F-Stop Collaborate and Listen Matt Payne

In this episode of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," Caroline Van Hemert and Matt Payne dive into the nuances of blending storytelling with photography, as Caroline shares her riveting personal experiences from the Arctic and discusses the environmental changes she's witnessed. Drawing from her background as a wildlife biologist and adventurer, she reflects on her family's sailboat explorations and the challenges of environmental storytelling aimed at inspiring action. Caroline and Matt exchange thoughts on overcoming negative media narratives about wildlife, the importance of authenticity in storytelling, and the role of various media in capturing the essence of the outdoors. They also discuss the practical aspects of self-publishing, book marketing, and the balance between personal narratives and scientific research in engaging an audience.
Resources Mentioned on the Podcast:
Caroline's article in the New York Times
Caroline's articles in Outside Magazine
American Wolf Book (affiliate link)
The Sun is a Compass book (affiliate link)
Ethan Beute's article & podcast
Watch the podcast on YouTube
Support the podcast on Patreon and engage in conversation about the episode
Photographers Recommended on the Podcast:
Luc Mehl
Joe Stock
Nathaniel Wilder

In this episode, photographer Brittany Colt delves into her distinctive approach to photography, discussing the influence of graphic design and the use of color and negative space to shape mood and draw viewer engagement. Exploring intimate landscapes through her unique vision, influenced by being born blind in one eye, Colt emphasizes the significance of emotional connection in photography and the transformative impact of following light in iconic locations like Yosemite and the Eastern Sierra. With a focus on female empowerment and self-love through her Flying Dress Experience and nude photo series, she addresses her professional evolution from weddings to landscape photography, her graphic design insights into composition, and the value of emotional storytelling in her art. Host Matt Payne and Brittany reflect on the importance of adapting teaching to individual learning styles, speak to the challenges and balance of authenticity in marketing their services, and advocate for personal creativity and passion in the craft of photography.
Resources Mentioned on the Podcast:
Support the podcast on Patreon
Matt's OnLandscape Article about Brittany's Photography
Nature's Daughters Project
Flying Dress Experience

Watch the podcast on YouTube

Photographer's Mentioned on the Podcast:
Shawn Reeder
Samantha Lindberg
Jill Sanders

In this enriching episode of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," we delve into the remarkable legacy of Ansel Adams through the eyes of his former assistant and esteemed photographer, Alan Ross. Ross shares captivating anecdotes and insights from his time with Adams, reflecting on Ansel's people skills, his comfort with technology, and his humble approach to photography that embraced imperfections and learning from mistakes. Ross discusses his own varied career, from textbook photography to continuing Adams' tradition of special edition prints, and his personal philosophy of seeing photography as an expressive language that goes beyond mere documentation. Listeners are treated to a deep dive into photographic artistry, learning to appreciate the emotional conveyance in images, the importance of self-discovery, and the impactful advice to slow down and engage meaningfully with one's subject. Guest recommendations and a nod to the broader community of photographers round out an episode that's as much a tribute to an icon as it is a masterclass in the craft of photography.
Resources Mentioned:
Mary Street Alinder's Ansel Adams Biography
Ansel Adams Yosemite Special Edition Prints
Support the podcast on Patreon and engage in conversation on today's episode
Photographer's Mentioned:

David Kennerly


Michael Kirchoff


Dan Burkholder

In this episode of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," host Matt Payne sits down with the celebrated photographer and 2023 International Landscape Photographer of the Year, Tony Hewitt. They delve into a deep discussion about Tony's diverse experience, touching on the nuances of fine art and landscape photography, the intention behind each shot, and the emotional experience involved in photography competitions. Tony asserts the importance of narrative and the photographer's voice in creating impactful imagery, sharing insights from his multifaceted career, his approach to photography as a storytelling medium, and his advice on developing a personal style. They also address the sensitive topics of judging integrity and favoritism in competitions, the role of standard setting in photographic art, and the significance of critiques and self-evaluation in a photographer's growth. The episode is not only overflowing with actionable advice for photographers of all levels but also offers a window into Tony's philosophy and his mastermind groups, aimed at guiding individuals on their unique creative journeys.
Resources Discussed:
Support the podcast on Patreon
Learn more about the Natural Landscape Photography Awards
Tony's Master Mind Group
Stay in touch with the Podcast on Instagram
Watch the podcast on YouTube
Photographers Mentioned:
Chris Dark
Tanya Niwa
Doug Porter
Jordan Cantelo

In this week's episode featuring Beth Buelow, the conversation explores the profound impact of labels on a photographer's creative journey. They discuss the dual nature of labels—how they can serve as useful cognitive shortcuts and create a sense of identity and confidence for photographers, but can also limit creative exploration and growth. By sharing personal experiences and examining the tension between embracing and resisting labels in the face of evolving technology like AI, Matt Payne and Beth Buelow encourage photographers to embrace challenges, adaptability, and failure as tools for creativity. The episode culminates with the introduction of Beth's platform, Pixels, which aims to inspire photographers through creativity cross-training, balancing the art and heart of photography while fostering a community for continual growth and evolving artistic identity.
Resources Mentioned on the Podcast:
Sail the Chilean Fjords with me or see my other workshops
TJ Thorne
Landscape Photographer's Worldwide Discord Server
Out of Chicago LIVE conferences
David Whyte Poetry
The Introvert Entrepreneur
Beth's "Pixels: The Heart and Art of Photography" Channel
Support the podcast on Patreon, or join in on the conversation about this episode
Photographers Recommended by Beth:
Stephanie Johnson
Erik Lee

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