The term "cinematic" gets thrown around a lot, often without a clear understanding of what truly defines it. For anyone serious about video production, knowing the elements that genuinely create a cinematic experience is crucial to elevating your work beyond just visually pleasing footage.

Panorama photography presents unique challenges, both in the field and during post-processing. For years, PTGui has been a favorite powerhouse tool for photographers needing more control and better results than the basic stitching tools provide. Now, with the release of PTGui 13, this already excellent panorama stitching software gets a significant update, focusing on a streamlined DNG-based workflow, performance boosts, and useful new features. Is it worth the upgrade?

Understanding the differences between raw and JPEG is essential because it shapes your editing options, image quality, and storage requirements. Knowing when and why to choose each format can significantly influence the quality and versatility of your final images.

When Sigma announced the new 300-600mm f/4 DG OS Sports lens, it quickly caught attention due to its combination of extreme focal length and professional-grade optics. If you're serious about wildlife, sports, or nature photography, a lens like this can transform your approach.

When it comes to creative portraits, sometimes the simplest things can make or break your vision. Likewise, there are times when small details in a scene can give your portraits that little something special.

Retouching portraits often requires complex software and a steep learning curve, but Lightroom can simplify the process significantly. Mastering skin retouching within Lightroom helps streamline your workflow and produces natural, flattering results without additional costs or complexities.

Your next MacBook isn’t just about specs—it's about matching your creative needs with the right tool. Here's whether the Air or Pro is right for you.

Wabi-Sabi is a traditional Japanese philosophy that encourages seeing beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity. This approach can transform how you experience photography, offering depth to the everyday moments you capture.

Photography has always been about capturing light to preserve moments. For over a century, that meant exposing a roll of film and then disappearing into a darkroom or waiting for a lab to develop the images. It’s easy to forget how different this process was before digital cameras came along. In the 1970s, the idea of instantly seeing a photo on a screen felt like science fiction. Yet it was in this era of film and chemicals that a young engineer quietly built a device that would change photography forever. What follows is the story of how the first digital camera was invented and how it transformed the way we take and share photos.

Adobe Firefly’s new AI tools—text-to-video and image-to-video—offer innovative ways to transform your creative workflow.

When photographers debate lens quality, few brands stir up as much discussion as Zeiss. The Zeiss 55mm f/1.8, despite being over a decade old, still attracts plenty of attention—and debate.

Adobe MAX is a gathering of photographers, filmmakers, and designers who want to see the latest innovations the company is working on and learn from other creatives who have mastered using the company’s software to fulfill their creative vision. There was no stated theme for this year’s event, but it was apparent to me that Adobe is making an effort across all its platforms to reduce tedious tasks in the creative workflow.

William Eggleston famously described himself as being "at war with the obvious," a compelling concept for any photographer to consider. Exploring what exactly counts as obvious—and why steering clear of it might make your work stand out—can help you create photographs people remember.

There are dozens of tripods on the market, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. None are suitable for every circumstance. The new model from Falcam TreeRoot, the Quick Lock Pro R240T, has a very specific use, and I put it through its paces to find out whether I need one.

AI technology has dramatically changed how Photoshop tasks are tackled, and embracing these tools can significantly streamline your workflow.

Adobe just introduced a powerful masking feature in Lightroom Classic and Adobe Camera Raw, changing the way you edit photos.

Five years ago, I humorously "leaked": a rumor that Canon was about to release the RiP, a camera with a vertical sensor designed for Instagram influencers. Sadly, the RiP never came to market, but the concept may have inspired Fujifilm’s intriguing new camera.

The business value of social media can’t be overstated, but not everyone wants to vamp in videos—the common path to stardom. Luckily, you don’t have to, says Janis McGavin, director of marketing and social media for the Los Angeles Center of Photography. “How do I know this?" she said. "I’ve done it.” She took the LACP’s following from zero to 18,000 followers (and growing) without appearing on camera. If you follow a few basic principles, you can expand your audience and your business without stepping in front of the camera (and even more if you do).

Timing makes or breaks photography. Being ready for the right moment transforms average shots into memorable images.

Swirly bokeh lenses offer a distinctive look and ability to produce artistic images. If you're interested in photography that goes beyond technical sharpness and explores creative possibilities, this lens might be worth a closer look.

The Leica LUX app brought some fresh tools to mobile photography, but handling your phone like a real camera? That’s where the LUX Grip steps in. This isn’t just a Bluetooth shutter button. It’s an ergonomic extension that is meant to give you a DSLR-style hold while unlocking full control over your iPhone’s native features and LUX app functionality.

Skylum is rolling out a spring update to their popular AI-based editing program, Luminar Neo. Users should start seeing the update today when they launch the application.

Lightroom's latest adaptive color profiles have photographers asking if traditional presets might become obsolete.

Today, Adobe is hosting its Adobe MAX conference for creatives in London, UK. The event showcases new software innovations and offers classes geared towards helping users maximize their ability to create and modify their art using the brand’s software.

