Shutter Trails Podcast

Drake
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  • Visual Arts

The Shutter Trail Podcast explores the craft and adventure of photography. Join Drake for practical tips, creative insights, and stories from both the studio and the field. From landscapes and seascapes to street, cityscapes, nightscapes, abstracts and even macro, each episode helps you learn, get inspired and grow as a photographer. Occasional guests bring fresh perspectives along the way. Pack your gear, tune in, and let’s create something meaningful—one shutter click at a time.

  1. 2d ago

    Beyond the Landscape: The Art of Photography with Brian Merry

    What separates a memorable landscape photograph from a simple snapshot? For award-winning Canadian photographer Brian Merry, the answer goes far beyond camera settings and composition. It's about understanding the natural world and communicating the emotions we experience within it. In this episode of Shutter Trails, host Drake Dyck talks with Brian about his nearly three decades as a professional landscape and travel photographer based in Banff National Park, Alberta. Brian shares how his interest in photography began as a teenager in Cape Breton, how his background in biology and geology influences the way he sees the landscape, and how he built a career leading photography tours and workshops throughout Canada and internationally. Their conversation explores the challenges of photographing iconic Canadian Rockies locations such as Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, ethical wildlife photography, memorable encounters with grizzly bears, and the realities of running a photography business. Brian also discusses his work with the International Landscape Photographers Association, his philosophy of putting photography workshop participants first, and why he believes the true art of photography lies in capturing and sharing emotion. Whether you're an aspiring photographer or an experienced professional, this episode offers practical insights, entertaining stories, and a thoughtful perspective on what makes photography meaningful. Guest: Brian Merry — https://brianmerry.ca Host: Drake Dyck — https://drakedyckcreative.com Shutter Trails explores real-world photography through conversations with photographers about their craft, experiences, and the stories behind their images.

  2. Sep 16

    A Life in Landscape Photography with Grant Swinbourne

    Australian landscape photographer, educator and Landscape Photography World Podcast host Grant Swinbourne joins Drake for a wide-ranging conversation about photography, creativity and life behind the camera. Grant shares how photography grew from a childhood fascination with film into a lifelong creative pursuit, why Australia's coastlines and wild landscapes continue to inspire him, and how he approaches photography as a way of expressing mood and a sense of place. They also talk about what Grant has learned from interviewing hundreds of photographers, the importance of printing your work, the realities of earning a living from photography, conservation and responsible travel, social media, AI, and the future of photography. It's a conversation about much more than making pictures. It's about why we make them. To learn more about Grant or his podcast, check out his website.

  3. Sep 2

    Beyond the Landscape with Viktoria Haack

    Landscape photographer? Wildlife photographer? Portrait photographer? Wedding photographer? Viktoria Haack would probably rather not choose. In this episode of the Shutter Trails Podcast, I sit down with the British Columbia photographer, educator and Nikon Ambassador to talk about a career built on curiosity, observation and a refusal to be confined to a single photographic genre. Viktoria shares how ten years living on a small nature reserve in the UK shaped her relationship with photography and taught her to notice the subtle changes in light, weather and the seasons. We explore her fine art background, her distinctive images that blend people and landscape, her growing interest in wildlife photography, conservation and ethical photography, and what she has learned from judging major photography competitions. We also talk about why technical perfection isn't always enough, the importance of patience with wildlife, how different photographic genres can influence one another, and why Viktoria believes photographers should remain free to follow whatever captures their interest. A thoughtful conversation about landscape photography, wildlife, creativity, artistic influence, curiosity and developing your own way of seeing. Learn more about Viktoria and her photography on her website: viktoriahaackphotography.ca

  4. Aug 5

    Photography Beyond the Concert Pit | Steve Brazill

    Steve Brazill has spent over 40 years in radio and is one of today's most respected concert photographers, but the lessons he shares go far beyond photographing musicians on stage. In this episode of Shutter Trails, Steve explains why the best photographers learn from every genre. Through a series of remarkable images—including concert photography, landscapes, aerial photography, astrophotography, and travel—he demonstrates how composition, light, storytelling, and careful observation connect every style of photography. We also discuss handling difficult lighting, mastering dynamic range, shooting at high ISO, why photographers worry too much about noise, and how learning to truly analyze an image can dramatically improve your own work. Whether you're a landscape photographer, wildlife photographer, street photographer, or simply someone who wants to become a stronger visual storyteller, this conversation is packed with practical insights you can apply on your very next outing. If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about photography, be sure to follow Shutter Trails for more interviews and episodes exploring the people, places, and techniques behind great photographs. Make sure to check out the photos on the Shutter Trails Blog.

