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Two Weeks With the Leica M11-D and I’m Ready to Hand Over $9,000

Since the inception of digital photography, every camera marketed to consumers has had a large LCD screen. Without this screen, it is not possible to set preferences for basic camera operation, nor can you verify that you are capturing images at the correct exposure. Without a rear screen, you can’t confirm that the camera has captured an image when you press the shutter button.

Six Items I Take On Every Corporate Headshot Shoot (Other Than My Camera!)

It’s easy to feel nervous about the logistics of a corporate team shoot—what will the space be like? How do you light each person consistently? The reality is that the lighting in an office can be harsh and unflattering—overhead strip lighting is no one’s friend! And space can be really tight. So, I always bring some extra lighting in case we can’t use window light and some compact equipment. Versatile and portable kit is handy here, so I leave my large lights at home and pack light.

Active Contests
Winter
Critique the Community

Winter

Your Best Winter Photographs

Welcome to the first Critique the Community Contest of 2025! Since it is deep winter in the Northern Hemisphere, we decided to make this month's theme "Winter." You can submit any image you've taken that captures cold, winter, or freezing elements.

Submission Deadline:
January 30th 2025 - 10:30pm
How to Handle Zillow Showcase Requests and Offer Better Options

As Zillow pushes its Showcase platform to brokerages, real estate media professionals face new challenges and opportunities. Understanding how this platform works and its impact on listings is key to staying ahead in a competitive market.

The Practical Advantages of Smartphone Cameras for Professionals

Professional photographers generally rely on traditional DSLR and mirrorless cameras. However, developments in smartphone technology have dramatically changed how people shoot. Smartphones, such as the Vivo X200 Pro, are carving a place in professional workflows by delivering features that often outperform traditional setups.
Review of the LRTimelapse Pro Timer 3 for Timelapse Photography

Modern cameras have an interval option built in. Set an interval time and wait until you have enough footage for a timelapse video. However, with the right equipment, it is possible to take it to the next level. I reviewed the LRTimelapse Pro Timer 3, which might be the right tool for the job.

An Easy and Fun Home Macro Project: Oil on Water Photography

Macro photography projects can be some of the most creative ways to experiment with textures and colors at home. One fascinating technique involves using oil and water to create mesmerizing patterns, offering infinite possibilities for unique shots. It’s a simple setup, yet it delivers results that can rival more elaborate methods.

What Beginner Photographers Actually Need in Their Gear Bag

Starting in photography can be overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with endless gear options. It’s easy to feel like you need the best of everything to take great photos, but that’s not true. The key is to focus on the essentials that will support your growth while skipping unnecessary expenses.

Adobe Announces Major Updates Ahead of Sundance 2025

Adobe has introduced significant updates to its flagship video and motion design tools—Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Frame.io—just in time for the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. These enhancements aim to streamline workflows for filmmakers, editors, and motion designers, reducing tedious processes and enabling faster creativity.

Is This The Compact Film Camera I Had Hoped For?

Shortly after I last mused about what I thought would be the perfect new compact film camera for 2025, I discovered that there was a camera in the works that seemed to tick every box I hoped for: the Analogue AF1. But with little more than a gorgeous website promising the moon at a modest price, I held off, preferring to wait for more details before getting too sentimental about what could be the long-awaited savior of compact film photography.

Panasonic Announces Four New 4K 60p 10-Bit Professional Camcorders

Panasonic has unveiled four new 4K professional camcorders designed for high-quality video production, broadcasting, and live streaming The AG-CX20, HC-X2100, HC-X1600, and HC-X1200 models combine 4K 60p 10-bit recording with advanced features in a compact and lightweight design, making them suitable for a wide range of users, from solo filmmakers to professional production teams

Transform Flat Portraits With Simple Dodging and Burning in Lightroom

Dodging and burning isn’t just about lightening or darkening areas in your photos. It’s a technique that can add depth and shape, transforming a flat portrait into one with dimension and life. This process allows you to guide the viewer’s attention and refine the story your image tells.

The Key to Better Portrait Photography Poses

Portrait posing can feel tricky. A poorly executed pose risks creating images that look stiff or awkward, while successful posing brings energy and variety, making your work stand out. This process can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.

