Paul MacPherson
@paul.macpherson.photography
Urban photographer with a 28 mm field of view.
Honesty over perfection.
https://paul.macpherson.photography
https://youtube.com/@paul.macpherson.photography
Honesty over perfection.
https://paul.macpherson.photography
https://youtube.com/@paul.macpherson.photography
Tokyo is coming up, so I’ve been studying Tokyo street photographers who match where I’m heading stylistically.
Tatsuo Suzuki’s high-contrast “friction” look is exactly the kind of pressure + clarity I’m chasing—and I wrote up what I’m learning.
#StreetPhotography #Tokyo #VisualStyle
Tatsuo Suzuki’s high-contrast “friction” look is exactly the kind of pressure + clarity I’m chasing—and I wrote up what I’m learning.
#StreetPhotography #Tokyo #VisualStyle
Tatsuo Suzuki: High-Contrast Tokyo Street Photography and the Style I’m Chasing
As I prepare for my upcoming Tokyo trip, I’m studying local street photographers aligned with my direction. Tatsuo Suzuki’s high-contrast “friction” aesthetic offers lessons in urgency, editing for pr...
paul.macpherson.photography
February 15, 2026 at 1:20 AM
Tokyo is coming up, so I’ve been studying Tokyo street photographers who match where I’m heading stylistically.
Tatsuo Suzuki’s high-contrast “friction” look is exactly the kind of pressure + clarity I’m chasing—and I wrote up what I’m learning.
#StreetPhotography #Tokyo #VisualStyle
Tatsuo Suzuki’s high-contrast “friction” look is exactly the kind of pressure + clarity I’m chasing—and I wrote up what I’m learning.
#StreetPhotography #Tokyo #VisualStyle
AI doesn’t write my blog posts. It acts like the editor + curation desk I never had: structure, clarity, internal links, consistent tags/categories—and feature images when I need polish (photographer ≠ designer). Here’s my workflow.
#blogging #writing #editing #contentstrategy #SEO #AI #chatgpt
#blogging #writing #editing #contentstrategy #SEO #AI #chatgpt
Using AI for Editing, Content Curation, and Clean Categories & Tags
How I use AI like an affordable editing, curation, and light design staff—tightening drafts, curating internal links, generating feature images, and keeping categories and tags consistent without losi...
paul.macpherson.photography
February 13, 2026 at 3:24 PM
End of the month: Tokyo. One base, three mini-projects, and a photo-first rhythm built around contrast, shape, reflections, and night light. Not chasing “iconic shots”—chasing cohesion.
#tokyo #japan #streetphotography #travelphotography #photographyproject
#tokyo #japan #streetphotography #travelphotography #photographyproject
Tokyo at the End of the Month: A Photo-First Street Photography Plan
A Tokyo photography trip planned around black-and-white seeing—shape, contrast, reflections, night streets, and mini-projects that build a cohesive body of work.
paul.macpherson.photography
February 13, 2026 at 2:40 AM
End of the month: Tokyo. One base, three mini-projects, and a photo-first rhythm built around contrast, shape, reflections, and night light. Not chasing “iconic shots”—chasing cohesion.
#tokyo #japan #streetphotography #travelphotography #photographyproject
#tokyo #japan #streetphotography #travelphotography #photographyproject
Sunset tonight, about 20ty minutes ago in fact, from my rooftop in Toronto.
#scape #UrbanScape #CityScape #UrbanGaze #sunset #sunsetphotography
#scape #UrbanScape #CityScape #UrbanGaze #sunset #sunsetphotography
February 13, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Sunset tonight, about 20ty minutes ago in fact, from my rooftop in Toronto.
#scape #UrbanScape #CityScape #UrbanGaze #sunset #sunsetphotography
#scape #UrbanScape #CityScape #UrbanGaze #sunset #sunsetphotography
February 12, 2026 at 8:10 PM
February 12, 2026 at 3:44 AM
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
Josef Albers. “Shape vs color.” And suddenly my portrait lighting choices make more sense.
#JosefAlbers #Bauhaus #BlackAndWhitePhotography #PortraitLighting #Chiaroscuro #MonochromePhotography #PhotographyPractice #TorontoPhotographer
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...
paul.macpherson.photography
February 11, 2026 at 3:45 PM
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
Josef Albers. “Shape vs color.” And suddenly my portrait lighting choices make more sense.
#JosefAlbers #Bauhaus #BlackAndWhitePhotography #PortraitLighting #Chiaroscuro #MonochromePhotography #PhotographyPractice #TorontoPhotographer
I am really happy with how this one turned out.
