How to Use the Sun to Backlight Portraits

One of the most classic and timeless portrait looks involves using the sun to backlight your subject and create a dramatic background. It is also an excellent way to develop your lighting skills and to learn how to balance ambient and artificial light, and this awesome video tutorial will show you everything you need to know to create them yourself.

Photographer Robbed at Gunpoint for His Camera Gear

A terrifying ordeal is recalled as one photographer is followed back to his home and held at gunpoint for his camera equipment. An important reminder to be safe and alert when out shooting.

Is This Lens a Game-Changer for Sony APS-C Cameras?

With the arrival of the Sony a7C, some wondered whether Sony might be pondering bringing its APS-C line of cameras to an end. However, the new 18-50mm f/2.8 lens from Sigma suggests that the weight and price advantages offered by the smaller format have just breathed fresh life into Sony's crop-sensor cameras.

10 of My Favorite Lightroom Features

There are 10 Lightroom features I use more than any other, and many of you reading might not even be aware of them, as they're often hidden away or require sneaky keyboard shortcuts, so read on to find out what they are.

A Unique and Simple Tip for Improving Your Photos

We spend a lot of time working on our technique and expanding our knowledge of various methods for creating and editing photos. However, sometimes, a simple adjustment in how you approach things can make a big difference, and this excellent video tutorial will show you one such adjustment.

The Process of Photographing a Castle in the Hills

Landscape photography brings with it a lot of challenges, but the scenes and way you can render them are nearly limitless. This fantastic video tutorial goes behind the scenes of photographing a castle in the hills and shows the photographer's process and thoughts behind his creative decision.

A Review of the Impressive Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Lens

Few lenses are more versatile than a 50mm with a wide aperture, as it can competently tackle everything from low-light situations to portraits. The Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM offers some of the company's best features along with a very wide aperture, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

How Elia Locardi Uses Circular Polarizers To Photograph Seascapes

Hello again everyone! It's time to release the third episode of our 8-part video tutorial series about long exposure photography, and how different filters can produce dramatic results. Remember, each time we release a new video, we also give away some awesome prizes. Read through this post to find out how to enter this week's contest.

What is the Best Lens for Woodlands Photography?

Woodlands and forests are smorgasbords of colors, textures, and interesting light. But, what is the best lens for capturing the details with the most variety and versatility?

How Were Photos Made Long Ago?

The process of creating an image has changed quite a bit over the past two centuries on the journey to what we know now. If you are a history geek or just want to learn more about how things came to be what they are today, check out this fantastic video that will take you on a journey through various photographic processes, from the very earliest through to 20th-century techniques and methods.

Simon Says Squid Game's Strategy Is the Future

How did Squid Game save Netflix? With a global launch on the same date with translations in over 130 languages. How can you adopt this strategy? Let’s look at Simon Says, an online transcription service that surprised me in a good way.

5 Steps to Take to Improve Your Photography

We are always wanting to improve our photography, and there is always room to grow to be better. The path forward is not always clear, though. If you are wondering how to improve your work, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you five clear steps to take that will illuminate how to grow as a photographer.

How Good Is the Sony a7 IV for Wedding Filmmakers?

The brand new Sony a7 IV offers some remarkable specifications as a hybrid camera and could be a perfect choice for countless wedding photographers and videographers. Having used it to shoot a couple of weddings, one filmmaker lets you know his thoughts.

The Stupid Names of Camera Functions

Manufacturers are determined to keep their systems insular so equipment from other brands is incompatible. However, there is one area where this blinkered approach degenerates into silliness and damages photography: the naming of functions.

Creative Lighting Techniques You Can Recreate at Home

The best place to practice photography, if it's possible, is in your own home. However, with few of us having acres of space to roam around in our own property, you need to get good at utilizing the space you do have. In this video, learn creative lighting techniques with speedlights even in smaller spaces.

Why You Should Stop Creating Art for Other Artists

The internet and social media can be a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand, it is easier than ever before to quickly digest the work of hundreds of creatives and to find inspiration, educate yourself, and network with other photographers and filmmakers. It is not all positive, though. One of the most dangerous things you can do is fall into the trap of making art for other artists, and this great video essay discusses why that is something to be avoided.

How to Create a 3D Scan Effect In Premiere Pro

I've been looking for ways to get the outline, scan effect for product videos, and this video was the easiest and best out there. If you can put your product on a rotating turntable, shoot it with a green screen and open up Premiere, you're good to go.

7 Easy to Follow Tips That Will Improve Your Photography

Continuous improvement should be at the core of every creative person's ethos, be they professional or amateur. While this video might be aimed more at beginner photographers, the tips offered here are relevant to anyone who really wants to improve their photography.

How to Make Photography Easy With Aperture Priority Mode

Discovering how to use Aperture Priority is a revelation for many photographers, especially when you know a few extra tricks to make it do even more work for you. Learn how to make the most of this incredibly useful shooting mode.

A Look at the Nikon Z fc Mirrorless Camera

The Nikon Z fc is not the company's first attempt at making a retro-inspired modern camera, but it seems like they have gotten a lot more right this time around than with the Df, which received mixed reviews. This great video review takes a look at the new camera and the sort of performance you can expect from it in real-world usage.

Mario Testino's 'Unfiltered': An Exhibition You Can’t Miss

Milan-based gallery 29 ARTS IN PROGRESS is exhibiting photographs by Mario Testino. This exhibition will first show his iconic images and later, never-seen-before personal work of Testino. I spoke to Luca Casulli, the co-founder of 29 ARTS IN PROGRESS gallery, to find out what makes Unfiltered so special to the public, collectors, and even the gallery.

