Better than golden hour? Photographing Twilight

Photographing Blue Hour and 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…

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Tips and Tricks for Sand Dune Photography

how to photograph sand dunes photography

The variety and uniqueness of sand dunes make them one of my favorite landscape subjects to photograph. Several vital elements help images of dunes to resonate with viewers: light, color harmony, and composition. Each of these concepts individually increases the chances of success, but combining all three elements is the best way to create impactful…

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Creating Landscape Photos With Impact

Creating Landscape Photos With Impact Images In Focus

Anyone who has picked up a camera knows that it can be challenging to take landscape photos that have that “wow” factor. Creating images that resonate with your viewer requires knowledge, timing, patience, and lots of practice. In this episode, we discuss 10 techniques for improving your landscape photography – techniques that will help you…

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Making an Image, Not Just Taking an Image

Making an Image Not Just Taking an Image

In this inaugural episode of the Images in Focus Photography Show, Juan Pons and David Swindler discuss the thought process behind making great photos. Topics include choosing your composition, defining the background, how to tell a story, and what kind of shot settings you should use! Learn how to plan your shots before you ever…

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Toroweap: Past and Present

Photographing Toroweap Tuweap Grand Canyon

Toroweap is a secluded section of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon that you can visit using a high clearance vehicle. It offers a more dramatic view of the Colorado River than the more popular and accessible sections of the park. Upon reaching the edge of the canyon, you can look straight down and…

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Photographing Slot Canyons

The Subway at Night Zion Slot Canyon Photography

What comes to mind when you think of slot canyons?  If you’re like most people, you’ll envision that perfect beam of light coming down into Antelope Canyon. But most people don’t realize that slot canyons come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. Some are mossy green and verdant.  Others boast bold, colorful stripes in…

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How to Master Long Exposures

Fly Geyser Aerial View Long Exposures

I like long exposures since they show a view of the world we can’t see or appreciate with our own eyes. It’s one of the few forms of photography where the image on the camera can look better than the scene does in person! The image above is a geyser shot from a tall vantage…

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Alstrom Point

Alstrom Point Lake Powell

When the clouds and light work together, it can be pure magic out at Alstrom Point – a remote overlook high over Lake Powell. I’ve had great luck every time I’ve been out there. Even when skies have been clear everywhere else, clouds like to congregate around here! Even though I have many great images…

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South Coyote Buttes

South Coyote Buttes Witches Hat

South Coyote Buttes is a fascinating area to photograph. The shot above is a feature often called the Witch’s Hat. I climbed up a little butte to find some nice foreground fins. South Coyote Buttes is often overlooked since it lacks many of the “iconic” spots like The Wave in North Coyote Buttes. However, if…

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White Pocket

Colorful Sunset at White Pocket

White Pocket is one of my favorite places in the desert southwest. Photographic possibilities are endless and great shots can be obtained in virtually all weather conditions. It’s famous for its large expanses of white brainrock, colorful swirls, and intricate cross-bedding. Many theories abound on how White Pocket was formed, but nobody really knows for…

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