We are constantly pressured into buying the latest cameras. As the bottom has fallen out of the camera market, maybe it’s time that camera manufacturers had a rethink about what they offer us. Nevertheless, there are good reasons for and against both upgrading and changing your system.
Wedding photography can be one of the more daunting genres. For many people, their wedding day is one of the most important days of their lives. As photographers, it's crucial to capture these moments carefully and as best we can. This is especially important when it comes to the bride.
It is always a good idea to try to get your compositions right in camera, both to keep your eye sharp and to retain as much resolution and as flexible a file as possible, but there is no shame in cropping in post, whether to get a different aspect ratio, get closer than you were able to in person, or simply because you have changed your mind about the composition. This helpful video tutorial will show you how cropping can improve your landscape images and different ways to employ it for the best results.
Do you struggle with finding compositions in woodland? Over the years, I have developed a strategy that helped me to succeed. Sometimes, I even see one composition beside the other without even looking.
Photography, just like any other creative pursuit, is prone to encouraging certain habits. Some of those can be quite beneficial, and some of those will likely hold you back. This excellent video discusses 12 habits that every photographer should have: what they are, why they are beneficial, and how to implement them in your process.
Samyang, long known for producing highly affordable but sharp manual focus lenses, has expanded into autofocus offerings in recent years while still keeping their lineup at prices well below first-party options. The new AF 135mm f/1.8 FE offers a popular portrait focal length with a pleasingly wide maximum aperture, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
If you are a beginning photographer who has only worked with amateur models, it may be your dream to work with a professional model one day. Is there a noticeable difference between working with a professional model and an amateur model?
There are certain rights of passage in photography that we all should try at some juncture of our time with a camera. They act as both important learning tools but plainly, they're good fun to do. In this video, Pye Jirsa walks you through how he created a great-looking portrait using a smoke bomb.
Portrait focal length lenses with wide maximum apertures will always be popular, but they can also be quite expensive, easily running about $2,000 at the top end of the spectrum. The TTArtisan 90mm f/1.25 offers that classic combination at a much more affordable price, making it an attractive option for a wide range of photographers. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
I am as big a fan of Canon's lenses as anyone; I resisted the temptation to switch brands for years simply because they offer certain lenses that I can't imagine not having. When it comes to the new RF 800mm f/5.6 L IS USM and RF 1200mm f/8 L IS USM lenses, however, you should really think twice before you buy them.
It’s been a long time coming but Skylum Software has finally released Luminar Neo, their brand new version of the software that incorporates a ton of new features, is faster, and is simpler, but also offers more depth.
Most of us have made hasty purchases at one point or another, but have you ever bought something you genuinely regretted? In this video, Mattias Burling discusses five cameras he regrets buying and why.
Cinematographer Lewis Potts brings us through his methods in creating an indoor scene, as well as the rest of the commercial he shot. However, there’s something in particular worth sharing.
The Nikon Z 9 is built for speed. Here are the first customizations I’ve chosen to make mine even faster.
Travel photography is a staple genre of the craft and one that most photographers try at some point. However, with such a broad scope and the many other genres that it encompasses, it can be hard to keep your kit bag light. So, what's the best prime lens?
The current state of the world can easily be described as challenging. How can art and photography fit into this broader context of current affairs?
While it’s always fun to window-shop $14,000 lenses, the best value for the dollar can be had from some simple $30 or less accessories. Over the last year, I’ve found 4 pieces of gear that have earned a permanent place in my bag — here are my favorite cheap and functional accessories that can all fulfill a variety of roles.
I've spent a lot of money on backgrounds, and while for photographing humans, it's certainly the way to go, for product photography, sometimes, the solution is sitting right in front of your face. I mean that in the most literal of senses, as in your computer monitor.
Camera technology is evolving at a breakneck pace, and manufacturers are getting a lot right these days. But of course, no company is perfect, and there is always room for improvement. This great video features a photographer discussing seven things he wishes all camera companies would improve on.
There is something to be said for getting composition right in camera, of course, but that does not mean you should never use the tools available to you in post-production, particularly the ability to crop photos to be just right. If you want to improve your portraits, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you three cropping tips that will quickly improve the quality of your photos.
One thing we sometimes forget in the process of trying to improve our photos is the impact a simple prop can have, especially when you are trying to break through a creative block. If you want an affordable but effective way to invigorate your creative process and add more visual interest to your images, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you 16 simple prop ideas, all for under $50.
Let me give you clear warning: this is not for the faint of heart. Every year, 100s of people are killed or injured in their quest for the perfect selfie. Here is a graphic reminder of how it can all go so wrong.
A wide angle lens with a wide maximum aperture is one of the most versatile optics a photographer or filmmaker can have in their bag. If you are a Fujifilm shooter and looking to add one to your collection, the XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR is an intriguing option, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Innovators and philosophers like Elon Musk and Sam Harris have been theorizing what our world will look like once artificial intelligence completely takes over our everyday lives. We aren't quite there, but if you've ever dreamed of a day when all your skin retouching might be completed using AI and neural networks, well, the future is a lot closer than you might think.
Landscape photography is made for manual mode, as you have the time to evaluate exactly how you want to expose the frame, both from a creative and technical standpoint. If you are newer to photography and feeling a bit overwhelmed by interpreting and managing all the parameters and settings that go into it, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know about using manual mode for landscape photography.