#UrbanScape #CityScape #UrbanGaze #urbanlandscape #photography #Toronto #CNTower #Skyline #Cityscape #BlackAndWhite #Monochrome #Winter #LakeOntario #BlackAndWhite
#UrbanScape #CityScape #UrbanGaze #urbanlandscape #photography #Toronto #CNTower #Skyline #Cityscape #BlackAndWhite #Monochrome #Winter #LakeOntario #BlackAndWhite
February 11, 2026 at 3:52 AM
I am really happy with how this one turned out.
#UrbanScape #CityScape #UrbanGaze #urbanlandscape #photography #Toronto #CNTower #Skyline #Cityscape #BlackAndWhite #Monochrome #Winter #LakeOntario #BlackAndWhite
#UrbanScape #CityScape #UrbanGaze #urbanlandscape #photography #Toronto #CNTower #Skyline #Cityscape #BlackAndWhite #Monochrome #Winter #LakeOntario #BlackAndWhite
It was hovering around 0 today, so I walked to the ferry dock and took a trip to the island.
#scape #UrbanScape #CityScape #UrbanGaze #urbanlandscape #photography #fujigfx100rf #gfx100rf
#scape #UrbanScape #CityScape #UrbanGaze #urbanlandscape #photography #fujigfx100rf #gfx100rf
February 11, 2026 at 1:23 AM
It was hovering around 0 today, so I walked to the ferry dock and took a trip to the island.
#scape #UrbanScape #CityScape #UrbanGaze #urbanlandscape #photography #fujigfx100rf #gfx100rf
#scape #UrbanScape #CityScape #UrbanGaze #urbanlandscape #photography #fujigfx100rf #gfx100rf
Photographer’s Assistant in Toronto — what the job really is, what you do on set (1st/2nd assist vs digi-tech), and what day rates can look like + questions to ask before you say yes.
#photographyjobs #photographybusiness #photoassistant #digitaltech #photography #toronto
#photographyjobs #photographybusiness #photoassistant #digitaltech #photography #toronto
Photographer’s Assistant in Toronto: What They Do and What They Get Paid
What a photographer’s assistant actually does on set in Toronto—roles (1st/2nd assistant, digital tech), typical responsibilities, day rates, and what to clarify before you take a gig.
paul.macpherson.photography
February 10, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Photographer’s Assistant in Toronto — what the job really is, what you do on set (1st/2nd assist vs digi-tech), and what day rates can look like + questions to ask before you say yes.
#photographyjobs #photographybusiness #photoassistant #digitaltech #photography #toronto
#photographyjobs #photographybusiness #photoassistant #digitaltech #photography #toronto
I’m building two things at once: the work… and the system that can fund it.
Goal after sixty, in just two years: $32k/year part-time via 4–6 income streams. No hustle culture. Just structure + sustainability.
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
#photography #photographybusiness
Goal after sixty, in just two years: $32k/year part-time via 4–6 income streams. No hustle culture. Just structure + sustainability.
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
#photography #photographybusiness
The Parallel Path: Building $32,000/Year From Photography After Sixty
A realistic plan to earn $32,000 a year part-time from photography after sixty—by building 3–4 bodies of work and 4–6 aligned income streams (prints, portraits, assisting, and editorial), without losi...
paul.macpherson.photography
February 9, 2026 at 10:01 PM
I’m building two things at once: the work… and the system that can fund it.
Goal after sixty, in just two years: $32k/year part-time via 4–6 income streams. No hustle culture. Just structure + sustainability.
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
#photography #photographybusiness
Goal after sixty, in just two years: $32k/year part-time via 4–6 income streams. No hustle culture. Just structure + sustainability.
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
#photography #photographybusiness
Self-Portrait Project Day 22
Today’s experiment in portraiture was in a two-flash Rembrandt setup.
It forced, I mean, it motivated me to use my Godox X3 trigger with my Godox IT32 and IT30 flashes.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
Today’s experiment in portraiture was in a two-flash Rembrandt setup.
It forced, I mean, it motivated me to use my Godox X3 trigger with my Godox IT32 and IT30 flashes.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
February 9, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Self-Portrait Project Day 22
Today’s experiment in portraiture was in a two-flash Rembrandt setup.
It forced, I mean, it motivated me to use my Godox X3 trigger with my Godox IT32 and IT30 flashes.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
Today’s experiment in portraiture was in a two-flash Rembrandt setup.
It forced, I mean, it motivated me to use my Godox X3 trigger with my Godox IT32 and IT30 flashes.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
Self-Portrait Project Day 21
b&w or colour?
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
b&w or colour?
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
February 9, 2026 at 2:34 AM
Self-Portrait Project Day 21
b&w or colour?
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
b&w or colour?
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
I’m curating my influences like a diet: Hurrell. Karsh. Fan Ho.
