James Staddon, Author at Lenspiration

Behind the Shot: Belvedere on the Gorge

Belvedere on the Gorge Endless Wall Trail, New River Gorge Trail, West Virginia Subscribe to Lenspiration updates to download as a desktop background in the next Latest from Lenspiration update Behind the Shot It’s sure is fun to explore and find beautiful places to take pictures at in one’s own... Read More »

Discover the Best Methods for Photographing Steam

I wish I had more time to expound on this! For now I’m just going to have to leave it at this… For me, “steam” was just one of those subjects I had never thought of trying to photograph before. (Like, have you ever tried it?) So, when a PRO member asked me how to photograph it, I figured it was time for me to figure... Read More »

Photography From the Perspective of a Designer

Just a quick reminder that the deadline for this week’s photo assignment is coming up quickly! Midnight, Friday the 26th. Have a picture that portrays the idea of “the passage of time”, or some creative representation of Acts 24:25, “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix... Read More »

Why This Designer Really Liked This Photo

PRO member @creative-click-photography stole the prize for the 1 Peter 3:15 VersePic Opportunity with her fantastic submission featuring a girl reading her Bible! Here’s her original submission and the finished VersePic: And here are the VersePic Director’s comments about why he liked it so much: This photo was a... Read More »

Something New for Everyone!

In PRO or no, I’ve got some great new stuff for everyone today! PRO Members: if you didn’t see it on Friday, the May PRO Report—your source to exploring what’s new in PRO—is now available at www.lenspiration.com/proreports! The report includes articles on: How to Deal with Intense, On-Stage Lighting Tips for Perfect... Read More »

5 Things to Consider When Shooting a Wedding As a 2nd Photographer

Ever been asked to shoot a wedding as a 2nd photographer? Here are 5 things to consider when stepping into this role.

Lenspiration Forums Now Simplified!

Hey, just a quick update here on some changes I’ve been making to the Lenspiration Forums… Instead of using the secluded PRO Forums, PRO members will now be using the regular Photo Critique and Photography Q&A forums to submit their photos and ask questions just like everyone else. In general, merging the forums... Read More »

Here’s Something You Can Do While You’re Editing Pictures…

A new Photography Moment is up on the Sharpening Character podcast…and this time with a twist! Podcasts are awesome because you can listen to them while you’re doing something else, like working out, driving, taking a walk…or editing pictures on your computer. In this podcast we talk about the the motivation behind... Read More »

Best Shots from the Big Sandy Photography Team!

Big photography teams are a blast! And that’s what we had in Texas at the Big Sandy Family Conference! Along with learning the best camera controls to use for event photography and shooting practical photo assignments for three days straight, photo critique was an integral part of the photography team training. Here... Read More »

Window On The Marsh

As I peered out of my hammock on that cool Louisiana morning, the pre-dawn sky to the west was dull gray. It didn’t look like there would be much of a sunrise. I was tired and wanted to go back to sleep, but I peeked out the other side just to make sure. The horizon to the east was turning pink. I hadn’t... Read More »

Trying Out A New Camera-Carrying System

It’s been a long time since I’ve been backcountry camping! But I’ve been enough times to know that there’s one thing about it that always bothers me….I can’t take pictures while I’m on the trail (with my DSLR of course)! Most of the big gear is packed away. If I choose to... Read More »

What’s Happening This Week!

Last week was the Big Sandy Family Conference photography team in Texas! With 19 photographers, it kept me so busy I didn’t have time to blog about it! Hoping this week will be a little different…. As I write, I’m swinging back and forth in a new hammock I’m trying to get used to sleeping in.... Read More »

A New Ebook On Family Photography!

For the past few months I’ve been working with JessiLise Studios to put together a new ebook, 30 Tips for Perfect Family Photos! Here’s the index: Family portraiture isn’t typically a common a subject for photography training material, so I hope it helps to “fill the gap” a bit when it hits the Lenspiration Store!... Read More »

Is Photography A Distraction During Devotions? Here’s What To Do About It

Is photography sometimes a distraction during your devotions? If you’re like me, you like to have your devotions outside…you know, on the porch or in the woods or in some quiet spot around your house. Especially when it’s a warm, summer morning when it’s still early and the sun is just getting’ up? Ahh! A very... Read More »

A Practical Comparison of 3 Similar, Yet Very Different, Zoom Lenses

One of the PRO Members recently asked a great question about zoom lenses! It was fun to discuss on today’s PRO Q&A webinar and thought you might enjoy hearing the discussion too… Learn about lens creep, why I buy lenses refurbished, what focus searching means, what USM stands for, how to find the minimum focus... Read More »

An Important Update On “Shoot To Serve”

In case you didn’t see it in Tuesday’s PRO Report, I wanted to make sure everyone knew about an important announcement here about Shoot to Serve . . . Photo assignments are now free for anyone to participate in! Shoot to Serve used to be a PRO-exclusive section of Lenspiration. Now, anyone can participate by shooting... Read More »

Just 6 More Miles

Duck LakeDuck Pass Trail, John Muir Wilderness, CaliforniaSubscribe to Lenspiration updates to download as a desktop background in the next Latest from Lenspiration update In my opinion, Mammoth Lakes, is one of the most beautiful places you can visit in California. I find it more interesting than Yosemite... Read More »

How Would You Critique These Photos?

Have you ever incorporated Scripture verses onto your photos, but didn’t know how to design it more attractively? Photo by @dan-cope Ever wondered what safety precautions you might want to consider when photographing newborns? Photo by @nasa What quick Lightroom technique do you think helped make this shot... Read More »

Is the Sony a6300 a Good Mirrorless Camera?

Every once in a while, I dabble around with what it might be like to switch over to mirrorless photography . . . it’s certainly not a reality yet, but it sure is a lot of fun to watch the technology develop! No, DSLRs are not outdated . . . yet One of these recent “dabbling sprees” was initiated by a question from... Read More »

Can You Make Any Camera Work?

What if you were to quit using your DSLR? Would the photos you take with low-end cameras still be great? Are you owning the role of photographer, or are you just relying on features or gadgets to make up for your lack of creative vision? This is the subject of the latest Making the Most of Your Vacation video... Read More »