The Creative Fog

You want to improve your photography, but the path feels unclear.
Tutorials overwhelm. Gear distracts. And your images still don’t feel like you.

Mike Dooley sitting on the rocks at Beavertail State Park, behind his tripod with camera filters and spirit level in place, preparing to photograph the ocean at sunset."
Setting up for the perfect seascape: Mike Dooley positions his camera on a tripod at Beavertail State Park, with filters and spirit level ready to capture Rhode Island’s coastline.

You Struggle to Improve Your Photography. I Did Too.

You see something beautiful—but your photo doesn’t match what you felt.
You try again. You tweak. You scroll tutorials. And still, your images fall short of your vision.

It’s not that you’re not creative.
It’s that no one’s shown you how to see.

Without guidance, photography can feel overwhelming.
You second-guess your edits. You chase gear instead of growth. You lose sight of the story.
The noise doesn’t stop. The doubt creeps in. You lose focus, lose breath, lose yourself.

But with the right approach, everything shifts.
You gain confidence. You see light differently. You create images that resonate—with you and with others.
Photography becomes a practice. A pause. A way to breathe.

Want to know how I teach? Read my teaching philosophy—it’s the heartbeat behind every tip I share.

What You’ll Find Here

These aren’t tricks. I don’t believe in tricks.
Photography isn’t about shortcuts—it’s about showing up, paying attention, and doing the work.

What you’ll find here are simple, repeatable approaches to making better photographs.
They’re field-tested, emotionally honest, and designed to work whether you’re shooting with a phone, a DSLR, or anything in between.

I teach through clarity, not complexity.
Through story, not spectacle.
These tips are meant to guide you—not just toward sharper images, but toward deeper seeing.

Use them every day. Every shoot. Every frame.
Let them be reminders that photography is a practice, not a performance.
And that the best images come from the quiet work of noticing, feeling, and creating with intention.

Start Here. Breathe Easier. Shoot Better.

Pick a tip. Try it today.
Let it guide your next frame—and your next breath.

  • Night sky with Big Dipper constellation above silhouetted trees on a farm

    How to Master Night Photography: Tips for Stunning Low Light Shots

    Discover the magic of capturing the night sky with our essential night photography tips. From planning your shot and choosing the right gear to composing stunning low light scenes, this guide will help you elevate your photography after dark. Featuring the hero image “Big Dipper Over the Farm”, this post is perfect for anyone looking…

  • Seascape photography - "Conimicut Point Sunrise". A fine art photograph of the point that extending into Narragansett Bay towards the Conimicut Point Lighthouse in Warwick, Rhode Island

    Tip 8 – Get Filtered: Control Light & Mood Like a Pro

    Not the silly cat-face filters—real glass filters that transform light and color. Explore graduated ND’s, circular polarizers, and magic-making morning light tools that elevate your images from ordinary to breathtaking.

  • Black and white photograph of Bodie Island Lighthouse standing tall against a dramatic sky, with textured sand and coastal grasses in the foreground.

    Tip 7 – Get Vertical: Changing Your Framing Game

    Put down the beer horizon—you’re drunk on ordinary! Learn why going vertical can turn a scene into a soaring experience, and how a simple change in frame can transform a snapshot into art.

  • Pink skies over Nokomis Beach, Florida, with gentle waves and soft sand, perfect for vertical photography inspiration.

    Tip 6 – Get Layers: Add Depth & Dimension to Your Photos

    our photos are flat without layers. Discover how building visual depth transforms a simple scene into a living story, letting viewers wander through your world, one layer at a time.

  • Low-angle view of a winter sunrise at Salter Grove, Rhode Island, capturing golden light reflecting off icy puddles and frost-covered rocks, with a dramatic perspective emphasizing the foreground and leading lines toward the horizon.

    Tip 5 – Get Low: Creative Perspectives for Stunning Shots

    Drop down, see the world from a new angle. Going lower isn’t just a tip—it’s a secret to creating depth, drama, and emotion in your landscapes. Dare to bend your viewpoint and watch your photography bloom.

  • Sunrise on the Rocks – Heart-shaped depression in rocks at the beach, morning sunlight reflecting off tide pools, photographed by Mike Dooley.

    Tip 4 – Get Close: Discover the Power of Intimate Composition

    Sometimes the story isn’t in the landscape—you have to get closer. Discover why leaning in transforms ordinary shots into extraordinary memories, and how a simple shift in perspective can make your photos unforgettable.

Mike Dooley standing on a sandy beach with the Atlantic Ocean and blue skies in the background, representing his seascape photography work.

Get in Touch

Your Journey Awaits

I’ve wandered the shorelines, captured the light, and yes—I drink way too much coffee. Let me help you create your story.

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