In this engaging podcast episode, host Matt Payne chats with photographer Michael Rung about the intricacies and challenges of producing photo folios, from meticulous print proofing to managing paper scarcity. Michael shares his journey from a corporate career to full-time photography, highlighting the emotional and financial nuances of the transition. Despite initial unease with YouTube, Michael has found a voice in authentic, unscripted content, resonating with his audience. The conversation delves into Michael's creative evolution towards more reactive photography and the balance between commercial viability and personal fulfillment. Throughout, both Matt and Michael touch on the complex dynamics of audience engagement, content authenticity, and the reality of pursuing one's passion in the unpredictable landscape of photography and social media.
P.S. You can also watch this podcast episode on YouTube!
Resources / Links Mentioned
Star Street Creative - Michael's partner Heather's graphic design business
Michael's Folios
Michael's YouTube video where he discusses his new approach to photography
Michael's Utah eBook
Landscape Photographer's Worldwide on Discord
Ben Horne
Creative Banter Podcast
Support the Podcast on Patreon
Photographers Recommended This Week
Jack Lodge
Jack Krohn
Shanda Akin
Natalie Oberg
Jeffrey Tadlock

366: Michael Rung - Authenticity and Full-Time Photography Challenges

Each week, this photography podcast takes you well beyond camera gear, with weekly interviews and panel discussions with professional photographers, industry insiders, enthusiasts, and hobbyists alike. Our candid but laid back conversations deeply explore the craft of photography, psychological drivers relating to creativity, motivation, inspiration, and workflow. We also discuss social media, photography business practices, marketing, sales, and hot topics impacting photographers from all genres, with a special focus on landscape, nature, and wildlife photography. The show is hosted by Matt Payne, a professional full-time nature photographer and the co-founder of the internationally renowned photography competition, the Natural Landscape Photography Awards. Matt is also a mountaineer, having climbed the highest 100 mountains in Colorado. Matt leverages skills he gained in pursuit of his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology to dig deeply into the hearts and minds of his passionate guests, revealing secrets and inspiration in every episode.

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In a world where the constant noise of digital notifications attempts to claim our attention, seeking out space, stillness, and silence can be a radical act. On this week's episode we take a deep dive into Eric Bennett's new photography book and examine how reconnecting with nature can foster a deeper engagement with one's artistic process and personal well-being.
Resources Mentioned on the Episode This Week:
Watch the episode on YouTube
Purchase Eric's book, "Space Stillness Silence"
Check out Eric's fun YouTube show, Brews N' Views
Support the podcast on Patreon
Photographers Recommended This Week by David Thompson and Eric Bennett:
Jim Becia
Paul Bowman
Sho Hoshino
Krister Berg
Fredrik Boo
Erik Lee

368: Eric Bennett & David Thompson - Space | Stillness | Silence

In this profound episode of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, host Matt Payne sits down with photographer Alex Armitage to explore an array of poignant topics. Alex has been living out of his Toyota 4-Runner for 3 years straight. He a writer for Fstoppers, and a full-time YouTube creator. Alex reflects on the challenges of sustaining a nomadic lifestyle, the psychological toll of solo travel, and the introspective process that has led him to prioritize genuine human connections and authenticity in his work over catering to algorithms or pursuing financial gain.
Environmental consciousness and a critical discussion on the impact of social media on travel locations round out this insightful conversation. Alex also shares his transformational journey in photography, detailing a significant shift from labor-intensive photo editing to a more streamlined approach influenced by the Natural Landscape Photography Awards and a challenge to diversify his photographic subjects. The dialogue delves deep into the ethics of photo manipulation, the pressure content creators face in the digital age to balance informational value with the demand for clicks, and the innate need for transparency in artistry.P.S. You Can Watch this Episode on YouTube. 
Links Discussed on the Podcast:
Support the podcast on Patreon
Alex's Video Recapping 2022
Nick Carver's 4Runner Build Video
Tony and Chelsea Northrup's Video on Quitting YouTube
Matti Haapoja's video on Quitting YouTube
Natural Landscape Photography Awards
Alex's Writing on F-Stoppers
Alex's Article Comparing the iPhone to a DSLR
Alex on Instagram
Ben Horne on YouTube
Photographers Mentioned by Alex:
Jakob Lilja-Ruiz
Mat Marrash
Lucy Lumen
David Imel

367: Alex Armitage - The Truth About YouTube Content Creation

Hello and welcome to another episode of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," with your host, Matt Payne. In today's awe-inspiring episode, we're incredibly honored to sit down with the legendary nature photographer, Art Wolfe. Wolfe brings to us tales of passion, adventure, and a relentless pursuit of excellence that has defined his illustrious career behind the lens.
From his early switch from painting to photography to traversing the globe capturing life in its myriad forms, Art has constantly pushed the boundaries of the craft. He has conveyed the importance of observing and understanding the behavior of wildlife in photography, and he approaches each project with a meticulous and organized method.
Art will share insights into the creative process, the tricky balance of inspiration versus emulation, and offer a behind-the-scenes look at his television series, Travels to the Edge. He also addresses the complexities of maintaining a legacy, detailing his desire to establish a foundation to preserve his work and his archive for posterity.
Today, Art is here not just to reminisce but to inspire with his latest project, a powerful book called "Wild Lives," focusing on the resurgence and hope within wildlife populations, a joyful counter-narrative to the oft-dismal news cycle.
Support the Podcast
If you enjoyed this conversation and are eager to hear more stories of photographic success, consider supporting us on Patreon. Your engagement helps us continue to bring thought-provoking content and celebrated guests like Art Wolfe to the photography community. 
Resources Mentioned
Art Wolfe's New Book: Discover Art Wolfe's inspiring work in his latest book, "Wild Lives," available on his website, Amazon, Powell's Books, Tattered Cover, or Elliott Bay Book Company.
Travels to the Edge : Immerse yourself in Art Wolfe's adventures with his TV series available on Amazon and Vimeo.
Photography Classes : According to Art, taking natural history, art, and drawing classes can significantly complement your photography skills and success.
Connect with Art Wolfe : Learn more about Art's workshops, tours, and his expansive portfolio.
Atlantic Magazine Article from 1998.
Photographers Art Wolfe Mentioned
1. Frans Lanting.
2. Galen Rowell.
3. Thomas Mangelsen.
4. Jim Brandenburg.

365: Art Wolfe - Is Conservation Photography Actually Doing Anything?

In this episode of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," host Matt Payne speaks with photographer Michael McMullen about his poignant photography project "Unidentified," which documents locations of found unidentified bodies in Spokane to shed light on the issues of homelessness and unidentified individuals. McMullen shares his process from inception to execution, including the challenges of mental health and his own experiences with ADHD. The project also serves to remind of the fragility of life and the societal need to address these matters more proactively. Beyond his book, Michael discusses his and his wife's Etsy store, their approach to photography, and expresses hopes for the obsolescence of his book with the resolution of the unidentified persons issue.
Links Discussed on the Podcast:
Michael's Etsy Page.
Michael on Instagram.
Michael's book, Unidentified.
Support the podcast on Patreon.
Photographers that Michael mentioned on the Podcast:
Chloe Dewes Mathews
Nick Fancher
Jan C. Schlegel

366: Michael Rung - Authenticity and Full-Time Photography Challenges

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