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DuoBoards: A Very Useful Food Photography Accessory

The number of times I’ve been called to a restaurant, hotel, or food manufacturer to photograph food on location, with only tired-looking tables or bar tops to work with, I can’t count on two hands. Or fresh white linen with nasty big creases. I think that’s even worse. Luckily, V-Flat World has the answer with DuoBoards.

Trying Nikon After Again After 7 Years With Sony

Over 20 years ago, when I started my professional photography career, I shot exclusively with Nikon. Back then, I had zero intention of switching brands, but eventually I was forced to.

Active Contests
Modern Photos
Critique the Community

Modern Photos

Justify Your Gear, Show Us Your Best Modern Photographs

You've spent thousands on photography equipment. Justify your purchase by showing us your recent images that were made possible with modern gear and cutting-edge features.

Submission Deadline:
May 30th 2025 - 1:00am
Practical Beginner Tips for Better Photo Compositions

Composition changes how people react to your photos, and even tiny adjustments can completely shift a viewer's focus. Knowing exactly how to position your camera is often the difference between an okay photo and a great one.

Why the Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 Might Be Your Next Lens

The Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB lens is creating a buzz among Sony and Nikon shooters, offering a combination of excellent image quality and a fast aperture. Its potential to elevate portrait and sports photography makes it a lens worth considering for those looking to step up their game.

Editing vs. Reality: How Far is Too Far in Landscape Photography?

One of the most debated topics in landscape photography is the role of editing. While some photographers firmly believe that an image should reflect the reality of the scene, others see post-processing as a critical creative tool that allows them to express their unique vision. The central question becomes: where do we draw the line between enhancement and deception?

Powerful Masking Techniques for Landscapes in Lightroom

Lightroom recently introduced a landscape masking tool designed to simplify complex edits in landscape photography. This tool can drastically improve your editing workflow and give you precise control without extra effort or complicated techniques.

Moody and High-Key Looks With Simple Lighting

Knowing how to effectively use continuous LED lights and v-flats can greatly simplify your process, helping you capture professional results without excessive gear.

Compact Versatility: Is Fujifilm's Updated Kit Lens Worth It?

Fujifilm’s XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR lens is an updated kit lens that aims to bring higher-quality performance and usability to everyday photography. Whether you're scouting locations for clients, traveling casually, or needing a compact lens with reliable weather-sealing, this lens could become your preferred companion.

Which Fujifilm Sensor Is Right for You?

Sensors determine the look and clarity of your photos. Knowing the difference between Bayer and X-Trans sensors directly influences your camera choice, workflow, and the software you use to edit your images.

Photoshop Generative Tools: Are They Good Enough?

Photoshop's generative fill and generative expand tools can seem impressive at first, but there's a critical limitation you need to know about before relying on them heavily. Understanding these tools' limits is crucial for anyone editing high-resolution images intended for professional use or large prints.

5 Crucial Photography Tips You Wish You Knew Earlier

When you're starting out in photography, a few solid tips can shortcut your way through common frustrations. These pointers, grounded in practical experience, can change your approach and improve your results dramatically.

The Sigma BF Camera: Less Gear, More Joy

The Sigma BF mirrorless camera isn't typical; it's a piece of gear built around aesthetics, simplicity, and the joy of photography. If you're someone who values the experience of capturing images as much as the results, this camera might hold particular appeal.

Mastering Black and White: Why You Should Shoot Monochrome

Black and white photography strips away distractions, leaving you with only the basics—form, shadow, and light—to shape your images. Mastering this simplicity helps you understand composition on a deeper level.

A Look at the 100 Years of Leica Celebration in New York City

I love attending any free photography-centered event that offers refreshments and shooting opportunities. Most of these events go all out to provide a unique shooting experience, complete with everything from balloons to dancing bears. Leica loves to be different, and it's no surprise that they took a different approach—one more focused on community—for their recent celebration in New York City.

Landscape Photography: Saleable Art Versus Worthless Pretty Pictures

Landscape photography has become boring. How many more photos do I have to scroll through on social media of the same old locations? Those must-have photos of the red houses in Hamnøy, Lofoten; the waterfall at Kirkjufellsfoss, Iceland; the lone tree at Buttermere in the Lake District. It’s like looking through a schoolboy’s stamp collection. Every kid has exactly the same stamps because they’re the easiest ones to find and buy with your pocket money.

Premium vs Value: Which 35mm Lens Reigns Supreme?

Third-party lenses are challenging established brands with impressive performance at lower price points, making the choice more complex than ever before. Here's a look at two fantastic 35mm lenses.

