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Digital Photo Mentor

Darlene Hildebrandt

With over 35 years of experience as a professional photographer, Darlene provides photography education for beginner to intermediate photographers - from capture in-camera through to the editing process and the final image. Regular free photography tips and articles, video tutorials, and online courses are available on her website. Check out her photo editing tutorials on YouTube and her popular Luminar Neo online course (the only education you need to master Luminar Neo and your photo processing skills).

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Featured Post

The Photo Muse by DPM - Film, Flowers, and Fabulous Updates

Hi Reader, Fun and random fact about Darlene I have been doing photography since I was about 13 when my parents gave me a Yashica 35mm film camera. My first one! It was similar to the one below, I even had a case like this. That camera got me started on a lifelong journey and love affair with photography. I took photos of my dog and my family, and when I got to high school I was in the photography club and took yearbook photos. A two-year photography program at our local technical school was...

about 1 month ago • 4 min read

Hi Reader, Fun and random fact about Darlene If you've watched any of our livestreams or attended any of my webinars, you may already know that we have two cats that we love to pieces. But you may not know I was deathly allergic to them most of my life and had to avoid even being in the room with a cat. With the assistance of some alternative treatments (by my chiropractor no less), cats are no longer an issue for me. Now they sleep with me, on me, and I regularly snuggle my face in their...

about 1 month ago • 4 min read

Hello Reader! Fun and random fact about Darlene I'll share something about myself each week that you might not know. Here is this week's fun fact: You may know I'm not tall, but did you know that I'm only 5'0"? My husband, Rob, is 6"2" so we make quite a pair. What I lack in height I more than make up for in volume (voice). Just ask any of my part photo tour participants. ;-) Me and Rob in Bisbee, AZ copper mine circa 2010. At the Biosphere 2 in Tucson, AZ. Early in my photography career, I...

about 2 months ago • 3 min read
The Photo Muse Photography Tips Newsletter

Hi Reader, Welcome to week 11, I can't believe we're already this far into 2024! Do you like the new banner at the top of the email? I thought the old camera and typewriter in the image just screamed "photography newsletter" and fit with the name. I designed the banner, and am pretty proud of it, if I do say so myself. ;-) FAQs Answered The following are some questions that have come in from new subscribers to this newsletter. Here is a short answer for each and some additional resources to...

about 2 months ago • 5 min read

Hello Reader, This week in the Photo Muse, I've got a couple of great new videos for you, some Sony award-winning images, more of your questions answered and a survey to get your opinion on something we're considering doing. Side note, what do you think of the new name for the newsletter - Photo Muse? It's a play on the word news, and the dictionary defines muse as "an inspiration" which I hope that this email is for you each week. Videos for you to watch Let's start with videos. Last Sunday...

2 months ago • 5 min read

Hi Reader This week I have some great tips and tutorials for you that will help you become a master of both light and the ever-elusive - layers! First up is a new article by guest author and portrait photographer, Eldeen Pickett on creating fabulous portraits with just one light! It's not as hard as you might think and you don't need a lot of fancy or expensive gear. Check it out - you can even do this in your living room! Second, is another tutorial about using light, but this time in the...

3 months ago • 1 min read

Hello Reader, I wanted to make sure you knew about the live editing topic I will be covering today because it's one of the things I get asked about the most and that is . . . Working with layers and how to make a photo composite out of two or more images combined into one. This is a YouTube event which means it's no charge for you to come watch and join in the chat. All you have to do is CLICK HERE or on the video image above at the scheduled time which is 4 pm EST (2 pm MST, 1 pm PST, 9 pm...

3 months ago • 1 min read

Hello Reader, Have you been using Lightroom for a while now? How confident are you in using it? Do you think you know Lightroom pretty well? If so, answer the following questions and see how you make out (the answers are at the end of this email). Keep in mind that if you get less than 100%, don't beat yourself up. Just keep reading the rest of the email to find out how you can level up your editing skills and save! The DPM December Event is now on - save up to 60%! Lightroom Classic Quiz 20...

5 months ago • 6 min read

Hello Reader, Are you like me? Do you tend to collect camera bags? Is your closet full of bags that you bought and only used once or twice? Are you still in search of the elusive "perfect camera bag"? Or maybe you really just need a new or bigger one? If you said yes to any of those questions then I have just the thing for you! How To Find the Best Camera Bag for Your Needs There are a lot of options and different kinds of bags. Go read the article now to get some help choosing the best one...

6 months ago • 1 min read

Hello Reader, If you live in the northern hemisphere then you may have already noticed the leaves changing color. So this week I have some creative ideas to help you get motivated just by walking out into your own yard! 15 Creative Ideas for Photographing Your Own Garden Click the image to read the article now These quick tips will get you thinking outside the box. The beautiful thing here is that your subject is literally in your backyard (or you can find a nearby park or garden). So if you...

8 months ago • 1 min read
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