August 2025 DPA Newsletter
August 2025 DPA Newsletter:
Meet Jonathan Martine, Newest Hudson Valley Instructor
Photo Tips from Facebook Members’ Best Shots
Behind the Scenes at Digital Photo Academy HQ
August FinerWorks Winners!
Photo by Jonathan Martine, our newest Digital Photo Academy instructor in the Hudson Valley! Read on for an introduction to Jonathan and some of insightful photo tips he pulled from followers on our social media pages.
August lingers with vibrant colors, long shadows, and a hint of transition. As summer begins to wind down, the light softens, the colors deepen, and the days invite reflection as much as exploration. Whether you’re capturing late-summer blooms, golden-hour portraits, or the quiet before the seasonal shift, August offers a final burst of vibrancy—perfect for thoughtful, intentional photography.
Digital Photo Academy is pleased to bring you the latest updates and photography inspiration in our monthly newsletter. This is all made possible by our valued sponsor, Finerworks.
New Instructor Announcement!
Meet Jonathan Martine, Our Newest Digital Photo Academy Photography Instructor in the Hudson Valley
We’re excited to welcome Jonathan Martine, the newest instructor on the Digital Photo Academy team in the Hudson Valley, NY. For 20 years, DPA has partnered with pro photographers in 24 cities across North America to lead small-group and private live workshops. Since our instructors teach where they live, they know the best local photo spots, seasonal events, private access, and other hidden gems.
Jonathan is no exception. A lifelong photographer and experienced teacher, his passion began in childhood and evolved into a successful freelance career.
His portfolio includes work from Los Angeles, Phoenix, Chicago, and New York City—but he’s especially connected to the Hudson Valley, where he lives and works today. His style is rooted in capturing natural, unscripted moments. Whether he’s photographing people, places, or architecture, every image tells a story.
Primer of the Month
Each month, we share a primer with insights from our instructors across the continent. It’s a chance to learn from experienced photographers and see how they approach their craft, through tips, advice, and a behind-the-scenes look at their photography.
This month, we’re handing it off to our newest instructor, Jonathan Martine.
Photo Breakdown with Jonathan Martine
A look at standout shots from our Facebook groups:
(Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs & Digital Photo Academy Community)
By Digital Photo Academy Instructor Jonathan Martine in the Hudson Valley
Jonathan tells us:
“It’s an absolute joy to lead both group and private workshops in the Hudson Valley community. Anyone who’s spent time in this part of New York knows it’s full of visual treasures—historic architecture dating back to the American Revolution, scenic mountain views, waterfalls, wildlife, dramatic sculpture gardens, and more.
Yes, I enjoy teaching, demonstrating, and guiding—but I also love learning from the people who attend these workshops and post on our social media.
Below are some great examples of photo techniques and creative choices, all posted by members of our Digital Photo Academy social media pages—this batch coming from our Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs and Digital Photo Academy Community
Facebook groups. These images offer solid advice just by looking at them, and they come straight from our followers.
We search every day for strong examples of thoughtful photography and never have trouble finding them. Who knows—maybe the next newsletter will feature your photo and caption!”
1) LOOK FOR SHADOWS AND KEEP AN EYE ON THE FLEETING SUN
Lighting is one of the most important tools in a photographer’s arsenal. Waiting for the right shadows can add depth and feeling to your image. Here, we can see the shadow of the horn fall nicely on the beautiful fur of the beast.
Be careful, though—you need to check the clouds relative to their proximity to the sun to avoid snapping the shutter just as a cloud floats past and blocks the sunlight. Otherwise, you risk losing the interesting shadow formation that caught your attention in the first place.
*Click here to go directly to this post on Facebook!*
2) LOOK FOR THE STORY, RULE OF THIRDS, LEADING LINES
Every good image should tell some sort of story or evoke emotion. In this shot, we see a visual connection between the person looking into the void of the doorway and the dove ascending. Being observant of everyday moments often results in finding special photos like this one.
Additionally, the spatial relationship of the little bird in the upper right of the frame and the man in the lower left draws the viewer’s eye diagonally across the image. This creates a more engaging interaction between the two subjects and supports the overall story. The rest of the image is mostly composed of shapes forming vertical Leading Lines that frame and support this visual interaction.
*Click here to go directly to this post on Facebook!*
3) RULE OF THIRDS AND NEGATIVE SPACE
A classic staple of good composition, the Rule of thirds is a great guidepost when framing your shot. Here, we see where the dune, sand hill, and snow meet along the bottom third, as well as the dead trees positioned along a vertical third—creating a balanced, simple, and compelling picture.
