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How One Self-Proclaimed Dogtographer Uses Her Camera to Change Lives

Some photographers view the craft of photography as a creative pursuit that enriches their lives on a deeply personal level, while others are motivated by income or social media attention. Some are driven to use their cameras to effect change. Self-proclaimed “dogtographer” Kaylee Greer is one such person who uses photography to tell the story of shelter dogs in search of a loving home.

The Art of Seeing in a Mundane Landscape

Do you find yourself scrolling social media, admiring wonderful photos from exotic locations with a bit of jealousy? Or maybe you are frustrated with not being able to travel frequently? You may have fallen into the trap of thinking you have to travel to take great landscape photos. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Active Contests
Your Best Portraits
Critique the Community

Your Best Portraits

Enter and Win $1200 in Aftershoot Prizes

Welcome to the April 2025 Critique the Community Contest!  For this month's contest we want to make it super simple and inclusive by asking for your best portrait images. They can be full length, headshots, single person, multiple people, natural light or lit in the studio.

Submission Deadline:
April 30th 2025 - 11:45pm
What It Takes to Make Truly Huge Prints

Buying a large format printer doesn't automatically guarantee big prints. Understanding what "big" really means and the considerations involved in producing large-scale photographs is crucial, particularly if you're planning to print at exhibition sizes.

The Presets Room: A Game-Changing Marketplace for Photography Presets

Photographers know that working smarter means more time snapping shots and not being stuck behind a screen. But for newbies, finding an editing style can feel like a never-ending puzzle. Luckily, The Presets Room is here to save the day—offering quick, pro-level edits so you can spend less time clicking and more time creating.

Why Your Portraits Aren’t Sharp—and How to Fix Them

Are your portraits consistently coming out softer than you expect, even after careful focusing? Clarity makes a significant difference in the professional appearance of your images. Here's how to achieve it.

Small Adjustments That Lead to Stronger Photos

Ever feel like your photos are just shy of great, missing something small yet crucial? Many photographers experience this subtle frustration, and recognizing what's off is the first step toward exceptional results.

EVF Resolution and Refresh Rates: What You Need to Know

Electronic viewfinders have transformed how you interact with your camera. Beyond just framing shots, these tiny screens affect everything from how accurately you can judge focus to how connected you feel to your subject during fast-paced photography situations.

Reolink Go PT Ultra Field Review: Excellent Footage, But Not Quite a Wildlife Camera

I’ve spent some time testing the Reolink Go PT Ultra to see if it’s a viable option for use as a remote wildlife camera, particularly in woodland areas. With 4K video, pan/tilt control, and 4G connectivity, it looked promising on paper. In practice, the footage quality is superb, but the battery performance in real-world conditions—especially shaded woodland—is a significant limiting factor.

Dreamy Photos Without the Obvious Tricks

Dreamy photos don’t happen by accident. They require understanding subtle techniques that create images filled with atmosphere and emotion.

Using (and Breaking) Composition Rules Intentionally

Composition isn't just a set of arbitrary rules photographers invented to make life complicated. These guidelines connect deeply with how your mind naturally sees the world, shaping how effectively your photos communicate.

Leica Lux App: Leica Looks on Your iPhone

In a sense, the Leica LUX app brings Leica’s look and feel to the iPhone. It offers a less convoluted UI, a more tactile shooting experience, and access to custom Leica color profiles. It doesn’t try to mimic pro cameras through gimmicks and the like—it leans into what the iPhone can already do and gives you more control over it.

I used the app in various locations: architectural shots, teaching sessions, and as my main iPhone camera when used in conjunction with the Leica LUX Grip. It hasn’t replaced my camera, but it’s the only mobile app that made me want to slow...

Testing The World's Most Powerful Laptop, MSI Titan

Intel sent me their $6000 MSI Titan laptop with a Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX and RTX 5090. This is the most powerful computer I've ever tested, but is it worth the size and outrageous fan noise?
Simple Tips to Immediately Improve Your Photos

Taking great photos doesn't need to be overly complicated. The key to better images lies in mastering just two foundational aspects—understanding light and thoughtful composition.

