Polished Portrait Retouching in Photoshop
When it comes to retouching photos, backgrounds can be tricky. Whether you're working with a complex set or a worn-out backdrop, maintaining the natural elements while cleaning it up is essential.
When it comes to retouching photos, backgrounds can be tricky. Whether you're working with a complex set or a worn-out backdrop, maintaining the natural elements while cleaning it up is essential.
As a landscape photographer, you've likely found yourself in a situation where you're capturing breathtaking scenes, and then suddenly, your camera's battery dies. It's an unfortunate predicament, especially when you're in the middle of a stunning location with perfect conditions. For those of us who rely on our gear to perform without fail, running out of battery power can feel like a nightmare. This experience led me to search for a reliable solution that would keep me powered up, no matter where my photography adventures took me. After some research and trials, I found a product that I believe will significantly enhance my workflow.
Smartphone cameras have made remarkable strides, becoming a tool you always have on hand. They’re convenient, portable, and capable of taking impressive shots. However, are they truly enough to replace traditional cameras for at least some serious photography?
The Asus ProArt PZ13 is a new contender in the Windows tablet market, equipped with a Snapdragon X+ processor designed for efficiency and portability. The combination of a lightweight design, extended battery life, and vibrant display makes it worth considering if you're looking for a mobile device that can keep up with your workload.
Carrying a camera with you everywhere can change how you approach photography. The concept of the "everyday camera" isn’t just about convenience—it’s about creativity, habit, and finding new moments to capture.
Improving your photography skills doesn’t always mean snapping away with your camera. There are plenty of ways to practice, refine, and enhance your craft without ever pressing the shutter. These methods not only help you think more critically about your photos but can also make your actual shooting sessions more productive and creative.
Making a living from photography is a common dream, but the path to achieving it isn’t always straightforward. While it’s possible to generate your entire income through photography, many professionals diversify their income streams to maintain financial stability. Whether through additional creative ventures or traditional investments, it’s important to understand that your role as a photographer isn’t defined solely by your income source.
Even as you keep your eyes on a singular prize, it can sometimes pay to spread out your offerings to form a firm base.
Archiving old family photos can be a daunting task, especially when faced with large stacks of prints. If you’ve been searching for a faster way to digitize and preserve these memories, a high-speed photo scanner could be a game-changer.
Choosing the right portrait lens for your Fujifilm X system is no easy task. With six autofocus 56mm lens options, each with its unique strengths, finding the best one for your needs can feel overwhelming.
Are you making the most of your landscape shots? Sometimes, even with the best gear, we don’t always capture the scene as well as we could.
Coming to you from Brian Matiash, this insightful video offers a detailed look at the process of improving a landscape shot from start to finish. Matiash walks through his decisions at the location and how they translate into his editing workflow. He starts by explaining the limitations of his camera setup, including the Sony a7R Mark III and a 12-24mm lens, and how those choices affected his composition. The lens’s ultra-wide angle...
Long road trips through remote locations can offer unique photography opportunities, especially when you’re open to discovery along the way. The journey itself becomes part of the creative process, with unexpected stops and scenes presenting themselves. This kind of spontaneous exploration is what makes shooting on the road so rewarding, even if conditions aren't always ideal.
If you’re someone who enjoys the tactile, deliberate experience of shooting film, the Rollei 35 AF could be an interesting option.
As power bank batteries become ever more important for photographers, V-mount versions are essential for those shooting video. Among their arsenal of accessories, Neewer has one that hits the mark: the PS099E.
The unpredictability of weather is something you’re bound to face if you spend time doing landscape photography. Sometimes it works in your favor; other times, it’s a frustrating barrier to getting the shot you envisioned.
Photojournalist Justin Mott recently took on a one-day assignment for The New York Times, documenting the journey of Freya, a transgender woman who moved to Vietnam with her partner due to safety concerns tied to the U.S. political climate. Mott's task was to capture moments of their life in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), including intimate portraits of the couple and shots that brought out the essence of their new environment. It's a delicate story that needed to be told visually with care, making it both personal and professional.