The main subject stands out because the rest of the image is made up of simple, repeating patterns. The snow in the bottom third and the sand in the top two-thirds are both consistent in color and texture, which creates negative space. That empty, uniform space makes the tree more noticeable and draws the viewer’s attention right to it.
Placing the subject in the dead center can work, but positioning it off to one side often creates a more visually engaging image. Sometimes, this also allows for a secondary element that adds context or detail to the main subject. For example, if a person is standing where the dead tree is in our example photo, placing them off-center lets you include something like a dog running in the corner. That small detail might make the viewer wonder if the dog escaped from its owner, adding an extra layer of story to the scene.
The beauty of the rule of thirds is that it encourages off-center composition, making room for background elements that enhance a story.
*Click here to go directly to this post on Facebook!*
4) LEADING LINES
Another tried-and-true technique, Leading Lines help guide the viewer’s eye to where you want them to look. These lines often appear in roads, walkways, architecture, and piers—like this one. But they can be any regular shape in a linear formation! If you choose, they can even be unexpected—like a row of detergent boxes in a grocery aisle.
In this image, even the cables descending from above to the railings help guide your eye into the scene and toward the lighthouse.
We’re naturally curious about where the path leads, which helps engage the audience. In this image, the viewer is led deep into the frame, starting at the base with the walkway and guideposts, continuing all the way to the lighthouse at the horizon.
*Click here to go directly to this post on Facebook!*
5) GOING MACRO
Opting for a very tight focal length can result in dynamic, abstract, and beautiful compositions. Here, we see incredible detail in a sunflower. Combined with the black-and-white treatment, it feels almost like a abstract piece of art—with compelling twists and turns.
Even a significantly cropped photo can become a powerful portrait. Kudos to April Drake Mason for capturing a commonly photographed subject in a fresh, exciting way that gives us a new way of seeing it.
*Click here to go directly to this post on Facebook!*
| Thanks so much to all of our talented followers across our social media platforms: |
| Digital Photo Academy on Facebook (120,000 followers): https://www.facebook.com/DigitalPhotoAcademy/ |
| Digital Photo Academy on Instagram (9,500 followers): https://www.instagram.com/digitalphotoacademy/ |
| “Digital Photo Academy Community” Facebook Group (14,400 members): https://www.facebook.com/groups/650333775315623 (You can join and post here—and you might even win a prize from our sponsor, FinerWorks!) |
| “Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs” Facebook Group (30,800 members): https://www.facebook.com/groups/999313021058041 (You can join and post here—and you might even win a prize from our sponsor, FinerWorks!) |
New: Digital Photo Academy Student Testimonials Collection
Since 2006, Digital Photo Academy has offered hands-on photography workshops in 24 cities across North America.
Over the years, we’ve received more than 1,200 student testimonials—real stories from people who’ve learned and grown through our practical, community-based approach.
We’ve recently compiled them into a single, easy-to-browse document.
Whether you’re a curious newcomer or a longtime supporter, it’s a great way to see what makes our workshops so special.
👉 We don’t expect you to read all 1,200 of them—but you can click here to browse the full collection.
Scenes From Digital Photo Academy HQ
Here’s a quick behind the scenes video at Digital Photo Academy HQ—just a regular day of juggling schedules, answering emails, and planning upcoming workshops…plus one very opinionated team member who thinks they run the place 😺.
And later, after a brief rainstorm at the headquarters, we were delighted to welcome two unexpected visitors.
We managed to frame their arrival with a few purple flowers on the right—an inviting perch often shared by butterflies and hummingbirds. The yellow blooms at the base of the scene added a bright, balanced touch.
August FinerWorks Award Winners
Every month, our judges select 2 of our social media members to receive an HD Metal print of one of their photos, printed by our sponsor Finerworks.
We choose one winner from each of our Facebook groups:
“Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs” and “Digital Photo Academy Community”
| Posted on our “Digital Photo Academy Community” Facebook group by Margret Hoang: |
| Posted on our “Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs” Facebook group by Chad Meyer: |
Live Photography Classes in 24 Cities
Access the live cities page on our website to explore upcoming photo workshops in your area. Elevate your photography skills with help from our experienced instructors in interactive sessions!
Our Social Media
Connect, share, and spread cheer! Join our Facebook groups to participate in our monthly prize contests in collaboration with Finerworks.
Facebook Groups:
“Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs” and “Digital Photo Academy Community”
Main Pages:
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