Practical Solutions for Common Beginner Photography Challenges
Capturing the perfect photo is often seen as a blend of art and science, fraught with challenges that can make or break a shot. Understanding the myriad reasons why photos fail is crucial for photographers looking to improve their craft and achieve consistent results. This fantastic video tutorial features an experienced photographer sharing some useful advice to help you approve.
Being a Good Director or Photographer Is More Than Just the End Product
Busy week of production, so, this week, I’d like to just offer a short story about how, sometimes, a successful shoot is about more than just the final product.
Why I Don't Take My Camera With Me Anymore: EDC in 2024
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.
Photoshop Magic: Easily Remove Dust and Scratches From Images
Will We See Another Major Canon Camera This Year?
Most gear enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Canon EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II, and while those will certainly be some of the most important cameras to come along in a while, Canon might have another crucial camera waiting in the wings.
A Complete Guide to Mastering Lightroom Masking (Part 1)
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.
Essential Tips for Landscape Photo Compositions
Effective composition is a linchpin in the creation of compelling photographs, distinguishing memorable images from mere snapshots. This fantastic video dives into the topic and offers some practical advice.
The Difference Between Good and Great Photos
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.
The Creative Power of Constraint
Exploring familiar territories with a fresh perspective can often feel like a daunting challenge for photographers. Yet, it's this very pursuit of novelty within the well-trodden that can breathe new life into one's work, pushing the boundaries of creativity and observation.
Unlocking the Light: Transforming Good Photos Into Great Ones
Photography, at its core, is about capturing light, yet this fundamental aspect is often overlooked in the quest for the perfect subject. This fantastic video dives into this topic, emphasizing the importance of understanding and utilizing light to transform good photographs into outstanding ones.
The Premium Compact King Is Back! Fujifilm X100VI Preview
The successor to the worldwide popular, and rightfully so, Fujifilm X100V has finally been revealed! The new X100VI brings forth some very welcome features while staying true to what made the X100 lineup great. We’ve used it for a while and loved it! How was it? What’s new? What stayed the same? Is it worth upgrading? Will you even be able to get one?
How to Record Better Audio: We Review the Saramonic MV7000
Times when the main creative outlet for photographers was taking and editing photos are long gone. For many, recording videos plays an equally important role now. But, the creation of videos is not only about the visuals. Audio is equally important. And for it, you need a good microphone, like the Saramonic MV7000.
It's Time To Confess: Photography Nearly Broke Me
January had been a difficult month for me. I was shooting a lot less, and as a result, I had a ton of time to think about my career and my direction. I ended up in a fairly bad place with my mental health. Like almost every other artist, I ended up hating much of what I do. Here's why it sucks being a photographer, and what you can do about it.
Five Tips to Radically Improve Your Portrait Photography
There are many small, simple steps, that you can take to drastically improve your portrait photography today.
Easy Tips to Keep Your Camera Gear Clean
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.
How Shallow DOF Just Might Ruin Your Photography
Why are photographers obsessed with shallow depth of field? And why I think it can ruin your photography as it almost did with mine. Read on about how it started to affect my photography and what I did about it.
Exploring Scenes in Landscape Photography
Landscape photographers often speak about the advantages of scouting locations, but a certain creative energy can be lost with too much pre-planning. In this video, we follow along as a landscape photographer explores an area which has some benefits and downsides.
Using Honeycomb Grids for Precision Lighting
Honeycomb grids are a fantastic tool for taking your lighting to the next level. They offer precision and control that can transform an image's mood and focus.
Hands On With The Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera 6K
Today, I get a chance to play with the new Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera 6K.
How to Grow as a Photographer
Becoming a skilled photographer is a journey that requires dedication, practice, and a willingness to learn and grow. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your photography to the next level, there are several key steps you can take to develop your skills and expand your creative horizons. Let’s explore some of the most effective strategies for growing as a photographer, which have helped my own personal journey.
