Breaking the Mold: Ignoring the Rule of Thirds in Landscape Photography

Landscape photography is a captivating art form that allows us as photographers to capture the beauty of the natural world. Among the many composition techniques employed by landscape photographers, the Rule of Thirds has long been considered a fundamental guideline for creating visually appealing and balanced shots. However, in this article, we will explore a less conventional viewpoint: why you should consider ignoring the Rule of Thirds in landscape photography. We will delve into the limitations of this rule and uncover situations where breaking away from it can lead to more unique, compelling, and creatively satisfying landscape photographs.

Hiking With One Lens for Landscape Photography

Landscape photographers often find themselves hiking longer distances or on routes with significant elevation changes. Decisions about what camera gear to carry can influence the hike's success, both in reaching the destination and photography results. Is there a one lens solution for these hikes?

Daido Moriyama: A Retrospective Comes to The Photographers Gallery This Autumn

Coming to The Photographers’ Gallery in October: the first UK retrospective of one of the world’s most innovative and influential artists and street photographers. If you are interested in documentary or street photography, Daido Moriyama's work is definitely something you should familiarize yourself with.

See a New Macro World With the AstrHori f/8 Probe Lens

The AstrHori 18mm f/8 macro 2:1 lens released a few months ago is the nearest competitor to the Laowa Optics probe lens and at half the price, it is something that should be considered by both macro photographers and videographers.

How Good Is the Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens?

Canon has produced some remarkably impressive RF mount lenses, and their latest, the RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM, is arguably the most stunning yet. With incredibly versatile capabilities and jaw-dropping image quality, it is the type of lens that makes people like sports and wildlife photographers drool. This great video review takes a look at the new lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in use.

A Review of the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD Lens for Nikon Z Mirrorless Cameras

The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD is easily one of the most intriguing lenses to hit the market in some time, offering an extremely useful focal range in combination with especially wide maximum apertures, making it a dream lens for people like events photographers, at least on paper. How does it hold up in the real world? This great video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from the Nikon Z mount version.

Why You Should Print Your Photos and How to Get Started

In the digital age, we print our photos less than ever; in fact, some of us never do. And that is a shame, as there is something really special about holding a physical manifestation of your work in your hands and hanging it on a wall where you can pass by it for years to come. If you have not printed your photos before, be sure to check out this excellent video tutorial that will show you why it is such a worthwhile endeavor and offer some helpful tips for doing so.

The Gamble and Reward of Seascape Photography

As a seasoned seascape photographer, I've learned that capturing the beauty of the ocean is a thrilling yet unpredictable pursuit. Each time I venture to one of my favorite locations, Ballycotton Lighthouse, I'm reminded of the gamble that is seascape photography.

The 5 Best Gear Purchases I've Made

After delving into some of the regrettable gear choices I've made, it's time to shift the focus to the gear that has truly excelled in my toolkit. In this article, I'll share the equipment that brings me joy whenever I use it. Be it a camera, or a light stand, or even a keyboard, it's all in here.

Managing Expectations as Your Photography Improves

The more you improve as a photographer, the harder it becomes to take photographs you’re happy with. This is an unfortunate paradox most creatives have to endure as they hone their craft, and the psychology can impede your progress if you don’t re-evaluate and manage your expectations along the way.

Three Essential Composition Tips for Milky Way Photography

For astrophotographers, there is a huge need for finding an important balance between the landscape or foreground, and the amazing interest in the sky. Whether you are photographing the Milky Way, Aurora Borealis, or the Winter Circle, the fundamentals of composition are still just as important as they are in normal landscape photography. In this video by Jeroen Linnenkamp, he provides three tips that will help you improve your compositions.

The 6 Most Valuable Smartphone Apps for Landscape Photographers

In today's digital age, there are numerous apps available that can significantly enhance your landscape photography experience. In this article, I want to take a look at the six apps that have proven invaluable for my own landscape photography.

Are Old Lenses Any Good on Modern Cameras?

One of the greatest aspects of mirrorless cameras is that you can adapt just about any SLR lens to them, making it easy to take full advantage of decades worth of lenses to explore your creativity or find an often much more affordable alternative to modern lenses. Are they worth the cost and effort, though? This great video discusses the issue.

