My favorite photography podcast episodes and a book you'll want to back
Explore Landscapes #94
As I’ve mentioned before, I'm a big fan of podcasts - and listen to a lot of them while I'm out walking the dog or during road trips.
Colorado Photographer Matt Payne on the summit of Turret Peak © Matt Payne
As I’ve mentioned before, I'm a big fan of podcasts - and listen to a lot of them while I'm out walking the dog or during road trips. I’ve been a long time listener of Matt Payne’s podcast, F-Stop Collaborate and Listen. Matt is a mountaineer and fine art nature and landscape photographer living in Durango, Colorado.
He’s a full-time photographic workshop leader for Muench Workshops, and somehow finds time to produce a weekly podcast. With the number of episodes now in the 430+ range, that’s an amazing achievement.
If you’re a landscape or nature photographer, I think you’ll really enjoy the podcast - if you don’t listen to it already. Each podcast includes a candid conversation that Matt has with photographers, artists, and others, on the craft of nature and landscape photography. I enjoy every episode, as Matt’s style of conversation and questions, always pulls out some nuggets of inspiration, wisdom, and motivation.
I love the fact that the podcast almost never talks about gear. Topics typically include talk about psychological drivers in landscape photography, business, marketing, social media, creativity, workflow, and more. Matt has a talent to invite both well-established nature and landscape photographers, as well as lesser-known photographers from the USA and worldwide.
Matt asked (quite some time ago actually, and I’m only just getting round to it) for listeners to share their favorite episodes. So I’m going to do that and also mention Matt’s new book, The Colorado Way, which launched on Kickstarter yesterday. More about the book later in this post.
My favorite F-Stop Collaborate and Listen episodes (from episode 300 onwards)
Episode 302 with Joe Cornish and Alex Nail - Artists asking Artists #5
Joe is an icon of the UK landscape photography community, and an inspiration to many so many landscape photographers including myself.
This episode covers a range of topics including: Joe’s approaches to making landscape photographs, perfectionism in landscape photography, and the qualities of light and Joe's preferences for light in his images.
Episode 303 with Sigfrido Zimmermann, “An Ecologist’s Take on Nature Photography.”
Sigfrido is a local (to me in SoCal) ecologist and nature photographer, who leverages his intimate knowledge of ecology to create stunning images - check out his website to see them.
I had the good fortune to ‘bump-into’ Sigfrido while hiking in Joshua Tree - he walked past me on a trail, recognized me, and stopped for a chat. It was great to be able to meet him in person. Hopefully our paths will cross again soon.
Episode 313 with TJ Thorne - Fighting Alcoholism and Depression with Nature Photography
It was moving and thought-provoking to hear TJ talk about his battle with both depression and alcoholism, and how he has found nature photography to be one way that he is able to fight back.
In this episode, TJ and Matt talk about this journey and his relationship with the subject of water specifically, which is the focus of his new book, Ebb and Flow.
Learn more about TJ on his website.
Episode 315 with Lizzie Shepherd
Every photographer goes through phases where they feel lost and the images thry aspire to create are just not happening.
In this episode, Lizzie Shepherd talks about the going a long time without taking images and how to get back into it, cross-country skiing in Norway, and why Scotland is one of Lizzie's favorite places to photograph.
Episode 320 with Astrid Preisz
This episode with Astrid Preisz, a phenomenal photographer from Austria (and fellow Nature First Ambassador). Astrid has some of the most creative landscape images that I've seen and it was fascinating to learn what her approaches are to making them.
Astrid and Matt talk about the pitfalls for visual communication and overcoming them, the concept of play and how it makes us better creatives, and defining our work as photographers.
Episode 325 with David Kingham and Cody Schultz
In the nature photography space, there are a number of communities, but one of my favorites is Nature Photographer's Network (NPN). In this episode, Matt chats with the owner of NPN, David Kingham, and the Editor for NPN, Cody Schultz, to discuss photography communities, critique, and the launch of Nature Vision Magazine.
David, Cody, and Matt talk about the meaning of ‘community’ as it relates to nature photography, the value of belonging to a community, and the benefits of becoming a member of Nature Photographer's Network, and a discussion on what has changed at NPN as of late.
Episode 332 with Hans Gunnar Aslaksen
As photographers, there’s so much to learn from graphic designers and/or those trained formally in the visual arts. In this episode, Hans Gunnar Aslaksen, has such training and uses it to create incredibly interesting and visually pleasing photographs of nature and the landscape.
