Five Compositional Keys for Stunning Landscapes

Composition is crucial in landscape photography because it's one of the few aspects a photographer has complete control over. Understanding how to arrange elements within the frame can significantly elevate a photograph from average to extraordinary. 

The Hidden 'Mask Anything' Tool in Adobe Lightroom

Adobe Lightroom has continued to become more powerful over the years. If it has been a while since you have used Lightroom, you might be surprised at how far it has come. Masking is an area where the software has greatly improved, including a tool that could have been called the Mask Anything tool.

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Enter your Best "Dark" or "Low-Key" images

Welcome to the April Critique the Community!  For this contest/critique, we are doing another abstract theme that should allow more photographers to enter. For this month we want to see your most "dark" or "low key" photographs.

The Painter Every Photographer Should Know

If you’re a photographer looking for inspiration, look no further. This article dives into the life and work of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio and how his dramatic use of light and shadow can revolutionize your photography techniques.

Battle of Antietam: Bearing Witness Through the Lens of History

The Battle of Antietam, fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, was a pivotal engagement during the American Civil War and remains the single bloodiest day in American military history, with over 22,000 casualties. The battle also prompted President Abraham Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, shifting the focus of the war to one of emancipation and forever altering its course.

If You Shoot Sony, You've Got To Try This Lens

Sigma has built a solid reputation for its commitment to innovation and excellence in its ever-increasing range of photography lenses. The Contemporary series offers a very high-quality glass and price-friendly option for all photographers.

Budget Camera Shootout: Canon vs. Fuji for Portraits

Quite possibly the most basic gear you can get for shooting nice portraits is a 50mm lens on a crop body camera. This combination of fast prime and smaller sensor creates almost the ideal conditions for this type of photography. So, how do some of the options in the field stack up?

Creative Problem-Solving: Lighting Techniques and Tips

Lighting is a crucial aspect of photography, often making or breaking a shoot. Understanding how to manipulate light effectively is essential. This video details a challenging scenario that was transformed into a valuable lesson on lighting techniques.

Unlocking Creative Inspiration for Your Photography

Mastering photography is not solely about technical skills but also about cultivating a creative vision. Drawing inspiration from diverse sources is crucial for developing a unique style and staying motivated. This insightful explores how you can harness creativity and inspiration to elevate your photography.

Streamline Your Workflow With Lightroom Masking Presets

Creating custom presets in Lightroom Classic can significantly streamline your editing workflow, especially for repetitive tasks like enhancing eye details in portraits. This helpful video tutorial will show you how to create your own.

Download These Raw Files From Fujifilm’s Newest Cameras

Fujifilm recently held an event in NYC for photographers to gain hands-on time with their two most recent camera releases. Fstoppers was there, and we are pleased to provide you with three downloadable raw image files from each camera.

The Power of Subtle Lighting in Portraiture

When it comes to lighting in portraiture, there are many ways to skin a cat, but sometimes, the best way is not to go any direction all-out, but rather to blend different approaches. In this video, see the merits of subtle lighting.

Art and Advocacy: A Chat With Lindsay Adler on Her Psoriasis Awareness Campaign and Life Behind the Lens

What do you get when you pair an industry titan in creative beauty images with a campaign promoting psoriasis awareness? You get images you're anxiously curious to see, and an interview you want to watch. For the lucky New Yorkers, you also get the perfect outing for this weekend. I sat down with Adler to talk about the “Clearly Me” campaign she shot, which will be on display this weekend at Nine Line Galleries, NYC. If you follow my writing, you know we took rabbit trails into all kinds of tangents that will keep you learning, laughing, and hopefully leave you inspired with takeaways that will apply to your own photographic journey. 

Expanding Dynamic Range With Auto Exposure Bracketing

Expanding your camera’s dynamic range with Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) can drastically improve image quality. Human eyes can see a wider dynamic range than cameras, so we need to use techniques like AEB to capture more detail in high-contrast scenes.

Creating a Dreamy Orton Glow in Lightroom

The Orton glow effect gives landscape photos a soft, ethereal quality that draws viewers in. This helpful video tutorial will show you how to create it in Lightroom.

Open Shade: The Key to Perfect Outdoor Lighting

Using open shade can transform your outdoor photography by providing soft, directional light without the need for complex lighting setups. This technique leverages natural light to create stunning images with minimal equipment, making it a great skill to master.

Essential Lessons for Mastering Studio Portrait Photography

Mastering studio portrait photography requires adapting to controlled environments and understanding how to manipulate lighting and equipment effectively. The transition from outdoor to indoor photography can be challenging, but it offers unique opportunities to refine your skills and produce high-quality images consistently.