Shutter Nonsense: A Nature Photography Podcast

Shutter Nonsense
  • 4.8 (19)
  • VISUAL ARTS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to Shutter Nonsense - a laid-back nature photography podcast with hosts Michael Rung and Jeffrey Tadlock. Every other week, we dive into the world of landscape and nature photography with casual conversations about what we’ve been up to, current happenings in the photography world, and tips to help you grow as a photographer. Whether you’re a weekend hiker with a camera or a seasoned shooter chasing perfect light, you’re in good company. It’s not utter nonsense... but it is Shutter Nonsense.

  1. 1D AGO

    026 Growth Through Constraints in Nature Photography

    In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey dig into the idea of growth through limitation in nature photography. What happens when you intentionally narrow your options instead of keeping every possibility open? They talk about one-lens outings, local shooting, black and white challenges, slowing down in the field, and how removing certain choices can actually help you see more clearly. The conversation also gets into the difference between a constraint that helps you grow and one that just leaves you frustrated. If you have ever felt stuck, burned out, or too dependent on your usual habits in the field, this one may give you a few ideas to shake things up. Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense   Episode Highlights How a one-lens outing can help you learn to truly see in a new focal length Why local photography can become a powerful tool for growth instead of feeling limiting The difference between a helpful challenge and a frustrating restriction Thoughts on trying black and white only for 30 days as a way to train your eye How reducing gear and decisions can help break creative ruts and burnout Why slowing down in the field can improve both composition and intention Michael’s story of avoiding sunrise and sunset photography to force a different way of seeing How to choose challenges that push your photography without ruining the experience Related Links: Moterra Vans: https://alnk.to/1N5B0k5 Thomas Heaton: https://www.youtube.com/@ThomasHeatonPhoto  Gavin Hardcastle (Fototripper): https://www.youtube.com/fototripper  Alan Ross: https://www.alanrossphotography.com/  Ephemeral / Permanence: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/product-page/ephemeral-permanence  Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.com Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com

    1h 3m

  2. APR 21

    025 Cole Thompson & John Barclay On Color vs. Monochrome

    In Episode 25 of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey are joined by Cole Thompson and John Barclay to talk about color versus monochrome photography, and how to know when each one makes sense. The conversation goes way beyond editing choices and gets into vision, intention, creativity, and why black and white can be either a distraction-free tool or a deeply personal way of seeing. Along the way, they talk about learning to see in black and white, how personal vision shapes the work we make, the difference between photographing for likes versus photographing for meaning, and why this choice often goes much deeper than simple aesthetics. There’s plenty of humor in this one too, which is probably exactly what you’d expect when these four get together. Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense Highlights: Cole explains why black and white is not a style choice for him, but simply how he sees the world John talks about using both color and monochrome, and how he decides which serves the image best Michael and Jeffrey reflect on using black and white as a beginner “save” versus making a deliberate creative choice The group discusses whether color or black and white is actually harder to do well A conversation on vision, imitation, and finding your own voice as a photographer Why color can sometimes overpower a photograph instead of helping it The role age, experience, and older darkroom exposure may play in how photographers connect with black and white A bigger conversation about social media, likes, and making work that feels personal and meaningful Related Links: John Barclay: https://johnbarclayphotography.com/ Cole Thompson: https://colethompsonphotography.com/ The Cole & John Photography Show: https://www.youtube.com/@thecoleandjohnshow7236 Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717356/the-creative-act-by-rick-rubin/ Sarah Marino: https://www.smallscenes.com/ Matt Payne: https://www.mattpaynephotography.com/ Murray Livingston: https://www.murraylivingston.com/ Jack Curran: https://jackcurranphotography.store/ Joshua Cripps: https://www.joshuacripps.com/ Mitch Dobrowner: http://mitchdobrowner.com/ Chuck Kimmerle: https://www.chuckkimmerle.com/ Michael Kenna: https://www.michaelkenna.com/ Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.com Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com

