Hello my friend, This week’s edition brings together a strong mix of ideas that can make a real difference the next time you are out with your camera. From small setting decisions that simplify how you shoot, to composition reminders that help scenes feel more unique, to editing techniques that refine the final result, there's a wide range of practical insight waiting for you below. My goal with this one was simple. Give you a collection of tools & perspectives you can carry straight into the...
24 days ago • 4 min read
Hello my friend, This week’s edition is packed with practical photo editing ideas you can put to work right away, from small adjustments that create cleaner files to workflow decisions that can make a big difference in the final result. There is a lot to dig into below. And before you get there, I also wanted to give you a quick heads up that something special is in the works. I'll be sharing more details soon about a brand new photography experience, and you will find a short teaser further...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Hello my friend, This time of year always feels like the starting line. Spring is settling in, bags are getting packed, and workshop season is right around the corner. In just two weeks I'll be heading down to Patagonia to kick things off, followed shortly after by a couple of workshops in the Smoky Mountains, which always feels like the true signal that the photography season is officially underway. In this edition of The Morning Blaze, I'm sharing a few ideas to help you hit the ground...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hello my friend, Spring always seems to arrive quietly. One day the light feels the same as it did all winter, and then suddenly the days stretch a little longer and everything outside begins hinting at the season ahead. With the time change now behind us, that extra hour of evening light is finally back, which for photographers is one of the best signals that shooting season is ramping up again. In this edition of The Morning Blaze, I’m also sharing a look at a new set of NiSi filters I’ve...
2 months ago • 3 min read
Hello my friend, Every now and then there’s an announcement that feels bigger than a normal update. Not just another date on the calendar, but something that’s been building behind the scenes for a while. I’m excited to finally share one of the most requested workshop destinations I’ve ever received, and you’ll find all the details on my first New Zealand tour just below. If it’s ever been on your list, this may be the moment. As always, thanks for being here. - Mark 📺 MY NEW VIDEOS You're...
3 months ago • 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 haven’t already, don’t 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. -...
3 months ago • 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 “right,” this edition is going to click fast. ✅ Also a quick note before you...
4 months ago • 4 min read
Hello, my friend! We’re in that in between stretch of the year right now. The trees are bare, the landscapes feel quieter, and unless snow shows up, there’s often less to chase with a camera. For me, that usually means fewer outings and more time thinking about the work itself. That’s led me to reflect on how often we overcomplicate photo editing, especially in landscape photography where it’s easy to lose the original intent of a scene in the process. Most “editing problems” aren’t really...
4 months ago • 4 min read
🎉 Happy New Year! There’s something about the first morning of a new year that invites a pause. Before the pace picks back up, it’s 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. I’ve been thinking a lot about that myself, which leads to a question I’d love your input on. You’ll see a quick poll below about an upcoming event I’m considering. Your response will help...
5 months ago • 3 min read