Bill Benoist

Sometimes the best surprises come from the mistakes we never meant to make.

I recently thought I had found an incredible deal on a Ricoh GR III. After waiting nearly a month for it to arrive, I discovered I had actually purchased a Ricoh GR Digital III—a completely different camera.

At first, I was disappointed. Then something unexpected happened. Instead of focusing on what I didn't get, I began appreciating what I did.

That little camera has become one I carry almost every day, and it's reminded me that photography isn't about having the newest gear. It's about slowing down, noticing the world around us, and finding joy in the moments we might otherwise miss.

In my newest video, I share the whole story and the lesson I learned along the way. I hope you'll watch it, and I'd love to hear if you've ever had a purchase—or even a life experience—that turned out better than you expected.

You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/LJcWkpSGsX4

5 days ago | [YT] | 2

Bill Benoist

Ever feel jealous scrolling through photos from Iceland or Patagonia while you're shooting flowers in your own backyard? You're not alone, and this week's video tackles that feeling head-on.

A few years ago, I took a Yale course on the science of happiness, and one lesson completely changed how I think about photography: our brains are wired to compare us to people who seem to have more money, more gear, and more opportunities. That comparison is quietly stealing the joy out of your creative work.

In this video, I break down why new gear never makes us happy for long, why chasing exotic locations misses the point of art, and how I've learned to find meaning in the photographs that are available to me, close to home.

If you've ever wondered whether your photography still matters without the dream trip or the expensive lens, this one is for you.

Watch the full video now and let me know in the comments what you're grateful for in your own photography journey.

https://youtu.be/0KwgGcxdGdM

1 week ago | [YT] | 0

Bill Benoist

Ever grab your camera, wander around for an hour, and drive home thinking... that wasn't really worth it? 📷

I used to feel that all the time — until I discovered the one thing that changed everything: having a photo project.

It's not complicated. Just pick one subject or theme — old barns, waterfalls, abandoned places, vintage signs, whatever pulls you in — and commit to photographing it over time. Suddenly you stop wandering aimlessly and start noticing details most people walk right past. That's when your own style really starts to show up.

In this week's video, I share why photo projects are so powerful, the two projects I'm currently working on myself, and how one friend turned years of shooting into a published book.

If you've ever felt stuck on what to photograph, this one's for you. 👇

https://youtu.be/k0LTBzncOdM

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 1

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

3 weeks 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 month 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

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

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

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

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

2 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 3