Welcome to the Shutter Blog, a collection of hiking guides, desert exploration stories, in-depth gear reviews, and ongoing film photography projects based in Phoenix and throughout the Southwest. This blog documents real trail experiences across Arizona, from sunrise summit hikes and Sonoran Desert routes to climbing areas and lesser-known day trips. You’ll also find hands-on reviews of cameras, lenses, and outdoor photography equipment, along with reflections on analogue film work and long-form creative projects. Whether you are searching for Arizona hiking recommendations, photography locations, trail guides, or practical gear insights, this archive is designed to help you explore with intention and document the landscape with confidence.
Each print is created from an original photograph taken on location. No AI-generated imagery is used in my work.
Arizona Photography Blog | Hiking, Gear Reviews, and Film Projects
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Switching to the Nikon Z7II for DSLR Film Scanning
I replaced my Canon EOS M6 Mark II with a Nikon Z7II to handle both my professional photography and DSLR film scanning. The result? Higher resolution, cleaner scans, and a few setup challenges.
Finding the Light…Source (and 3D Printed Film Holders)
Starting my DSLR film scanning journey with a 3D printed holder and LED light pad, I learned a lot about light leaks, dust control, and alignment. Here’s what worked — and what didn’t.
Skip the Scanner: My DIY Copy Stand Setup
High-resolution lab scans are expensive — so I built a camera scanning setup at home. Here’s how I made a sturdy, modular copy stand using aluminum extrusions and a macro rail.