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Proven Advice Most Photographers Ignore
Published about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Hello my friend,
Happy Thursday! It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through July. Before long, we’ll be trading these hot, humid summer days for crisp fall mornings and some of the best photography of the year.
In this edition of The Morning Blaze, I’ve got a couple of new photography resources to help you get ready for the season, along with an update on my 2027 Patagonia Fall Workshop, which will be my last workshop there for a while. I hope you enjoy this week’s edition!
As always, thanks for being here.
Mark
📺 MY NEW VIDEOS
Landscape Photographers Obsess Over the Wrong Things
Over the last 10 years, there are a lot of things I’ve stopped caring about as a landscape photographer. Not because they don’t matter, but because I’ve realized we often spend too much time focusing on the wrong things. In this video, I share the 10 things I no longer worry about, including perfect sharpness, pixel peeping, image noise, megapixels, camera gear, photography competitions, and more. Letting go of these things hasn’t hurt my photography. It’s helped me spend more time thinking about composition, light, and the experience of making photographs.
About a month ago, Adobe added two new editing features, and I made a video covering both of them. At the time, I thought one of those features was the clear winner. After using them for the past month, I don’t think that’s true anymore. The feature I barely talked about has completely changed the way I edit color in my landscape photos. I never expected to use it this much, but now I can’t imagine editing without it. In this video, I’ll show you what it is, how I’ve been using it in Adobe Camera Raw, and why I think it’s one of the best additions Adobe has made for landscape photographers in years.
If Patagonia has been on your photography bucket list, this may be the perfect time to join me. My 2027 Fall Patagonia Photo Tour will be my last workshop there for a while, and it’s already about half full. Patagonia in peak fall color is simply unforgettable, and I hope you’ll join us.
Metering modes are one of those lesser spoken about things in photography - it wasn't until a few years into my career that I fully understood what they we're meant for. And, as with most things in photography, there's many different metering modes to choose from, Matrix, Center, Spot, Highlight, depending on what you're photographing. In this video, I'll walk you through a hands on approach that'll help decide which metering mode you should be using for your genre of photography.
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.
The Great Smoky Mountains
✅ 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.
Getting low to the ground is a simple yet powerful compositional technique that can add depth, texture, and visual interest to your photographs. Whether you're capturing landscapes, architecture, or portraits, don't underestimate the impact of changing your perspective. So, the next time you're out shooting, challenge yourself to explore different angles and heights to discover unique viewpoints that can transform your photographs. >> Read More
🤓 PHOTO NERDS
🤗 Apparently the left side of your face is the more photogenic side.
👁️ The human eye equivalent f-stop is f/8.3 in bright conditions and f/2 in darker conditions.
✨ INSPO
“Photography helps people to see." - Berenice Abbott
"Memory is the fourth dimension to any landscape" - Janet Fitch
🌳 FINAL WORD
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📨 Join 59,000+ 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, There's one lesson I wish I had learned years earlier because it would have changed the way I approached photography from the very beginning. In today's edition, I'll share what it is, why it matters, and how a single shift in perspective can lead to stronger images almost immediately. Along the way, you'll also find a new editing tip, a behind-the-photo breakdown, and a few additional resources I think you'll enjoy. As always, thanks for being here. Mark A brief moment of...
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...
Hello my friend, Every great landscape photograph is the result of dozens of small decisions. Where you stand, what you leave in or out of the frame, and whether you notice that one small detail before you press the shutter can make all the difference. That’s exactly what this edition of The Morning Blaze is all about. Inside, you’ll find my latest videos on the photography rules I followed for years, the simple 10 second checklist I use before every shot, and one of my favorite photo editing...