With the incredible advancements in smartphone camera technology, it's no surprise that more and more photographers are turning to their iPhones for both personal and professional photography. Learning how to maximize the capabilities of your iPhone camera can open up a world of creative possibilities and allow you to capture stunning images wherever you go
As professional photographers, we carry around a bunch of stuff. I can easily rock up to a shoot with way too much kit for the job. My daily carry-around equipment is quite different, though. Let's talk about some of the must-carry items.
Standing desks have become somewhat ubiquitous over the last few years and hold a number of benefits for photographers and content creators. Having used them in the past with mixed results, I was pleasantly surprised by the standing desk from FlexiSpot in terms of quality, form, and function.
The 23mm f/1.4 Contemporary lens is the latest offering in Sigma’s lineup of fast, compact, prime lenses for Fujifilm X Mount cameras. With a 35mm equivalent focal length, the 23mm is sure to be popular for street photography, portraits, landscapes, and more.
In the past few years, we’ve seen the emergence of more convenient photography, video, and content creation tools that make it easier for creatives to wear more hats. This affordable but feature-packed option is a testament to that.
Canon's 7D line of APS-C DSLRs were a massive hit for the company, as they borrowed many of the advanced features and capabilities of powerful full frame cameras like the 1D series and put them in far more affordable bodies that were accessible to a much wider audience. The EOS R7 has continued that philosophy in the mirrorless age, and it offers photographers some incredible features for the price. This great video review takes a look at the camera after a year of usage and discusses whether its combination of performance and image quality make it the right choice for you.
Having a completely portable office with multiple screens will revolutionize how you shoot on location. The good news is that this particular set-up is easy and it doesn't have to break the bank.
Full frame cameras are generally regarded as the standard option for professional work, but in recent years, crop sensor cameras have come a long way, and their associated ecosystems have filled out to offer photographers and filmmakers a wide range of options suitable for many genres and applications. This interesting video essay discusses three reasons why crop sensors cameras are often a better choice than full frame options.
Capturing the essence of a city during a momentous occasion presents a unique challenge for photographers. You need to go beyond the obvious celebratory visuals and find images that tell a deeper story, conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the event. This is especially true when documenting a significant historical milestone, like the 1,000-year anniversary of Hanoi, Vietnam.
The Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM lens brings some of the company's best design and features, promising high levels of performance and image quality at a competitive price. How does it hold up in practice? This fantastic video tutorial takes a look at what you can expect.
Mastering the art of masking and color grading can significantly elevate the visual appeal of images. This fantastic video tutorial will show you how to do just that using Lightroom.
As a landscape photographer who is addicted to the big vista, I have often wondered just how hard or easy it would be to force myself to only use one lens, and that lens being the 70-200mm. The versatility of this lens is fantastic, and many of you will know this already. However, the best thing about having my 70-200mm is that it's always in my bag and ready to be deployed whenever I need it, but what if I were only to have this lens?
For both artistic and commercial work, a mid-range zoom is virtually an essential piece of kit. Sony’s 20-70mm f/4 puts a new spin on the traditional mid-range formula, but is it really that good? In this review, I look back on the last year of using this lens and consider whether it truly has a place in the E-mount ecosystem.
Lightroom has some advanced tools for realizing your creative vision, split toning being one of the most useful for landscape photographers. This fantastic video tutorial demonstrates how Lightroom's split toning tools can significantly enhance an image's visual appeal, offering a practical guide on adding depth and contrast to photos.
Have you been taking the same images with slight variations over the last few years? Have you seen new technologies shake up the photography world, yet largely kept your distance from them? Today, the esteemed Kristina Sherk from Shark Pixel shares with us one such tool that can revamp the work you've been putting out. Following her tutorial written for us below, I decided to try it out myself. I encourage you to break out of your comfort zone, give it a try, and share your photos with us in the comments.
For those seeking a blend of portability, performance, and a unique shooting experience, the Fuji X100 series has long been a popular choice. With the release of the X100VI, Fuji has taken this beloved camera to new heights, offering significant improvements while retaining the charm that has charmed photographers for years.
When it comes to landscape photography, there are a few names that will be recognizable to many almost instantly. One of those is Michael Shainblum. His calm, considered, and purposeful approach makes his shots stand out in my opinion. However, what happens when you take him out of the familiar landscape and put him in the middle of one of the busiest locations in the world?
The Alice Camera is hailed as the camera for creators, boasting the ability to streamline your workflow and make you grow faster. Is it all it is advertised to be? This hands-on preview tells all.
Tube lights are all the rage. So, when a new one comes on the market, it better have some type of stand-out feature to differentiate it from the pack.
In the heart of Las Vegas at the 2024 Wedding and Portrait Photographers International, I had the opportunity to dive into the minds of talented winners from the Portrait Masters' January competition, unveiling their creative processes and inspiration.
The transition from DSLR to mirrorless cameras was a significant shift in the photography world. For many photographers, particularly those heavily invested in DSLR lenses, the transition raised concerns about compatibility and the potential need for expensive new gear. Canon users need not worry, though, as there is a useful and affordable accessory that will make your life much easier.
Have you ever come across this alien-like symbol while cleaning or setting up your camera and had no idea what that was? Read further, where we discuss what this symbol is and its practical applications.
The OM-1 and OM-5, and their Olympus predecessors, have many unique functions. Here are some common ones, where to find them, and what they do.
