When to Edit Photos in Black and White or Color

The choice between editing photos in color or black and white can profoundly impact how your images communicate mood, focus, and story. This decision isn't just about aesthetics—it’s a fundamental part of your photographic voice.

How to Create Impactful Real Estate Images

Professional real estate and architecture photography often hinges on creating impactful, visually engaging images. To truly stand out, you need to move beyond technical skills and embrace artistic principles.

Photography Is a Luxury: AI Is for People Who Can’t Afford It

Photographers and videographers should probably be concerned about the scary "boogeymachine" that is AI. It's very likely that in the next decade, many photo and video jobs will be replaced by AI, and this will inevitably change the photo and video industry.

How I Used Flash and White Balance for a Portrait Session on Location

When shooting portraits on location, you are dependent on the ambient light—unless you bring your own lights. I decided to use flash to overpower the ambient light. This approach allowed for more variation during this portrait session. Let me explain how.

Achieve Prime Lens Results Without the Price Tag

Prime lenses are known for their stunning image quality and shallow depth of field, but they can be prohibitively expensive. If you're using a zoom lens, you might wonder if it’s possible to achieve similar results without the hefty price tag. This video explores how to create prime-lens-like subject separation by mastering four key concepts.

Mastering Shutter Speed for Stunning Seascape Photography

Seascape photography offers a unique blend of challenges and opportunities, with the ocean providing dynamic, challenging, and ever-changing scenes. Over the years, I have learned and practiced how different shutter speeds can dramatically alter the mood and feel of your images. Here’s what I’ve learned and some actionable tips to elevate your seascape photography.

Review of the SmallRig x Potato Jet Tribex Video Tripod

SmallRig has joined forces with YouTuber Gene ‘Potato Jet’ Nagata, resulting in the SmallRig x Potato Jet Tribex video tripod. This hydraulic tripod can be set up in just a few seconds, making it perfect for situations where speed is of the essence. This is my honest review of this unique tripod.

How to Use Photography to Tell Better Stories

Photography is more than capturing what’s in front of you. It's about telling a story that resonates. This video explores how the choices you make while shooting and arranging photos can dramatically alter the narrative they tell. Whether it's the raw emotion of a moment or a sense of calm in chaos, these decisions shape the stories your images communicate.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Photos Pop With Lightroom

Editing photos effectively is all about balancing precision and creativity. Small adjustments can bring out details, enhance colors, and shift the viewer's focus. This helpful video demonstrates how to make impactful edits using basic tools, masking, and color grading, showcasing practical techniques for a polished result.

Why You Should Experiment with Black and White Photography

By removing color, you open up new possibilities for storytelling, emotional depth, and composition. It challenges you to think differently and often leads to a more profound connection between the viewer and the subject.

Adding Creativity to Portraits With Affordable Tools

Creating distinctive images can set you apart. Tools like prisms and gels are often overlooked but can add a dynamic flair to your work. By experimenting with these elements, you can provide clients with unexpected, striking results.

Adobe Announces Reflection Removal Feature

One skill a photographer must develop is determining which elements in a scene have the most potential to draw the viewer’s attention in the final image. Reducing the visual mass of distracting elements is crucial in directing the viewer’s attention. Sometimes, it is a matter of physically moving an object in the composition. Other times, it’s a matter of the photographer moving their position. Using a different focal length can help to emphasize or de-emphasize certain elements.

How to Crop and Expand Images Using AI in Photoshop

Adjusting your images to fit specific aspect ratios is crucial for prints, social media, and various digital formats. Photoshop's tools, combined with generative AI, simplify this process by enabling you to expand the image as needed.

Safeguarding Your Money and Business During the Holiday Season: A Comprehensive Guide to Protecting Yourself

Throughout November and December, demand for portrait sessions, product photography, event coverage, and gift-giving surges, presenting photographers with both opportunities and vulnerabilities. Increased business volume, higher-value transactions, and a need for rapid turnaround create conditions ripe for specific types of threats. These threats often come from external malicious actors who exploit holiday chaos.

Sony a1 II: A Sports and Video Powerhouse

Flagship cameras are all about pushing limits, and the Sony a1 II builds on its predecessor with subtle but impactful upgrades. From sports to wildlife to weddings, this full frame powerhouse is designed to handle nearly anything.

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM: Versatility Meets Performance

Standard zoom lenses are the workhorses of many camera bags, balancing focal range with portability. The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM offers a combination of flexibility and image quality that’s worth considering.