Shooting with a wide aperture for portraits with a shallow depth of field is a highly popular look, but when you are photographing in the sun with flash, you can run into impossible-to-solve exposure issues — impossible until you introduce some new techniques. This helpful video tutorial will show how to deal with strong sun in outdoor portrait situations to produce better images.
A few years ago, Richmond, Virginia-based visual artists Jada and David Parrish found themselves stuck in a creative rut. The daily grind of their photography business combined with the global pandemic had taken a toll, and their passion-turned-business started to lack a bit in the passion department as they found themselves consumed with projects that didn't challenge or inspire.
The Canon 5DS and 5DS R were notable for offering 50-megapixel sensors at a time when that was an extremely high resolution for a full frame camera. Nowadays, 45-50 megapixels is much more common on higher-end camera bodies, with full frame options topping out at 61 megapixels. It looks like Canon plans to eclipse that figure by a significant amount with a new camera, however.
Photographers are making some terrible mistakes with their TikTok and Instagram Reels content.
Today, Canon has announced the two latest lenses for RF mount mirrorless cameras, the RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM and RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM, continuing to expand their lineup to new extremes.
The Sony a7 III was widely lauded as one of the most impressive and well-balanced hybrid cameras ever made, making its successor, the a7 IV, one of the most highly anticipated releases in recent memory. Now that the a7 IV is here, is it worth upgrading from the a7 III or can you stick with what you already have? This great video comparison will help you answer that question.
With so many plugins out there to choose from and with nearly everyone trying to emulate old film looks, is this new plugin worth considering? Check out our review.
Telephoto lenses have a unique charm in landscape photography. How does the new Sony G Master telephoto zoom affect the way you shoot?
When it comes to wedding photography, most users will want well-balanced cameras with advanced autofocus, decent resolution, good low-light performance, and more, all without being too expensive. Two options that fit those descriptions well are the Sony a7 IV and Canon EOS R6, and this great video comparison takes a look at both cameras and discusses which is the better choice.
Luminar software has been leading the industry when it comes to artificial intelligence photo editing for years, and now, they are taking things even further with Luminar Neo.
Modern digital cameras have unbelievable dynamic range and post-processing latitude compared to those of a decade ago, and that has encouraged a lot of us to simply automatically bring the shadows up on every photo without a second thought. Is that the best choice, though? Maybe not. This great video discusses why you should reconsider how you treat the shadows in your photos and how to go about doing so.
Fujifilm's GFX line of medium format mirrorless cameras brought a level of popularity to a sensor size traditionally reserved for rental houses and a select few photographers by offering a modern take on the format and more importantly, doing so at a competitive price. This great video review takes a look at the latest member of the line, the GFX 50S II, and the performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.
Panasonic has used its GH series to push boundaries, and I worry that the limit may have already been reached.
Whenever you are preparing for a shoot, sketching your images should be a part of your pre-planning process. The sketches don’t have to be the perfect storyboard. But it should have enough details to guide a creative vision.
Composition is something a lot of newer landscape photographers struggle with, particularly since it cannot be as easily codified as something like the right camera settings. If you are learning landscape photography and you want to improve your compositions, check out this excellent video tutorial that will give you five tips that are sure to set you on the right path.
You don't need a ton of equipment to create a number of looks in a single shoot. In this video, John Gress discusses which background you should go for if you're looking for maximum versatility, showcasing five different looks.
So, you’ve gone out and bought an iOptron SkyGuider Pro. You’ve assembled it, read the instructions, maybe even watched a YouTube video on how to use it, and you’ve got the basics down. But you find yourself wondering if it could be better. Yes, it can be heaps better.
The Leica M11 has arrived, and it has taken several impressive steps forward that establish it as a modern, professional camera while still providing the classic Leica experience the company's users look for. If you have been considering the camera, this excellent video review discusses one photographer's experience with it after four weeks.
With Canon successfully moving into the mirrorless space, they have a dichotomy of gear. But, in a real-world scenario, how do two of the same lenses — one for mirrorless and one for DSLRs — compare side-by-side?
The Panasonic GH6 is here, and it brings with it some significant upgrades and new features over the GH5. Check out what you can expect in this great video review.
Landscape photography is a unique genre in that you do not have control over the light and conditions, and even if you do your best to plan for the right scenario, you are not guaranteed to get it. So, how do you accept the conditions you are given and still enjoy the experience even when things are not going your way? This excellent video features an experienced landscape photographer discussing how to get the most out of every trip.
Headshot photography is one of the fastest-growing segments in the industry and for good reason. With more people working from home and using technology to collaborate, our online personas have become more important than ever. Many people have started new careers and businesses due to the pandemic and need to update their branding images. This creates an excellent opportunity for aspiring headshot photographers, and in this article, I give you five tips that will radically improve your game.
Photography sits at the intersection of technology and art, and as such, it is susceptible to twice as many trends than otherwise, many of which are annoying or even damaging. Here are five trends one photographer is sick of seeing.
Olympus (or OM System) is back, and it has made some impressive steps forward with the new OM-1 mirrorless camera that re-establish it as a competitive camera manufacturer. No camera is perfect, of course, and this great video discusses where OM System should invest time and money next to continue to reassert the brand.
Sometimes the best camera is the one you have with you and at times it's not your DSLR or mirrorless one. This is difficult because there are pros and cons to both options. If you have a mobile phone with you, then that can be the best option. However, if you need a more professional or reliable camera, then your DSLR or mirrorless will of course be the better choice.
