Videos

Most photographers think better photos come from better cameras.

The truth?

A lot of great photography happens BEFORE you ever press the shutter button.

In this episode of Shoot Happens, I break down a simple “3-Second Scan” that can instantly improve your photos by helping you spot distractions, improve lighting, and clean up your compositions before taking the shot.

This is one of those small photography habits that can make a BIG difference whether you shoot with a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or even your phone.

Timestamps :

0:00 - Snapshot Mistake
0:46 - Check the Edges
1:26 - Check the Light
2:02 - Clean Backgrounds
2:47 - Awareness Matters
3:02 - 3-Second Scan

#photography #beginnerphotography #photocomposition #camera #learnphotography

New videos every week.

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70-200mm Awesomeness: https://amzn.to/3heTXVL
2nd Favorite Lens: https://amzn.to/3rbAVUA
Zoom of Zoom lenses: https://amzn.to/3h2PPYx
This camera mic rocks: https://amzn.to/3oENupQ
BEST Travel Tripod: https://amzn.to/34oseN1
Primary Camera bag: https://amzn.to/3mDwjTI
Day Bag: https://amzn.to/3rkHeFF

Where I get all my sound clips from https://www.epidemicsound.com
Buy Used Camera Gear: http://www.mpb.com

You might enjoy these next:

This Metal Print BLEW Me Away… (Vivid Metal Prints Clear Satin Review):
https://youtu.be/mr1zIeglG18

The Secret to Better Landscape Photos (It’s NOT Your Gear) : https://youtu.be/wrq7MIIgtAY

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In this video, I put Vivid Metal Prints’ Clear Satin Metal Print through the same no-shortcuts process I’ve used for years. The camera stays rolling from the moment the box is opened… all the way through a full inspection of packaging, presentation, color accuracy, sharpness, build quality, frame, and the back side of the print.

Here’s what makes it different:

- Natural, true-to-life color
- The clear finish allows the image to retain its original tones without adding a
white base layer, which gives it a more authentic, almost luminous look.
- Soft, low-glare surface
- The satin finish cuts down on harsh reflections, making it easier to view in a variety of lighting conditions- especially important for wall displays.
- Subtle depth and dimension
- Because the metal surface interacts with the image, you get a slight sense of depth that you don’t see with traditional paper prints.
- Clean, modern aesthetic
- It has a refined, gallery-style look that works incredibly well for landscape, outdoor, and high-contrast images.

Timestamps :

0:00 - Review Setup
1:46 - Packaging Protection
3:23 - First Look
3:56 - Metal Finish
4:58 - Print Quality Check
6:15 - Frame and Edges
7:06 - Backside Hardware
8:23 - ChromeLuxe Details
10:03 - Why Print Photos

#VividMetalPrints #metalprints #photoprinting #ChromeLuxeMetalPrint #printyourphotos

Watch the full review to see how it scored.

Try Vivid Metal Prints out today: https://vividmetalprints.com/
Have You Tried Metal Prints?

You might enjoy these next:

The Secret to Better Landscape Photos (It’s NOT Your Gear):
https://youtu.be/wrq7MIIgtAY

Artbeat Studios Acrylic Print… Almost PERFECT? : https://youtu.be/59K0S2SE85M

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Most beginners think better landscape photos come from better gear…

New camera
Sharper lens
More expensive setup

But here’s the truth-none of that matters if you’re missing the fundamentals.

In this episode of Shoot Happens, I break down what actually makes a great landscape photo-using simple, practical concepts you can apply right away. No fluff, no complicated jargon… just real-world advice from over 20 years behind the camera.

We’re talking about:

- Why foreground matters more than you think
- How to use layers to create depth
- What “good light” really looks like (and how to find it)
- Simple composition techniques that instantly improve your shots
And why patience might be your most important tool

If your photos feel flat or just “okay”… this is the fix.

