Photography Clips

My brain does this thing where photography and sound keep borrowing ideas from each other. I will be setting up a shot, thinking about light and shadow, and suddenly I am thinking about microphones. Or I will be setting up a mic, and I start thinking about lenses.

Both are about choosing what you want and choosing what you do not want.

With a camera, you make decisions that shape what the viewer sees. You pick a lens. You choose an angle. You decide what is sharp and what is soft. You decide what stays...

When we look at old photographs, we tend to expect them to be in black and white. We expect the past to feel distant, muted, and quiet, as if history were always supposed to be sepia-toned and far away.

Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky did not accept that.

He wanted people to see the world as it actually looked. Not in our time, but in his. Not as a ghost of history, but as something alive with color...

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/sergei-prokudin-gorsky-russia-color-photography/

Photography Clips Podcast:

https://www...

Photography looks ordinary now. A phone comes out, a tap happens, and an image appears. That ease can make photography seem like a simple act of collecting proof that something took place. Yet the real power of photography has never been about evidence alone. It has always been about attention, time, and meaning. A photograph can be a record, but it can also be a decision about what deserves to be noticed. It can be a way of saying, "This mattered to me," even when the subject is small, quiet, or gone a moment later.

This essay...

The common advice for new and aspiring photographers is to take as many photographs as you possibly can – every day of the week if possible. For many, that means starting on a photo-a-day or 365 project. This is terrific advice, but I don't necessarily think it is limited to beginners. Even professionals can benefit from something like a photo-a-day project. Especially professionals, since I think the tendency to get involved in the business side of photography means we don't always make time to create images each day.

The best part about photo-a-day projects (aside from the ability to po...

Here's something I've mentioned before, and I believe that I've spoken of it in terms of how organization and trip planning is a good thing. Because that is the truth—none of us wants to spend a lot of money and time on a trip only to come home with no photographs to show for it.

This time around, however, I want to argue the opposite. Conflicting opinions, I know, but as with everything, I believe that there is a balance to strike. Sometimes planning out your photographic excursions down to the last detail is a good th...

Ansel Adams said, "There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept." As photographers, this is our greatest struggle — to produce images with a meaning that is immediately evident and warrants a deeper examination of the subject material.

So how do we produce images like this? One way to create a powerful collection — a meaningful portfolio — is to seriously zero in on your concepts. Take your subject material and distill it until only the most resonating elements stand out. However, this isn't the only thing you'll need to consider as you strive for a striki...

If you're thinking of moving from photography as a hobby to a business, one of the first steps is to build a professional portfolio. Photographers of every variety – wedding, portrait, product, fine art, and more – use portfolios to showcase their work to galleries or potential clients. In fact, your portfolio will be one of your most important marketing tools, which means you need to make every effort to get it right. Here are a few tips that will help you put together an impressive collection of images.

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/how-to-use-a-neutral-density-filter/

Ph...

If you're thinking of moving from photography as a hobby to a business, one of the first steps is to build a professional portfolio. Photographers of every variety – wedding, portrait, product, fine art, and more – use portfolios to showcase their work to galleries or potential clients. In fact, your portfolio will be one of your most important marketing tools, which means you need to make every effort to get it right. Here are a few tips that will help you put together an impressive collection of images.

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/design-professional-portfolio/

Ph...

Photographers like to think of themselves as observers. We stand back, we watch, we wait for something interesting to happen. But observation is only half the story. The real heart of photography often comes from connection, not distance. Today, we're going to talk about what it means to move from observing your subjects to truly connecting with them.

As photographers, it's easy to slip into the mindset of simply watching the world. We look for things to photograph, we wait for the right moment, and we document whatever stands out. But when we operate purely as observers...

Understanding white balance is one of those topics that gets talked about so much that the meaning starts to blur. In simple terms, white balance is about making sure the colors in your photograph look true. When the white areas in a photo actually look white, your color is accurate...

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/determination-in-photography/

Photography Clips Podcast:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/

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There are all kinds of things we can talk about when it comes to photography. Multitudes of techniques, basic to advanced camera controls, compositional rules, lighting, gear and even the artistic eye. There is post-processing, software, file storage and all of the other technical details. You can boil it down further and talk about papers and inks. There are many different elements and all of them work together to create works of art in much the same way that a jigsaw puzzle's pieces work together to form a whole. Without one element, one piece, the whole picture loses something. Duration: 00:04:08

There are all kinds of things we can talk about when it comes to photography. Multitudes of techniques, basic to advanced camera controls, compositional rules, lighting, gear and even the artistic eye. There is post-processing, software, file storage and all of the other technical details. You can boil it down further and talk about papers and inks. There are many different elements and all of them work together to create works of art in much the same way that a jigsaw puzzle's pieces work together to form a whole. Without one element, one piece, the whole picture loses something. Duration: 00:04:08

I've talked a lot about composition and landscape photography because it's such a rewarding genre. There's a lot to learn, and everyone who spends time with it comes away better for it. Today, I want to go a little deeper and look at some advanced ideas, the kinds of things that really make your landscapes stand out. Some of these ideas bend the usual rules a bit, but sometimes that's exactly what creates something unique...

