The Stop Down Photography Podcast

In this episode, I challenge you to check your patterns and routines. Are you dedicating time to your photography, to grow as an artist? I share a story about my effort to overcome a certain inertia with my life patterns and its impact on my photography, and how a disruption to my typical day-to-day rhythm sparked creativity and making time for personal growth.Also, an update to the ON1 Photo RAW Essentials book is coming! Join my mailing list for a discount when the eBook launches in late January.Have a photo adventure this April! Join me on a photo workshop in Big Sur California, happening April 8-11th, 2024. There are a few spaces available.Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, Scott Davenport Photography may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.

Non-destructive editing is the professional standard for photo editing in the digital age - and with good reason. Keeping your original image untouched is fabulous. Creating virtual copies or versions of an image to try out different looks and styles without duplicating the original file is wonderful. However, there are pitfalls, such as editing tool lock-in or, in a world where you can endlessly refine and tweak settings, the mental challenge of treating a photo as done.Those are challenges for sure. Yet my big problem with non-destructive editing is plugins (and no, Smart Objects doesn't solve this problem for me). Listen to this episode to learn more, and share your thoughts in the comments.Using Photoshop Smart Objects For Round Trip Edits In Lightroom, https://scottdavenportphoto.com/blog/using-photoshop-smart-objects-for-round-trip-edits-in-lightroom2024 Workshop Lineup, https://scottdavenportphoto.com/workshopsRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, Scott Davenport Photography may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.

The topic for this episode of the podcast was inspired by a listener question. If you have a question you'd like my thoughts on, please submit your question through the contact form on my website.Our camera is the primary tool we use to create our work and express ourselves as artists. We get attached to certain cameras, and they sometimes become an extension of ourselves. Nevertheless, an inevitable question every photographer will face is – should I upgrade my camera body? I take on this question in the podcast and share thoughts about several possibilities that motivate photographers to move forward and purchase a new camera body. I hope you enjoy the show!Also check out:Announcing The 2024 SDP Workshops f/114, https://scottdavenportphoto.com/podcast/announcing-the-2024-sdp-workshops-f-114Scott's current camera lineup, https://scottdavenportphoto.com/gear-cameras-lensesRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, Scott Davenport Photography may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.

There is no better way to grow as a photographer than to immerse yourself in photography. And there is no better way to do that than take part in a photo workshop. That rings true for me, both as an instructor and as a student. When a workshop finishes, I am always invigorated and my passion for photography rekindled.I am very excited to share with you my workshop line up for 2024. I am hosting 3 workshops next year:Bryce Canyon National Park, Feb 13-15, 2024, https://scottdavenportphoto.com/bryce-canyon-2402The Big Sur Experience, Apr 8-11, 2024, https://scottdavenportphoto.com/big-sur-experience-2404Adventures In Antarctica, Nov 29-Dec10, 2024, https://scottdavenportphoto.com/adventures-in-antarctica-24112024 is going to be a great year for photography. And I hope you'll join me on an adventure next year.Can't wait until 2024? I have last-minute availability in my Oregon workshops in November 2023. There is one space open in each workshop:The Oregon Coastal Adventure, Nov 7-10, 2023, https://scottdavenportphoto.com/oregon-coastal-adventure-2311Bandon Beach & Beyond, Nov 13-16, 2023, https://scottdavenportphoto.com/bandon-oregon-2311There's still time to join us!And if you missed Episode 3 of this podcast, you can listen here: https://scottdavenportphoto.com/podcast/ignite-your-creativity-with-a-photo-workshop-f-3Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, Scott Davenport Photography may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.

In the previous episode of the podcast, I shared the photo gear I was packing for a non-photo trip, a family vacation. I have returned from that trip and am happy to say that my gear choices worked wonderfully. I successfully fit photography into this non-photo trip and have images I know I'll be happy with.Looking back on the trip, some things certainly worked better than others. Also, my success wasn't just about the gear I chose to bring. It was a balanced combination of the gear choices, travel choices, flexibility, and a touch of opportunism. In this episode, I explain how the gear worked, how certain travel choices provided more chances for camera work, and how staying nimble and flexible led to pleasantly unexpected photo opportunities. I hope you enjoy the show.I am also finalizing the 2024 photo workshop schedule. I'm narrowing in on 3 workshops for next year, one in February, a second in April, and a third in November/December of next year. It's a little early to announce, though I will say one of these workshops is going to be big - trip of a lifetime big. Get the the inside track on workshops and the first opportunity to register. Join my mailing list using the signup form on the my website's landing page.Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, Scott Davenport Photography may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.

