Photography Advice
Photography advice is readily available all over the internet and social media. It is generally from photographers trying to sell you something or with little experience. With 50+ years of experience with a camera and international publications and awards, I have learned a few things about photography, and I am sharing it here – for FREE.
These photography advice articles are honest and sincere lessons I have learned through trial and error experience. This is not textbook information. This is advice collected from many failures and the successes that were built on them.
Bookmark this page and check back often!
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8 Things Every Successful Photographer Does
Everyone wants to be successful. The challenge is that too many people choose the wrong definition of success. Success for me has always been working to build the skills and confidence to pick up a camera at will and create an image that measures up to my imagination.
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It’s Time To Do Away With Photography Critiques There’s a Better Way!
Photography critiques, by their very nature, are backward-looking - they lead people to criticize your work or simply be nice to you. They focus on what has been done – the shot already taken, the moment already captured. Feedback often dissects a photograph to discuss what works and what doesn't,…
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Photography Competitions: Evaluating Pros and Cons
Full Disclosure: I believe that MANY photography competitions SUCK! These competitions are harmful to your development as a photographer and a total waste of time unless you are a person who truly enjoys competing, in which case there are also some excellent photography competitions that, if entered for the right reasons,…
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STOP asking, “What’s the BEST…?”
We should stop asking "what's best" because the correct answer depends on the context. In the world of photography, the obsession with finding the “best” equipment and settings can hinder creativity and growth. Instead, understanding the importance of context and asking the right questions is key. By delving into the…
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Is SOOC an Admission of Lazy or a Humble Brag?
The quote: “SOOC is NOT a badge of honor; it is code for too lazy to process images.” I posted this quote and image on social media as part of my daily Photo Quotes Series. It is from an article that I wrote back in 2021. I kicked a hornet’s nest…
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Top 16 Super Important Year-End Tasks That Every Photographer Should Do
Introduction This is NOT one of those motivational New Year’s resolution stories with a bunch of tips to make you more successful in the next year. This is a realistic look at the year end tasks for photographers that you should be working on to set yourself up for success…
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Stop Thinking Photography Is a Competitive Business, and Here’s Why!
Introduction Competition is a critical topic, and one I realize is getting in the way of many photographers finding the success they seek. And remember, only you can define what your success looks like – so I am not trying to hold you to my standards – I am trying…
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How To Make Sure People Dislike Your Photos
Yes, you read the title correctly. So why would you want someone to dislike your photograph? You wouldn’t! But that is what frequently happens when you give your photo a title. You may know that I operate an online learning community called The TOGKnowledge Photographic Community and a Facebook Group.…
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Reasons Why Most Photography Workshops Suck
Sorry, but it needed to be said I know what you are thinking. Doesn’t Joe teach at photography workshops? Why would he say most photography workshops suck? Before I tell you why let’s be sure we are on the same page. Just because someone is an excellent photographer doesn’t guarantee…
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5 Ways Collaboration Will Improve Your Photography
The Oxford Dictionary defines collaboration as “the action of working with someone to produce or create something.” Pretty simple right? It really is that simple. You know that old proverb; “Two heads are better than one”? Well, that phrase has been around since 1546. We still know it because it…
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Prop Stylist Robin Zachary
New York based Robin Zachary is a Prop stylist with experience at all levels of the creative process, from prop styling, to creative direction and even photography. With over 20 years of experience in the advertising capital of the world, I knew that Robin would be the perfect person to…
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20 Years and Over 800 Weddings Photographed With Joseph Ellis
Episode #259 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded July 25th, 2021
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Five Things Learned From Budding Photographers with Marc Silber
Episode #258 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded July 16th, 2021
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Brianna Parks – Elopement Photographer and Entrepreneur
Episode #257 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded July 9th, 2021
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Tracie Maglosky – Maternity and Newborn Photographer
Episode #255 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded June 25th, 2021
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Ruth Carter: Attorney Who Specializes in Legal Side of Photography
Episode #254 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded June 18th, 2021
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Jack Hollingsworth – Professional iPhone Photographer!
Episode #251 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded May 20th, 2021
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Erich Saide: Being Successful as a Photographer With ADHD
Episode #250 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded May 12th, 2021
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Flor Blake: Personal Branding Photography Done Right!
