How Handheld Focus Stacking Works

I always take a tripod with me in addition to my camera when I'm out on a hiking or scouting trip because there can always be an unexpected photo opportunity. And since I apply focus stacking to nearly all of my photos to ensure optimal sharpness, photographing handheld is not an option. Or is it? In this article, I show you how to use the automatic focus bracketing feature of modern cameras to perform handheld focus stacking.

What Was Your Favorite Photograph From 2021?

We ought to always be looking forward to our photography, but it's also important to add some ceremony to our achievements and use the past as a learning tool for the future. So, what is your favorite photograph from 2021, why, and what can you learn from it?

Gear Mistakes Beginner Photographers Always Make

The internet, as well as being a great resource for photographers, is also a black hole for our collective wallet. It seems that almost daily a new camera, lens, computer, or must-have bit of software is launched. So let's look at the biggest gear mistakes we make as beginners.

How to Tell a Story in Landscape Photography

It is the story that makes a photo special, and it is one of the base requirements for fine art photography. But it is also that area where landscape photographers seem to struggle most.

The Many Ways to Photograph a Tree

The tree is a timeless and deceptively simple subject, capable of being rendered in numerous ways, each compelling and interesting in its own way. And so, with all those different ways, how do you pick? This interesting video discusses the topic and shows some options.

5 Ways to Become More Creative in 2022

The last two years have been anything but normal, and it has been easy to be derailed creatively amidst all the uncertainty. If you are feeling a bit lost and wondering how you can get back on track, check out this fantastic video that discusses five ways one photographer is going to increase his creativity in 2022.

Our In-Depth Review of the Sony a7 IV

The popular Sony a7 III has been updated. Meet the Sony a7 IV, the fourth edition of this popular camera. Sony Netherlands provided me with this camera for a review, and I also got a chance to compare it with the previous model. These are my findings.

Why Make Black and White Landscape Photos?

Hop on Instagram and look at landscape photography, and you will often be greeted by a veritable plethora of eye-catching images awash with vibrant colors. And there is certainly nothing wrong with that, but black and white images can be equally compelling. So, why make black and white landscape images? How do they differ in their impact? This great video explores the topic.

The Lens One Photographer Believes Everyone Should Own

The holy trinity of lenses — usually 16-35mm, 24-70mm, and 70-200mm — has been a staple for decades, but it is beginning to be tested. This lens is a convention breaker and Nigel Danson believes every photographer should own one.

How to Connect With Your Portrait Subjects

You can have all the camera technique, lighting ability, and post-processing savvy, but if you are not able to connect with your portrait subjects, you are going to have immense difficulties creating compelling photos. If that is something you struggle with, check out this fantastic video that features a seasoned portrait photographer discussing how to better connect with your subjects.

A Look at the Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 Lens

We have seen a move toward lenses that make smart compromises to reach more affordable price points in recent years, and that trend has made its way to first-party manufacturers. For Nikon mirrorless shooters, there is the new NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 lens, and this great video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

A Beginner's Guide to Sunrise and Sunset Photography

Few subjects are more timeless than sunsets and sunrises, and every day brings a new sky and new opportunities. Shooting them comes with its own set of challenges, however. If you are new to photographing them and wondering how to go about it to get the best results, this fantastic video tutorial will get you up and running in no time at all.

Why and How Does Hollywood Still Shoot Movies on Film?

Cinematography has been transformed by the arrival of high-end digital cameras, bringing huge advantages to the entire workflow. So why do some directors prefer to shoot on film and what does this process look like?

The Challenge of Landscape Photography With Prime Lenses

A lens like a 16-35mm f/2.8 is often the workhorse of choice for landscape photographers, but have you ever tried heading out with nothing but prime lenses? This interesting video shows you some of the benefits of doing so.

The Uncomfortable Truth About Selling Prints

A lot of truths about photography are hard to hear when you're looking at making a career out of it, but they are necessary if you want to go into the profession with a complete understanding of what's to come.

