Seeing Clearly: Mentorship, Duality, and the Core of Your Work

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 it, how to push beyond the surface of an image, how to chase deeper meaning. Even now, his influence runs through everything I do. Mentorship, I realize, isn’t just about gaining skills—it’s about learning how to see and how to be as an artist. And at some point, it becomes our turn to pay it forward. I also talk about the duality of photography—how every image straddles the line between nonfiction and fiction. Yes, we capture real moments, but we also make choices that shape those moments: framing, color, tonality, sequencing. Black and white often abstracts; color anchors. What matters is recognizing what story we’re telling—and why. This episode also circles around clarity—specifically, getting clear on the core themes in your work. I share a simple exercise I use to uncover those recurring threads—words or ideas that quietly (or loudly) show up again and again in the images I make. Knowing what drives you creatively doesn’t limit you—it gives you direction when you need it most. There are a few exciting things on the horizon too. The Unseen Mystery Show opens July 8 at Image City Photography Gallery in Rochester, NY, featuring work from my meaningful image workshop group. I’m currently teaching a workshop in the Palouse, and 2026 dates are now set. Plus, I’m kicking off a new In Conversation series—bonus podcast episodes with fellow photographers about process, practice, and perspective. At the end of the episode, I touch on something I’ll explore more soon: the question of audience. Who do we make our work for, and how does that shape what we create? It’s not a simple answer, but it’s one worth wrestling with. As always, thanks for listening—and for being part of this community. I hope this episode gives you something to think about as you continue making, reflecting, and growing in your own work. —Daniel