Bill Benoist

Think you need an expensive camera to make money with stock photography?

Think again.

In my latest video, I challenged myself to shoot stock photos with a Nikon Coolpix S220—an inexpensive point-and-shoot camera introduced back in 2009.

Then I walk you through my complete workflow: selecting photos in Lightroom Classic, using free AI tools to generate titles, descriptions, and keywords, and uploading everything to Adobe Stock and Shutterstock.

The biggest surprise? The entire process is much faster and easier than most photographers imagine.

If you've ever wondered whether stock photography could become a source of residual income during retirement—or you're curious to see what an older point-and-shoot camera can accomplish—I think you'll enjoy this video.


https://youtu.be/e1SAWjdipP8

4 days ago | [YT] | 0

Bill Benoist

Ever wish you could create that dreamy, intentional camera movement look without lugging around extra gear? 📸

This week I'm sharing my iPhone screen to show you two apps that make it ridiculously easy. The first, Slow Shutter, costs just $2.99 and lets you dial in motion blur from minimal all the way to maximum. I tested seven versions of the same shot side by side, and the difference is wild. Your phone stays completely still, but the app creates all that movement for you.

Then I bring a couple of those shots into Snapseed, which is 100% free, and show you how to layer in a double exposure effect. Overlay mode is my favorite. It gives your images a painterly, unexpected feel without ever opening Lightroom or Photoshop.

If you've ever wanted to experiment with ICM but weren't ready to commit to gear, this one's for you.

Watch the full video now and let me know what you create! 👇

https://youtu.be/qsI3rNch7pY

1 week ago | [YT] | 1

Bill Benoist

Ever wonder if your photos could pay you back long after you take them?

In my latest video, I'm breaking down something a little different — stock photography as a real, realistic residual income stream for retirees (and anyone building income that doesn't require clocking in every day).

I'm not talking get-rich-quick. I'm talking about the same principle that keeps this channel earning years after a video goes live: do the work once, let it keep paying you back.

Inside the video, I cover:

✅ What to shoot (and what to avoid) for stock sales
✅ The best platforms to start with
✅ Why your gear is probably already good enough
✅ The real math behind building a portfolio that compounds over time

If you're retired, approaching retirement, or just want your photography to work harder for you — this one's worth 15 minutes of your time.

Click here to watch: https://youtu.be/EuWO-HU958I

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 3

Bill Benoist

What happens when you give yourself a photography assignment with no expectations?

I recently took on a Shutterobi quest called Shooting Through Something. The goal was simple — photograph subjects through another object. Leaves, fences, windows, grasses, even a car wash.

I captured 350 images and only kept six. That's a 2% success rate. And honestly? It was one of my most rewarding shoots ever.

Here's what surprised me most. I didn't find inspiration first and then go take pictures. Instead, I started shooting, and inspiration showed up along the way. My quick 30-minute walk turned into three hours outdoors with my camera.

That's the real lesson. Creativity isn't waiting for you at home. It's discovered halfway through the walk with your camera already in hand.

Sometimes all you need is a simple assignment to completely unlock your vision.
Want to see the images and hear the full story? Click here to check out my latest video:

https://youtu.be/eUByT0Yuz6s

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 2

Bill Benoist

Ever wonder why your in-camera multiple exposures don't always turn out the way you expected?

One small setting could be making all the difference: the blending mode.

In my latest video, I compare all four blending modes—Additive, Average, Light, and Dark—using the exact same subject so you can clearly see how each one changes the final image.

It's one thing to read about these modes, but seeing the results side by side makes the differences much easier to understand.

I also share practical tips on when each blending mode works best, whether you're creating dreamy artistic images, dramatic silhouettes, or bold textured compositions.

If you've been curious about multiple exposures or want to get more creative with your camera, I think you'll find this video helpful.

https://youtu.be/2hDKhnv6pEI

1 month ago | [YT] | 2

Bill Benoist

Have you ever wondered how much a lens can change the way you see the same flower?

Recently, I visited the beautiful San Jose Municipal Rose Garden and brought along three Lensbaby lenses: the Velvet 56, the Composer Pro with Sweet 50 Optic, and the Twist 28.

I photographed the same roses under similar conditions and selected 18 images—6 from each lens—to share in this video.

The results surprised me. Each lens created a completely different look and feel, from dreamy softness to selective focus and swirling backgrounds.

What's interesting is that this isn't about finding a "best" lens. Instead, it's about discovering which creative style speaks to you as a photographer.

Watch the video, compare the images, and then let me know in the comments:

https://youtu.be/V7ku_g9oY2c

1 month ago | [YT] | 4

Bill Benoist

What happens when you intentionally move your camera during a long exposure?

Sometimes you get complete failures. Other times, you create images that look more like paintings than photographs.

In this week's video, I took a simple subject, a black backdrop, and experimented with several Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) techniques—including horizontal, vertical, circular, and zoom movements. I also tested different shutter speeds to see how dramatically the results would change.

Some of the images were so dark I almost deleted them. But after a little work in Lightroom, a few unexpected favorites emerged.

If you've ever been curious about ICM photography—or wondered how photographers create those dreamy, abstract images—this video will show you exactly what happened during my experiment.

🎥 Watch the video and see which technique produced my favorite result! Which ICM style would you try first? 👇📸

https://youtu.be/mSZvwP315_U

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 3

Bill Benoist

📷 You don't need expensive gear to create stunning photos!

In my latest video, I'm breaking down one of my favorite creative techniques — Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) — and showing you how ANYONE can do it, even with just an iPhone.

We're talking:
✅ What to look for when shooting ICM
✅ Settings that actually work
✅ Movement techniques that create jaw-dropping results
✅ How to combine ICM with multiple exposures

Whether you're brand new to photography, picking it back up after years away, or just looking to get more creative with your camera, this one's for you.

I've been passionate about photography of the unusual since I was 19 years old — and ICM brings all of that creativity back in the most accessible way possible.

🎬 Watch the full video now — link below!

https://youtu.be/swg_A5B733E

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 5

Bill Benoist

I recently discovered a photographer whose images stopped me in my tracks.

His work combines Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) and Multiple Exposures in a way I had never seen before. The results look less like photographs and more like paintings filled with emotion, movement, and imagination.

What makes his story even more interesting? Out of more than 59,000 photographers in a popular ICM community, he was selected as one of only 29 Group Experts.

In my latest video, I sit down with Austrian photographer Andreas Fink to discuss his creative journey, his approach to ICM and Multiple Exposures, and the mindset behind creating such unique images. You'll also see some of his incredible work and learn how he builds his artistic photographs.

If you're interested in creative photography, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

🎥 Watch the video and let me know which image inspires you the most!

https://youtu.be/aCQs7eKTW_U

1 month ago | [YT] | 5

Bill Benoist

Ever wonder how a simple photo challenge can spark a completely creative idea?

In this week’s video, I take you behind the scenes of a fun Shutterobi photo quest called “Something with Sugar in It.” What started as one idea in a grocery store cereal aisle turned into two completely different creative photography projects — including floating sugar cubes captured in-camera with my Fuji X-T5.

I’ll show you:

• How I brainstorm photo concepts
• Why backup ideas matter in photography
• A simple Google Images trick for inspiration
• My Lightroom + Photoshop workflow
• How I created an action shot using burst mode and a self-timer

And the best part? Some of these shots were created with tools you already have, including an iPhone.

If you enjoy photography, creativity, and trying new ideas just for the fun of it, I think you’ll really enjoy this one.

https://youtu.be/uHgEyfHgC-w

2 months ago | [YT] | 3