Books That Matter for Photographers, Artists, Writers and all Creators: Steven Pressfield and The War of Art, Resistance, and Professionalization. 

Recorded on New Year’s Day from a busy coffee shop in Bali, Indonesia, this solo episode of Beyond The Lens is a deep, honest meditation on why photographers, artists, writers, and creators struggle to do the work that matters most—and what to do about it.

Drawing from The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, Richard unpacks the idea of Resistance: the invisible, internal force that shows up whenever we try to create, grow, or change. Procrastination. Self-doubt. Distraction. Rationalization. That voice that says, “Do it tomorrow.” That’s Resistance.

This episode is part book review, part personal reflection, and part practical field guide for photographers, writers, artists, and anyone trying to live a more intentional, creative life.

Notable Links:

The War of Art on Amazon
Steven Pressfield Online
Richard's Essay on Resistance: Beyond The Lens Newsletter

*****

If you’re looking for that next-level boost to your creativity and photography skills, you’ve got to check out my Beyond The Lens Newsletter on Substack.

 It’s like having a backstage pass to everything I explore with my guests here on the podcast - delivered straight to your email inbox.

Think practical photography tips, mind-expanding ideas for personal vision, and real-world tactics to level up your craft. Plus I’m sharing my thoughts on travel, conservation, creativity and more.

It’s straight to the point, super actionable, and it shows you how to see the world in an entirely new way. 

So if that sounds like your vibe, head on over to beyondthelens.fm/go and prepare to take your creative game to new heights. 

*****

This episode is brought to you by Kase Revolution Plus Filters. I travel the world with my camera, and I can use any photography filters I like, and I’ve tried all of them, but in recent years I’ve landed on Kase Filters.

Kase filters are made with premium materials, HD optical glass, shockproof, Ultra-Low Reflectivity, zero color cast, round and square filter designs, magnetic systems, filter holders, adapters, step-up rings, and everything I need so I never miss a moment.

And now, my listeners can get 10% off the Kase Filters Amazon page when they visit. beyondthelens.fm/kase and use coupon code BERNABE10

Kase Filters, Capture with Confidence.

Landscape photography with Joseph Rossbach: Landscape Photography and Manufacturing Inspirado, Desert and Swamp Vibes, & Finding Your Creative Flow.

Joseph Rossbach is an American landscape photographer and educator who has built a life around wild places, quiet light, and the type of images that reward patience. Over the past two decades, he’s explored everything from the slot canyons of Utah to the cypress swamps of the American South and everywhere in between. His work reflects a deep respect for the land and a belief that the strongest photographs say as much about the photographer as they do about the place itself.

Notable Links:

Joseph Rossbach Photography Website
Joseph Rossbach Instagram
Tenacious D - The Search For Inspirado

*****

This episode is brought to you by Lexar.

For almost 30 years, Lexar has been trusted as a leading global brand of memory solutions so they know firsthand just how quickly content is transforming our world. 

Their award-winning lineup performs second to none and includes professional memory cards, card readers, and solid state drives for creators of all skill levels. 

So  - Whether shooting photos, capturing video, or transferring content on the go, Lexar provides the reliability and performance you can rely on to get the shot with confidence.

I certainly do. I've been using Lexar Professional CFexpress 4.0 Type B GOLD memory cards with my Canon mirrorless cameras for years and years. And they deliver the blazing speed and the durability for the extreme weather conditions I encounter all over the world.

To learn more about Lexar Memory Solutions, please visit lexar.com

*****

This episode is brought to you by Kase Revolution Plus Filters. I travel the world with my camera, and I can use any photography filters I like, and I’ve tried all of them, but in recent years I’ve landed on Kase Filters.

Kase filters are made with premium materials, HD optical glass, shockproof, Ultra-Low Reflectivity, zero color cast, round and square filter designs, magnetic systems, filter holders, adapters, step-up rings, and everything I need so I never miss a moment.

And now, my listeners can get 10% off the Kase Filters Amazon page when they visit. beyondthelens.fm/kase and use coupon code BERNABE10

Kase Filters, Capture with Confidence.

Commercial photography with Patrick Fore, the Terrible Photographer, and Negotiating the Emotional and Psychological Landscape of Professional Photography.

Patrick Fore is a commercial photographer and art director from San Diego, California. He spent four years as the lead photographer and brand designer for Taylor Guitars and now runs his own commercial photography studio.

He's also the host of the Terrible Photographer podcast, where he talks about photography, creativity, and the struggles of being a pro.

Notable Links:

Patrick Fore Photography
The Terrible Photographer
Patrick Fore Instagram

*****

This episode is brought to you by Luminar Neo, an AI powered photo editor.
Try Luminar Neo today at skylum.com, and use promo code "RICHARD" for a 15% discount, just for my listeners.