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/advanced-concepts-landscape-photography/

Photography Clips Podcast:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/

When gift-giving season comes around, photographers always get the same idea. Birthdays, Christmas, any big occasion, it seems perfect to give someone one of our photographs. It feels personal and meaningful. It feels like you're giving someone a piece of your creative vision, something you spent hours shaping. And since photographs can be customized, it feels more thoughtful than grabbing something off a store shelf. In our minds, the person opens the gift, loves it, hangs it on the wall, and keeps it there for years.

That's the hope. The reality is usually a little different...

As photographers, everything we do is tied to perspective. We think about it every day as we work on our images, but we don't always think about all the meanings packed into that one word. When you hear "perspective," you probably think about the angle you shoot from. That angle is part of it, but there's much more. There is the angle itself, there is your own personal viewpoint, and there is the subject's point of view, their thoughts, feelings, or experiences.

All three of these perspectives matter if you want to create images that feel meaningful...

What is the real path to artistic success? Some people say it is nothing more than practice. Not just practice in general, but practice in one single area of photography, always working on that one slice of the craft.

I see it differently. I think success grows out of diversity. Different styles, different techniques, and even different genres. Even the genres that might not be your favorites. Let me walk you through why I think this matters...

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/should-you-stick-to-one-genre-or-should-you-diversify/

Photography Clips Podcast:

https://www...

When you've been a photographer for as long as I have, you start to realize that not only does this art give you joy, but it also comes with its own share of frustrations. It seems strange at times to be so frustrated with something that you enjoy so much, but it definitely isn't an uncommon feeling. Let me share some of my frustrations so that you can see that you aren't alone!..

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/a-photographers-frustrations/

Photography Clips Podcast:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/

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What is "artspeak," precisely? It's a kind of blanket term, one you've probably seen used to refer to other activities, the type of term where the prefix is interchangeable. You'll sometimes hear the terms "computer-speak" or "techspeak." In a nutshell, these terms mean that people involved in the conversation are using language - technical terms and jargon - related to the field or area that the conversation is about.

"Artspeak" refers to the types of conversations in which people talk about their education, their achievements, technical items like cameras, and the mechanical operation of their equipment. These...

We've long made the assumption that photography is, in itself, an art. And in a general sense, that is true, the same way that painting is an art or that writing is an art. But I think we need a bit more specificity about precisely what the art of photography is. Surveys from 2014 showed that 1.8 billion photographs were uploaded online each day. Now imagine how many photos are taken every day, most of which will never be uploaded.

Are all of these images art? Of course not —just as not every written word is considered art, either. Ev...

A reflection on preparation, perception, and what really matters when the shutter clicks.

There's a familiar ritual before every photography trip. The suitcase waits open, half filled with clothes and cables, but the real challenge sits beside it—the camera gear. I start stacking lenses, checking chargers, counting batteries, and convincing myself that this time I'll finally pack smart. Then the second-guessing begins. Will I need the long lens? Maybe. What if I see wildlife? Better take it. The macro? Could come in handy. The tripod? Probably too heavy, but what if the light calls for it?

Every once in a while, I come across a story that reminds me how connected all the creative fields really are — photography, design, printing, art. They all share one foundation: color.

That's what drew me to Pantone's story. It's not just a company that makes color charts. It's the reason we can all talk about color in the same language.

Pantone began as a small printing business in New Jersey in the 1950s. Back then, the world of printing and design had a major problem: color consistency. What one printer called red might come out as...

Capturing a photograph is much more than just pressing a camera's shutter button. It's an intricate dance of thoughts, emotions, and technical considerations that come together to capture a moment in time. When I prepare to take a photograph, I go through a detailed mental checklist, each step bringing me closer to the perfect shot. Here's an in-depth look at what goes through my mind before taking a photograph.

Every photograph starts with a story. I think about what I want to convey through the image. Is it the serenity of a sunset, the bustling energy of...

Ever found yourself wondering, "Do I love photography or do I love photographs?" It might seem like a subtle distinction, but there's a significant difference between the two. Photography is the process – the act of capturing moments, exploring locations, and crafting images. Photographs, on the other hand, are the final product – the tangible results that we share and connect over. Understanding where your true passion lies can help you clarify your focus and how you approach your activities in this art form...

