For many, photography starts as an occasional practice—an outlet for creativity during leisure time. However, the journey from occasional snapshots to profound visual storytelling often hinges not on sporadic bursts of activity but on how ingrained photography becomes in daily life.
In this article, I show you an awesome Lightroom editing technique you can use to add atmosphere to your photos. If you take this method to the extreme, you can even turn a normal day into a foggy scene. It works well for woodland photos.
The zoom range of 24-105mm is perhaps one of the most versatile options available. Typically, lenses within this range maintain a constant f/4 aperture throughout. While this is adequate, having an aperture one stop larger would be ideal. Now we have the Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM.
The Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens for Fujifilm was first released in 2022 and added to their growing line of X Mount prime lenses, which also includes the 16mm and 30mm. This trio of contemporary lenses is designed to be compact while delivering high-quality results at an affordable price. While these lenses offer slightly less features than the Art series of lenses, making them more affordable to a wider audience, the image quality is not compromised in any way, and these relatively inexpensive prime lenses make them a compelling option to explore.
The new DJI Mini 4K offers a very affordable and portable entry into the world of drone photography and filmmaking. Can it match your needs? This excellent video takes a look at what to expect.
There are a lot of great tools available for editing, and my favorite techniques tend to have large impacts for little effort. Lightroom's masking tool does this better than anything else I've ever used. This guide will teach you everything you could possibly want to know about Lightroom masking regardless of your skill level.
If you've wanted to try macro photography but didn't want to outlay on all the special equipment necessary, you're in luck. If you're an iPhone user, SANDMARC has a 100mm Macro lens you can screw onto your phone, and I put it through its paces.
In this article, I share five photo editing techniques in Photoshop you can use to create better night photos.
This is not the sharpest tool in the shed, nor does it have some crazy autofocus performance. Yet, this is my new absolute favorite lens. Read on to find out why the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 is a fantastic choice even in 2024.
Fujifilm users have had their options rather limited when it came to wide angle fast-aperture zooms. Well, the only option has been the fan-favorite but bulky XF 8-16mm f2/.8 R LM WR, but now, there’s a new kid on the block. How does it compete? Is it worth considering?
For the last many years, I’ve been an avid fan of the burgeoning travel tripod market, mostly because my aging back has demanded it.
Mastering post-processing techniques is just as crucial as understanding camera settings and composition. While tools like exposure and contrast adjustments are commonly used, Lightroom offers a hidden gem that can elevate your color grading to a whole new level. This often-overlooked feature holds immense potential for refining colors and creating stunning visual effects.
Imagine the moment your computer stops working. It contains thousands of photos and a Lightroom Classic catalog. Imagine if all the work and effort you put into it is gone. The risk can be minimized when you take care of four or five things.
From time to time you see images circulating on social media of Japanese camera store shelves awash with film. I’m not talking about half a dozen pro packs of Portra, I’m talking about hundreds and hundreds of rolls of film. More film than you could shoot in 10 years. Names of long-forgotten emulsions that many die-hard film shooters can’t even recall.
I get a lot of commentary on using expensive photo equipment, most notably lighting. Fair enough, a $400 softbox is not for everyone, and most people find it ridiculous to use a modifier this expensive. However, there are good reasons to use such tools. Here is why.
Are you a photographer who prefers to shoot in the JPEG file format? In that case, you have to get everything right in the camera. Correcting a mistake afterward is limited. There are different in-camera tools available that allow you to get the best possible results.
Getting a new editing computer can be a confusing process. How do you know when to upgrade? What kind of computer do you get for different kinds of editing? Do you build one or buy one? Well, I hope to answer those questions here in this article in a way that will match your specific situation.
The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM is one of the craziest lenses to come along in quite some time, offering an unheard-of zoom range and aperture combination for a full frame lens, making it a unique option for photographers. Nonetheless, it is neither cheap nor small. Is it worth the price and size? This excellent video review takes a look at if its performance and image quality can stand up to two demanding sensors.
Believe it or not, it has been three and a half years since the Canon EOS R5 was first announced, and as such, many photographers are starting to look for its successor, the Mark II. And as luck would have it, we might see it announced fairly soon.
Sony is going all in on their new line of compact gear with this amazing and affordable compact zoom.
Doing photography full-time is anyone's dream. Full-time is regarded as a sign of making it in the business. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Here are some of the blessings and curses of being a full-time photographer.
I got an opportunity to use the brand-new Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM zoom lens. This expensive and large zoom lens with a large aperture is even more amazing than I initially expected. In this article, I share my experience and thoughts on this lens from real-world use.
Towards the end of last year, ON1 released the latest version of its software. Its newest advancements are likely to attract even more people to it from Adobe’s Photography Plan for some very good reasons.
As a photojournalism professor, one of the questions I get asked most by beginning photographers is, "What camera should I buy?" As if there's a single, definitive answer to that. The answer I always give is: What do you want to do? There's a camera out there for everyone, and here's a guide for what to look for when you're starting out.
There are four interrelated ideas that some photographers create a song and dance about. However, for most photography, you can forget them and adopt a different approach.
Making a time-lapse video is a blend of photography and videography. While the outcome can be stunning, the process requires preparation and can pose certain challenges. In this article, I will walk you through my workflow and offer a glimpse of some real-life examples I've created.
