressing the shutter
• Why the “obvious shot” is often just the starting point
• How staying longer can reveal smaller details and better compositions
• The role of patience when waiting for light or changing conditions
• Why dynamic light makes the decision to move on so difficult
• How a second camera body can help you keep exploring
• Photographing alone versus working around other photographers
• The regret of leaving too early or not refining a composition enough

Related Links:
Jeffrey’s Trail Ready Guide: https://jeffreytadlock.com/ebook-store/p/trail-ready-ebook
Lost Dutchman State Park: https://azstateparks.com/lost-dutchman
PhotoPack Pro App: https://www.photopackpro.com
Johnny Carson: https://www.youtube.com/user/johnnycarson
Foqos App: https://www.foqos.app/
Matt Payne: https://www.mattpaynephotography.com/
Richard Bernabe: https://beyondthelens.fm/
Cameron in Ferris Bueller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XC1fGYWLCE
Michael’s Wildfire Blog Post: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/post/the-power-of-regret

Learn more about Michael's photography: http://www.michaelrung.com
Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: http://www.jeffreytadlock.com

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey dig into the idea of growth through limitation in nature photography. What happens when you intentionally narrow your options instead of keeping every possibility open?

They talk about one-lens outings, local shooting, black and white challenges, slowing down in the field, and how removing certain choices can actually help you see more clearly. The conversation also gets into the difference between a constraint that helps you grow and one that just leaves you frustrated.

If you have ever felt stuck, burned out, or too dependent on your usual habits in the field, this one may give you a few ideas to shake things up.

Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. http://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Episode Highlights

• How a one-lens outing can help you learn to truly see in a new focal length
• Why local photography can become a powerful tool for growth instead of feeling limiting
• The difference between a helpful challenge and a frustrating restriction
• Thoughts on trying black and white only for 30 days as a way to train your eye
• How reducing gear and decisions can help break creative ruts and burnout
• Why slowing down in the field can improve both composition and intention
• Michael’s story of avoiding sunrise and sunset photography to force a different way of seeing
• How to choose challenges that push your photography without ruining the experience

Related Links:

• Moterra Vans: https://alnk.to/1N5B0k5
• Thomas Heaton: https://www.youtube.com/@ThomasHeatonPhoto
• Gavin Hardcastle (Fototripper): https://www.youtube.com/fototripper
• Alan Ross: https://www.alanrossphotography.com/
• Ephemeral / Permanence: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/product-page/ephemeral-permanence

Learn more about Michael's photography: http://www.michaelrung.com

Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: http://www.jeffreytadlock.com

In Episode 25 of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey are joined by Cole Thompson and John Barclay to talk about color versus monochrome photography, and how to know when each one makes sense. The conversation goes way beyond editing choices and gets into vision, intention, creativity, and why black and white can be either a distraction-free tool or a deeply personal way of seeing.

Along the way, they talk about learning to see in black and white, how personal vision shapes the work we make, the difference between photographing for likes versus photographing for meaning, and why this choice often goes much deeper than simple aesthetics. There’s plenty of humor in this one too, which is probably exactly what you’d expect when these four get together.

Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. http://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Highlights:

• Cole explains why black and white is not a style choice for him, but simply how he sees the world
• John talks about using both color and monochrome, and how he decides which serves the image best
• Michael and Jeffrey reflect on using black and white as a beginner “save” versus making a deliberate creative choice
• The group discusses whether color or black and white is actually harder to do well
• A conversation on vision, imitation, and finding your own voice as a photographer
• Why color can sometimes overpower a photograph instead of helping it
• The role age, experience, and older darkroom exposure may play in how photographers connect with black and white
• A bigger conversation about social media, likes, and making work that feels personal and meaningful

Related Links:

• John Barclay: https://johnbarclayphotography.com/
• Cole Thompson: https://colethompsonphotography.com/
• The Cole & John Photography Show: https://www.youtube.com/@thecoleandjohnshow7236
• Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717356/the-creative-act-by-rick-rubin/
• Sarah Marino: https://www.smallscenes.com/
• Matt Payne: https://www.mattpaynephotography.com/
• Murray Livingston: https://www.murraylivingston.com/
• Jack Curran: https://jackcurranphotography.store/
• Joshua Cripps: https://www.joshuacripps.com/
• Mitch Dobrowner: http://mitchdobrowner.com/
• Chuck Kimmerle: https://www.chuckkimmerle.com/
• Michael Kenna: https://www.michaelkenna.com/

Learn more about Michael's photography: http://www.michaelrung.com
Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: http://www.jeffreytadlock.com

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey talk about nature photography hit rate, keeper rate, and whether taking fewer photos actually means you are becoming a better landscape photographer.

