Tour Du Mont Blanc Pano

Mont Blanc - The highest peak in the Alps and Western Europe, at 4,808.73 meters (15,776.7 ft).

Blood Moon Eclipse Photography

March 14, 2025 Timings -
Here are the key times for North American viewers: Eastern Time (EST): Totality from 2:26 a.m. to 3:31 a.m. on Friday, March 14. Central Time (CST): Totality from 1:26 a.m. to 2:31 a.m. on Friday, March 14. Mountain Time (MST): Totality from 12:26 a.m. to 1:31 a.m. on Friday, March 14.

Note that for most of North America the full moon rise is happening shortly after sunset and that makes for potentially excellent photos and in my opinion that is more exciting than this eclipse which happens in the middle of the night. when the moon is high in the sky making compositions with landscapes nearly impossible.

How to Photograph the Total Lunar Eclipse

A total lunar eclipse offers a good opportunity to capture the moon in different phases, from full brightness to deep red during totality. Here’s what you need to know to get a clean shot.

Gear

• A camera with manual settings.
• A telephoto lens (100mm or longer; 300mm+ is better for detail).
• A sturdy tripod.
• A remote shutter release or timer to minimize shake.

Settings

Before Totality (Bright Moon)

• ISO: 100-400
• Aperture: f/5.6 - f/8
• Shutter Speed: 1/250s - 1/500s

During Totality (Red Moon)

• ISO: 800-3200
• Aperture: Widest available (f/4 or lower if possible)
• Shutter Speed: 1-2 seconds (See below for precise max shutter speed with your lens)

You might find autofocus difficult on the brigh moon. You can Use manual focus or carefully position your focus point on the edge of the moon. Autofocus struggles in low light especially in low contrast. Depending on your camera you may find switching to manual focus best- so switch to live view, zoom in, and adjust manually.

Avoiding Motion Blur

The moon moves faster than it seems. To avoid blur, don’t expose for too long. A quick formula:

Maximum Shutter Speed (seconds) = 300 / Focal Length (mm)

Examples:

• 300mm lens → 1 second
• 500mm lens → ~1/2 second
• 1000mm lens → ~1/3 second

For longer exposures, a tracking mount helps, but it’s not necessary for basic shots.

Composition

Close-up shots are good, but including foreground elements—like trees, buildings, or landscapes—can create more context. Plan a location with an unobstructed view and minimal light pollution.

Final Tips

• Shoot RAW for better post-processing options.
• Use bracketing if unsure about exposure.
• Try a time-lapse to capture the full transition.

With the right preparation, you’ll get solid shots of the eclipse from bright to deep red. If the first few frames aren’t working, adjust and keep shooting.

Welcome to the Sedona Photo Bootcamps

Are you ready to elevate your photography skills and immerse yourself in one of the most stunning landscapes in the world? Our Sedona Photo Bootcamps offer a unique, hands-on learning experience.

In October 2025, we’re excited to offer two specialized sessions:

• Advanced Bootcamp (October 13th - 17th): Perfect for experienced photographers who want to push their creativity and technical abilities with daily challenges, in-depth Lightroom sessions, and personalized feedback. Click here for full details and pricing.

• Beginner Bootcamp (October 18th - 23rd): Ideal for those looking to master the essentials of composition, exposure, and camera settings at a relaxed pace, with plenty of support both in the classroom and the field. Click here for full details and pricing.

What makes our bootcamps special?

Each session blends classroom instruction with fieldwork in Sedona’s breathtaking scenery, followed by daily image reviews to help you refine your craft with personalized feedback from two experienced instructors.

Don’t just take our word for it—check out the feedback from our 2024 participants:

Our 2024 bootcamps were an overwhelming success! Participants gave top marks across the board, rating the overall quality and usefulness of the workshops a 5 out of 5. Many praised the instructors’ expertise and hands-on teaching style, with comments reflecting their excitement to join future bootcamps.

As one participant put it:

“The experience was phenomenal, and the guidance I received completely changed the way I approach photography.”

If you’re looking for a photo workshop where you’ll grow your skills, meet like-minded photographers, and capture incredible images, this is your opportunity!

Join us and discover what makes our Sedona Bootcamps a must-attend event for photography enthusiasts.

