I thrive with goals and challenges and learning. I love being a student and aim to maintain a beginner’s mindset. But many photography classes are outside my budget. And when I do finally plunk down a good sum of money to purchase a course, I am sometimes disappointed by the content or the teaching style/format. With these thoughts in mind, I’ve been looking for ways to teach myself with what’s available online, often for free.

This week, I’ve discovered photographer Sean Tucker. I recall quoting Sean a time or two, but hadn’t really delved into his work or his teachings. Wow! He is amazing. Today, I watched his video, Protect your Highlights. I love how he relates photography lessons to the larger picture of how we live our lives. Protecting our highlights, setting those good things in our minds for a full 10 seconds, as a way to preserve motivation and stave off despair. Honestly, the whole video lifted my spirits and felt deeply encouraging.

The only thing missing from my online learning experience are classmates and study groups. I’m sick of Zoom and dog-tired from typing email responses (mostly, because I have A LOT to say), but I love a good old-fashioned phone call. If you want to talk about something you’re learning, email me and we’ll set up a phone date.

Oh, almost forgot. I ordered the book by Sean Tucker, The Meaning in the Making: The Why and How Behind Our Human Need to Create. If you read it too, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Virginia is for Lovers.

Beautiful views along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park.

I carried the heavy camera and lens everywhere—Stony Man Trail and Hazel Mountain Overlook.

There were lots of other photographers. A nice woman asked if I had gotten the views I wanted. I smiled and nodded yes, stepping aside so she could take her own picture of the view. Truly, I had to force myself to take the expected pictures. All I really wanted to do, on this perfect day, was take pictures of people and pops of late summer color.

I spend a lot of time walking the trails of this place. I seldom bring my camera. I see pictures everywhere and still I am mostly content to imagine them.

But lately I’ve felt the urge to see this natural environment through the viewfinder.

After dinner, just before sunset.

In the early, early morning while rain falls softly around me.

Not a soul in sight.

Hints of fall in every deep breath.