  5. Jul 1

    Richard Tatti: Creating Stories With Light Beneath the Stars

    Australian nightscape photographer, Richard Tatti, joins Drake on Shutter Trails to share his remarkable journey from the first time he photographed the stars to becoming one of the world's leading educators in Milky Way photography. Richard discusses the evolution of nightscape photography, his YouTube channel with more than 300 instructional videos, creative lighting techniques, image blending, star trackers, AI in photography, and why strong composition always outweighs expensive gear. He also opens up about avoiding creative burnout, balancing photography with family life, and the sense of wonder that still keeps him looking up at the night sky. Whether you're passionate about astrophotography or simply love hearing how great photographers think, this conversation is filled with practical advice and lasting inspiration. Topics: Nightscape photography • Milky Way photography • Light painting • Astrophotography • Photoshop • Star trackers • AI • Creativity • Photography education • Landscape photography

  6. Jun 24 ·  Bonus

    TM 07 - What is a Photography Project?

    In this quick Trail Marker episode, Drake talks about what a photography project is, or could be and some reasons why you should try one.

  7. Jun 3

    Guiding the Lens: Wild Landscapes and Mindful Photography with Fiona McLean

    In this episode of Shutter Trails, Drake sits down with landscape and outdoor photographer Fiona McLean, who splits her time between Scotland and Canada. Fiona shares her incredible journey—from discovering photography in Sedona over 25 years ago to leaving a career in sustainable transport due to burnout and rediscovering purpose through the camera.They dive into:🌄 How travel and nature photography shaped Fiona’s career🌍 Shooting across 40+ countries and balancing life between two continents📸 Her evolution from grand landscapes to waterfalls, wildlife, macro, and abstract work🚁 The creative highs (and nerve-wracking lows) of drone photography🥾 Becoming a certified hiking guide and combining outdoor leadership with photography💬 The realities of running a photography business and social media challenges⚖️ Ethical photography practices—wildlife, geotagging, and environmental impact👩‍🎨 Advocacy for women in photography and barriers in the industry🌿 Using photography as a tool for healing through grief and burnoutFiona also shares practical advice for beginners—why gear doesn’t matter as much as you think, and why you should always shoot for yourself, not for social media.👉 A powerful, honest conversation about creativity, resilience, and finding your path through photography.📷 Follow Fiona:Instagram: @fionamcleanphotoWebsite: fionamcleanphotography.comSubstack: Fiona McLean Photo👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and stay tuned for more conversations with photographers from around the world.

  8. May 27

    TM - 06 - Breaking Out of a Photography Rut

    In this Trail Marker episode of Shutter Trails, Drake talks about something every photographer faces sooner or later — falling into a creative rut. When photography starts to feel repetitive, uninspiring, or more like a chore than an adventure, how do you rediscover that spark? Drake shares personal experiences with landscape, street, and nature photography, along with practical ways to break out of a photographic slump. From shooting with friends and joining group outings to exploring completely different genres of photography, this episode focuses on reigniting creativity and making photography fun again. The conversation also dives into Drake’s recent experience trying motorsport photography for the first time — and how learning new techniques like panning has already influenced his landscape, wildlife, and street photography. Whether you’re feeling burned out, uninspired, or just looking for fresh creative energy, this episode offers encouragement to step outside your comfort zone and see photography differently again. This episode is a reminder that inspiration often comes from simply getting back out there and trying something new. #photographypodcast #LandscapePhotography #StreetPhotography #CreativePhotography #PhotographyTips #MotorsportPhotography #PhotographyInspiration #PhotographyRut #NaturePhotography #ShutterTrails

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The Shutter Trail Podcast explores the craft and adventure of photography. Join Drake for practical tips, creative insights, and stories from both the studio and the field. From landscapes and seascapes to street, cityscapes, nightscapes, abstracts and even macro, each episode helps you learn, get inspired and grow as a photographer. Occasional guests bring fresh perspectives along the way. Pack your gear, tune in, and let’s create something meaningful—one shutter click at a time.

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