My Photography Journey – interview

Posted on by christopherwrightau

Recently I was interviewed by Grant Swinbourne on his excellent Landscape Photography World podcast. In the interview I talked about my photography journey over the last thirty years. This included my early years growing up on Sydney Harbour, using my first cameras to capture the beauty of the ocean as well as fishing trips to Australia’s tropical north and Papua New Guinea, and my rediscovery of photography in the 2010s on trips to major cities in North America, Europe and Asia.

Embracing mirrorless, small format cameras, my late in life rediscovery of the joy of photography has grown into a consuming passion as my knowledge of the technical aspects of composition and processing has developed.

In recent years, the pandemic has led me to shift my attention to local seascape and landscape compositions and explore the creative possibilities of hidden waterfalls and the beauty of beaches and headlands at sunrise and sunset. I have also sought to marry my research interest in climate change with photographic projects exploring the fossil fuel industry and its physical impacts on the landscape and society. This includes exploring ways to extend my photographic vision into artistic and abstract compositions which address the realities of the vulnerability of the natural environment and the changing landscape we are now living within.

In the podcast, Grant and I discuss climate change and the challenges we face with it, how I use my imagery in teaching and the way photography has helped me in my career as a climate researcher.

Ep 235 – Leaving Social Media, Slowing Down and Creating Landscape Photography with Jon Norris – Landscape Photography World

Jon Norris is a seasoned landscape photographer whose approach blends technical precision with thoughtful artistic intent. First picking up a camera at 14, Jon’s creative path has been shaped by his background as a former aerospace engineer, giving him a deep understanding of both the mechanics and the meaning behind an image. Based in Southern California, Jon spends much of his time exploring and photographing places like Joshua Tree National Park. His philosophy centres on slowing down, learning to truly see, and building the confidence to create images that feel personal rather than camera-driven. For Jon, landscape photography is not about chasing icons, but about developing consistency, intention, and a visual voice that reflects the photographer behind the lens. In this conversation, Jon discusses balancing a demanding corporate career in aviation with a long-term passion for photography, eventually reshaping his priorities around creativity and personal fulfilment. He shares insights into teaching workshops, navigating increasing restrictions in protected landscapes, and why he chose to step away from social media to reconnect with authentic creative practice. Jon also explores his growing interest in medium format film, the value of setting personal photographic goals, and the responsibility photographers carry to protect the wild places that inspire their work. His perspective is grounded, reflective, and refreshingly honest.   I hope you enjoy the show! You can find Jon’s work here: Website: https://jonnorrisphoto.com/ Substack: https://jonnorrisphoto.substack.com/     Listen to this and other episodes wherever you find your podcasts or on https://grantswinbournephotography.com/lpw-podcast Or subscribe to my YouTube channel https://youtube.com/@grantswinbournephotography   Theme music: Liturgy Of The Street by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com   #JonNorris #LandscapePhotography #PhotographyPodcast #CreativeProcess #JoshuaTree #FilmPhotography #NaturePhotography #PhotographyEducation
  1. Ep 235 – Leaving Social Media, Slowing Down and Creating Landscape Photography with Jon Norris
  2. Ep 234 – Robin Dodd: Woodland Photography, Composition & Finding Order in Chaos
  3. Ep 233 – Creativity Beyond the Frame with Vivien Francis
  4. Ep 232 – Cam Blake – A Scientific Approach to Photographing Tasmania’s Wildest Landscapes
  5. Ep 231 – Slowing down to connect with the landscape with Andy Gray

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