3 Ways to Save Time When Color Grading Videos

When it comes to video editing, color grading is one of the most crucial steps to creating a polished finished product, though it is the kind of thing where you can spend hours going back and forth between minute changes. If you want to make sure your workflow is as efficient as possible while still producing good results, check out this great video tutorial that will show you three techniques to speed up the process.

A Low-Cost Path to Astrophotography

I’m occasionally asked to recommend a camera to get into astrophotography. Of course, my first answer is to use the camera and lenses you already have. Beyond that, it’s difficult to recommend a specific brand and model because I don’t have every camera at my disposal, and we are blessed (cursed?) with a continuous stream of new and improved cameras. Here are some thoughts.

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S Lens

Perhaps no lens finds itself as the workhorse of choice in more photographers' bags than the 24-70mm f/2.8. However, such lenses are quite expensive, and many photographers do not need that f/2.8 aperture. An alternative option for Nikon shooters is the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S, and this excellent video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Why Is Landscape Photography So Intimidating?

Landscape photography is definitely one of the most loved genres of photography around the world but it’s undeniable that it can also be intimidating to many.

5 Steps for Creating a Landscape Photo

Landscape photography is a challenging genre, requiring good technique, creativity, processing skills, planning, and often, just a bit of luck. If you are looking to improve your landscape images, this helpful video tutorial will show you the five-step process a seasoned photographer uses in order to consistently create compelling shots.

The Importance of Managing Expectations in Landscape Photography

The thing about landscape photography is that you do not get control over the lighting or a lot of the scenery, and that can be both thrilling and frustrating. As this interesting video details, learning to manage your expectations can not only help you have a more enjoyable experience, it can also help you create better photos.

We Review the DJI Mic: The Best Portable Microphone for Your Video, Music, and Podcasts

Sound is a critical aspect of content creation in today’s world. Whether it’s for a YouTube channel, Twitch streaming, interviews, or podcasting, your voice will reflect who you are, and where you are recording can also have a profound effect on the audio. Viewers are used to loose camera work videos, but if the audio is bad, then most of the time, viewers give up. So, we tested out the new DJI Mic to see if does indeed produces great sound quality.

Everything You Need to Know to Set Up Your Sony a7 IV

Modern digital cameras are incredibly complex machines, and to really get the most out of their capabilities, you need to understand their underlying menu structure and how to tweak it to your specific needs and style of shooting. Perhaps no menu system is more complex than Sony's, but this fantastically comprehensive video walkthrough will show you everything you need to know to get your a7 IV up and running exactly how you like it.

21 Awesome Macro Photography Ideas You Can Try at Home

The beauty of macro photography is that you do not need to travel anywhere to do it; we are literally surrounded by potential subjects wherever we are. If you are looking for a fun creative project or to expand your portfolio, this great video will show you 21 ideas for macro photography you can find around your home.

3 Tips for Turning Bad Conditions Into Good Results

Landscape photography is defined by the unpredictability of nature and for many of us, we don't have the luxury of multiple attempts to get the conditions we seek. Over the years I've come up with a few things you can do, when conditions don't cooperate, to walk away with unique images.

Learn How to Create This Simple But Compelling One-Light Portrait

If you are new to working with artificial lighting, it can be a bit discouraging when you look at the work of established professionals and see them often using complex multi-light setups. However, you can absolutely make creative and compelling professional-level photos using a single light setup, and this fantastic video tutorial will show you one such setup.

These Are the Best 360 Cameras for Photo and Video in 2022

It's the start of 2022, and once again the world has retreated into pandemic bubbles. If ever there was a use-case for 360 images and videos, it's now, when it's safer to experience things virtually than in-person. That's where 360 cameras come in, and here's a pretty comprehensive list of the best horse for both photo and video courses.

