Photography Clips

These things and probably a myriad other factors all lead to photographers getting a lot more from their own photographs than viewers ever will. We have an intimacy, a closeness with our own work, that is almost impossible to share. There will be things in our photographs that we see that others simply will not. Of course, this is the natural order of things. Photographers will always get more fro...

Here's a little something you might not have known about me, but in college, I was a music major. What has that got to do with photography? Well, if you've never made music before, it might be a little tricky to explain, but musicians will certainly understand this feeling, I think. When a musician plays or sings, a lot of what goes into the music is second nature. Sure, there are technical things...

One of the best things about creativity is that it truly is without limits. We can see this in a variety of places, like in the worlds of film and literature. TV shows and movies will have spinoffs, sequels, and prequels—and novels do the same. For some writers, what starts as a single novel branches out until it becomes a 12-book series, plus a collection of short stories, a prequel trilogy, and...

Creativity doesn't happen in a vacuum. We all need things that motivate us, that inspire us, and that recharge our creative batteries. Fortunately, the creative world is a big one that goes beyond photography and into dozens of different arts where we can get what it is that we need to keep on making photographs. There are many things I like to do to help with motivation, inspiration, and creative...

For any creative—and really, this is probably something that applies in many areas of life, too—the hardest thing to do is to own up to our mistakes and failures. It comes to mind with creativity and photography in particular, because when you embark on a creative path, those failures will be many. I daresay that if any of us look through our archives, the sheer volume of images that never got use...

As artists and photographers, we talk about creative endeavors a lot—but we don't often talk about the people involved in those creative endeavors. And yet, these people are perhaps one of the most important parts of the process. I think it's vitally important that, no matter what type of creative work you do, you find your people. Now, one might interpret that statement as getting on social media...

Curiosity is key to photography. It's what drives us to get outside and explore, discover, learn—and then photograph what we've found and learned so that we can share it with the world. And there's no such thing as being too curious! I think it's safe to say that we can throw out that old saying, "curiosity killed the cat." So long as we're being smart and practicing art safely, we can't be too cu...

What is it that you need from photography? Here's an interesting psychological tidbit: When you are going through tough times in relationships with others, therapists will often tell you that all relationships must offer something of value to everyone involved. This could be emotional needs met, good laughs shared, discussions that you value, or something else... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneyma...

Validation is a wonderful thing. In fact, I would argue that all of us need validation in the things that we do. It's a vital part of what keeps us going. If you've ever received a compliment on one of your photographs, or even something like an award, then you know the sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with it—and the renewed vigor with which you go out to create new, even better photo...

Anytime you're creating something—photography, a painting, a book—it's a question of audience. At least, for those of us who plan to show our creative works to others, which I have to imagine is most of us. While we are ultimately free to create whatever we'd like to create, we need to do it with the idea that someone out there will find some sort of enjoyment in it. So what is it that people enjo...

This thought of mine is kind of a complex one, but as we go along, you'll start to see what I mean. The first thing I want to express is that we are all human. As humans, innovation is a kind of our thing—it's what we do. We've been innovating since the beginning, and that desire for innovation is responsible for almost every aspect of human life today—including the invention of cameras and all th...

What do you do when you don't know what else to do? Well, that depends. The first thing to do, in my opinion, is to figure out why you don't know what to do. You see, in my last post, I discussed the value of taking a break from photography—and that's because we all become exhausted or burned out. At other times, there are different reasons why we don't know what to do—and it is essential that we...

"If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera." – Lewis Hines Photography is a significant part of many cultures. Whether for career or catharsis, photography is a valuable skill in today's digital, open-source world. Here are some photography tips to guide you on your journey. Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/10-essentials-for-beginner-photographe...

As the old saying goes, "You get what you pay for." I find that nowhere is this more true than in photography. It's not just the gear that you are paying for. In photography, you are also paying for art with your time, creativity, and effort. And, if you don't pay out much with those currencies, well, then this saying rings true. Here, I will discuss all the ways that you get out what you put in w...

At first glance, the life of a photographer can seem almost magical—traveling the world, creating beautiful images, and having your work admired by others. But once you step behind the lens with serious intent, reality begins to set in. Photography is deeply rewarding, yes—but it's also filled with challenges that many outsiders never see. Whether you're building a business, pursuing art, or simpl...

Today, let's talk about travel—and more specifically, what to bring when you're heading out on a photography trip. Whether it's a weekend getaway or a big vacation, a little preparation goes a long way when it comes to making the most of your time with a camera... And one word that keeps coming up, quietly but persistently, is  permission... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/tip...

You know, something I've learned over the years—something that becomes clearer the more time I spend with a camera in hand—is that photography is just as much about relationships as it is about light, shadow, and subject matter. Not just relationships with the people in front of the lens, but with the communities we enter, the land we stand on, and the cultures we interact with. And one word that...

Today, we're going to talk about something that's supposed to be fun—something that should feel freeing, adventurous, and inspiring. But sometimes, well… it gets a little heavy. I'm talking about the photography trip. You know the kind. That big escape where it's just you, your camera, and the world outside your front door. But if you've done a few of these trips, or even just tried to plan one, t...

A large portion of my time is devoted not just to photography itself, but to something just as important: finding new places to create it. Scouting, for me, is part of the adventure. It's a little like being on a treasure hunt with your camera bag in the passenger seat and curiosity behind the wheel. And over the years, I've discovered a few ways to make that hunt easier, more enjoyable, and a who...

You know, one of the hardest things about being a creative person—whether you're into photography or painting or writing—is motivation. Just getting started. I can't tell you how many times I've had every excuse in the book. I'm not feeling inspired. I don't have the right gear. There's no time. The light's wrong. You name it. But if I'm being honest, those are just that—excuses. Life's busy, sure...

The stereotypical image of the artist is someone who spends a large part of their life not producing anything. Then, when the inspiration strikes, the artist goes to work, spontaneously producing works of art. The artist finally had the exact right sequence of thoughts. Whatever the case is, the work is something that just came to them, spur of the moment. Photographers often have a mental image o...

Photographers hear it all the time: follow the rule of thirds, shoot during golden hour, use leading lines, frame your subject just so. These formulas are everywhere. They promise guaranteed results, and sometimes, they do deliver something pleasing. But if we rely too heavily on formulas, our photography runs the risk of becoming repetitive and uninspired. That's why it's important to understand...

What are the best tools for photography? I spend a lot of time talking about what the reviewers say. If you listen, they will have you believe that the best gear is the gear that has the highest megapixels, the things that will produce the sharpest image quality, the best colors—that sort of thing. I've long argued against this, saying that, in most cases, these costly items are overkill. The mega...

For most of us photographers, the reality is that we're not making a living from photography. For many of us, that's deliberate. Some simply don't want to turn a favorite hobby into a job. Others of us may have goals and dreams, but perhaps we're just starting out, or the demand for our particular brand of photography just isn't that high yet. Whatever the reasons, the point is that most of us hav...

There are a few things that top the list of struggles for photographers. For instance, portrait subjects who find it hard to be comfortable in front of the lens, or lighting that just won't cooperate no matter how you try to modify it. But nothing is so ubiquitous as the weather. It causes all kinds of problems, from rained out trips to the high humidity that results in frizzy hair. So how do we p...