Pixels

Let's talk about a word we sometimes avoid when talking about our photography: PLAY. I embrace the concept even as I use every other word to describe the process. What's up with that?! Here's why play should be taken seriously and a few ideas to help shift our mindset. By the end, I hope you'll agree with me: play is the way!

In the YouTube version of this podcast, I share images throughout that represent my photographic play: https://youtu.be/pQw_d2MkVD4

Socials:

Website: http://www.bethbuelowphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethbuelowphoto

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethbuelowphotography

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbuelow/

Acknowledgements:

A special thanks to Inspired Creator Grants for their support of this channel: http://www.naturephotographyclasses.com/inspired-creator

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When you bring together an engineering mind with a creative heart and insatiable curiosity, the result is the amazing work of Jeanie Sumrall-Ajero. Through our conversation, you are going to experience her as the embodiment of a spirit of play, experimentation, and thoughtfulness. We talk about how her multi-disciplinary background informs her photography, the role of community in connection and inspiration, and how we can respond when we feel fear or hesitation as we find our creative way in the world.

Jeanie also shares info about the Women’s Winter Photography Conference being hosted by the Outdoor Photo Alliance, February 6-9, 2025, in Estes Park, Colorado. You can get $100 off your registration fee by entering PIXELS100 at checkout: https://www.outdoorphotoalliance.com/womens-photography-conference

About Jeanie:

Jeanie’s background is as varied as the photos that she takes. She’s worked as a software engineer, a massage therapist, an English teacher in Vietnam, a photo restoration artist (which is how she learned Photoshop) and most recently ran a small software business with her husband in the crafting world. Since 2017 Jeanie has put that same creative passion into her photography. Her mission in life is to inspire others on their creative journeys through documenting her own photographic explorations. She lives in the Rocky Mountain foothills in northern Colorado and volunteers her time as a photographer for Larimer County Natural Resources.

http://www.thedigitaljeanie.com

https://www.facebook.com/thedigitaljeanie

Jeanie Recommends:

Sherri Mabe

sherrimabeimages.com

instagram.com/starlitwaltz

Watch this episode on YouTube: youtu.be/qPqN3mqDDgo

Socials:

bethbuelowphotography.com

instagram.com/bethbuelowphoto

facebook.com/bethbuelowphotography

linkedin.com/in/bethbuelow/

Acknowledgements:

Inspired Creator Grants: naturephotographyclasses.com/inspired-creator

Video Editor: Alex Armitage: alexarmitage.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you ready to ask yourself some big questions in the spirit of being a more expressive photographer? Guy Tal is my guest, and he's going to inspire you to think more deeply about your relationship to photography and creativity. The word “existential” comes up more than once, so I hope you’re game to take a fascinating philosophical journey with us. We talk about photographic promiscuity, the role of ethics in our work, and how to become more open to the world around us.

Guy Tal is a professional writer and photographic artist living in Utah. He is the author of several books, a blogger, and an educator. In his photographs, he aims to express emotions and moods rather than to document or commemorate the appearances of places or events.

To find links to resources and images referenced in this episode, visit https://www.bethbuelowphotography.com/pixels-episodes/philosophical-approach-photography-guy-tal

Guy's books, including "Be Extraordinary": https://guytal.com/books

Socials:

http://www.bethbuelowphotography.com

https://www.instagram.com/bethbuelowphoto

https://www.facebook.com/bethbuelowphotography

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbuelow/

Acknowledgements:

Inspired Creator Grants: Inspired Creator (http://www.naturephotographyclasses.com/inspired-creator)

Video Editor: Alex Armitage (http://www.alexarmitage.com)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mindfulness might be something of a buzzword, but when it comes to our photography, it’s worth the effort to make it a practice, and my guest today gives us some useful tips on how to do that. In this episode, I’m speaking with photographer Beth Young. As you might expect when you get two Beths together, we had a great time, talking about embracing slow photography, finding order in chaos, how constraints help us expand our creativity, and making sure social media isn’t the boss of us.