    1h 1m

  3. APR 7

    024 Does Hit Rate Matter in Nature Photography?

    In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey talk about nature photography hit rate, keeper rate, and whether taking fewer photos actually means you are becoming a better landscape photographer. They dig into the difference between intentional landscape photography and the old spray and pray approach, how culling photos after a trip can shape your view of success, and why a low hit rate is not always a bad thing. If you have ever wondered how many photos you should come home with, how many should be keepers, or whether your process in the field is actually helping you grow, this one is for you. This episode also gets into creative experimentation, slowing down in the field, using your phone to test compositions, revisiting old files, and why comparing your photography process to someone else usually is not very helpful. Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense Highlights What photography hit rate really means Whether a higher keeper rate actually matters The difference between intentional shooting and spray and pray Why experimentation can lower your hit rate for good reasons How Michael and Jeffrey think about culling after a trip Why revisiting old images can change what counts as a keeper Why your photography process has to work for you Related Links: Michael’s Lightroom Classic Start-to-Finish Walkthrough: https://www.patreon.com/posts/145865590 Linda Nickell’s Happiness Hour: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaNickellHappinessHour Gavin Hardcastle (Fototripper): https://www.youtube.com/fototripper Lost Dutchman State Park: https://azstateparks.com/lost-dutchman Michael’s Lightroom Compare Photos Demo: https://www.patreon.com/posts/125609814 Landscape Photographers Worldwide: https://discord.gg/GxE7HWc9 PhotoPack Pro: https://www.photopackpro.com  Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.com Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com

    54 min

  4. MAR 24

    023 Minimalism and Maximalism in Nature Photography

    In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, we dig into minimalism vs maximalism in landscape photography and talk through what those ideas actually mean in practice. We start by catching up on the usual behind-the-scenes chaos: preparing for the long drive from Ohio to Death Valley for an upcoming workshop, building landing pages for holiday promotions, launching a new iPhone photo app, and squeezing in a last-minute presentation for Angel McNeese’s 2025 landscape photography summit. From there, we get into the main topic and explore the difference between minimalist and maximalist photography, why “small scenes” are not automatically minimalist, and how the places you shoot can heavily influence the way you see and compose images. We also talk about reducing visual confusion, managing visual weight, why minimalist images are often harder to pull off than they look, and how editing can either strengthen or completely undo a simple composition. We also get into the role social media plays in what photographers choose to share, and how that can shape perceptions of style more than we might realize. Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense Highlights Include: Defining minimalist vs maximalist landscape photography Why small scenes are not automatically minimalist How your environment can influence your natural shooting style The challenge of simplifying chaotic scenes into stronger compositions Using visual weight to create balance and clarity in an image Why minimalist photography is often harder than it first appears The difference between an image feeling empty versus intentionally minimal How editing and processing can strengthen or weaken minimalist photographs Social Media Influence Related Links: PhotoPack Pro App John Barclay and Cole Thompson YouTube Channel Jennifer Renwick Sarah Marino Anna Morgan Eric Bennett Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.com Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com

    54 min

  5. MAR 10

    022 Planning and Scouting Nature Photography Trips

    In Episode 22 of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey dig into one of the least glamorous but most important parts of landscape photography: planning and scouting. From pre-trip research to in-field decision-making, this episode is all about finding the balance between being prepared and staying creatively flexible. The conversation pulls from real experiences photographing in Utah, Colorado, and the Great Smoky Mountains, and explores how planning changes depending on whether you are visiting a new location or returning to a familiar one. Along the way, they talk about using weather as a creative tool, managing expectations, avoiding preconceived shots, and why scouting does not stop once you arrive. If you have ever overplanned a trip, underplanned a trip, or shown up with great intentions only to be humbled by conditions, this one is for you. Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense Highlights Why planning matters, but rigid plans can hold your photography back How pre-trip research differs for new locations versus familiar places Using weather, seasons, and conditions to guide creative decisions Managing expectations and setting realistic goals for a trip The role of scouting before and during a photography outing Avoiding preconceived images and staying open to what the landscape gives you Balancing preparation with spontaneity to stay creatively engaged Related Links: Michael’s Amazon guidebook list: https://www.amazon.com/shop/michaelrungphotography/list/2EDPL69ILQ1K7?ref_=aipsflist Cole Thompson's article on photo celibacy: https://colethompsonphotography.com/2018/03/22/photographic-celibacy-thoughts-ten-years-later/    Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.com Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com