Travel is a joy. Exploring a new place or revisiting an old one, as well as reconnecting with friends and family away from the routines of home. As photographers, our thoughts gravitate toward the photo opportunities our travels will present. But what to do when the purpose of a trip is not photography? You are not immersing yourself in photography like you would on a photo workshop. Instead, you are going on a business trip, or heading to a conference, or taking a family vacation. You want to incorporate photography into the trip… so how best to pack? What gear to bring?In this podcast, I share the photo gear I am packing for an upcoming family vacation. The nature of the trip changes the cameras and lenses I'm bringing, the bag I'm using to carry my gear, and of course the tripod choice. I hope you enjoy the show!Products and events mentioned in this episode:MindShift PhotoCross 13” Backpack, https://scottdavenportphoto.com/blog/thinktank-photocross-13-backpack-reviewMindShift FilterHive, https://scottdavenportphoto.com/blog/mindshift-filter-hive-review3 Ways I Use My PlatyPod, https://scottdavenportphoto.com/blog/vlog-3-ways-i-use-platypods-in-my-photographyReally Right Stuff TVC-24 MK2, https://scottdavenportphoto.com/gear-tripods-ballheadsBandon Beach & Beyond workshop, November 2023, https://scottdavenportphoto.com/bandon-oregon-2311Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, Scott Davenport Photography may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.

Whether you are a seasoned photographer or just starting out, there are common photo mistakes that we all make. And we make time and time again. In this podcast, a light-hearted rundown of several rookie mistakes I've made in very recent history that cost me good photos.Have a listen and hear if any of these fumbles and stumbles have happened to you.- Failure to get crisp focus- Forgot to adjust the polarizing filter- Didn't bring a spare battery- Left the remote trigger at homeAttention ON1 Photo RAW users! I am teaching 2 classes at the KelbyOne ON1 Photographers Conference, July 25th - 26th, 2023. Join me and a host of other great instructors for two days of ON1 classes, everything from landscape to travel, macro to wildlife, portrait to print preparation. Save 50% with early bird registration for US$149. All the details are here: https://kelbyonelive.com/on1-conference?af=scottdon1Join me this November for my Bandon Beach & Beyond landscape photography workshop. A small workshop, just 6 photographers, spending 4 days capturing the stunning Oregon Coast. You'll get plenty of 1-on-1 time with Scott both in the field and with post-processing. Improve your camera work, level up your processing skills, and capture great photos and great memories. The workshop is US$1595 and all the details are on the workshop page: https://scottdavenportphoto.com/bandon-oregon-2311I mentioned two photo backpacks in this episode. Check out my reviews of each:- MindShift Rotation 180, https://scottdavenportphoto.com/blog/review-thinktank-updates-the-mindshift-rotation-backpack-34l- ThinkTank PhotoCross 13, https://scottdavenportphoto.com/blog/thinktank-photocross-13-backpack-reviewRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, Scott Davenport Photography may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.

To say my visit to Cambria, California and the surrounding area did not go to plan would be putting it mildly. Mother Nature was in a sour mood and she quickly squashed my plans and pre-visualized photos. I share thoughts and takeaways from this less-than-successful photo excursion.In studio news, I have been busy with several ON1-themed projects of late. Some are complete and others are still to come.ON1 Photo RAW Essentials addendum for 2023.5 is posted. Book owners can get the addendum using the link in the first few pages of the book. https://scottdavenportphoto.com/products/on1-photo-raw-essentials-2023Story & Vision, ON1 Photo Kit, US$29.99 through June 29th, 2023. A video course about why we edit our photos and how to create stronger stories in your images. https://www.on1.com/landing/story-and-vision-photo-kit/ON1 Photographers Conference, a KelbyOne Live event, July 24th and 25th. Join me, Scott Kelby, and a host of other top-notch instructors for 2 days of ON1 editing courses. https://kelbyonelive.com/on1-conference?af=scottdon1Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, Scott Davenport Photography may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.

This podcast is all about staying active with your photography, pacing yourself, and a little bit about World War Z. How does a 10-year old zombie apocalypse movie intersect with photography? It's a phrase uttered in the beginning of the film … “Movemiento es vida”, movement is life. That phrase rings true for me in several ways, and certainly for photography. I hope you'll give a listen to a personal story of mine from the pandemic, the behavior changes the global lockdown triggered for me, and how I'm moving forward with my photography…. with a new appreciation for pacing.Join me this November 2023 for a photo workshop. There is space available in my Bandon Beach & Beyond landscape photography workshop. Spend 4 days with me and a small group of like-minded photographers, capturing the rugged beautify of the dramatic Oregon Coast.Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, Scott Davenport Photography may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.

I'm back! I know it has been a bunch of time since my last podcast. I am regretful for that, though there is no grand story to explain my absence. Life simply got busy, and the podcast was the first thing to fall “below the line” of what I could keep up with. To ease back into the podcast, how about a light-hearted chat about the tools we hold most dear - cameras and software. Our cameras and editing software truly are modern marvels. Cameras have loads of options and modes for just about any subject and shooting condition - fast moving subjects, long exposures, low light. Software is equally powerful to process those images. Magically reveal details we didn't think were there, AI features to find and fix subject and noise, and an infinite combination of digital filters for any look or mood you can imagine.With all of this power at our fingertips and the infinite configurability of our cameras and editing software… what could possibly go wrong?!? Well, you guessed it. Plenty. I've just returned from hosting a workshop in Big Sur and all of us had our share of missed button presses, wrong way sliders, and toggled switches that left us confused with our gear for a few minutes.I share 5 mini-stories about mistakes made with buttons, switches, and sliders that I suspect you'll relate to, if not have fumbled with yourself, on your journey of photography. Hear these tales about the obvious-in-retrospect mistakes photographers make:The Blurry ProblemThe Mysterious Over/Under ProblemThe Incredible Drifting CompositionThe Ghosts Of Retouches PastUnexplained Fading Of EffectsOk … well that last one … I guess it's not unexplained since I'll tell you what actually happened!!Mentioned in this episode:Bandon Beach & Beyond: Join me November 13th - 16th, 2023 in Bandon, Oregon for a 4-day immersive workshop. The Oregon Coast is a fantastic location to capture seascapes.The Lighten Blending mode: Try your hand at capturing traffic trails and use the Lighten blending mode to create the composite. This blending mode works wonder for traffic trails and cityscapes, too!Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, Scott Davenport Photography may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.

