Shock value can turn heads—but because we’re all so jaded, the effect doesn’t last long. Enduring images have depth to them.
Category - Photography Clips
Separating the Art from the Marketing
Art is not about the tools, whatever marketers have to say about it. Look at it from the perspective of a writer and you’ll see what I mean.
Clean Edges
The devil is in the details, as they say, and we photographers don’t always notice the little distractions around the edges. Here are some thoughts on...
Second Chances
Are there hidden gems among our digital negatives that we’ve overlooked? Perhaps a little more time spent with them—a quick second chance—is needed.
What Are Your Reasons?
What are your reasons for liking or disliking a photograph? There are many reasons why we make these decisions—and some require more thought than...
Fragmented Audiences
We paint audiences in broad strokes—but it’s vital to understand the subtleties so that we can find those who will best enjoy the images that we create.
Eye Level
Perspective is one of those crucial elements that can turn something ordinary into something extraordinary. Here are my thoughts on using perspective...
Color Stories
Color can be a powerful storytelling tool if we pause to give it some consideration. Here are my thoughts on wielding color.
Spring Fever
It might be time to give in to spring fever—and use it to your advantage. Go out and explore the world through your lens.
Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone
As a photographer, it’s important to step outside your comfort zone and rise to challenges. That’s the best way to push yourself, learn new things, and...
The Unthinking Mind
Our unthinking minds may be sending us signals that we hardly register as we go about life—but we should pay attention to those signals as potential...
Are We Overlooking the Shadows?
We think of photography as the art of painting with light—but we paint in shadow, too. Here are some thoughts that might give you new perspective.
Discovery or Preparedness?
There are a couple of different ways to plan a photography trip. Is it about discovery, or are you prepared with an idea? Here are my thoughts.
A New Way to Look at Individuality
Individuality may mean adjusting our styles to suit the photograph rather than making each photograph fit our styles. Learn my thoughts here!
Break the Rules
We need to learn the rules so that we can learn the basics. But once you’ve learned the rules well enough? Then it becomes OK to break them when needed.
Emphasis
Sometimes the emphasis is necessary for photography, but it’s not so easy as adding an exclamation point. Here are thoughts to help you get your point...
Life is the Source
There are many ways to approach photography projects. Letting them spring from life itself may be among the best ways to create an organic story.
What People Say and What They Do
Paying for photography reviews might result in a brief flash of attention. But lasting popularity comes from photographs designed to promote themselves.
Does Empathy Make Us Better Photographers?
Empathy may just be one of the largest factors that makes one into a better photographer. Here are my thoughts on how you can channel this into your...
Communication Is Key
We don’t always think about the meanings conveyed by details like titles or blurbs. But we should, because these are details that can follow a...
Using Adversity to Your Advantage
Creating art is no easy feat when adversity strikes. If you can find a way to create anyway, you can channel that adversity into powerful photographs.
Art is Timeless
Classical works teach us that art has timeless value—and that includes photography. This is why we spend time with images in order to fully understand...
Cookie Cutter Websites
It’s easy to create a cookie cutter website with templates. But when art is supposed to be uniquely ours, shouldn’t we display it on unique websites...
Photography Every Day
Daily photography is a good habit to form if you can make time for it! It keeps us sharp and increases the odds of making something fantastic.
Deliberate Mistakes
There are many techniques, like overexposure, that can look like mistakes when they’re not done right. Here’s how to use them so they look purposeful!
Thinking in Layers
The best photographs are the ones with deep layers of meaning. It takes thought to find these layers—and to create images featuring this depth, too.
Shades of Feeling
We often work hard to reproduce reality perfectly—but we’re not bound to do so. There’s value to bending reality if it lends shades of emotion to a...
Active Versus Passive Photography
We can classify photography in any number of ways—and the difference between active and passive photography is one of them. Learn more about these...
To Explain or Not to Explain?
Should photographers offer explanations of their art, or should interpretation be entirely on the viewer? Perhaps the middle ground is the right answer.
Experimentation
Planning is an essential part of the photographer’s routine. But when we can make time for it, experimentation has a lot of benefits to offer us.