Hands on With the Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M

Leica makes some incredible cameras and lenses, and some of their prime lenses in particular are highly sought after. This video shows what two weeks with a Leica 35mm is like and why it recaptured the magic of photography for Alex Barrera.
Wildlife Photography Challenge in London

Despite being an incredibly large and busy city, London has some very interesting and special wildlife, which you can see all year round. In this video from Harry Read and Edwin Towler, the lads have been given a list of twelve species to locate and photograph in one single day!

Planning Versus Spontaneity in Landscape Photography

Landscape photography is an art that often balances on the precipice of meticulous planning and spontaneous creativity. As a landscape photographer, I've found myself torn between meticulously planning every detail of a shoot and simply going with the flow, capturing the unexpected. In this article, let's delve into a debate: Is it better to meticulously plan a landscape photography shoot or embrace spontaneity?

5 Unlikely Hero Accessories for Landscape Photography

Landscape photography is an art that requires creativity, patience, and the right equipment. While cameras, lenses, and tripods are essential, there are some unexpected items that can serve as game changers in the world of landscape photography. In this article, we will explore five unconventional tools and accessories that can enhance your landscape photography experience. Plus, unlike your main gear, these won't cost an arm and a leg.

The Importance of Simplification in Photography

Busy scenes are common in many genres of photography, and while that business can often be a nice feature, knowing how to cut through it in order to prioritize your subject is an important skill. This excellent video tutorial discusses a range of ways to simplify images to make them more direct and impactful.

A Hands-On Look at the New Polaroid I-2

Polaroid is an iconic brand in photography and has been since the late 1940s! Now, Polaroid has a new camera released, and it has a lot of pros, but potentially one large con.
How to Photograph Large Wedding Parties

Wedding photography is a challenging genre that requires rock-solid technique, the ability to think on your feet, and a ton of people skills. One of the most difficult aspects of the day is large group portraits. If you are a budding wedding photographer and want to learn how to take those big portraits, check out this awesome video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know.

The Perfect Vintage Digicam for Travel

If you’re looking for a vintage digicam for your travels, look no further than 2002’s Casio Exilim EX-S1. With a 1.3-megapixel CCD sensor, this ultra-compact digicam is sure to give your photos that early 2000s vibe. About the size of a credit card (though a little thicker), this is the perfect digicam for travel.

Copying Roger Deakins' Lighting Style in Your Videos

Lighting your videos — or even cinematic-style portraits — can be a complex affair, with so many different lighting setups available to you. One potential solution is to take cues from brilliant cinematographers.
A Review of the New Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary Lens for Fujifilm X Cameras

100-400mm lenses are popular among photographers of many genres ranging from birds to landscapes, as they offer an extremely versatile focal length range suitable for a lot of applications. For Fujifilm X Series users, the new Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary offers that versatility at a relatively affordable price, making it an intriguing option. The excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance image quality you can expect from it in practice.

When Landscape Photography Adventures Go Wrong

As a landscape photographer and van owner myself, I know just how much goes into every shoot that I head out on, plus the ever-present worry that exists in the back of my mind, where I see myself stuck in the middle of nowhere after my trusty steed has broken down. Recently, I had the misfortune of this exact thing happening, and let me tell you, not only does it pull the handbrake on any adventures, it also adds the complexities of where it can be fixed, if it can be fixed, and finally, how much will it cost to be fixed!

What Can Wedding Photographers Do About the Engagement Gap?

Generally, you can expect relative stability in the amount of couples needing wedding photography services, at least across short to medium periods of time. However, the COVID pandemic was an unprecedented hit to the industry that resulted in less couples getting engaged in subsequent years, meaning that a few years later, we are seeing a drop in those couples getting married, placing strain on wedding photographers. What can wedding shooters do to weather the lull? This helpful video tutorial offers a range of great ideas and advice.

Why Revisit Landscape Photography Locations

Are you the type of landscape photographer who visits a location once and then head off to other new locations, never to return? Or are you the type that returns to a location over and over? Revisiting a location presents significant opportunities for the landscape photographer.

