Lenspiration Blog

Welcome! Wherever you are on your photography journey, learn to take better photos through the photography tips and stories you'll find in the following free articles. By learning from the experience of others, you can also start taking pictures that you're excited to share with others!

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First Plunge into HDR

First Plunge into HDR

Well, I gave in and finally bought Photomatix. After experimenting with three different programs, Lightroom, Photoshop CS5, and Photomatix, I figured this was the best way to go. Lightroom does an excellent job simulating HDR with it’s Fill Light slider, but the...

Updates & Opportunities
Three Pictures

Three Pictures

Last Wednesday I taught a ultra-short-course in photography composition. It was the perfect day to teach because we were already at a State Park for a day-trip. I gave each person the assignment to take three pictures with the following criteria: Picture with a...

Perspective
Know the Quick Tips

Know the Quick Tips

For when you only have a few minutes to talk to someone who asks for tips on how to take good pictures, you might consider the following elements that have been helpful for me: Produce Emotional Impact Purpose (what message do you want people to walk away from the...

Tips & Tricks
Shooting the Night Sky

Shooting the Night Sky

There is so much creativity involved when it comes to taking pictures at night. Most folks might say it’s best to shoot with a full moon. However, it is just as exciting to take pictures during a new moon. At this point the stars are the clearest and it doesn’t...

Tips & Tricks
Welcome Autumn!

Welcome Autumn!

Though the trees are still mostly green, though yesterdays temperatures rose almost to 90 degrees, though in most respects it still feels like summer . . . there’s a particular rasp in the breeze-tossed trees, the chill of night lingers longer each morning, the...

Tips & Tricks
Shoot Manual!

Shoot Manual!

Just learning how to use an SLR? Is the multitude of settings a little overwhelming? Not sure how to use the manual modes? Persevere! Don’t waste your SLR by using the automatic settings! Learn to shoot with the manual modes (Av, Tv, M) every time you pick up the...

Perspective
Be Prepared

Be Prepared

When you do extraordinary things to get an extraordinary picture, I have found that it is important to be prepared with a good response to give anyone who might be questioning what you’re up to. In Indiana a few weeks ago, I was enjoying the warmth of the sunlight...

Perspective
A Glimpse into the Past

A Glimpse into the Past

Hi, I came across your site and was wondering how you got started with photography and what equipment you used and currently use. I would love to know how to get into it. --Frances Thanks for contacting me! I'd be more than willing to share how God has led me into...

Tips & Tricks
Shooting at Midday

Shooting at Midday

If you have to take a picture in the sun, how can you use the bright light to your advantage?  Often, our "working on the farm" shots need taken in the heat of the day--when we're working.  Is there a way to do that right, or will all the...

Recommendations
Finding the Right Camera

Finding the Right Camera

I have often been asked: “What camera would you recommend I buy?” There is no easy answer. There are dozens of important factors to consider such as what type of photography you want to pursue and how much you are willing to pay. Add to this technical factors such...

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Follow along with Lenspiration travels…

It's a choice to continue in sin. And it's a choice to leave it. The way of escape is always open. ​"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;" Isaiah 61:1
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#verseoftheday #christianphotographer #faithandphotography #freedominchrist  #exploretocreate
Which lane am I in? Headed toward the light, or fleeing from it? "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." John 3:20-21 

I've driven through this pass scores of times, but I've only taken the time to photograph it once. I'm busy. I've got places to go. But because capturing beauty is important to me, I find ways to prioritize it. Same in my walk with the Lord. I am in such desperate need of God's light in my life, I prioritize going to His word in the mornings.

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Wholesome photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#walkinthelight #faithinfocus #christianphotography #sunsetlover #landscapephotography
🎉 Celebrate with us! 🎉

The new “Jesus, I Come”  Lenspiration 2027 Calendar is here!

This year, I made some changes to the monthly design, giving it a fresh, clean look while retaining the aspects that everyone has come to know and love about the Lenspiration calendars—intricate cutouts, hymn lyrics, and Scriptures on each month.

Pre-orders start today, and calendars will begin shipping in October after they’ve been printed.

