THE FINAL COMMANDMENT –
THOU SHALT
PLAY IT FORWARD

Thanks for visiting my site. I have spent over thirty years discovering and practicing photography as an architect and media designer. Without question, I owe an extreme debt of gratitude to those who mentored me along the way and taught me what matters.

 Listening and watching students of all ages at our events speaks to the effectiveness of hands-on learning and understanding what still matters… From a Little League championship team, to weekend youth baseball tournaments, the photographic stories and memories are there for the taking. Bleachers full of emotion, expectations and parents. Our most treasured personal photographs were shot by someone else.  PLAY THEM FORWARD …

Dan Watts   480 741 5060   Scottsdale, Arizona
dan@nextworldmedia.com

THE HIDEAWAY – CAVE CREEK, ARIZONA
I constantly remind my Workshop students of the need to ‘live in the moment’ as amazing scenes selectively present themselves to the observant photographer. Everyone has stories of this happening to them. And it always comes down to their ability to immediately evaluate, respond and capture the shot.

In this case, the gleaming chrome and vivid colors were impossible to miss. The scene was absolutely perfect, right under the big Hideaway sign with rows of parked bikes in front of an overflow crowd. Took three quick, wide shots before the bike’s owner appeared and left. I was gifted an opportunity to epitomize  
ARIZONA’S WILD WEST…

CAESAR’S REPUBLIC – SCOTTSDALE, LAYTON CONSTRUCTION
In construction there are always moments on a job site that transcend time. To the enterprising photographer, they resemble stage sets where dramas are measured in months, then weeks, then days, then hours before Grand Openings. 

Understand the limitations of chain link fencing and get your front row seat before the structure is rendered invisible by wall panels and glass. FYI: This Resort Hotel job site is right across the street from the Optima Workshop Experience. FYI: All concrete columns enjoyed their 15 MINUTES OF FAME

CAESAR’S CONSTRUCTION vs. MOTHER NATURE
Monsoon season in Arizona begins in June and continues through September. This brings thunderstorms, heavy rain, lightning, hail, high winds and dust storms to the Valley of the Sun. Everyone here knows the season is coming, and for the photographer, these are dramatic moments worth preparing for.
Coming soon: THE MONSOON WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE. Building smartphone photographers, editors and weathermen …

CATCHING LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE
There exists a fragile, photographic timeline when architectural lighting and sunset gradients balance. In that fraction of a second, the moment becomes an event. Until built-in circuit timers start turning off lights as an ode to energy conservation. In a panic, you race back into the building switching lights back on to reshoot before the blue sky lighting turns gray. This happens two more times before landing the shot.  THE RITES OF PATIENCE …

CAESAR’S CULINARY GOLD STANDARD –
“LUNA by GIADA”
Shooting architectural perspectives with an iPHONE. Try the LEMON SOUFFLE with blueberry sauce…

THERE ARE STAIRS AND THERE ARE STAIRS
At Caesar’s Republic Scottsdale, this is the LATTER. So when you have the choice, TAKE THE STAIRS

 

©2025 Az Smartphone Photography – Dan Watts
All rights reserved.