Digital Camera Scanning Is the Best Way to Digitize Film

For film photographers, digitizing film is arguably the most important part of the workflow. For me, there is no longer a debate of what is the best approach. Using a digital camera to digitize film is the only way.

How to Create a Pure White Background in Camera

Many photographers struggle with creating a pure white background in camera, but it is an essential skill that all of us must master. The good news is that it’s relatively easy to do with the right setup. In this article and the accompanying video, I detail my method for creating a pleasing white background on camera.

Check Out This Photographer's Incredible Dedication to Getting the Shot

Some genres need remarkable levels of patience along with all the usual requirements regarding creativity and technique to get the shot. How long could you wait to get the image you wanted? This photographer waited multiple days for the perfect photo, and as this video shows, the results were worth the wait.

Our Hands-On Test of Lindsay Adler's Optical Spot by Westcott

A few weeks ago, I got my hands on a light modifier I've always wanted to have in our studio. Westcott's brand new Optical Spot is one of the coolest and most useful light modifiers I've ever seen, and in today's video, I'm going to show you why you might want one or two for your photography!

Create Your Own Time-Lapse Templates for Lightroom Classic

Five years ago, I made a video about creating time-lapses solely in Lightroom Classic using the Slideshow Module. It was an experiment in pushing the boundaries of what Lightroom could feasibly do, and over the years it has garnered over 175K views, which was completely unintentional, but a very welcome surprise.

Does the Sony a7 IV Set the New Standard for Hybrid Cameras?

Sony's a7 series is split into three lines, with the a7 IV being the latest model in the generalist camp, offering a range of improvements and new features over its already highly respected predecessor. With impressive capabilities for both video and photo work, the a7 IV looks like a fantastic option for hybrid shooters, and this great video review takes a look at the sort of performance and quality you can expect from it in practice.

A Look at the Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.8 Lens

A good 50mm lens is one of the most versatile you can own, able to tackle everything from portraits to low-light events coverage and more. The Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.8 offers an upgrade over the cheapest nifty fifty lenses without touching the prices of top-shelf options, making it an intriguing option. 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.

Capture One Drops Branded Versions for Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm Cameras

In the run-up to some big upcoming changes, Capture One has announced that they will be dropping their single brand versions of Capture One. Current users of these variants of Capture One 22 will be offered a free upgrade to Capture One Pro 22 or will be offered the standard upgrade pricing for those still using the previous version of Capture One.

Five Reasons the Canon EOS R5 Is Still King in 2022

When I upgraded to a Canon EOS R5 last year, I knew it was going to be an excellent camera and quite a step up from my DSLR, but I was completely unprepared for just how monumental a leap forward it would be. As companies continue to push the technological boundaries and announce new mirrorless options, here are five reasons why the R5 is still king in 2022.

Succeeding When Everything Sucks in Landscape Photography

You got up early in the morning, you hiked up a steep mountain to photograph a sunrise vista, you are exhausted, and then, you can’t see anything, as there is just tight fog instead of a vista. Is there a way to succeed if there were some more and even bigger problems?

A Review of the New Canon EOS R5 C

Canon's new EOS R5 C is here, taking the base formed by the popular EOS R5 and refining it into a serious tool for video production. This great video review takes a look at the new camera and the kind of performance you can expect from it in use, including if it solves the overheating issues of the EOS R5.

A Reminder Many Photographers Need to Hear

Photography can be a really stressful thing, especially if you do it for a living and have to take on the numerous roles one has to fill to run a successful business. If you are feeling a bit worn down by it all lately, check out this great video essay that has an important reminder about the craft.

Our In-Depth Review After Shooting With the Nikon Z 9 Every Day for the Last Month

After my initial thoughts article, I have now spent the past month shooting with the new Nikon Z 9 pretty much every day. A month may not be enough for a long-term review, but I’ve already found myself in an incredibly diverse set of situations, and while some question the existence of love at first sight, I must say this camera has been something special right out of the box.