I’m sure anyone who has been following my blog, has noticed my “Geek Warning” notifications on some of the posts. I spend a lot of time (mostly wasted) trying to improve my photography skills, and write about techniques that I’ve tried out in much more detail than most people want to read. I also try out a lot of gear – cameras, tripods, lenses and my obsession with finding the perfect camera bag (no such thing!). So rejoice – you can now find and avoid all of these rambling posts in one place. I don’t expect to see too much view activity on this page.
The Adobe Over-Processing Blues – How Far is Too Far with Lightroom?
In a reflective post, Rich discusses his photography challenges and the use of Adobe Lightroom Classic for image enhancement. While he creates stunning night sky images, he admits to pushing the limits of acceptable post-processing, highlighting the balance between artistic expression and competition standards. He plans to review other photos before submission.
Expanding the Photo Gallery to new heights
In August 2026, the author reflects on the year and their creativity in decorating a two-story wall. After struggling to create a triptych, they successfully mounted three acrylic astrophotography prints from Arches National Park, enhancing the display with Google-controlled spotlights. They express satisfaction with the project while considering future additions.
Artificial Intelligence and Photography
The author shares their experiences using Google’s AI product, Gemini, to enhance their photography and blog. After attending a workshop on AI as an art director, they received detailed critiques on their photos, which led to improved editing results. While AI assists, human judgment remains crucial for competition success.
Travel Photography – A Slightly Different Focus
After returning from Iceland, the author reflects on their photography experiences, noting that they primarily used their phone instead of their Sony camera due to challenging weather conditions. They realized their approach needs adjustment, focusing more on capturing images for specific purposes, such as competition or blog posts, especially for their upcoming trip to Kodiak…
GoPro Mission 1 Pro – My Latest Toy
The author discusses the struggle of using a heavy Sony mirrorless camera in challenging environments, expressing a desire for a compact, rugged point-and-shoot camera. Excited about GoPro’s new Mission 1 series launch, which combines high-end features with portability, the author plans to familiarize themselves with it before an upcoming trip to Iceland, filled with adventures…
I Always Wanted To Be A Painter
The post reflects on the author’s journey with Adobe Lightroom while processing travel photos, particularly from a trip to Arches National Park. Despite acknowledging a lack of artistic skills, the author expresses enjoyment in photography as a hobby and the organization of files with a new 8TB hard drive to enhance their creative process.
Maybe I Should Specialize in Bird Photography
The author reflects on their passion for nature photography, describing recent outings to the Cosumnes River Preserve, particularly focusing on birds. They share technical improvements made during photography sessions, the enjoyment of capturing perfect lighting, and humorous anecdotes about other visitors. Ultimately, they question the necessity of global travel when local nature provides such rich…
Getting Organized (Finally) / Greatest Hits (Part I)
In December 2026, the writer reflects on their task list instead of making New Year’s resolutions, focusing on organizing photo libraries. They have culled images from an Antarctica trip down to 192 and plan further reductions. The goal is to create organized folders for competition and print images while also starting to print curated photos.
I Need More Toys
The post discusses the author’s evolving photography hobby and recent camera purchases, emphasizing the challenges of using different cameras for wildlife and landscape photography. After extensive research, the author chose to upgrade to the Sony A7R V during a sale, aiming for fewer lenses on trips. Despite enjoying mobile photography, the passion for quality images…
Gearing Up for Trips to Alaska and Antarctica
The post reflects on a retiree’s challenges with date management and trip preparation, particularly focusing on an upcoming ten-day wildlife trip to Alaska. He discusses the need for suitable camera gear while traveling, highlights a recently purchased camera backpack, and emphasizes important clothing gear acquired for various adventure trips.
My other hobby – Photography
The author reflects on their journey in photography, starting from childhood to adulthood, detailing their progression through various cameras and techniques. They recount experiences with friends who influenced their passion, their transition to digital, and current gear. Emphasis is placed on the joy of photography as a hobby, alongside the challenges of transporting equipment on…