A gallery of photos from our 2024 Boot Camp, from fellow Instructor Frank Stelges

Adobe is raising their prices for Creative Cloud

Adobe is raising prices from $9.99/month to $14.99/month on the Photography (20GB) plan that most of us are subscribed to. If you want to remain a customer, there’s a way to stay at the $9.99/month plan, but only if you switch to annual billing. They’ve made some other plan changes, but for 99% of you reading this email, I think your best option is just to switch to the annual plan, billed annually.

Confusingly, some of us show that we’re already on the annual plan but are billed monthly. As far as I know, if you’re on this plan, you will see a price increase. You must switch to the annual plan billed annually. They have also dropped Photoshop from one of the other plans, and it is important to note that the 20GB Photography Plan will not be available to new subscribers after January 15th. So, if you haven’t subscribed yet, you still have time to jump on board. (And if you’re already subscribed, don’t let your subscription expire, as you won’t be able to resubscribe to that plan.)

Now, let’s dive in a little deeper.

For current subscribers of the Photography Plan (which includes Lightroom, Lightroom Classic, and Photoshop), your price increase will take effect upon your plan’s renewal. This means you don’t necessarily need to make the switch before January 15th, but I recommend checking your renewal date and setting a calendar reminder to switch to the annual plan before then. And as stated above, this plan will no longer be available for new subscribers. 

When I tried to make the switch to annual billing, I encountered an error during the process. I reached out to Adobe customer support via their online chat, and they resolved the issue by canceling my account (which seemed extreme to me) but set it back up under the same login, and everything works just fine. If you run into the same issue, I recommend contacting their support team—they were helpful.

Switching to an annual plan will allow you to lock in the current rate of $9.99/month (billed annually). Or, if you feel this price increase is unfair or prefer not to switch to the annual plan, you can explore alternatives like DxO Photo Lab, which is available as a one-time purchase.

To learn more about these changes, you can visit Adobe’s official blog post here: All-New Photography Innovations and Pricing Updates.

Toby's Tripod Buying Guide - Spring 2025

Short and Sweet Tripod Recommendations (Complete Guide Below)

Smallest and Lightest
Oben CQL-13 (Best value tiny travel option)
Weight: 1.5 lbs | Max Height: 51.1” | Folded Length: 14.5”
B&H Photo – $149

Tallest and Sturdiest
FLM CP30-L4 II (Tall Legs - almost 70 inches)
Weight: 3.1 lbs | Max Height: 68.3” | Folded Length: 23”
B&H – $506 Pair with Leofoto LH-25 Head Amazon - $55
Total weight under 3.5lbs and it will be taller than you!

Tripod Basics

Head Type – Ball Head – these are the most common and the most versatile. All of the recommended tripods below are ball heads. If shooting video AND you need to pan during the shoot, consider a fluid head tripod. Consider a geared head if you want incredibly precise movements but are willing to pay $$$ and you don’t mind a slower setup.

Plate Type – The two common types are Arca-Swiss and Manfrotto. Arca-Swiss is more universal—if you forget your plate while traveling, you're more likely to find a compatible spare. Spare Arca Swiss Plates – Consider an L-Bracket for easier vertical photography. I love my L-Bracket from Kirk. Really Right Stuff makes excellent camera-specific versions. Sunway Foto has affordable generic ones. If you buy a tripod without a center column, an L-Bracket becomes essential. Even if you do have a center column, it’s still a great upgrade. Learn why L-Brackets are Awesome.

Leg Lock Type – Twist locks vs. flip-locks. I prefer twist locks for their packability and comfort. Just be cautious not to overtwist. Flip locks are more tactile, but can be fiddly and may need occasional tightening.

Center Column – Center columns offer easy last-minute height adjustments, but they’re less stable. Some models below don’t include one for weight and stability savings. If your tripod lacks a center column, an L-Bracket becomes even more important for vertical shots. Specs often list max height with the column extended—take that with a grain of salt.

Budget – Many under-$200 tripods sacrifice stability and longevity. The tripods I recommend below are all travel-friendly, lightweight, and reliable enough to last for years—saving you more money in the long run.