We Review the Zhiyun Cinepeer Crane 4E

Zhiyun has a wide range of gimbals to choose from, and the new offering is the Cinepeer Crane 4E. In this article, I put the gimbal through its paces and give my opinion as a first-time user.

7 Tips to Transform Your Images With Better Editing

Editing is a vital part of photography, allowing you to bring your images to life and match the vision you had while shooting. Knowing how to enhance, adjust, and experiment with your photos can turn good shots into great ones and even rescue certain images.

Key Tips for Film Photography Beginners

Film photography offers a creative process distinct from digital, but it requires a shift in mindset. If you're thinking about trying film or transitioning from digital, understanding the basics can save you from frustration and help you decide if it’s worth the investment.

5 Practical Tips to Boost Your Wedding Photography Business

The wedding industry is shifting, and it’s impacting how businesses book clients. Economic pressures like inflation have led couples to cut costs, making it essential for you to adapt your strategies. If your bookings are slowing down, small adjustments can make a big difference.

Face Tracking Comes in New iSteady M7 Gimbal

The dream of having a gimbal that can auto-track your subject while leaving you free to focus on your own movement is finally a reality! I tested the new iSteady M7 smartphone gimbal by Hohem, and it's pretty remarkable. If this is the future of gimbals, we are in for a treat!

The Key to Tack-Sharp Photography

Fact: Depth of field will remain constant across all formats and focal lengths as long as the aperture and the image size remain the same. There are several factors that determine how sharp, or not sharp, an image may be. One of those is depth of field, and another is the movement of the subject matter that occurs while the shutter is open. Here, I will discuss depth of field.

The Reality of Landscape Photography

Landscape photography often requires stepping outside your comfort zone, both physically and creatively. The most striking images can demand long hikes, unpredictable weather, and a willingness to embrace the unexpected. These challenges don’t just test your endurance—they add layers of meaning to the photographs you capture.

When to Prioritize Shutter Speed or Aperture in the Field

Shutter speed and aperture are two key components of the exposure triangle. Even if you are familiar with their role in proper exposure, you might struggle with when you should prioritize one over the other for the scene you are photographing. What elements should you be considering?

Ditch the Algorithm: Why Substack Is Perfect for Photographers

In an era dominated by social media algorithms and fleeting engagement, photographers often struggle to reach audiences in any meaningful way. With established social media platforms at saturation point, it’s become harder to reach the people who follow you, let alone new audiences.

Tips to Overcome Creative Plateaus and Grow Your Craft

Finding your style and pushing creative boundaries can be both challenging and rewarding. Exploring lesser-photographed locations, adapting your workflow to new platforms, and embracing periods of plateau are essential steps to growing your craft.

Why Pretty Photos Might Be Holding You Back

Is a beautiful photo enough? It might grab attention at first glance, but does it hold meaning beyond the surface? Many start with the goal of capturing visually stunning images, but over time, it becomes clear that beauty alone isn’t always fulfilling. Photography can achieve so much more by telling stories, evoking emotions, and inviting deeper reflection.

How to Add Natural Blur to Photos in Lightroom Classic

Shallow depth of field is often associated with professional portraiture, providing separation between your subject and the background. But what if your lens or shooting conditions didn’t allow for that effect? Lightroom’s Lens Blur tool offers an option to achieve that blurred background look during editing.

How to Find New Inspiration for Your Photography

Photography can be a rewarding and creative pursuit, but even the most passionate enthusiasts face moments of doubt or disinterest. Addressing this common challenge, one photographer shares personal insights on how to navigate these periods and rediscover excitement in your creative process. His strategies range from shifting perspectives to embracing new tools and projects.

The Unspoken Treasure: Why You Should Consistently Document Your Personal and Family Life

Professional photographers devote themselves to capturing once-in-a-lifetime moments, visualizing concepts for commercial campaigns, and solidifying narratives that clients want to preserve or convey. However, in the hustle of meeting deadlines and the relentless pursuit of aesthetic innovation, many photographers neglect the realm closest to them: their own personal lives, families, and close friends. The tragedy lies in the missed moments—fleeting childhood phases, subtle changes in loved ones, quiet personal milestones—that deserve the same careful attention and expert composition as any commercial assignment.