Episode #249 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded May 3rd, 2021
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Miguel Quiles and the Importance of Providing Value
Episode #248 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded April 26, 2021
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Jason Page: Light Painting Photography Master
Episode #247 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded April 16th, 2021
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Christina Peters: Food Photographer
Episode #244 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded March 24th, 2021
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Regis and Kahran Bethencourt: Beautiful AfroArt
Episode #243 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded March 17th 2021
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Joe Edelman – The Interviewer Gets Interviewed
Episode #242 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Published March 11, 2021
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Robert Trawick – The Most Famous Photographer You’ve Never Heard Of!
Episode #241of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded March 3rd, 2021
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The Fun Whimsical Photographic Art of Anna Devís and Daniel Rueda
Episode #240 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded February 24th, 2021
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Photography Critiques Suck! So Let’s Fix Them!
Episode #239 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded February 17, 2021
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Benjamin Von Wong: The Intersection of Fantasy and Photography
Episode #238 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded February 10th, 2021
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Udi Tirosh — The Creative Mind Behind Spiffy Gear Lighting
Episode #236 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded January 27th, 2021
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Scott Robert Lim: Master Photographer
Episode #235 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded January 20th, 2021
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Lindsay Adler
Lindsay Adler (b.1985) is an American fashion and portrait photographer. She is known for her bold and graphic style and has worked with brands like Adobe, Canon, and Microsoft. Adler is also an author and educator, offering workshops and tutorials on lighting, posing, and retouching techniques.
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Rick Friedman – Magazine Photojournalist
Episode #233 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded January 6th, 2021
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Irene Rudnyk – Fashion and Lifestyle Photographer
Episode #231 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded December 23rd, 2020
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Eli Infante
Episode #230 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded December 16th, 2020
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Will Cadena is a NYC Photography Rock Star
Episode #229 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded December 9th, 2020
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Stop Making Excuses and You Will Improve Your Photography
Episode #225 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded November 11th, 2020
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The Most Valuable Learning Technique That Most Photographers Ignore
Episode #220 of the TOGCHAT Photography Podcast - Recorded October 7th, 2020
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The Problem With “Fix It in Post” and “Get It Right in the Camera”
It’s time we put some updated sensibilities’ behind the statements “fix it in post” and “getting it right in the camera”. A few people mentioned these phrases to me recently and honestly I was surprised to hear how they interpreted the meaning behind them. I was even more surprised and…
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7 Things My Subjects Have Taught Me About Photography
Learning to be a better photographer is not all about learning photography. Especially if you want to photograph people. Don’t get me wrong, you still need to read your camera manual, learn about exposure controls, Depth of Field and the dreaded Inverse Square Law. Let’s face it, there is no…
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9 Behaviors That GREAT Photographers Embrace
We all look at the most successful photographers and wonder what would it take to “be them”. There are some things that we can point to with certainty that are key to their success. Skills, intelligence and very importantly discipline. You have probably heard the phrase “Work smarter, not harder”.…
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Why You Need To Join Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
Did you know that Professional Photographers of America is NOT just for professional photographers? And it’s not just for photographers based in the US. PPA is short for Professional Photographers of America. It is the world’s largest nonprofit photography association organized for photographers by photographers, with over 30,000 members in…
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3 Most Important Things You Must Do To Improve Your Photography
It’s a new year and the beginning of a new decade. All of which means – opportunity. Opportunity to become a better photographer. Opportunity to improve your photography skills and even improve your ability to make money as a photographer if that is your goal. 2019 was a great year…
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It’s Time To Hold the Photo Industry Media Accountable!
I am so disappointed! First and foremost – I am disappointed with the companies that make our cameras. Not just my brand – Olympus, but all of them… Canon – Nikon – Sony – Fuji – Panasonic – all of them. Secondly – I am disappointed in photography YouTubers who…
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If You Want To Find Success as a Photographer Stop Asking for Opinions!
If you want to find success as a photographer – STOP asking people what they think about your photographs or what they think you should do to improve – just stop. It’s not helping you – in fact it’s making it harder to progress and improve as a photographer because…
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What is Dynamic Range?