One of the toughest parts of photography isn’t mastering camera settings or lighting setups—it’s actually about keeping the person you're photographing engaged. Your excitement doesn't automatically transfer, so learning how to clearly convey your ideas becomes essential.

Give your eyes a destination and a route to get there. Our job as artists is to find a place we want to direct the viewer’s eye to, find a way to direct them there, and then to show them what it is we want them to see. Everything else is just visual clutter.

Contrast is one of those subtle elements that can elevate a photo, turning a flat image into something dynamic. Understanding how to manage contrast, especially in midtones, is essential to capturing richer, more vibrant images.

Knowing how to make your subjects stand out clearly from the background can dramatically improve your photos. Getting this right means viewers will focus exactly where you want them to.

You don’t need a passport. You don’t need a model. And you sure as hell don’t need permission. What you do need is your camera and a little curiosity.

Affinity Photo 2 offers powerful tools to enhance your raw images quickly and accurately, giving you professional results without the complexity or high cost of other software.

Choosing a camera isn't just about image quality or brand preference—it directly shapes your experience and your relationship with photography.

Gear is exciting but fleeting. Photo books offer lasting inspiration and deeper creative engagement.

Some photographers view the craft of photography as a creative pursuit that enriches their lives on a deeply personal level, while others are motivated by income or social media attention. Some are driven to use their cameras to effect change. Self-proclaimed “dogtographer” Kaylee Greer is one such person who uses photography to tell the story of shelter dogs in search of a loving home.

Do you find yourself scrolling social media, admiring wonderful photos from exotic locations with a bit of jealousy? Or maybe you are frustrated with not being able to travel frequently? You may have fallen into the trap of thinking you have to travel to take great landscape photos. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Buying a large format printer doesn't automatically guarantee big prints. Understanding what "big" really means and the considerations involved in producing large-scale photographs is crucial, particularly if you're planning to print at exhibition sizes.

Photographers know that working smarter means more time snapping shots and not being stuck behind a screen. But for newbies, finding an editing style can feel like a never-ending puzzle. Luckily, The Presets Room is here to save the day—offering quick, pro-level edits so you can spend less time clicking and more time creating.

Are your portraits consistently coming out softer than you expect, even after careful focusing? Clarity makes a significant difference in the professional appearance of your images. Here's how to achieve it.

Choosing the right lens for real estate photography matters. It impacts your workflow, image quality, and ultimately, your bottom line.

Ever feel like your photos are just shy of great, missing something small yet crucial? Many photographers experience this subtle frustration, and recognizing what's off is the first step toward exceptional results.

Electronic viewfinders have transformed how you interact with your camera. Beyond just framing shots, these tiny screens affect everything from how accurately you can judge focus to how connected you feel to your subject during fast-paced photography situations.

I’ve spent some time testing the Reolink Go PT Ultra to see if it’s a viable option for use as a remote wildlife camera, particularly in woodland areas. With 4K video, pan/tilt control, and 4G connectivity, it looked promising on paper. In practice, the footage quality is superb, but the battery performance in real-world conditions—especially shaded woodland—is a significant limiting factor.

Dreamy photos don’t happen by accident. They require understanding subtle techniques that create images filled with atmosphere and emotion.

Composition isn't just a set of arbitrary rules photographers invented to make life complicated. These guidelines connect deeply with how your mind naturally sees the world, shaping how effectively your photos communicate.

In a sense, the Leica LUX app brings Leica’s look and feel to the iPhone. It offers a less convoluted UI, a more tactile shooting experience, and access to custom Leica color profiles. It doesn’t try to mimic pro cameras through gimmicks and the like—it leans into what the iPhone can already do and gives you more control over it.

I used the app in various locations: architectural shots, teaching sessions, and as my main iPhone camera when used in conjunction with the Leica LUX Grip. It hasn’t replaced my camera, but it’s the only mobile app that made me want to slow...

Taking great photos doesn't need to be overly complicated. The key to better images lies in mastering just two foundational aspects—understanding light and thoughtful composition.

If your landscape shots feel flat or incomplete, even though you're using solid photography basics, it's probably time for some fresh insights. The reality is, great landscapes are less about basic rules and more about nuanced details that shape your composition and enhance the drama in your images.

Adobe recently introduced a new Adjustment Brush in Photoshop 2025, designed to simplify precise editing tasks. Knowing how to efficiently make targeted adjustments can significantly streamline your editing process.

In the ever-evolving world of studio lighting, innovation isn’t just about power—it’s about precision, adaptability, and pushing creative boundaries. While industry giants dominate the conversation, companies like Harlowe quietly redefine what’s possible. With cutting-edge technology and an artist-first approach, Harlowe’s latest lighting solutions challenge conventional setups, offering photographers and filmmakers new ways to shape light with control and finesse. Could this company be the next big disruptor in the lighting game?