The Distinctions Between Good and Great Photographers

Creating exceptional photos requires more than technical skills or expensive equipment. The difference between good and great photography often comes down to fundamental creative principles that transform ordinary images into compelling visual stories.

The Fujifilm X-M5: Small Camera, Big Surprises

Few cameras have faced as much early criticism—and then surprised everyone—as the Fujifilm X-M5. What seemed like a limited update at first glance has revealed itself to be a compelling choice, particularly if you're looking for professional video capabilities in a tiny, affordable package.

Fujifilm’s GFX100RF: Compact Body, Huge Resolution

Fujifilm’s new GFX100RF medium format camera combines a massive 102-megapixel sensor with compact form factor and fixed lens design. Its portability and sensor size position it uniquely among high-resolution cameras.

Why Following Wedding Photography Trends Might Be Hurting Your Career

Have you ever felt torn between staying true to your creative vision and jumping on the latest wedding photography trend? As a wedding photographer, it’s a dilemma I face daily. With the market constantly shifting—especially in a destination like Tuscany—it’s tempting to follow the trend of the moment. But what if I told you that blindly following trends might be the very thing that's holding you back from reaching your full potential as a photographer?

Why Your Real Estate Images Need Better Natural Light

Effectively using natural light in real estate photography isn’t just about getting bright photos—it taps into psychological responses that can make your images immediately more appealing. Good use of natural light draws attention and enhances spatial awareness, making spaces feel inviting and attractive to potential buyers.

Canon Autofocus: Master Your Camera’s Advanced Features

Autofocus settings have become incredibly sophisticated on Canon's latest mirrorless cameras, like the EOS R1 and R5 Mark II. Knowing how to harness these powerful autofocus features can significantly improve your photography, especially when you're shooting fast-moving subjects like athletes.

Editing Landscapes Faster With Lightroom’s Latest Update

Adobe has just released a Lightroom update with a new landscape masking feature designed to streamline your editing workflow. If you frequently edit landscape photos, this update is worth exploring for its practical improvements.

Dodging and Burning Using Only Lightroom

Dodging and burning can dramatically change how your final image turns out, enhancing depth and guiding attention to key areas. Mastering this technique in Lightroom is not only possible but straightforward enough to become an essential part of your workflow.

Visual Storytelling Secrets From 'The Untouchables'

Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables isn't your average gangster movie. It’s visually compelling, tightly shot, and filled with moments photographers can learn from about cinematic storytelling.

Is Sigma's 300-600mm f/4 Your Ideal Super-Telephoto Lens?

The Sigma 300-600mm f/4 DG OS Sports Lens is filling a noticeable gap between typical telephoto zooms and ultra-expensive super telephoto primes. If you've been struggling to find a high-quality lens without reaching into the $10,000-plus range, Sigma's latest offering might be precisely what you're looking for.

Setting Up Successful Model Collaborations

If you're serious about improving your photography, scheduling regular test shoots with models—without money exchanging hands—is necessary. Learning how to handle these arrangements correctly saves you from wasted effort and awkward situations.

Meet the Roller Bag That Actually Delivers

Whether you're a travel or commercial photographer, getting your bag around the airport or to your next shoot can get annoying—if only there were a bag that made traveling a little easier.

Practical Advice for Becoming a Photographer in 2025

If you're thinking about starting a photography career in 2025, it's natural to have concerns, especially with the growing presence of AI. Understanding the current landscape and how you fit into it matters more now than ever.

Effortlessly Remove People From Images Using Photoshop's AI

Photoshop's recent integration of AI tools has significantly simplified the process of removing people from images. Whether you're dealing with unwanted background figures in portraits or distracting elements in event shots, these modern techniques can dramatically streamline your workflow.

Critique the Community Your Best Portraits

Congratulations to the Winners!

We just wrapped up our Critique the Community contest for the month of April, and with over 800 submissions, we had some amazing photos to choose from.  I want to thank everyone who entered and give a big congratulations to our winners below.  

Head over to the next Critique the Community Contest running now until May 30th and enter your best "modern" photograph from any genre of photography.  

 

SEO for Photographers Who Hate SEO (But Hate Being Invisible More): Part 2

By now, you’ve started making peace with the idea that your gorgeous photography isn’t enough on its own. You’ve added a clear intro to your homepage. You’ve started naming your images like an adult. You’ve even braved the back end of your site to fiddle with some alt text. That’s huge—give yourself a high five. Now let’s crank it up a notch.

Understand Your Camera’s Metering Modes Easily

Understanding camera metering modes is essential if you want consistent results and greater creative control over your photography. Metering affects how your camera interprets lighting in a scene, influencing your exposure settings and the overall look of your photos.