Mentioned in this episode:

Embrace the Shake (Phil Hansen): https://www.ted.com/talks/phil_hansen_embrace_the_shake

The Paradox of Choice (Barry Schwartz): https://www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_the_paradox_of_choice

About Beth Young: Residing in Sacramento, California, Beth Young is a practicing architect and prolific nature photographer passionate about capturing uplifting images that endeavor to communicate the therapeutic effects of photography, both for the photographer and the observer. By employing a palette of bright colors and warm light on the landscape, Beth’s uplifting imagery seeks to conjure feelings of hope, healing, and renewal with an emphasis on wellness and the human experience. Beth Young’s photography is shown in group and solo gallery exhibitions, and is featured in hospitals, clinics, cancer centers, and healthcare facilities across the country. Through her print sales, she commits a percentage of profits to cancer causes that directly benefit patients within her community.

https://www.optimalfocusphotography.com/

https://www.instagram.com/optimal_focus/

https://www.facebook.com/optimalfocusphotography

http://www.bethbuelowphotography.com

https://www.instagram.com/bethbuelowphoto

https://www.facebook.com/bethbuelowphotography

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbuelow/

Acknowledgements: Inspired Creator Grants: Inspired Creator (http://www.naturephotographyclasses.com/inspired-creator) Video Editor: Alex Armitage (http://www.alexarmitage.com)

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It's interesting that, as someone who appreciates control, I've chosen both a photography approach (abstracts, intentional camera movement) and an artistic medium (alcohol inks) that require a willingness to lose control. Wisdom from Rick Rubin and "The Creative Act" gets us in the frame of mind to loosen our grip and trust the process. Part 2 in a series exploring creativity cross-training.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4sTp-8FfPqs?si=flqGL1OQ85GrkMV3

Part 1, "I'm having an affair": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H2fb1HuGeQ

http://www.bethbuelowphotography.com

https://www.instagram.com/bethbuelowphoto/

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Almost every single person I’ve interviewed for this channel has had one question for me: "Have you talked to Sarah Marino yet?" Well, with this episode, I can now say yes, I’ve talked with Sarah Marino! And she’s as thoughtful and generous as ever with her insights. We talk about nature first principles, reciprocity with our subjects, reasons to keep our worst photos, how her photography has evolved over the past 13 years, and so much more.

See the images referenced in this episode at https://www.bethbuelowphotography.com/pixels-episodes/photographing-beauty-regardless-of-conditions-with-sarah-marino

Connect with Sarah:

http://smallscenes.com/

http://www.instagram.com/sarahmarinophoto/

http://www.instagram.com/sarahmarino.bw/

Sarah Marino is a nature photographer, photography educator, and writer based in southwestern Colorado. In addition to photographing grand landscapes, Sarah is best known for her photographs of smaller subjects including intimate landscapes, abstract renditions of natural subjects, and creative portraits of plants and trees. Sarah is the author or co-author of a diverse range of educational resources for nature photographers on subjects including composition, photographing nature’s small scenes, and black and white photography. Sarah, a co-founder of the Nature First Alliance for Responsible Nature Photography, also seeks to promote the responsible stewardship of natural and wild places through her photography and teaching.

Socials:

http://www.bethbuelowphotography.com

https://www.instagram.com/bethbuelowphoto

https://www.facebook.com/bethbuelowphotography

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbuelow/

Acknowledgements:

Inspired Creator Grants: Inspired Creator (http://www.naturephotographyclasses.com/inspired-creator)

Video Editor: Alex Armitage (http://www.alexarmitage.com)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all hear music differently, and some of us SEE music and translate that to visual art. Jerad Armijo's otherworldly photography is a visual diary of his lived experiences, partly informed by the sounds that bring colors to his imagination. We talk about his experience of chromesthesia, as well as lessons from his early mentors that give us valuable information about how we can start to define our own style.

Note: There is a brief mention of suicidal thoughts and depression around the 4:30 mark of this conversation. If you or someone you know is suicidal, call one of the numbers provided: https://blog.opencounseling.com/suici.... If someone is in IMMEDIATE danger, please call your local emergency number (e.g. 911 in the US)

Jared Armijo is a landscape photographer who uses synesthesia, minimalism, and surrealism to express his life’s journey. Otherworldly, desolate, and surreal

scenes with peculiar colors and stories. Be Human. Be Kind.

