Josef Albers: The Bauhaus Teacher Who Changed How I See Black & White Portraits A YouTube lighting video led me to Josef Albers and his Bauhaus idea that shape comes first. Here’s Albers’ background—and how “shape vs. color” is reshaping my black-and-white portrait and self-portr...

A B&W lighting video sent me down a Bauhaus rabbit hole.

Josef Albers. “Shape vs color.” And suddenly my portrait lighting choices make more sense.

#JosefAlbers #Bauhaus #BlackAndWhitePhotography #PortraitLighting #Chiaroscuro #MonochromePhotography #PhotographyPractice #TorontoPhotographer

it had been a *very* long time since I posted anyrhing but, im slowly getting back into it while learning to look after a newborn #sunrise #metro #chatswood #photographypractice

Amateur vs Professional Photographer: The Real Difference Is the System The difference between amateur and professional photographers isn’t talent or getting paid—it’s systems, consistency, and building bodies of work. How I’m turning “talented amateur” into professional ...

Amateur vs pro isn’t talent—it’s systems. I’m building workflows that produce a body of work worthy of a gallery wall or a book deal.
paul.macpherson.photography/go/4b4m

#photography #streetphotography #photographypractice #creativeprocess #portfolio #artistsonbluesky

Daily Self-Portrait Project: A “Quiet Gravity” Portrait Lighting Study (Day 5) Day 5 of my daily self-portrait project: a low-key black-and-white “quiet gravity” study using close framing, hands as an anchor, and directional light—built to sharpen my portrait toolkit through win...

Day 5 of my daily self-portrait project: today’s study was quiet gravity — tight framing, hands as an anchor, low-key directional light, and honest B&W texture.

#Photography #PortraitPhotography #SelfPortrait #BlackAndWhite #LowKeyLighting #PhotographyPractice

paul.macpherson.photography/cy37

Winter Can’t Stop the Work: Using Self-Portraits to Learn Portrait Photography A reflective look at using self-portraits to keep portrait practice moving through winter—embracing constraint, repetition, and intentional learning.

Winter can slow the pace, but it doesn’t have to stop the work.

Some thoughts on using self-portraits to keep portrait photography moving through constraint and repetition.

#photographypractice #selfportrait #portraitphotography #creativeconstraint

paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...

Repeatable Photojournalism: A Self-Assignment for the Coming Weeks A reflective look at repeatable photojournalism through self-assignment, focusing on consistency, authorship, and building meaningful visual stories over time.

Photojournalism doesn’t have to be rare to matter.

Some thoughts on self-assignment, repeatability, and showing up consistently to build real stories.

#photojournalism #visualstorytelling #photographypractice #longtermpractice #authorship

paul.macpherson.photography/photojournal...

Style Is the Residue of Repetition: How Photographic Voice Is Formed A reflective essay on how photographic style emerges through repetition, consistency, and long-term practice rather than talent or inspiration.

Style isn’t chosen.

It’s what’s left after repetition, consistency, and commitment.

#photographypractice #personalstyle #repetition #authorship #longtermpractice

paul.macpherson.photography/personal-sty...

There Has Never Been a Better Time to Suck at Photography reflective essay on imperfection, authorship, and why photography needs humanity more than perfection—especially in an age of AI-generated images.

I’m not afraid of AI.

I’m more interested in what photography needs to remain human: imperfection, hesitation, presence, and choice.

#photographypractice #imperfection #authorship #presence #creativeprocess

paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...

Hunting vs Fishing in Street Photography: Two Ways of Seeing A reflective look at hunting versus fishing in street photography, exploring how intention, patience, and presence shape different ways of working.

Hunting and fishing are two very different ways of seeing the street.

A few thoughts on approach, patience, and presence in street photography.

#streetphotography #photographypractice #visualthinking #presence

paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...

Environmental Portraits as a Second Project: Intent, Presence, and Practice A reflective look at approaching environmental portraits as a secondary project—exploring presence, context, and how setting informs the portrait and the practice.

Portraits don’t stop at the edge of the frame.

Some thoughts on environmental portraits as a second project for me, and why context and presence matter as much as the subject.

#photographypractice #environmentalportraits #intentionalseeing #presence

paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...

Three sessions a week.
105 weeks.
Two to four finished bodies of work.

I’m documenting the slow process of building real photographic portfolios—not chasing singles or algorithms.

Full video: paul.macpherson.photography/uzzp

#photography
#streetphotography
#photographypractice
#longformwork

The Difference Between a Snap and a Photograph: Intentional Seeing in Photography A reflective essay exploring the difference between a snap and a photograph, and why intentional seeing and presence matter in meaningful image-making.

Not every image we make is a photograph.

A few thoughts on the difference between a snap and a photograph, and why intention and presence matter.

#photographypractice #intentionalseeing #visualthinking #presence

paul.macpherson.photography/7eqf

ICM in Street Photography: Turning Flat Light into Abstract Expression A reflective look at using in-camera motion in street photography—choosing abstraction as a response when light, contrast, and form fall flat.

When the light goes flat, realism isn’t the only option.

A reflection on using in-camera motion to lean into abstraction and stay engaged with street photography when conditions stop cooperating.

#photographypractice #streetphotography #in-cameramotion

paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...

Stepping Back: A Day with a 200mm Prime Lately, my photographic world has been defined—almost rigidly—by the 28 mm field of view. It’s the lens through which I’ve learned to walk the city, to stay close, to remain present, and to commit …

What happens when you deliberately step back?

A day photographing with a 200mm prime, and how distance reshapes perception, decision-making, and presence.

#photographypractice #visualthinking #presence

paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...

