You Must Know These Lightroom Techniques

With all the different AI tools that get introduced into the various photo editing apps, it's easy to forget about the fundamentals. To become an efficient photo editor, you must also know the basic settings and techniques. Michael Shainbloom gives ten Lightroom tips that help you achieve that.

Why Micro Four Thirds Systems Remain Viable for Today's Photographers

Micro Four Thirds (MFT) systems continue to be a compelling choice for many photographers and videographers, despite the industry's lean towards larger sensor formats. The affordability, compactness, and broad lens selection of MFT cameras offer a unique blend of benefits, particularly for those focused on portability and cost efficiency without compromising on image quality.

Don't Overlook This Surprisingly Affordable Lens

There are 85mm lenses aplenty at just about every price point, and each comes with a different value-to-performance ratio, but this lens may offer one of the best ratios out there. This fantastic video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

2024 WPPI Las Vegas Exclusive: Meet the Portrait Masters Winners

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 Camera That Will Change Photography Forever

For over a decade, I've been eagerly anticipating the release of a full frame digital global shutter camera. I'm honestly surprised it took this long, but it's finally here in the new Sony a9 III.

Why Do Photographers Love Fujifilm?

Fujifilm has carved a unique niche in the photography industry, capturing the interest of both professional and amateur photographers worldwide. Their journey, from the production of their first camera, the Fujica 6, to their latest digital innovations, illustrates a commitment to innovation and quality that has consistently set them apart.

When to Invest in New Camera Gear

The question of whether to upgrade camera gear is a perennial dilemma for photographers, balancing the allure of new technology against the practicalities of their craft and budget. This decision is one that requires considerations of cost, technological advancements, and the genuine need versus the desire for the latest.

A Landscape Photographer's Guide to Cost-Effective Travel

While many have tips for keeping travel expenses low regionally, what happens when you start flying to landscape photography destinations? Things that work with regional travel don’t scale when limited on what you can bring. I have several tips for keeping travel costs low when flying to your destination.

How To Find Direction, Subjects and Creative Ideas

I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for creative ideas for my next shoot. It's not always easy, and sometimes you just need to get to your location to find what you're looking for.

A Review of the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM Lens

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.

The Walmart Photo Challenge

Today I bring you a hilarious photoshoot challenge called The Walmart Photo Shoot. Pye Jirsa and I battle head to head to see who can take the best looking images all while using $100 worth of clothing bought from Walmart. To make it even harder, none of the images can be Photoshopped either!

Apple Vision Pro Review: Incredible, But Still Not Good Enough

The Apple Vision Pro is, without a doubt, one of the most jaw-dropping pieces of technology I've ever tested. But, after the thrill wore off, I was left with an uncomfortable device that was just a little worse than my phone, laptop, and television.

Finding Beauty in Gloom: Creative Photography on Dull Days

Embracing the challenge of dull, overcast days, this video offers a refreshing perspective on photography under conditions many might find uninspiring. Highlighting creativity over clarity, it suggests that less-than-ideal weather can be the perfect setting for exploring new photographic techniques and compositions, offering five different ways to approach such weather.

Maximizing Returns: A Professional Photographer's Guide to Smart Equipment Investment

Investing in the latest photographic equipment is a decision fraught with financial implications, one that every photographer must navigate carefully. The rapid depreciation of camera gear serves as a cautionary tale for photographers keen on maximizing their return on investment while still achieving professional results.

Two Illuminating Products That Will Rattle Other Manufacturers

I am becoming a fan of Neewer gear. Since they changed direction and started producing equipment for themselves, the designs have vastly improved, and the quality of the products has rocketed. Here are two new lights from their stable that are exceptionally good. Their competitors should look out.

A Hands-on Experience With the Sony a9 III

The announcement of the Sony a9 III set the photography world alight with excitement as it became the first camera to feature a global shutter. In this video from Julia Trotti, she puts the camera through its paces in a sports environment. Let's see how she gets on.

Choosing the Right Canon RF Lens for Portrait Photography

In portrait photography, the lens you choose is crucial to capturing the essence and emotion of your subject. This decision influences everything from the depth of field and bokeh to the sharpness and overall mood of the image, underscoring the importance of selecting the right lens to match your artistic vision and technical needs.

