The Lakescape Photography Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Your Reality, Your Art: Editing as Expression with Blake Rudis

In this episode of the Lakescape Photography Podcast, Nick sits down with Blake Rudis. Professional photography educator, landscape photographer, and founder of F64 Academy, for a deep, practical conversation about artistic vision, editing as translation, and why your photos deserve more than "driving north" with no plan in post-processing.

Together, they unpack the tension between "purism" and creative expression, how our brains actually see a scene versus what a sensor records, and why the final image is often a gift of experience to the viewer, not a literal document of reality. They also tackle the modern landscape: AI accusations, authenticity, ethics, critique, jealousy, and how to stay grounded while still making work you're proud to share.

If you've ever looked at your RAW files and thought, "This doesn't match what I felt," this one's for you.

• F64 Academy (Blake's education + newsletter): https://f64academy.com

• F64 Academy on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@f64Academy

• F64 Elite (Blake's community + critiques + roundtables): https://f64elite.com

• Recommended Ansel Adams books: The Camera, The Negative, The Print

Connect With The Host - Nicholas Albert👋🏼

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YouTube 

Instagram 

The Lakescape Photography Podcast 🎙️

Great Lakes Photo Collective - Discord 

Support the Show

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Email

Finding Your Photographic Voice with Craig Blacklock (Lake Superior, Style, Composition & Creative Freedom)

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Blacklock Gallery (books / store): https://www.blacklockgallery.com 
Craig's fine art prints: https://www.craigblacklock.art 
Singulart profile (search his name): https://www.singulart.com

Season Two kicks off with renowned Minnesota-based landscape photographer, author, educator, and gallery owner Craig Blacklock, a lifelong photographer of Lake Superior. Craig shares the throughline of his 50+ year career (from large-format landscapes to intimate projects and modern abstract work), and breaks down what it actually means to develop a photographic voice, separate from "vision," separate from trends, and often separate from what performs online.

This conversation is packed with practical field and creative guidance: how to spot your patterns, why constraints make you more creative, how to slow down and refine composition, and why social media engagement is a terrible measuring stick for meaningful work.

• The difference between photographic vision (what you want your work to do) and photographic voice (how your work sounds/feels).

• How Craig's long-term Lake Superior projects evolved:

  • Lake Superior Images (4x5 transparencies + kayak circumnavigation writing)

  • A Voice Within: The Lake Superior Nudes (metaphor, humanity, emotion)

  • North Shore / Apostle Islands / Pictured Rocks work

  • Horizons and the shift toward minimalism and abstraction

  • Light Waves and the current abstract "resistance arts" direction

• Why your best work may get less engagement online, and why that can be a good sign.

• A compositional approach that helps complex scenes read clearly: separation of elements (the "loose jigsaw puzzle" idea).

• How to stop shooting "14mm panic photos" and start making wide angles work.

Next up: "Your Reality, Your Art." A digital darkroom conversation with Blake Rudis about interpretation, style, and creating work that reflects your experience (not the internet's expectations).

Connect with the Host - Nicholas Albert 👋🏼

Website 

YouTube 

Instagram 

_____________________________________________________

The Lakescape Photography Podcast 🎙️

Great Lakes Photo Collective - Discord 

Support the Show

Website

Instagram 

Email 

Capturing Fall Color in Michigan's Upper Peninsula with Neil Weaver

This week, Neil Weaver joins us as we discuss fall color in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. From our mindset to the tools that help us achieve our vision, to dealing with challenging weather and having authentic adventures, we discuss it all! Join us as Neil shares his insights from over 20 years of exploring some of the most beautiful areas of the Great Lakes State!

Please don't forget to rate and subscribe! 🙂

CONNECT WITH NEIL WEAVER 📸

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Workshops 

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CONNECT WITH THE HOST 👋🏼

Website | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | Email

_____________________________________________________

THE LAKESCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY PODCAST 🎙️

Website | Patreon | Instagram | Email 

_____________________________________________________

All Content © Nicholas Albert Photography & The Lakescape Photography Podcast - All Rights Reserved.

The Lakescape Photography Podcast name, artwork, logo, audio and associated content are property of Nicholas Albert Photography. Reproduction, modification, or any use of the podcast name, artwork, logo, audio, and associated content must receive prior written authorization. For inquiries, please reach out: lakescapepodcast@gmail.com. 

Fall Color in The Upper Peninsula - The Fall Color Report with Yooper Steve 

Join Yooper Steve and I as we kickoff the 2025 Countdown to Fall Color! In this episode, Steve shares some excelent tips, tricks, and advice for finding the best color in the Upper Peninsula. Expanding on his annual Fall Color Report, Steve shares details about his adventures behind the report, and how it can help you plan out your fall colors trip this season! 

Please don't forget to rate and subscribe! 🙂

CONNECT WITH YOOPER STEVE 📸

The Fall Color Report | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Website

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CONNECT WITH THE HOST 👋🏼

Website | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | Email

_____________________________________________________

THE LAKESCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY PODCAST 🎙️

Website | Patreon | Instagram | Email 

_____________________________________________________

All Content © Nicholas Albert Photography & The Lakescape Photography Podcast - All Rights Reserved.

The Lakescape Photography Podcast name, artwork, logo, audio and associated content are property of Nicholas Albert Photography. Reproduction, modification, or any use of the podcast name, artwork, logo, audio, and associated content must receive prior written authorization. For inquiries, please reach out: lakescapepodcast@gmail.com. 

Experiences on The Lakes with Keith Blaske

Join Keith Blaske and I as we discuss some of our journey into photography and favorite adventures throughout the Great Lakes region and beyond. 

