Photographer's Journal (Fine art)

Welcome to my online journal, otherwise known as a blog. Here I'll be sharing pertinent information, inspirational stories, trip reports, behind-the-photo stories, photography tips and techniques, and various random thoughts that you might find interesting. If you have any questions or comments regarding the opinions and information shared here, feel free to contact me. Thanks for your interest in my work!

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Nature's Fury: Photographing in a Tropical Storm
Nature's Fury: Photographing in a Tropical Storm
September 18, 2023  |  Acadia National Park, Maine

As a photographer, I appreciate a good storm for the opportunities it can provide for interesting photos. But I'm also torn. Because there's nothing like a stormy day spent at home curled up on the couch all cozy and warm, as the wind and rain whip around outside...

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The Most Beautiful Drive in America
The Most Beautiful Drive in America
July 27, 2023  |  Beartooth Highway, Red Lodge, Montana

There are no guardrails in places where you might prefer them. Driving from east to west, starting in Red Lodge, Montana, you'll climb nearly 5,700 feet, to a total elevation of 10,947 feet over the course of 12 miles...

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The Creative Decision Behind Lens Choice
The Creative Decision Behind Lens Choice
June 25, 2023

When I started taking photos way back when, I thought of lenses the way most people who are new to photography, or who aren't photographers at all, think of them. Specifically that telephoto lenses are used when things are far away, and wide angle lenses are for tight spaces or wide vistas...

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Nature's Allure
Nature's Allure
June 18, 2023

I’ve always found myself drawn to the outdoors. When I went away to college at SUNY New Paltz, one of the draws was the small town with close access to the Catskills. I would often venture to Minnewaska State Park on days when I didn’t have afternoon classes, or when I just decided being outdoors was more important than my class...

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Behind the Image: Sunrise at Montauk Point
Behind the Image: Sunrise at Montauk Point
June 7, 2023  |  Montauk Point, New York

Since I began selling my work, "Sunrise at Montauk Point" has become one of my most popular, selling a fair number of prints. It's easy to see why. The iconic Montauk Point Lighthouse stands in the distance atop the bluff, as the sun rises above a bank of clouds while a wave washes over the rocky shoreline west of the lighthouse...

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The Enchantment of Sunsets
The Enchantment of Sunsets
June 4, 2023

If sunrises are my favorite time to photograph, sunsets are a close second.

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The Magic of Sunrises
The Magic of Sunrises
April 18, 2023

It can be so difficult at times. I'll be fast asleep, snuggled up under the blankets, nice and warm, dreaming away, when suddenly, my alarm shatters the still and rips me from my slumber. I reach over and grab my phone...

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Fine Art America? What's The Difference?
Fine Art America? What's The Difference?
April 11, 2023

At some point or another, you may have Googled my name to find my website. And there's the chance that one of the results did not lead you here, to my own OFFICIAL website at RickBerk.com. Instead, it's quite possible you were taken to my profile at Fine Art America /Pixels...

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Five Ways to Support Your Favorite Living Artists
Five Ways to Support Your Favorite Living Artists
March 30, 2023

Think about a world without art. I'm not just talking about my photography, but I mean, ANY art. How bland would life be? No music to listen to, to cheer us up, to accompany us on long drives, to play in the background while we work...

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AI Art vs Human-Made Art- What Is The Future, Really?
AI Art vs Human-Made Art- What Is The Future, Really?
February 12, 2023

There has been a lot of buzz about the emergence of AI technologies (artificial intelligence) over the past few years, but in the last six months, the buzz has grown far louder, at least in the community of artists I regularly circulate in...

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What Makes A Photo Good?
What Makes A Photo Good?
November 9, 2022

We live in a time when more photographs are taken than ever before, and more photographs are shared with the general public than ever before. We also live in a time when it's easier than ever for anyone to set up a website, or use any of more than a dozen marketplaces, and try to sell their photos...

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The 5 Worst Compliments You Can Give a Landscape Photographer
The 5 Worst Compliments You Can Give a Landscape Photographer
November 7, 2022

I know this entry may be a little controversial, or feel like I'm whining. I apologize in advance if it comes off that way. My goal here is not to belittle anyone who's ever said these things, but rather, to educate viewers of photography...

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The Elegance of Black and White Photography
The Elegance of Black and White Photography
September 9, 2022

If you've followed my work for any amount of time, you're accustomed to seeing the bold, vibrant color I tend to work with. And make no mistake, I very much see the world in color, and enjoy capturing the color I see with my camera and in my editing process...

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Art's Role in Today's World
Art's Role in Today's World
May 8, 2022

We find ourselves living in tumultuous times. The past two and a half years have been especially trying, but if you look back through history, each decade or era has had its share of challenges to deal with, so I'm not sure we're all that special...

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Developing My Style
Developing My Style
April 20, 2022

It's easy to discover an artist or photographer or writer when they are more advanced in their craft, and feel like they've always been that good at what they do. Often the hard work, the learning, and the growth goes on behind closed doors, and rarely do we get to see evidence of that growth when the work is taken one piece or image at a time, as it so often is when shared on social media...

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Fine Art Prints for All Seasons
Fine Art Prints for All Seasons
March 13, 2022

Everyone seems to love the changing of the seasons. By the time winter ends, like it is now, everyone is ready for the warmer temperatures and flowers of spring. Most people change certain accents in their decor along with the season...

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Guide to Purchasing Fine Art Prints
Guide to Purchasing Fine Art Prints
February 22, 2022

If you're new to collecting art, or just have a casual interest in art and would like something new for your home, you may have some questions regarding where to start finding the perfect piece for your wall...

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My Influences Part III: Continuing Influences
My Influences Part III: Continuing Influences
February 10, 2022

In my last two blog posts, I discussed some of the major influences on my work, especially the early influences. Part one featured the painters of the Hudson River School. This first American art movement influenced many 19th century Americans, but for me, and many other photographers, those epic landscapes depicted in the paintings became a roadmap of sorts to follow when looking for landscapes to photograph...

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