Shutter Nonsense: A Nature Photography Podcast

What happens to the photographs that do not make your first edit? In Episode 32 of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey take on the archive dilemma. Defining what a photo archive actually is, deciding what is worth keeping, and explaining why older files are often more valuable than they first appear.
They talk through the practical and creative sides of holding on to your work. That includes revisiting older images with a more experienced eye, using newer editing tools to rescue files that once felt unusable, and accepting that a technically imperfect image can still be a successful photograph. They also compare their very different approaches to Lightroom ratings, folders, collections, storage, and backups.
Have a different archive workflow? Join the conversation with us over on Patreon. Free members can participate in the post-episode discussion, while paid supporters help keep Shutter Nonsense going and get early access, bonus episodes, and more.
👉 https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense
Highlights
What separates a true archive from photos that are still waiting to be edited
Why photographers should not automatically treat older work as junk
How a fresh perspective, changing style, and better software can reveal overlooked images
When it makes sense to delete a photo and when it is better to keep it
Michael and Jeffrey’s very different systems for star ratings, labels, filters, and culling
Why an image does not have to be technically perfect to be worth sharing or printing
The argument for keeping RAW files, even after an edit is complete
Folder structures, Lightroom collections, and backup strategies for a growing archive
Related Links
PhotoPack Pro FAQ: https://www.photopackpro.com/faq
Landscape Photographers Worldwide: https://discord.gg/xnJs9vXjJ
Murray Livingston: https://www.murraylivingston.com/
Michael’s free ebooks: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/free-ebooks
Michael’s Hidden Gold blog post: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/post/finding-gold
Michael’s Lightroom organization guide: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/post/pro-tips-for-using-ratings-color-labels
Michael’s Survey View tutorial: https://youtu.be/VUJOCmXdwZc
“Into the Shadow Realm”: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/product-page/into-the-shadow-realm
Suzanne Mathia’s Lightroom organization: https://suzannemathiablog.com/exploring-efficient-folder-organization-in-lightroom-classic/
Chrissy Donadi’s Lightroom organization course: https://chrissydonadi.com/lets-get-organized-course
Michael’s article on backup solutions: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/post/photography-backup-workflow 
Backblaze backup service: https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-backup/personal
Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.comLearn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com

