Mind Your Monkey Mind
Dear Bubbles: When you go on a shoot, how do you quiet the chatter in your head? I get out there and sometimes it feels like a monkey jumped into my brain. Sometimes I can’t get it to shut up,…
Better Shot Than Mine
Dear Bubbles: I have angst when I am taking a picture. I am always afraid other photographers see things I don’t or they have discovered a better spot than me. When I went to Grand Teton National Park, I wanted…
Stand in Front of More Interesting Stuff
Dear Bubbles: I’ve attended a number of your presentations over the last few months. All have been insightful. The concepts, especially ones pertaining to creativity, have been intriguing and helpful. I’ve been following the idea, “If you want to be…
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,…