Happy 2023! I use a lot of photo software for my photography - Lightroom, Photoshop, ON1 Effects, ON1 Resize, Topaz Sharpen AI, Luminar Neo, Radiant Photo… I admit it, I like software tools. I don't use every tool every day, some are more specialized or niche than others. My core processing tools are Lightroom and ON1 Effects. These are my bread and butter. These days, subscriptions are common place. Like it or not - subscriptions are here to stay. Adobe was the first to make the pivot to the subscription model, leaving perpetual licenses in the rear view mirror. Other vendors have waded into the subscription waters, and I think it's a matter of time before perpetual licenses become the exception and not the rule. I have been a subscriber to Adobe's Photography Plan for several years now. I got curious if the Adobe subscription has been worth the money for me and my photography. I took a look at the features Adobe has delivered since November 2019 and asked a simple question about each feature - would I pay to upgrade for that feature? Listen to the episode for my thoughts and my more complete analysis is below. For me, the subscription pencils out and I'm getting value for my yearly outlay to Adobe.2023 Photo WorkshopsIt is the start of a new year and a great time to think about where you want to take your photography in 2023. I wholeheartedly endorse attending a photo workshop - not a photo tour, a photo workshop - to improve your photography and spark your creativity. This was one of the very first topics I talked about, way back in Episode #3 of the Stop Down Photography Podcast. If you are new to the podcast, you may have missed this episode. Have a listen.I am hosting workshops in 2023. All of the workshops for 2023 are listed on my workshops page. Some workshops are sold out. There is space open in my two Oregon workshops in November of 2023.The Oregon Coastal Adventure, Nov 7-10, 2023: Headquartered in the heart of old town Florence, Oregon on the Siuslaw River, this workshop concentrates on the central Oregon coastline. Locations include Heceta Head, Heceta Beach, Yachats, and the breathtaking Cape Perpetua. We'll also venture inland to Sweet Creek for an excellent forested hike along a picturesque creek.Bandon Beach & Beyond, Nov 13-16, 2023: Based in Bandon, Oregon with its amazing sea stacks, this workshop explores Bandon and the southern coastline of Oregon. Locations include Shore Acres in Coos Bay, Port Orford, Lone Ranch Beach, Sisters Rock, and the endless pockets of rugged coast between Bandon and Brookings at the southern border of Oregon.Whether you join me on a workshop or sign up with another photographer, make 2023 the year you immerse yourself in several days of photography. You'll be glad you did.My Lightroom Subscription AnalysisThe context for my examination of my Lightroom subscription has two primary constraints: I care about Lightroom Classic, the desktop-centric applicationI am the type of person that historically upgrades my software every yearSo, how did I judge the Adobe Lightroom releases? I reviewed the Adobe Lightroom release notes for the versions released from November 2019 through October 2022 and looked at each feature in each release. The question I ask about each feature is simple: If Lightroom were a traditional, perpetual license, would I pay to upgrade to have that feature?The summary of my analysis is yes, for me, the Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop subscription is worth the money. The features that Adobe has put into Lightroom have been compelling enough to Adobe released four major versions of Lightroom in the last three yearsVersions 9.x, 10.x, 11.x, and most recently 12.0I would have paid for three of themThe 9.x, 11.x, and 12.x releases have features that are compelling to me and I'd pay to get themAssuming a perpetual license for a Lightroom upgrade would be in the $100-$120 range:3 paid upgrades would be about $300-$360My subscription plan costs $120/year, or $360If it were Lightroom alone, the subscription (probably) costs a bit more than yearly paid upgrades. However, the subscription also provides a license for Photoshop which I also use, has also gotten feature updates, and back in the day costs hundreds of dollars for a single license.Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, Scott Davenport Photography may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.

I have a set of 3 questions to help me get unstuck when I'm in the field:What do I want to say?How do I effectively say it?Why is one writing technique preferred over another to deliver my message?I learned this approach to storytelling from writing. A writer asks these key questions as they work on their piece, whether it's creative writing, a screenplay, or even educational or technical writing. The story arc needs to be there to effective get your message across to the reader.It's similar for photographers - we are visual storytellers. When I'm stuck in the field, I use these questions to get unstuck. In this episode of The Stop Down Photography Podcast, I talk about these questions and examples of how you can use them when you are stuck in the field, trying to find the best story the landscape has to share.Studio NewsIn studio news, I have finished writing and editing the next edition of ON1 Photo RAW Essentials. It is off to the indexer (yes, the print edition gets an index!) and the eBook is on track to release in mid-December. The print book will follow a few weeks after the eBook. Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, Scott Davenport Photography may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.

