It’s called “creative block”, and it’s an ugly beast. All artists complain of it at some point in their lives, even great ones. It can happen to you when you’re immersed in the doldrums of an uninteresting routine, or it can happen to you when you’re standing in the Mongolian grasslands during the Festival of [...]

• 3 Comments

This week I received a letter from a reader who asks a very poignant question. Olivia Polerowicz wants to know: “I was wondering how to take good pictures in not so interesting places. The thing is, I live in a not particularly interesting place and so my photos kinda show it. I have a problem [...]

• 3 Comments

With all the advice on how to churn out more photographs and how to follow the rules in your photography business, I want to stop for a moment and consider the possibility that all these gurus are dead wrong. There are some things I do that I’m not all that proud of, but the more [...]

• 0 Comments

We’re nearing the end of winter, and that means it’s time to shake off the dust and ramp up your photography. The weather is nice, the sunsets are gorgeous, and before you know it, summer will have come and gone. Right around this time of year, I like to get into some habits so I’m [...]

• 0 Comments

How many times have you taken a picture, only to reconcile it to the trash bin because it just didn’t turn out the way you like? I know it’s happened to me countless times. Images can fail for a number of reasons, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on them. I still [...]

• 2 Comments

Sometimes we get stuck. Maybe it’s been years since you produced your last great work. Maybe you’ve settled into a certain style of photography, and you just need to open your eyes to see what’s possible. Every now and again, I challenge myself to create a picture that’s better than my very best. It’s the [...]

• 6 Comments

There is a resource out there that you can tap into, and it will improve your photography in ways you could never imagine. It will inspire you. It will show you what’s possible with a little determination and a willingness to learn. What am I talking about? Other photographers, the great ones who have gone [...]

• 1 Comment

If you’ll indulge me, I’m going to depart slightly from my normal subject of tips, and talk about your worth as a photographer (either pro, or just as a hobby). I hear from a lot of people asking “Am I creative?” “Am I talented enough to do this?” I’ve also had these thoughts. I’m sure [...]

• 7 Comments

Have you ever wondered why some photographers just seem to have a knack for what they’re doing? It’s almost as if they have some sixth sense for photography, an uncanny ability to pick anything of interest from a scene and make it stand out. I believe we all have the ability to see what they [...]

• 6 Comments

It’s funny. For years and years we’ve thrown around terms like “mental energy,” and for the most part, none of us really questions what we’re getting at. I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately in my own photography, and it’s looking like some of the new research on creativity is confirming what I originally [...]

• 1 Comment

Have you ever been walking down the street and seen the sun coming just over the horizon of a building or a landmark in a really interesting way? Ever wish you were smart enough to bring your camera with you on that day so you wouldn’t miss it. I know the frustration. Over the years, [...]

• 4 Comments

One of the best ways to become a better photographer is to commit yourself to exploring a certain theme for awhile. And what better time to do that than at the start of a new year! Some people go so far as to start a 365 day project where they take a photo every single [...]

• 32 Comments

It’s funny. For years and years we’ve thrown around terms like “mental energy,” and for the most part, none of us really questions what we’re getting at. I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately in my own photography, and it’s looking like some of the new research on creativity is confirming what I originally [...]

• 0 Comments

Do you remember when you were a kid and totally afraid to jump in the water and swim? We’ve all been there. In life, some things just freak us out, and it’s no different in photography. I know it sounds strange, but we all need to be pushed sometimes. We need someone to force us [...]

• 6 Comments