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A Smarter Way to Capture Street Photos Without Constant Walking

Walking 20,000 to 40,000 steps on a photo walk isn’t always practical. Sometimes, you need a way to capture compelling images without constant movement. A method called the "fishing technique" offers an alternative, letting you stay in one spot and wait for the right moment instead of chasing subjects.

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This was Difficult!
Critique the Community

This was Difficult!

Your Most Complicated Photoshoot

Welcome to the February 2025 Critique the Community Contest!  For this contest and critique we wanted to switch up the theme a bit by asking you to submit the most difficult and challenging images you've ever taken.

Submission Deadline:
February 27th 2025 - 10:45pm
Personal Criteria That Make a Strong Image

Over the years, I’ve come to realize that creating a strong image isn’t about following a rigid compositional formula but about finding harmony in the interplay of light, composition, subject, and intent that blends both technical precision and emotional connection. These elements, when thoughtfully considered, can transform an ordinary scene into something outstanding. In this article, I’ll share the criteria that I believe define a strong image, based on insights gained through years of trial, error, and reflection.

The Special Ability That Separates Great Portrait Photographers From Good Ones

Mastery of the camera, a keen photographic eye, and excellent timing are all prerequisites for being a good portrait photographer. But there’s another quality that is much harder to come by and less often talked about, yet it can distinguish a great portrait photographer from a good one.

Mastering Black and White Photography: Essential Techniques

Black and white photography forces you to see light, texture, and form in ways that color photography doesn’t. Stripping away color makes you focus on contrast and composition, helping you create images with depth and mood. If you’ve never spent a day shooting only in black and white, it’s a great way to train your eye.

Which Budget Color Film Is Best?

With film prices ever increasing, budget-conscious photographers are always on the hunt for the best results at the lowest price. Of the cheapest mainstream offerings, which one delivers the best performance?

SmallRig’s RC 220B Pro LED Video Light Reviewed: Smart Features and Flexibility

SmallRig has recently unveiled the RC 220B Pro LED Video Light, marking a significant evolution in its COB lighting lineup. Promising professional-grade performance in a lightweight, compact package, the RC 220B Pro is positioned to be the go-to light for video creators of all levels. I’ve had the opportunity to put it through its paces in real-world production environments to see how it stacks up.

Adaptive Profiles in Lightroom: A Look at the Latest Update

Lightroom’s newest update introduces Adaptive Profiles, a tool that changes how you can approach editing. Instead of applying a standard profile, these profiles intelligently adjust to your image, giving you a different kind of automatic enhancement. If you rely on auto settings, this could be an alternative worth exploring.

The Best Standard Zoom Lens for Fuji X Mount

Not all standard zoom lenses are created equal, even when they cover similar focal ranges. Fuji has refreshed its lineup with two new lenses, while Sigma’s popular budget-friendly option remains in the mix. Whether you need the best sharpness, the fastest autofocus, or the most compact option, here's a good guide to what's best for your needs.

The Reality of Shooting 100 Rolls of Film on a Road Trip

Shooting film on the road presents unique challenges, from managing limited exposures to ensuring your gear and film stay in working condition. For a long trip, especially in remote areas, planning becomes essential.

15 Tips That Will Instantly Improve Your Photos

Mastering composition, light, and perspective can elevate your photography in ways that gear alone can’t. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, understanding these elements makes a difference.

From Start-Up Curiosity to Cultural Colossus: A 20-Year History of YouTube

On February 14, 2025, YouTube celebrates its 20th anniversary—a milestone that invites deep reflection on how a single website, originally conceived as a platform for sharing simple video clips, evolved into a global cultural powerhouse. Over two tumultuous decades, YouTube has transformed media hierarchies, empowered ordinary individuals to become creators, and reshaped public discourse on a myriad of social, political, and cultural issues.

Tamron Patent Points to Exciting New Lens

Tamron may be eyeing an ambitious new lens: a 200–800mm ultra-telephoto zoom for mirrorless cameras. A recently published patent in Japan reveals optical designs for a Tamron 200-800mm f/6.7 lens, as well as a companion 200-600mm f/5.6 design​.

Media Embrace Content Credentials to Fight Deepfakes

Media organizations and tech companies are increasingly adopting an open standard called Content Credentials to verify the authenticity of images and combat the spread of deepfakes. This standard, developed by a broad coalition, embeds provenance data and digital signatures into photos and videos, allowing anyone to check if and how a piece of media has been edited. Real-world implementations are already proving its value in news verification and helping restore trust in digital media.

How to Capture Fog Like a Pro

Fog transforms a landscape, softening edges and adding depth, but photographing it requires careful planning. Light, shutter speed, and composition all play a role in how the final image turns out.

Why Your Wildlife Photos Look Soft (It’s Not Your Lens)

Heat haze ruins sharp images, and you might not even realize it’s happening. You can have the best lens, perfect settings, and great timing, but if you’re shooting through too much turbulent air, your images will come out soft. Wildlife photography is especially vulnerable to this problem, and if you’re shooting at long distances, the effect is even worse.

This Budget Camera Is So Bad, It’s Almost Impressive

The Andoer 18-megapixel digital camera is one of the cheapest cameras you can buy on Amazon, but is it even worth the 23 bucks? If you've ever wondered just how bad a budget camera can get—or if there’s any way to make it work—you’re in for a ride.

Canon Just Came Up With a Weird Idea for Lighter Lenses

Canon is looking into resin (plastic) lens elements as a way to make professional camera lenses lighter, according to a newly uncovered patent. The patent outlines designs for zoom lenses that use plastic optical elements to cut down on weight, potentially revolutionizing the build of heavy telephoto lenses.