I carve out at least one day a week to step out into the landscape with my camera. However, of late, I've been skipping those outings. I've made excuses of one kind or another, or talked myself out of taking in a landscape shoot. I have done camera work for some family events, but not landscape photography. A couple of days ago, the conditions in San Diego were perfect for sunset. I asked myself “Do I need another sunset photo?” That question gives me pause. And that is the topic for this episode of The Stop Down Photography Podcast. I also try to answer that question.In studio news, I have been doing the deeper planning for my Death Valley workshop happening January 24th - 27th, 2023. The detailed itinerary is shaping up wonderfully. One space has opened for the Death Valley workshop. If you are interested in joining me and a small group in Death Valley in January, visit the workshop link and grab that open space.I am also hard at work on the 2023 edition to ON1 Photo RAW Essentials. The new release of Photo RAW 2023 added a slew of new features that demand a book update. I'm well into the new edition and am on track to publish it by the end of December 2022. You can hear a little more about the book project in an Ask Me Anything (AMA) YouTube video I posted a few weeks back.Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, Scott Davenport Photography may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.

Photographers, myself included, hold our cameras in high regard. It is the beloved tool we use to create our photos, to express ourselves. We put a lot of time and energy into choosing our cameras to select the one that best fits our photography and personal style. Yet to our viewers, the camera doesn't matter - at all. That is the topic for this episode. Listen and hear how a recent meeting with an old friend that underscored that sobering truth for me.In the studio, I am busy working on an update to my book, ON1 Photo RAW Essentials. Subscribe to my newsletter at https://scottdavenportphoto.com to be alerted when it's finished.Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, Scott Davenport Photography may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.

The summer heat has kept me indoors a lot these past few months. As we enter September and the temperatures drop ever-so-slightly in the Northern hemisphere, I am stepping back out in to the landscape. I have noticed I am rusty and my muscle memory is in need of some retraining. I especially noticed my after-shoot workflow was a little clunky with my hiatus from the camera. So … here are 4 tips for your after-shoot workflow:Charge your batteries while importing photosImport still photos first, video secondCull the obviously bad photos at the start of importWork only on your selectsListed to the episode for more details.In studio news, I have finished the podcast migration! The Stop Down Photography Podcast is at its new home, scottdavenportphoto.com/podcast, and the move went smoothly! If you're hearing this podcast, then you are all set.September is also a time in the photo industry cycle that new software releases come out. I have been watching a few different software packages tease and in some cases deliver new features and functions.ON1 announced Photo RAW 2023. You can see my first look at it on YouTube on my website at https://scottdavenportphoto.com/blog/4-amazing-features-in-on1-photo-raw-2023. If you are purchasing ON1, please support this podcast and use my affiliate link, http://bit.ly/sdp-ON1 and use offer code SDP20 for a 20% discount.Skylum has released some extensions to Luminar Neo, including an HDR extensions and a noise reduction extension. Extensions are a purchased add-on to Luminar Neo, so you can pick and choose the extra features you want. If you are buying Skylum software, you can support this podcast by using link https://bit.ly/sdp-luminar-neo and use offer code SDP10 to save US$10. Radiant Photo is the new kid on the block. This is an AI-powered editor and takes a different approach to editing. I'm still exploring this software. You can see my review on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TEMZI8hWIQ. If you are adding Radiant Photo to your toolkit, please support this podcast and use my affiliate link, https://radiantimaging.pxf.io/6bN4Rr. Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, Scott Davenport Photography may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.

I love digital photography and am not going back to film. However, there is one thing I miss my days shooting film. And it has nothing to do with actual film.

A few weeks ago I had an interesting experience that I knew I wanted to discuss on the podcast. I was working with a student who is starting a blogging business, and she wanted to improve here photography skills. She writes articles about health, well-being, and mindfulness and includes nature and landscape photos to visually enhance her content.We met in San Diego and talked some about her photography and the types of images she needs for her business. When we got out into the field, I noticed something interesting. My approach to the location changed. The photo opportunities I saw were different. Why? The images to be captured had a specific purpose to fulfill. It was like being on a photo assignment… and that's a creative exercise anyone can do.In studio news, a couple of things. First, I have the roster for 2023 photo workshops set and they are opening for registration. I have four physical, in-person photo workshops planned for next year:Death Valley, January 2023Big Sur, April 2023The Oregon Coast (2 workshops), November 2023The details are on my workshops page on scottdavenportphoto.com.Second, the podcast is moving. As I'm sure you know, costs are rising everywhere, and I've needed to look for ways to trim the expenses for my business. So I am consolidating The Stop Down Photography Podcast website into my main website, scottdavenportphoto.com. Rest assured all of the past content will move over and be maintained and the entire backlog of podcasts will continue to be available. I am in the midst of the migration and expect to complete it by the end of August 2022. I will announce on the podcast when that switchover takes place. Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, The Stop Down Photography Podcast may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.Support the show

Think like a photographer on assignment and discover new and different photo opportunities.

