Announcements

Free eBook From Craft & Vision

Craft & Vision Free eBook

Craft & Vision has just released a new eBook called, appropriately, Craft & Vision: 11 Ways to Improve Your Photography. The book includes eleven different articles, including Tame Your Digital Exposures, by David duChemin, The Power of the Moment, by Eli Reinholdtsen, Slow Down and Learn to See, by Stuart Sipahigil, and Learn to Direct the Eye, by Yours Truly.

And best of all, it’s free—zero dollars, now and forever. You can download your copy here. And tell your friends!

Two New Workshops for 2012!

Aspen circle, June Lake Loop

Aspen circle, June Lake Loop


Eastern Sierra Fall Color: Composition and Creativity Among the Aspens

October 18 (eve.) – 21, 2012

Is an eye for composition something you’re born with, or can it be taught—and learned?

The technical aspects of photography are pretty concrete. With a little instruction anyone can learn to read a histogram or control depth of field. But composition, creativity, and seeing are more nebulous. The infinitely varied world we photograph doesn’t lend itself easily to compositional rules and formulas. There’s a reason no one has yet developed an app that tells you when you’ve framed a good photograph!

I used to think an eye for composition was innate, but over the years I’ve changed my mind. I’ve seen my own compositional skills improve with time, but more importantly, I’ve watched many students—even some who thought they lacked that innate ability to “see”—grow and develop their sense of design, sometimes in great leaps. Composition can be taught, and learned by anyone. And no matter how long you’ve been making photographs you can always learn more.

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Black Friday Photography Deals

I’ve seen some great deals today! B&H has Lightroom 3 for half price (it’s normally $299), as well as discounts on Canon cameras and lenses. Friend of this blog G Dan Mitchell has all the details. Also, Craft & Vision is offering 50% off their whole photography eBook collection, including my eBook Light & Land: Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom. Or you can get a $40 gift certificate for $20. All these discounts are today only.

I’m sure there are some other good deals out there too, so if you see anything, please let us know by posting a comment.

Happy Thanksgiving!

My son Kevin on a swing at age three

My son Kevin on a swing at age three



I have so much to be thankful for. First and foremost, I have  a wonderful, supportive family. I’ve been lucky in love, and been married for 25 years—to the same person! And raising our son Kevin has been easy and enjoyable; he’s just a naturally grounded person. I also have some great friends who enrich my life. And then there are the three cats and two dogs we live with who keep us continually entertained!

I’m grateful that we live in a warm, comfortable house in a quiet neighborhood, surrounded by oak trees and meadows, and that we live so close to Yosemite, my spiritual home. I’m very grateful that my family and I are healthy, and happy.

I’m particularly thankful for all of you, the wonderful community of photographers I’ve met through this blog, for reading, listening, and commenting. It’s great to discuss photography with people who share the same passion, and your participation makes writing this blog fun.

Happy Thanksgiving!

—Michael Frye

The iPad Version is Here!


The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite is now a universal app, built for both iPhone and iPad. The new iPad version takes advantage of the bigger screen to give you easier access to all the information.

Since we were able to make this a single universal app, this iPad-optimized version is a free update for those who have already purchased the app. Just go the app store on your iPad and tap on Updates. The app is fully functional right away, but hi-resolution images for the iPad download when you open the app and connect to Wi-Fi.

If you haven’t already purchased the app you can do so here.

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Print Sale Ends Sunday!

Redwoods, Ferns, and Rhododendrons Near the Northern California Coast

Redwoods, Ferns, and Rhododendrons Near the Northern California Coast


Just a quick reminder that The Ansel Adams Gallery print sale ends Sunday. Two of my never-before-printed images—Redwoods, Ferns, and Rhododendrons, and Sunbeams From Tunnel View—are available at 25% off the normal price until 6 p.m. Pacific time Sunday afternoon. After that they’ll go back to the normal price, and they won’t be on sale again! Click here to purchase or read the stories behind these photographs.

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