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/photography-vs-photographs-where-does-your-passion-lie/

Photography Clips Podcast:

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Have you ever looked at a photograph and felt a surge of memories or emotions, as if the image before you opened a door to another time or place? This is one of the most magical aspects of photography – its ability to act as a metaphor, connecting us to deeper meanings and experiences beyond the frame. When we look at a photograph, it's not just a snapshot of a moment. It becomes a mirror, reflecting our own stories and memories. This metaphorical power is what elevates photography from mere documentation to an art form...

Podcast Notes:

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Cameras are truly marvelous devices, capable of capturing moments and turning them into lasting memories. They can freeze time, tell stories, and evoke powerful emotions. But here's the catch – a camera can only do these incredible things if you have it with you when the perfect photographic opportunity arises. Mark Twain once said, "The person who does not read has no advantage over the one who cannot read." The same goes for photography: if you leave your camera at home, you're no better off than someone who doesn't own one.

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.co...

Integrating the principles of effective communication with the realm of photography offers a unique and compelling perspective, particularly for a blog centered on this art form. Here's how the Three Rules of Communication can be beautifully paralleled with the process and presentation of photography, enriching the content for your blog..

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/the-three-pillars-of-communication/

Photography Clips Podcast:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/

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Have you ever flipped through an old family album or browsed antique photos online and noticed that hardly anyone is smiling? It almost looks like people from the past never had much fun. But the truth is, the story behind those solemn faces is a mix of technology, culture, and changing ideas of what a photo should capture.

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/why-people-didnt-smile-in-old-photos/

Photography Clips Podcast:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/

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What If Color Had Come First?

Let's imagine something wild for a second: what if color photography had been invented first? Would we have ever created black and white photography at all? Or would we have dismissed it as incomplete, a technological limitation, an odd artistic experiment?

The fact that we even ask this question says something about black and white photography—it's not just a holdover from history. It's not a fallback or a filter. It's a language. A philosophy. And despite the endless tools and possibilities available to us today, photographers still return to b...

In the arts, practice is everything. I know this because I lived it. In college, I was a woodwind major, playing the saxophone. My life revolved around practice rooms. Hours of scales. Long tones until my lips were buzzing. Etudes, arpeggios, and drills over and over until the notes weren't just learned, they were built into muscle memory. At first, it felt tedious. Repetition can wear you down. But eventually, the practice did what it was supposed to do: it freed me. My fingers no longer stumbled. My breathing fell into rhythm. I didn't have to think about the...

What makes a famous photographer famous? It's not the gear he uses, and it's normally not a single image, either. Most of the greatest photographers have a certain style that makes their images immediately recognizable. Style is the reason why you can pick an Ansel Adams landscape out from a thousand others. Style makes you unique, it's an extension of your personality and it's what sets you apart from everyone else...

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/developing-photographic-style/

Photography Clips Podcast:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/

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If you ask photographers, most would say that they'd love to go on safari or take a trip to an exotic land just for the opportunity to create amazing images of fantastic animals. However, it's not so easy to break away from daily life for a trip to the wilds. Fortunately, you can still create some amazing images while staying much closer to home. Take a trip to your local zoo and use these tips to take breathtaking wildlife photos!

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/8-tips-for-taking-great-wildlife-images-at-the-zoo/

Photography Clips Podcast:

https...

You've heard it before: Whenever possible, always create RAW files rather than JPEGs. The reason given is that camera RAWs give you much more data to work with, which in turn means that you can do a lot more in the digital darkroom. The same is true if you look back at film photography. One of the reasons that JPEGs and digital images were so exciting to the first digital photographers is that you can do so much more with a JPEG than with film.

To put it all into perspective, I'll show you some of the...

These things and probably a myriad other factors all lead to photographers getting a lot more from their own photographs than viewers ever will. We have an intimacy, a closeness with our own work, that is almost impossible to share. There will be things in our photographs that we see that others simply will not.

Of course, this is the natural order of things. Photographers will always get more from what they've created than the average person will. But—and this is a big but—it's our job, as photographers, to make our viewers see what we see...

Here's a little something you might not have known about me, but in college, I was a music major. What has that got to do with photography? Well, if you've never made music before, it might be a little tricky to explain, but musicians will certainly understand this feeling, I think.

When a musician plays or sings, a lot of what goes into the music is second nature. Sure, there are technical things — learning timing, the enunciation of the notes, dynamics, breathing if you sing or play a wind instrument. Just as photography has technical aspects like li...

One of the best things about creativity is that it truly is without limits. We can see this in a variety of places, like in the worlds of film and literature. TV shows and movies will have spinoffs, sequels, and prequels—and novels do the same. For some writers, what starts as a single novel branches out until it becomes a 12-book series, plus a collection of short stories, a prequel trilogy, and more.

That's what creativity does when the ideas are full of life and allowed to flourish. And as much as we might roll our ey...