When it comes down to it, you are the only person that will move your photography forward. Pink Floyd taught me that.

Episode 100! This is certainly a milestone for this podcast. Like our photo journey, the road to this milestone has been one step at a time, the result of continued, sustained effort. Looking back at the past 99 episodes of The Stop Down Photography Podcast, the most popular ones are the “Taught Me” episodes. In my daily life, I very often connect the philosophies of other people and ideas - photographers, artists, or otherwise - to my photography. I thought for Episode 100 it would be a good to do another of those. And it so happened I had another of my mini-epiphanies connecting music to photography.Join me for a story of an odd pairing … the pyschedelic melodies of Pink Floyd as a source of motivation. Have a listen - I think you'll get motivated to take another step forward on your journey as a visual artist.Subscribe to my mailing list and be among the first to hear about my 2023 photography workshops.Past episodes referred to in this podcast:What Marcus Aurelius Taught Me About Photography f/46What Bruce Lee Taught Me About Photography f/13What George Harrison Thought Me About Photography f/4Ignite Your Creativity With A Photo Workshop f/3Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, The Stop Down Photography Podcast may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.Support the show

A photo journey is rarely a straight line. There are switchbacks, twists, and turns along the way. Visual artists change direction, pivot, encounter roadblocks. For me, that carries over into my project work. I don't work linearly through a project, and many personal photo projects stall.Pressing pause on a personal photo project is totally fine - as long as you do revisit it from time to time. I conceived of a small personal photo project, The Off Season, about 7 months ago and finally returned to the project to complete it. In this episode of The Stop Down Photography Podcast, I share why I think it's important to dust off older projects and make progress on them, maybe finish them up. In addition to the satisfaction of completing a body of work, it is a jolt of invigoration into your photography.Also, an update on the last podcast episode, 3 Tips For Milky Way Photography f/98, to cover the topic of Long Exposure Noise Reduction (LENR). Thanks to listener Tony for asking the question - does LENR have a place in astrophotography to help combat noise from the higher ISOs we have to use?If you have a question about the podcast or other photo question, use the contact form to send it in. Messages come straight to me, Scott Davenport.Other resources mentioned in this show:Put It On The Shelf f/14, The Stop Down Photography PodcastPersonal Photo Projects For 2021 f/52, The Stop Down Photography PodcastRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, The Stop Down Photography Podcast may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.Support the show

Personal photo projects are important for growth as visual artists. If you have one that's stalled, think about dusting it off.

Use these 3 tips to make your best astrophotography photos.

In early April, I headed into the Southern California desert for some astrophotography. Clear skies and a new moon were perfect conditions to capture the Milky Way. And I learned a few things during this star gazing adventure. I have 3 tips to share with you for better photos of the core of the Milky Way. I hope you enjoy the episode.Tip 1 - Planning Is Important (If Not Vital)Astrophotography needs certain conditions to be met or your photos will fall flat. You need to know where and when to go for the best Milky Way photos. The location you choose needs to have low light pollution. Without a dark sky, the stars and Milky Way won't be visible. Use tools like the interactive map at lightpollutionmap.info to find a dark sky.Next, you need to know when to go. The folks at capturetheatlas.com publish a yearly calendar that lists the best dates of the year to see the Milky Way - and when the galactic core will be visible. Finally, you need a clear sky. Fog, rain, or clouds will obscure the night sky. Use your favorite weather forecast app (or multiple apps) to check the forecast. My go-to app is Yr.no which has great micro forecasts.Tip 2 - Choose The Right Lens And Camera SettingsThe galactic core of the Milky Way will stretch across a wider part of the sky, so you want a wide angle lens to capture its breadth. You also want fast glass that can gather a lot of light, an increased ISO, and limits on exposure time to avoid blur.Use a wide angle lens, 24mm or widerUse a wide aperture like f/2.8Increase ISO to 3200Use the NPF exposure calculation in Photo Pills Tip 3 - Manual Focus For Tack Sharp StarsFor tack sharp stars, use manual focus.Turn off auto-focus and focus peakingTurn on any manual focus assist featuresFrame a bright star in the viewfinderRotate the focus ring until that star is its smallestResources mentioned:lightpollutionmap.info: Use it to help you find a dark sky for astrophotography.capturetheatlas.com: Calendars with the best times to see the Milky Way. Yr.no: A weather app with great microclimate forecasts.Photo Pills: Exposure calculators for pinpoint starsRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, The Stop Down Photography Podcast may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.Support the show (https://www.stopdownpodcast.com/support)