Connect with Jared http://www.awayiflew.com   / away_i_flew     / awayiflew  

See images referenced in this episode at PixelsPodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Photographer Brie Stockwell has an energetic personality with a serene visual style. We talk about that paradox, along with finding inner peace amidst chaos, the importance of interpreting and experiencing photographs from different perspectives, and the need to detach from external opinions and focus on one's own creative vision. Brie shares her journey as a photographer and the importance of embracing vulnerability and imperfection throughout the creative process.

View images referenced in this episode at bethbuelowphotography.com/pixels-episodes/from-beginner-to-leading-workshops-in-4-years-with-brie-stockwell

Connect with Brie

https://creativemindscoach.com/

https://www.wildwomanphotography.com/

https://www.instagram.com/brie.stockwell.studio/

Socials

http://www.bethbuelowphotography.com

https://www.instagram.com/bethbuelowphoto

https://www.facebook.com/bethbuelowphotography

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbuelow/

Acknowledgements

Inspired Creator Grants: Inspired Creator: http://www.naturephotographyclasses.com/inspired-creator

Video Editor: Alex Armitage: http://www.alexarmitage.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Love always happens when you're not looking for it. Let's explore how to become better photographers by putting down our cameras and being swept away by creative play. This is the first in a series of episodes about creativity cross-training. Mentioned: Kristy Swanson: https://www.kristyswansonart.com/ John Barclay Pixels episode:    • What Makes Your Heart Sing? | John Ba...   Resources: My alcohol inks tutorial playlist:    • Alcohol Inks   My cyanotype tutorial playlist:    • Cyanotype   Art supplies (non-affiliate): https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls... Acknowledgements: Inspired Creator Grants: Inspired Creator (http://www.naturephotographyclasses.c...)

See images I share during this episode here: www.bethbuelowphotography.com/pixels-episodes/im-having-an-affair

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by TJ Thorne. TJ has an open, curious, and playful approach to photography that comes out clearly in this conversation. We discuss comfort zones, expectations, and experimentation; balancing business and creativity and the challenges of monetizing artistic work; and moving away from popular trends to find your personal visual voice.

About TJ Thorne

TJ Thorne is an Oregon-based Fine Art Landscape and Nature Photographer. The inspiration for his work is found in the simplicity and calming aspects of nature and is often evident in his photos. He offers Fine Art Nature Prints, private guiding and instruction, group photography workshops, and tutorial videos.

See the images referenced in this episode at https://www.bethbuelowphotography.com/pixels-episodes/shooting-out-of-focus-completely-changed-my-photography-with-tj-thorne

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Of the photographers I've followed over the years, Stephanie Johnson has been on the most transformative journey. Our conversation explores the significance of imagination and curiosity in the creative process, using our cameras and post-processing as tools to achieve our vision. My favorite part of this chat was Stephanie sharing her insights on the importance of giving oneself permission to play and expand creative boundaries.

Stephanie Johnson is a self-taught creative photographer, who is primarily focused on Intentional Camera Movement (ICM), multiple exposure, and creative photography techniques as a form of artistic expression. She has a deep passion for creating uniquely distinctive images by working with camera movement to reveal the essence of any given scene, and as a creative photographer, she is always seeking to push the boundaries of her own artistry. She brings an inter-connected, creative, and intuitive approach to her photography-as-art to visually express the essence of light, color, form, line, texture, mood, and emotion through the various in-camera creative techniques of ICM. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Arts degree and graduate work in English Literature and is the Founder, Creator, and Publisher of ICM Photography Magazine (ICMPhotoMag).

View the images discussed in this episode here: www.bethbuelowphotography.com/pixels-episodes/crafting-stories-through-intentional-camera-movement-with-stephanie-johnson

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What makes an image "art" is more than just the observable elements; it's about evoking emotion. How can we expand our creative vocabulary to include the emotional response to images we see? And what role does social media play in helping us to do that? I make a case for practicing meaningful engagement and offer a challenge to help us all express ourselves more fully.

