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Don't Let the Wrong ISO Ruin Your Photography

A common misconception in landscape photography is that using the lowest ISO setting always results in the highest quality images. I frequently encounter this question and concern in my YouTube comments. Therefore, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share a video and article discussing the importance of ISO.

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Can the iPhone Compete With the DJI Action 5 Pro and the GoPro 13 Black?

For the last few weeks, I have been filming with the brand new GoPro Hero 13 Black and the new DJI Action 5 Pro action cameras. To mix things up a bit, I also tested them against and Apple iPhone. Can your older "professional" model iPhone produce video that competes with these new state of the art action cameras? Let's find out.

New AI Tool in Photoshop Makes Removing Wires and Cables a Breeze

If you’ve ever tried removing wires, cables, or other distractions from your photos, you know how tedious it can be. Photoshop’s new AI-powered tool aims to change that. This feature, currently available in the Photoshop beta, lets you erase unwanted elements in a few clicks without the need for complicated selections.

Simple Edits to Make Flat Photos Pop With Color and Contrast

A photo can sometimes look flat or uninspiring, but with just a few tweaks, it can become vibrant and engaging. This video tutorial explores straightforward editing techniques in Lightroom Classic that can elevate your images without overwhelming them with heavy edits.

A Guide to Choosing the Right Shutter Speed for Every Scene

Choosing the right shutter speed can make or break a photograph. It’s not just about light or exposure; it’s about how you convey your subject’s motion and stillness. This video highlights different scenarios where varying shutter speeds bring out the best qualities in a shot.

How Central Framing Can Transform Your Images

Creating a narrative through photography involves making deliberate decisions about composition, lighting, and framing. One underappreciated but powerful tool for telling visual stories is central framing. It’s a simple yet effective technique that places the subject right in the middle of the frame, making them the immediate focal point. Used correctly, it can transform your images by adding impact, clarity, and balance.

Simple Tips to Make Your Photos Stand Out

Creating compelling photographs takes more than just technical skill. It’s about crafting images that evoke emotion, tell a story, and grab the viewer’s attention. Whether you’re shooting landscapes or portraits, having a strategy in mind before you click the shutter can make all the difference.

Why Simplifying Your Photos Can Make Them More Powerful

Photography is often associated with capturing dynamic scenes full of energy and motion, but there’s a lot to be said for a different approach—one centered around silence. By incorporating silence into your photography, you can completely change how viewers experience your images, making them linger longer and see more deeply.

Why Most People Struggle With Retouching and How to Fix It

Retouching photos can sometimes feel like an endless process that pulls you away from enjoying your photography. Finding a more efficient workflow is key. If you’re spending hours adjusting sliders and curves, you might be missing out on capturing more great shots.

The Most Important Lesson a Creative Photographer Can Learn

Diving into the fascinating world of creativity within our craft can raise people’s hackles. Many commonly accepted truths about what makes a good photo are subjective and swayed by widely held opinions. Nevertheless, breaking free from the constraints of popularism can lead to creative results that stand apart from the crowd, and that's important.

Fake AI Photos of Hurricane Rescue Efforts Flood the Internet After Disasters

No, that's not a dog flying a helicopter to save people from the raging hurricane floodwaters in Florida. It's an AI-generated image made via ChatGPT. But while I've clearly labeled it as such in the lead of this story, there are folks out there creating and spreading arguably more realistic AI images that purport to be of the current hurricanes.

Is the Canon PRO-1100 the Right Choice for Your First Printer?

Choosing the right printer can be overwhelming, especially when you’re considering a professional-grade model. This printer is designed for those who want to create gallery-quality prints, but it comes with a learning curve and a significant investment in both time and money.

The Benefits of Using More Than One Camera System

If you’ve ever considered using more than one camera system, you’re not alone. Recent polls show that nearly half of camera users have multiple systems, and many have even more. While it might seem like overkill at first, there are good reasons why people invest in different brands and models.

