11 Tips for Awesome Abstract Photos
I don’t consider myself a genre-specific photographer. For me, sticking to specific genres is so limiting. I like to go out, explore the world, and see what attracts my eye.
My (Reluctant) Love Affair with My Smartphone Camera
In the past year, I've become very disenchanted with my DSLR camera. Curiously, and to my complete amazement, I am finding my smartphone, to be more than adequate for taking 95% of the pictures while I’m at home.
10 Quotes from Writers That Will Make You a Better Photographer
It might sound strange to suggest that writers can teach us anything about photography. I believe, though, that any creative pursuit springs from the same space within us, whether it’s photography, writing, painting or even making exquisitely beautiful cakes.
Dissecting the Shot: A Long-Exposure Photo of London’s East India Station
In this article, I am going to dissect how I took an image from both a technical and narrative standpoint. I hope this gives you some ideas for your own photography.
7 Ideas Motivating Me in My Photography Right Now
A huge part of my photo practice is not taking photos. Photography is an inner game. What comes out in our photography is the total expression of who we are, how we think, and what we see.
Tripod as Zen Master: The One Piece of Kit That Has Shaped Me
I’ve had many cameras in my 36 plus years as a photographer. I started with a Pentax K1000 (a brilliant camera) then I moved on to my beautiful Hasselblad and many Canons. The cameras come and go, either from wear and tear or the demands of needing new technology. But in all my time my as a photographer, I’ve only had 3 tripods.
How Fear Holds Us Back from Being Better Photographers
A few years ago I was shooting at dawn in East London for one of my books. I walked past a butcher and thought, "awesome!" Capturing people up at dawn can be really hard as they are either not around or it can be difficult to find people doing interesting things.
10 Things Van Gogh Can Teach Us About Photography
In keeping myself motivated as a photographer I love to look for inspiration from all across the creative spectrum. I like to take the advice of my favorite photographer Ernst Haas in this when he recommended to: “refine your senses through the great masters of music, painting, and poetry. In short, try indirect inspirations, and everything will come by itself.” I recently visited the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and felt really energized by the work.
Finding Beauty in the Mundane as a Photographer
I like who I am when I’m being creative -- that’s the basic fact. I love taking photos, just like I love having a long walk through the hills near me in Spain. I have to remember that these things bring me joy. And who doesn’t want a life of maximum joy? So I am going to ask more of myself creatively this coming month. And I want to offer up a challenge to help you if, like me, you are in need of a little push.
Creativity and Age: Your Photography Can Bloom in Any Stage of Life
I think there is this weird idea floating around that creativity is a young person’s game, particularly certain genres of creativity (photography and music for sure). That somehow you are at your peak creatively in your twenties and thirties, and then it’s downhill from then on. I think that’s insane.
How to Find the Perfect Angle
You know those moments when you're chimping and wonder why that amazing shot that you thought was going to be, well, amazing just isn't? Your exposure was right - check; white balance - check; aperture - check; shutter - check. Lens... hmm. Let's see. Lens? Yes, I shot with the right lens. If you are shooting competently and things are still not working out like you would want them to, I have a great piece of advice for you.