Zeiss is back in action with their latest lens release, the Zeiss Otus ML 50mm f/1.4, designed specifically for full frame mirrorless cameras. For those considering a high-end lens, this release marks a significant shift from Zeiss’s older, larger Otus lenses.

Exploring how to intentionally push your creative limits can dramatically improve your portrait photography. Whether you're seasoned or starting out, understanding how to control lighting effectively shapes your style and widens your capabilities on set.

In the creative industry, having an agent is often seen as a hallmark of success. Many believe that securing an agent signifies reaching a higher level in one's career. However, the reality is more nuanced. Not all agents are created equal, and their roles have evolved. I've been with three agents, and here is my personal experience to help you navigate the agent game.

Determining the right number of images to deliver for a wedding isn't just about hitting an arbitrary number. It’s about understanding what's truly valuable from the client's perspective and tailoring your gallery accordingly.

Editing flat images in Lightroom can seem tricky, but mastering masking tools can dramatically improve your final photos. Understanding masking allows you to add depth and dimension, turning good shots into visually impactful ones.

Photograph size shapes how your images are experienced and understood. It's not just about dimensions; it's about how people connect emotionally and physically with your work.

If you’ve ever watched a YouTube video or taken part in a Zoom meeting, you will know that sound quality is usually more important than any other factor. With this in mind, I put the new Maono Wave T5 wireless lavalier mics through their paces.

Many amateur photographers keep repeating the same mistakes, often without realizing it. Fixing these simple but fundamental errors can dramatically change your photography and move you beyond that amateur status.

In 2025, digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras are regaining popularity despite nearly a decade in the shadow of mirrorless technology. For anyone serious about improving their photography skills, this comeback matters because working with a DSLR pushes you to master essential techniques rather than relying on technology alone—plus they're cheap!

I’m obsessed with color. Like, deeply. Bold tones, dreamy palettes, warm hues—color is one of the main reasons I fell in love with photography. But that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the raw emotion and timeless feel of a strong black and white photo.

Photo permitting on public lands directly affects whether you can build a portfolio in iconic locations. Skipping the permit process can cost you time and money.

Camping can transform the way you approach photography. Instead of gear becoming your main focus, experiences and surroundings come to the forefront.

Creative resistance isn’t laziness; it's a hidden barrier photographers face every day. It's that invisible wall making you endlessly research gear or tweak your website instead of actually shooting.

If you want a small and lightweight Canon lens to fill the gap between wide angle and telephoto, the lens we review in this article is a great choice.

On February 23, 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima, six men—five U.S. Marines and a U.S. Navy corpsman—raised an American flag atop Mount Suribachi. Joe Rosenthal, a photographer with the Associated Press, happened to put himself in the right place at the right time. With one click of the shutter, he captured a fleeting moment of unity and grit that would echo far beyond the war: the raising of the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima.

Getting your camera settings right can be the difference between capturing unforgettable moments or losing them entirely. Whether it’s the first kiss or the dance floor, wedding days offer little room for mistakes.

Finding hidden waterfalls or capturing streams that few have seen can set your photos apart and add depth to your work. Beyond beautiful landscapes, it's about challenging yourself and staying creatively sharp as you encounter new scenes.

Understanding how composition and light truly impact your photography is often more critical than any gear you own. Many beginners assume expensive cameras automatically improve their images, but that's rarely the case.

As a longtime Canon user, it was a somewhat painful switch to buy a Sony ZV-1 as my point-and-shoot camera. Not because the Sony ZV-1 was a bad camera, but more so because the way that brand's cameras work is so different from what I'm used to. So what's it like the other way around with the Canon PowerShot V10?

Several years ago, I got a call one morning from the head ranger at Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming. He was inquiring if I would be interested in participating in Bighorn National Forest’s initial Artist in Residence program. That was during the COVID shutdown, and my state was really locked down—we couldn't even go camping in a state park! So, yes, absolutely yes.

In my previous article, I wrote about the basics of aperture. Once you have got to grips with that, there is more information that's really useful to know.

We spent some time on the new DxO PureRAW 5 when it was announced in February, but now it's out and I've had a chance to give it a run.

When selling real estate, photos significantly influence a buyer's decision. Understanding the psychology behind engaging imagery helps you take better images that attract more potential buyers.

Culling is an essential part of a photographer’s workflow. However, sorting through thousands of images takes up precious time and focus. This article looks at how AI-assisted tools like Imagen’s Culling Studio help speed things up without losing creative control.

Spring photography is tricky because elements don't always cooperate. Understanding how to adapt when conditions aren't what you expect can help you consistently capture better images.

Finding a camera that genuinely fits your workflow can dramatically impact your enjoyment of photography. When your gear feels right in your hands, you're able to focus purely on the shot, rather than fighting with ergonomics or complicated settings.

Viltrox’s new AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB FE lens brings an extra-wide aperture to Sony full frame cameras, letting you blur backgrounds and shoot in dim venues without pushing ISO. That mix of speed and moderate width gives photographers room to frame environmental portraits while you keep distractions melting away behind your subject.

