Some thoughts on trying to be original in a world where everybody has a camera, everybody is a photographer, and everything has already been photographed.

Today I explore creative options in Aurora HDR 2017 from Macphun.  Many people think HDR photos all look the same, but I prove that you can get a wide range of outputs with this powerful product.  Have a look and see which version you like best!

Aurora HDR 2017 from Macphun is now available, and it's incredible.  Here are 7 reasons why I think you should get this software to use for your image editing.  You'll be glad you did!

I'm normally a "big color" type of photographer, but I have been exploring a new creative path with black and white photography, and have both learned a lot and changed my mind about monochromes.  It's all due to my recent use of Tonality by Macphun - and here are 10 examples of the same photo that show you just how versatile monochrome photography can be.

I spend a lot of time thinking about photography, and sometimes I write these thoughts down.  Usually it's in a coherent (at least to me) form with a clear purpose, but not this time.  This is all just off-the-top-of-my-head, so consider that fair warning.  ;-)

Do you use Flickr?  Are you reading the news about Yahoo, Flickr's parent company, being sold off and possibly dismantled?  I am reading it, and I don't like what I hear.  But, maybe there's a silver lining in there.

Recently, I made the switch from using Photomatix to create my HDR photos over to Aurora HDR Pro.  Today, I share my thoughts with you about why I made the switch and what I gained from it.  I think you will enjoy this.

Today on the blog I settle the age-old debate about where to get the best sunset view in Austin.  The discussion is over, people.  I have proven why in today's post.  ;-)

The Nik Collection of software for post-processing your images is now free.  Everyone has been rushing to download it.  While that sounds great on the surface, I have some concerns about the whole thing.  Just because it's free doesn't mean it's worth your time.  Read on and let me know your position on this. 

Today I share some insight into Aurora HDR Pro - a new product I am using to create my HDR photos with (and my single exposures too).  It's incredibly versatile and powerful, and I am having a great time with it.  Read my quick review, see some screenshots and finished photos, and let me know if you have any questions!  

It's a New Year, and I'm already busy.  I am planning on doing a lot this year, taking my photography business to new levels, and enjoying the heck out of it.  Here's a personal post about what I am thinking. I welcome your feedback, and look forward to a productive 2016!  Thanks for following along!

It's fun to look back on the year that just ended, and today's post is exactly that - a look back.  2015 was a year of photography, travel, and change - and I hope I did it justice in this summary.  Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy the review - there's a LOT here!  Thanks for visiting my blog this year!

Today's post is an essay about goal-setting and getting caught up in the goals for the sake of achieving them.  I lost my creative direction earlier this year, but I have found it again and am back on track.  Oh, and I had an epiphany this summer that set it all in motion.  Read on and let me know your thoughts!

Today's post is a bit personal.  We recently returned from a 7 week journey around the western US, and I have come home a changed man.  Now the question is - in what direction does this change lead me?

I've been taking a break from Facebook, and it's been great.  Here's what I am doing instead, and here's what I have learned.  

Here are 5 things I try and do every time I go shoot - well technically, before I go shoot.  It's important to plan ahead so you avoid delays or errors when you are standing in front of something awesome.  Plan ahead, be smart, and get the shot you want!

I have been really busy with my photography and blogging this year, and am well on my way to achieving my goals (and in some cases I am way ahead!). Today's post is a summary of what all I have been doing.  It's hard to tell just by stopping by and reading the blog every once in a while, so I thought I would summarize it all.  I really did it so I could see how I was doing against my goals, but if it's interesting for you to read then great. If not, umm, sorry?   :-)

Well, I finally have left Aperture behind and moved over to Lightroom.  It was a challenging process in several ways, but I am on the other side of it now and Lightroom is great!  Click on in to read about all the fun I had making the switch!  (That was a joke - it wasn't really very fun at all. But it's behind me now, YAY!)

I love the Impressionists, and enjoy their work immensely.  When Topaz Labs created Impression - a software product that helps you convert your photos to digital paintings in a very realistic way - I was very intrigued.  Well I have used it for months now, and have found that it is having a profound impact on my photography.  Today's post is all about that, and of course there are a BUNCH of my digital paintings included for your viewing pleasure.  Hop on in!

Do you ever go back and re-process photos that you have previously shared? I do that sometimes, and find that it's a great creative exercise.  But recently, I HAD to go back and re-create an old photo for a client, and it took me forever to make it look like how it looked when I first processed it, about 5 years ago.  And so I learned a lot in the process - and I am sharing those learnings and my observations in today's post.  Have a look!