Situational Awareness and the Photographer’s Eye: Seeing Beyond the Frame Explore how situational awareness deepens a photographer’s perception — refining the ability to see, anticipate, and respond to moments beyond technical settings.

Good photography isn’t just about what’s in the frame.
It’s about awareness of everything happening around it.

A few thoughts on situational awareness and the photographer’s eye.

#photographypractice #visualthinking #situationalawareness #presence

paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...

Henri Cartier-Bresson Wasn’t a Sniper — Why the Decisive Moment Is Often Misunderstood There’s a myth that refuses to die in photography. It goes something like this: the great photographers saw everything coming, raised the camera once, pressed the shutter once, and walked away with…

Henri Cartier-Bresson wasn’t a sniper.

A reflection on why the “decisive moment” is so often misunderstood—and why it has more to do with attention and patience than speed.

#photojournalism #decisivemoment #visualthinking #photographypractice

paul.macpherson.photography/photojournal...

Friday Night Lights: Planning a Live Music Photography Shoot in Toronto A reflective look at planning a live music photography shoot—intent, constraints, and creative decisions before stepping into the noise and light of the venue.

Before the lights come up, the work begins.
Planning, intention, and the small decisions that shape a Friday night shooting live music—before sound, sweat, and uncertainty take over.

#photographypractice #livemusicphotography #creativeprocess

paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...

Getting Started in Photojournalism Notes, lessons, and hard truths from a talk by Michael Brochstein Website = = = = = = I’ve always been fascinated by photojournalism. Before I ever thought seriously about style, personal projects,…

I’ve always been fascinated by photojournalism.

Here are my notes, lessons, and hard truths from a talk by Michael Brochstein.

#photojournalism #visualstorytelling
#documentaryphotography #photographypractice #storytelling

paul.macpherson.photography/photojournal...

Went with a friend to Red Butte Garden and Arboretum yesterday. Took the chance to experiment with some macro photography.

#RedButteGarden #MacroPhotography #NatureLovers #FlowerPhotography #Bugs #Flowers #UtahGardens #LumixS1 #PhotographyPractice

A statue of two Cherubs, with a welcome sign beneath them. Photo is in black and white.

Day 5 of #the100dayproject

"The Welcoming Cherubs"

#photo #photography #photographypractice #bskyart #photographersofbluesky #artsky #bwphoto #photooftheday #cherub

Day 3 of #the100dayproject

Train or trail?

#photo #photography #landscape #photographypractice #bskyart #photographersofbluesky #artsky #blueskyartshow

Practicing my craft ✨🔥 Route 66 never looked this good! Learning, creating, and having fun along the way. Who else loves a good vintage soda? 🚙💨 #Route66Soda #RetroAesthetic #NeonVibes #ProductPhotography #SodaLover #VintageVibes #CreativePhotography #NeonLights #PhotographyPractice #SmallCreator

Borrowed my sister’s cats for a photoshoot🐾📸

#CatPhotography #cats #FelineBeauty #PetPortraits #CatsOfInstagram #AnimalPhotography #CuteCats #PhotographyPractice #PetLover #FurryFriends #Catstagram #PetPhotography #InstaCats #beginnerphotography #amateurphotography #photooftheday #photography

Deer relaxing in Nara - a highlight of Japan 🦌

#NaraPark #DeerOfNara #WildlifePhotography #NatureShots #TravelPhotography #JapanTravel #PeacefulMoments #DeerSpotting #japan #WildlifeLover #PhotographyPractice #ExploreJapan #AnimalLovers #PhotographyInNature #OutdoorPhotography #AmateurPhotography

Wood pigeons are calm, beautiful and often overlooked🐦
#BirdPhotography #NatureShots #WildlifePhotography #BeginnerPhotography #AmateurPhotography #NaturePhotography #BirdWatching #PhotographyPractice #OutdoorPhotography #PhotoOfTheDay #BirdsOfInstagram #NatureLovers #PhotographyHobby #birds #photo

Short visit at the British Museum 🗿🏛️

#MuseumPhotography #BritishMuseum #CulturalHeritage #HistoryThroughArt #PhotographyPractice #BeginnerPhotography #ArtAndHistory #ExploringCulture #AmateurPhotographer #TravelPhotography #HistoricLandmarks #London #MuseumShots #ArchitecturalDetails

Had a play around with my new lens 📸

#WildlifePhotography #CloseUpPhotography #NatureShots #BirdPhotography #UrbanWildlife #AnimalCloseUps #AmateurWildlife #NatureLovers #PhotographyPractice #BeginnerPhotography #BirdWatching #Squirrel #WildlifeCloseUps #OutdoorPhotography

Greenwich Park 🥰🍁🍂🍃

#London #PhotographyPractice #AmateurPhotographer #BeginnerPhotography #Cityscape #UrbanNature #GreenwichPark #ExploreLondon #ArchitecturePhotography #StreetPhotography #BeginnerPhotographer #OutdoorPhotography #LearningPhotography #PhotoWalks #LondonViews #CityPhotography

Person stands on the back step of an old house, holding a large disco ball planter in one hand and a second smaller disco ball planter hanging from their ear gauge.

Summer 2024 - My spouse will forever be my favorite subject—we are always up to something. Together 20+ years and still silly.

#photography #photographypractice
#queerphotographer #pnwqueer #pnwlife #discoballplanter

White plate filled with perfectly cooked and seasoned crawfish dotted with lemon slices.

Sometimes you just want some good #seafood

Living in #Minnesota doesn’t lend itself to what I’m used to so I daydream a lot #BlackSky #Foodsky #photographypractice