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✅ That's Why Your Photos Aren't Sharp!
Published 15 days ago • 4 min read
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 craft before autumn’s glow arrives.
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.
Dolomites, Italy
📺 MY NEW VIDEOS
What You're NOT Seeing With Your Telephoto Lens
When I first started using a telephoto lens for landscape photography, I honestly had no idea what I was doing. Everything felt tight, awkward, and disconnected from the scene. But over time, I learned how to truly "see" with a long lens — and it completely changed the way I shoot. In this video, I’m sharing five of the biggest lessons that helped me get there. We’ll talk about how to scan a scene, simplify your compositions, use compression to your advantage, and find shots most photographers completely overlook. If you’ve ever felt stuck or uninspired using a telephoto lens for landscapes, I think this will really help.
I Spent 10 Years Learning This - You'll Get it in 10 Minutes!
It took me 10 years to figure out why so many of my photos just didn’t feel right. I’d come home from a shoot, excited to see the results, only to feel like something was missing. In this video, I’m breaking down the simple techniques that finally helped me fix that—and the best part is, you can learn them in just 10 minutes, not 10 years! These are the things I wish someone had shown me when I was a beginner just getting started with photography. If you’ve ever looked at your images and thought, “Why doesn’t this look the way it felt out there?” — this one’s for you.
Spaces are filling fast for next fall’s Dolomites workshop—and for good reason. Towering peaks, golden larch trees, and crisp alpine light make this one of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth. If the Dolomites have been on your bucket list, now’s the time to lock in your spot 👉 https://geni.us/dolomites26
We've all been in the scenario, where we capture an incredible photo only to find when we return home the image is slightly out of focus and soft, ultimately ruining the overall photograph. And, you're left wondering what could have led to the demise of one of your potentially favorite photographs. You wonder if there could be an issue with you camera body, or lens, or maybe even both. Well, I'm here to tell you that more than likely that's not the case - and in this video I'll share with you six things to change that could be throwing your photos slightly out of focus.
Have you ever found yourself stuck in a loop of planning your next photography trip, endlessly scrolling YouTube, or daydreaming about capturing breathtaking landscapes in far-off destinations? If so, you're not alone. In fact, I want to dive into three essential pieces of advice that many photographers, including myself, often overlook but can significantly elevate your photography.
✅ 1. Less Thinking, More Doing
Imagine trying to master a new skill without ever putting it into practice. It's like attempting to play golf without hitting a single ball or giving a presentation at work without any rehearsal or prep. The same principle applies to photography. We often get caught up in overthinking and planning our next grand adventure, neglecting the incredible opportunities that lie right in our backyard.
When my photography interest first began, I fell into this same trap. I'd spend hours watching tutorials, reading articles, and planning future trips, all while neglecting the most crucial aspect of all - taking actual photos. The truth is, the best way to improve your photography skills is by simply taking photos, even if it means shooting familiar scenes in your local area.
Your neighborhood park, a nearby forest, or even a single tree can serve as excellent subjects for honing your skills. Challenge yourself to photograph these familiar sights from different angles, experimenting with composition and post-processing techniques. Remember, the key is to focus on doing rather than just thinking about doing.
✅ 2. The Power of Perspective
Ever heard the saying, "Change your perspective, change your world"? In photography, this rings especially true. Most of us view the world from a standard eye level, but by altering our vantage point, we can transform ordinary scenes into extraordinary works of art. >> Read More
🤓 PHOTO NERDS
💻 81% of digital photographers use a PC to edit their photographs.
📸 Since the initial introduction of the camera, humans have taken over 3.8 trillion photographs.
✨ INSPO
"The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera" - Dorothea Lange
"Memory is the fourth dimension to any landscape" - Janet Fitch
🌳 FINAL WORD
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📨 Join 56,000+ Photographers enjoying The Morning Blaze - my free, online photography publication where I share photo tips, tutorials, & inspiration I’ve gained throughout my journey from beginner to professional Landscape Photographer.
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...
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...
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...