The Perceptive Photographer

Welcome to episode 580 of Perceptive Photographer. and today I want to explore the ever-evolving relationship we photographers have with technology. From the most basic cameras to today’s powerful digital tools, technology is always a factor but it shouldn’t determine how or why we create.

Embracing — and Moving Beyond — Technology

Photography has always been intertwined with technology, from pinhole boxes to today’s advanced cameras. While that tech is necessary, it shouldn’t dictate our creative vision. When you find yourself fixating on technical gear or settings, try resetting your focus: reconnect with inspirations like literature, cinema, or conversations that remind you of the why behind your image. That might unstick you a little and let you get back on track.

Know Your Own Creative Rules

Living with your own work, and especially your “bad” photos, reveals patterns: some of the hard rules you always stick to, and the soft guidelines you’re willing to break. For example, I have a near unwavering preference for straight horizon lines. In looking at my lesser work I can more easily gain an understanding as to the why behind this “issue”. For me, I learned it was about stability and feeling grounded which might not be the case for someone else, but at least I know my rules.

There’s No Substitute for Experience

No number of photo books or outside influences can replace the impact of making your own images. Every hands-on moment of shooting, processing or printing can teach us lessons that theory or observation can’t. I hope that when you spend more time with your work both good and not so good that you celebrate all those experiences, accepting errors and even bad results as essential to your creative growth.

Just a reminder about the upcoming webinar.

April 30th: “10 Organizational Things I Wish I Knew Early In My Photography” and if you can’t make it I’ll have a reply on my blog a few days later.

Get the Podcast Direct to Your Inbox:
Visit the website, click the podcast tab, and sign up to receive each new episode by email.

Thank you for listening and being part of this creative journey. Remember: great photography begins not with the camera, but with a meaningful connection to what you want to see, say, and feel through your work.

Welcome to episode 579 of the Perceptive Photographer. This week, we explore the unexpected connection between the distillation of alcohol and the art of photography. This idea came to me when I was thinking about a visit to a local distillery mean years ago. I was amazed how the process of removing impurities from spirits mirrors the photographic journey of refining images to their essential core.

So this week I thought I would talk about the “triple distillation” mindset and how distilling your images, your intention, and your creative approach can lead to photographs that are clearer, more intentional, and truly resonate. Whether your work leans toward complexity or simplicity, I hpe that you can find someithng in this weeks episode on the value of eliminating noise/impurities from both in your frames and your mind to make more meaningful photographs.

This week on the podcast, we explored a deceptively simple but powerful mental exercise: What if nobody cared about what you care about in your photography? By playing this “what if” game, my hope is hat the can rethink not just what we photograph, but how we talk about our work, share it, and even how we select which images to show.

As we open this episode, we dig into the importance of letting images speak for themselves. When a photograph requires excessive explanation, it may not be communicating as clearly as it could. Over-explaining can take away from the viewer’s experience, especially when people naturally want to form their own interpretations. Instead of sharing every image, it’s more effective to curate thoughtfully—selecting a smaller, more meaningful set that keeps your audience engaged and allows your strongest work to stand out.

Your strength as a photographer lies in your unique perspective, not in technical explanations or imitation. I challenge you to reflect on whether we’re sharing what genuinely matters and to communicate that clearly and authentically through our work.

Upcoming Webinars

Stay tuned for details on two upcoming events this month:

Titling Your Work: April 16

Ten Things I Wish I Knew Starting Out: April 30

Sign up for the newsletter if haveN’t to stay up on all the latest news. and see you next Monday for episode 579

In episode 577 of the Perceptive Photographer, I wanted to offer a different take on how we approach composition that goes beyond traditional rules. Instead of simply arranging subjects within a frame, I wanted to start from the frame’s edges and working inward. I stumbled across this concept inspired by Charles Traub’s truism: “Construct your images from the edge inward.

For me, the edges of a photograph aren’t just boundaries—they’re pivotal to how an image communicates. Edges create tension, define limits, and invite viewers into the scene. By consciously shaping what lies within these boundaries, I mark a slice of the world as significant and have the power to guide how audiences experience the work. Photography isn’t just about lines, shapes, and objects. it’s also about psychology and emotion. I’ve always loved the way Cartier-Bresson spoke about aligning the head, eye, and heart, and Robert Frank emphasized speaking to the humanity of the moment. In my own practice, I find that the best compositions are always intentional. They provide clarity and hold the viewer within the image rather than letting them get lost.

If you want to strengthen your own images, evaluate them from the edge in. This shift in perspective can reveal distractions at the boundaries and lead to more intentional compositions. By constructing from the boundary inward, I’ve heightened my own awareness and created more engaging, meaningful photos. Rethinking composition from the edge inward transforms photographs from static arrangements into compelling experiences, guided by intention and emotion. Next time you frame your shot, let the edges take the lead on your composition.

In this episode, we explore the “sweet spots” in photography. You know when things feel right when those , settings, and workflow tweaks that make your images realy connect. From camera settings to post-processing, sequencing, and viewing, I spend a little time diving into these little adjustments which can elevate our photos

I talk about how small tweaks in camera settings can make a huge difference in your photos and how thinking about your approach to aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance shift your awareness. When you adjusting exposure, contrast, color, and cropping it is again about trying to find a spot where the image speaks to us but not the decisions on how we technically make or edit it.

I also talk about how I sequence my photos, whether it’s for a portfolio, a slideshow, or a photobook, and why the order can completely change the story your images tell. The goal of starting with 10-15 is a sweet spot even if you want less or more images. Finally we dig a little into thinking about viewing conditions, not the monitor calibration and ambient light, but how we are distanced in seeing, emotions, thinking and connections.

Finding your photography sweet spot is about balance, experimentation, and trusting your creative instincts. Small changes can make a huge impact