Check Out This New Type of Bounce
While some may stress over light fixtures, others are stressing over reflections.
While some may stress over light fixtures, others are stressing over reflections.
As I began my interview with Fabian Wagner DOP, he sits there, totally relaxed and easygoing. Describing himself as just an ordinary guy, it quickly becomes clear that my conversation was going to be a very relaxed affair, without pretenses, and totally open to all questions I threw at him.
If you've ever owned a fixed focal length wide-angle lens, you've probably noticed the numbers located between the focus ring and the aperture ring. This is the depth of field scale, and it's a valuable tool that helps you check the depth of field for different apertures and focus distances.
24-70mm f/2.8 lenses are the workhorses of many genres in the industry, combining a useful focal length range with a nice maximum aperture for a zoom lens. If you do not need that f/2.8 aperture, though, f/4 versions offer the same versatility in a smaller package and at a much lower cost. The Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G embodies that and offers an even more versatile focal length range, making it quite desirable for a huge range of applications. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in usage.
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.
As a camper and tech enthusiast, finding the right portable power bank to keep all my devices charged while on the road has always been a priority. I do have a leisure battery, which is connected to my van, and this allows me to use devices when parked up after being charged while driving. However, if I want to stay in a spot longer I would be pinched for power.
We all want to be better photographers, but the path to getting there is not always readily apparent. If you are feeling a little stalled out in your progress but looking to grow, check out this helpful video tutorial that features an experienced photographer sharing 10 useful tips that will put you on the path to improvement.
There is no format more extreme than large format, where the negatives dwarf even the biggest medium format sensors and each frame costs upwards of $5. With such intense costs and demands, would you use it to photograph something as important as a photo assignment for The New York Times? This neat video takes you behind the scenes with a photographer who did just that.
Hold on tight, my fellow photography enthusiasts, as we dive into the world of shutter speed! Get ready to unlock the five secrets that will make your photographs freeze time, bend reality, and maybe even make your subjects strike a pose like supermodels on a catwalk. So, grab your camera, put on your photography hat, and let's embark on this adventure.
Few lenses on the market right now are more exciting than the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD, which offers an incredibly versatile focal length range in tandem with a particularly wide set of maximum apertures. Now, the lens is available for Nikon Z mount users, and this awesome video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in use.
The work of Daido Moriyama is some of the most unique of the last several decades, and it is a fantastic source from which to draw creative inspiration. The excellent video essay takes a look at Moriyama’s work and how his creative philosophy shaped his images.
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 has been five years since we first saw the EOS R, Canon’s first full frame mirrorless camera. Though we have seen several newer models since its release, it is still a perfectly serviceable camera that can be had for a bargain now. This excellent video review takes a look at how the EOS R holds up in 2023.
Remove the complications and long lists of equipment that you think you need to create stunning portraits. Look at what Irene Rudnyk can achieve shooting with this simple LED light set up in her living room.
As a photographer, my lens has been my window to the world, a conduit through which I've captured the grandeur of nature's landscapes. From the sweeping vistas of mountains to the tranquil embrace of forests, I've dedicated my craft to preserving the beauty of the outdoors. Yet, a whisper of curiosity has tugged at me, urging me to step outside my comfort zone and explore the realm of portrait photography for a long time.
Landscape photography can often be a very slow process that requires a lot of preparation followed by a lot of waiting for just the right conditions and right light to develop in front of you. If you are willing to wait, though, you will often be rewarded with worthwhile images. This excellent video tutorial features an experienced landscape photographer discussing the importance of patience in the craft.
Viltrox has quickly become one of the most competitive manufacturers of lenses, creating options that offer excellent performance and image quality at some of the best prices in the industry. The relatively new AF 75mm f/1.2 offers APS-C users an extremely wide aperture in tandem with a portrait focal length, making it an intriguing option for many photographers, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in real-world usage.
I get questions like these daily, mostly from inexperienced or new photojournalists who want to get into documentary photography. I often repeat the same answers, so I figured it might be useful to put it all into a single article. So, here are the bare basics of high-risk documentary photography.
Jessica Kobeissi has a much-needed rant in response to comments from viewers who assume that everyone not using mirrorless has been left behind in the dark ages.
Do you ever feel like you carry too much camera gear when out practicing landscape photography? A camera bag, a camera body, a trio of lenses, batteries, filters, a tripod, maybe a drone or action cam: it all adds up. This video looks at taking a minimal approach and some of the advantages that it brings.
A lot of interesting photography equipment is released almost every week. This could be an upgrade to something you currently are using or something new that you've never considered buying before. However, think twice about spending your hard-earned money on new photography equipment.
Viltrox has continued to establish themselves as a manufacturer of capable lenses that are priced quite competitively, making their options intriguing for a wide range of photographers and filmmakers. Their latest lens, the Viltrox PRO Series AF 27mm f/1.2 Pro, offers Fujifilm users a relatively neutral equivalent focal length of 40mm in tandem with an extremely wide maximum aperture of f/1.2, making it a potential workhorse for many applications. This great video review takes a look at the new lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in use.
Back in 2017, Sigma released the 14mm f/1.8 Art, a lens which offered the widest maximum aperture seen in a full frame 14mm lens by more than a full stop. Now, they have released the 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art, which offers even more light-gathering power and sits as the world's widest f/1.4 full frame lens. Can its performance and image quality match those impressive specs? This great video review takes a look at what you can expect.
Sometimes, when you want to win the big game, you have to be willing to call your own number.
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.
