The Problem With Likes (Please Don’t Like This Unless You Read It!)

I have a problem with some LIKES. The ones that remove the "K" and are essentially LIES. Not malicious lies, but ones that don't reflect someone truly enjoying and valuing our work. See, where you get the LIKE matters. If I get a LIKE on this blog post, chances are this post was read. (And...

Ah, The Difference a Print Makes

The photographic print defines today's photographer. That's it right there. Doesn't matter if you originate on film or a digital sensor, it's the print that defines the photographer. What have you made lately? Show me your work, let's see your photographs? I'd go so far as to say that those making photographic prints are the...

The Film/Digital Difference

The difference between the two is night and day to me, and I am assuming you also can see it. There's a time for each, just like there's a time for watercolor and oil paint. Just like there is a time for takeout food (takeaway for those readers across the pond) and a time to...

Time Traveling With a Leica or Rolleiflex

Ohmigod, is that a Saturn?  And look, remember when you had to pedal your bike! [This is a repost of the most popular 6x6Portraits blog post ever. We're time traveling today back to 2016.] The year is 2066. We're teleporting to different parts of the earth, holding meetings on virtual beaches while sitting at home,...

How I Can Afford to Make The Wise Photo Project

I photographed Margaret, a lovely 98-year-old woman last week in my studio and will gift her a framed 12x12 portrait this week. How am I able to gift photo shoots and framed portraits at no cost to seniors in The Wise Photo Project? Easy, through commissioned portraits--when people commission a portrait, they know that the...

If You Could Wish For Any Photograph…

What do you love? What do you photograph? Is every photograph we make a self-portrait, a creation of something meaningful to us to show the world? What do you photograph? If we only photograph those things that grab us visually, does that mean that we are missing photographs because of lack of interest? Or is...

The Soul of Film Photography

What is soul and how does it apply to a photograph? Is it real or are film photographers just making it up? You know, when we talk about a film photograph having soul, unlike our digital photographs. I know for me, I see it. Clearly. I’m also connected to the photograph and the subject—they’re friends—so...

Simple Test: Are You a Photographer?

Are you a photographer? Here's a simple test: Can you show me a photograph? I didn't say "image", I said photograph. A photograph is something tangible, that I can hold in my hand. Printed on paper. I am a photographer and I have proof: I print photographs, my walls are covered in them and my...

If You Could Do One Thing as a Photographer…

Here's mine. If I could do one thing as a photographer, it would be to photograph people's parents and grandparents, sort of a celebrity photographer to regular people. Celebrating their magic. How about you, if you could do one thing as a photographer, what would you do? What would be the one thing one thing...

Photography Today: Paint-By-Numbers Easy?

I was having a beer with a friend last night and he mentioned how easy it is nowadays to be a photographer, what with all the great gear and how everything looks good, even on a phone camera. Which of course got me thinking, "Is it that easy?" Has the tech made everyone great photographers?...