Advanced Techniques to Level-Up Your Landscape Shots

If your landscape shots feel flat or incomplete, even though you're using solid photography basics, it's probably time for some fresh insights. The reality is, great landscapes are less about basic rules and more about nuanced details that shape your composition and enhance the drama in your images.

Easy Precise Edits With Photoshop’s Adjustment Brush

Adobe recently introduced a new Adjustment Brush in Photoshop 2025, designed to simplify precise editing tasks. Knowing how to efficiently make targeted adjustments can significantly streamline your editing process.

Studio-Grade Lighting, Pocket-Sized Power: The Hobolite Micro Bi-Color Light Review

In the ever-evolving world of studio lighting, innovation isn’t just about power—it’s about precision, adaptability, and pushing creative boundaries. While industry giants dominate the conversation, companies like Harlowe quietly redefine what’s possible. With cutting-edge technology and an artist-first approach, Harlowe’s latest lighting solutions challenge conventional setups, offering photographers and filmmakers new ways to shape light with control and finesse. Could this company be the next big disruptor in the lighting game?

Zeiss Returns With the Otus ML 50mm f/1.4: Is it Worth the Premium?

Zeiss is back in action with their latest lens release, the Zeiss Otus ML 50mm f/1.4, designed specifically for full frame mirrorless cameras. For those considering a high-end lens, this release marks a significant shift from Zeiss’s older, larger Otus lenses.

The Art of Controlled Lighting for Striking Portraits

Exploring how to intentionally push your creative limits can dramatically improve your portrait photography. Whether you're seasoned or starting out, understanding how to control lighting effectively shapes your style and widens your capabilities on set.

Do You Really Need a Photography Agent? Here's the Truth

In the creative industry, having an agent is often seen as a hallmark of success. Many believe that securing an agent signifies reaching a higher level in one's career. However, the reality is more nuanced. Not all agents are created equal, and their roles have evolved. I've been with three agents, and here is my personal experience to help you navigate the agent game.

How Many Wedding Photos Is Too Many?

Determining the right number of images to deliver for a wedding isn't just about hitting an arbitrary number. It’s about understanding what's truly valuable from the client's perspective and tailoring your gallery accordingly.

Master Lightroom Masking for Better Landscape Photos

Editing flat images in Lightroom can seem tricky, but mastering masking tools can dramatically improve your final photos. Understanding masking allows you to add depth and dimension, turning good shots into visually impactful ones.

Why the Size of Your Prints Changes Everything

Photograph size shapes how your images are experienced and understood. It's not just about dimensions; it's about how people connect emotionally and physically with your work.

Maono Wave T5 Lavelier Mic: A Sound Investment

If you’ve ever watched a YouTube video or taken part in a Zoom meeting, you will know that sound quality is usually more important than any other factor. With this in mind, I put the new Maono Wave T5 wireless lavalier mics through their paces.

Why Your Photos Look Amateur and How to Fix Them

Many amateur photographers keep repeating the same mistakes, often without realizing it. Fixing these simple but fundamental errors can dramatically change your photography and move you beyond that amateur status.

DSLR Cameras Are Back—Here’s Why You Should Care

In 2025, digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras are regaining popularity despite nearly a decade in the shadow of mirrorless technology. For anyone serious about improving their photography skills, this comeback matters because working with a DSLR pushes you to master essential techniques rather than relying on technology alone—plus they're cheap!

Creating Dramatic Black and White Photos in Monochrome Mode

I’m obsessed with color. Like, deeply. Bold tones, dreamy palettes, warm hues—color is one of the main reasons I fell in love with photography. But that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the raw emotion and timeless feel of a strong black and white photo.

How to Deal With Public Land Photo Permits

Photo permitting on public lands directly affects whether you can build a portfolio in iconic locations. Skipping the permit process can cost you time and money.

A Way to Refocus Your Photography

Camping can transform the way you approach photography. Instead of gear becoming your main focus, experiences and surroundings come to the forefront.

Overcoming Creative Resistance: Why You're Not Lazy

Creative resistance isn’t laziness; it's a hidden barrier photographers face every day. It's that invisible wall making you endlessly research gear or tweak your website instead of actually shooting.

