Hello my friend, Every once in a while, I like to revisit an older photo and ask a simple question: What would I do differently today? It’s one of the easiest ways to see how much your photography has evolved, not through dramatic changes, but through the countless small decisions that come with experience. In this edition, you’ll find a comparison between a beginner edit and how I’d approach the same image today, my latest thoughts on back button focus for landscape photography, a guide to...
17 days ago • 3 min read
Hello my friend, This week's edition revolves around one simple idea: paying closer attention. To the quieter scenes we often overlook. To the tools we use every day. And to the timeless ideas that continue to shape great photography. I'm also excited to finally share my only Smoky Mountains workshop of 2027. Spring is one of my favorite times to be in the mountains, and with several spots already spoken for, I don't expect openings to last long. As always, thanks for being here. - Mark 📺 MY...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hello my friend, First, I just wanted to say thank you for the incredible response to the new Katmai Bears & Landscapes workshops last week. Both workshops sold out in less than eight hours, which honestly blew me away. I’m extremely grateful for the support and excitement surrounding this trip. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the subtle things that quietly hold us back as photographers. Not the obvious mistakes, but the habits, assumptions, and false sense of security that slowly...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Hello my friend, I’m writing this from the Smoky Mountains, right in the middle of my spring workshops, where everything feels like it’s waking up at once. The light gets softer, the colors come back, and the opportunities start showing up faster than you can keep up with. If you’ve been waiting for spring to show up, this is your moment. And before you get into it, I tucked something in below that I’ve been hinting at over the past couple weeks. It’s built around one of the most...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
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...
2 months 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...
3 months 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...
3 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...
4 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...
4 months ago • 3 min read