The Perceptive Photographer

In the latest episode of The Perceptive Photographer, I found myself thinking about Steve Jobs. You know that classic moment in his presentations when he'd pause, turn back, and say, “Oh, just one more thing…”? It was his signature move—something small that ended up being hugely impactful. And it got me thinking about photography.

That idea—just one more thing—has stuck with me. It’s become a way to look and critique my own work, and in this week’s podcast, I dig into how paying attention to one more detail, one more adjustment, one more question can fundamentally shift the power and clarity of a photograph. That “one more thing” doesn’t always mean doing more. Sometimes it’s about refining. Sometimes it’s about taking something away.

Moving beyond "good" or "bad" judgments, I explore how asking better questions can deepen our understanding and connection to photography.

In this episode of the Perceptive Photographer podcast, I dive into the fascinating topic of print sizes in photography and how they impact the way we perceive images. Even if you mostly share your work digitally, I believe it’s important to consider how print size influences the viewing experience. From the intimacy of small prints to the immersive nature of large ones, the size of a photograph plays a powerful role in how it's received. I also share details about an upcoming print workshop and encourage you to explore making physical prints to build a deeper connection with your work. This episode is a thoughtful look at how print size shapes our experience and appreciation of photography.

In this latest episode of the Perceptive Photographer Podcast, I dig into a common challenge many photographers face: the transition from enjoying photography as a creative outlet to overthinking the process in pursuit of "better" photographs. This shift can often lead to a disconnect between what photographers see and what they believe they should be capturing. Let's break down the key insights and actionable advice from this episode to help you foster a deeper connection to the act of seeing and creating.

In this episode of the podcast we dig a little into the impacts of thinking about photographs as of things or of relationships.

In this episode of the Perceptive Photographer Podcast, we discuss the impact of the "New Topographic—A Man-altered Landscape" exhibition on modern landscape photography.

Welcome back to another episode of the Perceptive Photographer podcast, as we continue our exploration of the distinctions between simplicity and minimalism in photography. If you missed the first part, I highly recommend catching up at some point with part one where I cover some of the more central differences between the two.

While simple compositions can be clean and balanced, minimalism takes it a step further by intentionally focusing on space, form, geometry, and shape. Every element in the frame should serve a purpose. When making an image ask yourself why each component is there and what it adds to the overall composition. Minimalism is about revealing the essence of your subject. Remove anything that doesn’t contribute to the viewer’s experience.

I like to think of it as a deconstruction of subject that is core to the final frame, which involves breaking down the environment to its most essential elements and only those elements. For example, in Hiroshi Sugimoto’s classic photograph, the horizon line is centered, and the image consists solely of sky and water, devoid of any distractions. By reducing elements, viewers focus on what truly matters in the frame.

Negative space is a cornerstone of minimalist photography. It creates a sense of openness and contemplation, allowing us to focus on the subject without the clutter of additional elements. Negative space is really about two things: isolating your subject, making it the focal point of the image and helping to define form and shape of the thing in the frame. . Negative space can evoke be an effective tool to evoke range of emotional responses, from calmness to loneliness. Be mindful of these nuances when composing your shots.It is also important to call out that successful minimalist photographers often exhibit a repetition of themes, forms, and processing styles, which helps convey their artistic vision. Elements like line, symmetry, and balance become more pronounced when distractions are removed. 

Minimalism is often appreciated for its profound psychological impact when we look at the image. The emotional responses elicited by negative space and minimal content can vary widely, depending on the viewer’s interpretation.Both simple and minimalist photographs have their own merits, and neither is inherently better than the other. The key is to explore minimalism in your work and consider the intentional choices you make in your compositions. As you delve into this style, remember the importance of intention, the power of negative space, and the emotional impact your images can have.

In the podcast this week, we have part one of two on simple verses minimalism in photography. Happy B-day Bro!

In the podcast this week, we focus on the impact framing a photography can have on our creative process

In the podcast this week, we take a look at the impact of observation and changes that happen when we are observed or are observing.