The Morning Blaze by Mark Denney

🍁 2025 Fall Prediction Map

Hello, my friend! Lately, I’ve noticed how different the light feels in the early morning—softer, lower, almost like it’s whispering that change is coming. It’s subtle, but if you’re paying attention, you can feel the shift. These quiet transitions are some of my favorite times to photograph, and even more so, to pause and just observe. I hope you find some useful information in this edition of The Morning Blaze and as always thanks so much for reading & sharing. Have a great weekend! - Mark...

8 days ago • 3 min read

🔥 I Replaced All My Filters With Just This One

Hello, my friend! 🍁 Can you feel it too? The building anticipation as we inch closer to the most photogenic time of the year? I’ve been counting down the days to autumn’s return—the crisp mornings, golden light, and vibrant foliage that transforms even the most ordinary landscapes into something magical. It’s hard to believe we’re just a few weeks away from that familiar seasonal magic. If you’re anything like me, you’re already dreaming of flannel layers, foggy forests, and those fleeting...

22 days ago • 4 min read

📸 Set This One Button Before You Miss Another Shot

Hello, my friend! I just got back from my summer workshop in the Dolomites—and what an experience it was! Another incredible trip with an outstanding group of photographers. The Dolomites have quickly become one of my all-time favorite places to photograph, and this trip only deepened that feeling. Below is a selection of new work from the journey—I hope you enjoy it as much as I did creating it. I hope you find some useful information in this edition of The Morning Blaze and as always thanks...

about 1 month ago • 3 min read

✅ This JPEG Setting is Messing with Your RAW Files

Hello, my friend! I just released a new video that’s been getting a lot of attention — and for good reason. It dives into a surprisingly overlooked topic: how your JPEG settings can still affect your RAW photos. This was something I ignored for years… until I realized just how much it was impacting my edits. And judging by the feedback, I’m definitely not alone. I hope you find some useful information in this edition of The Morning Blaze and as always thanks so much for reading & sharing....

about 2 months ago • 3 min read

🚀 This ISO Mistake is Ruining Your Sharp Photos

Hello, my friend! I’m excited to share a video with you today—one that tackles a challenge I’ve faced for years: getting white balance just right in landscape scenes. If you’ve ever struggled with white balance or felt like your images looked too cool, too warm, or just… off—this tip will forever solve that problem. After tons of trial and error, I finally landed on a simple process that actually works—and I walk you through it in this video below. I hope you find some useful information in...

2 months ago • 4 min read

✅ That's Why Your Photos Aren't Sharp!

Hello, my friend! Summer is upon us, and I, for one, am already dreaming of crisp fall mornings—those quiet moments when the air bites just enough to wake your senses, and the trails wind through golden forests and misty peaks. There’s something magical about hiking into the mountains with a camera in hand, chasing that perfect light as the seasons shift. 🥵 But until then, summer offers its own unique beauty and challenges—bright skies, long days, and plenty of opportunities to refine your...

3 months ago • 4 min read

📸 This Focus Setting is Killing Your Sharp Photos!

Hello, my friend! One of the most common frustrations I hear from photographers is soft or out-of-focus images. More often than not, it comes down to either shooting technique or the focus settings being used. I just released a video diving deep into this exact issue—and it’s already resonating with a lot of folks. If you’ve ever struggled with sharpness, I think you’ll find this episode especially helpful. I hope you find some useful information in this edition of The Morning Blaze and as...

3 months ago • 3 min read

🔥 Finally! Lightroom Just Made Landscape Editing Way Smarter!

Hello, my friend! 2025 is flying by—it’s hard to believe June is nearly here! I hope you’ve had a chance to enjoy the beauty of spring wherever you are in the world. Below is a new photo from the Smokies—a quiet moment that really resonated with me. I hope you find some useful information in this edition of The Morning Blaze and as always thanks so much for reading & sharing. Have a great weekend! - Mark D. Smoky Mountains, TN 📺 MY NEW VIDEOS Finally! Lightroom Just Made Landscape Editing Way...

4 months ago • 4 min read

📸 The Long Exposure Trick Nobody Teaches You!

Hello, my friend! I’ve been having an incredible time in the Smokies, capturing mountain streams & sweeping vistas during my two spring workshops. These events sold out fast last year, and I wanted you to be the first to know—we’re bringing them back in 2026! I hope you find some useful information in this edition of The Morning Blaze and as always thanks so much for reading & sharing. Have a great weekend! - Mark D. Great Smoky Mountains 📺 MY NEW VIDEOS The Long Exposure Trick Nobody Teaches...

4 months ago • 3 min read

🔥 Lightroom Just Made Presets Obsolete

Hello, my friend! Fresh off an unforgettable workshop in Patagonia—jaw-dropping views, a legendary group, and some truly wild weather! I loved it so much, I’m already sketching plans for a 2026 return trip. Back home, I’ve been diving into Lightroom’s new Adaptive Color Profile (the subject of last week’s YouTube video). If you missed it, I also put together a free companion guide that breaks down each color profile and when to use which —perfect for dialing in your photo edits. ✅ Grab your...