Joe Rosenthal: The Man Behind the Iwo Jima Flag Raising Photograph

On February 23, 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima, six men—five U.S. Marines and a U.S. Navy corpsman—raised an American flag atop Mount Suribachi. Joe Rosenthal, a photographer with the Associated Press, happened to put himself in the right place at the right time. With one click of the shutter, he captured a fleeting moment of unity and grit that would echo far beyond the war: the raising of the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima.

Essential Wedding Day Camera Settings

Getting your camera settings right can be the difference between capturing unforgettable moments or losing them entirely. Whether it’s the first kiss or the dance floor, wedding days offer little room for mistakes.

How to Compose Unique Waterfall Photos

Finding hidden waterfalls or capturing streams that few have seen can set your photos apart and add depth to your work. Beyond beautiful landscapes, it's about challenging yourself and staying creatively sharp as you encounter new scenes.

Essential Photography Lessons to Learn Early

Understanding how composition and light truly impact your photography is often more critical than any gear you own. Many beginners assume expensive cameras automatically improve their images, but that's rarely the case.

A Sony User's Look at the Canon PowerShot V1

As a longtime Canon user, it was a somewhat painful switch to buy a Sony ZV-1 as my point-and-shoot camera. Not because the Sony ZV-1 was a bad camera, but more so because the way that brand's cameras work is so different from what I'm used to. So what's it like the other way around with the Canon PowerShot V10?

Documenting Solitude: A Residency Amid Wyoming’s Wilderness

Several years ago, I got a call one morning from the head ranger at Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming. He was inquiring if I would be interested in participating in Bighorn National Forest’s initial Artist in Residence program. That was during the COVID shutdown, and my state was really locked down—we couldn't even go camping in a state park! So, yes, absolutely yes.

We Review DXO PureRAW 5

We spent some time on the new DxO PureRAW 5 when it was announced in February, but now it's out and I've had a chance to give it a run.

How to Manage Thousands of Photos Quickly With Imagen AI and Lightroom

Culling is an essential part of a photographer’s workflow. However, sorting through thousands of images takes up precious time and focus. This article looks at how AI-assisted tools like Imagen’s Culling Studio help speed things up without losing creative control.

Is This the Best New 35mm Lens?

Viltrox’s new AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB FE lens brings an extra-wide aperture to Sony full frame cameras, letting you blur backgrounds and shoot in dim venues without pushing ISO. That mix of speed and moderate width gives photographers room to frame environmental portraits while you keep distractions melting away behind your subject.

Flash‑Ambient Balance Made Simple

Balancing on‑location flash with existing light sits at the heart of compelling portrait work. Photographers who understand how a slight shift in ambient exposure reshapes mood and subject separation gain tools that make creative intent feel effortless rather than frustrating.

Why Having a Faster Lens Isn’t Always Better

The recent launch of the Fujifilm GFX100RF has stirred quite a debate in the photography community. Many Fujifilm fans were frustrated by the decision to equip the camera with a fixed f/4 lens instead of a faster option like f/2.8 or even f/2. This backlash got me thinking: does a faster lens always make a camera better? And more importantly, does it help us produce a better image? The more I think about it, the more I realize that the obsession with wider apertures might not be that beneficial for visual output, but rather for bragging rights that often overlook crucial trade-offs.

Is the Nikon Z5 II the Perfect Entry-Level Full Frame Camera?

Entry-level full frame cameras can be a fantastic purchase, allowing access to premium image quality without extreme costs. Nikon recently introduced the Z5 II, an update to their popular Z5, offering substantial improvements and features aimed at serious but budget-conscious users.

Discovering New Perspectives With an Ultra-Wide Angle Lens

Choosing an ultra-wide lens can profoundly affect how you approach photography, forcing you to reconsider perspective and composition. Such lenses aren't for every situation, but when used correctly, they can offer dramatic, unique results.

Hands On With the New Canon EOS R50V

Canon’s new EOS R50V has just hit the shelves, and I was fortunate enough to get my hands on an early unit to put it through its paces.

Transform Flat Photos With Simple Lightroom Masks

Editing a flat landscape photo to look engaging often feels tricky, especially when the lighting isn't ideal. Lightroom offers powerful tools to address this challenge, making dull scenes vibrant and engaging with careful masking techniques.