10 Things Worth Knowing About Focus

There’s more to focusing than half-pressing the shutter release. Focus is one of the three most important technical variables in photography; it can make or break a photograph. Here are ten things, some basic, some more advanced, to help you shoot better photos.

A Review of the Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens With Samples

Released back in October 2018, the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM has proven a solid choice for those requiring a fast, wide-angle prime. Christopher Frost puts it through his usual rigorous testing to see how it holds up.

Apple's ‘Misunderstood’ iPhone Child-Protection Features Gets Explained

We recently learned that Apple might be analyzing the images we upload to the iCloud servers. Now the fact is, that they have implemented a checking mechanism, but in this video, Apple’s Software Chief, Craig Federighi, explains what is happening to your images when you use iCloud Libraries.

People In Nature
Critique the Community

People In Nature

With Elia Locardi
Show Us Your Best Photos of People In Nature

We've done plenty of landscape and portrait photography critiques over the years but this time we are combining them. 

This contest has ended.
Photographer Alfie Bowen, Champion Of The Overlooked

Ask 100 photographers what started them to pursue the medium, and you will hear 100 different answers. Follow up that question with what drives each of them to keep pursuing photography, and you again will find 100 different responses.

Are You Missing Out by Staying With Photoshop CS6?

When comparing the two, Photoshop CC and CS6, it's clear that the CS6 users don't want to upgrade because of the rental business model Adobe enforces. But, what are the actual advantages, and, is it possible to be more productive and make more money when you deliver more work because it's easier to do?

We Review the Caldigit Tuff Nano 2TB Portable NVMe SSD

The files we create on set are getting larger and larger. With 8K footage and 50+ megapixel stills becoming more common, we need fast portable drives to get our files from set to workstation and for working on the road. Caldigit have just updated their Tuff Nano NVMe drives to a 2TB Tuff Nano Plus to help alleviate this struggle.

Thinking of Buying Some New Gear? Watch This First

No doubt, almost all of us are tempted by new gear at one time or another; after all, cameras and lenses are exciting technology. However, they are not cheap, and if you planning to invest in new equipment, it is important to ensure that you are doing so for the right reasons. This excellent video essay discusses the topic and offers some important advice in the process.

How to Use HSL to Enhance a Photo

When it comes to landscape photography, being able to control and fine-tune the colors in your images is crucial to creating better edits and adding more of your personal creative identity. One effective and fun way to do that is through the use of the HSL panel, and this helpful video tutorial will show you how it's done.

We Review the Haida Anti-Fog Belt

There is one problem with shooting the night sky for a prolonged amount of time. If the temperature of the lens drops below the dew point, condensation occurs. The new Haida Anti-Fog Belt will prevent this problem.

Why Program Mode Is Great for Beginners

When it comes to camera settings, the common wisdom is that one should always use manual mode or at least a semiautomatic mode. But when you are brand new to photography, perhaps it is better to go fully automatic. This awesome video discusses why it might be best to set your camera to Program mode for just a little while to start.

Why Yelp Is the Worst Place to Advertise for Photographers

Like many small businesses, I decided to use the very popular restaurant recommendation site Yelp to advertise my business after seeing they automatically created a page for me. Here’s how you can avoid the disasters that come with making that same mistake.

How to Make a DIY Overhead Light for Dramatic and Cinematic Scenes

You don't have to spend a fortune to have great-looking lighting in your images and videos, you just need to know what sort of light you want and how to create it. In this video, learn how to put together a DIY overhead light, perfect for dramatic scenes.

How to Set Up Basic but Effective Headshot Lighting

Lighting for portraiture doesn't need to be complicated or involved an arsenal of lights. If you know how to use just one key light effectively and how to control it, you can create excellent, corporate headshots for your friends and for clients.

Have You Ever Tried This With Your Photos?

If you're not exploring all the possibilities that modern digital editing software offers you then you're letting potential earning opportunities pass you by. This article explores how you exploit different markets with single images.

What's the Best 24-105mm for Canon?

While 24-70mm lenses are generally the workhorses of choice for a lot of photographers, many others prefer a 24-105mm for the extra reach, even if it means losing a stop of aperture. Canon shooters have a wide range of options when it comes to 24-105mm lenses, and this excellent video comparison takes a look at three of them, the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM, RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, and the RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM.

7 Mistakes in Black and White Landscape Photography

When you think of landscape photography, you probably think of bright and vibrant swathes of color, but black and white images can be dramatic, compelling, and eye-catching. That being said, working in black and white comes with its own challenges and pitfalls beyond those of working in color. This helpful video tutorial discusses seven common mistakes landscape photographers make when working in black and white and how to avoid or fix them.

Add Depth to Your Photos Using Mixed Lighting

If you’re a wedding or event photographer, it’s likely you’ve come across mixed lighting situations, and understanding how to work with or around it is crucial. If done right, mixed lighting can have a flattering effect and can add visual interest and depth to your photos.

We Need To Change How We Measure Experience in Photography

There’s always that one photographer who says they’ve got 40 years of experience, and their photos are at the high school photography level. Truth is, this happens quite often. Assuming they are telling the truth, how come someone’s pictures with so much experience look so much like a beginner's? Let’s dive deep.