*****

This episode is brought to you by Kase Revolution Plus Filters. I travel the world with my camera, and I can use any photography filters I like, and I’ve tried all of them, but in recent years I’ve landed on Kase Filters.

Kase filters are made with premium materials, HD optical glass, shockproof, Ultra-Low Reflectivity, zero color cast, round and square filter designs, magnetic systems, filter holders, adapters, step-up rings, and everything I need so I never miss a moment.

And now, my listeners can get 10% off the Kase Filters Amazon page when they visit. beyondthelens.fm/kase and use coupon code BERNABE10

Kase Filters, Capture with Confidence.

Bryan Grieg Fry is an Associate Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Queensland. He’s a herpetologist and venomologist who leads the Venom Evolution Laboratory, working on venoms from a wide range of reptiles, centipedes, insects, scorpions, spiders, and venomous mammals. He’s also known as the “Venom Doc.”

Dr. Fry completed his undergraduate training in molecular biology, scientific philosophy, and psychology at Portland State University, and he received his PhD from the University of Queensland, where he now works and lives.

He was the recipient of the 2011 Fenner Medal from the Australian Academy of Science for his research, and he is a member of the elite adventure society The Explorers Club.

In addition, Dr. Fry has been featured in documentaries on Animal Planet, the BBC, the Discovery Channel, and National Geographic TV.

He’s also the author of two books: the textbook Venomous Reptiles and Their Toxins and his memoir Venom Doc: The Edgiest, Darkest, Strangest Natural History Memoir Ever.

*****

If you’re looking for that next-level boost to your creativity and photography skills, you’ve got to check out my Beyond The Lens Newsletter on Substack.

 It’s like having a backstage pass to everything I explore with my guests here on the podcast - delivered straight to your email inbox.

Think practical photography tips, mind-expanding ideas for personal vision, and real-world tactics to level up your craft. Plus I’m sharing my thoughts on travel, conservation, creativity and more.

It’s straight to the point, super actionable, and it shows you how to see the world in an entirely new way. 

So if that sounds like your vibe, head on over to beyondthelens.fm/go and prepare to take your creative game to new heights. 

*****

This episode is brought to you by Kase Revolution Plus Filters. I travel the world with my camera, and I can use any photography filters I like, and I’ve tried all of them, but in recent years I’ve landed on Kase Filters.

Kase filters are made with premium materials, HD optical glass, shockproof, Ultra-Low Reflectivity, zero color cast, round and square filter designs, magnetic systems, filter holders, adapters, step-up rings, and everything I need so I never miss a moment.

And now, my listeners can get 10% off the Kase Filters Amazon page when they visit. beyondthelens.fm/kase and use coupon code BERNABE10

Kase Filters, Capture with Confidence.

Photography with Katie Orlinsky: National Geographic Photographer on Vanishing Caribou, Managing Solitude, Obsession, Endurance, and Working the Edge of the Arctic.

National Geographic photographer Katie Orlinsky has spent the past decade documenting life in the Arctic, a place where climate, culture, and survival are all intertwined. Her latest exhibition, Vanishing Caribou, now showing at the Natural History Museum in Siena, Italy, captures the heartbreaking decline of Arctic caribou and the Indigenous communities whose lives depend on them. In this conversation, we talk about how she built the project, the balance between beauty and loss, and what it means to tell stories that help the world see differently.

We also explore Katie’s creative evolution, from covering conflict zones in Latin America to photographing the far north, and how solitude, obsession, and endurance have shaped her work. She shares lessons on risk-taking, avoiding burnout, and finding hope in a world that often feels like it’s slipping away. This is a conversation about purpose, perseverance, and the power of bearing witness when the world needs it most.

Notable Links:

Katie Orlinsky Website
Katie Orlinsky Instagram
National Geographic: Where Are All The Caribou?
Image Discussion: Arctic village of Anaktuvuk Pass with Caribou on Kitchen Floor

*****

This episode is brought to you by Lexar.

For almost 30 years, Lexar has been trusted as a leading global brand of memory solutions so they know firsthand just how quickly content is transforming our world. 

Their award-winning lineup performs second to none and includes professional memory cards, card readers, and solid state drives for creators of all skill levels. 

So  - Whether shooting photos, capturing video, or transferring content on the go, Lexar provides the reliability and performance you can rely on to get the shot with confidence.

I certainly do. I've been using Lexar Professional CFexpress 4.0 Type B GOLD memory cards with my Canon mirrorless cameras for years and years. And they deliver the blazing speed and the durability for the extreme weather conditions I encounter all over the world.