    1h 6m

  6. FEB 24

    021 Ben Horne & How Perceptions of Our Work Change Over Time

    In this most recent episode of Shutter Nonsense, hosts Michael and Jeffrey sit down with special guest, landscape photographer Ben Horne, for a thoughtful conversation about how the way we see our own photographs changes over time. What starts as excitement or disappointment in the moment often shifts months or years later, sometimes in ways we never expect. Ben shares stories from a recent trip to Zion, walks through his film and large-format workflow, and reflects on what it’s like to revisit older work with fresh eyes. Together, they talk openly about creative doubt, the tension between technical perfection and emotional impact, and why some images only reveal their value long after they were made. This episode is an honest discussion about growth, patience, and learning to trust the photographic process. Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense Highlights How photographers’ perceptions of their own work evolve over time Revisiting older images and seeing them differently years later Creative doubt and its role in long-term growth Balancing technical perfection with emotional impact Film photography, large format workflow, and slowing down Why some images take time to reveal their value Related Links Ben Horne’s Website:  https://www.benhorne.com/ Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.com Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com

    1h 27m

  7. FEB 10

    020 Photography as a Hobby or a Business?

    Is photography better kept as a passion, or does turning it into a business change the relationship entirely? In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey dig into the real-world tradeoffs between photography as a hobby and photography as a source of income. The discussion explores what monetization actually looks like for landscape photographers, why prints and education tend to be the most common paths, and how financial pressure can quietly influence creativity, subject choice, and long-term enjoyment of the craft. The episode also looks beyond gear and images to the less visible side of the business: financial readiness, safety nets, diversification of income, and the mental and emotional weight of being “always on.” Whether photography is something you love on the weekends or something you are trying to build into a career, this episode offers an honest framework for thinking through the decision with intention. Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense Highlights Hobby vs business: what it really means to monetize photography Common income paths for landscape photographers, including prints and education Why portraits and events often become the first step into paid photography The reality of saturation and competition in nature photography The hidden workload behind monetization and being constantly “on” Financial readiness beyond gear: savings, insurance, and unexpected expenses Why timing matters when considering full-time photography How monetization can influence creativity and subject choice Balancing personal passion with work that is more marketable When paid photography starts to pull energy away from what you love How teaching and selling work can deepen connection with an audience The importance of diversified income streams for long-term stability   Relevant Links: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/post/struggling  Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.com Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com

    1h 31m

  8. JAN 27

    019 Growth Through Photography Trips

    In Episode 19 of Shutter Nonsense, hosts Michael and Jeffrey dig into how photography trips shape us far beyond the images we bring home. Travel can spark creativity and excitement, but it also introduces uncertainty, pressure, and the challenge of balancing expectations with reality. We talk about what happens when you photograph unfamiliar places, how travel can help reconnect you with your original motivation for picking up a camera, and why growth often comes from being uncomfortable. Along the way, we share personal travel stories, discuss planning versus spontaneity, explore solo versus group travel dynamics, and reflect on how revisiting familiar locations compares to chasing something new. This episode is less about destinations and more about intention, awareness, and the long-term impact photography trips can have on your creative life. Whether you travel often or only occasionally, this conversation is about making those trips more meaningful. Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members. www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense Highlights: Why photography trips often change how we think about photography, not just what we photograph The creative benefits and mental challenges of working in unfamiliar locations How travel can help reconnect you with your original motivation for picking up a camera Planning versus spontaneity, and why both matter on photography-focused trips Solo travel compared to group trips, and how each shapes the experience differently Balancing photography goals with simply being present while traveling The role of repeat visits versus constantly chasing new destinations How deeper connections to places can influence conservation awareness and advocacy Practical advice for photographers planning their first trip centered around photography Relevant Links: Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.com Learn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com

    1h 12m
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4.8
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Welcome to Shutter Nonsense - a laid-back nature photography podcast with hosts Michael Rung and Jeffrey Tadlock. Every other week, we dive into the world of landscape and nature photography with casual conversations about what we’ve been up to, current happenings in the photography world, and tips to help you grow as a photographer. Whether you’re a weekend hiker with a camera or a seasoned shooter chasing perfect light, you’re in good company. It’s not utter nonsense... but it is Shutter Nonsense.

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