17:30 “The first thing you have to do is just let go. Let go of caring what other people think. Let go of complying. Let go of the rules. Let go of worrying about being criticized. Let go of worrying if the image will be liked or will ever win. … If you’re concerned about all of those external things, vision is not going to be able to happen.”

46 Praise is more dangerous than criticism. It can make you do things you wouldn’t have otherwise.

“…criticism can sting at times that you shake it off, but praise that’s really, it’s actually more dangerous than criticism because it can sway our view of things. And I’ve had my own view of my images swayed by how many likes it gets or how much praise it gets it.”

He only shoots and posts what he really loves. “Don’t produce for ‘likes’ or wins or sales.” “…creating honest work.” Which is “why I never went into photography as a living.” “It’s so freeing to not have to worry about selling.”

Full Transcript: https://www.mattpaynephotography.com/gallery/finding-your-vision-as-a-landscape-photographer-cole-thompson/

https://fstopandlisten.podbean.com/e/cole-thompson-discovering-your-vision-in-landscape-photography

Cole Thompson – Discovering Your Vision in Landscape Photography

September 16, 2020

For this week’s episode of the podcast I finally got the opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with one of my favorite black and white photographers and someone whom I have always admired, Cole Thompson.

Cole has a totally unique philosophical approach to photography which is often misunderstood by many people. It is something he refers to as photographic celibacy and I think it has tremendous merit.

Cole and I discuss some interesting topics this week, including:

  • How he got his start in photography,
  • Why he has chosen black and white as his medium,
  • External validation of our photography and its impact on our creative vision,
  • How to develop a personal vision in your photography,
  • The influence of praise,
  • … and more!

Over on Patreon this week, Cole and I explore the question, “Do you need to go to great locations to get great photographs?”