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From Zion to the Coast: Creative Insights You Can Use Now
Published 1 day ago • 6 min read
Hi Reader,
What a fall it’s been! We began with rich autumn colors in Capitol Reef, then returned to Zion to lead an incredible Narrows workshop and even managed a few personal trips into the canyon. On our way to California we made a detour into Death Valley, where we witnessed the Aurora Borealis dancing above the desert with an almost unbelievable glow of red. It was one of those rare moments that stays with you, and we feel fortunate to have seen the aurora this far south and from one of our favorite parks. From there, we headed to the coast to guide a workshop for another wonderful group among dramatic waves and vibrant tide pools.
Beyond the workshops, I shipped out v1.1 of the Rethink Toolkit and Jennifer stepped into her new editorial role with Nature Vision Magazine. We’re also beginning early planning for the 2027 Moab Photography Symposium.
Some days it feels like we never rest, but for us the work and the journey belong together. We’re looking forward to one last trip back to Death Valley to teach a small scenes workshop and getting some photography and desert time in before returning home for the holidays.
We also want to say a heartfelt thank you for your support this year. From workshop participants, to everyone who picked up the Rethink Toolkit, to those who sent kind messages through our ups and downs, we truly appreciate you, and couldn't run this business without the support. Thank you for trusting us in your creative journey!
Wishing you a peaceful and inspiring holiday season.
Warmly, David Kingham and Jennifer Renwick
Creative Insights
Matching Water Texture to Your Intent
Water gives us an incredible range of creative choices, but the real magic starts when we let intent guide our shutter speed, not habit. During both our Zion and California Coast workshops, we saw how dramatically water can shift in personality depending on how it’s captured. The question to ask yourself is simple:
What feeling do you want the water to express?
Different shutter speeds create different emotional qualities:
Stillness Longer exposures (1–8 seconds or more) soften the movement and transform turbulent water into smooth, tonal shapes. Even on a rugged coastline, a long exposure can turn crashing waves into calm, meditative washes of light and texture.
5 second exposure
Energy Fast shutter speeds (1/500 and above) freeze the motion and reveal the raw structure of the surf. Every splash and arc of water becomes defined, creating images that feel immediate, powerful, and full of momentum.
1/2000 second exposure
Tension Mid-range shutters (around 1/8" to 1/2") strike a balance between motion and form. This is where water starts to feel alive, recognizable shapes intertwined with soft blur. It’s a great option when you want emotion and clarity.
1/2 second exposure
Mystery Pair a long exposure with static subjects like rocks, trees, or canyon walls. The juxtaposition between sharp detail and flowing softness adds depth and a quiet sense of intrigue.
1/2 second exposure
The next time you’re photographing moving water, pause for a moment and think about your intent before dialing in your shutter speed. Technical choices are powerful creative tools when you use them to support the story you want to tell.
Latest in Nature Photography
We love finding articles that teach, inspire, or spark reflection. Here are a few standouts this month:
by David duChemin In a raw and honest post, David argues that the moment we pre-occupy ourselves with whether our image is “good” (or worse — “art”), we stifle the creative joy that drew many of us to photography in the first place. 
Michael explores the often-overlooked inner step of photography: stilling the mind before lifting the camera. He argues that effective composition begins with a moment of quiet observation, letting the scene “affirm your presence”, and that lasting photographs come not from rushed snaps, but from waiting until you feel aligned with the subject.
by QT Luong Veteran landscape photographer (and long-time national-parks chronicler) QT Luong reflects on how the 2025 U.S. federal shutdown is reshaping access and priorities for America’s public lands. He reports from New Mexico, where small monuments were locked down while scenic overlooks remained open, offering a stark window into which parks get preserved as “crown jewels” and which are treated as expendable.
Rethink Landscape Toolkit: Why Photographers Are Loving It
It’s been exciting to see so many photographers diving into the Rethink Landscape Toolkit this fall—especially with the new v1.1 update now out in the wild. The latest release includes fresh tools, refinements, and performance improvements, and the feedback has been fantastic.
Here’s what users are saying this month:
“A clear, logical path to transforming images.” —Gordon Gordon shared his first project with the Toolkit and said he’s thrilled to finally have a structured way to work through his edits.
“The best course I’ve taken in 12 years of Lightroom.” —Peter Peter walked through a full before/after transformation and called the Toolkit and course organized, easy to follow, and incredibly effective.
“A unique system that replaces the haphazard approach to editing.” —Jacob Jacob noted how the Toolkit turns Lightroom into a step-by-step, customizable workflow—helping him move from guesswork to intention.
“Processing finally has a roadmap.” —Barbara After years of scattered tutorials, Barbara said Rethink brought clarity to her process: “Now when I’m finished, I’m nearly 100% sure I’ve covered everything.”
“Completely changed how I approach post-processing.” —Baker Adding the course to the presets reshaped Baker’s understanding of Lightroom and drastically reduced his need for Photoshop.
“Really helpful for seeing new possibilities.” —Bo Bo uses the Toolkit to gain a different perspective on his edits and fine-tune images with more confidence.
If you’ve been curious about the Toolkit, v1.1 is the perfect time to jump in.
A huge thank-you to everyone who has joined our 2026 workshops, the response has been incredible! Only a few spots remain for the entire year, so if you’re hoping to join us, now’s the time.
November was a big month for us with back-to-back workshops. We kicked things off in the Zion Narrows with an enthusiastic group and some of the best fall color we’ve seen in years—truly a dream week in one of our favorite places to teach. From there, we headed straight to the California coast, where we chased everything from towering waves to delicate tide-pool anemones under moody skies.
Here’s what our participants shared from the field:
Image by Keith Lisk
Fantastic Zion Workshop
“David and Jennifer’s Zion workshop was outstanding. Their advance scouting meant we were always in the right place at the right time, especially in the Narrows. The itinerary was well-organized but flexible, and their in-the-field and classroom instruction helped me noticeably improve both technique and editing. Beyond their expertise, they made the whole experience warm, fun, and inspiring.” —Jennifer
Image by Ernie Murata
Dream California Coast Workshop!
“This was my second workshop with David and Jennifer, and it exceeded my expectations again. Their calm, knowledgeable teaching style, extensive location scouting, and helpful processing sessions made a huge difference. David’s Rethink Toolkit is a game changer. From 15-foot waves to colorful sunsets and tide-pool details, it was an unforgettable experience.” —Kathy
Image by Lyn Snauffer
California Coast Workshop
“I loved every part of the California Coast workshop. David and Jennifer created a relaxed, positive learning environment and maximized our time in the field with thoughtful planning. The post-processing sessions and David’s workflow toolkit improved my editing skills tremendously. They made learning fun, and I highly recommend any of their workshops.” —Lyn
Image by Mike Pillows
Great Photography Workshop Experience
“As my first workshop, this experience was transformative. David and Jennifer’s expertise and supportive instruction helped me grow both technically and creatively. Photographing the Monterey and Carmel coastline, exploring composition, learning Lightroom, and getting thoughtful critiques—all of it changed how I see and approach my photography.” —Don
Image by Don Colombana
Image by Kathy Linford
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