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Updates From the Field: Highs, Lows, and the Deep Blue π
Published 9 days agoΒ β’Β 6 min read
Hi Reader,
August was a month of deep contrasts for us, of heartbreaking loss and unexpected renewal. We began the month by saying goodbye to our sweet cat and constant travel companion, Maui. Her kidney disease progressed incredibly fast, and at 18 years old, we had to let her go. She lived a full and adventurous life, but the silence she left behind has been immense.
In those quiet, challenging moments, you know that something has to change. So, for the first time in ten years, we stepped off the workshop circuit and took a real vacation. We needed to heal, and for Jennifer, that meant returning home to the ocean.
We booked a last-minute trip to the Florida Keys. Jennifer, an avid diver in a past life, hadn't been underwater in 20 years. It was time. We rented an underwater housing for her camera, and watching her take to it was like watching someone rediscover a part of their soul. She's hooked, and honestly, so am I. There is a peace below the waves that was the perfect medicine.
Jennifer the Mermaid
That trip was a much-needed reset, and we've returned with lighter hearts and renewed creative energy. That energy is perfectly timed, as we were also blown away by the success of the Rethink Toolkit for Lightroom launch. Thank you, truly, for the incredible support.
This is a new chapter for us in more ways than one. For the first time in a long time, we are petless. And while we would give anything to have our travel companion back, we are also trying to lean into the unexpected freedom this season of life brings. We're not sure what that will look like yet, but we're open to the adventures that await.
For now, we're ready to dive into a packed autumn, heading first to Yellowstone, then to speak at the Moab Photography Symposium, which you can read more about below, and continue on the road from there. We're feeling recharged and ready for it all.
We wish you a beautiful fall ahead!
Warmly, David Kingham and Jennifer Renwick
β¬οΈ More exciting updates, creative tips, and photos below! β¬οΈ
Creative Insights
The Power of Being a Beginner Again
When your craft becomes second nature, itβs powerfully refreshing to throw yourself into something new and embrace being a beginner again.
Jennifer, who hadn't dived in years, was tackling underwater photography for the first time with a "real" camera and its massive, cumbersome housing. She went in with the perfect attitude: enjoy the experience of being in the ocean first and foremost. If she came away with an image or two, that was just a bonus. Her approach paid off beautifully, and I'm telling you now, the next time she gets that camera in the water, she's going to create something truly special.
For my part, I was just learning not to drown! Thatβs a little dramatic, but itβs hard to think about photography when youβre re-learning how to exist in a new element. I chose to leave my camera behind at first, deciding it was more important to be present than to capture everything, a lesson we all need from time to time. That freedom allowed me to get my "ocean legs," and by the end, I was comfortable enough to get a few images, mostly of Jennifer in her element.
This journey left us feeling completely invigorated, sparking new ideas not just for our next dive, but for our landscape work, too. We encourage you to get out there and try something that makes you feel awkward and new. Itβs where youβll grow in the most unexpected ways.
β
Humbled by Your Response to the Toolkit
Since the launch of the Rethink Landscape Toolkit, I've been truly humbled by the messages you've sent. My goal was to help make post-processing more intuitive and creative, and seeing it connect with so many of you has been the best part of this entire process.
I wanted to share a few words from fellow photographers who are already finding new energy in their workflow:
"I feel re-energized and empowered. I'm thinking about reviving images I've left languishing in my catalog because I couldn't make them sing." ββMary
"This course as well as the Rethink Toolkit are a must for Landscape photographers... I soon may find that Photoshop is a distant memory." ββJohnny
"I am revisiting files that have just sat on my hard drive up to now, as I didn't know how to process them." ββAndrew
It's messages like these that affirm the whole reason for creating the toolkit: to make creating art fluid and fun, not a technical chore. If you were curious about it, you can learn more at the link below.
A last-minute spot has opened for our Yellowstone Nightscapes and Landscapes workshop, happening in just over a week! This is a rare chance to photograph the park's incredible landscapes by day, then capture the Milky Way over its famous thermal features by night.
Our 2026 workshops have been filling fast since our last newsletter, and we're down to a handful of opportunities. If you'd like to join us on an adventure next year, we recommend securing your spot soon!
In addition to our scheduled group trips, we offer Private Workshops tailored to your specific learning goals, location preferences, and schedule. Whether you're seeking intensive one-on-one mentoring or want to arrange a custom trip for your small group, we can design the perfect photographic experience just for you.
We love finding articles and videos that teach us something new or simply inspire us to get out with our cameras. Here are a few that caught our eye this month:
In an age of endless scrolling on glowing screens, Cole asks a fundamental question: Why should we print our work? His answer is a powerful and necessary reminder that a photograph isn't truly finished until it becomes a tangible object. He argues that the print is the final, definitive expression of our vision, real, permanent, and free from the variables of screen calibration. This article will inspire you to bring your own work to life.
by Guy Talβ βIn a fascinating new post, Guy draws an analogy that will stick with you: are you a "classical" photographer who executes a preconceived vision with precision, or a "jazz" photographer who improvises and responds to the world in the moment? He explores how these two approaches shape our creative process and our final images. This is a brilliant read for anyone looking to better understand their own creative impulses and the different ways we can pursue our art.
by David duCheminβ βAre you the same photographer you were five years ago? David tackles a subject that's central to a long-term creative life: change. He makes a powerful case that evolving our style, our subjects, our vision, isn't just a part of the journey; it's a sign of a healthy and thriving creative practice. If you've ever felt stuck or wondered if it's okay that your work is changing, this is a must-read. It's a reminder to give ourselves the permission to grow.
Join us at the Moab Photography Symposium
The Moab Photography Symposium holds a special place in our hearts. For me (David) personally, it's where my own journey toward becoming a more expressive photographer really took shape.
This isn't your average photography conference. It's an intimate and thoughtfully curated event where the entire focus is on fostering creativity and personal vision. It's a community where thoughtful conversation and connection are valued just as much as the presentations themselves.
We're honored to be presenting alongside an incredible group of photographers we deeply respect, including Guy Tal, Michael Gordon, Charlotte Gibb, Chuck Kimmerle, and Bruce Hucko. Jennifer and I will be sharing presentations that go to the heart of our teaching philosophy:
David: The Quiet Conversation: Finding Your Voice in the Landscape
Jennifer: Exploring, Connecting, Creating: An Uncharted Path to Mindful Photography
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