Creativity doesn't happen in a vacuum. We all need things that motivate us, that inspire us, and that recharge our creative batteries. Fortunately, the creative world is a big one that goes beyond photography and into dozens of different arts where we can get what it is that we need to keep on making photographs.

There are many things I like to do to help with motivation, inspiration, and creative energy. Music is a big one—and I think it's something that perhaps many of us can rely on because as arts go, music has the power to...

For any creative—and really, this is probably something that applies in many areas of life, too—the hardest thing to do is to own up to our mistakes and failures. It comes to mind with creativity and photography in particular, because when you embark on a creative path, those failures will be many. I daresay that if any of us look through our archives, the sheer volume of images that never got used tell that tale quite well. Most are failures, and only a few shining images end up making the cut and going on to become something that...

As artists and photographers, we talk about creative endeavors a lot—but we don't often talk about the people involved in those creative endeavors. And yet, these people are perhaps one of the most important parts of the process. I think it's vitally important that, no matter what type of creative work you do, you find your people.

Now, one might interpret that statement as getting on social media to promote your work, and to build a community of followers and admirers surrounding that work. I suppose this is helpful if you're selling your work, but truthfully, fo...

Curiosity is key to photography. It's what drives us to get outside and explore, discover, learn—and then photograph what we've found and learned so that we can share it with the world. And there's no such thing as being too curious! I think it's safe to say that we can throw out that old saying, "curiosity killed the cat." So long as we're being smart and practicing art safely, we can't be too curious.

So that begs the question, if curiosity is essential to photography, then how do we develop more curiosity? The only way I kn...

What is it that you need from photography? Here's an interesting psychological tidbit: When you are going through tough times in relationships with others, therapists will often tell you that all relationships must offer something of value to everyone involved. This could be emotional needs met, good laughs shared, discussions that you value, or something else...

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/what-do-you-need-from-photography/ 

Photography Clips Podcast:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/

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Validation is a wonderful thing. In fact, I would argue that all of us need validation in the things that we do. It's a vital part of what keeps us going. If you've ever received a compliment on one of your photographs, or even something like an award, then you know the sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with it—and the renewed vigor with which you go out to create new, even better photographs than the ones that earned you those accolades in the first place.

All of this is a natural, normal phenomenon that is...

Anytime you're creating something—photography, a painting, a book—it's a question of audience. At least, for those of us who plan to show our creative works to others, which I have to imagine is most of us. While we are ultimately free to create whatever we'd like to create, we need to do it with the idea that someone out there will find some sort of enjoyment in it.

So what is it that people enjoy in art?

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/no-one-cares-how-you-got-there/ 

Photography Clips Podcast:

https...

This thought of mine is kind of a complex one, but as we go along, you'll start to see what I mean. The first thing I want to express is that we are all human. As humans, innovation is a kind of our thing—it's what we do. We've been innovating since the beginning, and that desire for innovation is responsible for almost every aspect of human life today—including the invention of cameras and all the rest of the photographic equipment that we use.

My point here with this discussion of innovation? Well, one of the ways...

What do you do when you don't know what else to do? Well, that depends. The first thing to do, in my opinion, is to figure out why you don't know what to do. You see, in my last post, I discussed the value of taking a break from photography—and that's because we all become exhausted or burned out. At other times, there are different reasons why we don't know what to do—and it is essential that we take these moments, pick up the camera, and go with the flow. Photograph whatever catches your eye. It's a mean...

"If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera." – Lewis Hines

Photography is a significant part of many cultures. Whether for career or catharsis, photography is a valuable skill in today's digital, open-source world. Here are some photography tips to guide you on your journey.

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/10-essentials-for-beginner-photographers/ 

Photography Clips Podcast:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/

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As the old saying goes, "You get what you pay for." I find that nowhere is this more true than in photography. It's not just the gear that you are paying for. In photography, you are also paying for art with your time, creativity, and effort. And, if you don't pay out much with those currencies, well, then this saying rings true. Here, I will discuss all the ways that you get out what you put in when it comes to photography.

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/you-get-what-you-pay-for-in-photography/ 

Photography Clips Podcast:

At first glance, the life of a photographer can seem almost magical—traveling the world, creating beautiful images, and having your work admired by others. But once you step behind the lens with serious intent, reality begins to set in.

Photography is deeply rewarding, yes—but it's also filled with challenges that many outsiders never see. Whether you're building a business, pursuing art, or simply hoping to grow, you'll need to face these struggles head-on.

Here are some of the most common hurdles photographers face—and why persevering through them is worth it...

Podcas...

Today, let's talk about travel—and more specifically, what to bring when you're heading out on a photography trip. Whether it's a weekend getaway or a big vacation, a little preparation goes a long way when it comes to making the most of your time with a camera...

And one word that keeps coming up, quietly but persistently, is permission...

