After Dark Photography Podcast

• Episode 58: Creativity, Connection, and Resilience

  Introduction This episode explores how creativity—particularly photography—can serve as a powerful tool for building resilience, processing difficult emotions, and reconnecting with ourselves and our communities. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by current events or simply seeking more meaningful creative practices, this conversation offers practical guidance for using photography as a pathway to greater presence and peace. Key Takeaways Understanding Our Current Reality We're living in a time of immense change and uncertainty, carrying the weight of collective stress from various sourcesThere's a difference between being informed and being consumed by the constant news cycleOur nervous systems are designed to respond to uncertainty, often making it difficult to create, connect, or truly restA Framework for ResilienceAcknowledge: Give yourself permission to name the uncertainty and stress you're carryingGet Curious: Shift from overwhelm into exploration by asking what's within your reachTake Action: Make small, intentional steps that bring you back to yourself, your creativity, and your communityThe Power of Photography as a Restorative PracticePhotography, especially night photography, naturally encourages mindfulness, patience, and presenceThe act of creating something—regardless of its "quality"—reminds us of our agency in uncertain timesPhotography asks us to slow down and connect with something greater than ourselvesLooking through a lens helps us process and relate to the world differentlySmall Creative Practices for Building ResilienceFive-Minute Reset: Take just a few minutes to photograph something that catches your eyeNotice Your Environment: Pay attention to light, color, and composition in your everyday surroundingsLet Go of Perfectionism: Remember that the value is in the act of creation itself, not the outcomeVisual Journal: Use photography to document small moments of beauty in your daily lifeBuilding Connection Through CreativityPhoto Walks: Invite a friend or neighbor to walk and take pictures togetherPhoto Pen Pals: Exchange meaningful photos with distant friends instead of just textingEditing Dates: Meet with creative friends to work on projects togetherVoice Memo Exchanges: Share audio notes about what you're noticing while creatingCommunity Art Exchanges: Organize small-scale art sharing between friendsExpanding Creative Connection in CommunitiesCreate little free art galleries for neighborhood exchanges of small creative worksPartner with camera clubs, libraries, or community centers to organize accessible photo walksEstablish community display spaces for rotating exhibitions on simple themesUse photography as a way to help people connect with their surroundings and each otherConclusion This episode reminds us that creativity isn't a luxury—it's a necessity for navigating uncertain times. When we engage in photography and other creative practices, we aren't disengaging from the world's problems but rather restoring ourselves so we can show up more fully. These small creative acts create ripple effects that extend far beyond ourselves, influencing our families, communities, and perhaps even the wider world. By finding moments of presence and connection through our art, we build the resilience needed to face challenges and continue finding light in the darkness.

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• Episode 57: Photoshop and Artificial Intelligence

  In today's episode, I'm diving deep into a topic that's been coming up constantly in my photography communities - artificial intelligence and its role in night photography. Whether you're excited about AI's potential or concerned about its impact on our craft, I'll help you understand what's really happening with AI in our Photoshop workflows and why I believe it won't replace the magic of capturing the night sky.Key Takeaways:Let's Talk About AI in Photoshop I'll explain when you can stick with RAW editing and when you need PhotoshopWe'll explore the difference between those flashy generative AI tools and the helpful AI features already in our workflowsI'll share some of my favorite time-saving AI tools like Select Sky (with a cool trick for reflections!)You'll learn how AI is making our selection and masking work so much fasterWhy AI Won't Replace Night Photographers (Yet!) The truth about AI's struggles with accurate star patternsWhy local conditions like light pollution and atmospheric effects matterHow seasonal changes and latitude affect our night sky shotsThe importance of maintaining astronomical accuracy in our editsNavigating the Ethics of AI My thoughts on AI using our images for trainingHow to balance sharing our work while protecting our creative rightsWhy we need better transparency from companiesThe importance of staying flexible as technology evolvesWhere I Think We're Heading Why I believe our core workflow won't disappearHow AI will complement (not replace) our existing skillsThe exciting potential for new creative toolsWays AI might actually give us more time to shootThe Human Touch in Photography Why being in the field can't be replicated by AIThe importance of sharing our complete creative journeyHow we connect with our audience beyond just the final imageWhat makes our role as photographers truly specialWhat You'll Get From This Episode: I'm sharing my real-world perspective on AI as someone who's been teaching Photoshop since 2008. You'll learn how to think about AI tools in your workflow, understand what they can (and can't) do for your night photography, and feel more confident about embracing helpful AI features while maintaining your artistic integrity. Whether you're worried about AI taking over or just curious about how to use these new tools effectively, this episode will help you navigate the changing landscape of photography while staying true to your creative vision.I've aimed to give you practical insights while exploring the bigger questions about AI's role in our photographic future. Most importantly, I hope this episode helps you feel excited about the possibilities while understanding why your unique perspective and experience as a photographer will always be valuable.

