Issue 8 – Spring 2025
Inside This Issue
Immerse yourself in our latest collection of inspiring articles and stunning imagery. From exclusive interviews and innovative techniques to captivating photo essays, this issue offers a wealth of content to enhance your nature photography skills and spark your creativity.
Resilience in Rhythm
by Dan Amos
Dan Amos explores the connection between nature’s rhythms and the creative process in photography. Using examples like fog in redwood forests and tracking deer, he emphasizes the importance of patience, resilience, and recognizing the “right moment” (kairos) to capture meaningful images and navigate life.
Featured Project: Sheyenne National Grasslands
by Jeff La Frenierre
Jeff La Frenierre introduces his Sheyenne National Grasslands project, part of a larger exploration of North American prairies. He seeks to showcase the diversity and beauty of these endangered landscapes, evoking both sadness for their loss and wonder at their resilience, while requesting feedback on curating images for the broader project.
Symbols
by Freeman Patterson
Freeman Patterson delves into the significance of symbols in nature photography, explaining how certain scenes unconsciously grab our attention and demand exploration. He emphasizes photographing for self-discovery, following the heart’s response to these personal symbols, and using craft to give form to the feelings and imaginings evoked by nature.
Interview: Ben Horne
by Cody Schultz
In this interview, Ben Horne discusses his deliberate approach to YouTube, his nuanced views on photo competitions after judging NLPA, and his commitment to environmental responsibility. He shares insights into his large format process, the joy of revisiting familiar locations, and the philosophy behind his unique “Unpolished” eBook series.
Not Making A Photograph
by Richard Young
Richard Young reflects on moments when the perfect conditions presented themselves, yet he chose not to take a photograph, prioritizing the experience of being present in nature. Through anecdotes, he explores letting go of pressure and expectations, finding value in observation itself, and seeing photography as a means to engage with the landscape, not just capture it.
Attachment vs Authenticity
by Alberto Rodriguez-Garcia
Alberto Rodriguez-Garcia examines the tension between our need for attachment (connection, belonging) and authenticity (being true to oneself) in life and art. He argues that sacrificing authenticity for attachment leads to unfulfillment and conformity, urging artists to embrace self-inquiry and courageously express their true selves, believing genuine attachment will follow.
Seeing Through the Lens of an Uncluttered Mind
by Alister Benn
Alister Benn discusses how entrenched beliefs (“bars in our cage”) limit creative expression in photography. He advocates for surrendering preconceptions and embracing an uncluttered mind to see the infinite opportunities in the world, arguing that true creative growth comes from accepting the landscape and oneself without judgment.
The Challenges of Creativity in a Busy World
by Jennifer King
Jennifer King addresses the difficulty of maintaining creativity amidst a hectic life, diagnosing “photographer’s block” and its roots in neglecting our innate creative needs. She offers practical advice, such as mastering gear, embracing play, setting small creative goals, and utilizing community, to reignite artistry and reap its mental health benefits.
Featured NPN Member: Jim Erhardt
by Cody Schultz
NPN founder Jim Erhardt reflects on the origins and evolution of the community, emphasizing its core values of respectful critique and focused discussion. He discusses the impact of digital photography, his thoughts on AI, his recent return to photography after retirement, and his hopes for NPN’s future in fostering conservation awareness.
The Sunshine After Rain
by Brad Carr
Brad Carr shares his deeply personal journey of transformation, recounting how he navigated a chaotic youth and found profound healing through nature and creativity. He describes photography and writing as essential tools for processing grief and pain, ultimately finding purpose and a connection to his authentic self by embracing vulnerability and sharing his story.
Lessons From the Landscape
by Lance Wilson
Young photographer Lance Wilson shares insights gained from backcountry backpacking, explaining how the immersion shifted his focus from chasing grand vistas in perfect conditions to appreciating intimate scenes and the wilderness experience itself. He highlights how overcoming challenges and embracing solitude fosters creative evolution and a deeper connection to nature.
Aaron the Heron
by Michael Eggert
Michael Eggert recounts his three-year journey photographing “Aaron,” a great blue heron at a local pond. Through patient observation and learning the heron’s habits, he not only captured cherished images but also learned profound lessons about respect for wildlife, patience, and applying those skills to other photographic encounters.
Aravalli’s Hidden Treasure
by Sahil Zutshi
Sahil Zutshi highlights the beauty and vulnerability of the Green Avadavat, a rare bird found in India’s Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary within the Aravalli range. He describes the challenges and joys of photographing these tiny, elusive birds while raising awareness about the threats they face from habitat alteration and the illegal bird trade.
Places No One Knows
by Eric Bennett
Eric Bennett reflects on Eliot Porter’s book about the lost Glen Canyon, using it as a springboard to discuss the importance of knowing and protecting local wild places. Drawing parallels with his own experiences in the Escalante canyons, he advocates for deep immersion and personal connection to advocate for conservation through unique, place-based photography.