Viewers can’t see everything that the photographer sees in his or her own images. The art comes from trying to make them see.
Category - Beginning Photography
Why the Pros Shoot in RAW
The JPEG represented a huge leap in technology compared to film. RAW files are another leap – one that professionals were glad to make.
8 Tips for Taking Great Wildlife Images at the Zoo
If you want fantastic photographs of exotic animals, there's no need to travel far and wide to get them. These tips will show you how to create...
Developing Your Photographic Style
Some photographers struggle when it comes to defining their personal style. Learn what style is and what it is not to understand how your style makes.
Photographers Make Their Own Opportunities
It is easy to fall into a rut where you find yourself waiting for the next photographic opportunity. Don't wait around! Instead, make your own...
Why Spontaneity Doesn’t Work
Fine art photography isn't a spur of the moment activity. There is a lot of waiting and thinking. Here are the times in the process that I like to wait.
Decluttering: Are You a Photography Packrat?
Photographers collect a lot of stuff over the years, from cameras to prints and negatives. Do we really need to keep it all? Here are my thoughts!
Five Problems You’ll Face as a Photographer
If you've chosen photography as a career, be prepared to face some difficulties! Here are some of the most common problems you'll face during your...
You Get What You Pay For
What does photography actually cost? In terms of time, money, thought and creativity, you will get out what you put in when creating photographs.
Getting Behind the Lens: 10 Essentials for Beginner Photographers
Photography is a major part of many cultures. Whether for career or catharsis, photography is a valuable skill in today’s digital, open-source world...
Copyrights and the Community
It doesn’t take much to say something when you think it might be necessary—and it can be a good way to help foster a sense of community.
Arguments Against New Year’s Resolutions
New Year’s resolutions are a popular tradition—but they can be a little bit tricky. Don’t let them trap you into attempting to improve yourself once...
Stick With It
Sometimes you need a break, but sometimes you need to stick with it. How do you tell the difference between these two times? Here are my thoughts.
Formulas versus Strategies
What is the difference between a formula and a strategy? In photography, it can be hard to tell. Here are my thoughts on how to differentiate the two.
There Can Be No Formula
Where photography is concerned, there can be no tried and true formula that we can rely on for photograph after photograph. We must keep innovating.
There’s a Time to Abandon the Old Ways
Learning how to do things the “old” way using antiquated equipment holds a lot of value and many lessons—but we can’t let ourselves be stuck in the...
Ideas to Inspire Your Wintertime Photography
It’s tempting to pack up the camera and stay home during the winter, but this is a great time of year to take photos. Here are some ideas to get you...
No One Cares How You Got There
Does the artistic process matter? Of course—but only to the artist. For the audience, it’s the result that matters most.
When the Need for Validation Goes Too Far
We all have the need to be validated—but what happens when that need goes too far? It can only lead to bad things, I think. Here are my thoughts.
What Do You Need from Photography?
What is it that we need from photography? It’s an important question to ask because the answers can help direct us down the right path.
How to Become More Curious
Curiosity is essential to photography—and there are ways to become more inquisitive. It all comes from exploring and the thrill of discovery.
Unrestricted Passion
We don’t have to limit ourselves to photography. It’s possible to have multiple artistic passions—and pursuing all of them helps us hone skills across...
Find Your People
Finding your people doesn’t mean building a community of admirers on social media. It’s about building a community where there is kinship, learning and...
Owning Mistakes and Learning From Them
We can blame many things for failed photographs, but the problem usually isn’t outside circumstances. Read more of my thoughts on this here.
Sharp Picture, Fuzzy Concept
If there’s a quote that photographers should live by, it’s this one. Photography across mediums and throughout history proves it to be true.
Merciless
Part of being artistic is the ability to be merciless during the act of creation. Self-critique without being unkind, and know when to cut what isn’t...
The Best Laid Plans
We all make plans to do photography, but life has a habit of changing those plans. Adaptability is key—and it takes a variety of forms.
Photographic Memoirs
Is there value in creating a photographic memoir, even if your work is unknown? I think so—and here are my reasons for it.
Extreme Familiarity
While some may say that returning to the same places is boring, building greater levels of familiarity enables us to tell richer, deeper photographic...
Seize the Day
Sometimes creativity is all about having a positive mindset—which can be challenging! Here are my thoughts on maintaining that mindset.