Tripod Recommendations – Updated May 2025

Travel Friendly / Budget Friendly Options

Oben CQL-13
Weight: 1.5 lbs | Max Height: 51.1” | Folded Length: 14.5”
Lightest and most compact tripod I recommend. Supports up to 13 lbs—great for mirrorless and DSLRs.
B&H – $149

MeFOTO RoadTrip Aluminum
Weight: 3.6 lbs | Max Height: 61” (47” w/o center column) | Folded Length: 15.6”
Reliable and rugged. I’ve used these for over a decade. A bit heavier, but great value.
B&H – $179

Leofoto LX-224CT + LH-30 Ball Head
Weight: 2.47 lbs | Max Height: 43” (51” w/ center column) | Folded Length: 14.5”
Great compact setup with a reversible center column. LX-254CT gives more height.
B&H – $260 | Amazon – $260

High-End Option

Gitzo GT2545T Series 1 + Ball Head
Weight: 3.2 lbs | Max Height: 64” | Folded Length: 16.7”
Legendary Gitzo quality. Premium price, but the smoothest, most reliable tripod in the field.
B&H – $589

Build Your Own: Legs + Head

FLM CP30-S4 II
Weight: 2.4 lbs | Max Height: 53” | Folded Length: 18.9”
Well-balanced for weight, stability, and pack size.
B&H – $459

FLM CP30-L4 II
Weight: 3.1 lbs | Max Height: 68.3” | Folded Length: 23”
Same sturdy build, just taller. Best for people who want headroom—literally.
B&H – $506

Ball Head Options

Really Right Stuff BH-40
Load: 18 lbs | Weight: ~1 lb
Exceptional control. High-end quality.
B&H – $485

Leofoto LH-40 Low Profile
Load: 44 lbs | Weight: 1.1 lbs
Great performance for the price.
B&H – $179 | Amazon – $170

Leofoto LH-25 Mini Head
Load: 13+ lbs | Weight: 0.33 lbs
Super compact and affordable.
Amazon – $55

Tripod Accessories

Glow in the dark tape – Great for finding your tripod legs in the dark and not bumping into them.

Cloth Tape – Wrap around one or two legs for insulation in cold weather. Makes it easier to grip without touching cold carbon or metal.

Pipe Insulation – Inexpensive, from hardware stores. Comfortable for shoulder carry. Secure with electrical tape, and it’s non-permanent.

Tripod Tools - SmallRig Foldable Multi-Tool - Has all the little tool bits you need to properly attach your tripod plate and tighten up a leg or two when your tripod starts to get wobbly.   Or keep it simple with this Leofoto MPL Multi-Function tool that has most of what you need when working with plates and tripods and is also a bottle opener! 

Why L-Brackets Are Awesome – Full Post

Join Me in Egypt And/Or Jordan - Spring 2026

The Pyramids

Nile Cruise

Incredible Hotels

Amazing Guides

Petra

Wadi Rum

Jerash

Just a few of the amazing locations we will visit as we travel through these countries.

Early March 2026

Join Me in New Zealand - Late Fall 2025

Attention nature lovers and photographers! Many of you have told us that New Zealand tops your travel list. Get ready to explore the South Island's breathtaking scenery with our upcoming photography workshop!

Imagine:

• Spending a night on a stunning fjord, perfectly positioned for capturing mesmerizing sunrise photos.

• Watching the sunset paint the Remarkable mountains above Queenstown in vibrant hues.

• Photographing the Milky Way under the inky-black, star-studded skies of Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park.

These are just a glimpse of the unforgettable experiences we have planned for you in this intimate, small-group workshop. Join us and capture the magic of New Zealand's South Island!

Probable Dates - Early November, 2025 - timed for lovely summer weather on the South Island.

The South Island of New Zealand is a photographer's paradise for several reasons:

Diverse and dramatic landscapes:

• Mountains: Rugged Southern Alps, snow-capped peaks like Aoraki/Mount Cook, dramatic rock formations like Mitre Peak in Milford Sound.

• Lakes: Crystal-clear glacial lakes like Tekapo and Pukaki, reflecting mountains and stars.

• National Parks: Diverse ecosystems offering unique landscapes like Franz Josef Glacier, Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, and glowworm caves.

Additionally, a well-developed road network makes most areas easily accessible. Guided tours, activities, and photography instruction will cater to photographers of all skill levels. 4 & 5 star accommodations.

Whether you're a seasoned landscape photographer or just starting out, the South Island of New Zealand offers endless possibilities to capture stunning and unique images.