Hello my friend,

One of the easiest ways to weaken a landscape photograph is to brighten too much of it.

We see a dark foreground, a shadowed mountain, or a dim corner of the frame and immediately reach for the sliders. Before long, every part of the image is asking for attention. But when everything stands out, nothing stands out. The result may be brighter and more detailed, yet the photograph often feels flatter, and the light that first caught your eye no longer has anywhere to lead you.

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to share more about this idea and a new editing course I’ve been creating called The Art of Shaping Light, which will be released on October 8. It’s built around a simple approach: enhancing the light and shadow already captured in your photograph to create more depth, direction, and atmosphere, without inventing anything that was never there.

Before I share more, I’d love to get your perspective. If you could, take just a second to vote in the poll below and let me know which part of editing landscape photographs you find most difficult.

As always, thanks for being here.

Mark

📺 MY NEW VIDEOS

This Popular Focus Setting Makes Photographer Harder

One of the most popular autofocus settings in landscape photography may actually be making the entire process more difficult than it needs to be. In this video, I'll explain why I've moved away from relying on the smallest autofocus point, what I've been using instead, and how it helps me focus faster without sacrificing image sharpness. More importantly, it allows me to spend less time managing my camera and more time creating photographs. I'll also cover the situations where a small focus point is still the right choice so you know exactly when each autofocus mode makes sense.

Every Photographer Needs a Camera They Don't Need

On paper, the Fujifilm X100VI loses to my Nikon Z8 in almost every measurable category. It has a smaller sensor, one fixed lens, less flexibility, and doesn’t fill an obvious gap in my professional landscape photography setup. So why did I keep a camera I clearly don’t need? In this video, I unpack the decision I wrestled with for years, and the realization that finally made it make sense: not every camera needs a job. I’ll also take you into Lightroom and show you the few things that sealed the deal once I started editing the X100VI RAW files, including sharpness, masking, color, and shadow recovery.

🔓 VAULT FAVORITES

The Truth Behind the F/11 Myth

If you've gotten into outdoor and landscape photography in the last ten years you've more than likely heard that f/11 is the best aperture to use for this genre of photography. In this video, I'll share with you three reasons that debunk this f/11 myth along with what I've found to be a much better solution when it comes to determining the best camera settings for your photography gear.​​

📖 GOOD READS Guide to Landscape Photography 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 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 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​