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/tips-photographers-vacation/

Photography Clips Podcast:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/

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You know, something I've learned over the years—something that becomes clearer the more time I spend with a camera in hand—is that photography is just as much about relationships as it is about light, shadow, and subject matter. Not just relationships with the people in front of the lens, but with the communities we enter, the land we stand on, and the cultures we interact with.

And one word that keeps coming up, quietly but persistently, is permission...

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/photography-permission-guide/

Photography Clips Podcast:

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Today, we're going to talk about something that's supposed to be fun—something that should feel freeing, adventurous, and inspiring. But sometimes, well… it gets a little heavy. I'm talking about the photography trip. You know the kind. That big escape where it's just you, your camera, and the world outside your front door. But if you've done a few of these trips, or even just tried to plan one, then you probably already know: photography trips can be stressful...

Podcast Notes:

https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/open-yourself-to-possibilities/

Photography Clips Podcast:

https://www...

A large portion of my time is devoted not just to photography itself, but to something just as important: finding new places to create it. Scouting, for me, is part of the adventure. It's a little like being on a treasure hunt with your camera bag in the passenger seat and curiosity behind the wheel. And over the years, I've discovered a few ways to make that hunt easier, more enjoyable, and a whole lot more rewarding.

Back when I first got serious about photography, I used to just hop in the car and drive with no...

You know, one of the hardest things about being a creative person—whether you're into photography or painting or writing—is motivation. Just getting started. I can't tell you how many times I've had every excuse in the book. I'm not feeling inspired. I don't have the right gear. There's no time. The light's wrong. You name it.

But if I'm being honest, those are just that—excuses. Life's busy, sure, and things pop up. But most of the time, it's not that something is actively standing in the way. It's just that the motivation isn't there.

The stereotypical image of the artist is someone who spends a large part of their life not producing anything. Then, when the inspiration strikes, the artist goes to work, spontaneously producing works of art. The artist finally had the exact right sequence of thoughts. Whatever the case is, the work is something that just came to them, spur of the moment.

Photographers often have a mental image of the inspired artist. It is sometimes even stronger because people assume that all a photographer must do is keep pushing that shutter button. Eventually, something magical happens. In a...

Photographers hear it all the time: follow the rule of thirds, shoot during golden hour, use leading lines, frame your subject just so. These formulas are everywhere. They promise guaranteed results, and sometimes, they do deliver something pleasing. But if we rely too heavily on formulas, our photography runs the risk of becoming repetitive and uninspired. That's why it's important to understand the difference between a formula and a strategy. One boxes you in; the other sets you free.

In a previous post, I explored how photography formulas can become a trap—producing predictable photography techniques that la...

What are the best tools for photography? I spend a lot of time talking about what the reviewers say. If you listen, they will have you believe that the best gear is the gear that has the highest megapixels, the things that will produce the sharpest image quality, the best colors—that sort of thing.

I've long argued against this, saying that, in most cases, these costly items are overkill. The megapixels and incredibly sharp resolutions are a wasteful investment when you consider that the average photographer will never produce the billboard-sized prints these devices are designed fo...

For most of us photographers, the reality is that we're not making a living from photography. For many of us, that's deliberate. Some simply don't want to turn a favorite hobby into a job. Others of us may have goals and dreams, but perhaps we're just starting out, or the demand for our particular brand of photography just isn't that high yet. Whatever the reasons, the point is that most of us have to do something else for a living—and everything else that we have to do, from jobs to family obligations, takes away from the time we ha...

There are a few things that top the list of struggles for photographers. For instance, portrait subjects who find it hard to be comfortable in front of the lens, or lighting that just won't cooperate no matter how you try to modify it. But nothing is so ubiquitous as the weather. It causes all kinds of problems, from rained out trips to the high humidity that results in frizzy hair.

So how do we photographers deal with the weather? Well, the first step is planning around it. It's always a good idea to check weather forecasts and...

Today, I find myself thinking of the concept of "the hero's journey." If you're not familiar with this, it's basically a type of plot that you'll commonly find in novels. The idea is that while the destination might be the goal, it's not what makes the bones of the story. Rather, the heart of the story is in the journey—the hero's journey, in which he or she perhaps literally journeys across the land, faces a whole lot of adversity, and in the process, undergoes an inner journey in which the hero learns, grows, and adapts.

Podcast No...

As a photographer, sometimes you get the sense that opportunity isn't finding you. There are no new places around you to take interesting new photographs, and you don't have the time or money to head out on a trip to somewhere exotic. You fall into a kind of doldrums, unable to move forward, and find that it becomes an incredible struggle to get the inspiration you need to create something new.

Worse, that attitude often extends into other areas of photography. Your work isn't being published or displayed because no good opportunities have presented themselves to you...

