📨 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.
Share
😤 Lightroom Just Fixed a Problem We’ve All Ignored
Published 3 months ago • 4 min read
Hello, my friend!
As we close out the final 2025 edition of the Morning Blaze, I want to pause and say thank you. Thank you for reading, replying, sharing, and showing up day after day with curiosity and intention. This community has turned a simple morning note into something far bigger than I ever expected, and I am deeply grateful for the conversations, the encouragement, and the trust you have given me throughout the year. Your support is what keeps this fire burning, and I could not do this without you. - Mark D.
Canadian Rockies
📺 MY NEW VIDEOS
Lightroom Just Fixed a Problem We’ve All Ignored
Lightroom just introduced an update that quietly fixes one of the biggest color problems in landscape photography, and most photographers never realized it was holding them back. In this video, I break down what Lightroom just added, why it matters, and how it can completely change the way you control color across your images. You'll see how this update solves issues we've all dealt with for years, from global sliders that treat every hue the same, to micro color variations that make photos look flat, to patchy saturation that creates uneven, overcooked results.
The Editing Trick Most Landscape Photographers Get Wrong
In this video I break down one of the most misunderstood techniques in landscape photography and why it can either elevate your images with beautiful atmosphere or completely ruin them with softness and haze. This simple edit has been around since the film era, yet most photographers still use it without understanding what it's actually doing to their photos. Today I show you exactly how to apply it the right way with intention, control, and a clean professional look.
I have three spots left to the jaw-dropping Faroe Islands next year! If you're looking for an incredible adventure, be sure to check out all the details of this unforgettable photography workshop here 👉 https://geni.us/faroe2026
RAW Photo Editing Basics: Pro Tips I Wish I Learned Sooner
Editing RAW photos is one of the most intimidating and confusing aspects of photography. We all know that photographing in a RAW format provides the most flexibility from a post processing perspective, but how to get the most out of your RAW images can be overwhelming. In this video, I've created a simple 10 step workflow that you can follow in order to become more comfortable with a RAW photo editing process. I even took it a step further and created a step by step guide that you can download above and keep handy while you practice at home.
The Final Touch: Elevating Your Landscape Photo Edits
In this rundown, I'll walk you through the last seven steps I take to polish my landscape photographs. In essence, these are the finishing touches I apply to transform a dull and lifeless RAW image into a captivating photograph with soul. From softening details to adding a subtle white border, each move plays a crucial role in shaping the final outcome.
Step 1: Soften Larger Details: Art of Subtlety
I’m often asked why I choose to soften my photographs since I used to shoot with such a high-resolution camera, FujiFilm GFX100s. The short answer, I find that digital cameras today create overly sharp and detailed photographs that often results in a crunchy or sterile look. By delicately reducing clarity, which softens large sized detail, my aim is to achieve a more rich and painterly effect while enhancing the overall appeal of the image. For me, this is a great way to get away from the overly sharp and digital feeling many modern cameras create.
Step 2: Balance Softness & Definition
Now, onto enhancing the smaller details. While it may seem counterintuitive after softening the larger detail, it's all about striking the perfect balance. By delicately increasing texture, we bring out those intricate details without sacrificing the softness achieved earlier. It's a delicate dance between clarity and texture, each contributing to the final aesthetic. This meticulous approach ensures that every element of the landscape is accentuated, from majestic mountains to delicate foliage.
Step 3: Custom Dehaze: Preserving Atmosphere
Dehaze – a powerful tool when used thoughtfully. Instead of the traditional approach of sliding the Dehaze slider to the right, I opt for negative dehaze to maintain the atmospheric allure of the scene. This subtle adjustment not only preserves the natural beauty, but also adds a touch of ethereal charm to the photograph. I find this technique adds to the overall softening approach while also reducing overall contrast. >> Read More
🤓 PHOTO NERDS
📸 The most common compression format for digital cameras today stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG).
🌪️ The first known photo of a tornado was was captured on August 28, 1884 in Howard, South Dakota.
✨ INSPO
"Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who really sees." - Paul Strand
"The eye should learn to listen before it looks." - Robert Frank
🌳 FINAL WORD
I want to thank you for subscribing to The Morning Blaze. A great deal of effort goes into each edition and I hope you find it helpful.
I'm always looking to improve, do you have any feedback you can provide? Is there anything you wish was here, that isn't?
If you have something you'd like me to know, just hit reply on this email.
📨 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, Spring always seems to arrive quietly. One day the light feels the same as it did all winter, and then suddenly the days stretch a little longer and everything outside begins hinting at the season ahead. With the time change now behind us, that extra hour of evening light is finally back, which for photographers is one of the best signals that shooting season is ramping up again. In this edition of The Morning Blaze, I’m also sharing a look at a new set of NiSi filters I’ve...
Hello my friend, Every now and then there’s an announcement that feels bigger than a normal update. Not just another date on the calendar, but something that’s been building behind the scenes for a while. I’m excited to finally share one of the most requested workshop destinations I’ve ever received, and you’ll find all the details on my first New Zealand tour just below. If it’s ever been on your list, this may be the moment. As always, thanks for being here. - Mark 📺 MY NEW VIDEOS You're...
Hello my friend, The days are slowly getting longer again, and you can feel that quiet shift as we move toward spring. More light, more time outside, and more opportunities to be intentional with how we photograph the landscape. If you haven’t already, don’t miss the free camera setup guide below where I walk through how I think about setting up my camera for landscape photography so it stays out of the way and lets you focus on creativity and composition. As always, thanks for being here. -...