They dig into the difference between intentional landscape photography and the old spray and pray approach, how culling photos after a trip can shape your view of success, and why a low hit rate is not always a bad thing. If you have ever wondered how many photos you should come home with, how many should be keepers, or whether your process in the field is actually helping you grow, this one is for you.

This episode also gets into creative experimentation, slowing down in the field, using your phone to test compositions, revisiting old files, and why comparing your photography process to someone else usually is not very helpful.

Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. http://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Highlights

• What photography hit rate really means
• Whether a higher keeper rate actually matters
• The difference between intentional shooting and spray and pray
• Why experimentation can lower your hit rate for good reasons
• How Michael and Jeffrey think about culling after a trip
• Why revisiting old images can change what counts as a keeper
• Why your photography process has to work for you

Related Links:

• Michael’s Lightroom Classic Start-to-Finish Walkthrough: https://www.patreon.com/posts/145865590
• Linda Nickell’s Happiness Hour: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaNickellHappinessHour
• Gavin Hardcastle (Fototripper): https://www.youtube.com/fototripper
• Lost Dutchman State Park: https://azstateparks.com/lost-dutchman
• Michael’s Lightroom Compare Photos Demo: https://www.patreon.com/posts/125609814
• Landscape Photographers Worldwide: https://discord.gg/GxE7HWc9
• PhotoPack Pro: https://www.photopackpro.com

Learn more about Michael's photography: http://www.michaelrung.com
Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: http://www.jeffreytadlock.com

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, we dig into minimalism vs maximalism in landscape photography and talk through what those ideas actually mean in practice.

We start by catching up on the usual behind-the-scenes chaos: preparing for the long drive from Ohio to Death Valley for an upcoming workshop, building landing pages for holiday promotions, launching a new iPhone photo app, and squeezing in a last-minute presentation for Angel McNeese’s 2025 landscape photography summit.

From there, we get into the main topic and explore the difference between minimalist and maximalist photography, why “small scenes” are not automatically minimalist, and how the places you shoot can heavily influence the way you see and compose images. We also talk about reducing visual confusion, managing visual weight, why minimalist images are often harder to pull off than they look, and how editing can either strengthen or completely undo a simple composition.

We also get into the role social media plays in what photographers choose to share, and how that can shape perceptions of style more than we might realize.

Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. http://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Highlights Include:

• Defining minimalist vs maximalist landscape photography
• Why small scenes are not automatically minimalist
• How your environment can influence your natural shooting style
• The challenge of simplifying chaotic scenes into stronger compositions
• Using visual weight to create balance and clarity in an image
• Why minimalist photography is often harder than it first appears
• The difference between an image feeling empty versus intentionally minimal
• How editing and processing can strengthen or weaken minimalist photographs
• Social Media Influence

Related Links:

•

PhotoPack Pro App

•

John Barclay and Cole Thompson YouTube Channel

•

Jennifer Renwick

•

Sarah Marino

•

Anna Morgan

•

Eric Bennett

Learn more about Michael's photography: http://www.michaelrung.com

Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: http://www.jeffreytadlock.com

In Episode 22 of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey dig into one of the least glamorous but most important parts of landscape photography: planning and scouting. From pre-trip research to in-field decision-making, this episode is all about finding the balance between being prepared and staying creatively flexible.

The conversation pulls from real experiences photographing in Utah, Colorado, and the Great Smoky Mountains, and explores how planning changes depending on whether you are visiting a new location or returning to a familiar one. Along the way, they talk about using weather as a creative tool, managing expectations, avoiding preconceived shots, and why scouting does not stop once you arrive.

If you have ever overplanned a trip, underplanned a trip, or shown up with great intentions only to be humbled by conditions, this one is for you.

Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. http://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense

Highlights

• Why planning matters, but rigid plans can hold your photography back
• How pre-trip research differs for new locations versus familiar places
• Using weather, seasons, and conditions to guide creative decisions
• Managing expectations and setting realistic goals for a trip
• The role of scouting before and during a photography outing
• Avoiding preconceived images and staying open to what the landscape gives you
• Balancing preparation with spontaneity to stay creatively engaged

Related Links:

• Michael’s Amazon guidebook list: https://www.amazon.com/shop/michaelrungphotography/list/2EDPL69ILQ1K7?ref_=aipsflist
• Cole Thompson's article on photo celibacy: https://colethompsonphotography.com/2018/03/22/photographic-celibacy-thoughts-ten-years-later/

Learn more about Michael's photography: http://www.michaelrung.com
Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: http://www.jeffreytadlock.com