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

9 hours ago | [YT] | 1

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

1 week ago | [YT] | 3

Bill Benoist

Ever take a photo and feel like your subject just gets lost?

In this short video, I walk through a simple composition technique called figure to ground—and once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

It’s all about making your subject stand out by removing distractions and guiding the viewer’s eye exactly where you want it to go.

I break it down using real examples and show three easy ways to apply it:

• Strong contrast (especially black & white)
• Beautiful background blur (bokeh)
• Clean, minimal scenes

If your photos ever feel too busy or lack a clear focal point, this one small shift can make a big difference.

Take a look—it might completely change how you frame your next shot.

https://youtu.be/EGcdiqiEPJ8

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 5

Bill Benoist

Ever look around and think there’s nothing interesting to photograph? 📷

What if I told you some of the best images are hiding in the everyday patterns right outside your door?

In this week’s short 4-minute lesson, I show you how repetition in shapes, lines, textures, and colors can instantly make your photos more compelling. From pipes and fences to kitchen tiles and cactus plants, patterns are everywhere once you start noticing them.

But here’s where it gets really creative… sometimes the most powerful image comes from breaking the pattern on purpose.

I also share a few of my own creative examples, including multiple exposures and intentional camera movement, to help you see ordinary subjects in a whole new way.
If you want a simple composition tip that can quickly improve your photography, this one is worth watching.

https://youtu.be/KPBkTg3qLeA

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 4

Bill Benoist

Do you ever feel like there’s nothing worth photographing where you live?

I used to believe that too. It’s easy to look around your neighborhood, your street… even your own home… and think it’s all just too ordinary to matter.

But what if the problem isn’t where you live… it’s how you’re seeing it?

In my latest video, I share a simple idea that completely changed the way I approach photography. It opened my eyes to things I had been walking past every single day without noticing. No travel. No special locations. No “perfect” subjects.

In fact, this shift can start with something as simple—and unexpected—as what’s sitting in your kitchen right now.

Once you start seeing things differently, everything changes. You begin to notice light, texture, shapes… and moments that were always there, just waiting for you to slow down and see them.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or like your environment is holding you back, I made this video for you.

https://youtu.be/HQ4nIZcQDSE

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 2

Bill Benoist

Last week I went on a photo quest for leading lines… and now I’m taking it a step further.

In this new video, I dive into one of the most powerful (and misunderstood) parts of photography—composition and framing.

Most people know the Rule of Thirds… but have you ever heard of the Golden Ratio or the Golden Spiral?

I’ll be honest—I didn’t learn these back when I first studied photography. But once I discovered them, they completely changed how I look at my photos.
In this video, I walk you through a real example using a lighthouse shot along the California coast. I show you how to:

• Improve your composition in seconds
• Use Lightroom to fix framing after the shot
• And most importantly… when it’s okay to break the “rules”

Because here’s the truth: these aren’t rigid rules—they’re guidelines. Once you understand them, you can break them on purpose.

If you want your photos to feel more intentional and impactful, you don’t want to miss this one.

https://youtu.be/dcgk54V6UL4

1 month ago | [YT] | 4

Bill Benoist

Have you ever noticed how some photos just draw you in? In my latest video, I go on a photo quest for leading lines— a powerful tool in photography that guides the viewer’s eye through an image.

From bridges to shorelines, fences to shadows, leading lines are everywhere—and I show you how I found them right in my own backyard at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

I also share some of my creative photography using intentional camera movement and multiple exposures, showing how even basic composition rules can spark something extraordinary.

Whether you’re a beginner or a hobbyist, this video is full of inspiration to take your photography up a notch.

Curious to see how these lines transform a scene? Click over to watch the full photo quest and get some tips that might just change the way you see the world through your lens.


https://youtu.be/WAfPwCSwEa4

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 4

Bill Benoist

I’ve been revisiting the very first creative lens that really changed how I see photography—and I’ll be honest; I didn’t fully appreciate it until now.

After exploring the Velvet 56 and the Twist 28, I went back to the Composer Pro Sweet 50… and something clicked.

There’s one feature on this lens that completely shifts how you compose a photo. It lets you control focus in a way that feels almost artistic—like you’re guiding the viewer’s eye exactly where you want it to go.

I also took it out for a week and captured everything from flowers to street shots—and some of the results surprised me.

If you enjoy creative photography… or you’ve ever felt stuck shooting the same way… this might open up something new for you.

Curious what makes this lens so different?

Watch the video and see what it can really do.


https://youtu.be/92XPr9X5hmI

1 month ago | [YT] | 6

Bill Benoist

I just tried a brand-new lens… and it surprised me.

I took the Lensbaby Twist 28 out for its very first shoot, and I wasn’t expecting this level of ease—especially with manual focus. Even better, the images have a unique look that feels more emotional than technical.

Some shots worked beautifully. A few didn’t turn out the way I imagined. And one photo? It completely changed how I see this lens.

I also tested it in a few different situations—including a “portrait” experiment that didn’t quite go as planned (you’ll see why).

If you’re curious about affordable gear, creative photography, or just want to see what this lens can really do in real-world use, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

Watch the video and tell me what you think—especially about that swirling background effect.

https://youtu.be/vK9jAo6ksTE

1 month ago | [YT] | 6

Bill Benoist

I just picked up a lens I’ve been curious about for a long time… and it completely challenged the way I shoot.

This week I took the Lensbaby Velvet 56 out for a spin—and I’ll be honest; it’s not your typical lens. It forced me to slow down, rethink my distance, and really lean into creativity.

What surprised me most? The “sweet spot” wasn’t where I expected… and getting that dreamy look took more experimentation than I thought.

I also put it to the test shooting roses and wildflowers, using only in-camera settings—no Photoshop, no heavy edits.

If you enjoy creative photography, soft dreamy backgrounds, or just trying something different, I think you’ll find this one interesting.

And yes… I also picked up another lens this week that I’ll be sharing next.

Curious how this one performed—and whether it lived up to the hype?

Watch the video and see what I discovered.

https://youtu.be/cKXxMx5W--Q

2 months ago | [YT] | 5