To learn more about Lexar Memory Solutions, please visit lexar.com

*****

This episode is brought to you by Kase Revolution Plus Filters. I travel the world with my camera, and I can use any photography filters I like, and I’ve tried all of them, but in recent years I’ve landed on Kase Filters.

Kase filters are made with premium materials, HD optical glass, shockproof, Ultra-Low Reflectivity, zero color cast, round and square filter designs, magnetic systems, filter holders, adapters, step-up rings, and everything I need so I never miss a moment.

And now, my listeners can get 10% off the Kase Filters Amazon page when they visit. beyondthelens.fm/kase and use coupon code BERNABE10

Kase Filters, Capture with Confidence.

Sean Tucker on Photography and Meaning, Protecting Highlights, Embracing Shadows, and Authentic Creating From Failure.

Sean Tucker is a photographer, filmmaker, author, and public speaker from the UK. His YouTube channel, which has more than 600,000 subscribers, features videos about photography, creativity, and living a creative life.

He is also the author of the highly acclaimed book The Meaning in the Making: The Why and How Behind Our Human Need to Create, which takes readers beyond craft to explore the deeper impulse behind creativity, including photography.

Notable Links:

Sean Tucker Website
Sean Tucker Instagram
Sean Tucker YouTube
The Meaning in the Making: The Why and How Behind Our Human Need to Create
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

*****

This episode is brought to you by Luminar Neo, an AI powered photo editor.
Try Luminar Neo today at skylum.com, and use promo code "RICHARD" for a 15% discount, just for my listeners.

*****

This episode is brought to you by Kase Revolution Plus Filters. I travel the world with my camera, and I can use any photography filters I like, and I’ve tried all of them, but in recent years I’ve landed on Kase Filters.

Kase filters are made with premium materials, HD optical glass, shockproof, Ultra-Low Reflectivity, zero color cast, round and square filter designs, magnetic systems, filter holders, adapters, step-up rings, and everything I need so I never miss a moment.

And now, my listeners can get 10% off the Kase Filters Amazon page when they visit. beyondthelens.fm/kase and use coupon code BERNABE10

Kase Filters, Capture with Confidence.

Beyond The Lens with Richard Bernabe - 100 episodes of photography, the arts, travel, conservation, entrepreneurship, and creative culture.

This special episode of Beyond The Lens features listener questions and answers about the podcast as well as some favorite moments from the past 99 episodes. 

Episode References:

Ami Vitale, Matt Richtel, Samantha Brown, Frans Lanting, Kaylee Greer, Sam Abell.

Connect with Richard:

Website, Instagram, Facebook, X, Beyond The Lens Newsletter

Beyond The Lens:

Website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify

Wildlife Photography in the Heart of New York with Jacqueline Emery and David Lei.

Jacqueline Emery and David Lei are wildlife photographers and authors of Finding Flaco: Our Year with New York City’s Beloved Owl. In this episode, we explore what it meant to follow Flaco day after day over the course of a year, the lessons his story holds for photographers and wildlife lovers, and how one bird captured the imagination of an entire city.

On February 2, 2023, Flaco the Eurasian eagle-owl escaped from his enclosure at the Central Park Zoo and took to the skies of Manhattan. Captive his whole life, he seemed doomed in a city of glass towers, poisons, and noise. Yet against all odds, Flaco learned to hunt, fly, and thrive. For one improbable year, he became more than an owl. He became a symbol of freedom, resilience, and the fragile line between captivity and wildness.

Notable Links:

Finding Flaco: Our Year with New York City’s Beloved Owl
Jacqueline Emery Instagram
David Lei Instagram

*****

This episode is brought to you by Lexar.

For almost 30 years, Lexar has been trusted as a leading global brand of memory solutions so they know firsthand just how quickly content is transforming our world. 

Their award-winning lineup performs second to none and includes professional memory cards, card readers, and solid state drives for creators of all skill levels. 

So  - Whether shooting photos, capturing video, or transferring content on the go, Lexar provides the reliability and performance you can rely on to get the shot with confidence.

I certainly do. I've been using Lexar Professional CFexpress 4.0 Type B GOLD memory cards with my Canon mirrorless cameras for years and years. And they deliver the blazing speed and the durability for the extreme weather conditions I encounter all over the world.

To learn more about Lexar Memory Solutions, please visit lexar.com

*****

This episode is brought to you by Kase Revolution Plus Filters. I travel the world with my camera, and I can use any photography filters I like, and I’ve tried all of them, but in recent years I’ve landed on Kase Filters.

Kase filters are made with premium materials, HD optical glass, shockproof, Ultra-Low Reflectivity, zero color cast, round and square filter designs, magnetic systems, filter holders, adapters, step-up rings, and everything I need so I never miss a moment.