The Ultimate Photo Editing Workflow

In this article, I share the photo editing workflow I use for all my photos, and if you want to achieve high-quality results, this is for you.

Exploring Affordable Vintage Medium Format Cameras

Vintage digital medium format cameras are finally starting to drop below $1,000, opening up a new world of opportunities for enthusiasts who’ve always been intrigued by these massive sensors but put off by the price. But are these older systems actually worth the investment, or are they just expensive paperweights?

How to Edit Autumn Landscapes for Richer Colors in Lightroom

With fall just around the corner, you might be wondering how to make the most of the changing foliage in your photography. One way is through some simple adjustments in Adobe Lightroom that can enhance the natural colors and give your images that warm autumn feel.

The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II: Is It Worth the Upgrade?

The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II lens has a lot to offer its predecessor. Lens upgrades can mean sharper images, better handling, and improved usability. But with the steep cost of new lenses, you want to make sure you’re getting value before making a switch.

Portrait Magic With Medium Format

The Fujifilm GFX 100S II offers the allure of medium format imaging in tandem with a 102-megapixel sensor. A camera like this provides features that can elevate your portrait game, but it comes at a significant investment. So, what sets it apart?

Dealing With Negative Comments: Don’t Let Critics Define Your Creativity

Criticism can sting, especially when you’re proud of a photo and someone shoots it down without a second thought. But in a world full of self-proclaimed experts, knowing how to filter out harmful comments and stay true to your own vision is key. Harsh feedback often comes from a place of insecurity or a narrow mindset, not from a desire to help you grow.

Tamron 35-150mm vs. Sigma 28-105mm: Which Lens Is Best for Weddings?

Choosing the right lens for wedding photography can be challenging, especially when you need versatility and quality for a range of scenarios. You want something that covers different focal lengths without compromising on optical performance. The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD and Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8 DG DN Art are two lenses that fit this bill, but making the choice between them comes down to your shooting style and needs.

Tips for Easier and More Effective Photo Editing

Editing is a love-hate relationship for many. For some, it’s the best part of photography. For others, it feels like a chore. It’s essential to find a way to make the process enjoyable and efficient, while also maintaining consistency in the look and feel of your images.

Review of the New Amaran App for Remote Light Control

On August 20, 2024, Amaran released a brand-new app for wireless light control on mobile devices and desktops. It offers an interface for controlling an ecosystem of multiple lights at once and promises simpler, more intuitive, yet powerful control of lights that support wireless connections.

Adobe Announces Adobe Content Authenticity App

With the rise in popularity of AI-generated images and AI-generated modifications of photographs, there has been an increased desire for transparency regarding whether AI was used wholly, or even in part, in creating an image. To aid in making this determination, Adobe is expanding the capabilities of its Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) by announcing the creation of a web-based tool called Adobe Content Authenticity.

A Close Look at the Stunning Fujifilm Fujinon GF 500mm f/5.6 Lens

Using medium format cameras for wildlife and bird photography might seem unconventional, but the Fujifilm Fujinon GF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR lens changes the game. This long telephoto lens offers excellent image quality, strong stabilization, and a surprisingly lightweight build—all while retaining the detail and resolution that make medium format so appealing.

Why 'The Terminator' Still Feels Like It’s From the Future

"The Terminator" stands as a masterpiece of science fiction and action, not because of its visual effects or star power, but because it has stayed relevant for decades. It doesn’t feel like a relic from the past. It’s a film that can still grip you, make you think, and leave you wondering about the future. This timelessness is rare in cinema, making it essential viewing for anyone interested in understanding how to blend action, narrative, and emotion seamlessly.

How to Use Two Lights for Outdoor Portraits

Lighting can make or break a portrait. Knowing when and how to use a two-light setup can elevate your work and help you control tricky lighting situations.

Finding Beauty in the Details: Exploring Intimate Landscapes

Intimate landscape photography captures the subtle, often overlooked details in nature. This approach offers a new way to explore and appreciate the beauty of small-scale compositions. By isolating textures, colors, and patterns, it enables you to find compelling visuals even in familiar or seemingly unremarkable locations.