🎉 To celebrate the launch, we’re giving out a special gift for the next 10 days (until August 31). Anyone who pre-orders any quantity of Original or Personalized 2027 Calendars during this time will get 20% OFF the Lenspiration store* for the rest of 2026! 🎉

May the 2027 Calendar be a blessing to all who receive it, and a fresh reminder to come to Jesus each and every day throughout this coming year!

*20% discount cannot be combined with other discounts or offers, and does not apply to purchases of Original, Personalized or Artist’s Calendars, as well as Budget or Recommended Camera Kits.

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Family-friendly photography training
www.lenspiration.com
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#2027calendar #lenspiration #landscape_photography #JesusIcome #Scripturecalendar #Christiancalendar #inspirationalcalendar #christianphotographer #wvphotographer #uslandscapes
"Thus saith the LORD, keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed." Isaiah 56:1
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#californiawaterfalls #waterfallphotography #explorecalifornia  #chasingwaterfalls #landscapephoto
Join me for some LIVE photo coaching on Tuesday, August 25! Register at link in bio.
At this very moment . . . the Lenspiration 2027 Calendar is being assembled. The theme has been chosen. The design has been tweaked. Each photo has been carefully edited, and hymns and Scripture verses selected.

On Friday, August 21, we'll have a big reveal and pre-orders will begin!

So, mark your calendar and get ready for the all-new Lenspiration fine art 2027 Calendar!

#wvphotographer #landscapephotography #calendar #FineArt #landscapes #creationphotographer #savethedate #2027calendar #creation
Super excited! Thank you FeedSpot for naming Lenspiration as #2 in the top 10 Best West Virginia Photography Blogs to Follow in 2026! Just after Wonderful West Virginia Magazine @wonderfulwestvirginia Read more at https://bloggers.feedspot.com/west_virginia_photography_bloggers Truly, there's no other place I'd rather call home than wild, wonderful West Virginia 
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#onlyinwestvirginia #photoblogger #wvblogger #top10
I learned what "flash flood" means, the other day. No problem driving into downtown Indianapolis when the rain started. But it rained so hard and so long, our efforts to leave were thwarted over and over again as we backed out of street after street trying to find a way back to the Interstate. Never seen so much water on the road before. Thankfully we were able to get to an entrance ramp that was on higher ground....and begin our long journey home through more storms, tornado warnings, and flooded construction sites. So grateful that God "rulest the raging sea: when the waves thereof arise, Thou stillest them"! (Psalm 89:9)
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#flooding #travelphotography #travel #danger #flashflood
For this month's photo assignment, we're doing something a little unusual: we're learning how to take photos and add creative text overlay. With resources to help you through the process, this assignment takes your photography to the next level and helps you understand design concepts. 

The goal is simple - to create "Verse Pics": taking any picture you’d like, with a verse relating to the scene designed on it.

Learn all about it at the link in bio!
On my way back from that morning hike at the top of South Mountain, the main thought in my head was to get back to the car so I could get home. Then I started thinking about why I wanted to get home. Well, one of the reasons was because I wanted to be back with Julianna and finally tell her good morning (because I had left so early that she was still asleep). That made me start thinking about how much she likes wildflowers and I thought "Hey, I should take some pictures of flowers to show her when I get back..." And that's when I started noticing all the flowers by the side of the trail! --- Moral of the story: sometimes you don't see things till you start looking for them. 😃 "Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see." Isaiah 42:18
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#flowerphotography #phoneography #lookandsee #lovestory #scripture
I can't believe I found a spot like this in Connecticut! I've know a great photo spot like this existed, but couldn't figure out how to get there without a super long, exhausting hike. Finally figured it out thanks in part to @alltrails. I can DM hiking directions if interested. It's still probably a 2mi hike.
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#onlyinconnecticut #hikingadventures #bestphotospot #overlook #landscapephotography
Join me for some LIVE photo coaching on July 28 as we take a photographic tour across the world and explore "Picturesque Places"! Register at the link in bio.
I've had my eye on this location for years...and today I finally made the early morning hike out for golden hour. With the smoke coming down from Canada, would I get my chance for the photo I've been waiting for?!
A quick sunrise shoot with amazing potential. Right place at the right time. Would the sun show up and make it a perfect morning?!