416: Matt Redfern - Hunting for Meaning in Photography

In this episode of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," host Matt Payne sits down with accomplished photographer Greg Vaughn to discuss his journey in photography, ethics in location sharing, and the nuances of workshop teaching. Vaughn, known for his photography guidebooks on Oregon and Washington, talks about how he chooses locations carefully to preserve sensitive environments. They also explore challenges like maintaining a balance between publicizing beautiful places and preventing environmental degradation. Vaughn shares insights from his career, which spans over four decades, emphasizing the importance of business skills in photography and the value of having a love for teaching when leading workshops. Check out the episode on YouTube Resources Mentioned: Greg's books - Photographing Oregon & Photographing Washington Muench Workshops - please email me if you're interested in joining me! NANPA Arthelper Support the podcast on Patreon Photographers Recommended: Dewitt Jones, Laurent Martres, Tom Kirkendall Greg is a photographer, traveler, writer, and photo educator. During his 40+ years as a full-time pro, Greg has worked in multiple photographic genres, including years as a freelance commercial and editorial assignment photographer in Hawaii. He was the campaign photographer for two of Hawaii’s governors and was the official photographer of the Ironman Triathlon in Kona. Greg is a proud alumnus of the University of Hawaii, earning a degree in Zoology at the advent of the 1970’s Ecology movement.    Greg is now based in Eugene, Oregon. He and his wife/partner/soulmate Penelope love living in the Pacific Northwest, travel as much as possible, and especially enjoy exploring Mexico.    Greg’s photos have been published by National Geographic, Backpacker, Sierra Club, Audubon, The Nature Conservancy, Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, and many other travel, conservation, and lifestyle magazines and websites. 

In this episode of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," host Matt Payne interviews Jason Bradley, who discusses the collapse of Outdoor Photographer Magazine and the launch of his new publication, Wild Eye Magazine. Wild Eye is designed to fill the void left by Outdoor Photographer but aims to differentiate itself by not including gear reviews or basic how-to articles. Instead, it focuses on high-quality, curated portfolios in landscape, nature, wildlife, and underwater photography with a strong emphasis on conservation. Jason also runs a unique fine art print lab specializing in premium metal prints, which he describes as superior to typical metal prints in color and detail. The episode touches on the importance of community in photography, the challenges of managing multiple projects, and offers advice for photographers looking to get published. Jason also provides a special subscription offer for listeners. Resources Mentioned on the Podcast Wild Eye Magazine (use the code FSTOP for a huge discount) Jason Bradley's Print Services Jason's Lightroom Live Videos Arthelper - an awesome AI tool for artists Support the podcast on Patreon Recommended Photographers: Joe Platco, Bob Talbot, Jon McCormack

In episode 418 of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," host Matt Payne chats with Stacy Garfield, a former aerospace engineer turned elopement photographer. Stacy shares her journey from aerospace engineering to photography, driven by her love for nature and a serendipitous proposal she captured at Ruby Beach. She explains elopement photography, highlighting the importance of planning, knowing the location, and understanding Leave No Trace principles. Stacy also discusses the challenges and joys of capturing intimate weddings in nature, incorporating night photography in her sessions, and her new mentorship programs for aspiring photographers. This episode offers a deep dive into Stacy's unique niche and dedication to creating memorable experiences for couples. Resources Mentioned: Support the show on Patreon Leave No Trace Castleton Valley Elopement Photography Disaster Story Stacy's Mentorship Program Matt's Photography Newsletter Stacy's Recommended Photographers: Autumn Schrock, Melissa Schaefer, Dan Zafra, James McGivern, Deb Heyer

In this episode of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," host Matt Payne engages in a captivating conversation with Sara Kushner, a talented self-portrait photographer with 16 years of experience. Sara delves into her journey, explaining how self-portraiture functions as a form of therapy, allowing her to process emotions and express vulnerability. She contrasts her art with the influencer-driven self-portrait culture, emphasizing authenticity and artistic intent. The discussion also touches on Sara’s dual role as an anti-diet registered dietitian, her plans to combine her passions in future workshops, and the technical aspects and emotional depth of self-portrait photography. Sara shares how she navigates judgment and the unique blend of landscape and self-portraiture in her work, striving to evoke emotions and authenticity in her audience. Links: Follow Sara on Instagram Stay connected with Sara on her newsletter Learn more about the Natural Landscape Photography Awards Stay connected with Matt on his newsletter Support the podcast on Patreon Sara's offering 10% our listeners/watchers on her prints, use the code FSTOP10 Sara's recommended photographers: Katie Lingan, Van Gachnang

In this episode of "F Stop, Collaborate, and Listen," host Matt Payne interviews photographer Matt Redfern about his evolution from capturing popular social media scenes to focusing on more personally fulfilling and unique nature photography. Redfern, influenced by his outdoor upbringing and hunting background, shares how his meticulous observation skills have shaped his artistic approach. The conversation delves into his journey from initial interest sparked during travels, to finding his true calling in nature photography after moving to Oregon. They discuss the importance of continuous learning, meaningful work, and their shared experiences in healthcare IT. The episode also highlights the Natural Landscape Photography Awards and Redfern's aspirations to physically display his work, contributing to the community, and the value of creativity in photography. Watch on Youtube Links:  Natural Landscape Photography Awards Brews N' Views Out of Chicago Muench Workshops Guy Tal's Books Support the podcast Recommended photographers: Alex Jones, Nader Daii, Jack Krohn, Eric Busch, and Maria Ruggieri

