What’s SUP? Paddling with a Camera
Dear Bubbles: Do you stand-up paddleboard with your camera? How does that work? How do you protect it? Aren’t you afraid of falling in with it? ~A Nosy Nellie Dear A Nosy Nellie: I sure do! Traveling on rivers and…
Picture Your Picture
Dear Bubbles: I think that much of my issues is that I don’t shoot enough. Since it’s not my job right now and there’s a lot of life interference, I think that I spend a lot of time re-learning…
Happy Birthday, Dear Bubbles!
Hi everyone! Wait, where’s the question, you might be asking? Well, we’re taking a break to celebrate a momentous occasion: Dear Bubbles turns one years old today! That’s right! It’s been twelve months and 100,766 words in 52 columns on…
When Nature Calls
Dear Bubbles: You’ve now told us how to stay safe in the backcountry. Great. But what do we do when we get there and we have to go to the bathroom? ~Backed Up Dear Backed Up: I’ll admit, before I…
Putting it into Words
Dear Bubbles: In many of your presentations, you mention how you often title a photograph before you hit the shutter button. For someone who is quite literal, if this was a requirement, I would have zero images in my portfolio.…
Staying Safe in the Backcountry
Dear Bubbles: With your trip into the heart of the Kaibab [Plateau] and your solo SUP in Canyonlands [National Park], I’m thinking you should do an article about planning, preparation, and safety in the backcountry. I know you carry an…
Planning to Not Plan
Dear Bubbles: How much planning do you do before you go on a photo shoot? ~Doug Dear Doug, Because it’s fresh in my mind and representative of how I plan for most of my outings, I’ll offer how I approached…
Lust of the Mind
Dear Bubbles: Freeman Patterson said, “There’s only one rule in photography—never develop color film in chicken noodle soup.” Discuss. ~Guy Dear Guy, Freeman Patterson, who lives in New Brunswick, Canada, is one of my favorite modern-day nature photographers. I received…
Real Photographer
Dear Bubbles, I am really enjoying the fun and simplicity of taking photos with my iPhone 11Pro. It’s always with me, I am taking way more photos and the quality is excellent (and I can shoot in raw too).…
The Impossibility of Creativity
Dear Bubbles: Why is the creative stuff so darn difficult? ~Mark Dear Mark: It sure feels hard sometimes, doesn’t it? Early on in my photography career, I spent much of my time photographing iconic scenes around the southwestern United States.…
Something Different
Dear Bubbles: I love Dear Bubbles. It’s always so thoughtful and thorough. But I have to ask (in jest): are you capable of writing anything short? ~Can’t Keep Up Dear Can’t Keep Up, Yes. Be well, be wild, ~Bubbles Have…
May I Have Your Attention Please
Dear Bubbles: Why can I never finish what I start? Especially when I sign up for online classes and books and courses. Is it fear? And how can I motivate myself to finish something I start? ~Laurie Dear Laurie: I…
Self-Publishing a Book
Dear Bubbles: Now that I find myself with extra free time these days, I’m considering putting together a book with my photographs and thoughts. I’d want to sell it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. But I’ve never done anything…
Get Your Ikigai On
Dear Bubbles: Have you found your ikigai, and if so, what is it? ~ Gene Dear Gene: Have I found my what? Was that a sneeze? Gesundheit, in case it was. I have to admit, I had never heard of…
Celebrating Lucky Number 13
Dear Bubbles: Congratulations! It’s been 13 years since you’ve left the corporate world to become a freelancing entrepreneur. How have things changed for you since then? What lessons have you learned about photography and life since leaving Intel? ~Mom and…
Bubble Wrap
Dear Bubbles: When I wrap my framed prints for shipping, which way does the bubble wrap go? Bubbles in or out? ~Al Dear Al: This question reminds me of another question: “Should the toilet paper go over or under the…
Keeping it Fresh
Dear Bubbles: I feel stuck. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to and photograph many beautiful places, but lately, when I visit a spot, I just don’t feel inspired to take any photographs. Is there something wrong with me? What…
Going Solo
Dear Bubbles: I’m interested in learning how to travel by myself. I’m getting older, and there are places I want to see and photograph. I’m just tired of waiting for other people to go with me. I’m running out of…
If No One Saw Your Photos
Dear Bubbles: I just finished watching the “Finding Vivian Maier” documentary per your recommendation. Very good. But now I’m wondering, if no one ever saw YOUR photographs, would you still photograph? ~Sam Dear Sam: Wasn’t that a fun story? For…
Live Your Dreams Now
Dear Bubbles: Are you a photographer who writes, or a writer who photographs? ~Cindy Dear Cindy: The short answer? Yes. The longer answer: I’m a photographer and a writer. I’m also an instructor, publisher, speaker, author, editor, graphic designer, columnist,…
