Leave room to reframe your photographs

One of the things I noticed when I switched from 120 medium format film back to digital, was the extra step I had to take with every single one of my photographs. I had to crop them to square. Digital sensors are usually rectangles, 3:2 ratio, so I was capturing more of the scene than I really needed.

At first, I thought that was a waste of my time and of space. After all, after cropping the RAW files to a square, a third of the "negative" was going unused. That could add up quickly, especially if you shoot a lot of images like I do.

Anyway, over time, I started to see how useful that information to the left and the right of what I had seen in the field could be. It allowed me to reframe images where I could have done better, or to discover slightly different compositions from the one I had seen in location.

I liked it so much that I wanted to do the same on the top and bottom of the frame. So every time I was about to take a photo, I'd take a step back to capture a little bit more of the scene.

Talking ONE on Biblioscapes in Discussion

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure to talk about my book ONE to Euan Ross from his podcast Biblioscapes in Discussion. It was a lot of fun, and you can listen to the conversation here. You won't regret taking some time to go through some of the past episodes with some very talented and interested photographers.

How to shoot more photos of anything every day

Nature was the reason why I got started in photography. The beautiful landscapes of Oregon awakened my senses, and I felt like I had to create something with what I was seeing, hearing and smelling. For a long time, that was what drove my photography.

Even though I was documenting my everyday life with photographs as well, I never thought of those moments as situations where I could create art. They were just snapshots.

i was wrong

I was wrong. Very, very wrong. Any moment, any situation, no matter where you are, no matter what you are doing, is a good moment to create art. I shot the image above while I was writing this post, from the window in my bedroom.

no limits

Not just that, but anything could be worth of your attention. Why limit yourself to a tiny subset of the world, when there are so many interesting things to photograph everywhere?

just try it

Sometimes, all it takes is to try it. Before judging a place or an object worthy or unworthy of a photo, just put your camera up to your eye and try it. Walk back a little and show the whole scene, or get close and look for the details. Try to find the beauty in everything.

everything photographer

Going from landscape photographer to everything photographer was one of the most profound changes I made to my photography. It opened a whole new world of imagery for me, but also showed me that I could do photography at anytime, anywhere. I didn't have to wait to go anywhere, I could do right at home.

all photography is practice

All photography is practice. The more we practice, the better we get. And because we don't control most of what happens outside, the more we get out, the more chances we have to make great images.

some ideas to shoot more photos of anything

• always carry a camera with you
• take at least 25 photographs every day. go through them at the end of the week (Sundays, for example), keep only the ones you like
• try to notice one new thing every day, in a familiar place. photograph it
• don't label yourself: don't think of yourself as a landscape photographer, a street photographer, an anything photographer. give yourself license to shoot whatever you want. you are a photographer, period. no labels
• not inspired? never forget: inspiration comes from action
• don't overthink your compositions and shoot in P mode. focus on what matters, the feeling you are trying to capture / share
• even when you go somewhere on a photography trip, don't wait until you get to the location. start taking photos right away, even before you leave the house. that will get the ball rolling and will be hugely beneficial for your trip

don't stop

The most important step is also the hardest: don't stop.

Photography is a long-term game - it takes a long time (perhaps a lifetime!) to have a portfolio full of good images.

But it's a game we must play as often as we can. Showing up every day will give us a much better chance to create what we want.

A blessing and a curse

Fog. Again.

It's a blessing... and a curse.

On photographing where we live

I am a big fan of local, everyday photography. I don’t want to limit myself to photographing just a few days or weeks a year, whenever I have the chance to go to an overcrowded, and over-photographed place. I like that too, of course, but even though it can be very frustrating at times, carving my own path, discovering images that are unique to me, that — that is way more interesting.

Lebenskünstler, the "life-artist"

I absolutely loved the meaning of this German word.

While it refers to a way of approaching life in general, it's also something I try to apply to my photography: embracing whatever place and situation I might be in as an opportunity to create an image.

Let's all be a bit more lebenskünstler.

Visual Diaries #1

Every day, I venture outside with a camera in hand, seeking out new ways to see the familiar. Many times, I get some footage of the scenes I photograph, even though I don’t know what to do with it. So I decided to compile these loosely connected clips, along with the images I make, in regular episodes I’ll call, “Visual diaries”. I know, the name is not very original, but it is what it is. This is the first episode, and I hope you enjoy it.

A sense of completion

I owe photography a new way to see the world. I felt an urge to capture and share what I saw, and that’s what drove me for years. Until I published my book. For the first time, there was a sense of completion, almost as if I had accomplish my mission.

Was that it? Was I done with photography?

I wasn’t. All I needed was a break from the summer, and I finally got the perfect morning.

Photography road trips

I love road trips, especially photography road trips. Over the years, I got to go on quite a few across all the United States. These are a few tips, tricks, advice and some lessons I've learned over time.

The gift of photography ~ from Bandon, Oregon

A few weeks ago, I celebrated my birthday by giving myself the gift of photography in one of the most beautiful locations I've been to: Bandon, Oregon. The west coast is filled with little gems, but this one is in my opinion one of the best. Incredibly beautiful rock formations, perfect weather, wildlife, and far enough from everything so it doesn't get as crowded as other locations.

It was, indeed, the perfect gift.

