The Perceptive Photographer

The Perceptive Photographer

Welcome to The Perceptive Photographer, the podcast where we explore the art, craft, and creative stories behind the lens. Hosted by Daniel Gregory, each episode takes a deep dive into the fascinating world of photography, where we chat about everything from inspiration and history to the personal journeys that shape our creative process. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned pro, this podcast is here to spark new ideas, share practical tips, and help you see the world in a whole new way. Tune in and let’s see where the lens takes us!

Episodes

The role of quiet or silence in our photographic practice

September 22, 2025 • 15 mins
In this podcast episode, the importance of silence in photography is explored. Embracing quiet helps us be present, notice details, and connect with subjects. By slowing down and inviting stillness, we can make more intentional choices and deepen our photographic practice. Where can you invite more silence in your work?
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Are You Measuring the Right Things in Your Photography?

September 15, 2025 • 14 mins
When it comes to growth in photography, it’s easy to get caught up in the wrong metrics. In this week’s episode, I dig into the idea of measuring progress in ways that might make for better growth in our photographic practice. 
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Which story telling structure do you use in your photography?

September 8, 2025 • 15 mins
We often talk about “telling a story” in photography. But when you look closer, a single image may only hold part of the story: the introduction, the climax, or maybe the resolution. In this week’s podcast, I explore how frameworks like Freytag’s Pyramid, the Hero’s Journey, and Pixar’s methods can inspire us to think differently about our photographs and how they connect with others.
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How spicy can you handle?

September 1, 2025 • 12 mins
In this episode, I talk with you about finding the right balance in your photography, or what I call your creative “spice level.” Based on a trip out for Thai food, I share how important it is to challenge yourself enough to stay engaged, but not so much that you feel overwhelmed. I also touch on the value of honest self-reflection and community, and let you know about some opportunities, like my Meaningful Image Workshop and the L...
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Storytelling Through Images

August 25, 2025 • 12 mins
Photography isn’t just about making a single strong image. It’s about what happens when we put images together. In this episode, we explore the creative shift from chasing individual “keepers” to building a body of work that tells a story. We’ll talk about what makes a sequence of photos more powerful than a single frame, and why the order of images can change their meaning entirely. Whether you’re building a project, putting toge...
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An arrow in the quiver

August 18, 2025 • 14 mins
In this episode of the podcast, I explore the idea of “arrows in your quiver”. You know, the skills you don’t think you’ll ever need but that can transform your photography when the moment comes. From studying artificial lighting to better understand natural light, to learning portraiture for gesture and expression, to digging into photographic history for inspiration, these extra skills expand your creative toolkit. The more arrow...
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What you see and what you photograph

August 11, 2025 • 13 mins
In this episode, I talk about that all-too-familiar moment when you look at your photos and realize they don’t quite match what you saw or felt in the moment. I explore why this disconnect happens and how being more intentional with composition, framing, and timing can help you capture what really caught your eye. I also share some updates about my upcoming Lightroom Virtual Summit classes and mention that my photography workshops ...
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Finding Meaning Beyond Description

August 4, 2025 • 12 mins
In this episode, I talk about how to look deeper into photographs and find their meaning, not just describe what’s in them. Drawing from Sylvan Barnet’s ideas on formal analysis, I explain the difference between simply listing what you see and analyzing how a photo communicates something more. I also discuss how both photographers and viewers help shape a photo’s meaning, and why it’s okay if that meaning isn’t always clear.
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In Conversation with Ken Carlson on Roland Barthes Death of the Author

July 31, 2025 • 55 mins
In this episode, Ken and I return to a conversation we had in the past about Roland Barthes’ famous essay Death of the Author. This is an essay that can really have you rethink what you know about intention and who decides what a piece of art is really about. Barthes argues that once a work is created, the author’s intentions no longer control its meaning, but rather that it is left in the hands of the viewer. Using this as our sp...
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No title means you don’t know this week’s topic