Landscape photographers often seek out the untouched landscape, visions of nature that have no human presence - the pristine landscape. When I first started with landscape photography, those are the types of images I sought out. And I like those images, and I still capture those images. Yet, does including a human element in your photo make it bad? Spoiler alert, no. In this episode of The Stop Down Photography Podcast, I share thoughts about human elements in your landscape photography, and how well-placed people or structures can tell a stronger story and make your photos better.Another topic discussed is how I'm using  Topaz Sharpen AI to recover field mistakes I made with past photos. Images I thought were lost to camera shake or missed focus are once again usable when using tools like Sharpen AI. The technology is truly amazing. Add Topaz Sharpen AI to your toolkit and recover photos you thought were lost to camera shake or missed focus. Use my offer code SDP15 and Save 15% on your purchase.Resources and articles mentioned in this episode:The Hidden Gems In Your Photo Library f/35, The Stop Down Photography PodcastShould You Use a Human Element in a Landscape Photo or Not?, FStoppersRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, The Stop Down Photography Podcast may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.Support the show (https://www.stopdownpodcast.com/support)

Landscape photographers often want to capture nature unspoiled, the pristine landscape. But does including a human element improve your landscape photos?

Highs and lows are part of any artistic pursuit and photographers are certainly not immune. I am no stranger to emotional peaks and valleys, and I'm sure you can relate as well. In this episode of the podcast, I share a story across the span of one day during which I hit both highs and the lows in my photography… in very rapid succession.I think you'll find it a relatable story. Also, how pre-visualization of an image is good yet spontaneity and the element of surprise also yields good work. I hope you enjoy the show. Keep an eye on my YouTube channel for on-location and behind the scenes footage of the photo outing described in this podcast.There is one space open for my one and only landscape photography workshop for 2022. The Big Sur Experience is a 4-day photo workshop in the Big Sur area on the California coast. The cost is $1695 for this 4-day workshop. Click the link to read all the details on the workshop page.Resources mentioned in this episode:The Big Sur Experience photography workshop, May 9-12, 2022Scott's YouTube channelRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, The Stop Down Photography Podcast may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.Support the show (https://www.stopdownpodcast.com/support)

Highs and lows are part of the pursuit of photography. Sometimes they happen in rapid succession.

Landscape photography requires patience. Yet there are things you can do in the field to streamline your workflow and be more productive. I used these techniques last week on a visit to La Jolla, California. On this day, I knew I would not have a lot of time to linger at the beach and these 4 things made me more productive in the field.Look Around. It seems obvious, but how often we leap directly into snapping away with our cameras. Look around first. Explore the location. Think about potential compositions, but resist the urge to capture the images.Take Handheld Test Shots. Now get the camera out and take some sample compositions. Work handheld and be more nimble. Don't sweat the technical details just yet. You're making sketches of potential compositions. Review your test shots and identify your strongest composition.Make Small Adjustments - Still Handheld. Work your strongest composition and make refinements. Try angle variations, focal length changes, take steps left and right. These changes change the dynamic of elements in the scene. . Plant The Tripod And Break Out The Filters. With your prime composition well-dialed in, set up the tripod and get out the filters. Then - patience. Let nature unfold before you and capture its decisive moment.If you are signed up for The Big Sur Experience photo workshop, check your email! I sent out the workshop handbook. The handbook has loads of details about our upcoming adventure in California, from recommended gear and clothing to locations we will visit.There is one space open for my one and only landscape photography workshop for 2022. The Big Sur Experience is a 4-day photo workshop in the Big Sur area on the California coast. The cost is $1695 for this 4-day workshop. Click the link to read all the details on the workshop page.Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, The Stop Down Photography Podcast may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.Support the show (https://www.stopdownpodcast.com/support)

Landscape photography requires patience. Yet there are things you can do in the field to streamline your workflow and be more productive.

Waiting is both fact and reality for certain genres of photography. Landscape photographers wait for the light. Wildlife photographers wait for their oft-shy subjects to pose. Street photographers may wait for the right person to walk through their frame. However, not all waiting is created equal. I certainly find that to be true. While I am willing to wait, sometimes hours, for one type of photo, I can rapidly grow impatient for a different type of photo. That's interesting – and an insight into what makes you tick as a photographer. When you know what subjects and scenes you are willing to wait for, you know the type of photography you're passionate about.The Big Sur Experience Landscape Photography WorkshopJoin me on my one and only photo workshop for 2022 in the stunningly beautiful Big Sur area. The workshop runs 4 days from May 9th through May 12th. The cost is $1695 and is limited to 6 participants. Full details are on the workshop webpage: https://scottdavenportphoto.com/big-sur-experience-2205Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation. Thanks very much to those that have donated financially to support the podcast. Your contributions help keep the show ad free. Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, The Stop Down Photography Podcast may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.Support the show (https://www.stopdownpodcast.com/support)

The subjects you are willing to wait for is your insight into the type of photography you are passionate about.

The end of a year is a natural point to review your year of photography and look forward to what lies ahead in 2022.