Understanding the Impact of New Photography Gear
Exploring the nuanced feelings of acquiring a new camera, especially after years of loyalty to a previous model, reveals a complex mix of expectations for photographers. The anticipation of significant improvements in quality and functionality often clashes with the reality of marginal gains, leading to a reflective consideration of what truly enhances one's craft.
Mastering Tonal Adjustments in Lightroom
Turning a flat raw file into a visually appealing image with rich contrasts and vibrant colors is a critical skill for every new photographer to learn. The helpful video tutorial will show you how to get started with tonal adjustments in Lightroom.
Pushing Your Limits as an Introverted Photographer
Does the thought of photographing people for the first time frighten you? It did for me a few years ago. As an introverted photographer who also suffers from depression and anxiety, I was petrified to make the step into portrait photography, but I was able to push through it and now I love it!
I Wish I Knew Earlier About These 5 Mistakes Every Photographer Makes
I do my very best to help out photographers who are starting out. There are some negative tendencies in just about any photographer's career; I had them myself. The only difference between me and you is that you will now find out what's wrong, while I had to figure it out by trial and error.
Navigating the Chaos: How Big Cities Can Improve Your Photography Skills
Mastering the art of photography in urban environments can be a game-changer for photographers looking to expand their skill set and portfolio diversity. This fantastic video highlights the unique advantages of shooting in big cities, emphasizing how varying light conditions and urban chaos can significantly enhance a photographer's ability to capture compelling images.
The Secret Way I Save Money When Buying Gear
Buying equipment is as exciting as ever, if you ask me. While my tastes are probably slightly different than yours, in the sense that I buy '90s flash gear and DSLRs, I have been doing this for around five years and have come up with a few tips on how to save money when buying gear.
A Review of the HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 Laptop
The HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 laptop offers a lot of power, screen real estate, and flexibility in a portable package, making it an attractive option for creatives on the go. This great video review takes a look at the laptop and the sort of performance you can expect from it in use.
Overcoming Nature's Challenges in Landscape Photography
Landscape photography is a pursuit that challenges photographers to harness the unpredictable beauty of nature, pushing them to adapt to ever-changing conditions. This genre demands not only an eye for composition but also the resilience to face natural elements, from navigating rugged terrains to capturing the dynamic interplay of light and shadow in remote locations.
All the Ports and More: We Review the Ugreen Revodok Max 213 Thunderbolt Docking Station
What can docking stations do, and how could they affect your editing workflow? Think of this as an all-in-one, or at least a 13-in-1 solution, to make your work more efficient and expand the capabilities of your editing computer.
Stock Photography Is a Scam
There is a lot of bad advice online on how to make money as a photographer. Truth be told, I followed much of it and made a big fat zero. This is not because such advice is wrong, but rather because it is out of touch with what the market is in 2024. In this article, I will shed light on one of the worst ways to make money with your work.
The Art of Using Speedlights for Dynamic Portraits
Mastering off-camera flash techniques with a speedlight is a fantastic way to get started with off-camera portrait lighting. Utilizing a speedlight away from the camera allows for more controlled, professional-looking results, transforming simple shots into meticulously crafted images.
Model Versus Slime: Using Slime in a Photoshoot
Doing a photoshoot with slime was my Nickelodeon-inspired childhood dream come true. We used 20 gallons of blue slime in this shoot, and it created some wild photos.
5 Beginner Lighting Mistakes That Make You Look Like An Idiot
Having used flash for most of the work I've shot, it’s fair to say that I made a number of mistakes when starting out with a flash kit. Everything that could go wrong did, but I learned a number of techniques along the way. In this article, we will dive into some of the most common mistakes I see photographers make when using flash.
How to Improve Your Waterfall Photography
Capturing the ethereal beauty of waterfalls remains a timeless pursuit for photographers, offering a blend of technical challenge and artistic expression. This helpful video dives into this subject, sharing insights based on extensive experience with waterfall photography, underlining its significance not just for its aesthetic appeal but for the technical acumen it demands.
