On this episode of The PHYS Podcast, Tyson Martin sits down with documentary and landscape photographer Kyle McDougall for a thoughtful conversation about place, history, observation, and the power of long-form visual storytelling.

Originally from Ontario, Canada, and now based in the United Kingdom, Kyle has built a reputation for creating deeply considered photographic work that explores the relationship between landscape, memory, and time. His images often focus on places many people pass through without a second glance, small towns, rural communities, forgotten infrastructure, and landscapes shaped by generations of human presence.

What makes Kyle's work unique is his willingness to slow down.

To spend years, not days, exploring a subject.

To return repeatedly to the same places until deeper stories begin to emerge.

Before dedicating himself fully to photography, Kyle worked as a cinematographer and editor in the outdoor television industry before moving into commercial and documentary filmmaking. Those experiences helped shape his visual language and taught him the importance of patience, narrative structure, and observation.

In 2017, he made the decision to focus entirely on photography and long-term documentary projects, a move that would ultimately define the next chapter of his career.

Alongside his photographic work, Kyle has become one of the most respected educational voices in photography through his widely followed YouTube channel, where he openly shares his creative process, lessons learned, and insights into building a sustainable artistic practice.

In 2023, Kyle released his first monograph, An American Mile, the culmination of five years spent documenting small towns and overlooked landscapes throughout the American Southwest. The book offers a quiet and intimate portrait of places often dismissed as ordinary, revealing the beauty, complexity, and humanity hidden within them.

During this conversation, Tyson and Kyle explore the realities of long-term documentary work, the discipline required to stay committed to a project for years, and the value of slowing down enough to truly see the world.

In This Episode:

• Kyle McDougall's journey from cinematography and filmmaking to photography
• The importance of long-term documentary projects
• The story behind his acclaimed book An American Mile
• What five years of photographing the American Southwest taught him
• Why small towns and overlooked places continue to inspire his work
• The balance between creativity, clarity, and discipline
• Building an educational photography platform through YouTube
• His current projects documenting the slate landscapes of North Wales
• Researching and photographing abandoned Royal Air Force airfields from World War II
• The role history, memory, and landscape play in visual storytelling

Kyle's work reminds us that meaningful photography often requires patience.

Not every story reveals itself immediately.

Some stories require years of observation, curiosity, and a willingness to return again and again.

His photographs invite viewers to slow down, pay attention, and discover significance in places that might otherwise go unnoticed.

This conversation is an inspiring exploration of documentary photography, creative discipline, historical storytelling, and the rewards of committing deeply to a subject over time.

Whether you're a photographer, filmmaker, writer, artist, historian, or simply someone who appreciates thoughtful storytelling, this episode offers valuable insight into the art of seeing beyond the obvious.

The strongest stories aren't always found in extraordinary places.

Sometimes they're waiting quietly in the places we almost overlook.

Follow Kyle McDougall
Instagram: @kyle__mcdougall
Threads: @kyle__mcdougall
Website: www.kylemcdougallphoto.com

Book: An American Mile