10 Lessons from 10 Years of Leading Photography Workshops
After more than a decade of leading workshops, I’ve seen what truly helps photographers grow. It’s rarely expensive gear or technical tricks. Growth comes from mindset, consistency, and curiosity. These are the ten lessons that have helped my clients progress the most—and the ones that continue to shape my own photography today. 1. Be a…
Read MoreScotland — The Land of Light and Legends
“Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,The birth-place of Valour, the country of Worth;Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.”— Robert Burns There’s a moment, standing on a windswept ridge above the Isle of Skye or along the still waters of a Highland loch, when time seems…
Read MoreAurora Borealis Under the Solar Maximum
As autumn settles in and nights grow long, aurora season begins in Alaska. This year is especially exciting because we are still at the height of the solar cycle—a time when the Sun is most active, showering Earth with bursts of charged particles that fuel breathtaking aurora displays. What is the Solar Cycle? The Sun…
Read MoreSalt River: Arizona’s Hidden Gem
Why We’re Drawn to the Untamed Action Photo Tours has built its reputation on guiding photographers off the beaten path, especially in the desert Southwest. We’ve made it our mission to reveal places that most people pass by—locations that surprise, inspire, and stay with you long after you’ve packed up your tripod. So when we…
Read MoreIn the Realm of Giants: Peaks, Pumas, and Patagonia
There are few places on Earth that stir the soul like Patagonia. Here, at the southern edge of the world, jagged peaks spear the sky, glaciers tumble into turquoise lakes, and the wind carries the raw song of untamed wilderness. It’s a land of drama and silence — a place where every sunrise feels like…
Read MoreChasing the Monsoon: A Photographer’s Paradise
The monsoon season in the Desert Southwest is magical—an ever-changing dance of light that transforms an already beautiful landscape into something otherworldly. For us at Action Photo Tours, this is one of the most exhilarating times to be out with our cameras. When storms roll in, the atmosphere itself becomes electric: dramatic skies, vibrant rainbows,…
Read MoreUsing Blend Modes to Enhance Your Landscape Photography
Blend modes are one of the most confusing aspects of Photoshop. First off, there’s twenty-seven of them. Further adding to the confusion, many of them have similar names or do similar things. As you cycle through the blend modes, it’s hard to know exactly what’s happening, and their names do little to prepare you for…
Read MoreBetter than golden hour? Photographing Twilight
In the world of photography, golden hour gets all the praise. Warm side light and colorful clouds at sunset may make for dramatic photos, but don’t put your camera away when the color fades. Often, the most interesting time of day can happen after the sun has set. This period of time is called twilight…
Read MorePower & Beauty: Photographing Brown Bears
Join pro-photographer David Swindler as he shares his best tips and tricks for photographing brown bears in the wild. Watch the video below where David will talk in-depth on the following subjects: About Brown Bears Safety Bear Activities When To Go Where to Go Photo Gear Shooting Techniques Putting It All Together Join Us for…
Read More5 Tips for Shooting Telephoto Lenses
Learning how to use a telephoto lens is an important skill. We see a lot of mistakes people make in the field and it ends up impacting their ability to get sharp shots. In this informative video, David Swindler shares his must-know tips on how to use long telephoto lenses for outdoor photography, from landscapes…
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