277: Richard Boutwell - Photography as a Vehicle for Personal Growth

One of the best things about nature and landscape photography is that it can provide added purpose to our lives and improve us as human beings.

As such, it was an honor to speak with black and white photographer Richard Boutwell on this week's episode of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen.

Richard is an active participant in our Twitter after-parties for the podcast - he always has very interesting things to say and so I thought it would be awesome to have him join me on the podcast for a chat. We cover a lot of territory this week, including using photography as a vehicle for personal growth.

On this week's episode, we discuss:

• Richard's journey into photography,
• Growing up near Joshua Tree National Park and how that influenced him,
• His journey to the East Coast in 2002 to work for a large format fine art photographer,
• Improving by studying the history of photography, and art history,
• How engaging in photography has become a vehicle for personal growth for Richard,
• Documentary work vs. fine art,
• Working in projects,
• And a lot more!

Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week:

• Richard's Prints, Teaching, and Software - Use coupon code **FStopAndListen** for 20% off all software, workshops, private instruction, and prints.
• Suggested readings for learning the history of photography:
• Looking at Photographs.
• Photographers on Photography.
• Photography in Print.
• Robert Adams - American Silence & Beauty in Photography.
• Richard Benson - The World is Smarter than You Are & The Printed Picture.
• Join me over on Nature Photographer's Network.
• Enter the Natural Landscape Photography Awards.
• Support the podcast on Patreon.

Here is who Richard recommended on the podcast this week:

• Richard's mentors, Paula Chamlee (and Michael A. Smith, 1942–2018).
• Cody Cobb.
• Linda Connor.
• Mark Ruwedel.
• Scott B. Davis.

If you enjoyed our conversation this week, you can listen to our bonus episode over Patreon on where we discuss alternatives to photo celibacy, a concept coined by Cole Thompson.

I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. We also have an Instagram page, a Facebook Page, and a Facebook Group - so don't be shy!

Did you also know we have listener after-parties on Twitter Spaces? This is a great opportunity to interact with other listeners, guests, and the host (when I can) regarding your thoughts on the episode.

We also have a searchable transcript of every episode!

Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week.

P.S. you can also support the podcast by purchasing items through our B+H affiliate link.