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CONNECT WITH KEITH BLASKE 📸

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Warren Dunes Moon Image

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CONNECT WITH THE HOST 👋🏼

Website | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | Email

_____________________________________________________

THE LAKESCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY PODCAST 🎙️

Website | Patreon | Instagram | Email 

_____________________________________________________

All Content © Nicholas Albert Photography & The Lakescape Photography Podcast - All Rights Reserved.

The Lakescape Photography Podcast name, artwork, logo, audio and associated content are property of Nicholas Albert Photography. Reproduction, modification, or any use of the podcast name, artwork, logo, audio, and associated content must receive prior written authorization. For inquiries, please reach out: lakescapepodcast@gmail.com. 

The Split Rock Lighthouse with Light Keeper Hayes Scriven

In this episode, Hayes Scriven joins us for a discussion on the Split Rock Lighthouse on Minnesota's North Shore. One of the most iconic lighthouses on the Great Lakes, Hayes shares the history, experiences, and photographic opportunities at the lighthouse as both the light keeper, and practicing professional photographer.

Please don't forget to rate and subscribe! 🙂

CONNECT WITH HAYES SCRIVEN 📸

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Workshops

_____________________________________________________ 

CONNECT WITH THE HOST 👋🏼

Website | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | Email

_____________________________________________________

THE LAKESCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY PODCAST 🎙️

Website | Patreon | Instagram | Email 

_____________________________________________________

All Content © Nicholas Albert Photography & The Lakescape Photography Podcast - All Rights Reserved.

The Lakescape Photography Podcast name, artwork, logo, audio and associated content are property of Nicholas Albert Photography. Reproduction, modification, or any use of the podcast name, artwork, logo, audio, and associated content must receive prior written authorization. For inquiries, please reach out: lakescapepodcast@gmail.com. 

Absence and Fondness 

In this episode I share some of my reflections on my recent trips to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and the importance of allowing your absence from your favorite places to inspire your fondness of them. 

Please don't forget to rate and subscribe! 🙂

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CONNECT WITH ME 👋🏼

Website | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | Email

_____________________________________________________

THE LAKESCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY PODCAST 🎙️

Website | Group | Instagram | Email 

_____________________________________________________

All Content © Nicholas Albert Photography & The Lakescape Photography Podcast - All Rights Reserved.

The Lakescape Photography Podcast name, artwork, logo, audio and associated content are property of Nicholas Albert Photography. Reproduction, modification, or any use of the podcast name, artwork, logo, audio, and associated content must receive prior written authorization. For inquiries, please reach out: lakescapepodcast@gmail.com. 

Where the Wild Things Roam with Craig Sterken

In this episode, Craig Sterken joins us for an exciting discussion on wildlife photography in the Great Lakes region. With over ten years of photography experience, Craig shares his lessons and learnings as a wildlife and landscape photographer, and how the two influence each other but remain independent all the same!

Please don't forget to rate and subscribe! 🙂

CONNECT WITH CRAIG STERKEN 📸

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Image Discussed

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CONNECT WITH THE HOST 👋🏼

Website | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | Email

_____________________________________________________

THE LAKESCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY PODCAST 🎙️

Website | Patreon | Instagram | Email 

_____________________________________________________

All Content © Nicholas Albert Photography & The Lakescape Photography Podcast - All Rights Reserved.

The Lakescape Photography Podcast name, artwork, logo, audio and associated content are property of Nicholas Albert Photography. Reproduction, modification, or any use of the podcast name, artwork, logo, audio, and associated content must receive prior written authorization. For inquiries, please reach out: lakescapepodcast@gmail.com. 

Aerial Landscape Photography with Cameron Wilcox

In this episode, Cameron Wilcox joins us for an exciting discussion on aerial landscape photography and the many challenges, rewards, and perspectives it provides! Cameron shares his knowledge and some tips for those interested in getting started, and how he crafts the images that he shares! 

Please don't forget to rate and subscribe! 🙂

CONNECT WITH CAMERON WILCOX 📸

Threads | Instagram 

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CONNECT WITH ME 👋🏼

Website | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | Email

_____________________________________________________

EXPLORE THE GREAT LAKES 🥾

Series | Gallery | YouTube | Trail Notes Blog

_____________________________________________________

THE LAKESCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY PODCAST 🎙️

Website | Group | Instagram | Email 

_____________________________________________________

All Content © Nicholas Albert Photography & The Lakescape Photography Podcast - All Rights Reserved.

The Lakescape Photography Podcast name, artwork, logo, audio and associated content are property of Nicholas Albert Photography. Reproduction, modification, or any use of the podcast name, artwork, logo, audio, and associated content must receive prior written authorization. For inquiries, please reach out: lakescapepodcast@gmail.com. 

Spring Landscapes with Chris Noronha

In this episode professional landscape photographer Chris Noronha joins us to discuss the challenges and rewards of chasing what each season offers. Sharing some excellent advice, Chris explains how he approaches the seasons and embraces the changes that come with each!

Please don't forget to rate and subscribe! 🙂

CONNECT WITH CHRIS NORONHA 📸

Website | Facebook | Instagram 

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CONNECT WITH ME 👋🏼

Website | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Threads | Email

_____________________________________________________

EXPLORE THE GREAT LAKES 🥾

Series | Gallery | YouTube | Trail Notes Blog

_____________________________________________________

THE LAKESCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY PODCAST 🎙️

Website | Group | Instagram | Email 

_____________________________________________________

All Content © Nicholas Albert Photography & The Lakescape Photography Podcast - All Rights Reserved.

The Lakescape Photography Podcast name, artwork, logo, audio and associated content are property of Nicholas Albert Photography. Reproduction, modification, or any use of the podcast name, artwork, logo, audio, and associated content must receive prior written authorization. For inquiries, please reach out: lakescapepodcast@gmail.com.