Shifting From Photographer To Videographer: Where Do You Start?

You’ve been a photographer for many years, and you’re curious about making videos. After all, your camera likely has some amazing video capabilities. But moving to video is daunting; there’s so much more involved than still photography. Here are a few thoughts to help you get started.

The Photographer Working at the Edge of the World

In one of the most inhospitable regions of the world, where life exists on a knife’s edge, Ragnar Axelsson has spent four decades photographing the beauty of its frozen landscapes and, more recently, the impact of climate change on the lives of the hardy people who call this frozen wilderness home.

Is Micro Four Thirds Still Worth It in 2025?

Some cameras are built for power, others for portability. Micro Four Thirds cameras aim to balance both, offering a lightweight system without sacrificing performance. But with full frame cameras becoming more affordable and APS-C sensors improving, is Micro Four Thirds still worth it?

Choosing the Right Aperture for Front-to-Back Sharpness in Landscape Photos

Picking the right aperture is a balancing act. Too wide, and you risk losing sharpness in the background. Too narrow, and diffraction can soften your entire image. Knowing how to find the right setting for maximum clarity can make a huge difference in your landscape photography.

Elon Musk’s $97.4 Billion “Take-Back” Offer: A Power Play or a Plot Twist?

If you thought that your relationship with your ex-wife was messy, you may not be the only one who feels like they’re in a game of relational chess. Elon Musk has thrown another curveball in his ongoing saga with OpenAI, offering to withdraw his jaw-dropping $97.4 billion bid. His one condition? OpenAI must abandon its pivot toward a for-profit model and return to its original nonprofit roots. (Audience cheers.) This latest maneuver adds yet another chapter to Musk’s very public clash with OpenAI’s leadership.

Photobooks for Photographers: A Path to Self-Publishing

Have you ever wanted to create a photo book showcasing your own photography? Turning your images into a professionally finished photo book can be an impactful way to contain and present your work. This article explores options to self-publish your photography in the format of a professional-quality photo book.

Which Canon Supertelephoto Zoom Lens Is Right for You?

Choosing the right telephoto zoom lens can be a challenge, especially when balancing price, performance, and usability. If you're considering a Canon lens in the 100-500mm range, you have multiple options, each with its own strengths and trade-offs. Knowing which one best suits your needs is crucial.

The Secret to Consistent Lighting in Headshots

Getting consistent results in headshots can be a challenge, especially when you're shooting in different locations with varying lighting conditions. If you've ever had to match headshots taken in different offices or on different days, you know how tricky it can be. The right approach ensures your clients get the consistency they expect without unnecessary stress.

Why Letting Go of Judgment Will Transform Your Photography

Curiosity is essential in photography, but there’s something even more fundamental that often gets overlooked. Without it, curiosity doesn’t take root, and creativity becomes a forced process instead of something natural.

How to Make the Most of Flat Winter Light

The winter landscape doesn’t have to be dull. It offers a unique palette of muted colors and soft light that can create striking images. However, capturing the subtlety of these scenes requires attention to tone, contrast, and composition.

American Primeval: Behind the Scenes of Netflix' Epic Western Saga

Every movie set has a unit still photographer who is there to capture all the action, both on camera and off. From critical moments in the film’s narrative arc to the flurry of orchestrated activity behind the scenes, this photographer has a front-row seat to the magic of motion picture making.
The Black and White Advantage

There’s nothing quite like the solitude of my darkroom at dawn, the hum of my enlarger in the background, and the image slowly appearing on paper in my hands. For me, photography is more than capturing a moment—it’s a meditative journey into light, shadow, and form.

7 Tips to Simplify Your Landscape Compositions

One of the best things you can do as a landscape photographer to improve your photographs is to master your compositions. For many, working on composition is difficult, with the pieces never quite coming together, even after watching videos and reading articles. These seven tips aim to change that.

Why Some Landscapes Make Bad Photos

Not every beautiful scene makes a good photograph. Learning to recognize what works and what doesn’t is an essential skill. Composition, lighting, and focus all play a role, but understanding how to control these elements is what separates strong images from forgettable ones.

Adobe Announces Firefly Generative AI Video Model

A videographer must master both the process of shooting and the process of editing to create a compelling final video. During the shooting phase, you capture the scenes necessary to assemble the final project in the editing phase. Once you begin editing, your only option is to work with the footage you captured during shooting. If you neglected to film a particular shot, there is no way to create it later. Today marks a paradigm shift with Adobe's announcement of a Firefly Video Model in public beta, making it possible to create video footage from scratch.

Why Breaking Into Photography Is Harder Than Ever

Photography is harder to break into than ever. The cost of living is up, gear is expensive, and opportunities often go to those with connections. If you’ve struggled to get a foothold in the industry, you’re not alone. Many talented creatives find themselves stuck, not because they lack skill or dedication, but because the system favors those with financial backing.

10 Controversial Camera Brand Opinions (And Why I'm Right)

These opinions might ruffle feathers, but they're rooted in years of shooting, testing, and loving cameras of all shapes and sizes. From color science to craftsmanship, lens lore to mirrorless revolutions – nothing is off-limits. Disagree? Good. Fight me.

The Rare Canon Lens You’ve Never Heard Of

Canon has released many legendary lenses over the years, but some models remain obscure. One of the rarest is the EF 50-200mm f/3.5-4.5 L, an autofocus L-series lens from 1988. If you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone. It’s so rare that even finding information on it can be difficult, but that makes testing one all the more interesting.

Six Lessons That Will Change How You Shoot

Buying a new camera won’t make you a better photographer. Improvement comes from consistent practice, not from having the latest gear. If you want to capture great photos, you need to put in the time to understand how light, composition, and timing work together.