Carbon transfer printing is one of those processes that somehow feels more complicated the longer you talk about it, and that is exactly why we wanted to have Michael Strickland on the show.
Michael is a photographer and printmaker based in Kansas who specializes in carbon transfer printing, platinum-palladium printing, and drum scanning. He joins Michael and Jeffrey to break down what carbon printing actually is, how pigment, gelatin, UV light, and multiple transfers come together, and why the finished prints have a depth that is difficult to describe until you see one in person.
But this is not just a technical conversation. Michael also talks about the challenge of building a business around a demanding handmade process, balancing the studio with family life, stepping back from his own landscape photography for a while, and finding creative satisfaction in helping other artists bring their work to life.
From printing with soil collected from meaningful places to experimenting with gold leaf, glow-in-the-dark pigments, glass, and dimensional textures, this one goes well beyond what most of us think of when we hear the word “print.”
Join the conversation over on Patreon. Free members and paid supporters can jump into the post-episode discussion, and we’d love to hear your thoughts on culling, editing, critique, printing, creative growth, or anything else this episode brings up.
👉 https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense
Highlights:
Michael Strickland shares his path from music and engineering into film photography, drum scanning, and alternative-process printing.
A plain-English explanation of carbon transfer printing and why it is a pigment-based transfer process.
How color carbon prints are built through multiple layers, careful color separation, and extremely precise registration.
Why one print can take days to prepare and complete, even before accounting for the trial and error involved.
The role that materials, humidity, temperature, and consistency play in a successful print.
Michael talks about taking a step back from personal landscape work and giving himself room to reconnect creatively.
Why digital files, film originals, water, rich tones, and physical depth can all work beautifully in carbon.
The wild creative possibilities of the process, including earth pigments, soil, gold leaf, glow-in-the-dark layers, glass, and custom materials.
Related Links:
Michael Strickland’s website: https://www.michaelstricklandimages.com/
Michael’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mstricklandimages/?hl=en
Overview of Carbon Transfer Printing: https://www.michaelstricklandimages.com/the-carbon-transfer-service
Ansel Adams book “The Print”: https://amzn.to/4weyEso (affiliate link)
Edward Weston: https://www.westongallery.com/original-works-by/edward-weston 
Edward Burtynksy: https://www.edwardburtynsky.com/ 
Cody Cobb: https://www.codycobb.com/ 
Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.comLearn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey talk about the messy, subjective, and sometimes frustrating process of evaluating your own photography.
They dig into what happens after a trip, from the first Lightroom pass to choosing which images deserve more attention, which ones fall short, and which ones might have potential even if they do not immediately jump off the screen. The conversation gets into culling, sharpness, composition, edge patrol, raw files that look flat, and the role gut feeling plays when deciding whether an image is worth editing.
They also talk about feedback, including when it helps, when it becomes overwhelming, and how to decide whose critique is actually worth listening to. From one-on-one input to camera clubs, Discord groups, and online critique communities, Michael and Jeffrey discuss the balance between staying open to outside perspectives and trusting your own creative instincts.
The episode also covers knowing when an edit is done, the danger of chasing perfection, why printing can reveal flaws that are easy to miss on a monitor, and how looking back at your larger body of work can help you see growth, stagnation, and changes in your photographic style over time.
Join the conversation over on Patreon. Free members and paid supporters can jump into the post-episode discussion, and we’d love to hear your thoughts on culling, editing, critique, printing, creative growth, or anything else this episode brings up.
👉 https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense
Highlights:
How Michael and Jeffrey approach their first pass through new images
Why Jeffrey often waits weeks before seriously reviewing his photos
The role of sharpness, composition, light, and edge patrol when culling images
Why raw files can feel discouraging before an edit brings out their potential
How gut feeling and experience shape image selection
When outside feedback helps, and when it can become noise
The value of choosing critique from photographers whose work you respect
Why good feedback does not always mean you have to follow it
Knowing when an edit is done and when good enough really is good enough
How printing can reveal flaws, tonal issues, and composition problems
Looking at your body of work as a way to measure growth and creative evolution
Related Links:
Michael’s PhotoPack Pro app: https://www.photopackpro.com
Photographer’s Guide to Yellowstone and the Tetons: https://amzn.to/3Sw1KVB (Amazon affiliate link)
50 Jackson Hole Photography Hotspots: https://amzn.to/4ezfxC8 (Amazon affiliate link)
Michael’s free Smoky Mountains ebook: https://tinyurl.com/23fkb2cn 
Michael’s other free ebooks: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/free-ebooks 
Ben Horne: https://www.benhorne.com 
Jeffrey’s presentation offerings: https://jeffreytadlock.com/talks
Michael’s rating and culling process: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/post/pro-tips-for-using-ratings-color-labels
Rethink Landscape Toolkit: https://www.exploringexposure.com/products/rethink-landscape
Alex Noriega: https://www.alexnoriega.com/
Eric Bennett: https://www.bennettfilm.com/
LPW Discord: https://discord.gg/xqwVXAJw 
Nature Photographers Network: https://www.naturephotographers.network/
Gary Randall: https://www.gary-randall.com/
Sarah Marino: https://www.smallscenes.com/
New Mexico Fine Art: https://nmfa.io/