The end of the year is a natural point to take a moment and reflect on your photography for the past year. If you set photo goals for 2021, measure how you did, and look to what lies ahead in 2022. In this episode, I share how I did against my photo goals for the year and talk about the challenges 2022 is going to present for visual artists.On a personal note, first and foremost, thank you for listening to The Stop Down Photography Podcast. Heading into 2022, some personal events unfolding will impact the amount of time I can dedicate to photography and content creation. I expect the cadence of podcast episodes to be slower, but I do fully intend to keep making podcast episodes. Listen to this one for more details.Ready to review your body of work in 2021 and set photo goals for 2022? Listen to Episode #51 Reflect On Your Photography for some ideas on how to do that, and how to leverage your photo library.Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, The Stop Down Photography Podcast may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.Support the show (https://www.stopdownpodcast.com/support)

Watching The Beatles and how their creative process unfolds can teach all artists a thing or two.

If you have listened to my podcast for a while, you know I am a fan of The Beatles. I've been enjoying the three-part documentary The Beatles: Get Back and as I've watched I see many lessons in there for photographers. I have 5  observations from Get Back that relate to photographers:A change of scenery is goodOutside influences are goodVersatility feeds creativityThe start and the finish are very differentCreators can't help but createListen to the podcast for more thoughts on these themes and how they can help keep your art and photography moving forward.Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. Sharing this podcast with your photo friends and camera clubs is one of the many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, The Stop Down Photography Podcast may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.Support the show (https://www.stopdownpodcast.com/support)

I have a confession - I really enjoy assassin movies. You know those movies where the protagonist is a highly-skilled, ultra-focused, near infallible villain. Maybe it's a guilty pleasure - or an excuse to eat popcorn.On my return flights from the Oregon Coast, I rewatched some of the John Wick films. I also saw one of my favorites, The Hitman, again recently. That got me wondering… why do I like these movies so much?Well… as you might guess, the answer has an intersection with my photography. Four connections, actually.Disciple and rigorKnowing your gearImprovising in the fieldRevealing the unseen worldIntrigued? Have a listen to this episode of The Stop Down Photography Podcast and see how much these connections ring true for you.And if you are in the mood for an assassin movie now, here are a few of my favorite super-assassin films:The Jason Bourne movies (Amazon)The John Wick movies (Amazon)The Hitman (Amazon)Pitch Black / The Chronicles Of Riddick / Riddick (Amazon)Got a movie suggestion? Leave a comment or use the contact form to tell me.Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. There are many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.A special thank you to members of our Patreon community. Your pledges make this podcast possible. If you are interested in learning more about the Patreon community, visit https://patreon.com/scottdavenportphoto. Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, The Stop Down Photography Podcast may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.Support the show (https://www.stopdownpodcast.com/support)

I see these odd connections between super-assassin movies and photography. Stay with me … I'll explain.

A few weeks ago, I talked about how I was preparing for my trip to the Oregon Coast. My planning included brainstorming a few themes to explore with my camera while in Oregon. I also promised to talk about how the pre-visualization played out once in the field. It was a mixed bag. As it turns out, plans may be worthless, but planning itself is important. Join me for a chat about the photo themes I explored in Oregon and how I hit, or in some cases missed, the mark.I also have some things to share from the workshops I hosted while in Oregon. The photographers that joined me created some very impressive images. During the photo presentation part of the workshop, I noticed some themes in the work. One of the themes really surprised me. Listen to learn more.If you are interested in joining me on a photo workshop in 2022, join me on Patreon. The Patreon community is the first to know about upcoming workshops, before they are announced publicly. You can also join my mailing list using the Sign Up For My Newsletter button at the bottom of every page of scottdavenportphoto.com. You might also enjoy these episodes:Don't Let Bad Weather Discourage You f/89Preparing For The Oregon Coast f/86Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. There are many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.A special thank you to members of our Patreon community. Your pledges make this podcast possible. If you are interested in learning more about the Patreon community, visit https://patreon.com/scottdavenportphoto. Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, The Stop Down Photography Podcast may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.Support the show (https://www.stopdownpodcast.com/support)

I value planning and pre-visualization, but plans themselves may not survive once in the field.

When we are at home and the weather conditions are poor, we tend to talk ourselves out of stepping outside with the camera. When you are on a photo workshop, you are more inclined to go out with the camera despite the weather. My first Oregon workshop of November 2021 had a mix of weather… and some days nature served up gray, featureless skies coupled with rain. In this podcast, I share two stores about the weather and how they impacted my workshop group. Also, how these amazing photographers found interesting, compelling photographs in spite of the weather. Bad weather doesn't mean bad photographs.You might also enjoy Episode 15, Sketching Over Planning.Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. There are many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.A special thank you to members of our Patreon community. Your pledges make this podcast possible. If you are interested in learning more about the Patreon community, visit https://patreon.com/scottdavenportphoto. Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, The Stop Down Photography Podcast may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.Support the show (https://www.stopdownpodcast.com/support)

Resist the urge to postpose or cancel an outing because of inclement weather. Bad weather can make for good photos.

In the broad spectrum of photo styles, where does your landscape photography work sit? Understanding this is a path to artistic growth.

