Last week, I came back from the South of France, where I was with 10 of your fellow readers and iStock legend, Lise Gagne. We spent a week learning how to shoot stock photos in the streets of Saint-Tropez, from our villas above the Mediterranean, and from a chateau deep in the countryside. You guys […]
There’s a sign at the beginning of a trail in Rocky Mountain National Park that reads: “The Mountains Don’t Care.” In other words, even if you love nature and its beauty, nature couldn’t care less about you—so be prepared for anything. The same applies to travel photography. Even the best laid travel and photography plans […]
Over the past 14 years, I’ve worked on a number of assignments, ranging from a simple image of a cup of hot cocoa… to a magazine cover shot involving models, lights, and assistants… to a six-week assignment for a Frommer’s travel guide about Puerto Rico. During the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Photography Expedition this week, we […]
When it comes to creating stock photos, there’s basically two schools of thought: Trendy vs. Timeless. The first approach is to keep on top of popular trends in the advertising world; to create photos that look modern and current. Shots like these: Photos that feature the newest technology, hottest gadgets, and distinct styles are likely […]
I’m fascinated by the creative process. I want to understand it so that I can be creative myself and share my knowledge with others. During our photography workshop at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, we talked a lot about photo composition—something that will definitely help to improve your work. But I also encouraged attendees to […]
In 2002, I was in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile over the Christmas holiday. Because of the park’s isolation, changeable weather, and rugged terrain, hotel options are limited and camping is often the only way to be in the right place at the right time—when the light is at its best (first and last […]
Most stock photos are bought for use in advertising, marketing, and promotion. Which means that the images you’re selling as stock are often used to represent someone’s mission, message, or brand. Because of that, you can’t sell stock photos that include anything copyrighted. No logos, trademarks, brand names, or copyrighted art. This is also the […]
One recent weekend, my friend Luis, a painter, asked me what “success” meant to me as an artist. We were at a gallery opening watching complete strangers admire my photography as it hung on the wall. Being there certainly felt like success, as did the fact that it was my fourth show this year, with […]
Getting into macro photography can seem like a daunting task for the new photographer—especially since new macro gear is often expensive. But we’re about to change all that… I want to show you how to turn any of your existing lenses into a macro lens using a low-cost, $12 reversing ring. This method works great […]
“You can make a nice little side income from stock photography.” I’d read those words in a few different photography magazines and had mulled over the idea of selling premium photos at rock bottom prices during conversations with friends. Was it worth it? I weighed up the pros and cons carefully. In the end, what […]
