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 day ago | [YT] | 3

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 week 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

2 weeks 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

3 weeks 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

1 month ago | [YT] | 5

Bill Benoist

Have you ever reached a point in life where your passion starts calling you in a new direction?

In this week’s video, I’m sharing a very personal update about the journey of this channel—from career coaching to retirement purpose, and now a deeper focus on what truly lights me up: photography.

This has been a channel of growth, reinvention, and new beginnings for more than three years, and once again, it’s evolving. I’m opening up about why I’m making this shift, what it means for the future of the channel, and how passion can continue to shape our lives in retirement.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to follow what excites you most, even later in life, I think this video will really resonate with you.

I’d love for you to watch and come along with me on this next chapter behind the camera.

What passion are you embracing right now? Let me know in the comments after you watch the video.

https://youtu.be/nO2B8pBBn70

1 month ago | [YT] | 7

Bill Benoist

Have you ever wondered if a hobby from earlier in life could become something meaningful—and even profitable—in retirement?

In this week’s video, I share how photography found its way back into my life after more than 40 years. What began as a forgotten passion from my photojournalism days has become one of the most exciting parts of my retirement journey.

I also talk about several ways photography can grow into a rewarding side income after retirement—from event photography and stock photos to photo walks, workshops, real estate images, and even corporate headshots.

The best part? I truly believe age is an advantage. Life experience, patience, and the trust that comes with maturity can open doors that younger photographers may not have.

If you’ve ever thought about turning a passion into a purpose-filled side hustle, this video may give you some ideas and inspiration.

Watch the video and let me know: could photography be part of your next chapter?

https://youtu.be/tMS-0tGDQeI

1 month ago | [YT] | 5

Bill Benoist

Have you ever wondered if a hobby from earlier in life could become something meaningful—and even profitable—in retirement?

In this week’s video, I share how photography found its way back into my life after more than 40 years. What began as a forgotten passion from my photojournalism days has become one of the most exciting parts of my retirement journey.

I also talk about several ways photography can grow into a rewarding side income after retirement—from event photography and stock photos to photo walks, workshops, real estate images, and even corporate headshots.

The best part? I truly believe age is an advantage. Life experience, patience, and the trust that comes with maturity can open doors that younger photographers may not have.

If you’ve ever thought about turning a passion into a purpose-filled side hustle, this video may give you some ideas and inspiration.

Watch the video and let me know: could photography be part of your next chapter?

https://youtu.be/tMS-0tGDQeI

1 month ago | [YT] | 8

Bill Benoist

I’ve been talking a lot about going back to work in retirement—resumes, interviews, LinkedIn… all of that.

But there’s something I haven’t really touched on until now… and that’s taking a passion or hobby and turning it into income.

It’s something many of us think about. You get better at something you enjoy—photography, music, crafts—and you start to wonder, “Could I actually make money doing this?”

In this video, I share a personal example I’ve been thinking through myself, along with a simple way to test the idea without going all in.

Because there’s a real tradeoff here.

The moment a hobby becomes an obligation… it can stop feeling like something you get to do and start feeling like something you have to do.

So how do you explore the opportunity without losing the joy?

I walk through a practical 90-day approach that can help you find that answer for yourself.

If you’re in retirement and thinking about doing more with something you love, this is an important conversation.

🎥 Watch the full video to see if this approach is right for you.

https://youtu.be/eIU_GrGqqXc

1 month ago | [YT] | 12

Bill Benoist

But here's what I've learned: asking "what if" is dangerous. The real question is "what now?"

In this video, I share how Darren Hardy's "Compound Effect" changed my perspective on time and commitment. That magic penny doubling daily? It's a powerful metaphor for what consistent effort can achieve—even starting today.

Whether your passion is photography, music, golf, or something else entirely, it's never too late to restart your journey.

Watch the full video to discover why the next 10 years matter more than the last 40.


https://youtu.be/1Ytot1uolak

1 month ago | [YT] | 4