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!
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...
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...
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...
Pic of the Month: August ‘10
Indiana Countryside When I was first getting into photography, I remember reading something like this: “A landscape photographer never has any leisure time. He’s out before dawn; he scouts locations during the heat of the day; and he doesn’t return until after...
Shedding Some Light on Lens Hoods
What is the purpose of a lens hood and when do you use one? –Hannah I remember many a cheery late-afternoon, squatting in some awkward position in some secluded location attempting to get just the perfect angle of some perfect composition, where I had to get in an...
Need Help Choosing a Canon Lens
Recently someone told me that they were seriously updating their lenses and wanted my recommendation on what portrait lens I would recommend. I couldn’t really tell her exactly what lens to buy because I don’t do enough portraiture to be 100% confident, but I could...
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...
Want to Learn Desktop Publishing?
I drove down to Indianapolis with three folks from Headquarters today and joined five other students who are greatly anticipating a lively, full, intense week of learning DTP! I’m looking forward to sharing tips in Photoshop and InDesign, studying principles of...
Critiquing the Details
Michael is an energetic, responsible young photographer who attends the same church here in Chicago that I’ve been attending for the past two years. I didn’t know he enjoyed photography until recently, so I was quite elated when I received an e-mail from him...
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...
A Piece of Montana
Thanks for letting me critique your pictures, Barbara. I’ve never been to Montana before, so it’s neat to see your beautiful state from your perspective. No matter how brilliant a sunset may be, they indefinitely end up looking “flat” without a subject in the...
Comments on a Battery Grip
I just got a new battery grip for my 40D. I usually only buy Canon products and accessories, but I didn’t feel like spending all the extra money. So I held my breath and bought a Zeikos ZE-CBG50 Battery Power Grip for Canon 40D & 50Ds. And I guess I’m still...
Will the Rain Stop?
This was the question on my mind as we drove the 10 miles of windy roads in pouring rain toward Hocking Hills State Park. I had visited this park many times in the past, but I especially wanted it to stop raining today because my entire family was with me this...
Keeping Track of Equipment
Do you make a mental note every time you set your camera down? During the Indianapolis Conference, I learned that even when I didn’t think it was necessary, remembering exactly where I put my camera is very important. I never not know where my camera is. That’s why...
Pic of the Month: July ‘10
Peruvian Traffic The traffic in Lima, Peru, is horrendously congested yet tremendously fun to travel. At least, when I’m not the driver. You see, I supremely enjoy the talent of the one who was driving. The responsibility of pulling through tight places, making...
Shooting in Indy
I’m in Indianapolis now, enjoying the time with my family at the last Regional ATI Conference of the year! There’s a story to tell about this picture which I might as well tell while I’m at it. 🙂 I gripped the camera with sweaty hands as I watched Robert...
A Few Words on a Few Pictures
I met Peter just a few weeks ago at a homeschooling conference. He likes photography, and seeing I had a camera, he came over and said hi. I found out he was an amazing locomotive photographer, and I suggest you see more of his pictures at this website. After the...
The Journey of Life from a Photographers Perspective
Have you waded through streams in summer with tripod in hand? Have you biked trails in winter till your camera just quit working, it was so cold? Have you slipped on yellow-leaf-littered asphalt on a rainy day in autumn? Though I have never trekked the Michigan...
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New month - new photo assignment! And this one is pretty sweet. 🙂 Our goal is to take beautiful photos that reflect the truths of Psalm 119:103, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
Get all the details at the link in bio!
Another behind the scenes shot....thanks to @real_lukas_n Though I usually use a tripod for landscape photography, there was no time in this situation where it was literally raining. When I saw the distant mountains after pulling in for only a short time at this open-to-the-public farm, I knew there was a shot somewhere. This vast field of flooded strawberry plants was the foreground I was looking for, offering perfect leading lines to the triangular peak framed by the sweeping mist.
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#farm #landscapephotographer #shootingintherain #rainyday #behindtheshot
New blog post! The last bit of light after sunset doesn`t take long to disappear. Sparkling stars were peering through the pinyon pine boughs above us. We were in the deep shadows of dusk as we picked our way down the rock strewn trail back to the parking lot. Read more at link in bio.
#lenspiration #homeschoolphotography #homeschool #christianphotographer #photographyeducator #photoinspiration #photography #photoblogger
Behind the shot photo.... When it`s rainy, and you`re not on lights`s time table, there`s time to chat with friends while you`re out in the field! 🤩 Thanks @real_lukas_n for the second photo! --
Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#outdoorphoto #lowkey #mystery #photographyfriends #explorenc
Happy Memorial Day! Let us honor their sacrifice by using our freedoms not to do as we please, but to live as we ought. #freedom #integrity #selfcontrol #memorialday #Godblessamerica
New blog post! Rain poured down in torrential waves as we made our way through the Smoky Mountains. We had gotten up insanely early—long before dawn—to make the most of our time photographing at the high-elevation overlooks before the storm. But now the rain was coming down so hard that even the most dedicated among us didn’t feel like stepping out of the car for a photo. Until we rounded a bend and saw... Read more at link in bio.
#lenspiration #homeschoolphotography #homeschool #christianphotographer #photographyeducator #photoinspiration #photography #photoblogger
Join me for some LIVE photo coaching on Tuesday, May 26 as we look at "Glowing Scenery" photos. . . Register at link in bio!
Foreground element, framing, leading lines, human element, vibrant color.... Definitely one of my favorite shots from EXPLORE Springtime in the Smokies.
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#photographycomposition #photoworkshop #composition #landscapephotography #springtime @greatsmokynps @blueridgenps
Before/after....look at the difference! A little editing is just what it needed to make it pop (IMO). What do you think?
"For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills." Deuteronomy 8:7-9 Every time I photograph a waterfall I should thank the Lord for letting me live in such a blessed land.
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#waterfall #verseoftheday #landscapephoto #thankful #godsblessing
New blog post! The photographer who makes decisions based on comfort won’t get out in the field, even in a place like the Smokies—and therefore won’t come home with any photos. Read more at link in bio.
#lenspiration #homeschoolphotography #homeschool #christianphotographer #photographyeducator #photoinspiration #photography #photoblogger
The photo assignment for May is live! Take beautiful, landscape photos that have a warm, glowing sense to them. Photos could include warm sunlight glowing at the end of a path, over water, over a stream, in a field, or over a mountain. Details at link in bio.
New blog post! Read more at link in bio.
#lenspiration #homeschoolphotography #homeschool #christianphotographer #photographyeducator #photoinspiration #photography #photoblogger
Someone got a photo of me taking the group photo at Family Conference last week! @familyconfs @alertacademy #familyconference #eventphotography #groupphoto #eventphotographer #adventurous
A quick stop in Paris for a selfie! 😄 #paristexas #travel #selfietime #texas
So much fun to photograph a family conference as an actual family! (Thank you Rebekah for the photo!)
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Family-friendly photography training: www.lenspiration.com
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#family #behindthescenes #together #teamwork #wvphotographer
On the lookout for puddles on a rainy first day of Conference!
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Family-friendly place to learn photography! www.lenspiration.com
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#rainyday #homeschool #conference #familylife #puddlejumping
Join me for some LIVE photo coaching on Tuesday, April 28! Register at link in bio.