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey are joined by landscape photographer Jon Norris to talk about Joshua Tree National Park, a place that has become one of Jon’s favorite subjects and creative escapes.
Jon shares what keeps pulling him back to Joshua Tree after hundreds of visits, from the strange character of the trees to the glowing rock formations, hidden corners, old mine workings, and the need to explore beyond the obvious roadside views. The conversation also gets into how learning more about a place, its geology, history, plants, wildlife, and people, can shape the way we photograph it.
They also talk about the challenges of leading photography workshops in national parks, including recent CUA restrictions in Joshua Tree that led Jon to step back from offering workshops there. From there, the conversation turns toward stewardship, responsible park use, volunteering, and the role photographers can play in helping people better understand and care for public lands.
And because this is Shutter Nonsense, the episode eventually wanders into social media, Substack, websites, and the ongoing question of where photographers should be sharing their work.
Join the conversation over on Patreon. Free members and paid supporters can jump into the post-episode discussion, and we’d love to hear your thoughts on Joshua Tree, national park stewardship, workshops, social media, or anything else this episode brings up.
👉 https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense
 
Highlights:
Jon Norris shares how Joshua Tree became his photographic “happy place”
Why Joshua Tree rewards exploration more than checklist photography
Jeffrey looks back on rock climbing in Joshua Tree before photographing it
How geology, history, and ecology can add depth to landscape photography
The recent CUA and workshop restrictions affecting photography workshops in Joshua Tree
Why responsible workshop leaders can act as stewards for public lands
Jon’s volunteer work with Joshua Tree National Park Association and the Desert Institute
Leaving Instagram, finding community on Substack, and keeping your website as home base
Related Links:
Jon Norris’ website: https://jonnorrisphoto.com/ 
Jon’s Substack: https://jonnorrisphoto.substack.com/ 
Jon’s interview with Grant Swinbourne: https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-fnmvs-1a19edd 
Michael Frye’s Yosemite photography guide book: https://amzn.to/4dRQ87L 
Alabama Hills: https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/california/alabama-hills-national-scenic-area 
Joshua Tree National Park Association: https://joshuatree.org/ 
Desert Institute: https://joshuatree.org/desert-institute/ 
Nature First Principles: https://naturefirst.org/en/principles/ 
National Park Foundation: https://www.nationalparks.org/ 
Michael’s Featured Frames series: https://www.patreon.com/collection/500898 
Landscape Photographers Worldwide: https://discord.gg/kCVTCFFA 
NPN (Nature Photographers Network): https://www.naturephotographers.network/ 

One year ago, we recorded the very first episode of Shutter Nonsense in the Great Smoky Mountains. For this bonus anniversary episode, we are back in the Smokies reflecting on the first year of the podcast, answering listener questions, and talking about what we have learned from recording the show, leading workshops together, and having regular conversations about landscape photography.
In this episode, Shutter Nonsense hosts Michael and Jeffrey talk about how working together has influenced their photography, why certain images become favorites because of the experience behind them, what happens when motivation to photograph fades, and how online photography communities can lead to real friendships and creative opportunities.
We also talk about the behind-the-scenes work of producing a podcast, including guest scheduling, systems, show notes, video editing, social media, Patreon, and why having a backlog of episodes has helped keep the show moving.
Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members.  https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense
Highlights:
Recording the anniversary episode back in the Great Smoky Mountain
How working together has changed our approach to photography
What Michael has learned from Jeffrey about streams and waterfalls
What Jeffrey has learned from Michael about woodland photography
Favorite photography experiences and the stories behind meaningful images
Why some photos matter more because of the experience attached to them
Dealing with creative ruts and not wanting to pick up the camera
Why local photography is sometimes the first thing to get skipped
How Michael and Jeffrey met through the landscape photography community
What goes into producing, editing, scheduling, and publishing the podcast
Why systems and checklists have helped keep Shutter Nonsense organized
The hidden costs of running a podcast
Why guest episodes have become such an enjoyable part of the show
Books and films that have influenced how we think about photography
Whether our wives should get their own Shutter Nonsense episode someday
Related Links:
Michael 4Runner Tour - https://youtu.be/coE_3kpf29c?si=VCetKMDTpvracOeuJeffrey 4Runner Tour - https://youtu.be/kOuH2T6u6B4?si=WRNQ6gwg_xVT_KgZLandscape Photographers Worldwide Discord - https://discord.do/landscape-photographers-worldwide/The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Life_of_Walter_Mitty_(2013_film)Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_SolitaireColleen Miniuk’s book, So Said the River - https://www.sosaidtheriver.com/
Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.comLearn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com
 