Timestamps :

0:00 - Gear Isn’t Everything
1:05 - Find a Foreground
2:06 - Use Better Light
2:41 - Build Strong Composition
3:03 - Wait for the Shot

#landscapephotography #photography #photographyforbeginners #LandscapePhoto #photocomposition

CONNECT WITH US: Website: https://photographytalk.com
Best Camera on Planet: https://amzn.to/37wFz7J
2nd Best Camera: https://amzn.to/3p75xVp
Favorite Lens: https://amzn.to/2J8yBN4 70-200mm
Awesomeness: https://amzn.to/3heTXVL
2nd Favorite Lens: https://amzn.to/3rbAVUA
Zoom of Zoom lenses: https://amzn.to/3h2PPYx
This camera mic rocks: https://amzn.to/3oENupQ
BEST Travel Tripod: https://amzn.to/34oseN1
Primary Camera bag: https://amzn.to/3mDwjTI
Day Bag: https://amzn.to/3rkHeFF

Where I get all my sound clips from https://www.epidemicsound.com
Buy Used Camera Gear: http://www.mpb.com

Want to learn more?
Head over to PhotographyTalk.com for in-depth tutorials, gear reviews, and photography tips.

You might enjoy these next:

How to Photograph the Northern Lights (Most People Get This WRONG):
https://youtu.be/HBDP4w-AkRs

STOP Deleting Photos… Do THIS Instead (Save Your Files!) : https://youtu.be/h7dbfGN4bHQ

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I’ve been testing photo prints-metal, canvas, acrylic-for the last six years… and very few brands consistently deliver at a high level.

Artbeat Studios is one of them.

In this video, I’m taking a close look at one of their latest acrylic prints-and I’ll be honest… this one is pushing very close to perfect.

But how close?

That’s exactly what we’re breaking down.
What I Look At in This Review:

• Color accuracy
• Detail and sharpness
• Depth and contrast (where acrylic should shine)
• Build quality and materials
• Mounting and presentation
• Packaging and protection

Over the years, I’ve tested dozens and dozens of prints, and consistency is one of the hardest things for any print company to get right.

That’s where Artbeat Studios continues to stand out.

Timestamps :

0:00 - Print Review Intro
1:16 - About ArtBeat Studios
3:28 - Packaging Breakdown
5:43 - Acrylic Print Reveal
7:26 - Image Quality Check
8:54 - Hanging Hardware
10:02 - Frame Inspection
11:52 - Final Quality Check
12:46 - Scorecard Verdict

#artbeatstudios #AcrylicPrint #print #photographyprints #WallArtForPhotographers

Who This Video Is For:
If you’re a photographer... or just someone looking to print your work, and you want something that truly elevates your image, this review will help you decide if acrylic is the right move… and if this company is worth your money.

If This Helped You:

Check out Artbeat Studios today and try them out: https://www.artbeatstudios.com/

let me know in the comments- what are YOU printing your work on right now?

You might enjoy these next:

This Fine Art Print Got a PERFECT Score (First Time Ever):
https://youtu.be/fx8qCB1C8Ks

I Tested Vivid Metal Prints AGAIN… Did They Improve or Get Worse : https://youtu.be/Y3Aqrw7Zwrw

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If you’ve ever tried to photograph the NORTHERN LIGHTS and ended up with blurry, noisy, or just plain disappointing images… you’re not alone.

In this video, I break down EXACTLY how to shoot the aurora the RIGHT way - from camera settings and gear to focus, composition, and the biggest mistakes photographers make in the field.

Whether you’re heading to Alaska, Iceland, Norway, or anywhere else in the aurora zone, this guide will help you come home with photos you’re actually proud of.

What you’ll learn in this video:

- The BEST camera settings for northern lights photography
- Why shutter speed matters more than you think
- How to nail focus in the dark (this is where most people fail)
- The gear you actually need (and what you don’t)
- Simple composition tips to make your shots stand out
- The biggest mistakes that ruin aurora photos

This is part of the Shoot Happens series - where I break down photography in plain English so you can get better results, faster.

Timestamps :

0:00 - Aurora Photo Mistakes
0:41 - Location and Timing
1:19 - Gear Basics
2:04 - Best Camera Settings
3:10 - Focus Tips
3:46 - Stronger Composition
4:17 - RAW and White Balance
4:41 - Stay Patient
5:04 - Norway Story

#northernlights #AuroraPhotography #NorthernLightsPhotography #nightphotography #landscapephotography

