If you're navigating your creative journey, staying inspired and finding success can feel overwhelming. In this video, a seasoned freelance photographer shares valuable lessons from his decade-long career.
Lighting can transform even the most boring locations into compelling, visually engaging scenes. You don’t need an elaborate setup or a perfectly styled space to create interesting photos. The secret lies in how you use light to add depth, atmosphere, and dimension to your shots.
Sigma has continued to enhance its reputation for crafting high-quality, affordable optics, and its new RF-mount lenses—the 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary and 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary—are no exception. Designed with APS-C sensors in mind, these lenses aim to provide a balance of portability, performance, and cost-efficiency, making them highly appealing to enthusiasts and professionals alike. Here’s a closer look at what makes these lenses stand out, their practical performance, and their specific pros and cons.
Exploring your local area for landscape photography can be a surprisingly effective way to sharpen your skills and experiment with new techniques. While traveling to new, exotic locations often feels more rewarding, the familiarity of your home patch offers unique opportunities to grow and refine your approach.
Long-exposure photography isn’t just for tripods and perfect lighting conditions. With the right technique, you can create surreal, motion-filled images handheld, even on a rainy day. This can turn an otherwise uninspiring scene into something captivating.
Today, I’d like to take you along on a little thought experiment. If I were to get into a magical de-aging machine and be placed in a position to restart my career all over again in 2025, which camera might I choose to take me into battle?
Self-doubt can creep into any creative process, but in photography, it has a way of growing unchecked. That inner critic can leave you questioning your abilities, even if you’ve won awards or spent decades honing your craft. It’s not a lack of skill that fuels this doubt—it’s often how you compare yourself to others and how you view your own work.
The decision to turn photography from a passion into a profession is a leap many dream about but few take. It’s a deeply personal journey, shaped by ambition, risk, and the challenges of balancing creative freedom with financial stability. For outdoor photography, in particular, the realities can be even more complex.
Mistakes are part of growth in any craft, including photography. For landscape photography, where conditions and circumstances can change in an instant, even experienced professionals find themselves relearning old lessons. These missteps aren’t just frustrating—they’re also opportunities to adjust your approach, improve, and refine your process.
Lighting is one of the most powerful tools you can use to shape your images. Yet, there’s a lot of confusion surrounding it. Understanding these nuances can make or break how your shots come together.
The Orton effect brings a dreamy appearance to an image. This effect, named after photographer Michael Orton, is nearly always added in post-processing. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to add this effect in-camera? This can be accomplished with a double exposure.
Ultra-wide zoom lenses are a staple for capturing expansive landscapes, tight interiors, and immersive vlogging footage. Canon’s RF 16-28mm f/2.8 IS STM offers an affordable, lightweight, and versatile option for creators who want high performance without breaking the bank.
Editing your images is about more than just making them look good; it’s about using tools effectively to achieve the results you envision. Understanding how the basic adjustment panel and the tone curve in Lightroom work together can significantly improve the dynamic range, contrast, and tone of your images.
Hold on to your pocketbooks, photographers and creatives! HoneyBook’s latest price hike has everyone scrambling to recalculate their budgets. Starting February 4, the cost of HoneyBook’s Starter plan is set to increase by a whopping 89%!
Straightening your photos and adjusting their composition can make a huge difference in the final look of your images. With Photoshop’s tools, you can fix crooked horizons, add missing details, and even enhance composition with precision and ease.
Understanding what elevates a good image into a truly great one isn’t just about having the right tools. It’s about refining your approach to light, composition, and the story behind every frame. By breaking down these concepts, you can start to see meaningful improvements in your work.
When you think about improving your photography, you might picture buying new gear or chasing perfect light. But some of the biggest improvements come from small adjustments to technique and mindset. Addressing these common challenges can not only improve your photos but also make the process more enjoyable.
Photography isn’t just about taking pictures; it’s a long-term process that requires consistency and a mindset focused on growth. Whether you’re shooting in the streets, capturing travel memories, or experimenting with landscapes, adopting the right habits can make all the difference.
OM System is teasing new gear that will be released soon.
Are you curious about your landscape photography? Or are you just looking for scenic views, composing a picture, and moving on? Being curious about your landscape photography can help you better understand the subject you are photographing and the world around it. Be curious.
Planning is critical on wedding days, and having a clear timeline isn’t just for planners. Writing your own timeline ensures you know exactly when and where you need to be to capture key moments. It also helps the couple stay informed and makes the entire day run more smoothly, leaving you free to focus on creating memorable photos.
There’s a lot of debate about whether high-end gear leads to better photographs. While modern cameras offer convenience and reliability, it’s worth questioning if they actually improve your artistic output or just make the process easier.
Real estate and architectural photography might seem similar, but they serve distinct purposes and cater to different markets. Understanding these differences can help you better tailor your approach and work effectively with clients.
Why would you need one? I wondered that a year ago, and now I’m obsessed with mist/diffusion filters. It happened when I started taking filmmaking seriously. I use very sharp modern lenses for my filming and photography and wasn’t happy with the crisp, sterile results I was getting. I wanted a more natural, organic feel. I’ve tested many kinds of mist/diffusion filters, and now I’ve finally found one I really love.
