Have you found yourself cranking up the contrast slider and running a sharpening filter just to end up with a shot that fell short of your initial vision? Here are two editing swaps that you can make that will help your post-production be more precise.
Footage that’s cinematic doesn’t just mean a nice LUT and some grain. It means knowing how to use light — and maybe trees.
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?
Have you ever wondered what makes a successful photographer? History can teach us a direction we should consider taking, and it may mean upsetting some along the way. But perhaps they deserve it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Photography is less than 200 years old but has produced some amazing artists and masters of the craft in that short time.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Fujifilm Instax cameras are the most popular instant cameras on the market. Fujifilm has produced several lines and series of cameras that bring the fun back into photography. The Instax Mini film is one of the more popular options. This is especially because of some of the more accessible cameras, however, how good are the premium mini film cameras?
Nikon has set the bar pretty high with the introduction of its new Z 9. As 2022 gets underway, is this the currently best hybrid video camera that money can buy?
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?
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.
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.
The a1 is Sony’s flagship hybrid camera and certainly caused a stir when it was announced just over a year ago. Find out why one photographer is sticking with the a1 despite some strong competition from Canon and Sony.
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.
The Gameboy Color from the late Nineties had a camera module you could buy separately. I owned one of them and I remember enjoying it, particularly paired with the Gameboy printer. But, just how bad was the quality back then?
Being a successful professional photographer is no easy task, and it takes the ability to simultaneously juggle a wide variety of different skills and responsibilities. If you want to give yourself a better chance of finding long-term success as a photographer, check out this great video that will give you three tips to help you find success.
GuruShots is the host of "The World’s Greatest Photo Game” and has released yet another fantastic challenge. Participants submited their best macro photos. The challenge received thousands of entries and millions of votes. Check out the three winners of the challenge as well as hundreds of top rated images below.
Not only is Lisbon the capital of Portugal, its largest city, and a major tourist destination in Europe, it's also a great location for cityscape photography. Its hilly profile offers beautiful views of the narrow streets and Mediterranean architecture. All across the city, you'll find interesting photo spots, and in this article, I show you three of the best in Lisbon's center.
24mm lenses are highly useful, as they are generally about the widest focal length you can use before wide angle distortion begins to become really obvious. 24mm f/1.4 lenses generally run around $1,000 or more, but Viltrox's AF 24mm f/1.8 comes in at less than half that, and this excellent video review takes a look at the image quality and performance you can expect from it.
Whether you couldn't shoot at the time you wanted or you just want to experiment with composites and heavier editing, this video will show you how to make a complete transformation.
ND filters are a favorite tool of a lot of landscape photographers, useful for creating otherworldly long exposures that simply would not be possible otherwise. If you are new to using them, this helpful video tutorial will show you the process of using a 10-stop filter to create images.
Skylum has been heavily teasing its new editor called Luminar Neo for many months, and today, I received another working preview of the app, available on Windows and Mac platforms. The new version seems to run a little faster than the last preview, and it is fully native to Apple silicon. I tested it on my 16" MacBook Pro with the M1 Max chipset. The release version will be faster, but Neo was editing at a good clip.
For creative professionals, the cases and bags that protect your gear are as crucial as the equipment inside them. The Manfrotto Pro Light Reloader Tough 55 offers that and more.
You can spend under $100 for a 50mm lens with autofocus to well over $2,000 if you want the best of the best, with options at just about every price point in between. At $379, Viltrox's AF 50mm f/1.8 lens promises performance upgrades over the cheapest options without getting into the realm of ultra-expensive options, and this great video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it.
We encounter and use JPEG files daily, but rarely do we give any thought to what the process entails. More importantly to us as photographers, what data do we lose when using this lossy image compression technique?
Everyone who owns a good camera eventually wants some degree of remote control. It may be simply to get in a selfie, to take a time-lapse, or to create bracketed images.
No matter how many lighting modifiers you own, there is almost no setup that will not require some sort of customization, which is why a good understanding of the fundamentals of how light behaves and how to shape it is so important. This great video tutorial will show you a useful exercise for creating dramatic light using just a shoot-through umbrella and some v-flats, and even if you own more specialized modifiers, it is excellent practice in the problem-solving skills needed for mastering lighting.
Drones have quickly become a common and important tool for photographers and videographers in many niches. Filters have been a staple for camera users for decades, so could you benefit from filters for your drone?
When it comes to landscape photography, the lens of choice is normally a wide angle focal length, such as a 24mm prime or 16-35mm zoom. Professionals often advocate exploring longer focal lengths by using something like a 70-200mm lens, but what about when you go even longer — much longer? This neat video explores creating landscape photos using an extra-long focal length.