And now, my listeners can get 10% off the Kase Filters Amazon page when they visit. beyondthelens.fm/kase and use coupon code BERNABE10

Kase Filters, Capture with Confidence.

Lifestyle Photography with Alanna O'Neill, Embracing Mother Maui, How To Become Your Own Creative Lighthouse, and the Power of Intuition.

Alanna O’Neil is a lifestyle photographer, designer, and author who left the runways of New York fashion for the slower, more intentional rhythm of Maui. Her work — including her books The Art of Picnics and The Outdoor Table — is rooted in visual storytelling, seasonal living, and a soulful connection to nature. But her journey wasn’t linear. From Vermont to Manhattan to Maui, she’s navigated imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and the constant pull of outside expectations in order to find her own creative voice.

In this conversation we explore what it means to become your own creative lighthouse: learning to trust intuition, resisting comparison, and creating from a place of authenticity rather than approval. We talk about sensitivity as a superpower, why betraying yourself is always worse than betraying your audience, and the lessons Maui has taught her about resilience, growth, and building a life aligned with your values.

Notable Links:

Alanna O'Neil Website
Alanna O'Neil Instagram
Alanna's 2026 Paris Marathon Fundraiser for WWF

*****

If you’re looking for that next-level boost to your creativity and photography skills, you’ve got to check out my Beyond The Lens Newsletter on Substack.

 It’s like having a backstage pass to everything I explore with my guests here on the podcast - delivered straight to your email inbox.

Think practical photography tips, mind-expanding ideas for personal vision, and real-world tactics to level up your craft. Plus I’m sharing my thoughts on travel, conservation, creativity and more.

It’s straight to the point, super actionable, and it shows you how to see the world in an entirely new way. 

So if that sounds like your vibe, head on over to beyondthelens.fm/go and prepare to take your creative game to new heights. 

*****

This episode is brought to you by Kase Revolution Plus Filters. I travel the world with my camera, and I can use any photography filters I like, and I’ve tried all of them, but in recent years I’ve landed on Kase Filters.

Kase filters are made with premium materials, HD optical glass, shockproof, Ultra-Low Reflectivity, zero color cast, round and square filter designs, magnetic systems, filter holders, adapters, step-up rings, and everything I need so I never miss a moment.

And now, my listeners can get 10% off the Kase Filters Amazon page when they visit. beyondthelens.fm/kase and use coupon code BERNABE10

Kase Filters, Capture with Confidence.

Landscape Photography with Matt Payne, the Colorado Way, Personal Vision and Pride, Authenticity, and Vulnerability.

Matt Payne is a landscape photographer, accomplished mountaineer, podcaster, and now published author. He has climbed Colorado’s 100 highest mountains, completed the entire 500-mile Colorado Trail, and spent more than a decade building his landscape photography podcast, F-Stop, Collaborate and Listen. His new book, The Colorado Way, pairs his photography with essays on the lessons he’s drawn from a life in the high country—resilience, discipline, and the pursuit of meaning.

Matt’s accomplishments extend beyond the mountains and the camera. With a background in psychology and years in nonprofit work, he has woven service, art, and storytelling into a unique career. He leads workshops around the world with Muench Workshops and now steps into the role of author with a book that blends memoir, philosophy, and visual art. In our conversation, we talk about his journey to full-time photography, the rigors of climbing and trekking, the discipline behind his success, and why he believes the outdoors is the ultimate teacher.

Notable Links:

Matt Payne Website
Matt Payne Instagram
'The Colorado Way' Kickstarter Campaign
F-Stop Collaborate and Listen Podcast

*****

If you’re looking for that next-level boost to your creativity and photography skills, you’ve got to check out my Beyond The Lens Newsletter on Substack.

 It’s like having a backstage pass to everything I explore with my guests here on the podcast - delivered straight to your email inbox.

Think practical photography tips, mind-expanding ideas for personal vision, and real-world tactics to level up your craft. Plus I’m sharing my thoughts on travel, conservation, creativity and more.

It’s straight to the point, super actionable, and it shows you how to see the world in an entirely new way. 

So if that sounds like your vibe, head on over to beyondthelens.fm/go and prepare to take your creative game to new heights. 

*****

This episode is brought to you by Kase Filters. I travel the world with my camera, and I can use any photography filters I like, and I’ve tried all of them, but in recent years I’ve landed on Kase Filters.

Kase filters are made with premium materials, HD optical glass, shockproof, with zero color cast, round and square filter designs, magnetic systems, filter holders, adapters, step-up rings, and everything I need so I never miss a moment.
And now, my listeners can get 10% off the Kase Filters Amazon page when they visit. beyondthelens.fm/kase and use coupon code BERNABE10

Kase Filters, Capture with Confidence.