Transform Your Photos With Seamless Sky Replacements

Replacing skies in photos can transform an ordinary image into a striking scene. Whether you’re battling overexposed skies or lackluster lighting, Photoshop’s sky replacement tools provide the flexibility to create dramatic compositions.

Godox AD200Pro II Review: Is It Worth the Upgrade?

Portable flash units that balance power with versatility are valuable tools for creative lighting setups. The Godox AD200Pro II TTL Pocket Flash builds on its predecessor’s success with thoughtful upgrades, including better cooling, enhanced modeling lights, and improved usability.

Standing Out In The Crowd: ColorCase's Pelican Cases

I see it all the time. There are places in the world where photographers flock. This usually results in about a dozen black hard cases spinning their way around the luggage carousel. This gives every photographer in the arrivals lounge a chance to pick up every case and inspect it. Telling one Pelican from another is a fool's game. Even my stickers don't always help, as everyone else puts stickers on their cases as well. Solution: ColorCase.
Creating Stunning Bodyscape Art With Minimal Gear

Bodyscape photography is a unique way to transform the human form into abstract, artistic expressions. By focusing on contours, lighting, and subtle details, you can create striking images that blend mystery and art with minimal equipment.

Why I Choose the Nikon Z9 Over the Z8 for Video

I read a quote recently that stated, “Buying a Z8 over a Z9 is a no-brainer.” Er, excuse me, may I add my two cents? Or maybe I should say, allow me to weigh in (you’ll get that pun later)…

How to Transform Busy Scenes into Stunning Images

Holiday lights and festive displays offer a unique opportunity for creative image-making. Capturing them in busy public spaces, though, can present challenges with crowds and distracting elements. By using advanced techniques like stacking multiple exposures and editing in Photoshop, you can achieve clean, polished results while preserving the vibrancy of the scene.

Couple Photography: Balancing Ambient Light and Flash

Capturing authentic moments with couples can be challenging, especially when you’re managing lighting, posing, and making them feel at ease. A few simple adjustments to your technique can help you create beautiful, natural images that resonate.

Finding Beauty in Unlikely Places

Photography is more than just capturing visually stunning locations - it's about finding beauty in unexpected places. When you encounter a scene that seems initially unpromising, the real artistry lies in using light, composition, and timing to transform it into something compelling.

Applying Patterns to Fabric in Photoshop Made Easy

Getting patterns to realistically follow the folds and curves of fabric in Photoshop is challenging. Nonetheless, it's possible. This process also allows you to change patterns instantly without starting over.

Vivo X200 Series: Smaller Sensors, Bigger Performance

Vivo has launched its latest flagship smartphones, the X200 and X200 Pro, to the global market. The most notable change is that Vivo has used a smaller camera sensor this year compared to the X100 Pro models.

Imagen Partners With Pic-Time to Introduce 'Edit to Delivery' Feature for Photographers

Imagen, a leading AI-powered platform designed for photographers, has announced its new "Edit to Delivery" feature, simplifying the entire post-production workflow. This latest addition enables photographers to focus more on creativity while reducing time-consuming tasks such as culling, editing, backing up, and now, delivering photos.

Is the Huion Kamvas Pro 27 the Ultimate Tool for Digital Artists?

As creatives, we rely on our tools not just to keep up with our ideas but to enhance and streamline the creative process. The Huion Kamvas Pro 27 aims to be that kind of tool—a professional pen display that blends cutting-edge technology with thoughtful design catering to professionals across various disciplines. Whether you’re an illustrator sketching intricate designs, a photographer editing your images, or an artist bringing your creations to life, the Kamvas Pro 27 promises to deliver.

Why Overcast Days Are a Hidden Gem for Photographers

Bright sunshine can be a gift to the photographer, creating deep shadows and contrast that accentuate shapes and forms and lend your images a vivid intensity. But the flat, gray light of an overcast day has its own special ambiance and mood that can be a better fit for more contemplative scenes.

Radiant Photo 2 Review for Landscape Photographers

I covered the announcement of the latest release of Radiant Photo last month. It looked promising, but reviewers didn't have it in hand to take a deep dive into the software. Now I've had it for a few days and want to share my thoughts and experiences.

Dealing With Photography Gear Failure in the Field

If you have been a photographer long enough, you have had a piece of photography gear fail you in the field. Maybe it is a lens that stops focusing, a camera shutter that breaks, or a tripod leg that gets loose—any number of things can potentially impact an outing. Are you prepared for this?