Images referenced in this episode will be available soon at https://www.bethbuelowphotography.com/pixels-episodes/taking-a-cue-from-inside-out-2-a-social-media-challenge

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In this episode, I’m joined by Pamela Sherlock in a lively and thought-provoking discussion about curating our own work, representation in photography, stretching ourselves with self-portraiture, and the value of being part of a community of artists as a way to sustain and expand our creative energy.

Pamela is a photographer with a master’s degree in theology. Some of the questions her work asks are: what are our responsibilities to our location? How does the landscape we see daily affect us? How does this landscape inform our sense of identity? With many years in other genres of photography, Pamela has recently begun focusing on abstract nature photography. Her work has been shown nationally and is in several permanent collections. Living on a small farm in rural MN, Pamela spends much of her time outdoors, even while juggling a full-time position as Communications Director.

Images we discuss can be seen at https://www.bethbuelowphotography.com/pixels-episodes/self-discovery-through-photography-with-pamela-sherlock

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Just because we're in a fabulous location doesn't mean we'll produce fabulous photos. I share my experience, along with three lessons learned, from time in the forest during a Creative Exploration workshop with TJ Thorne. Coming to you while on vacation in "Up North" Michigan!

Images referenced in this episode will be available soon at https://www.bethbuelowphotography.com/pixels-episodes/gorgeous-location-terrible-photos-and-3-lessons-learned

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Join me in a lively conversation with John Barclay where I find myself feeling so inspired that I lose track of time! John shares his insights and thoughts into emphasizing the importance of using photography to make your heart sing. We discuss a myriad of topics from inspiration, creative ruts, how to inspire yourself through your own work, and much more.

About John

John Barclay is an award-winning freelance photographer based in Bucks County, PA. John is a passionate photographer, enthusiastic workshop leader and inspirational speaker, presenting. programs to audiences around the world. John’s work has been published in a number of books and magazines, including the highly esteemed Lenswork Magazine, and is treasured by a number of private collectors. Recently, John was published in Lenswork Magazine and the recipient of an excellence award from B&W Magazine.

See images referenced in this episode at www.bethbuelowphotography.com/pixels-episodes/what-makes-your-heart-sing-with-john-barclay

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In today's episode I am joined by Angie McMonigal, a fine art and commercial architecture photographer based in Chicago. Angie strives to bring a detailed, thoughtful perspective to her work, whether for clients or through the workshops she leads. Having grown up surrounded by nature yet fascinated by the big city she's called home for more than two decades, she brings the meditative calm of her upbringing to a terrain that's always transforming. Drawing from her education in the micro-sciences, including molecular biology, microbiology, and virology, her focus is more frequently on bold architectural details rather than sweeping cityscapes. Our conversation touches on finding inspiration from other art forms to influence and shape your artistic vision, the power of personal projects and series to provide direction and purpose in photography, and how embracing certain creative limitations can force you to find new ways of seeing.

View the images we discuss at https://bethbuelowphotography.com/pixels-episodes/

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Join us as we dive into an inspiring conversation with photographer Tara Workman about her artistic journey and the transformative shifts in her photography. Tara underscores the power of trusting oneself and embracing curiosity, urging us to maintain a beginner's mindset throughout our creative endeavors.

View the images we discuss at https://bethbuelowphotography.com/pixels-episodes/trusting-vision-tara-workman

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Some hints of how we can find more ease and flow in our photography come from an unexpected place: improv. Here we explore how the principles of improv can be applied to photography. We'll look at five basic improv principles and explain how they can make a difference in how we see the world and approach our photography. We'll cover 'yes and', 'make the other person look good', 'forward the action', 'be average', and 'dare to fail'.

The Office "Improv":    • Improv  - The Office US  

See the Contact Sheets from 13 Legendary Photo Shoots: https://hyperallergic.com/256109/see-...

While not essential to the information in the podcast, the images I share and sometimes reference can be viewed here:

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