📨 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.
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🔥 Lightroom Just Made Presets Obsolete
Published 23 days ago • 4 min read
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.
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.
Patagonia, Chile
📺 MY NEW VIDEOS
Lightroom Just Made Presets Obsolete (Try This!)
If you’re tired of spending hours tweaking sliders or relying on presets that never quite fit your photo, this video is going to save you serious time. In this video, I’ll walk you through Lightroom’s new Adaptive Color Profiles—smart, built-in tools that analyze your photo and instantly apply a natural-looking base edit, tailored to your scene. Whether you’re editing golden hour mountains, misty forests, or dramatic skies, these profiles help you speed up your workflow and get pro-level results without the guesswork. Perfect for beginners and anyone looking to simplify their editing process.
Your camera might be closer to failure than you think — and it all comes down to a number hidden deep inside every shot you take. It’s called the shutter count, and if you’ve never checked yours, this video could save you from costly repairs, missed shots, or even a total camera breakdown. In this video, I’ll show you, what shutter count really is and why it matters, how many clicks are too many, the fastest and easiest way to check YOUR shutter count, the key differences between mechanical and electronic shutters and why some mirrorless cameras (Nikon Z8) don’t even have a mechanical shutter anymore.
I just had one spot open up in my previously sold out workshop in the Italian Dolomites this July. If you're interested in joining me, be sure to check out the link for additional information on this adventure 👉 https://geni.us/dolomites
RAW Photo Editing Basics: Pro Tip 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.
Guide to Landscape Composition: a Four Step Process
Over the past couple of years, I’ve been running a survey asking photographers to identify the most crucial aspect of a great landscape photo. The options to choose from were Light, Composition, Subject, or Conditions with "Composition" emerging as the overwhelming favorite.
This general consensus also resonates with me as composition is indeed a critical factor in creating captivating landscape photographs. However, it’s also a topic inundated with countless tips, techniques, and best practices. Today, I want to share a method that has profoundly impacted my photography. This four-step process simplifies the art of assembling an attractive landscape composition and will help you find your creative flow the next time you're out in the field.
✅ Step 1: Stop & Stare
The first step is what I like to call "stop & stare", and it's one of my favorite parts of the photographic process. See to me, photography isn’t just about the final image; it’s about the entire process and the memories you create along the way. Whether you’ve hiked 10 miles or just a few feet to your location, take a moment to stop, put down your gear, and absorb your surroundings. Watch how the landscape unfolds before you. Notice the movement, the light, the subtle details. This can be a brief 10-minute pause or a more extended 30-minute reflection - totally up to you. The key is to engage deeply with the scene without your camera. This mindful observation lays the groundwork for a more intentional and inspired composition. >> Read More
🤓 PHOTO NERDS
📸 More than 350 billion photos are taken worldwide each year.
🏋️ The Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 1700 mm f/4 is the world’s heaviest lens for civilian use weighing in at a whopping 564 pounds.
✨ INSPO
"If you are out there shooting, things will happen for you. If you're not out there, you'll only hear about it." Jay Maisel
"It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are." Paul Caponigro
🌳 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.
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