Is the Viltrox 56mm f/1.7 the Best Compact APS-C Lens?

Choosing a lightweight lens often means trading off build quality and image quality for portability. But for those who need something compact and capable, the Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.7 XF offers a lot.

What It’s Like to Use an iPod Nano as an Everyday Camcorder

Five years ago, I suggested that Apple get into the dedicated camera game again by turning its long-neglected (and now officially dead) iPod touch into a sweet connected camera. It didn't happen, but apparently there are some folks who appreciate iPod cameras just the way they are.

The 7artisans 60mm f/2.8 Macro Lens: An Extremely Affordable Lens With Trade-offs

The 7artisans Photoelectric 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens is a budget-friendly option that aims to provide macro enthusiasts with impressive close-up shots. This lens, unlike some of its predecessors, offers a full frame image circle, making it more versatile for those who want to experiment with extreme magnification. While the low price and features are tempting, the lens has some significant shortcomings you’ll want to consider.

Creating Powerful Portraits with Simple Lighting Techniques

Light is more than just a way to illuminate your subject—it’s the key to creating mood and emotion in an image. With a blank wall and a single subject, the right use of lighting can turn an ordinary scene into something that tells a story.

The Frustrations and Triumphs of a Photography Trip

Capturing the perfect moment often means waiting in less-than-ideal conditions and hoping for the light to turn. That’s exactly what happened during this trip to Yosemite National Park. In search of moody, winter-like weather, it became a waiting game against sunny skies and limited time.

Streamline Lightroom Classic With These Quick Folder and Collection Tips

Lightroom Classic can get cluttered quickly if you’re managing a large catalog of folders and collections. Finding the ones you access frequently can become frustrating, especially if your organization style is all over the place. There are a few quick tricks you can use to make your go-to folders and collections stand out, saving you time and hassle.

Compact Telephoto on a Budget: Testing the TTArtisan 250mm f/5.6 Reflex Lens

Finding a compact telephoto lens that offers good reach without adding too much bulk to your kit can be challenging. Enter the TTArtisan 250mm f/5.6 Reflex, a mirror lens designed to provide a long focal length in a small, lightweight package. While mirror lenses don’t have the best reputation for image quality and usability, this one stands out as a modern take on a classic design that attempts to overcome some of those limitations.

The Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.: A High-Quality Lens with Some Drawbacks

The Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH lens has been highly anticipated by users who want quality optics without the bulk of larger telephoto options. For sports and wildlife shooting, it’s essential to have a lens that not only delivers sharp images but also handles well during fast-paced action. But does this lens really meet those needs?

Fall Photography Essentials: Techniques for Capturing the Season's Splendor

Cool mornings and beautiful afternoons mean one thing: fall is knocking on our doorstep. Fall is my favorite season for photography as the possibilities are endless, from colorful trees creating reflections in the water to cool, foggy mornings. Capturing the beauty of fall doesn’t have to be hard with a few simple tips and reminders.

Sony vs. Nikon: Which 85mm Lens is Best for Portraits?

The Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II and Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S are two of the most impressive lenses out there. Whether you’re chasing the perfect bokeh or prioritizing weight and size, it's hard to go wrong.

Is the 7artisans 85mm f/1.8 AF a Good Budget Portrait Lens for Nikon Users?

A quality 85mm lens with a fast aperture is a go-to option for portrait work, offering a balance of image quality and background separation. But getting those features with autofocus at a budget-friendly price is rare. The 7artisans Photoelectric 85mm f/1.8 AF aims to do just that, delivering solid performance at just $299.

Rollei 35AF: A Compact Film Camera With Retro Charm

If you want a compact film camera that mixes classic style with modern convenience, the Rollei 35AF could be the perfect fit. As a modern take on the original Rollei 35, it retains the compact size and design while introducing autofocus, making it more practical for everyday use. This remastered version captures the spirit of the original while adding a few contemporary touches to enhance usability.