Hello my friend, Every now and then thereās an announcement that feels bigger than a normal update. Not just another date on the calendar, but something thatās been building behind the scenes for a while. Iām excited to finally share one of the most requested workshop destinations Iāve ever received, and youāll find all the details on my first New Zealand tour just below. If itās ever been on your list, this may be the moment. As always, thanks for being here. - Mark šŗ MY NEW VIDEOS You're...
19 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 3 min read
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 havenāt already, donāt 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. -...
about 1 month agoĀ ā¢Ā 3 min read
Hello, my friend! Some of the most limiting camera mistakes come from rules we never stop to question. From the idea that ISO 100 is somehow sacred to a single autofocus setting that can quietly sabotage sharp photos, these two videos below dig into small assumptions that can have an outsized impact on your images. If you've ever wondered why your photos don't quite look the way you expect despite doing everything āright,ā this edition is going to click fast. ā
Also a quick note before you...
about 2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 4 min read
Hello, my friend! Weāre in that in between stretch of the year right now. The trees are bare, the landscapes feel quieter, and unless snow shows up, thereās often less to chase with a camera. For me, that usually means fewer outings and more time thinking about the work itself. Thatās led me to reflect on how often we overcomplicate photo editing, especially in landscape photography where itās easy to lose the original intent of a scene in the process. Most āediting problemsā arenāt really...
2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 4 min read
š Happy New Year! Thereās something about the first morning of a new year that invites a pause. Before the pace picks back up, itās a chance to step back and think less about resolutions and more about direction. Where you want to go, what you want to create, and how photography fits into the year ahead. Iāve been thinking a lot about that myself, which leads to a question Iād love your input on. Youāll see a quick poll below about an upcoming event Iām considering. Your response will help...
2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 3 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...
3 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 4 min read
Hello, my friend! We're officially in that strange season where the big color is gone, the holidays are coming fast, and it can feel tempting to shelve the camera until next year. I get that feeling every December. It's easy to assume the best moments are over, but some of my favorite photographs come from these quiet transition days when the light sits low, and the winter air sharpens. I hope you find some useful information in this edition of The Morning Blaze and as always thanks so much...
3 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 3 min read
Hello, my friend! With the magic of fall quickly coming to a close, I hope you had a chance to get out with your camera and enjoy this amazing, yet fleeting time of year. Below is a new photograph I recently created, and Iām really proud of how it turned out. 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. The Great Smoky Mountains šŗ MY NEW VIDEOS The Secret to Photographing...
4 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 3 min read
Hello, my friend! I just returned from two unforgettable weeks in the Great Smoky Mountains during peak fall color, easily one of my favorite times of the year to be out with a camera. I filmed two on-location videos while I was there, and Iām sharing the first one below. I feel incredibly fortunate to witness and photograph scenes like this, and I canāt wait for you to see it. I hope you find some useful information in this edition of The Morning Blaze and as always thanks so much for...
4 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 4 min read