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• Episode 56: Unlocking Creativity & Navigating Grief

  In this episode, I dive deep into the impact of creativity on navigating grief. Sharing personal stories and insights into the grieving process, I discuss how creative outlets like photography and gardening can serve as anchors during tough times. We'll explore the healing power of nature, the importance of rituals, and how to keep moving forward on the healing journey.Key TakeawaysCreativity can be a powerful tool for processing grief and finding healing.Being in nature has numerous benefits for our mental and physical health.Rituals provide a structured way to process emotions and bring a sense of control during chaotic times.Journeying Through GriefI start by discussing grief and how it affects everyone differently. Grief is a non-linear process, and it’s important to acknowledge and honor each person's unique experience.The Role of Creativity in GriefI explore how creativity can help in processing grief. Sharing personal experiences, I explain how creating art, whether it's photography or gardening, or something else that provides a physical anchor for our emotions. I talk about how I used photography to connect with my late mother and the therapeutic value of creating something meaningful.The Healing Power of NatureNext, I delve into the benefits of being in nature, citing studies that show how it reduces stress and promotes healing. Spending time outdoors, whether through photography or gardening, has helped me cope with grief and find peace.The Importance of RitualI discuss the concept of ritual and its role in healing. I share how I unintentionally created rituals around my photography practice, explaining how these structured activities brought comfort and helped me process my emotions. Having a set process and intention behind creative activities can be incredibly healing.Grief, while deeply personal and often overwhelming, can be navigated through intentional acts of creativity and connection with nature. Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I hope you find solace and inspiration in your own creative practices.Links mentioned in this training:Influence of Forest Therapy on Cardiovascular Relaxation in Young Adults:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2014/834360How nature nurtures: Amygdala activity decreases as the result of a one-hour walk in nature:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-022-01720-6

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• Episode 55: My Favourite Milky Way Lighting

  Understanding and effectively utilizing light is key in capturing stunning images of the Milky Way. By exploring the contrast and harmony between natural and artificial light sources, photographers can hone their skill and express their artistic vision in the night sky. Whether using consistent starlight, blue-hour ambiance, or strategic low-level lighting, the mastery of light takes centre stage in creating impactful Milky Way photographs.Let's peel back the layers on the art of lighting in today's episode. This podcast isn't just another technical manual. Sure, we're diving into how the glow from a distant streetlight or the phase of the moon can make or break your shot, and yet it’s about so much more than getting the right light or settings.We're talking about a journey that can reshape the way you see the world, bringing a sense of healing and peace that's hard to find elsewhere.In this episode, you will be able to:Discover the best lighting techniques for capturing stunning Milky Way images.Learn about my free training to master the art of photographing the Milky Way.Enhance your nightscape photography skills to create breathtaking images.Learn advanced techniques for using both natural and artificial lighting in your nighttime photography.Understand the holistic view of planning and execution of successful Milky Way photo shoots for stunning results.The key moments in this episode are:00:00:00 - The Thought Journey of Light Preference 00:07:26 - Planning for a Live Shoot 00:11:39 - The Enduring Journey of Milky Way Photography 00:16:13 - The Fundamentals of Night Photography 00:16:45 - Information Integration in Education 00:18:03 - Starting with the End in Mind 00:23:14 - Photography as Therapy 00:27:39 - Externalizing Thoughts through Photography 00:30:50 - Considerations for Shooting 00:32:54 - Using Different Light Sources 00:33:37 - Balancing Photography and Family 00:35:20 - Moon Cycles and Lighting Options 00:37:51 - Artificial vs. Natural Light 00:42:56 - Importance of Image Quality for Printing 00:49:09 - The Importance of Different Types of Light 00:50:37 - Photographing Under the Night Sky 00:53:52 - Challenges and Restrictions in Night Photography 00:58:18 - Different Perspectives in Photography 01:00:55 - Advice for New Milky Way Photographers When you finish listening, I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from today’s episode. Come join us in the Facebook group for this podcast where we chat about the episodes and all things night photography.Links mentioned in this training:https://kristinerosephotography.com/yourfirstmilkywayphoto-2https://www.afterdarkphotographypodcast.com/blog/4https://www.afterdarkphotographypodcast.com/blog/6https://www.afterdarkphotographypodcast.com/blog/12https://www.afterdarkphotographypodcast.com/blog/13https://www.afterdarkphotographypodcast.com/blog/31https://www.afterdarkphotographypodcast.com/blog/38

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• Episode 54: How to Build an Image

  A photo is just a 2D representation of the physical world, isn’t it? This is something I hear a lot in the fine art world and given the history of photography and how widespread and easily accessible the medium is now I’m not surprised.In this episode I’m peeling back the layers of how I build an image, because it is so much more than just using the source material (aka our world) to create a digital representation.I talk less “how-to” and more about how I decide on creating an image, the thoughts that are ever ongoing in my head, how I choose my subject/places, and how the act of creation is really an act of self-care.I recorded this so that I can share with you a piece of my creative process so you can reflect on your own, and ultimately keep showing up for yourself!Get on the Waitlist for my Your First Milky Way Photo training here:https://www.kristinerosephotography.com/firstphoto

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