Clicking the shutter is often only the first step in creating an image. Mastering post-processing skills is crucial for new photographers. This helpful video tutorial will show you how to use post-processing to add depth to your landscape images.
I'm a bit of a neat freak when it comes to my gear. Anyone who has bought any of my used gear has usually told me it looks like new, save for maybe by the tripod mount, which I usually attach a plate to while I'm camped out by lighthouses.
Is swapping a camera system a valid and worthwhile move? I did it for very good reasons, and it's something you might consider if you analyze what you use and why you bought it.
The new Panasonic Lumix S 28-200mm f/4-7.1 MACRO O.I.S. lens offers users the promise of tremendous focal length range suitable for a huge range of applications, making it an appealing option for many users. This excellent video review takes a look at the new lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.
While some New Year's resolutions focus on hitting the gym or changing up a bad habit, for photographers, it's often about learning something new in the world of photography. If you're listening to art photographer and educator Scott French, one of those things to learn might be how to find your own style.
In the past decade, we have seen an explosion of highly capable supertelephoto zoom lenses, and the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS and Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR are two of the most versatile options. How do they compare? This great video review takes a look at both lenses, their various characteristics, and how they match up with each other.
Photography equipment is not cheap, and as such, it pays to think long and hard about where exactly you are spending your money. And so, when it comes time to upgrade some of your gear, is it better to put your money toward a camera or a lens first? This helpful video tutorial features an experience photographer discussing the topic and offering some great advice to help you ensure you get the equipment that will serve you and your budget best.
In the dynamic world of commercial photography, staying current and adaptable is crucial for success, especially in 2024. The industry has undergone significant changes since 2020, evolving rapidly and becoming almost unrecognizable. This video delves into the essential strategies that commercial photographers must adopt to stay relevant and avoid being left behind in this fast-paced environment.
There are infinite ways of upgrading gear as a photographer. Moreover, camera companies market their next product as the next best thing in the industry. All this results in a lot of confusion, speculation, and simple ambiguity. If we could, we would all upgrade everything at once, but money is a limited resource that we need to allocate with a high degree of efficiency.
The tone curve often gets less use than tools like the exposure sliders or color grading panel, but it offers arguably more power, precision, and versatility than either of those aforementioned options, which is why every photographer should have some level of familiarity with it. This excellent video tutorial takes a look at everything you can do with the tone curve in Lightroom and shows you how to leverage it to take greater control over your photo edits.
After thorough consideration, I made the decision to purchase the Shimoda Action X50 backpack a few years ago as my primary backpack for photography travels. Now, after several years of use, I want to reflect on its performance. Is it worth the investment? Let's find out.
The Canon Speedlite EL-1 is a high-performance, professional-grade, weather-resistant flash, designed to meet the demands of the most demanding photographers. It features a powerful guide number of 60m (197 ft) at ISO 100, an insanely fast recycle time of 0.1-0.9 seconds, and up to 335 full-power flashes on a single charge. It also has a built-in LED modeling light for precise lighting control and a heavy-duty construction that will withstand the rigors of professional everyday use.
Fine art photography can be very lucrative, but it is a business and may not be for everyone.
Medium format lenses are normally quite expensive and of a narrow maximum aperture. So, the prospect of a 135mm f/2.5 lens for just $299 sounds almost too good to be true. That is what the new Mitakon Zhongyi Creator 135mm f/2.5 offers.
Venus Optics is respected for making some of the photography market's most interesting lenses, and the new Laowa 10mm f/2.8 Zero-D FF Autofocus continues that trend by offering and ultra-wide focal length in tandem with a wide aperture. This great video review takes a look at the new lens for landscape usage and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Photography is as much a business as it is an art. Amid the myriad choices that shape a photographer's journey, one pivotal decision looms large: pricing. For those straddling photography alongside another profession, striking the right pricing balance can be both an art and a science. Navigating my dual professional roles, I discovered that pricing isn't merely a reflection of an image's worth; it's a strategic tool, ensuring equilibrium between passion, profession, and personal moments.
It doesn't matter how good your composition is if you have this one glaring error. Take a look to see what it is, if you're guilty of doing it, and how to fix it.
Embracing minimalism can offer a fresh perspective on composition and storytelling. For photographers, understanding the power of minimalism is not just about capturing less; it's about conveying more with simplicity and directness. This approach to photography is challenging, but it can be a game-changer in an artist's journey, offering a lens to view the world differently and to distill its essence into a single, impactful frame.
It’s a cliché but true nonetheless—old habits die hard. Following the same routine day in and day out because it’s what we know and are comfortable with can lead us into a rut of our own making. In a creative process like photography, repetition and routine can easily become a recipe for bland.
Over 100 days ago, Russ Cook (aka The Hardest Geezer), who aims to become the first person ever to run the entire length of Africa, set off on this epic 15,000-kilometer journey. Join me in this article as I interview the filmmakers behind this epic adventure and find out what has happened.
I’m done with it. Seriously.
At just $1299, the Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 looks like a remarkable deal if it can offer the performance and image quality to match those impressively versatile specifications. So, how does it hold up in practice? This fantastic video review takes a look at what you can expect.
I am a big advocate for tethering. It helps me do a lot of things, from teamwork to backups and more. I’ve always tethered. However, when going on location, this can become a challenge. What do you take, and what do you leave out? Well, here is my on-location tethering setup for 2024.
Being asked to work for free can be a frustrating experience for photographers who have invested years of hard work and dedication to master their craft. In a time where equipment and running costs are so high, it has never been so important to politely decline requests to work for free.