When retouching your images, having a variety of techniques can make all the difference. Not every approach works for every photo, so learning multiple methods can help you adapt based on the image you’re working with. In this video, you’ll see a couple of ways to color grade your images, giving them mood, atmosphere, and even a cinematic touch.
Professional lenses with a wide aperture, like f/2.8 lenses, have been a staple in photography for years. But with the advancements in software today, some might wonder: are these high-priced lenses still worth it, or can you rely on software to get the same results with cheaper gear? The question is valid, and photographers on a budget are increasingly exploring whether they can save money without sacrificing quality.
As a wedding photographer, you’ve likely had clients ask for raw files, thinking they’re getting more value by having access to every shot taken. But there are several reasons why raw files aren’t something you want to hand over, and your clients may not understand why. When this conversation comes up, it’s essential to explain the realities of raw files clearly and calmly, so they know what they’re really asking for.
At IBC 2024 in Amsterdam, Blackmagic Design announced the pricing and availability of the Blackmagic URSA Cine 17K 65, a new large format digital film camera. With a 65mm RGBW sensor and the ability to capture footage in resolutions up to 17K, the camera is aimed at high-end productions, promising exceptional image quality and workflow integration.
Leica has announced the release of the M11-D, a digital camera designed to offer an analog-like experience while incorporating modern digital technology. With its minimalist approach, the M11-D eliminates distractions like the rear display and Leica’s signature red logo, focusing on the pure essence of photography. The camera's ISO dial is prominently featured on the back, adding to its streamlined design.
Canon has unveiled two new products aimed at enhancing the creative capabilities of photographers and everyday users alike: the RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM lens and the SELPHY QX20 compact photo printer. Both are designed to offer versatility and ease of use for a range of photography and printing needs.
Since its initial release in 2019, the GRIIIx has been a popular addition to Ricoh's revered GR series. Sporting a fixed lens with an equivalent focal length of 40mm, it’s the ideal companion for photographers keen to get a little closer to the action than the GRIII’s 28mm lens.
The Tamron 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD is designed to be your go-to lens for almost any situation. For those looking for a single lens to cover a wide variety of shooting scenarios, it promises a lot of flexibility.
Simplicity in landscape photography is not as easy as it sounds. The natural world is filled with complexity, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the visual elements. However, simplifying a scene can help create more powerful, evocative images, making it easier for viewers to connect with your work.
Family portraits can be a challenge, especially when you're working with larger groups, such as grandparents with grandchildren. Capturing these moments in a way that feels natural yet beautifully lit can be tricky, but it’s important for creating memories that last a lifetime. Lighting becomes a key factor when you want to ensure everyone is evenly illuminated and the setting feels organic, not overly staged.
Luminosity and color masks can change the way you edit photos, giving you more precision over adjustments. These tools allow you to make targeted changes based on brightness or color in specific areas, rather than affecting the whole image.
When you’re working on improving your landscape photography, you’re trying to capture more than just a scene—you’re telling a story. From the foreground to the background, everything in the frame plays a role.
Landscapes are often the gateway drug into other genres. Be careful; it can be addictive and lead you to harder photography. Here’s how to get high from what might seem a benign habit.
The new Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 lens is an intriguing option for anyone considering adding a fast prime to their gear collection. It offers a mix of familiar features with some quirks that make it unique, all at a very reasonable price.
Crafting a career for yourself as a commercial photographer can come with a lot of upsides. But there is still one big caveat you will need to take into consideration before choosing your path.
I’ve been fortunate enough to work as a commercial artist for nearly two decades. The term “commercial artist” can mean different things, so I’ll take a short moment to define what I’m referring to before moving on. In the strictest technical terms, any artist who is producing art in exchange for financial compensation could be termed a commercial artist, as they are running a...
Editing large expanses of green grass can transform an otherwise flat image into something much more dynamic. It’s not just about pushing the contrast slider up and hoping for the best. To make an image pop, especially when working with grass or other natural elements, you need to approach it with more precision.
Street photography is unpredictable, fast, and often happens when you least expect it. Capturing those moments requires preparation and awareness, which is why understanding key principles can make a significant difference in your work.