How many times have you snapped a few pictures from the hip only to realize the lens cap is still on? How many times have you taken a few photographs, only to come back later and find spots and smudges in them because your lens had a fingerprint or dust on it? I know these sorts of things have happened to me more often than I'd like to admit.

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/good-habits-are-the-enemy-of-silly-mistakes/

Photography Clips Podcast:
https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/

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If you've never heard of "sunk cost fallacy," I'll take this opportunity to explain it. It's a phenomenon that happens when you've invested in something so that you're unwilling to stop pursuing that thing. Among gamblers, the idea is that if they keep betting another few bucks, eventually, they'll win. They've sunk too much into their evening of gambling to walk away without a win.

Sunk cost fallacy isn't just about gambling, though. It rears its head everywhere. You'll see it in someone unwilling to sell a car they've invested a lot into because they won't recoup...

One day seems like the perfect day for some fall photography—the leaves are beautiful, the sun is shining—but you don't have the time that day because life's other demands are calling. The next day? It's snowing! That's a picture-perfect example of how opportunities can truly be fleeting.

Sometimes, we miss photographic opportunities because we think, "It'll be there another day, I can always come back to this." But, the problem is, that isn't always the case. Seasons change—sometimes rapidly before we realize what is happening. We pack up and move across the country, then look b...

There's one big aspect of creativity that tends to get lost in the shuffle of everything else. We spend a lot of time thinking about how to think in innovative ways or learning new techniques and approaches to art. In all of this discussion about creativity and how to be creative, we lose sight of the fundamental fact that creativity is often about mindset.

That old "mind over matter" saying rings true, I think. Aside from techniques, skills, knowledge, and new ways of thinking, it's the desire or the motivation to be creative that is the thing...

Here's something I've discussed before, though when I last spoke about it, it was a bit different. It's the idea that we must get to know our surroundings or subjects to photograph them most effectively. Today, I'm framing it a bit differently because we photographers have a habit of always going after something new. New places, new subjects—we want to expose ourselves to as much new and unique as possible. It's all in the name of creating new and exceptional photographs. Most of us believe that if we're seeing as many new things as possible, we're photographing new th...

Adaptability—Being adaptable is one of the key parts of being a photographer. There are a few different ways to look at this, too. Being flexible can apply to the vagaries of daily life, the things we photograph, and even the techniques and styles we use to create our photographs.

On the day-to-day level, being adaptable means being able to roll with whatever the day throws at you. Sometimes, this means you expected the day to be sunny and warm. Still, it turns out cold and rainy—thus, you need to adapt, which could mean bringing extra gear...

Searching for meaning is something that most of us photographers do almost by default. After all, that's the point of creating artwork, isn't it? To create something meaningful that resonates with the people who enjoy it. And that's why we spend so much time talking about how to imbue our photographs with meaning. Here is perhaps another way to look at or to approach that search for meaning.

As I said, this is something that most of us do sort of automatically as part of the creation process—but when we're searching for ideas or photographs to ta...

Experience and insight is what makes each of our perspectives unique. No two of us can lead the same life. Even though on the surface, it may seem as if some of us are on very similar paths, we all experience it a little bit differently. Every person will have a different set of successes and failures, joys and hardships, achievements and ambitions—the list goes on. Our experiences are even more unique than our fingerprints.

And I think these experiences can—and perhaps even should—be applied to the art that we create. Experiential art, or art cr...

We photographers produce an awful lot of content. It's not just the photographs that we put up to share with the world, but also the words that we publish, too. Many of us run our own businesses or have photography as a side gig or a hobby that we promote via websites, social media, and elsewhere. Some of us just enjoy blogging, so we do that along with our photographs. The point is, we put out a lot of content—and in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Now, you'll often hear from marketers about two different ty...

There's been a lot of buzz about the "death of prints" in photography. But frankly? Prints aren't going anywhere. They may become less popular over time as digital technology continues to proliferate, but there will always be a demand for prints.

Why is that? Well, some people argue that prints are the only way to preserve photographs forever—though I would argue that the exact opposite is true. That's because prints degrade with time. No matter what papers, printing methods and archival techniques you choose, there will come a day when your ancient print just isn't salvageable an...

We all experience creative lulls occasionally, and sometimes, a good break is in order, so we spend a few days or weeks focusing on things other than art. Whatever the case may be, when you've not been engaged in art for a while, it takes a little bit to get back into the swing of things. It's like going on vacation and then coming back to work. Your mind is still in "vacation mode" even though a whole different set of tasks is now in front of you. This is something that anyone in a creative line of work...

We spend so much time talking about photography—and for those of us who enjoy this pursuit as more than a passing hobby, we spend a lot of time in photography. Some of us who do this for a living spend most, if not all, of our time immersed in images and the world of art in general.

But what about the rest of life?

