Photography

Retirement gave me control of my time. I’m gradually learning that I also need to respect how much energy I actually have.

A Monthly round up of content from my Blog

I’m simplifying my photographic life by stepping away from fixed commitments and making more room for flexible communities, informal meet-ups and the freedom to simply enjoy taking photographs. Over the past few days, I have been thinking quite a lot about simplifying my life. That includes my relationship with Photography. Not simplifying the photography itself, but simplifying everything that has gradually built up around it. Groups, talks, competitions, challenges, ideas,

I went to Yorkshire Sculpture Park recently and spent about three hours taking photographs. I have no idea whether any of them are particularly good. "Strangely, that might be the best thing about the whole afternoon." Photography has been part of my life for years, but it's very easy for something you enjoy to acquire expectations. You start thinking about whether an image is technically good enough. Is the composition right? Is the light interesting? Would I put it on the w

A couple of weeks ago, I gave this blog a fairly substantial redesign. It had previously sat alongside my business website, Keith Burton Photography, but over time it had stopped feeling useful in that form. The blog was still there, but it no longer really reflected everything I wanted to write about. Redesigned blog that works better on all platforms, from large monitors to mobile screens. So I decided to broaden it. What started as a simple tidy-up turned into a much bigge

Some photography days are memorable because of the pictures you take. Others stay with you because of the people you meet, the conversations you have and the ideas you bring home. This day managed to give me a little of everything. I had gone along to a photography roadshow, partly to listen, partly to learn and partly because it felt good to be doing something photography-related away from home. Two of the speakers were people I know, Glynn Dewis and Stephanie Thornton, so t

Today marks a bit of a fresh start for my blog. For the past three years, I’ve mainly used this space to write about photography. At first, that meant sharing my thoughts on building a small studio, improving my portrait work, and hopefully moving towards a few more commercial shoots. That was the plan. But life has a habit of moving things around a bit, doesn’t it? Over time, I’ve realised that I need this blog to become something a little wider. Still about photography, yes

I’m thinking of putting together a live online talk and demo for photographers who are curious about AI, but not necessarily interested in using it to generate images. This would be about something much more practical. I want to show how AI can help with the bits of photography that often get in the way of actually taking pictures: planning trips, organising kit, managing schedules, keeping track of ideas, reviewing what worked, and making better decisions afterwards. The ses

I have been thinking recently about how easy it is to make photography more complicated than it needs to be. Not the technical side, although there is plenty of opportunity to make that complicated too. I mean the whole business of planning photography. Planning projects. Planning shoots. Planning themes. Planning locations. Planning lighting setups. Planning what the final image might look like before I have even picked the camera up. Now, don’t get me wrong. Planning has it

In this post, I will share my personal experiences with competitions and critique groups, explain the benefits of constructive feedback, and explore how these opportunities foster creativity and drive progress.

By Keith Burton 🎧 Listen to the Podcast Version - CLICK HERE I’ve also explored these ideas in a companion podcast, where AI-generated voices bring the discussion to life in a conversational format. It’s a slightly different take on the same themes—perfect if you prefer listening over reading. During the pandemic, I had the opportunity to work closely with my local camera club, helping guide a rapid shift toward digital engagement and sharing. What started as a necessity qui

In my local camera club newsletter, just before Christmas, we were asked to consider the question 'What photography exploits do you plan to pursue in 2026? Well, I have been away from regular photography activities and the camera club for most of the past two years, and this question has been getting me thinking. You see, I had a busy year of shooting in 2023, during which I travelled and worked on many projects, both indoor and outdoor. However, I had a sudden, unexpected vi

I have been a Lightroom Classic user and advocate for almost a decade. Although I had tried the cloud-based CC version multiple times, I always found it needed more functionality. I needed more essential features found in LR Classic to suit my needs. I also have a vast catalogue of over 50,000 images, so managing them requires a well-designed tool and significant storage space. However, Lightroom has undergone significant changes during the last year, bringing about some prom

Capturing life moments through photography has never been easier than with smartphones. They have revolutionised how we capture and share our experiences, allowing anyone to be an aspiring photographer. However, with the abundance of options and settings available, mobile photography can be overwhelming for beginners. To help you get started, this article provides a walkthrough of ten essential tips that will help you get the best out of your mobile phone photography. ‍ 1. Cl

Over the past few years, I have experimented with various genres of photography, including landscapes, events, still life, and portraits. In 2023, I became interested in AI. As I started experimenting with a few tools, I was initially concerned that this might affect my photography skills, but I am excited about the possibilities of this unique challenge. Art has come a long way since cave dwellers would express their thoughts and ideas through pictures drawn on walls. Over t

I have had an incredibly productive 2023 since retiring from full-time employment in April. I have been fortunate to undertake several high-quality portrait shoots in studios and outdoors, working with some fantastic models. I have also taken significant steps towards setting up a semi-retirement job in family portrait photography and have had the pleasure of doing some beautiful shoots for a select group of clients. Unfortunately, during the final months of 2023, I had to de

There are many reasons why you should have prints your photos. Here are just a few: To preserve your memories. They can be safely stored in albums or frames for several years and retain pristine quality. Digital files do not degrade or fade over time and will last indefinitely if backed up properly. The most likely problem with digital images is that they will be lost due to technical issues such as a hard drive crashing, a smartphone lost or damaged, or the online storage se

This image was machine generated by AI !!! AI is now spreading to all aspects of our life, and if you use a computer at home or work, you will find the 'Terms and Conditions' for all major software is now being updated to cover AI. Microsoft has just updated their T&Cs and added many references to AI tech in all its products. So AI use is one topic on many photographers' minds right now and how that affects them. On the one hand, it's a scary prospect, the end of creative Ph

This wet summer weather has made me think about the lost opportunities for getting out and taking photos, but wet weather shouldn't be seen as an obstacle in photography but as another chance to be creative. As someone who takes photos for fun, as well as a service for my customers I am aware that rainy days can stop the most keen photograther from getting out to take pictures. We should not allow the rain to determine if we can take pictures; use this change of weather creat

Photo by Marissa Lewis on Unsplash Having a professional portrait session can be an enjoyable and thrilling experience. However, preparing adequately is crucial to make the most of your session. Below are some valuable tips to prepare yourself and your young children for portrait photos: 1. Choose your outfits wisely. When taking photos, your clothes can make a difference in how you look and feel. Choosing outfits that highlight your ideal body shape and make you feel confide