Mastering Light and Shadow for Eye-Catching Portraits
The transformative power of shadows in photography is often understated, yet they hold the key to creating images that resonate with depth, emotion, and a sense of mystery. This fantastic video tutorial explores this concept through the lens of Vincent Peters, a master of using light and shadow to craft visually stunning portraits that evoke the glamour of classic Hollywood.
Rediscovering the Art of Photography in the Social Media Age
Photography's essence and education have been significantly altered by the surge of social media, presenting a complex challenge for photographers. This insightful video dives into this topic, exploring how the focus has shifted from the art of photography to monetization and gear reviews, emphasizing the importance of this shift for both emerging and established photographers.
Practical Advice for Monetizing Your Photography
Knowing how to navigate the financial landscape of photography is crucial for those looking to turn their passion into profit. Understanding the various avenues through which photographers can monetize their skills will help you find the right niche for you.
Photographer and Reporter Arrested for Covering Anti-Government Protest
On a day marked by tensions surrounding press freedom in Thailand, two journalists found themselves ensnared in the legal system for their investigative work into acts of political defiance against the monarchy.
5 Tips for More Effective Interior Photographs
Shooting interiors for real estate shouldn’t be that challenging if your goal is simply to photograph the entire space. However, if the goal is to come up with visually impactful images, then it’s very likely that you’ll have to solve some problems while shooting.
The Secret Key to Success a Photographer Must Know
There is a growing tendency in photography to produce commercially viable portfolios. I can't say that this is a bad tendency, as it nurtures image-makers who are more profitable. However, there are a few negatives to this. One of them is that everyone's portfolio looks the same.
Can Canon and Sony Both Be Number One in Mirrorless?
If you happened to see the recent press release and subsequent articles, you may be under the impression that Canon has become the number one brand of mirrorless cameras. And this data is probably correct. But after their release, Sony was asked about it and decided to share their end of the same data, which also says they are number one in mirrorless. So what's the deal?
News About Canon's Most Important Cameras Emerges
The 1 Series and 5 Series are Canon's most important professional bodies, representing their flagship and workhorse cameras, respectively. As such, many users are eagerly awaiting more information on the upcoming EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II cameras, and we now know a bit more.
Streamlining Photographer Creativity With Fundy Designer 11
A Review of the Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR Lens
For Fujifilm medium format users, the GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR lens offers a wide angle of view suitable for genres like landscape and architectural photography. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.
Some of Lightroom's Best Hidden Features
Lightroom Classic is a surprisingly intricate program that, despite its widespread use among photographers, contains functionalities that often go unnoticed. For real estate photographers, and indeed for those in many other genres, mastering these lesser-known tools can significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of their workflow. This helpful video tutorial will show you several such tools.
Choosing the Right Lens: A Beginner's Guide to Zoom and Primes Lenses
The choice between zoom and prime lenses is a fundamental consideration for photographers, affecting everything from image quality to shooting style. Understanding their differences is key to selecting the right lens for your photography needs, whether you're capturing landscapes, portraits, or fast-paced events. This helpful video will show you what you need to know.
A Guide to Elevating Your Pet Photography at Home
We all want to capture memories of our beloved canine companions. This fantastic video tutorial will show you how to create those images at home.
We Review the Compact Sony a7C II and a7C R Mirrorless Cameras
Most people are familiar with the Sony a7-series cameras. These mirrorless cameras have matured over the last decade and enjoy a wide fan base. However, they have also grown significantly in size. If you prefer a smaller form factor, perhaps it's time to consider the Sony a7C II and a7CR.
Why I Bought Ancient Flash Kit in 2024
One of the biggest tendencies I see among photographers is the pursuit of the latest and greatest kit. I, however, did the very opposite and invested in some truly ancient equipment. Not because I intended to write an article about it, but because there is a valid reason behind my choice. Let's delve into it.