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/making-time-for-yourself/

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Creative guilt is a surprisingly common phenomenon. You've probably experienced it, and if you're like most of us, you've probably experienced it more than once. Perhaps we can call it part of the human condition for people engaged in creative works.

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/the-creatives-guilt

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Most of us photographers are very particular about maintaining our tools. Lenses need to be stored in dry, temperature-controlled, padded places to prevent scratches mold growing between the elements, or even something like oil leaking between the elements. We take great care to ensure that our cameras are well-protected if it is raining, or we might even avoid taking photographs that day simply to prevent damage to our equipment. Some of us invest lots of money in camera bags to keep our equipment armored, dry, and safe, even on the roughest of trips.

But what about the...

The more you dig into advice about photography—and really, probably advice about anything—the more you will find conflicting advice. One of these contradictions is within the way we're taught to work on or to pursue our art...

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/taking-a-break/

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Not long ago, I had the chance to talk with a childhood friend. We started reminiscing about school—the teachers who shaped us, the friends we made, and the moments that stuck with us. Some of our classmates are still around, while others have passed on. We talked about our kids and grandkids and how our interests changed as we got older.

At some point, we landed on music. It has always been a big part of our lives...

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/from-the-first-note/

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Weddings are momentous occasions that encapsulate the essence of love, commitment, and celebration. As such, the decision of whether to allow guests to take photos during the ceremony can spark considerable debate. This nuanced discussion touches on preserving the sanctity of the moment, while also embracing modern social practices and personal preferences. Let's dive deeper into the arguments on both sides, and explore potential compromises that cater to various needs and expectations.

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/navigating-camera-use-at-wedding-ceremonies/

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As photographers, we pour our hearts into our work, often searching for the next opportunity to showcase our art. But what happens when that opportunity comes with a price tag—literally? Lately, I've been wrestling with a growing trend where photographers are asked to pay to submit their photos to contests or books. It's been on my mind, and frankly, it's a bit troubling. Let's explore why this practice is gaining traction and whether it's truly fair to the artists who create the work.

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/the-ethics-of-paying-to-play-is-it-fair-to-charge-photographers-for-exposure/

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Creating new photographs is an incredibly exciting thing. I think at one time or another, we've all rushed home with our digital negatives to process them quickly because we're just so eager to show them to the world. And that excitement is wonderful—we should be excited about our photography. It's that kind of passion that breathes life into it and keeps us producing more photographs.

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/aging-photographs/

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Photojournalism is more than just taking pictures; it's about capturing the essence of events as they unfold, often in the most challenging circumstances. During the Trump rally assassination attempt, the true spirit of photojournalism was on full display. Four seasoned photographers stood their ground in the photo pit while an intern, understandably, fled the scene. This incident highlights the bravery required in this field and underscores the dedication to getting the shot that tells the story...

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/through-the-lens-of-danger-the-courage-of-photojournalists/

Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/

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Oh, those were the days! It's incredible how much has changed since I was a kid in Hinton, West Virginia. There was something almost adventurous about needing to go to the payphone two blocks away to talk with a friend.

I remember it vividly. The payphone stood under a big tree right next to the courthouse. It felt like a secret mission every time I left the house, coins jingling in my pocket, ready to make that call. The payphone was a sturdy old thing with a heavy receiver and a slightly scratched glass window that always...

Can you force creativity? Should you force creativity? The answer to the first question is most definitely yes—you can force creativity. But for the second question, things get a bit murky. My gut instinct is to say that no, you should not force creativity. But, sometimes, you have to.

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/the-creative-flow/

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Since painting with light is what we photographers do, we've discovered over all these decades how to utilize light in many different ways. When you stop to consider it, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of things we can do simply by manipulating light. We've learned to apply colors to lighting or to utilize the colors of the ambient lighting around us. Intensity varies — sometimes bright lighting is what we need, and other times, we seek to capture as little light as possible to focus on specific, hard-to-capture points of light, as is the case with long nighttime exposures.

Audiences are a tricky beast! Who are these people? On the broad scale, we often categorize our audiences into two groups: Those who look at prints, and those who consume photography digitally. But that is painting with a very, very broad brush—and it's vital that we go deeper to really understand audiences and their various disparate fragmentations.

I'll explain why it's critical to understand these audiences in a bit. First, let's examine how these audiences fragment into smaller groups. For instance, on the digital side of things, it's not good enough to say "digital viewers." Digital au...

Today, we're diving into the magical world of night sky photography. You're in the right place if you've ever wanted to capture the stars in all their glory. Let's get started!

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/capturing-the-cosmos-a-journey-into-night-sky-photography/ 

Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/

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What is a photographer's medium? I can see where maybe you're scratching your head and thinking that our medium is of course photography. But technically, that's not quite true. Not when you think about the finished products that we produce.