6 Simple Menu Things to Set on Your Camera

Modern cameras have lots of functions. It can be challenging to make the best possible settings. Often, it takes time to get the optimal settings for your personal photography. However, there are some simple things that are worth checking out.

The Art of Spontaneity in Photography: Lessons from Antarctica

The transformative power of embracing the unexpected is an exploration worth undertaking, particularly in environments as unpredictable as Antarctica. One photographer's recent journey to this icy continent serves as a compelling testament to the value of adaptability in the creative process, illustrating how a willingness to let go of meticulous planning can uncover breathtakingly spontaneous moments.

Film Recipes: A Shortcut to Nostalgia or a Creative Dead End?

The art of translating the nostalgic essence of film into digital photography has gained momentum, bridging the gap between analog textures and the precision of modern technology. Are presets and recipes a shortcut to this nostalgia, or do they stifle creativity?

Creative Lighting Techniques for Maternity Photography

Photographers constantly seek ways to diversify their portfolio, especially in genres as specific as maternity photography. The use of lighting, gels, and innovative posing not only accentuates the subject’s beauty but also adds depth and variety to the images, which are helpful for creating a memorable gallery.

Elevating Your Photography With Artificial Lighting

The debate between natural light and artificial lighting in photography is ongoing, but the mastering both can significantly elevate a photographer's work and make them far more versatile. Understanding the intricacies of bringing lights on location, despite the hassle, reveals the dedication required to achieve specific artistic visions and the tangible difference it makes in the outcomes.

You Don't Need That Camera, Honestly

"If only I had that camera," we often tell ourselves, thinking that magically our photography is finally going to transcend to a whole new plane of perfection where our creativity will feel no restrictions and our photographs will carry no flaws. We've all felt this at least once, often more.

Mastering Portraits With Minimal Gear

Mastering the use of speedlights and a backdrop for full-body portraits is an essential skill for any photographer looking to elevate their studio work. This fantastic video tutorial offers a deep dive into this technique, showcasing the transformation of a simple setup into a professional-grade photo shoot.

Going Solar With the BLUETTI Solar Generator EB55 Kit With PV200 Solar Panel

As a photographer who often camps or goes on adventure assignments, adding portable power stations to my kit has given me the ability to charge and work in even some of the most remote locations. While this kind of accessory is useful for any type of outdoor photography, it is also great for a studio where you don’t have an outlet or to have a strong power source in case of emergency. Let’s talk about the next level in portable power stations: solar generator kits.

How to Create Bold Eyes in Photoshop

Post-processing is as crucial as capturing the right moment. Enhancing the eyes can dramatically elevate the impact of an image, and this helpful video tutorial will show you how to do just that using Photoshop.

Mastering Manual: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creative Control

Understanding how to navigate manual mode in photography is essential for achieving professional-grade results, which can seem daunting due to its perceived complexity. Many photographers view manual shooting as a rite of passage to professionalism, yet the prospect of managing shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings can be intimidating.

Discovering the Body and Soul of Photography

Learning is essential for us to grow as photographers. Collaborating with the Polish artist and photographer, Maya Kot, I discovered new ideas about color that get to the very heart of photography.

How Increasing Smartphone Screen Sizes Are Shaping Photography Trends

The small flagship phone, once a coveted niche in the smartphone market, has officially become extinct. This transition marks a significant shift in consumer preferences and manufacturing trends, underscoring a broader evolution within the tech industry that directly impacts photographers and visual content creators who rely on their smartphones for on-the-go shooting and editing.

The Art and Science of 8x10 Photography

The exploration of large format photography, specifically the 4x5 and 8x10 formats, has recently seen a resurgence among enthusiasts and professionals alike. This shift towards more deliberate and intentional photographic practices offers a refreshing contrast to the rapid-fire style of digital photography, presenting unique challenges and rewards that are particularly relevant to creatives interested in the tactile nature of film and the pursuit of exceptional image quality.