How to Remove Satellite Trails From Your Astrophotos

Satellite trails can be a major headache when photographing deep space objects, especially during the winter months when many popular targets are affected. These streaks disrupt the clarity of your images, and understanding how to manage them is key to producing clean, polished astrophotography.

How to Use Content Credentials in Lightroom Classic

When Adobe updated Lightroom Classic, they introduced a feature called Content Credentials. This tool provides a way to establish ownership of your images and track how edits, including AI tools, were applied. Whether for contests, client work, or personal projects, Content Credentials offer additional transparency and security for your photos.

How to Remove Distractions to Improve Images in Lightroom

Distracting elements can take away from the impact of your photos, and cleaning them up is an essential part of editing. Using Lightroom’s tools, you can remove unwanted objects, adjust colors, and refine details, all without needing advanced software like Photoshop.

48 Hours in Bali: A One-Lens Photography Challenge

Join photographer Laura BC as she embarks on a 48-hour photography challenge in Bali, testing the limits of her Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II lens. Known for her creative challenges, Laura takes this single-lens approach to showcase how limiting your gear can unlock new levels of creativity.

Why I Needed to Pimp My Gear Cart: LaVa Cart Moti Review

Being mostly a studio photographer, I work as much with my camera as I do with the camera trolley. I have an excellent camera, but my trolley was always lacking a bunch of pro features. While investing in a new cart was never an option, upgrading my current one seemed like the way forward. I looked into the LaVa cart system to see if it was able to pimp my cart.

How to Capture Minimalist Cityscape Photography and Timelapses

Cityscape photography is a genre that many photographers either embrace or shy away from. Its real-world, unpredictable nature can be both exciting and intimidating. But what happens when a world-class landscape photographer dives into this style—and does so in the bustling streets of New York City? You might be surprised by the results.

Editing Landscape Photos in Lightroom: Basics to Advanced Techniques

Editing is a critical part of landscape photography, letting you shape images into representations of what you saw—or imagined—in the moment. Whether you aim for realistic refinement or experimental creativity, post-processing helps you discover what matters most in your work.

Why I Still Prefer the Optical Viewfinder Over the Electronic Viewfinder

In an era where electronic viewfinders have dominated most mirrorless cameras, it may seem old-fashioned to still use a DSLR camera with an optical viewfinder. Yet, as someone who has spent more than a decade behind the lens, constantly switching between mirrorless and DSLR, I still find myself drawn to the simplicity and authenticity of the optical viewfinder.

10 Ways to Speed Up Your Workflow in Capture One

Optimizing your workflow can save hours and improve efficiency, whether you're working with hundreds of images or a single project. This helpful video tutorial shares practical tips to help you streamline your editing process and keep your creative focus where it belongs: on your images.

Why the Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Is a Must-Have for Portraits

The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II is a highly anticipated update to one of Sony’s most respected portrait lenses. The latest version promises improvements in build, autofocus performance, and image quality, making it worth a closer look.

A Budget-Friendly Portrait Lens That Punches Above Its Weight

Capturing stunning portraits doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The TTArtisan AF 75mm f/2 proves that budget-friendly lenses can still deliver sharp images and smooth bokeh, making it a compelling choice for everyday use.

An Affordable Alternative to Expensive 35mm Film Cameras

When it comes to budget-friendly 35mm film cameras, the Canon AE-1 and Pentax K1000 often top recommendations. However, these options can be surprisingly expensive, especially for beginners. If you’re looking for an affordable alternative that doesn’t compromise on quality, the Praktica MTL5B is a compelling choice.

Leica M11-D: A Love Letter to Analog

Photography has always been about capturing moments, but with the Leica M11-D, it’s also about rediscovering the art of simplicity. Leica’s M-series cameras are widely known for their timeless elegance and exceptional craftsmanship, and the M11-D takes this philosophy a step further.

Artra Lab NOCTY-NONIKKOR 50mm f/1.2: A Retro-Inspired Manual Lens for Bokeh Lovers

Manual focus lenses are seeing a resurgence, combining vintage aesthetics with modern optical designs. The Artra Lab NOCTY-NONIKKOR 50mm f/1.2 fits into this trend, delivering a fully manual experience while embracing the style and charm of classic lenses. With a fast f/1.2 aperture and all-metal build, it promises to appeal to those who value craftsmanship and creative control.

Practical Cropping Techniques for Better Composition

Cropping is one of the simplest yet most impactful editing tools you can use. It helps you refine composition, isolate details, and tell a better story with your images. Knowing how and when to crop can make a significant difference in how your final images are perceived.