Well, here's something I did not expect in a mobile photo editing app, but it's a nice surprise. Skylum, which also makes the popular Luminar Neo editor, has added full raw support, an editing history feature, seamless iCloud synchronization, and an improved user interface to its iOS app that runs on iPhones and the Apple iPad.
Finding the extraordinary in simple scenes is a skill every photographer should develop. A minimalist approach not only creates striking images but also pushes you to think creatively about composition, light, and negative space.
The constant chase for the next photo, location, or achievement can lead to burnout. Balancing your passion with a slower, more reflective approach not only improves your work but also makes the process far more fulfilling.
The opening battle of Gladiator remains a memorable moment in modern cinema. Its combination of layered storytelling, technical precision, and visceral energy still holds its own more than two decades after the film’s release.
Pushing through self-doubt and finding purpose in photography can be a challenge. When you're out capturing moments, it’s easy to wonder what it’s all for. Yet, reminding yourself of why you love photography can reignite your passion and keep you inspired.
Canon has introduced the RF 16-28mm f/2.8 IS STM, a compact and versatile wide angle zoom lens for Canon mirrorless cameras. This lens caters to both professional and hobbyist creators, combining sharp optics, fast autofocus, and advanced stabilization systems to deliver exceptional performance in photo and video applications.
This morning, as I opened Instagram, something felt off. My meticulously arranged grid of square thumbnails—the hallmark of the platform since its inception—looked different. Taller. Instagram has officially replaced its iconic 1:1 square grid with a new 4:5 portrait-oriented format, marking a significant shift in the app’s layout.
Since the inception of digital photography, every camera marketed to consumers has had a large LCD screen. Without this screen, it is not possible to set preferences for basic camera operation, nor can you verify that you are capturing images at the correct exposure. Without a rear screen, you can’t confirm that the camera has captured an image when you press the shutter button.
It’s easy to feel nervous about the logistics of a corporate team shoot—what will the space be like? How do you light each person consistently? The reality is that the lighting in an office can be harsh and unflattering—overhead strip lighting is no one’s friend! And space can be really tight. So, I always bring some extra lighting in case we can’t use window light and some compact equipment. Versatile and portable kit is handy here, so I leave my large lights at home and pack light.
As Zillow pushes its Showcase platform to brokerages, real estate media professionals face new challenges and opportunities. Understanding how this platform works and its impact on listings is key to staying ahead in a competitive market.
Creativity is often sparked by unexpected sources. For some, it’s visual art or literature, but for others, it’s music.
Modern cameras have an interval option built in. Set an interval time and wait until you have enough footage for a timelapse video. However, with the right equipment, it is possible to take it to the next level. I reviewed the LRTimelapse Pro Timer 3, which might be the right tool for the job.
Macro photography projects can be some of the most creative ways to experiment with textures and colors at home. One fascinating technique involves using oil and water to create mesmerizing patterns, offering infinite possibilities for unique shots. It’s a simple setup, yet it delivers results that can rival more elaborate methods.
Starting in photography can be overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with endless gear options. It’s easy to feel like you need the best of everything to take great photos, but that’s not true. The key is to focus on the essentials that will support your growth while skipping unnecessary expenses.
Adobe has introduced significant updates to its flagship video and motion design tools—Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Frame.io—just in time for the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. These enhancements aim to streamline workflows for filmmakers, editors, and motion designers, reducing tedious processes and enabling faster creativity.
About four months ago, I downgraded my phone. I went from what would be considered a more photography-oriented phone, the iPhone 14 Pro, to the less photo-feature-rich iPhone 13 Mini. I don’t miss the photography pieces of the phone at all, and I’ll bet you won’t either.
Color grading is a way to refine your photos by adding tonal richness and mood. Lightroom allows you to adjust shadows, midtones, and highlights separately, and here's how to make the most of its capabilities.
Shortly after I last mused about what I thought would be the perfect new compact film camera for 2025, I discovered that there was a camera in the works that seemed to tick every box I hoped for: the Analogue AF1. But with little more than a gorgeous website promising the moon at a modest price, I held off, preferring to wait for more details before getting too sentimental about what could be the long-awaited savior of compact film photography.
Panasonic has unveiled four new 4K professional camcorders designed for high-quality video production, broadcasting, and live streaming The AG-CX20, HC-X2100, HC-X1600, and HC-X1200 models combine 4K 60p 10-bit recording with advanced features in a compact and lightweight design, making them suitable for a wide range of users, from solo filmmakers to professional production teams
While most camera bag manufacturers are focused on making the ideal carrying solutions for travelers, this transforming camera backpack from Manfrotto seems to have the working professionals in mind.
Dodging and burning isn’t just about lightening or darkening areas in your photos. It’s a technique that can add depth and shape, transforming a flat portrait into one with dimension and life. This process allows you to guide the viewer’s attention and refine the story your image tells.
Portrait posing can feel tricky. A poorly executed pose risks creating images that look stiff or awkward, while successful posing brings energy and variety, making your work stand out. This process can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.