CONNECT WITH US: Website: https://photographytalk.com
Best Camera on Planet: https://amzn.to/37wFz7J
2nd Best Camera: https://amzn.to/3p75xVp
Favorite Lens: https://amzn.to/2J8yBN4 70-200mm
Awesomeness: https://amzn.to/3heTXVL
2nd Favorite Lens: https://amzn.to/3rbAVUA
Zoom of Zoom lenses: https://amzn.to/3h2PPYx
This camera mic rocks: https://amzn.to/3oENupQ
BEST Travel Tripod: https://amzn.to/34oseN1
Primary Camera bag: https://amzn.to/3mDwjTI
Day Bag: https://amzn.to/3rkHeFF

Where I get all my sound clips from https://www.epidemicsound.com
Buy Used Camera Gear: http://www.mpb.com

Print out an amazing photo: https://shinyprints.com/

If you found this helpful, hit LIKE and SUBSCRIBE - it helps the channel more than you know.

Have you ever photographed the northern lights?
Drop your experience (or questions) in the comments - I read every one.

You might enjoy these next:

STOP Deleting Photos… Do THIS Instead (Save Your Files!)
https://youtu.be/h7dbfGN4bHQ

Stop Using f/22 (It’s Ruining Your Photos)
https://youtu.be/u7xXLTMCzn0

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If you’re deleting photos off your memory card using your computer…
you might be setting yourself up for corrupted files.

In this video, I break down why I ALWAYS format my memory card in camera before every shoot—and why this simple 10-second habit can save you from one of the worst moments in photography.

Most photographers drag files to their computer, delete them, and move on. It works… until it doesn’t. And when it fails, it usually happens at the worst possible time.

I’ll walk you through:

- What actually happens when you delete files from your card
- Why your camera doesn’t like those leftover system files
- How formatting in-camera resets everything the RIGHT way
- My exact workflow to make sure you never lose images

This is one of the easiest habits you can build…
and one of the most important.

📌 Quick takeaway:
Format your card in camera.
Every shoot.
No exceptions.

Timestamps :

0:00 - The Core Habit
1:04 - Deleting Isn’t Enough
2:18 - Why Formatting Wins
3:28 - Safe Backup Routine
4:42 - Sudden Failure Risk
5:45 - File System Issues
6:46 - Find the Format Option

#photography #MemoryCardFormatting #PhotoBackupWorkflow #SDCardErrors #CameraWorkflow

CONNECT WITH US:
Website: https://photographytalk.com
Best Camera on Planet: https://amzn.to/37wFz7J
2nd Best Camera: https://amzn.to/3p75xVp
Favorite Lens: https://amzn.to/2J8yBN4
70-200mm Awesomeness: https://amzn.to/3heTXVL
2nd Favorite Lens: https://amzn.to/3rbAVUA
Zoom of Zoom lenses: https://amzn.to/3h2PPYx
This camera mic rocks: https://amzn.to/3oENupQ
BEST Travel Tripod: https://amzn.to/34oseN1
Primary Camera bag: https://amzn.to/3mDwjTI
Day Bag: https://amzn.to/3rkHeFF

Where I get all my sound clips from https://www.epidemicsound.com
Buy Used Camera Gear: http://www.mpb.com

You might enjoy these next:

This Fine Art Print Got a PERFECT Score (First Time Ever)
https://youtu.be/fx8qCB1C8Ks

Oregon Photography Guide | The MOST Underrated Photo Destination in the U.S.
https://youtu.be/ql5Y6Lbs1pM

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I’ve reviewed a LOT of prints over the years…

And I almost never give perfect scores.
But this one?
It earned it.

In this video, I take a close look at The Stackhouse loose Giclée Fine Art Print, produced on FineArt Baryta paper using archival pigment inks - and break down exactly why it’s the first print I’ve ever given a perfect score.

From color accuracy and detail to build quality and presentation, this is a print designed for long-term stability and museum-grade results.

And after seeing it in person…

I understand why.
Try out The Stackhouse on one of your prints: https://thestackhouse.com/

Timestamps :

0:00 – Review intro
1:11 – Why print photos
2:03 – Packaging quality
2:54 – First reveal
4:09 – Paper print look
5:21 – Color and finish
6:03 – Detail check
7:28 – Scorecard
8:18 – Price and value

#fineartprint #photographyprints #GicleePrint #wallart #print

You might enjoy these next:

I Tested Vivid Metal Prints AGAIN… Did They Improve or Get Worse
https://youtu.be/Y3Aqrw7Zwrw

$96 Acrylic Print… Is This Actually Fine Art? (Pictorem Review)
https://youtu.be/-HiG9P9KpNw

80 20

Oregon might just be the most underrated photography destination in the United States… and in this video, I’ll show you exactly why.

