Todd Takes Pictures | Substack

Look At All Those Stars!

Oracle State Park Dark Skies Star Party

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Cameras As Conversation Starters

Jan 25

Birds, Butterflies, Art, and a Creek Through the Desert

Feb 10 • Todd Takes Pictures

Why Would I Even Want To Be Popular On Social Media?

Nov 6, 2025 • Todd Takes Pictures

We Got On an Airplane to Freeze Our Butts Off in Chicago ... But it was Worth It

Jan 23

Recent posts

Birds, Butterflies, Art, and a Creek Through the Desert

Sonoita Creek, Tubac Art Festival, and Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

Feb 10 • Todd Takes Pictures

Towering Cumulus in the Morning

B&W 2026 38/365

Feb 8 • Todd Takes Pictures

Right Where I'm Supposed To Be

Reflecting on a journey from Hawaii to the Air Force and now Arizona. I’m finding my "sweet spot" on Substack by prioritizing real connections over…

Feb 6

A Teenager's Dream Car

B&W 2026 36/365

Feb 5 • Todd Takes Pictures

B&W 2026 35/365

Feb 4 • Todd Takes Pictures

The Profit Margin On Bottled Water Is Insane

B&W 2026 34/365

Feb 3 • Todd Takes Pictures

Todd Takes Pictures

Todd Takes Pictures

Daily posts to my Notes feed. Also occasional blog posts about photography, birding, hiking, weather, culture, personal growth, and family or military stories from my past. One or two emails a week to those who subscribe.

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Photography

Look At All Those Stars!

Oracle State Park Dark Skies Star Party - capturing images of the night sky with a Pixel phone in astrophotography mode.

Feb 15

Cameras As Conversation Starters

Discover how carrying a camera acts as a natural conversation starter. Read how photography helps introverts connect with strangers, from Arizona to…

Jan 25

Turning an Unused Phone into an Extra Digital Camera

I turned my spare OnePlus 12 into a dedicated B&W camera. Discover how Hasselblad XPAN mode creates stunning, film-like panoramas without editing

Jan 6

Landscapes at Sunrise

As I was recently going through my archives to put together a portfolio of my best/favorite images, it occurred to me that even though I have lived in…

Jan 4

Pictures at the Poker Table

My two favorite hobbies at the same time, and when it comes to "street type" candid people pictures, you'll have a hard time finding better expressions…

Jan 3

Developing Perspective: How Pictures Changed My View

This ostensibly a 2025 Year in Review post. But it's also about how reflecting on our photos can impact our mood and attitude.

Dec 31, 2025 • Todd Takes Pictures

How To Capture and Edit Bird Pictures

Improve your bird photography with these practical field tips and simple Lightroom editing tricks. From gear advice to removing noise, here is what…

Dec 27, 2025 • Todd Takes Pictures

Dark Skies and Endless Stars

Solstice Star Watching at Chiricahua National Monument

Dec 21, 2025 • Todd Takes Pictures

Hiking

Birds, Butterflies, Art, and a Creek Through the Desert

Sonoita Creek, Tubac Art Festival, and Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

Feb 10 • Todd Takes Pictures

Why Don't I See More Snakes?

Most hikers dread seeing snakes, but I’m disappointed if I don't. Here is a photographic tour of my recent reptile encounters in Southeast Arizona.

Dec 11, 2025 • Todd Takes Pictures

Flagstaff and Sedona Roadtrip(s)

Planning a road trip north? From Devil’s Bridge to the West Fork of Oak Creek, here are some of our favorite hikes, scenic drives, and photo spots in…

Dec 5, 2025 • Todd Takes Pictures

How Do You Define "Hiking"?

"Can a slow-paced photographer keep up with a summit-chasing partner?

Nov 30, 2025 • Todd Takes Pictures and Kelly

Wild Horses Couldn't Keep Us Away

We almost turned back! See how a rainy detour led to an incredible encounter with wild horses at the Salt River north of Phoenix.

Nov 26, 2025 • Todd Takes Pictures and Kelly

Find The Hidden Treasures All Around You

Think you need an exotic location for adventure? Discover how a move to Lawton, Oklahoma taught me to find hidden treasures and wildlife in my own…

Nov 19, 2025 • Todd Takes Pictures

Every Hike Doesn't Need An Elaborate Plan

A nice evening walk around the pond.

Nov 7, 2025 • Todd Takes Pictures

My Favorite "Hard" Hike in the Huachuca Mountains

No owls, but still a great time in Scheelite Canyon!

Nov 4, 2025 • Todd Takes Pictures and Kelly

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