We often think of photo composition in an additive way, including an increasing numbers of elements in the frame to balance each other out, until the shot feels relatively full and satisfying. However, thinking about how you can leave things out of the image can often be a great way to reduce distractions and bring your viewer's attention back to the subject. This great video tutorial discusses negative space and how to use it in your images.
Over the past few years, there has been a remarkable rise in M and LTM lens manufacturers, throwing in with Leica and Voigtlander in an attempt to carve out some space of their own. Many of these lenses lean towards the more affordable side of the marketplace, with TTArtisan and 7Artisan joined by revived "classics" like Meyer-Optik Görlitz or handmade, artisanal lenses like MS-Optics.
Photoshop's Generative Fill feature has generated a ton of buzz in the last few months with its ability to drastically edit and alter photos in just a few seconds. One photo task that can often be tedious is restoring old or damaged photos, and a lot of Generative Fill's capabilities seem perfectly tailored to the task. Can it save you a lot of time and effort? This great video takes a look.
One of the neat things about landscape photography is that any one frame can be edited in numerous ways to produce many vastly different but equally compelling results. And while many editing techniques are somewhat ubiquitous across all those different styles, this interesting video tutorial explores an unusual but simple approach to adding more atmosphere to foggy landscape images.
Landscape photography is a challenging genre that requires the confluence of technical skill, creative vision, careful planning, physical effort, and sometimes, a bit of luck. If you would like to improve your landscape photos, check out this fantastic video tutorial that offers five useful tips sure to put you on the track to better images.
Ever wonder about VR filmmaking, but aren’t sure how to get started? Here is a mini-primer using the Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8 L Dual Fisheye 3D VR lens and the R5 C camera.
Composition can be one of the hardest skills of landscape photography to learn for more pleasing images. The rules can be overwhelming: the rule of thirds, leading lines, golden ratio, and more. This video brings it all down to one element to help master composition and landscape photography.
Hendrix used it. As did Hemingway. Slash still does, and so too does George Saunders. It's simple, relatable, and easy to implement. Best of all, it really does help take your creative work to the next level. Learn how you can use it, too.
The new Hasselblad XCD 28mm f/4 P offers uses a very portable wide angle lens that still brings with it some innovative features and the promise of image quality able to keep up with the demands of 100-megapixel medium format lenses, making it intriguing for a range of applications, particularly street photography. Can it live up to those high demands in practice? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect.
When it comes to different filter systems, they may seem simple, but they can have wildly differing user experiences, with some a breeze to use and others an awkward, fumbling debacle. Is this magnetic system the best on the market?
Social media is bigger than ever, and that means more photos are being posted than ever before. With all those images being posted, there can be some powerful trends, and it can be easy to wonder if you should be following them yourself in order to stay relevant. This insightful video essay discusses the issue and offers some thoughts on how closely we should follow the crowd.
Almost every accessory brand is taking the horizontal-to-vertical rotation mounts very seriously. Let’s see what Ulanzi’s range of options have to offer.
In today’s world of photography where we are spoiled with choices, selecting the ideal method for delivering photo prints can be a daunting task. With an array of options available, photographers often find themselves constantly in a dilemma of choosing the perfect print method that is not only capable of showcasing their work in the best physical form but also provides an exceptional experience for their clients.
In the world of photography, the name "Hasselblad" resonates with elegance, precision, and uncompromising quality. Enter the Hasselblad X2D, a piece of technological artistry that has the power to transform mundane moments into breathtaking visual narratives. Thanks to the creative prowess of Gavin Hardcastle, an acclaimed photographer and filmmaker, we are treated to a captivating video that showcases the Hasselblad X2D's capabilities.
Photographer's block, also known as creative block, is a common challenge that many photographers encounter during their artistic journey. It is a frustrating and sometimes overwhelming feeling of being stuck, unable to find inspiration or ideas for new photographic projects. Photographer's block can affect photographers of all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals. However, it is essential to recognize that it is a natural part of the creative process. In this article, we will explore the causes of photographer's block and provide practical strategies to unlock creativity and overcome this creative hurdle.
Venus Optics is known for making some of the most unique lenses on the market today. Their 10mm f/4 Cookie lens takes the classic pancake design and turns it into a very wide focal length, making it an intriguing option for any photographer looking for a portable (and affordable) walkaround option for things like hikes and travel photography. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.
Fujifilm's X Series of mirrorless cameras are some of the most beloved options out there, offering a great combination of a traditional and highly functional user experience in tandem with modern features and capabilities. The X-S20 offers a nice balance of features and cost, making it an intriguing option for many photographers. This great video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.
Ultra-wide angle zoom lenses with f/2.8 apertures are popular for everything from weddings and events to landscapes and astrophotography. Nonetheless, such lenses are often rather expensive, frequently costing north of $2,000. And so, at $996, the Nikon 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD is a breath of fresh air. Can it keep up with more expensive competitors? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect.
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.
As a Canon user, perhaps no lens has me more jealous of other camera systems than the 35-150mm f/2-2.8. Arguably one of the most versatile lens designs, such lenses can cover a huge range of needs and applications. Both Tamron and Samyang make 35-150mm f/2-2.8 options with different advantages and prices. Which is right for you? This excellent video comparison takes a look at both to help you decide.
In the archives of photography, few moments have been as pivotal as Robert Capa's coverage of the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944. Capa stepped onto the beaches of Normandy and captured the raw intensity of one of the most significant events of World War II, and, it can be argued, one of the most significant events in history. Despite the chaotic atmosphere, Capa's work stands as a testament to the power and importance of photojournalism. We've all seen the photos. They are some of the most iconic images captured during war. However, due to a darkroom mishap, many of those moments he captured are gone forever.