Over the last month or so I have been asked more and more questions about dynamic range, and I am seeing more and more articles and YouTube videos with headlines about this topic. Indeed, it is becoming the big buzz phrase in GEARtographer discussions all over the internet. I’m seeing…
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Can We Please Stop Watermarking Photographs?
My Facebook group recently blew up in a heated debate: Why is watermarking an issue? Painters add their signature right into their painting as an assurance that people will be able to identify them as the artist but they do it in a way that you frequently need to hunt…
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Success in Photography – It’s in the Details
Last week, fStoppers.com published an article by a very talented Canadian shooter named Ryan Cooper. The article was titled “Why being pickier will make you a better photographer.” The article reminded me of a presentation that I’ve been doing variations of for almost ten years. It’s titled The Art of…
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A Picture Doesn’t Have To Be Perfect – To Be Perfect!
A few weeks back, Darryl Currey from Australia, who is a member of my Facebook Group posted an image with a question. He asked, “Does a photo have to be perfect to be perfect?”and “Have we become more obsessed with the technicalities of photography than the art of it?” My…
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Will That New Camera Make You a Better Photographer?
More megapixels, faster shooting speeds, greater dynamic range… it all costs more money – lots more money- but will it make you a better photographer? 2017 has been an exciting year in the world of photography, especially when it comes to the cameras that we use. Sony released the A9…
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When Should You Start Getting Paid for Your Photography?
When should you start getting paid for your photography? I can actually answer that in four simple words… When you are ready. But what does that mean? When you are ready? Let’s face it – we have all met the photographer who has owned their prosumer DSLR camera for three…
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Smartphone Photography Can Improve All of Your Photography
In part one of this Smartphone photography set, I promised to share my favorite apps for shooting and processing my smartphone images, and I told you that I would share a list of apps that can help you improve ALL of your photography – even with your expensive pro cameras.…
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A Smartphone Is the Best Camera to Improve Your Photography
I want to challenge your way of thinking about camera gear and prove to you that your smartphone is the best and possibly most important camera that you own. Now, I bet you are thinking I’ve lost my mind; that I’ve finally crossed over to the dark side, sold my…
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80% Of Portrait Photography Is Psychology
I have mentioned often that 80% of portrait photography is psychology and 20% of it is photography. I go into the psychology in a lot of other pieces, so I wanted to take a moment to address that 20%. 20% of portrait photography. . . Understand that the 20% that…
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Work the Shot to Dramatically Improve Your Photography
Before I go any further, let’s make sure that you know not to be that cliché guy with a camera telling your model “work it baby – that’s hot!” If you really want to improve your photography, work the shot. I’ll also share with you at the end what your…
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10 Tips To Find Your Photographic Style
How do I find my photographic style? This question has been coming up a lot lately. Do you know what your style is? More importantly, does it even matter? Here, I list 10 steps you need to take to find YOUR photographic style. More and more, I am finding new…
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What Does It Mean To Be a Professional Photographer?
When can I call myself a professional photographer? What makes a photographer a professional? I have been asked these two questions a lot recently and I have learned that my answer tends to surprise people. So I think it’s time to sit down and have a little talk about what…
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The BEST Photography Composition Rule
If you want to learn about photography composition, fill the frame, fill the frame, fill the frame! Seriously, fill the frame. Hey, gang. Guess what this conversation is about? Yeah, photography composition and why you should fill the frame. I’m honestly kind of dumbfounded. As I’m lecturing and I’m spending…
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The Most Important Question For Photographers To Ask
I wanted to take a moment to share with you an article that I saw on digital-photography-school.com. It’s about a topic that’s been discussed many, many times for year over. It’s about why asking what camera settings were used is not as helpful as you think. “Can you tell me…
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How Important are Photography Conventions and Conferences?
Where can you meet and learn from the most well known photographers? Touch, try, and drool on the latest and greatest photography gear? Meet other like minded photographers and talk and share ideas and stories? At Photography Conventions or Conferences. In this post I am going to talk you to…
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STOP asking for Constructive Criticism on your Photography
And STOP being so quick to give bad constructive criticism! Stop it, stop it, stop it! Posting your pictures on Facebook, Flickr, 500px or ANY website with those two horrible words – Constructive Criticism – is NOT helping your photography. For years, I have watched photographers posting their works online…
