For the first time, Jeff Puckett shares the stories, inspiration, and experiences that have shaped his life as a photographer, printmaker, and aviator. In this candid conversation, Jeff talks about his approach to seeing, the unexpected moments that inspire his photographs, and the craft behind transforming those photographs into hand-pulled fine art prints.

It's tempting to think the answer lies squarely in the things we can measure. The artist's reputation. The size of the edition. The printing process and the materials. The rarity of the work. Those things certainly influence the marketplace, and for good reason. The art market places value on artists who have demonstrated originality, consistency, craftsmanship, and the ability to create work that collectors continue to seek over time. Gallery representation, museum exhibitions, awards, critical recognition, and a strong collector base all contribute to an artist's market value.

But I've never believed the market tells the whole story.

Ask someone how to become a better photographer, and you'll likely hear recommendations for a new camera, a sharper lens, or the latest editing software. While a quality kit is certainly helpful (check out my Leica kit recently featured on the Red Dot Forum Camera Talk), the most important piece of equipment is often overlooked. And it’s free. Learn how to develop your photographic eye in this post.