Three teachers, one direction — chiaroscuro. Training my eye so the output stops being an accident.
paul.macpherson.photography/go/w9p
#photography #streetphotography #portraitphotography #blackandwhite #chiaroscuro #photographer
Three teachers, one direction — chiaroscuro. Training my eye so the output stops being an accident.
paul.macpherson.photography/go/w9p
#photography #streetphotography #portraitphotography #blackandwhite #chiaroscuro #photographer
Three Teachers of Chiaroscuro: Hurrell, Karsh, Fan Ho
Personal style starts with seeing. I’m training my eye through three teachers—George Hurrell, Yousuf Karsh, and Fan Ho—to shape my portraits and street work.
paul.macpherson.photography
February 8, 2026 at 4:26 PM
I’m curating my influences like a diet: Hurrell. Karsh. Fan Ho.
Three teachers, one direction — chiaroscuro. Training my eye so the output stops being an accident.
paul.macpherson.photography/go/w9p
#photography #streetphotography #portraitphotography #blackandwhite #chiaroscuro #photographer
Three teachers, one direction — chiaroscuro. Training my eye so the output stops being an accident.
paul.macpherson.photography/go/w9p
#photography #streetphotography #portraitphotography #blackandwhite #chiaroscuro #photographer
Self-Portrait Project Day 20
Today was my second day using my Canon 5D Mark III with my new 50mm f/1.2 combo.
I added a reflector to the formula to experiment with muting shadows.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
Today was my second day using my Canon 5D Mark III with my new 50mm f/1.2 combo.
I added a reflector to the formula to experiment with muting shadows.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
February 7, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Self-Portrait Project Day 20
Today was my second day using my Canon 5D Mark III with my new 50mm f/1.2 combo.
I added a reflector to the formula to experiment with muting shadows.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
Today was my second day using my Canon 5D Mark III with my new 50mm f/1.2 combo.
I added a reflector to the formula to experiment with muting shadows.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
A long-time dream is landing this spring: Ricoh GR IV Monochrome + 720nm infrared filter.
Plan: every walk with two cameras (GR + GFX100RF) until I can feel which one matches the image in my head before I lift it to my eye.
#photography #blackandwhite #infrared #ricohgr #toronto #monochrome
Plan: every walk with two cameras (GR + GFX100RF) until I can feel which one matches the image in my head before I lift it to my eye.
#photography #blackandwhite #infrared #ricohgr #toronto #monochrome
My Monochromatic Dream: Ricoh GR IV Monochrome and 720nm Infrared This Spring
This spring I’m finally stepping into a monochrome sensor camera—the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome—and pairing it with a 720nm infrared filter while I walk Toronto with both the GR and my GFX100RF, learning ...
paul.macpherson.photography
February 7, 2026 at 4:40 PM
A long-time dream is landing this spring: Ricoh GR IV Monochrome + 720nm infrared filter.
Plan: every walk with two cameras (GR + GFX100RF) until I can feel which one matches the image in my head before I lift it to my eye.
#photography #blackandwhite #infrared #ricohgr #toronto #monochrome
Plan: every walk with two cameras (GR + GFX100RF) until I can feel which one matches the image in my head before I lift it to my eye.
#photography #blackandwhite #infrared #ricohgr #toronto #monochrome
Self-Portrait Project Day 19
Today, I put my GFX100RF aside and picked up my Canon 5D Mark III with my new 50mm f/1.2 for my first portrait with this new combo.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
Today, I put my GFX100RF aside and picked up my Canon 5D Mark III with my new 50mm f/1.2 for my first portrait with this new combo.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
February 7, 2026 at 12:33 AM
Self-Portrait Project Day 19
Today, I put my GFX100RF aside and picked up my Canon 5D Mark III with my new 50mm f/1.2 for my first portrait with this new combo.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
Today, I put my GFX100RF aside and picked up my Canon 5D Mark III with my new 50mm f/1.2 for my first portrait with this new combo.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
Self-portrait project day 18.
Today I wanted to perfect the simplest, IMHO, least artistic light portrait configuration.
One flash on camera, camera on a tripod, one background.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
Today I wanted to perfect the simplest, IMHO, least artistic light portrait configuration.
One flash on camera, camera on a tripod, one background.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
February 6, 2026 at 1:31 AM
Self-portrait project day 18.
Today I wanted to perfect the simplest, IMHO, least artistic light portrait configuration.
One flash on camera, camera on a tripod, one background.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
Today I wanted to perfect the simplest, IMHO, least artistic light portrait configuration.
One flash on camera, camera on a tripod, one background.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
I’m building 3–4 bodies of work across multiple genres—on purpose, on a deadline. This is where I’m at in the genre selection process: portraiture, urban landscape, abstract street… and maybe documentary if I earn it.
