Ep 201 - Lightpainting with Drones with Leighton Compton

Leighton Compton, a skilled carpet layer turned passionate landscape photographer, shares his evolving creative journey with a strong focus on drone and astrophotography. He opens up about his initial hesitation toward drone use, eventually embracing the medium through experimentation with intentional movement and light painting techniques. Leighton breaks down the detailed planning behind many of his images, discussing the technical challenges of editing and printing, and how those hurdles have shaped his artistic growth.

Beyond technique, he reflects on photography’s role in his life as a therapeutic outlet, offering calm and purpose amid life’s demands. With a grounded perspective, Leighton also speaks about the pressures of staying relevant in an increasingly competitive field and how he navigates creative self-doubt. His admiration for fellow photographers and emphasis on crafting unique compositions underscore his commitment to the art form. Whether capturing starscapes or aerial views, Leighton brings both curiosity and clarity to each frame—demonstrating that even the most advanced tools are only as powerful as the intention behind them.

I hope you enjoy the show.

You can find Leighton’s work here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leightonjcompton/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ljcompton/

Listen to this and other episodes wherever you find your podcasts or on https://grantswinbournephotography.com/lpw-podcast

Or subscribe to my YouTube channel https://youtube.com/@grantswinbournephotography

Theme music: Liturgy Of The Street by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

#landscapephotography #dronephotography #astrophotography #intentionalmovement #lightpainting #photographyjourney #mentalhealthandphotography #creativeprocess #aeriallandscapes #photographycommunity #uniqueperspectives #photographyinspiration