Colorado: thinking about a trip to Steamboat Springs?

I have a love-hate relationship with Steamboat Springs. Or maybe it's more accurately described as love-meh relationship. I've been to the town several times over the years. I remember it as a sleepy town that ski bums filled to the brim in winters. It was the sort of town that "real" outdoor athletes and outdoorsmen flocked to, eschewing the other more popular, touristy ski towns like Vail and Aspen. When I was young, it was both fun and boring. Fun…

What’s Going On with Pentax?

Shaka a Laka O Magic 8 Ball, what does Pentax cameras' future look like? My money is on one of these two responses: Cannot predict now Outlook not so good The Recap I have mused/speculated and even ranted about Pentax a few times (see: Is Dark Horse Pentax Fizzing Out? and The new Pentax K1 Mark II). Pentax's business decisions like retiring the flagship aps-c K3ii without introducing a new replacement are concerning. Their 2017 Annual Report came out a…

Seven landscape photographers you definitely should follow

As a hobby landscape photographer, I enjoy watching other photographers and seeing their works evolve and grow over time. They can be a source of inspiration. And if nothing else, it's fascinating to see photographs of faraway places. They're simultaneously foreign and familiar and are bound to set your imagination ablazing. Side note: With the recent passage of Article 13 in European Union (which I support; more on this later) and the copyright protection laws here in USA potentially being…

5 Tips for Jaw-Dropping Landscapes

To get great landscapes, you need more than just a pretty world. You might be in a scenic location, but that doesn't mean it'll always translate well to a 2D image. Landscape photography advice can be contradictory, at times. Sometimes landscapes will look great at a certain time of day or year, but drab at others. Sometimes it'll look better with a long lens, and other times, it's better to use a wide lens. Take this article -- and any…

5 Red Flags to Watch For when Buying Camera Gear Online

There are loads of fly-by-night camera gear sellers and stores online, and not all are made equal. It's easy to get tempted by bargain-barrel prices, especially if you're shopping on a tight budget. Here's a quick rule of thumb: if the price is too good to be true, it's a scam. Here's a list of warning signs to watch for: Rock-Bottom Prices Funky Seller's Name/Store Name Warranty Return policy Complaints Skip ahead for reputable sellers that I like. Too-Good-to-Be-True Prices…

Before and After: Red Rock Climbers

Sometimes it’s tough to know how to edit an image. IMO, as long as it’s not totally wacky and over the top, you should feel free to play with an edit until it feels right to you. (more…)

Make Every Frame Count

Wanna know the fastest way to improve your photography skills? Pretend you’re shooting with film on your digital camera, whether it’s a dslr, a mirrorless camera, or a smartphone. Shoot deliberately. (more…)

Are Mirrorless Cameras for you?

Are you interested in photography, but turned off by the idea of toting around a big, bulky camera? A mirrorless camera might be a good option for you. Read on! The difference between a dSLR and a Mirrorless Camera To understand the difference between a dSLR and a mirrorless, you need to understand how a dSLR works. If you're already familiar with them, feel free to skip ahead. dSLRs Boiled down, a dSLR consists of five main parts. (Of course,…

7 Reasons You Need a Tripod

Got your spankin' new dslr camera and lens? Guess what your next purchase should be. Tripods are a basic necessity for most, if not all photographers. It should be your third major photography purchase, a camera body and a non-kit lens being the first two. You need a tripod if you want to photograph: Indoors The ambient light level in a home often is deceptive. The human's eyes are much much better than a camera's lens at adjusting to low…

How to Beat Self Doubt

Do you feel like all your photographs suck? Do you feel like everyone else is taking better pictures than you? Do you wonder if you'll ever make pictures that people drool over? Here's a big not-so-secret secret. You're not alone. I learned how to use a camera when I was a kid. I sucked back then. I'm a couple decades older, and I still suck. I have days where I feel like chucking my camera into the trash can because…