The Greatest Mindset Shift I've Had as a Photographer

Self-improvement is paramount to success and a well-rounded, happy life, at least in my eyes. I am always looking for ways I can change for the better and learn, but the older I get, the more I realize that one change mattered more than most.

How to Build a Set on a Budget

An image isn’t just about a subject, such as a model, or the clothes or hair or makeup. A huge aspect of image-making is the setting or set design.

5 Things Photographers Should Stop Doing

Social media is the place for photographers to show their work and discuss photography. It is great looking at those photos, but there are also some things that keep annoying me. I have identified 5 things photographers should stop doing.

The Upcoming Canon EOS R3 Will Challenge One of Sony's Best Features

The Canon EOS R3 is inching closer to its full official announcement, and we are getting more and more details about the camera. The newest detail is particularly intriguing, as it shows Canon going toe to toe with Sony on one of its most innovative features.

Sky Replacement Is All the Rage: Is It Acceptable?

Sky replacement has been a thing for a long time now, but new tools that automate what used to be a tedious process have made the practice explode in usage. Should we be really doing it, though? This great video debate discusses the topic.

5 Reasons You Should Go to School for Photography

Earning a degree in photography is not a necessity for becoming a professional, working photographer. However, there are still some good reasons to seek out more formal training in the medium.

More Ways to Annoy a Photographer

Photographers frequently have to handle a wide range of annoying things from plenty of sources, ranging from customers to other photographers — so many things, in fact, that they could not be contained in just one video. So, here is another video of things that annoy photographers.

How To Get an Incredible SSD for Video Editing for Less Money

High-end Solid State hard drives (SSDs) have all but replaced the traditional spinning drives, but for the best SSDs, you're going to have to spend a fair amount. In this short video, learn how to easily create your own which will outperform many on the market.

Is the Fujifilm GFX 100S the Ultimate Landscape Photography Camera?

The Fujifilm GFX mirrorless camera series has rewritten a lot of industry paradigms, bringing medium format to the market at prices that compete with upper-level full frame options, making it a tempting choice for landscape photographers. This great video follows a professional landscape photographer as he uses the camera in the field and shows you the experience with and image quality from it.

A Long-Term Review of the Incredible Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM Lens

Canon's RF system has brought us some of the most extreme and impressive lens designs in a long time, and one of the most show-stopping was the RF 28-70mm f/2L USM. If you have been eyeing this lens, check out this awesome video review that takes a long-term look at its performance, usage experience, and image quality.

How to Remove Harsh Shadows and Highlights in Photoshop

Strong, direct sunlight can be a real pain when you have to shoot at certain times of the day. Here is a video that will walk you through how to remove the ill effects of such bright natural light, without having to spend hours dodging and burning.

5 Must-Have Travel Accessories for Photographers

If you're a photographer constantly on the go, the gear you carry with you plays a crucial role. In addition, as technology improves and the demand for quality content increases, we continue to consolidate our gear and fit everything we need into a small backpack.

Why Prime Lenses Are Sometimes Overrated

A lot of professional photographers espouse the use of prime lenses, whether for their sharpness, wider apertures, portability, or for some other reason. And while there are certainly advantages to prime lenses, you should not just automatically shun zooms without a second thought; in fact, they might actually be better for your needs, and this great video essay discusses why.

How to Deal With Online Image Theft

Image theft is both morally wrong and also incredibly frustrating. As a photographer, my images have been stolen so many times that it now no longer upsets nor surprises me. Until recently there wasn't a great deal I would do about it, but now I have a great system.

An Intro to Photographing the Planets

Aside from the Perseid meteor shower, the summer hype is on for viewing Saturn. Indeed, Saturn is a great target for visual observers, especially if it’s your very first view through a telescope. But for astrophotographers, it’s a tough target. A bit of an easier target is Jupiter, which is “following” Saturn across the summer sky.

Aperture, Auto ISO, or Manual Mode: Which Should You Set Your Camera To?

Manual mode is often held up as the standard measure of a professional photographer, with semiautomatic and automatic modes thought of as crutches upon which a truly competent shooter would never lean. But the truth is far from that black and white; in fact, many professionals frequently use semiautomatic modes like aperture priority and auto ISO. So, when is each appropriate, and when should you switch to manual? This great video discusses just that.

The Power of Luminosity Masks in Lightroom

One of the most useful tools for taking greater control of your edits is the luminosity mask, and it can also save you a ton of time. If you have not seen them in action before or are not sure how they are used, check out this great video tutorial that will show you why so many photographers love them.

5 Things Non-Photographers Should Stop Asking Photographers

If you are a photographer in any capacity, chances are you deal with the same repetitive questions and comments from non-photographers when your photography comes up in discussions. It gets old, and despite it usually being well-meaning, I wish people would stop asking these five things.

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens

A good macro lens is one of the most versatile out there, offering you a window into the extraordinary world of the small all around us and doubling as a sharp portrait or all-around lens, depending on the focal length. One such lens is the Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Macro, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.