Photography Insights | August 2024


Hey Reader,

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind. We’re still unpacking boxes in the new place, but I’ve managed to get my computer up and running on the desk in my office, so we’re functional. If you’ve sent me an email, know that a reply is coming—soon, I hope! Thanks so much for your patience.

I also want to give a big thank you to everyone who participated in last month’s poll about newsletter content. Over 65% of you voted for the monthly variety pack, with Lightroom and Photoshop articles and tutorials coming in a close second.

So, let’s keep the smorgasbord of photography fun rolling! I’m excited to bring you more of what you love in each issue.

Cheers,
Chrissy


Welcome back to my 5-part series on optimizing Lightroom Classic! If you're looking to make your editing sessions smoother and faster, you're in the right place.

Last month in Part 1, we explored Setting Your Lightroom Classic Preferences for Speed. This month, we're diving into Hardware for Part 2—an essential read if you're considering a new computer anytime soon.

Heads up: This might be my geekiest article yet! But don’t worry, I’ve highlighted the key takeaways throughout the article for those who just want the cliff notes.


If there's one place that holds a special place in my heart, it's the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. So, I’m beyond grateful and excited to announce that I’ll be teaching at the Out of the Great Smoky Mountains Conference this spring! I’ll be joined by some incredible photographers, including David Akoubian, Kurt Budliger, Dusty Doddridge, Michael Frye, Franka Gabler, Stephanie Johnson, Nick Page, John Putnam, Joseph Rossbach, Nye Simmons, Michele Sons, and Tony Sweet.

The Out of Chicago conferences are truly one-of-a-kind. Imagine the energy of so many passionate photographers, combined with the natural beauty of waterfalls, wildflowers, wildlife, and rolling fog—it’s an awe-inspiring experience every day.

In addition to the field sessions, we'll be gathering daily at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort, right at the park’s entrance for classes, table talks, group meals, and campfires. It’s the perfect spot to feel at home in nature, whether you choose to stay in a tiny home, cabin, or a glamping setup. Prefer hotel accommodations? The Tremont Hotel is just five minutes away.

Save $250 on registration with my code DONADI250SMNP.
This offer ends Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024, at midnight CT.

📌 Act quickly—Little Arrow’s accommodations are in high demand
and nearly sold out! If you want to join us, register ASAP.


As a landscape photographer, there’s no guarantee you’ll have cell reception to check weather apps while out in remote locations. I’ve been on many trips where an updated weather report was out of reach.

That’s where understanding wind patterns comes in handy. The prevailing westerlies—dominant between 30° and 60° latitude—play a major role in moving weather systems across the globe and contribute to the mild climate of the United States and Western Europe. In the mid-latitudes of the United States, which include regions like California, Texas, Colorado, and up to the northern border with Canada, observing wind direction can offer valuable clues about upcoming weather—whether you’ll encounter clear skies or dramatic clouds.

Winds from the West: Westerly winds often bring clearer skies and more stable conditions, especially after a cold front. This occurs because these winds typically carry drier air from the interior of the continent or from high-pressure systems.

Winds from the East: Conversely, easterly winds can indicate the approach of a low-pressure system, potentially bringing increased cloud cover, rain, or storms. This is because eastern winds often draw moisture from the Atlantic Ocean or other large bodies of water, leading to more precipitation.

While these are helpful general trends, they’re not guarantees. Weather is influenced by many factors, so always be prepared for unexpected changes. Still, this knowledge is a valuable tool and one more data point in our toolkit to help us anticipate the weather.


1.) Michele Sons shares her new camera gear and favorite books in "What's in My Gear Bag" and "What's on My Bookshelf".

2.) Mark Denny discusses essential camera gear in his video "Lenses Every Landscape Photographer Needs & Why".

3.) Michael Frye shares his thoughts on how to marry the light, conditions, and possible landscape locations together in his latest article on "In the Range of Light".

4.) Save the Date! Out of Chicago LIVE!, an online, global photography conference with over 50+ photography instructors and over 100+ online sessions will be February 7-9, 2025.

5.) Albert Dros presents his "9 Tips to Get Better Colour in Your Photos" in this insightful video.

6.) Jeffrey Tadlock showcases his "Car (Toyota 4-runner) Camping Setup for Landscape Photography" in his latest YouTube video.

7.) Blake Rudis will host a free live webinar sharing his entire workflow for processing photos on August 22nd at 2 PM Central Time.

8.) Michael Shainblum offers practical advice from his office and the field in his video "7 Telephoto Photography Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid".

9.) Nature Photographers Network (NPN) launched a Mentor Program, providing personalized guidance and support from experienced mentors.

10.) Michael Rung discusses the intricacies of "Producing a Limited-Edition Print Folio".

11.) Sarah Marino and Ron Coscorrosa spent 18 days in Iceland this summer; Ron shared his collection of photos from this trip in an "Iceland" PDF ebook portfolio.

12.) Adam Gibbs is still taking pre-orders on his new book Land & Light.

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Chrissy Donadi

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