Hans and Matt talk about how he leverages his background in visual communication and design to improve his photography, the key principles of design you can use to improve your nature and landscape photography, including color theory, the use of complimentary colors, and more.
Episode 337 with William Neill
The importance of developing a cohesive portfolio cannot be understated for landscape photography. I can vouch for the fact that it’s one of the most challenging things we face in order to showcase our work and to develop as photographic artists.
William Neill, is a legend in the landscape photography world. Having worked at the Ansel Adams Gallery in the 1980's, William's work is prolific. He was a writer for Outdoor Photography Magazine for over 20 years, he has published over 10 books, and is widely seen as one of the foremost experts on photographing Yosemite National Park.
Episode 351 with Wayne Suggs
In this episode Matt is joined by photographer Wayne Suggs to discuss the value and benefits of workshops. Drawing from their own experiences as both instructors and attendees, they share valuable insights and tips on how to make the most out of photography workshop experiences.
This is essential listening for any photographer considering taking a workshop to make sure they can get what they want from the workshop.
Episode 366 with Michael Rung
In this engaging episode, Matt chats with photographer Michael Rung about the intricacies and challenges of producing photo folios, from meticulous print proofing to managing paper scarcity.
For anyone that may be interested in going full-time as a photographer, Michael shares his journey, highlighting the emotional and financial nuances of the transition.
Episode 372 with Brittany Colt
In this episode Matt delved into the emotive elements of photography with guest Brittany Colt, an exceptionally talented photographer whose work with Yosemite and the Eastern Sierra landscapes intertwines aesthetic beauty with human narrative.
Topics covered include: capturing moods with color, the power of composition, and empowering women in nature.
Episode 408 with Vanessa Joy
This episode with Vanessa Joy, a prominent figure in the photography world covered diverse aspects from building a successful photography business to maintaining balance in our careers and personal lives.
I had the pleasure of meeting Vanessa on the 17hats stand at ImagingUSA back in January.
Episode 409 with John Marriott
In this episode Matt talks to renowned wildlife photographer and conservationist, John Marriott. This episode was a treasure trove of insights and deep discussions about the pressing issues in wildlife conservation, John's journey, and the impact of photography in sparking change.
Topics discussed included preserving our wilderness, threats to our ecosystems, and witnessing nature’s raw power.
Episode 426 with Ashley Petefish - An Influencer for Public Lands
Photography has always been about capturing the moment, the essence of a place, and sharing it with the world. But with the advent of social media, the way we interact with these captured moments has dramatically shifted, bringing both opportunities and challenges.
In this episode, Matt talks with Ashley Petefish, an Arizona-based photographer and advocate, who brings a unique perspective on the intersection of photography, public lands, and conservation ethics.
Episode 430 with Geoffrey Giebelhaus - What the Heck is the Fediverse?
As photographers, we know all about the frustrations of traditional social media—algorithms that bury our work, relentless ads, and a constant chase for fleeting attention.
In this episode Matt talks to Geoff Giebelhaus about a (potentially) better way: a space built for genuine community and creative freedom, not profit-driven manipulation? Enter the Fediverse—a term that might sound intimidating at first, but one that’s already changing the way photographers connect, share, and thrive online.
I hope you enjoy my episode suggestions, and take some time to listen to the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen podcast. I was aiming to choose my favorite 10 episodes, but couldn’t get below 15. To be honest, every episode is worth listening to and will bring you some nugget of knowledge or insight, regardless of what genre of photography you’re into.
And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I was interviewed by Matt for a podcast episode back in November 2022. If you’d like to get to know more about me, and my obsession with Joshua Tree National Park, please take a listen.
If you’re not already a listener to F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, I encourage you to take a listen, and then subscribe to get the weekly episodes. If you like what you hear please do consider supporting Matt to continue creating the podcast each week.
And now onto the book I mentioned back at the start:
The Colorado Way - Life Lessons from the High Peaks and the Colorado Trail, Matt Payne
Photographer and podcaster Matt Payne has launched The Colorado Way, a book of Colorado photography and field-tested lessons from his Colorado Trail thru-hike and quest to climb the state’s highest 100 peaks. It blends images, essays, and practical insights on creativity, resilience, and connection to place. Early support on Kickstarter is vital.
