Five Frames

Where Water Works Quietly

No signs pointed to this spot. My brother just knew where to go.

A side trail, barely visible, led us here - tucked away, hushed, and working its own kind of magic.

The water wasn’t in a rush. It moved like it had done this a thousand times - carving, softening, layering stories into stone.

What struck me most wasn’t the waterfall itself, but how easy it is to miss places like this. Quiet places. Ones that don’t shout for your attention but wait patiently for it.

I left without taking much. Just a few photos and a reminder that subtle doesn’t mean forgettable.

Prompt of the Week: Shoot Through Something

Sometimes, the most interesting part of a photo isn’t the subject - it’s what you shoot through to get there.

Technique: Use grasses, leaves, or even a dirty window close to your lens to create a dreamy, blurred foreground.
Why it works: This adds depth and atmosphere, and can introduce unexpected textures or color washes.
Try this: Focus on your subject and let the foreground blur melt across the frame.

It’s a simple way to turn an ordinary scene into something layered and poetic.

This One Tiny Detail Made the Whole Shot Work

I took several frames of this rushing creek, and they were fine, but not quite it.

Then, just as the sun slipped behind the tip of a pine tree, the rays broke through. For a few seconds, the canyon filled with beams of light, turning the scene into something more layered, more alive.

That tiny shift - a matter of moments - made all the difference.

It’s a reminder I keep coming back to: sometimes the strongest element in a photo isn’t part of the plan. It just... shows up.

Is Nature Photography Too Beautiful?

This article caught my attention.

It asks a bold question: Has our love of beauty in nature photography distanced us from the truth of what’s happening to the natural world?

I’ve definitely chased light and color, without always thinking about the bigger ecological reality behind the scene.

The author explores how hyper-vibrant, “perfect” images can comfort more than confront, giving us something lovely to look at while the ecosystems behind those scenes quietly unravel. It doesn’t suggest we stop creating beautiful work, but it does ask us to consider what else we’re showing, and what we might be leaving out.

If you’ve ever wondered about the balance between art and honesty, this is worth your time. Read the full article → Is Nature Photography Too Beautiful

A Quote

“Everybody is talented because everybody who is human has something to express.” ― Brenda Ueland

One More Thing – Just for You

Each quarter, I release a curated set of 10-15 prints – some familiar favorites, others brand new. A few may stick around. Most will rotate out to make space for what's next.

As a thank-you for being here, newsletter subscribers get an exclusive discount code for 20% off prints from the new collection - good for one week only. This quarter's discount is valid from July 1 to July 7.

View the collection on my website under “Shop” starting July 1st and use code FIVEFRAMES at checkout before the week’s up - some prints won’t be back.

I’d love to hear from you! Have a question, suggestion, or want to explore a collaboration? Get in touch!

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