Matt Payne on Landscape Photography, The Colorado Way & the Natural Landscape Photography Awards

Australian landscape photographer, educator and Landscape Photography World Podcast host Grant Swinbourne joins Drake for a wide-ranging conversation about photography, creativity and life behind the camera. Grant shares how photography grew from a childhood fascination with film into a lifelong creative pursuit, why Australia's coastlines and wild landscapes continue to inspire him, and how he approaches photography as a way of expressing mood and a sense of place. They also talk about what Grant has learned from interviewing hundreds of photographers, the importance of printing your work, the realities of earning a living from photography, conservation and responsible travel, social media, AI, and the future of photography. It's a conversation about much more than making pictures. It's about why we make them. To learn more about Grant or his podcast, check out his website.

Landscape photographer? Wildlife photographer? Portrait photographer? Wedding photographer? Viktoria Haack would probably rather not choose. In this episode of the Shutter Trails Podcast, I sit down with the British Columbia photographer, educator and Nikon Ambassador to talk about a career built on curiosity, observation and a refusal to be confined to a single photographic genre. Viktoria shares how ten years living on a small nature reserve in the UK shaped her relationship with photography and taught her to notice the subtle changes in light, weather and the seasons. We explore her fine art background, her distinctive images that blend people and landscape, her growing interest in wildlife photography, conservation and ethical photography, and what she has learned from judging major photography competitions. We also talk about why technical perfection isn't always enough, the importance of patience with wildlife, how different photographic genres can influence one another, and why Viktoria believes photographers should remain free to follow whatever captures their interest. A thoughtful conversation about landscape photography, wildlife, creativity, artistic influence, curiosity and developing your own way of seeing. Learn more about Viktoria and her photography on her website: viktoriahaackphotography.ca

Steve Brazill has spent over 40 years in radio and is one of today's most respected concert photographers, but the lessons he shares go far beyond photographing musicians on stage. In this episode of Shutter Trails, Steve explains why the best photographers learn from every genre. Through a series of remarkable images—including concert photography, landscapes, aerial photography, astrophotography, and travel—he demonstrates how composition, light, storytelling, and careful observation connect every style of photography. We also discuss handling difficult lighting, mastering dynamic range, shooting at high ISO, why photographers worry too much about noise, and how learning to truly analyze an image can dramatically improve your own work. Whether you're a landscape photographer, wildlife photographer, street photographer, or simply someone who wants to become a stronger visual storyteller, this conversation is packed with practical insights you can apply on your very next outing. If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about photography, be sure to follow Shutter Trails for more interviews and episodes exploring the people, places, and techniques behind great photographs. Make sure to check out the photos on the Shutter Trails Blog.

Australian nightscape photographer, Richard Tatti, joins Drake on Shutter Trails to share his remarkable journey from the first time he photographed the stars to becoming one of the world's leading educators in Milky Way photography. Richard discusses the evolution of nightscape photography, his YouTube channel with more than 300 instructional videos, creative lighting techniques, image blending, star trackers, AI in photography, and why strong composition always outweighs expensive gear. He also opens up about avoiding creative burnout, balancing photography with family life, and the sense of wonder that still keeps him looking up at the night sky. Whether you're passionate about astrophotography or simply love hearing how great photographers think, this conversation is filled with practical advice and lasting inspiration. Topics: Nightscape photography • Milky Way photography • Light painting • Astrophotography • Photoshop • Star trackers • AI • Creativity • Photography education • Landscape photography

In this quick Trail Marker episode, Drake talks about what a photography project is, or could be and some reasons why you should try one.