When I talk about photography, I tend to express ideas in terms of painting. Photography shares some characteristics with painting. Both art forms can be depictive of a tangible subject or abstract, disconnected from a physical form. Both can be personally expressive or represent the world as it is. Over the course of art history, the styles of painters evolved through the eras of romanticism, realism, and impressionism. Loosely categorized, I see landscape photography along a similar spectrum. In this podcast, I pose a question: Are you a realist, an impressionist, or a romantic?Understanding where your work lies is interesting, perhaps revealing. It can shed light on a path forward to defining and refining your personal photographic style. It can also help you understand why you prefer certain styles of work or shy away from certain digital manipulations in your imagery. Resources mentioned in this episode:Do these photos look real to you? Your answer could be cause for concern. And that's terrifying. Washington PostTruth And Photography f/11, The Stop Down Photograph PodcastRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate at review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. There are many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.A special thank you to members of our Patreon community. Your pledges make this podcast possible. If you are interested in learning more about the Patreon community, visit https://patreon.com/scottdavenportphoto. Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, The Stop Down Photography Podcast may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.Support the show (https://www.stopdownpodcast.com/support)

What do you consider success as a practicing photographer? If it's your keeper rate, maybe you want to rethink that.

As a person that pursues photography as an expressive art form, how do you measure your success as a photographer? Early in our photo journey, when our skills are improving by leaps and bounds, our images get better and better. Improvement is quite obvious, even within the span of a few days or weeks. We make stronger images and more of them. And we tend to measure success by the number of good images captured during each session with the camera. But … should we continue to measure success by the number of ‘keepers' for the long term? As our camera skills improve, and our photographic eye refines, we tend to take fewer photos. Captures are more considered. And fewer photos means fewer keepers. Our perception of a strong photo also becomes more critical. The keeper rate falls. Perhaps as you evolve as a photographer, so must how you view and gage success with your photographs. Instead of measuring the outcomes, think about measuring the effort, the act of mastering the craft. In this episode, I share thoughts about this topic and why I think the practicing photographer should rethink how you measure success with your photography.You might also enjoy these episodes:What Vincent Van Gogh Taught Me About Photography f/37Just Get Out There! f/85Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate at review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. There are many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.A special thank you to members of our Patreon community. Your pledges make this podcast possible. If you are interested in learning more about the Patreon community, visit https://patreon.com/scottdavenportphoto. Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, The Stop Down Photography Podcast may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.Support the show (https://www.stopdownpodcast.com/support)

Preparing for a photo trip? Set an artistic goal or two before you step into the landscape.

Preparing for a photo trip has its own level of enjoyment. Picking out the gear, thinking about locations, and the growing anticipation of photographing a new place, or even a familiar favorite, I like the build-up to the actual trip. It's fun.In a few short weeks, I will be on the Oregon Coast for some photography. In addition to the gear choices and virtual location scouting, I am doing something a little different. I am thinking about what ideas and feelings I can explore through photography on this trip.  I talked about this concept in Episode 84.Feelings the Pacific Northwest elicits for me include the power of the ocean and where things meet. I am visiting in November, and want to explore the concept of the off-season. In this podcast, I share thoughts about these theme-based concepts and how they might affect the locations I choose to visit. I also discuss the gear I will bring on the trip - I'm always asked!.I hope you enjoy it and that it sparks some ideas for you when you prepare for your next photo trip.Gear mentioned in this episode:Camera bodies: Sony A7Rii, Sony A6400Lenses: Sony 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS, Sony 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS, Sony 20mm F/1.8 G, Sony 70-200mm F4 OSSB-Roll cameras: Sony RX0, DJI Osmo PocketFilters: Haida M10 filter systemAll of Scott's gear is here: https://scottdavenportphoto.com/gear.Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate at review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. There are many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.A special thank you to members of our Patreon community. Your pledges make this podcast possible. If you are interested in learning more about the Patreon community, visit https://patreon.com/scottdavenportphoto. Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, The Stop Down Photography Podcast may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.Support the show (https://www.stopdownpodcast.com/support)

The simple act of stepping outdoors with your camera in hand is transformative. It will energize you.

In early October 2021, I hosted a group of photographers from a San Diego camera club for a sunset shoot at the beach. It was the first group outing I've hosted since 2019! And I gotta tell you … it was energizing! In this episode I share thoughts, observations, and feeling about this event and why the simple act of just getting out there with your camera is important.I also talk about how this workshop has been the first I've done as a mix of virtual and physical meetings. The virtual aspect of the workshop is intriguing … which prompts a question that I could use your help with. If I were to host a virtual photo class, what topic do you want to learn about? Use the contact form on StopDownPodcast.com to share you thoughts with me. Rate & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate at review it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Podchaser.com. Fresh, current ratings help other photographers find out about the show.Supporters Of The Show - Thank You!Thanks to everyone that supports this show, through comments, reviews, and shares. There are many zero-cost ways you can support the show. If you wish to support the show financially, you can also make a one-time donation.A special thank you to members of our Patreon community. Your pledges make this podcast possible. If you are interested in learning more about the Patreon community, visit https://patreon.com/scottdavenportphoto. Affiliate LinksProduct links in this post may contain affiliate tags. Depending on the purchase, The Stop Down Podcast may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you. The use of affiliate links never influences the content or opinions of the episodes.Support the show (https://www.stopdownpodcast.com/support)

Photographs that capture and convey ideas are the ones that have staying power.