Much to the dismay of OM System camera owners, other camera brand users have been buying up all the OM System EE-1 Dot sights and the stocks have disappeared. Don’t tell anyone, but they are available again for now. Canon, Nikon, and Sony readers, please ignore this article about how useful they are.
Composition is a fundamental aspect of photography, impacting how viewers perceive and connect with your images. It's the arrangement of elements within the frame, guiding the eye and creating a sense of balance, harmony, or dynamism. However, navigating composition can be challenging, often leading to frustration.
Today Sony has announced three new products: The Sony a7CII, the 16-35mm F2.8 GM II, and last but not least, the Sony a7cR. And unfortunately, I have not been able to use the first two products I mentioned, but, I have been able to use the A7cR quite a bit. In total, I’ve taken about 10,000 images with it so far. So let's talk about it.
In a time when older cameras and lenses are getting new updated versions left and right, one of the best things to see is when the piece of gear gets an entirely new purpose. This is definitely something that no one expected from the new Sony f/4 telephoto lens.
The life of a professional photographer is often romanticized, but the reality is that it can be a demanding and stressful career path. From the pressure to constantly create to the financial instability that often comes with freelance work, there are many challenges that photographers face. However, there are also ways to find happiness and success in this field.
The decision of whether to shoot in color or black and white is a fundamental one, impacting the mood, tone, and overall message of an image. It's a choice that goes beyond mere aesthetics, leveraging the very essence of how we perceive and interpret the world around us.
Bokeh, a term derived from the Japanese word "boke," meaning "blur," is central to the aesthetic quality of photography and videography. This phenomenon creates a soft, pleasing effect that can significantly enhance the visual storytelling of a photo or video.
In the last few years, medium format has seen itself reinvented from a niche, prohibitively expensive option to an alternative to full frame for those who want access to some of the best image quality that money can buy. It is not without drawbacks, though. So, is it right for you? This great video features a photographer discussing their experience after using medium format for a year.
In photography, faster lenses are better, aren’t they? Many struggle to see the benefits of having a range of f/4 lenses. But, if you start using them, you’ll realize there are good reasons for challenging that assumption.
The distinction between a good photo and a great photo is nuanced but significant, touching on the heart of what makes photography an art form. This fantastic video takes a look at the distinction and how it can help us improve.
Some say it’s the best focal length. I certainly believe so. And while the options for an equivalent 35mm lens for Fujifilm cameras have been scarce, there are good ones out there. Does this one fit well? Does it stand out? Is it better than some Fujifilm offerings? I’d say it’s worth trying.
When I was in Tokyo recently I saw a mysterious 35mm color negative film I'd never heard of before. The only course of action was to buy the film, shoot it, and see what it was like. So how did it turn out and what film was it? Keep reading and find out.
Having used Capture One for a while now, I came to understand that I never gave the software a proper review. Not an article that talks about tips, or one that only talks about the positive, but a proper in-depth review. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Well, here is my review of the latest version of Capture One.
Cross polarization transforms images of a variety of clear subjects into rainbow, fluorescent works of art with equipment that you probably already have. Learn the easy process behind this clever optical technique to create some masterpieces of your own.
The ability to edit photos on the go is a valuable asset for any photographer, especially those who capture the fleeting moments of street life. Lightroom Mobile offers a powerful and convenient platform for editing street photography, allowing you to refine your images wherever inspiration strikes.
The discussion of what kind of glass is better for documentary photography has been around since the beginning of the genre itself over a century ago. Some swear by using primes only, while many prefer the versatility of a zoom. What are the benefits? What are the downsides? Let’s look at both!
Apple has introduced their latest Silicon, the M4 chip. This powerful system-on-a-chip (SoC) is set to debut in the newly redesigned iPad Pro, promising a significant leap in performance and capabilities. Built using a cutting-edge 3-nanometer process, the M4 chip boasts impressive power efficiency while delivering remarkable speed and functionality.
If you had asked me a few years ago what I thought of Neewer gear, my reply would not have been positive. However, recently I have been testing their newest releases, and I am impressed with what I found. Here’s what I discovered about their travel tripods.
Sometimes a tripod just needs to be easier to carry for when you might need it. This tripod from SmallRig definitely fits that role.
Geared tripod heads offer precision and efficiency for various kinds of photography workflows. However, they often come with bigger price tags. Let’s see if this fairly affordable one from Benro is worth a look.
If it’s not on paper, it’s not a real photograph. You must’ve heard this sentence at least once in your photographic journey. For many, it rings true. The best way to appreciate our captures is to hold them on a physical paper. But how to best print at home? Which printer to get? How to use it?
The essence of street photography lies in capturing the fleeting moments and raw emotions of everyday life, making it an excellent way to practice for photographers aiming to tell compelling stories through their lenses. Understanding the nuances of this genre is fundamental, as it involves more than just pointing and shooting; it's about immersing oneself in the environment and connecting with the subject matter on a deeper level.
Perhaps no lens is ubiquitous than the 24-70mm f/2.8, which is the workhorse of choice for countless photographers and filmmakers due to how adept it is at handle a huge range of genres and applications. That being said, it is far from the only such choice. One intriguing choice is that 24-105mm f/4, and this great video discusses why you might want to consider one for your work.
In today’s article, I’ll share a few thoughts on what has and has not proven to be worth the investment for me as a photographer.