As a landscape photographer, I've come to realize that one of the most important factors that can make or break a shoot is the weather. Landscapes themselves might not change, but the way they appear through the lens can vary dramatically depending on the weather. Understanding how to predict and interpret weather conditions is something I now consider crucial for capturing standout images. I only wish I’d appreciated its importance earlier in my journey. Before we get into what I wish I knew, let's discuss the importance of understanding weather for landscape photography.
Centralized composition might be an older technique, but it still offers one of the most powerful ways to create immediate impact in your images. If you’ve struggled with feeling like your subject gets lost in the frame or your composition seems unbalanced, this approach could be what you’re missing.
Many photographers find editing frustrating, especially if they’re more focused on capturing the shot than on enhancing it later. However, mastering a solid editing workflow can drastically elevate the quality of your work, giving your photos the polish they need to stand out.
Hasselblad has introduced its first ultra-wide angle zoom lens for the XCD series, the XCD 20-35mm f/3.2-4.5 E. This new lens expands the XCD system, offering photographers the flexibility to capture a variety of subjects, including landscapes, cityscapes, and architecture, with a broad field of view. It features a focal length range of 20-35mm, equivalent to 16-27mm in full frame, making it one of the widest zoom options available in the medium format market. The lens promises high optical performance, quick focusing, and versatility in a wide range of lighting conditions.
I cannot believe that it has been over a year since I first wrote about how photography saved my own life, and I firmly believe it can save yours too. Trigger warning: this article contains references to suicide, which some may find upsetting.
When looking for an all-in-one zoom lens, you want something versatile yet compact, capable of handling everything from wide angle shots to impressive telephoto captures. Lenses like the Tamron 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD are designed for exactly that, offering flexibility without the need to constantly switch gear. However, as with any super zoom, there are compromises in terms of light gathering ability and image quality. Here's what you can expect.
Imagine getting 43 pounds of vintage lenses shipped all the way from Japan—without knowing exactly what’s inside. It’s a bit like treasure hunting, except this time the treasure comes wrapped in bubble wrap and mystery.
Nikon adds another welcome addition to its Z lineup of lenses today with the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4.
Apple's latest iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup introduces a new feature called Camera Control, which enhances the user experience for photo and video capture by making the interaction with the camera system faster and more intuitive.
Aputure has introduced the STORM 1200x, a high-output, versatile point-source light designed for film and photography professionals. The STORM 1200x is the first product in Aputure's new STORM family, featuring a groundbreaking BLAIR light engine that significantly enhances white light quality across a wide color temperature range. This fixture promises exceptional performance for a variety of professionals, including cinematographers, videographers, lighting technicians, and photographers.
The Viltrox 27mm f/1.2 Pro lens is the second offering in the company's line of lenses designed to appeal to professional photographers. In this review, we will find out if this lens has what it takes to get the job done for serious amateurs and professionals alike.
Canon has announced the new EOS C80, a 6K full frame cinema camera designed for filmmakers who need advanced features in a compact package. This new camera offers impressive capabilities including a back-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor, triple-base ISO, and advanced autofocus technology, making it a powerful option for both professional and enthusiast videographers.
Apple has announced that its new personal intelligence system, Apple Intelligence, will begin rolling out next month with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1. This new system integrates generative models with personal context to deliver personalized, private, and useful intelligence across Apple devices.
Apple has introduced the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, showcasing several new features powered by the A18 chip and Apple Intelligence. Both models offer improved camera capabilities, extended battery life, and a more durable design. With upgrades to the camera system, Apple is focusing on enhancing both everyday photography and professional-level capabilities, while also integrating Apple Intelligence to streamline user tasks and improve privacy.
High-end zoom lenses can make a real difference in the quality of your images. If you’re considering lenses with both versatility and speed, the Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8, Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8, and Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 are all worth looking at.
Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, the latest additions to its Pro lineup. Powered by the A18 Pro chip and introducing a host of new features, these devices aim to enhance user experience with larger display sizes, improved camera capabilities, and longer battery life. Both models are equipped with Apple Intelligence, a personal system that uses generative models for tasks while ensuring privacy through Apple’s Private Cloud Compute.