Balancing on‑location flash with existing light sits at the heart of compelling portrait work. Photographers who understand how a slight shift in ambient exposure reshapes mood and subject separation gain tools that make creative intent feel effortless rather than frustrating.

The recent launch of the Fujifilm GFX100RF has stirred quite a debate in the photography community. Many Fujifilm fans were frustrated by the decision to equip the camera with a fixed f/4 lens instead of a faster option like f/2.8 or even f/2. This backlash got me thinking: does a faster lens always make a camera better? And more importantly, does it help us produce a better image? The more I think about it, the more I realize that the obsession with wider apertures might not be that beneficial for visual output, but rather for bragging rights that often overlook crucial trade-offs.

Entry-level full frame cameras can be a fantastic purchase, allowing access to premium image quality without extreme costs. Nikon recently introduced the Z5 II, an update to their popular Z5, offering substantial improvements and features aimed at serious but budget-conscious users.

Choosing an ultra-wide lens can profoundly affect how you approach photography, forcing you to reconsider perspective and composition. Such lenses aren't for every situation, but when used correctly, they can offer dramatic, unique results.

Canon’s new EOS R50V has just hit the shelves, and I was fortunate enough to get my hands on an early unit to put it through its paces.

Editing a flat landscape photo to look engaging often feels tricky, especially when the lighting isn't ideal. Lightroom offers powerful tools to address this challenge, making dull scenes vibrant and engaging with careful masking techniques.

Finding your unique style in photography isn't about new gear or mastering every tip you read. Your personal perspective and approach matter far more than the latest camera or lighting setup.

The Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB lens is the second full frame autofocus lens in the company’s flagship line, after the 135mm LAB, which was released in 2024. And, like the 135mm LAB lens, the 35mm continues to raise the bar and offers photographers outstanding quality and performance at a much more affordable price.

Taking photos that genuinely capture the feeling of a moment is harder than it looks. You might find yourself in an inspiring new location, camera ready, only to feel disappointed when your pictures don't match what you see.

The ingest process is rarely the most glamorous part of being a photographer or videographer. It can often feel like a bottleneck, especially when you're juggling multiple card formats, dealing with slow readers, or fighting a tangle of dongles after a long shoot day. Lexar aims to change that with its Professional Workflow ecosystem, a modular system designed to streamline and accelerate this crucial step.

I got to try all the core components, including the Workflow Docking Station and a selection of its reader and SSD modules, to see if it lives up to the...

Choosing the right color space for your photography workflow directly impacts how vibrant and accurate your images appear. The difference between a stunning sunset with rich gradients and one that looks flat and posterized often comes down to this technical but crucial decision that many photographers make without understanding the consequences.

Black and white photography creates a unique visual language through its deliberate absence of color. The power of shadows and negative space within monochrome images transforms ordinary scenes into graphic, evocative compositions that engage viewers in a completely different way than color photography.

Getting the most value from your photography equipment requires strategic thinking, not endless spending. Smart gear choices can save you thousands while still producing professional-quality images that stand up against those shot with the latest and most expensive equipment.

Affinity Photo 2 offers powerful editing capabilities at a fraction of Adobe's subscription cost, making it an increasingly popular choice for photographers looking to break free from monthly payments without sacrificing editing power.

Getting a clear, balanced view through windows in real estate photography often presents unique challenges, especially when different windows have varying levels of brightness. Tackling this issue effectively can significantly improve the quality of your interior shots, highlighting the property's surroundings without distracting exposure discrepancies.

As photographers, we plan our shoots. Anyone photographing outside will check weather, sunrise or sunset times, and try to understand anything else that might impact getting a good image. But do you ever plan to fail?

The debate about shooting in JPEG versus raw format is familiar territory for most who hold a camera. Understanding their differences isn't about deciding a winner, but rather about knowing which works better for your specific needs as you shoot and edit.

Understanding how to use light creatively transforms ordinary scenes into extraordinary photographs. Knowing how to handle different lighting conditions ensures you never walk away empty-handed, even when conditions initially seem less than ideal.

In recent years, some of the world's cheapest lenses have made appearances in the world's most expensive movies. Several scenes in "Batman" (2022) and "Dune: Part Two" (2024) were filmed using re-housed vintage Soviet optics first produced in the 1950s. Surprisingly, these lenses—actually defective copies of optically superior German Zeiss designs mass-produced in Soviet factories—are cheap and plentiful and can be obtained for under $100 apiece. So why are major movies being shot on cheap lenses?

When traveling, choosing what gear to pack is always a balancing act between capability and convenience. A single lens that covers a wide focal range can drastically simplify your kit, but often at the cost of certain performance trade-offs.

Mastering complex lighting conditions is a crucial skill when capturing city scenes at night. Getting clear, balanced exposures in areas with intense contrast can significantly elevate your final images.

Feeling stuck, unsure of what to shoot, is a common issue when you pick up your camera. It’s frustrating and can sap the joy out of photography if you let it linger too long.

Street photography has grown hugely in popularity over the past couple of years. For me, it’s become one of my favorite photography genres because it’s easy to do, a lot of fun, and so accessible. Most of us live in or near a large town or city, so a spontaneous outing is feasible without planning. I like that. And you don’t need a lot of fancy, expensive gear.