In this retrospective episode of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," hosts Matt Payne and Nic Stover dive into the podcast’s journey over the last eight years, celebrating landmark moments and lessons learned. Payne reflects on producing over 400 episodes and handling extensive content management, including panels on artificial intelligence and NFTs, which spurred fascinating and often polarizing discussions within the landscape photography community. The hosts emphasize the importance of maintaining fresh and diverse podcast content by featuring guest-recommended subjects and delving into broader photography genres like street and wedding photography. Payne also highlights the personal growth he's experienced through podcasting, including increased open-mindedness and the ability to balance professional and personal life effectively. Nic Stover underscores the podcast's community-building impact, such as the successful speaker series supporting nonprofit organizations. Both hosts share insights into podcast monetization challenges and strategies for enduring success, including Patreon support, which offers bonus episodes and early access. Celebrating over 1.5 million downloads, this episode focuses on the sustained passion for photography and podcasting, addressing Payne's struggles with imposter syndrome and audience contentment. Subscribe to the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen podcast newsletter for exclusive updates, and use discount code "FSTOP" for 10% off upcoming nature photography courses through Nic's great platform. Resources Mentioned Nature Photography Classes (use the code FSTOP10 for 10% off) Matt's podcast newsletter Support the show AI Panel episode NFT Panel episode My article on IR Photography Cole Thompson's article on popularity Mary Jo Hoffman's episode Matt Beaty's episode Enter the Natural Landscape Photography Awards

In this episode of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," host Matt Payne chats with travel blogger, writer, and photographer Alex Berger. Berger discusses his journey in travel blogging, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and creating content that resonates emotionally with audiences. He shares insights from his experience creating YouTube videos about Danish culture and repurposing them into a successful podcast format. The conversation delves into the challenges of managing creative projects alongside other life responsibilities, balancing perfection with authenticity, and the joys and struggles of maintaining a generalist approach in photography. Berger also talks about his product Mist Defender, highlighting the lessons learned from its development and launch. They reflect on how their varied experiences enhance their photography practices and discuss the importance of finding new passions to sustain creative enthusiasm. Resources Mentioned on the Podcast: Jeppe Michael Jensen podcast episode Support the podcast on Patreon Join Matt's Podcast Mailing List Alex's book, Practical Curiosity Alex's lens cloth invention - Mist Defender Alex Blog, Virtual Wayfarer Alex's YouTube videos on Danish Culture Alex's recommended photographers: Anders Nordsted, Charly van den Braack, Frank Otto Pedersen

In episode 413 of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," Tom Watson, co-founder of the photography platform Glass, joins host Matt Payne to discuss Glass's user-centric approach, its expansion to multiple devices, and commitment to a quality user experience without ads or manipulative algorithms. Watson highlights Glass's unique features like high-quality image profiles, community-driven engagements, and a sustainable subscription model aimed at fostering genuine connections among photographers. Tom also underscores the importance of privacy, user feedback in development, and the platform's stance against AI-generated content. Resources: Join Glass and get 25% off using the code FSTOP Support the Podcast on Patreon Recommended Photographers: Amanda Powell, Markus Naarttijärvi, Molly Carstater

In episode 412 of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," Matt Payne hosts landscape photographer and Adobe community expert Suzanne Mathia, who delves into her journey from a British corporate upbringing to a creative career in the United States. Suzanne explores her photography philosophy, particularly her "sponge theory," emphasizing flexibility and continuous learning. She shares practical techniques for wildlife photography, discusses creative cross-training, and the value of revisiting old work for inspiration. The episode features insights into powerful yet often overlooked Lightroom features, common user mistakes, and the importance of image organization and backups. Resources (some are affiliate links, thanks for your support): Lightroom Instruction Support the Podcast on Patreon Suzanne's Gear: Canon 100-500; Canon R5 Guy Tal - Be Extraordinary Muench Workshops Recommended photographers: Greg McCown, Julieanne Kost, J. Fritz Rumpf

In this episode of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," host Matt Payne talks with Grant Collier, a renowned landscape photographer and publisher, about his extensive career capturing Colorado's wilderness, transitioning from film to digital photography, and leveraging drones for unique aerial perspectives. Collier discusses his challenges and strategies in self-publishing, including producing bestsellers like "Collier’s Guide to Night Photography" and his latest book "Colorado." He shares insights on balancing the art and business of photography, logistics of inventory management, and the evolution of his work, such as using telescopic images and creating creative products like a Bigfoot calendar. Collier also touches on personal experiences, his struggles with a chronic back issue, and his decision to avoid expanding his business to keep creative freedom. The episode concludes with practical advice for aspiring photographers and a lighthearted, ongoing friendly feud with fellow photographer Eric Stensland. Resources: Grant's Books DJI Mavic 3 Pro Recommended Photographers: Glenn Randall, Mike Berensen, Bret Edge