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey are joined by nature photographer Brenda Tharp for a thoughtful conversation about finding your own creative voice in landscape and nature photography.
Brenda shares her perspective on the pressure to photograph popular locations, follow trends, chase social media approval, and balance personal expression with the realities of building a photography business. The conversation moves from iconic landscapes and intimate scenes to print sales, creative confidence, and the ongoing challenge of staying true to what actually excites you behind the camera.
Brenda also shares stories from her own career, life on the road, photographing beyond the obvious view, and why the most meaningful work often comes from slowing down, looking deeper, and trusting what resonates with you.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why iconic landscape locations can still be worth photographing
The pressure photographers feel from social media trends
Finding your own creative voice instead of chasing likes
Balancing personal passion with the business side of photography
Why intimate landscapes and grand views both have value
The challenge of sharing work that feels personal
How photographers can avoid creative burnout
Why staying true to your own vision is a lifelong 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.
👉 https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense
Related Links:
Brenda’s website: https://www.brendatharp.com/Brenda’s Substack: https://brendatharp.substack.com/ Pacific Northwest Art School: https://pacificnorthwestartschool.org/product-category/400-photography/Michael’s free Featured Frames series on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/collection/500898Northern California Council of Camera Clubs: https://n4c.org/Richard Martin: https://www.richardmartinphoto.com/Michael’s PhotoPack Pro App: https://www.photopackpro.comMichael’s Print Box Set: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/limited-edition-print-folios Ben Horne: https://www.benhorne.com/ Ernst Hass: https://ernst-haas.com/Sammy Davis Jr, I’ve Gotta Be Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXYndNL4Mu8Freeman Patterson: https://www.freemanpatterson.com/Ansel Adams quote: https://photographylife.com/two-people-in-every-photo-ansel-adamsJay Maisel: https://www.jaymaisel.com/
 
Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.comLearn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com

In this episode of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey talk about one of the trickier decisions in landscape and nature photography - knowing when to keep working a scene and when it is time to move on.
Sometimes staying longer helps you find stronger compositions, better light, and quieter details you would have missed at first glance. But sometimes you are not really working the scene anymore, you are just standing there pressing the shutter over and over because you feel like you should be doing something.
We talk through the difference between patience and getting stuck, the temptation to keep photographing the same frame, how a second camera body can help you keep exploring, and the FOMO that comes with wondering if the best light is about to happen right after you leave. We also share a few stories from Death Valley, Lost Dutchman, Colorado, the Grand Canyon, and other photography outings where the decision to stay or move on shaped the images we came home with.Join the Shutter Nonsense Patreon community to participate in post-episode conversations and share your own photography experiences! Available to free and paid members.   https://www.patreon.com/ShutterNonsense
Highlights:
The difference between working a scene and repeatedly pressing the shutter
Why the “obvious shot” is often just the starting point
How staying longer can reveal smaller details and better compositions
The role of patience when waiting for light or changing conditions
Why dynamic light makes the decision to move on so difficult
How a second camera body can help you keep exploring
Photographing alone versus working around other photographers
The regret of leaving too early or not refining a composition enough
Related Links:Jeffrey’s Trail Ready Guide: https://jeffreytadlock.com/ebook-store/p/trail-ready-ebookLost Dutchman State Park: https://azstateparks.com/lost-dutchmanPhotoPack Pro App: https://www.photopackpro.com Johnny Carson: https://www.youtube.com/user/johnnycarsonFoqos App: https://www.foqos.app/Matt Payne: https://www.mattpaynephotography.com/ Richard Bernabe: https://beyondthelens.fm/Cameron in Ferris Bueller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XC1fGYWLCEMichael’s Wildfire Blog Post: https://www.michaelrungphotography.com/post/the-power-of-regret
Learn more about Michael's photography: www.michaelrung.comLearn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com

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

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.comLearn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com

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.comLearn more about Jeffrey's photography: www.jeffreytadlock.com