From rugged coastlines and towering sea stacks…
To waterfalls that rival Iceland…
To volcanic peaks, old-growth forests, and high desert landscapes…

Oregon isn’t just photogenic…
It’s photo-RELENTLESS.

In this video, I break down what makes Oregon a must-visit location for photographers, including:

• The Oregon Coast and its iconic sea stacks
• The Columbia River Gorge and its endless waterfalls
• Mount Hood and alpine reflections
• The Painted Hills and high desert landscapes
• Best times of year to shoot each location
• Essential gear recommendations for Oregon conditions
Why Oregon Stands Out

Most photographers barely scratch the surface of what Oregon offers.

But here’s the reality…

You could shoot the SAME location in different seasons…
And walk away with completely different images.

That’s rare.

And it’s exactly why photographers keep coming back.
Want to Take It to the Next Level?

If you want to skip the guesswork and maximize your time in Oregon, I also talk about working with someone who knows these locations inside and out.

I’ve included a link below to learn more about ColorTexturePhotoTours and Scott Setterberg’s workshops:

👉 https://www.colortexturephototours.com/pages/oregon-photography-workshops

These workshops handle all the logistics so you can focus 100% on capturing incredible images.

Timestamps :

0:00 - Why Oregon
1:34 - The Oregon Coast
2:34 - Columbia River Gorge
3:35 - More Iconic Locations
4:25 - Gear and Timing Tips
5:29 - Why Oregon Stays With You
6:25 - Planning the Right Trip
6:55 - Meet Scott Sederberg
8:42 - The Three Workshops
10:20 - Why This Experience Stands Out

#OregonPhotography #photographytravel #ColumbiaRiverGorge #oregoncoast #PhotoWorkshop

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Stop Using f/22 (It’s Ruining Your Photos)
https://youtu.be/u7xXLTMCzn0

98% of Your Photos Will Be LOST… Here’s How to Fix It
https://youtu.be/QHI4VlAlR6c

65 18

If you’ve been shooting landscapes at f/16 or f/22 for maximum sharpness…
you’ve probably been doing it WRONG.

In this video, I break down why stopping down your aperture too far actually reduces sharpness, what diffraction is doing inside your lens, and the exact aperture range I use after 17 years of shooting landscapes.

This is one of the most common mistakes beginner and intermediate photographers make - and once you see it, you won’t unsee it.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

- Why f/22 is NOT the sharpest aperture
- What diffraction is (explained in plain English)
- The sweet spot aperture range for most lenses
- How to get foreground-to-background sharpness without losing detail
= When to use focus stacking vs hyperfocal distance

Timestamps :

0:00 - Stop Shooting f/22
0:34 - Diffraction Explained
1:30 - Why Images Get Soft
1:58 - Best Aperture Range
3:00 - Do You Really Need It?
3:25 - Focus Stacking Fix
3:37 - Hyperfocal Distance
4:17 - Simple Rule of Thumb
4:43 - Personal Mistake
5:06 - Sharper Results Fast

#landscapephotography #photography #ApertureSettings #diffraction #focusstacking

CONNECT WITH US:
Website: https://photographytalk.com
Best Camera on Planet: https://amzn.to/37wFz7J
2nd Best Camera: https://amzn.to/3p75xVp
Favorite Lens: https://amzn.to/2J8yBN4
70-200mm Awesomeness: https://amzn.to/3heTXVL
2nd Favorite Lens: https://amzn.to/3rbAVUA
Zoom of Zoom lenses: https://amzn.to/3h2PPYx
This camera mic rocks: https://amzn.to/3oENupQ
BEST Travel Tripod: https://amzn.to/34oseN1
Primary Camera bag: https://amzn.to/3mDwjTI
Day Bag: https://amzn.to/3rkHeFF

Where I get all my sound clips from https://www.epidemicsound.com
Buy Used Camera Gear: http://www.mpb.com

You might enjoy these next:

Golden Hour is Overrated (Blue Hour is Better)
https://youtu.be/WU-KYDf_gkQ

98% of Your Photos Will Be LOST… Here’s How to Fix It
https://youtu.be/QHI4VlAlR6c

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