Everything You Need to Know About Aperture

There is always more to learn in photography, but one of the most fundamental and crucial concepts every photographer should master as soon as possible is aperture and how to use it. If you are new to photography or just looking to brush up, this excellent video tutorial will show you everything you need to know about aperture, both from a creative and technical standpoint.

One Lens for Everything: A Review of the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Lens

When you are going for a hike or on a trip, you do not always want to carry a backpack full of lenses. Sometimes, a single lens that covers every focal length you could conceivably need is the better way to go. For Sony and Fujifilm APS-C shooters, there is the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD, and this great video review takes a look the kind of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Neutral Density Filters and Exposure Times at Sea

A neutral density filter allow long exposure times, even when there is a lot of light. It flattens water surfaces when the exposure is long enough. But don’t use it at sea just because you have one. Use it only when necessary.

200mm Lens Shootout for Astrophotography

If you are at all interested in astrophotography, you may have wondered if your current lenses are up to the task of capturing sharp, distortion-free images of the stars. Something most modern digital lenses weren’t intended for.

What's the Better Choice: Mirrorless or DSLR?

It's the holy war of the photography world: Mirrorless versus DSLR. It's also, these days, a largely irrelevant question, as both technologies are pretty far along and end up doing about the same thing. Photographer David Bergman takes a look at a reader question and offers his thoughts on what's better.

What Is This Strange Lightroom Symbol For?

If you spend a few years building a catalog in Lightroom, you may have noticed a strange lightning bolt symbol that occasionally appears on your photos. While it is just a tiny symbol that is easy to miss, it actually has an important impact on your images, and it is worth taking note of it when you see it. This helpful video tutorial will show you what it means and how to act upon it when it shows up.

Have You Lost Your Motivation as a Photographer?

No matter how much you love photography, you are likely to go through periods where you just feel unmotivated or even as if you have just fallen out of love with it. So, what do you do when that happens? This great video essay discusses what you should do when you have lost your motivation for photography.

A Closer Look at Lindsay Adler's New Optical Spot by Westcott

Westcott just came out with a new optical snoot designed by Lindsay Adler. I recently had the opportunity to work with it in the studio and compare it to a similar optical snoot I used in a recent article so that I could determine if it was worth the upgrade.

7 Helpful Tips for Better Fall Photography

Fall is here, and the colors are vibrantly popping and begging to be photographed. If you are thinking of heading out with your camera and want to ensure you come home with the best possible images, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will give you seven helpful tips that will improve your autumn photos.

Apple iPhone Through the Years: See How Far This Iconic Device Has Come

Apple's iPhone was first released all the way back in 2007. The original iPhone could be described as being the first-ever smartphone. It was revolutionary because it was a display-dominant device that lacked a number pad. Some even mocked it, saying professionals could never take it seriously. However, the iPhone is more popular than ever before.

One Simple Tip That Will Level Up Your Portraits

All it takes is this simple composition tip to take your portraits to a new level. In this video and article, I'll be demonstrating this tip and how you can use it in post-production to completely transform your photographs.

How to Make the Most of Overcast Days in Landscape Photography

Landscape photography can be discouraging when the sky is overcast with no chance of dynamic light or beautiful sunset colors. Luckily, overcast weather is actually ideal for certain types of landscape photography if you are willing to step outside of your comfort zone. Check out this video to see how you can create beautiful images even when the weather is gloomy.

A Look at the New Samyang 24-70mm f/2.8 AF Zoom Lens

A 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is the workhorse of choice for a lot of creatives, offering a wide maximum aperture and a versatile range of focal lengths. However, they are often rather expensive. Samyang's new 24-70mm f/2.8 AF Zoom comes in at a price significantly lower than many first-party options, making it an intriguing alternative option, and this excellent video review takes a first look at the image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.

How Good Is the DJI Ronin 4D?

DJI's newest offering has pricked up a lot of industry ears, with videographers and filmmakers at the front of the pack. On paper it seems superb, so how does it feel to shoot with. Here's one videographer's review.

Has Sony Made a Mistake With the a7 IV?

With the a7 IV, Sony is intent on producing the best hybrid camera ever created. However, one decision means that Sony has missed a trick when it comes to creating the perfect camera.

Behind the Scenes of This Paint Explosion Image

If you want to try something a bit different, how about creating some high-speed flash photography of colorful paints? Here's how Karl Taylor created this enticing shot.

A Review of the New Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens

It might seem like full frame users get all the fun lenses, but APS-C shooters still make up a large portion of photographers. And while they can often use certain full frame lenses, having options made for specifically APS-C can save on size, weight, and price, often quite significantly. Sigma's new 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary lens is made specifically for APS-C users, and this excellent video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it.

10 Beginner Tips for Fall Landscape Photography

Fall is here, and there are numerous opportunities everywhere to capture striking, vibrant colors with your camera. The period of maximal color is heartbreakingly brief, though, so it is important to be prepared when you head out. If you are newer to landscape photography, this fantastic video tutorial will give you 10 helpful tips and ideas to ensure you get the most out of the fall season.

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Smart Phone Photos

New Contest: Submit Your Best Smartphone Photos

The new iPhones are here and it's time once again to share your best smartphone photos. 

Closed for new submissions. Voting is open.