So let's look at it through the lens of other art mediums. Painting for instance. If you're a painter, then your medium could be oil on canvas, or maybe you're a watercolor artist. Perhaps you prefer to work in acrylics. Mixed media artists combine different mediums to get whatever effect they desire. Same goes if you're a...

There are so many different things that photographers prize highly. The answer might be different from one photographer to the next, too.

Take prints, for instance. One photographer may treat them as a precious artifact, storing them in perfect condition, using only the best archival materials, and handling those prints with gloves. That's the most valuable thing to them, so they take great pains to keep those prints pristine for decades.

Other photographers might have different answers. Cameras are something we all value very highly. They're the tool of our trade, the same as painters...

The biggest part of photography is coming up with new kinds of art. To do that, we take our inspiration from all kinds of places—the conventional art world combined with the things that inspire us as we go about our lives—but there are some other unconventional sources in which we can look.

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/a-new-format/ 

Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/

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For many photographers, the idea of creating a still life image is boring. Who wants or needs yet another photo of a bowl of fruit or a vase filled with flowers? The fact is, however, that still life images don't need to be boring — and even if you do choose to go with more traditional subjects, the creation of these images will prove to be a valuable learning experience.

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/can-learn-still-life-photography/

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Certain things in life make the act of creation quite difficult. At times, adversity arises and makes it hard for us to power through and keep producing photographs. This could be any type of adversity. Maybe it's a physical injury or ailment that makes it much harder for you to travel, hike, or carry your camera gear. It could also be mental or emotional adversity. Everything from depression to stressful life events like the loss of a job or even a loved one can take us out of the frame of mind to create artwork.

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I think to be a creative kind of person, there is a certain level of mercilessness required. At least, if you want to be the type of creative person who learns and grows. And when I say mercilessness, I certainly don't advocate being merciless toward others.

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/merciless/ 

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I've found that this is very true throughout my career. There are lots of reasons to be doubtful, reasons that, if you let them, will stop your creative pursuits before you get underway.

It starts with the dive into photography itself. You may feel like you are not artistic enough to become an artist or the very thought of learning all of the things that you will one day need to know might seem overwhelming. Then, as you progress, it can be challenging to work up the courage to display your images, to ask for constructive criticism...

Second chances can be powerful, especially in places we think we know well. Revisiting familiar spots, where all the obvious photos have already been taken, presents a unique creative challenge. It pushes us to look deeper, finding fresh perspectives and capturing what's truly unusual. That's why I believe in going back to those well-trodden places—it's an opportunity to see them in a new light.

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/dont-count-on-second-chances

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What are our motivations for making photographs? If you ask around, among friends and neighbors, you'll quickly find that many photographers harbor dreams of making money or becoming known for their art. But are those the right reasons for creating photographs?

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/why-do-we-make-photographs/ 

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Art always seems like such a planned event. It's a production. We think about our ideas, we jot them down, we plan and plan for how we can take the perfect photograph. Then comes the day when we actually set out to take that photograph — that, too is a production. It's often a long trip laid out on maps, organized through lists of gear that we check twice before we depart, and so on...

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/letting-art-happen/ 

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We've all heard that old saying, "There's no accounting for taste." There's so much truth to that. Tastes vary so much from one person to the next that no matter what, there is no one right answer that will satisfy absolutely everyone. That puts photographers in something of a conundrum. Of course, we want to produce photographs that people will love. But we can never guarantee that these images will be broadly loved because there's just no accounting for taste.

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/personal-aesthetics/ 

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Gear wishlists. We all have them, and they're often quite extensive. Filters, lenses, new camera bodies, lighting equipment, computers, and software — some of our wishlists are extensive!

But is any of this stuff really necessary?

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/forget-about-gear/ 

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Something is interesting about photography that you may not have noticed before. And it's one of those things, just like the perfect composition, that you can't "unsee" it once you see it. Have you ever noticed that the overwhelming majority of photographs — almost all, if not all — neatly fit into one of a few niches? We have genres like landscape, abstract, portraiture, urbex photography, nature photography, wildlife, etc. There are lots and lots of different categories, but when you compare the number of well-known categories to the millions of photographs created each day, it's actually quite shocking that 99%, if not...

Art really is timeless—and that is true across all mediums, be it photography, sculpture or something like literature or movies. To see what I mean about the timeless nature of art, look no further than books. Here, you'll find works that could be a century old, two centuries, or perhaps even older than that. And yet, we still read them today and get value from them...

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/art-is-timeless/

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There is a lot of information on how to plan shot lists or choose gear for photography projects, but what about the creative side of planning? Here are some thoughts that may help you!

Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/tips-for-planning-a-photography-project/

We all have lots of old ideas laying around in the form of handwritten notes or archives. Here are some thoughts that may help you use some of those ideas in your photography.

Podcast notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/working-with-the-ideas-youve-already-had/