July 28, 2025 • 11 mins
In this episode, I talk about why titling photographs matters. I share how titles help us organize our work, give context, and deepen both our own and the viewer’s understanding of an image. I suggest trying out different titles for the same photo to discover new meanings. I also discuss how titles can reveal themes in your work and reflect your perspective. There’s no single right way to use titles—they can be public or private.
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Embracing Imperfection and Authenticity in Photography

July 21, 2025 • 14 mins
n episode 541, I explore ideas that surface across conversations, readings, and experiences—all pointing toward the spirit of wabi sabi. It’s about embracing imperfection, time, and authenticity in photography, and how those themes invite us to see—and photograph—the world with more honesty, presence, and depth.
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In Conversation with Ken Carlson on Composition in Photography

July 17, 2025 • 42 mins
In this episode, I talk with Ken Carlson about photographic composition. We move past the usual rules—like lines and shapes—and focus on how composition can express deeper meaning and intention. We share our frustrations with formulaic approaches often taught online, and discuss how real impact comes from understanding why we compose a certain way. We both share some of our teaching experiences and reflect on how personal connectio...
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How Do Truth, Wonder, and Trust Shape Your Photography?

July 14, 2025 • 11 mins
In this episode, I talk about how truth, wonder, and trust support my creative process in photography. Inspired by a chat and some recent reading, I reflect on balancing technical skills with staying open to new ideas. For me, creativity isn’t just about getting things right—it’s about being curious, authentic, and willing to experiment. I hope these thoughts encourage you to find your own balance in photography.
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Art for Me or for You? Navigating the Creative Tug-of-War

July 7, 2025 • 16 mins
In this week’s episode of The Perceptive Photographer, I dive into a question that comes up more often than we admit: Who are we really making our work for—ourselves or our audience? It all started with a thoughtful question from longtime listener Dennis, and it led to a deeper look at motivation, ego, and the tricky dance between personal expression and external validation. From the pull of social media likes to the sting of crit...
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In Conversation with Ken Carlson: Curiosity, Craft, and the MFA Path

July 3, 2025 • 47 mins
In this episode, I talk with Ken Carlson, a longtime friend and photographer, about his decision to pursue an MFA in photography at age 78. Ken shares how his background as a veterinarian and his life experiences shape his art. We discuss the challenges and rewards of being a non-traditional student, the value of mentorship, and how curiosity drives creative growth. Ken reflects on learning to listen, embracing new perspectives, an...
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Finding Your Point of Entry in Photography

June 30, 2025 • 11 mins
In this episode, I talk about the idea of a “point of entry” in photography—what draws us into a photograph and how we connect with our subjects. I share some personal thoughts on creativity, reflect on what catches my eye when I’m shooting, and encourage you to slow down and notice your own reaction. My main point this week is to pay attention to what pulls you into an image, as it can shape your creative process and deepen your c...
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Seeing Clearly: Mentorship, Duality, and the Core of Your Work

June 23, 2025 • 15 mins
In this week’s episode of The Perceptive Photographer, I take some time to reflect on the people who shape us, the dual nature of photography, and the internal compass that guides our creative work. Episode 537 feels especially personal as I honor my mentor, Seth Thompson, and revisit the big questions that keep me engaged behind the camera. Seth isn’t just someone who taught me how to see color—he teaches me how to think about ...
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Photographic trophies verse experiences

June 16, 2025 • 12 mins
We’ve all chased the “bucket list” shot—the iconic scenes everyone wants. But is that really where creativity lives? In this episode, I talk about letting go of trophy hunting and leaning into personal expression, being present, and making images that reflect how you see the world.
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How asking “What do I see?” can transform your photography

June 9, 2025 • 13 mins
In this episode, I talk about the importance of really seeing when I’m out photographing. I also discuss a self-exploration exercise I’ve been practicing—asking myself, “What do I see?”—to help me notice more in my images.
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Working with the mundane in your photography

June 2, 2025 • 13 mins
In this week’s episode of The Perceptive Photographer, I explored something that doesn’t always get the love it deserves—mundane photography. You know, the kind of work that isn’t flashy or dramatic. It's not towering landscapes or intense street moments. It's ferns on the forest floor. The corner of a quiet room. The way sunlight hits the sink at 3 p.m.
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