Lessons to Level Up Your Photography Faster

Photography can feel overwhelming when you’re starting out, especially when progress seems slow and uncertain. But with the right approach, you can develop your skills more efficiently and discover your unique style along the way.

Hasselblad's New Mobile App Feature Is Incredible

Hasseblad's companion mobile app, Phocus Mobile 2, has just received a new update which has added a powerful and impressive feature that could profoundly improve your images in certain circumstances.
Lessons Every New Wedding Photographer Should Learn

When you’re starting out in wedding photography, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the details. The stakes feel high, and the learning curve can be steep. Lessons often come with time, but you don’t have to figure it all out the hard way.

How Observing Street Photographers Can Sharpen Your Eye

Street photography forces you to think and react differently compared to travel or landscape photography. While the latter might involve waiting for a perfect scene to unfold, street photography demands quick reflexes and an ability to anticipate moments before they happen.

Tips for Working With HDR Images in Lightroom

High Dynamic Range (HDR) images can capture a range of light and detail that’s difficult to achieve with a single shot. Using Lightroom, you can merge bracketed photos into an HDR image with minimal effort, even if the photos are handheld or noisy.

How to Add Intense Sunset Tones to Your Landscape Photos in Lightroom

Editing a sunset photo involves more than just increasing the brightness or contrast. It's about enhancing the mood and bringing out the rich, vibrant tones that make sunsets magical. Using Lightroom, you can transform a good photo into something extraordinary with a few precise adjustments.

How to Perfect White Balance in Lightroom

White balance plays a critical role in shaping how your photos look and feel. Getting it right can mean the difference between a shot that feels natural and one that seems off. But white balance isn’t just about technical accuracy; it’s also a powerful tool for creative expression.

Leica Launches the New 24 MP SL3-S

Since the debut of its SL-System in 2015, Leica Camera AG has continually pushed the boundaries of professional innovation and has again done so with the new addition to the Leica SL range, the new 24 MP SL3-S. Designed for professionals who demand both precision and creativity, the SL3-S combines Leica’s cutting-edge technology with their signature craftsmanship.

Why ChatGPT Is My Secret Weapon for Lightroom Edits

I have always been a person who works smarter, not harder. Now that AI is everywhere, I’ve started to see where I can benefit from its use. This made me think: Can I leverage ChatGPT and ask it to help me create adjustment settings for Lightroom based on an idea?

Many Saw Vandalism, She Saw Art

Photographer Martha Cooper has made a lasting impact on both the world of photography and the art world as a whole. Renowned for her documentation of urban street art and graffiti culture, Cooper's career reflects her deep passion for storytelling and her remarkable ability to capture everyday moments. Her work transcends photography, serving as historical records of cultural movements.

Born in Baltimore in 1943, Cooper began her career as a photojournalist, working for various news outlets. However, it was her groundbreaking book, Subway Art, co-authored with...

Fine-Tuning Contrast and Color in Lightroom: A Quick Guide

Adding contrast can transform an image, but it often changes more than just light and shadow. It also affects color saturation, sometimes in ways that don’t look natural. Understanding how to manage this is key to creating polished images without overdoing it.

The Biggest Problem With Global Shutter

No camera is perfect, but for me, the Sony a9 III is pretty close. Unfortunately, there is one problem that's holding this camera back.

A Year of Photography and the Lessons It Inspired

Photography is more than just capturing images. It’s also about learning from experiences, adapting to challenges, and appreciating the moments in front of you. This approach intertwines photography with life lessons, offering insights that go beyond the technical aspects of the craft.

How to Add Fog and Light to Your Landscape Photos

Editing isn’t just about fixing mistakes; it’s an opportunity to add depth and character to your photos. With a few simple tools in Lightroom and Photoshop, you can create dramatic effects that bring your vision to life.

Should You Upgrade to RF Lenses? A Practical Guide

Choosing between Canon’s EF and RF lenses can be confusing, especially if you’re transitioning to a mirrorless system. If you’re already using EF lenses with an adapter, you might wonder if upgrading to RF lenses is worth it.

Mastering the Art of Publishing Your Photo Book

Photobooks are still strong in a digital world where nothing seems tangible, especially photographs. Whether you publish through a traditional publisher or self-publish, a photobook is a great way to take your photography to the next level and print your work.