#photography #urbanphotography #portraitphotography #abstractstreetphotography
#photography #urbanphotography #portraitphotography #abstractstreetphotography
Choosing My Photography Genres: Building 3–4 Bodies of Work
I’m narrowing my focus to 3–4 genres—portraiture, urban landscape, abstract street, and a possible documentary lane—so I can build real bodies of work before 60.
paul.macpherson.photography
February 5, 2026 at 6:57 PM
I’m building 3–4 bodies of work across multiple genres—on purpose, on a deadline. This is where I’m at in the genre selection process: portraiture, urban landscape, abstract street… and maybe documentary if I earn it.
#photography #urbanphotography #portraitphotography #abstractstreetphotography
#photography #urbanphotography #portraitphotography #abstractstreetphotography
February 4, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Weeks of self-portraits taught me the technical reps. Now I’m taking a tentative chiaroscuro style into real sessions—with a 5-point portrait checklist built to help build the human connection.
#photography #portraitphotography #chiaroscuro #selfportraits
paul.macpherson.photography/bq6x
#photography #portraitphotography #chiaroscuro #selfportraits
paul.macpherson.photography/bq6x
From Self-Portraits to Real Portraits: My 5-Point Chiaroscuro Checklist
After weeks of self-portraits, I’m taking my chiaroscuro style into real sessions—using a 5-point portrait checklist to build connection and consistency.
paul.macpherson.photography
February 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Weeks of self-portraits taught me the technical reps. Now I’m taking a tentative chiaroscuro style into real sessions—with a 5-point portrait checklist built to help build the human connection.
#photography #portraitphotography #chiaroscuro #selfportraits
paul.macpherson.photography/bq6x
#photography #portraitphotography #chiaroscuro #selfportraits
paul.macpherson.photography/bq6x
In today’s self-portrait, I am feeling rather anonymous 🤣
Self-portrait project day 16.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
Self-portrait project day 16.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
February 3, 2026 at 9:42 PM
In today’s self-portrait, I am feeling rather anonymous 🤣
Self-portrait project day 16.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
Self-portrait project day 16.
#portrait #portraitphotography #selfportrait #selfie #photography
Two street photography shots from yesterday, one abstract, one more traditional.
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto #abstract
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto #abstract
February 3, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Two street photography shots from yesterday, one abstract, one more traditional.
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto #abstract
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto #abstract
I just completed my full 2026 summary of Ansel Adams’ The Camera—key takeaways from every chapter + links to each chapter's post.
#Photography #AnselAdams #TheCamera #PhotographyFundamentals #Visualization #Composition #DigitalPhotography #PhotoPractice
paul.macpherson.photography/go/k41d
#Photography #AnselAdams #TheCamera #PhotographyFundamentals #Visualization #Composition #DigitalPhotography #PhotoPractice
paul.macpherson.photography/go/k41d
The Camera by Ansel Adams: 2026 Summary + Key Takeaways From Every Chapter
An overall 2026 interpretation of Ansel Adams’ The Camera—the core principles that outlast technology, plus key takeaways and links to each chapter summary from introduction through Chapter 12.
paul.macpherson.photography
February 3, 2026 at 12:09 PM
I just completed my full 2026 summary of Ansel Adams’ The Camera—key takeaways from every chapter + links to each chapter's post.
#Photography #AnselAdams #TheCamera #PhotographyFundamentals #Visualization #Composition #DigitalPhotography #PhotoPractice
paul.macpherson.photography/go/k41d
#Photography #AnselAdams #TheCamera #PhotographyFundamentals #Visualization #Composition #DigitalPhotography #PhotoPractice
paul.macpherson.photography/go/k41d
Day 15 self-portrait: I’m done “trying stuff.” I’m choosing a language—chiaroscuro.
One light, deep shadow, and the confidence to reveal only what matters.
#photography #portraitphotography #chiaroscuro #blackandwhite #Toronto #creativepractice #selfportrait
paul.macpherson.photography/go/uxws
One light, deep shadow, and the confidence to reveal only what matters.
#photography #portraitphotography #chiaroscuro #blackandwhite #Toronto #creativepractice #selfportrait
paul.macpherson.photography/go/uxws
Chiaroscuro Portraiture: Day 15, One Light, and the Confidence to Keep the Shadows
Day 15 of my self-portrait project delivered a true chiaroscuro frame: split lighting, deep negative space, and intentional shadow. Here’s what worked, what I learned, and how I’m taking this style to...
paul.macpherson.photography
February 3, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Day 15 self-portrait: I’m done “trying stuff.” I’m choosing a language—chiaroscuro.
One light, deep shadow, and the confidence to reveal only what matters.
#photography #portraitphotography #chiaroscuro #blackandwhite #Toronto #creativepractice #selfportrait
paul.macpherson.photography/go/uxws
One light, deep shadow, and the confidence to reveal only what matters.
#photography #portraitphotography #chiaroscuro #blackandwhite #Toronto #creativepractice #selfportrait
paul.macpherson.photography/go/uxws