Hello Reader!

January has been a whirlwind of creativity! I'm thrilled to share that I'm gearing up for two major conferences, coordinating Out of Big Sur in a couple of months, and, pinch me, teaching at Out of Chicago LIVE! 2024 again. It's an incredible honor to be in the company of such esteemed instructors.

Unlike December, where my camera seemed to gather a bit of dust, January has been a conscious dive into projects and a snowy escapade in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Being a northern soul in Atlanta, I can't help but miss the real winter vibes. So, I decided to chase the snow and frost for a weekend.

As the neighborhood lights dimmed post-holidays, I found solace outdoors, accompanied only by the hooting owls. It got me reflecting, and I've woven those musings into this month's article on Welcoming Winter's Dark Embrace in our photographic journey.

Stay warm and inspired!
Chrissy

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​​Lessons from the Landscape​ ​Welcoming Winter's Dark Embrace

It seems that winter is a time when landscape photographers find less time to pick up a camera. There are many reasons for that, but it shouldn't be because the nights are longer. In this article, I share my approach to creating photos concealed in winter's quiet moments and how I approach the artistry hidden in the depths of the season's darkness.

Read Welcoming Winter's Dark Embrace

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FUEL FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY​ ​Join The Ultimate Online Photography Conference

Guess what's back?!? Out of Chicago LIVE! 2024, a 3-day virtual experience is happening on February 9-11, 2024. ​ LIVE! is all about connecting with other passionate photographers and the energy that builds from so many like-minded photographers being in one place at one time all teaching and learning about photography. ​ Join me and 50 renowned photographers leading 100+ live sessions. Explore a diverse range of topics, from nature and travel to street and architecture. ​ Connect, learn, and be part of a global community - all from the comfort of your home. ​ ✔︎ Interactive Learning: Choose from over 100+ live sessions ​ ✔︎ Diverse Topics: Explore genres like nature, landscape, wildlife, street, with lots of post-processing ​ ✔︎ Global Community: Connect with 50+ world-class photographers and fellow photography enthusiasts ​

Learn More & Register​

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Elevate Your Creative Vision​ ​Nature Vision Magazine

Nature Vision Magazine has unveiled its winter issue, showcasing exceptional work by so many photographers. I'm thrilled to contribute an article titled 'Embracing Time’s Flow,' a message I find particularly poignant as we reflect on this past year and look ahead to the upcoming year.

Considering a subscription? It's a modest investment for a wealth of stunning images, insightful perspectives, and abundant project ideas and inspiration. Still unsure? Check out a free preview from their first issue.

Learn More About Nature Vision Magazine

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TECHNICAL TIPS​ ​Have you Updated Your Copyright Preset in Lightroom for 2024?

In this Technical Tip, we walk through how to create a copyright preset for all your photos in Lightroom. Learn to create a preset that will record your copyright information directly in every photo's metadata so there's never a question of you being the original creator. Plus, I review the 3 essential elements that must be in your image's copyright notice.

Learn To Set Your Copyright in Lightroom

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EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES​ ​Free Photo Challenges & Webinar

Tomorrow, we explore the creative world of Double Exposures in nature photography. Unlock the secrets to capturing and blending two unique scenes into a single, breathtaking image. Don't miss this opportunity to gain inspiration and learn essential tools for mastering the art of double exposures in post-processing.

Let's See Double

Friday, January 26th at 12 pm CT An "A-Ha Moment" is that sudden realization, insight, or breakthrough—a moment of clarity and understanding. Join some of our LIVE! 2024 instructors as each of them shine a spotlight on a captivating photo, delving into the captivating stories and insights that lie beyond the lens. These behind-the-scenes narratives promise to inspire and share their best lessons learned. Turn on the Lights

Tuesday, January 30th at 12 pm CT Discover the magic of "Inceptions" with John Kosmopoulos in our free Photo Challenge on January 30th. Transform your urban and natural setting images into playful abstractions using inception techniques. Join us for a creative journey, where you're free to choose any photograph and apply this fun editing method to bring a unique twist to your visuals. See the Magic

Catch the Recording! Explore the art of Exposure Blending in Landscape Photography with Nick Page and discover the creative power of seamlessly blending different exposures and enhancing your images with depth and detail. Elevate your post-processing skills and transform your landscape images with this exclusive webinar. Show Me The Layers

Watch the Replay! With Intentional Camera Movement (ICM), we can create images that reimagine the world around us and artistically express our unique creative vision. Learn how Stephanie Johnson approaches ICM as she shares a variety of images for inspiration and ideas for exploration. Embrace the Blur

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GRAB BAG​ ​Favorite Photography Finds

1.) Join Viktoria Haack and Monika Deviat in their annual online webinar in support of animal charities! This year's theme is a session on editing details and abstracts in nature. Donate to a good cause and learn a few new editing techniques.

2.) Michael Frye is hosting a new Lightroom Classic webinar on Mastering Color on January 27th.

3.) Feast your eyes on Anna Morgan's new portfolio eBook Zion National Park, Autumn Photographs from the Colorado Plateau.

4.) If you are into embracing the darkness, check out the fourth annual Night Photo Summit, an online night photography conference with more than 30 presenters and 40 classes on February 2-4, 2024.

5.) ICYMI, Michele Sons released her new eBook Art of Fog, and she is offering a free sample allowing readers to take a peek at this inspiring and practical photography resource.

6.) Eric Bennett does an incredible job articulating his reflections on the intertwining of nature and our perceptions in his latest article Free Your Mind. While you're there, take a moment to indulge in his latest gallery release "A Quite Place" - Portraits of the Colorado Plateau.

7.) Blake Randall and Tristan Todd are hosting a live post-processing webinar on January 28th. Both will edit a photo from start to finish with a Q&A.

8.) Nigel Danson shares some practical and helpful reminders and advice in his I Wish I Knew THIS When I Started Photography video.

9.) Shanon Kalahan shares a thoughtful and practical summary of What Does "Intimate Landscape" Mean? in this free article on Light and Landscape.

10.) Ian Plant will be hosting a free interview with Nic Stover on Photo Masters Live on February 1st, 2024.

11.) Canadian Geographic announced the winning photos for the 2023 Canadian Photos of the Year.

12.) Simon Baxter covers some practical details in his You Should Print Your Photos! Here's Why and How... video.

13.) Adam Gibbs announced that pre-orders are available for his new book Land & Light showcasing many of his photographs from the past three decades and some personal musings behind the images.

14.) Todd Dominey shares and critiques both his good and bad photos from a recent landscape photography trip in his video Good photos, bad photos (American West 2023 roundup).

15.) If you are one to enter your images in photo competitions, see Sarah Marino's helpful advice in her article Entering A Photo Competition? Consider This Advice.