Hello my friend,

I’ve just returned from my Faroe Islands Workshop, I’m still thinking about the dramatic landscapes, unpredictable weather, and memorable moments we experienced along the way. Also, I’m excited to share a new image from the trip with you below.

In this edition of The Morning Blaze, we’ll explore how a few small decisions, both behind the camera and during the editing process, can have a surprisingly big impact on the final photograph. There’s plenty to dig into this week, and I hope you find something that inspires your next image.

As always, thanks for being here.

Mark

📺 MY NEW VIDEOS

One Thing Changed How I Edit Every Photo

After editing thousands of landscape photos over the last decade, I’ve realized the biggest improvement in my photography had very little to do with Lightroom itself. It came from changing the way I think while editing. In this video, I’ll show you the single mindset shift that changed how I edit every photo, along with three real-world editing examples that demonstrate how to use light, color, and contrast to guide the viewer’s eye. Whether you’re new to photo editing or have been using Lightroom for years, this is the lesson I wish I had learned much sooner.

Pro vs Beginner: The Same RAW Photo

Have you ever looked back at an old photo edit and thought, “What was I thinking?” In this video, I revisit a landscape photo I edited nearly seven years ago, compare it to the original RAW file, and re-edit it from scratch using the way I approach Lightroom today. Along the way, I’ll explain how my editing style has evolved, why I no longer make many of the decisions I used to, and how a few simple changes can create a cleaner, more natural result. Whether you’re new to editing or you’ve been editing photos for years, I think you’ll find something you can apply to your own workflow.

🔓 VAULT FAVORITES

This Focus Setting is Ruining Your Sharp Photos

Why do your landscape photos look soft, even with a tripod and a sharp lens? The answer might be hiding in your camera’s autofocus settings. In this video, I’ll show you the #1 autofocus mistake that ruins sharpness in landscape photography, and the exact camera settings you need to change to instantly fix it. Whether you’re a beginner or just never thought to question your default AF mode, this simple adjustment will transform your results. ​​

📖 GOOD READS Mastering Sharpness: Essential Tips for Crisp Landscape Photography Have you ever returned from an incredible adventure, bursting with excitement to see the stunning images you captured, only to find them disappointingly soft and out of focus? If so, you're not alone. In this article, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of achieving razor-sharp landscape photos. Focus Mode: The Foundation of Sharpness First off, one of the fundamental aspects of achieving sharp images: focus modes. It's crucial to select the right focus mode for the job. While autofocus continuous may be ideal for fast-moving subjects like wildlife or sports, for landscape photography, autofocus single could be your best bet. Avoid the frustration of missed focus by ensuring your camera is set to the appropriate mode for static subjects - like mountains & trees. The Impact of ISO on Image Quality While it’s tempting to crank up the ISO in low-light situations, excessively high ISO levels can introduce unwanted noise and worst of all soften the details in your images. Keep your ISO in check, understand the limitations of your camera, especially when shooting landscapes where every detail matters. >> Read More​