Photography in Olympic National Park

The Olympic National Park in Washington is not only a big park, but also a diverse one. From the beautiful rocky beaches to the stunning peaks, and the rainforests in between. It's a stunning place that deserves quite some time to explore. I didn't have nearly enough to do anything but scratch the surface of what this place has to offer, but I still managed to make a few images I like. This is the video of my time there.

Photography along the Washington and Oregon Coast

A short film with some of my favorite images and locations from my recent trip to the West Coast. Featured in this movie: Anacortes, Port Angeles, Ruby Beach, Dungeness, Sequim, Port Townsend, Fort Stevens, Astoria, Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach and Brookings.

More photography in Glacier National Park

This time from the West side of the park. What can I say? It's an incredibly stunning place.

Photography in Glacier National Park

The first stop of my "spring" 2021 road trip was Glacier National Park, in Montana. And I quote spring because what I've found so far (and not just in Glacier) is much colder and much wetter weather than I had anticipated -- not complaining, though, much better than heat!

So, I got to Glacier way too early in the season. Most roads were closed, and most trails were not accesible. Not that I was planning on doing a lot of hiking alone, grizzlies are not something I'd want to mess with.

I still got to see quite a bit of the park. In this video I show you footage from the East side of Glacier National Park, where I spent 3 days. And the images I made there, of course.

I hope you enjoy it.

"ONE", my new book, now available

Years in the making, my first "coffee table" photo book is finally here. ONE is a collection of almost 200 images, my best work from the first 5 years as a professional photographer.

ONE is available right now for preorder. Make sure to get your copy before June 13th. On that day, I will stop taking orders and the book will go to the printer. There will be no more copies after that.

If you can't find your country in the list, please contact me to find a way to get a copy in your hands.

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Leaving is always hard

After months comfortably spent at home, I’m finally back on the road. This trip will take me to amazing places, some new, some very familiar. Even though I’m really excited about what is to come, I’m also struggling. And this is a familiar feeling.

You see, this is a solo trip. I will be alone for the next month, even a bit longer, and that’s a drastic change from my boring routine. Today, for example, I didn’t talk to anyone. Not having service for most of the time doesn’t help the feeling of isolation, either.

Then there are the unknowns. Only uncertainty is certain.

The only way forward is to embrace whatever might come my way. But it can be hard at first, while I’m still breaking from my everyday habits and comforts.

In just 3 days, I’ve gone from camping in 85 degrees, surrounding by starving mosquitoes, to freezing temperatures, snow, and carrying bear spray wherever I go. I’ve already had to take the car to a repair shop. I’ve driven 2,000 miles across 6 states. I’ve seen bison, and mountain goats. Vast plains, jaw dropping peaks, and pristine lakes. And this is just the beginning!

I know I will have an amazing time (I am already), but shrugging off these uncomfortable feelings might take a few more days. Change is never easy. But, in most cases, it’s worth the fight.

How I make an image: an overview of my photography process

In this video, I give you a quick overview of my whole photography process. From the very beginning, when the image is just an idea, to the very end, sharing those images online or making a print.

My ND filter collection

I use ND filters almost on a daily basis, both for my photo and video work. My collection has grown over the years, so in this video I show you which ND filters I have, why and how I use them.

The ND filters shown in this video are:

• Lee Filters: 6-stop http://amzn.to/2y0JBjV​, 10-stop https://amzn.to/3epUXWV​, 15-stop http://amzn.to/2xhtMZ9​, holder https://amzn.to/3bajHka​
• Gobe: 3-stop https://amzn.to/2XapTjW​, 6-stop https://amzn.to/3vNHIFt​
• Gobe (compact camera): 3, 6 and 10-stop https://amzn.to/2lOlzYQ

Image of the Month, April 2021: "Ruins of Lake Michigan"

The pandemic didn't make traveling easy these last few months, so I've been working more locally. There's always somewhere new to discover nearby.

In my case, that was the Great Lakes. I'm very fortunate to have them so close and yet, I had never gave them the attention I know now they deserve.

I spent quite a few days camping along Michigan's west coast, all along Lake Michigan's shore. I found landscapes much more beautiful than I would ever imagine. And they have delivered big time.

Some of the images I was able to make there are some of my favorites. Among them, April's Image of the Month, "Ruins of Lake Michigan".

I made this image during a camping trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes. It wasn't meant to be a photography trip, but rather a few days to disconnect from daily life. And yet when I saw this scene I couldn't help it but to try to make an image with the very limited gear I had with me.

You can watch the video of this trip here: Camping in Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan.

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artist contract

A new image will be released every month and offered at a reduced price during that time. After 30 days, it will be sold at full price. They will never be on sale at any time in the future, the rate during the first month will be the lowest, ever.

want to know more?

You can find more information about how I create my images and all the details about pricing on The Art and Craft behind my prints.

"Ruins of Lake Michigan" is available for purchase here.

3 days of photography along Lake Michigan

I finally got my camera back from the shop, so I had to go somewhere and try it. I decided to go back up to Lake Michigan, where I camped for 3 days. I visited spots I'd never been to, like Ludington, Muskegon, Holland or Grand Haven.

Even though the first night I could barely get any sleep due to what probably was the most powerful thunderstorm I'd ever seen, the rest of the road trip was pretty much perfect. It was cold and wet, conditions I love for myself... and for photography. I even ran into some fog the last day.