Photographers spend their entire careers mastering the art of composition, gradually honing their skills over many years. For new photographers, learning compositional theory from scratch is a huge task, but you can fast-track your progress by focusing on one technique first: subject separation.
When we think of landscape photography, our minds are commonly drawn towards wide angle images of vast expanses, and while those can make for some jaw-dropping images, they are not the only compelling photos you can make. Looking for the smaller details can open up an entirely new world, and this helpful video tutorial will show you how to do just that.
The Canon EOS R8 full frame mirrorless camera is one of the more affordable options out there, but it is not so cheap that it does not come with many of the features professionals need. The EOS R8 sits in an intriguing position, offering a nice balance of capabilities and price, and this excellent video review takes a look at the features and performance you can expect from it in practice.
Over the past few years, LEDs have become a popular choice for still photographers, and with good reason. Although LED light sources do have limitations, there are many clear benefits to using constant light for portrait photographers. In this article, I will detail five ways I use an LED light wand to create captivating portraits, both in and out of my studio.
24-70mm f/2.8 lenses are the standard tool of choice for countless creatives, offering a versatile focal length range in tandem with a wide maximum aperture, making them suitable for a huge range of applications. However, such lenses are rarely cheap, often running north of $2,000. The Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G trades a stop of aperture for extra reach and a significant discount, making it an intriguing alternative. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Micro four thirds, once a bit of an outlier in the APS-C, full frame, and medium format race, is enjoying a bit of a moment in the spotlight right now, with innovative cameras and portable, affordable gear making it the format of choice for many photographers and filmmakers. Why does micro four thirds have some of the most fiercely loyal enthusiasts? This interesting video takes a look.
The Fujifilm GFX line of medium format mirrorless cameras reinvigorated larger-than-full-frame cameras for the industry by offering a range of modern features and conveniences usually reserved for smaller formats and doing so at aggressively competitive prices. The GFX 100S sits at the top of that line, offering the company's top-level sensor in a body that comfortably competes with the costs of upper-level full frame cameras. This great video review takes a look at how the camera holds up for paid work after a week of usage.
When you look outside and see a gray sky, it might be tempting to feel discouraged at the uninteresting backdrop and plain light quality, but flat light can actually be some of the best light to work with as a photographer. If you would like to see why flat light is actually such a boon for portrait photographers, check out this helpful video tutorial that features an experienced photographer guiding students through building a shot.
The Fujifilm X-S20 is here, and it truly feels like a complete package for enthusiasts, hobbyists, vloggers, content creators, and a combination of all of the above. It's a small camera body packed with many professional features. So what’s the catch? Is there one?
Visitors are urged to share their reactions to images showcasing English documentary photographer Martin Parr’s view of Scottish life and Scottish stereotypes in a new exhibition taking place this summer.
When Generative Fill in Photoshop Beta was announced, it seemed the world had gone crazy. From this time onward, nothing about photography could be trusted anymore, they said. It was the end of photography the way we know it, or so it was believed. But perhaps we’re really scared for nothing.
Do you know what a barm or a zarf are? They're two items seen practically every day but rarely called by their real names. A barm is the foam head on a beer, and a zarf is the cardboard burn prevention sleeve. This brings me to Manhattanhenge. Can you believe it’s a New York City sunset?
In the ever-evolving world of photography, the integration of new technologies in the photo editing workflow can create fears and concerns among photographers. Many worry that AI software will replace their skills and make them obsolete. However, it's essential to understand that AI software is not here to replace, but instead assist photographers.
Recently, I had the opportunity to try out the Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 lens along with two other lenses and a GFX 100S, and I have to admit it has left a lasting impression on me. As landscape photographers, we value wide angle lenses for capturing wider vistas with stunning detail, and this lens didn't disappoint.
Shiny facial skin is an incredibly common problem for people, and the majority of portrait clients will want you to retouch it. Thankfully, it is not particularly difficult to take care of in Photoshop, and this excellent video tutorial will show you everything you need to know to do so.
You can create stunning portraits with just a single light, but once you have mastered that, moving into more complex multi-light setups will open up your creative opportunities even more. If you would like to try a challenging but rewarding portrait lighting setup, check out this great video tutorial that will show you a dramatic image shot using a four separate lights.
If you are using Lightroom Classic for your photo editing, you have the possibility to use the presentation module. This module makes it easy to create a slideshow and export it as a video file. Try Premiere Pro if you want to take your slide shows to the next level.
Landscape photographers put a high priority on resolution and dynamic range, but on the other hand, in a genre that often requires a lot of physical effort to get to a location, every ounce of weight counts. That is what makes the Hasselblad X2D 100C, as it offers the ultra-high levels of detail and quality one would expect from a medium format in a very small and portable package. Is it the ultimate package for landscape photographers? This excellent video review takes a look.
HDR images took the photography world by storm about 15 years ago, and after a few years, they mostly fell away, as they were mostly deemed to be too over the top to be tasteful. Nonetheless, even today's best cameras can't capture some scenes all in one exposure, and as such, if you want to avoid blown highlights or shadows, you need to combine multiple exposures somehow. This in-depth video tutorial discusses what makes for a tasteful HDR image and how to go about creating one in Lightroom.
When you think of memorable landscape images, you probably think of golden hour shots with dramatic rays cascading across the frame, but there is a lot more to life than that. Any light, even "bad light," can produce worthwhile images, and if you spend your time waiting for those magic golden hour moments, you are missing out on a lot of photo opportunities. This great video discusses the issue and the sort of personal philosophy that can make bad light days more enjoyable.
