Night shoots, or run-up as they are sometimes called, are among one of the most popular and challenging aspects within aviation photography. Special shoots are often organized at sunset and in the evenings where static aircraft and/or helicopters are specially lit so photographers can capture them in the most creative way possible. Sometimes pilots are willing to run the propellers …
From Setback to Success
I arrived early to beat the crowds and get images that we have been looking forward to all year. I had been up since 4AM to ensure we would get where we needed to be and not miss check in as the airport grounds are very secure. The breeze was strong and the air was comfortable, but crisp. As I …
Keep It Simple
Over the years of shooting, I have evolved my thought process to make the evolution of a photograph more simplistic. It is easy to be overwhelmed by all the settings and tech that comes with a camera and the act of simply making a picture can seem overwhelming. I know, I’ve been there. Time has been my greatest teacher. It …
Do your photographs matter?
I follow a fair number of photographers and the ones that I follow are for a specific reason. Often they are mentors, there genre they specialize in is the same as my interests or, they just have sound advice for moving my photography forward. I generally don’t repost someone else’s articles on my blog, but this topic was sound advice …
Creative Photo Ideas
Have you ever had this happen to you? You are out in the field, or perhaps on a photo trip you planned and when you get there, creatively, you draw a blank. Perhaps you are clicking away and the pictures are just not what you are envisioning. Don’t worry, it is part of the creative process. It has happened to …
Follow your own path
So often I hear people that I shoot with say to me “I wish my photos were like so and so” or “I want my images to look like this photographers“. While looking at other photographers work for inspiration is something we all do, and there is nothing wrong with that, does this really help move your photography forward and …
Gear Review: Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II Lens
This very anticipated lens was recently released by Nikon (as of April 2026) and has big shoes to fill for sure. Its predecessors, the Nikon F-mount 70-200 VR f/2.8 and version one of the Nikon Z 70-200 f/2.8 S were extremely popular and for good reason. Each of these lenses I have shot with and the optics are extremely sharp …
Change how you see
Some of the best advice I have ever received for photography is to change how I see. Initially, I was not sure what was meant by that advice, but as my photography has grown and continues to grow, this has become one of the most valuable things that have helped my photography progress. I have come to realize that the …
Be prepared to get the shot
Ran into some good advice that I wanted to send along to everyone to help be more prepared in the moment when the opportunity to take the shot comes along. Mind you, these are not 100% guarantee, but they certainly will increase the odds of you being ready to meet the opportunity when it arises. There are two components to …
Why blog
Way back when I first started this blog, it was just to say that I had a blog. It was the in thing at the time. I really did not have perspective on what the blog would be other than to put photographs up for others to see. Since then my blog has gone through a number of revisions and …
Is there a best mode
Today’s cameras can do amazing things and really can produce great images in all modes. Yet, I still get asked, what is the best mode to shoot in? Truth is, any of them. Probably not the answer you thought was coming. Having said that, I have never used Programmed (Auto) where the camera is in charge of everything. That is …
AI or not
Whether we like it or not, artificial intelligence isn’t going anywhere. Companies and creators alike are relying on this more and more. I remember first learning the craft of photography. We had a limited number of shots with film, no instant gratification on the back of an LCD, you needed to know how to compose, arrange elements in a scene …