Tom Rowland Podcast Episode 22 is my conversation with professional photographer Jason Stemple, who shoots with me on Saltwater Experience, Into The Blue, and Sweetwater, and also works for Buff, Yeti, Hawks Cay, and many other companies in the fishing industry. Jason's photos land because he captures the feeling of the moment and portrays the situation accurately. I asked him how the rest of us can take better fishing photos with whatever camera we already own, whether that is an iPhone, a GoPro, a point-and-shoot, or pro gear.
Listen now: Megaphone · Spotify · YouTube.
Jason Stemple is a professional photographer who works with Tom Rowland on the Saltwater Experience, Into The Blue, and Sweetwater television shoots. He also shoots for Buff, Yeti, Hawks Cay, and many other companies in the fishing industry, and is known for capturing the feeling of a moment and portraying a scene accurately.
Yes. Jason emphasizes that great photos can be taken on iPhones, GoPros, point-and-shoot cameras, or professional gear. The equipment matters far less than understanding light, composition, and timing, which is why his tips apply no matter what camera you carry on the boat.
According to Jason, the difference is capturing the feeling of the moment and portraying the situation accurately rather than just documenting a fish. He shares practical tips in the episode that help any angler improve right away, regardless of the camera being used.
Jason recommends following his work on Instagram and reverse-engineering his photos to understand how they were made. Studying the angle, light, and timing of images you admire is one of the fastest ways to improve your own fishing photography.
Tom Rowland Podcast Episode 22 with Jason Stemple is available on Megaphone, Spotify, YouTube, and the Tom Rowland Podcast feed. The video version is embedded at the top of this page.
I wanted Jason on because I work with him constantly, and I watch him turn ordinary fishing moments into images people remember. Most of us take a picture of a great fish and feel let down by the result. Jason can fix that, and the best part is that almost none of it depends on expensive gear. I wanted listeners to walk away with at least one tip that makes their next photo better immediately.
Press play in the player above to hear it.
Jason makes the case that a great photo can come off any device, from a phone to pro gear, because the fundamentals are about light, timing, and feeling, not the body in your hand. He explains what to focus on instead. Hear it in the episode.
The thing that sets Jason's work apart is that his images convey what the moment actually felt like. He breaks down how he anticipates and frames those moments on the water. Listen to that section of the conversation.
Jason shares practical adjustments that pay off the next time you pick up a camera. I guarantee you will catch at least one that changes how you shoot. Press play in the YouTube player above.
Jason recommends following photographers you admire and working backward from their images to understand the choices behind them. He explains how to study a photo and apply it to your own. Worth hearing in full.
Listen to the full conversation: Megaphone · Spotify · YouTube.
What I appreciate about Jason is that he demystifies something a lot of anglers find intimidating. You do not need a bag of expensive gear to come home with photos you are proud of. You need to understand the moment.
Try one of his tips on your next trip and watch what happens. Press play in the player above, or grab Episode 22 on Megaphone or Spotify.
Jason Stemple · Saltwater Experience · Into The Blue · Sweetwater · Buff · Yeti · Hawks Cay · Tom Rowland (host)
The Tom Rowland Podcast brings you long-form conversations with the most accomplished anglers, hunters, conservationists, and outdoor professionals in the game. Listen to every full-length Tom Rowland Podcast interview.
Jason Stemple is a professional photographer who shoots the Saltwater Experience, Into The Blue, and Sweetwater television programs alongside Tom Rowland, and produces work for Buff, Yeti, Hawks Cay, and many other companies in the fishing industry. His photography is widely respected for capturing the feeling of a moment and portraying a scene accurately, and he is a go-to resource for anglers who want to take better photos with any camera.
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