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Nature Photography Articles & Podcast Episodes
Explore practical, honest articles about nature photography, landscape photography, creativity, field craft, editing, gear, workshops, and the realities of building a photographic life.
Each article is built from an episode of Shutter Nonsense, our laid-back yet insightful nature photography podcast hosted by yours truly: Michael Rung and Jeffrey Tadlock. Read the main takeaways, then listen to or watch the full episode for the stories, examples, and side trails behind the topic.
How to Evaluate Your Own Photography: Culling, Editing, Critique, and Growth
We cover how to evaluate your own photography, from culling and editing to critique, printing, portfolio updates, and measuring creative growth over time.
Michael Rung
Jun 308 min read
Episode 29 - Joshua Tree National Park Photography with Jon Norris
Jon Norris joins Shutter Nonsense to talk about Joshua Tree National Park photography, the challenges of teaching workshops in protected landscapes, and why he left Instagram to focus on a more intentional creative life.
Michael Rung
Jun 167 min read
One Year of Shutter Nonsense: Lessons, Listener Questions, and Nature Photography Reflections
In this one-year anniversary bonus episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey answer listener questions, revisit how the podcast began, and reflect on what they have learned about nature photography, workshops, creativity, and building a show together.
Michael Rung
Jun 56 min read
Photography Trends vs. Personal Vision: Staying True to Your Work
Brenda Tharp joins us to talk about photography trends, iconic locations, social media pressure, personal vision, print sales, workshops, and how to keep making work that feels true without pretending business pressure doesn't exist.
Michael Rung
Jun 28 min read
Episode 27 - Working the Scene vs Moving On in Nature Photography
In episode 27 of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey discuss what it really means to work a scene in nature photography, how to know when to stay or move on, and why patience, observation, and intentional shooting often lead to stronger images.
Michael Rung
May 198 min read
Episode 26 - Using Constraints to Improve Your Photography
Michael and Jeffrey discuss how creative constraints can improve nature photography by sharpening vision, reducing decision fatigue, and pushing photographers out of familiar habits.
Michael Rung
May 56 min read
John Barclay and Cole Thompson: Black and White vs Color Photography
Michael and Jeffrey sit down with Cole Thompson and John Barclay for a thoughtful, funny, and surprisingly deep conversation about black and white versus color photography. What starts as a discussion about when to choose monochrome over color quickly opens into a much bigger exploration of vision and creative intent.
Michael Rung
Apr 217 min read
Episode 24 - Does Hit Rate Matter in Nature Photography?
In episode 24, Michael and Jeffrey take a closer look at the idea of hit rate in nature photography and whether it is actually a meaningful measure of success.
Michael Rung
Apr 77 min read
Episode 23 - Minimalism and Maximalism in Nature Photography
Michael and Jeffrey explore minimalism vs. maximalism in nature photography, with tips on composition, editing, and finding your visual style.
Shutter Nonsense
Mar 247 min read
Episode 22 - Planning and Scouting for Photography Trips
Michael and Jeffrey break down a practical, no-nonsense approach to planning and scouting photography trips without killing the spontaneity that leads to the best images.
Shutter Nonsense
Mar 108 min read
How Your Perception of a Photograph Changes Over Time
Ben Horne joins Shutter Nonsense to talk about how photographers judge their images after a trip, why perception changes over time, and how memory, editing, film, digital workflow, and emotional connection all shape the finished photograph.
Shutter Nonsense
Feb 247 min read
Episode 20 - Photography as a Hobby or a Business?
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.
Shutter Nonsense
Feb 105 min read
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