DIY Fashion Photography: Your Guide to Shoots That Impress

There are different degrees of fashion shoots, it could be a personal shoot for your portfolio or one for Vogue Magazine. This format is for a personal fashion shoot, as you will most likely be in charge of putting everything together yourself.

Canon Contemplates Entering the Retro Camera Market Amid Rising Popularity

With the photography industry witnessing a resurgence of interest in vintage aesthetics, major players like Nikon and Fujifilm have successfully tapped into the nostalgia, capturing both attention and sales with their retro-inspired models. Amid this trend, Canon has hinted at potentially joining the fray with a fixed lens camera that nods to the past while embodying the present.

The Telephoto Lens: A Landscape Photographer's Secret Weapon

In the world of landscape photography, the conventional reliance is on wide angle lenses for capturing the grandeur of the nature. But the telephoto lens should not be overlooked, and this fantastic video tutorial shows you why you should add one to your bag the next time you head out.

NIK Collection 6.5: Not Just a New Update

DxO has announced the new Nik Collection version 6.5, which is much more significant than just a regular update. A complete redesign of Nik Collection, as we knew it, DxO is presenting the user with a brand new product that takes everything that was great about Nik Collection and makes it better.

A Review of the New Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS Sports Lens

The new Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS Sports lens offers wildlife and sports photographers a nice balance of reach and price. This great video review takes a deep look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Are These the Canon EOS R5 Mark II Specs?

Anticipation is growing that Canon will unveil the EOS R5 Mark II relatively soon, with its release expected a few months thereafter. And now, we have an intriguing set of specs to look at.

The Best Canon Lenses for Portrait Photography

Choosing the right lens for portraits can significantly impact the quality and emotion conveyed in each photo. This consideration is particularly crucial for photographers specializing in family and children's portraits, as selecting an appropriate lens can address challenges such as maintaining the right distance and capturing fast-moving subjects.

The Pollinator Path: A Video Journey Among Cornwall's Rarest Bees

Embarking on an intrepid journey through Cornwall's rugged landscapes, our mission to capture one of the UK's rarest bees, the Large Scabious Mining Bee, unfolds amidst the wild beauty of a National Trust farm. Join us as we delve into the world of solitary bees, where conservation efforts are sparking hope in the most unexpected of places.

The Ultimate All-Rounder: Unpacking the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G Lens

Selecting the optimal lens for various scenarios can drastically influence the outcome of your shots, and when it comes to versatility, few options stand out like a 24-105mm f/4 lens. Its range and reliability make it an indispensable tool for photographers who require a single lens capable of capturing a broad spectrum of scenes, from detailed close-ups to expansive landscapes.

Exploring the True Essence of Wildlife Photography: Beyond the Gear

Understanding the impact of equipment on wildlife photography is critical for photographers seeking to elevate their craft. This fantastic video explores the balance between gear, skill, and the psychological aspects influencing photographers' choices and perceptions.

Ultimate Compact Video Light: We Review the Zhiyun M20

When it comes to equipment, I'm looking for ways to simplify. I try to find tools that make my life as a photographer and videographer easier. And with the Zhiyun Fiveray M20 and M20c lights, I can achieve that, as I show in this article.

The Stark Contrast: Astrophotography from Urban Backyards to Remote Dark Skies

Capturing deep sky objects from a city backyard presents a unique set of challenges due to light pollution, yet it remains a common practice for many astrophotographers. The comparison between images taken under dark skies and those captured from light-polluted backyards reveals significant differences, emphasizing the importance of sky quality in astrophotography.

Photoshop's Game-Changing Adjustment Presets

Color grading is an evolving aspect of digital photography post-processing, playing a crucial role in defining the mood and tone of an image. This fantastic video tutorial shows you a new Photoshop tool that will make the job much easier.

Nikon Releases Firmware Version 5.00 for the Z9 Mirrorless Camera, Enhancing Sports and Portrait Photography Features

Nikon has announced the release of firmware version 5.00 for its Z9 mirrorless camera. This update, being the fourth major revision since the camera's launch, introduces a series of features aimed at refining the experience for both sports and portrait photographers, while also addressing feedback from the professional photography community for enhanced operational efficiency.