Constant lights are traditionally used for video work. But I think they make for the perfect solution for a photography studio.
Over the past few years, Viltrox has quietly grown into a leader for third-party lenses that often punch well above their weights in terms of their price-to-quality ratios. Their latest offering, the AF 16mm f/1.8 FE, promises to continue that trend by offering an ultra-wide focal length in tandem with a particularly wide aperture, making it useful for quite a few applications. This excellent video review takes a look at the new lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
While it remains primarily a cataloging program, Lightroom has made some significant steps forward in editing capabilities in recent years, and it is now possible to complete entire edits within the program, making your workflow far more convenient and efficient. This helpful video tutorial takes a look at the three of Lightroom's most useful tools, the Masking panel, Healing Brush, and Panoramic Merge, and how to use them.
It would be nice if finding financial success as a photographer was as easy as taking great pictures and being paid for them, but it involves so much more than what you do behind the camera and often requires you to do things you might not really enjoy. This excellent video essay features an experienced professional discussing why you have to "play the game" if you want to make photography a career.
It is one thing to be a good photographer, but running a successful photo business takes a large set of skills that have nothing to do with a camera. If you are new to working as a professional, check out this fantastic video tutorial that discusses some common business mistakes photographers make and how to fix them.
The Northern Lights season has now drawn to a close. However, the next couple of seasons could be very special indeed for auroras chasers. Join me as I discuss the beauty of the Northern Lights, some of the science behind them, and how I capture this magical experience.
In the midst of chaos, there exists a small group of brave individuals who risk their lives to document the horrors of war: combat photographers. These individuals point their cameras at the atrocity of war, capturing the brutal reality that unfolds across the landscape of battle. What's created is a visceral reminder of the violence, allowing the public to get just a small glimpse into the nightmares faced by those touched by the fire of combat. The photos we see once the silence has settled offers us a small chance to witness the harrowing experiences they endured, what they needed to do, and what they still carry with them as they try to live their lives in peace.
Can combining ND filters and a flash elevate your portrait images? Miguel Quiles takes us through this technique in depth and provides great advice on how you can make the most of this setup.
Magnets have long been used for their quick and sometimes strong holds. But is a magnetic camera strap a good idea?
With the advancements in camera technology and software, focus stacking has never been easier. You can now even stack complex woodland photos without significant difficulty. In this article, I share how to approach such scenes.
Manny Ortiz is well known for his urban portraiture on the streets of Chicago, and this time, the windy city becomes the rainy city, as he captures some beautiful portraits of his model, Elizabeth, with the new Nikon Z8.
The latest camera in Fujifilm's highly respected X Series line of mirrorless cameras, the X-S20, is here, and it brings with it some great features at a reasonable price, making it an appealing option for many photographers and filmmakers alike. This great video review takes a look at the new camera and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
The highly anticipated final phase of the V&A Photography Centre is now open, and no matter what area of photography holds your interest, this news is worthy of your attention.
Have you ever walked by a beauty image on the shelf at ULTA or scrolled by a brilliant shot on Instagram and thought: “I want to make images like that”? Or perhaps you are a photographer who saw a picture and thought: “I could have shot that better!” You have the skills, but you don’t know how to break into the commercial market. In this article, I’ll share about how to break into the market and disclose tips and tricks to succeed in the commercial photography space.
Deep sky astrophotography has long intrigued me. The targets that can be found in the vastness of space are nothing less than impressive. In this video by Trevor Jones of AstroBackyard, he visits the Texas Star Party and captures something incredible!
Almost all of us have broken a piece of camera gear at some point and felt our hearts sink as we looked at thousands of dollars on the ground. However, I doubt any of us have broken gear as expensive as these shattered lenses.
Photography is as much a learned skill as it is a natural talent for some. Whether you fall into the former or the latter category, there are a few practices that you can practice every day that can help you become a better photographer.
Sony has announced the release of two new high capacity CFexpress Type A cards, a 960 GB and 1,920 GB version, which are currently available for preorder now.
When an exhibition of works is announced by a photographer as influential as Diane Arbus, you would be forgiven for assuming that the work was on show in a major venue in New York or London, but you would be wrong.
While apertures like f/1.4 are totally normal for full frame and APS-C cameras, they are almost unheard of in medium format, where most lenses open as wide as f/4 or maybe f/2.8. And so, that makes the Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 65mm f/1.4 quite the intriguing lens right off the bat. Add in its very affordable price, and it becomes an option almost every Fujifilm GFX user should at least take a look at. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.
Lightroom's new AI Denoise feature has been monumental step forward for the program, but it also enters the market at a time when there are numerous highly advanced noise reduction applications. How good is it? This great video takes a look at the new feature, including its performance and how to use it on your own images.
We may be firmly in the digital age, but there will always be something special about printing your images. However, there are dozens of ways to print your images, and it comes down to cost, your taste, photo content, final location, and much more. So, before you start spending a lot of money, it is worth taking a look at some of the options. This helpful video will show you 10 different ways to print your images, including the pros, cons, and aesthetic differences between them.
Camouflaged to the max, Morten Hilmer is going full stealth mode on his farmland with the brand new Nikon Z8 for wildlife photography. Join Hilmer as he captures some magnificent wildlife with this new offering from Nikon.