The Canon EOS R5 Versus the Nikon Z8 and Z9

The Canon EOS R5 and Nikon Z8 and Z9 are remarkable cameras that can tackle a huge range of genres and needs with ease, making them the workhorses of choice for countless creatives. Which is right for you, though? This great video comparison takes a look at all three cameras, how they perform in a challenging genre, and which is right for you.

How to Fix Bad Lighting in Lightroom

We have it drilled into us from the very start about the importance of good light in photos, and while that is certainly crucial, you are not always guaranteed the proper light when you press the shutter. In those situations where you know you have an image with potential, knowing how to manipulate the light a bit in post can make all the difference. This fantastic video tutorial will show you how to do just that in Lightroom.

A Review of the Leica Q3 Camera

Take a range of modern and powerful features, pair them with a beautiful lens, and put them all in a small and portable body, and you get the Leica Q3. With a high-resolution sensor, 28mm f/1.7 lens, and a great set of capabilities, the Q3 looks like a great camera on paper. How does it hold up in practice? This excellent video review takes a look at what you can expect.

Gear I Should Have Never Bought: 2023 Edition

It's true that I frequently test and use a wide range of gear. With numerous options at our disposal, not all gear is of equal quality. I'll readily admit that I've made some rather regrettable gear decisions. Reflecting on my inventory, I've chosen to revise the list of items that turned out to be poor choices.

Important Lessons for All Photographers

It can be easy to get caught up in things like talking about gear or finding dramatic locations for creating stunning images, but there is a lot more to becoming a successful and fulfilled photographer than just those things. If you want to both improve your images and enjoy the experience more, check out this awesome video tutorial that offers some excellent advice sure to put you on your way.

Fantastic Advice for Improving Photo Compositions

Composition is one of the trickiest parts of photography, and even seasoned veterans can sometimes struggle with it. If you find yourself struggling with it, check out this fantastic video tutorial that offers a wide range of helpful and meaningful advice sure to improve your images.

Exposing for the Ambient Light and Then Adding a Flash

Using flashes with ambient light can be tricky, whether you're fighting with the midday sun or you're trying to balance ambient light. In this behind-the-scenes video, you get a breakdown of how one photographer exposes for the ambient light and then layers in a strobe.
A Review of the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR Lens

50mm lenses featuring wide maximum apertures are typically some of the most popular options out there, offering a versatile and relatively neutral focal length in tandem with a lot of light-gathering and subject-isolating power. For Fujifilm shooters, there is the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Is the Sony a7C II Right for You?

It seems as if we have new cameras released every month, and that can make it harder to pick the right camera. Sony's newest announced camera has turned some heads, though it has a few divisive entries into the spec sheet. The question is, is it right for you?

Embracing the Magic of Fall: Your Guide to Nailing Fall Landscape Photography

Hey, fellow landscape photography enthusiast! Can you feel that slight chill in the air yet? Yep, fall is right around the corner, and you most likely already know what that means: it's prime time for capturing those breathtaking autumnal landscapes. The vibrant colors and the cozy vibes are a landscape photographer's dream come true. But, before you dash out with your camera, let's chat about how to get prepped for some epic fall photography.

The Importance of Light in Landscape Photography

No matter what genre you shoot, understanding how light behaves and knowing how to leverage it in your images makes all the difference when it comes to making compelling photos. If you are a landscape photographer and want to improve your work, check out this excellent video tutorial that offers a ton of excellent information on the types of light in the genre and how to use them.

Why Do Photographers Love the Fujifilm X100V Camera?

The X100 series of cameras from Fujifilm has long been loved for offering both excellent image quality and a uniquely fun and inspiring shooting experience. So, why are photographers so loyal to the X100 series after all these years? This excellent video comparison looks at how the camera compares to the Sony a7 IV and why, despite some disadvantages, one photographer still prefers the X100V.

A Review of the Hasselblad X2D 100C Medium Format Mirrorless Camera

The Hasselblad X2D 100C brings an ultra-powerful, modern medium format sensor inside an extremely portable body (with equally portable lenses to match), making it a dream camera for many photographers who want high image quality without a lot of bulk. How does it perform in real-world usage? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect.

A Review of the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 Macro G OSS II Lens

70-200mm f/2.8 lenses have long been some of the most popular workhorses out there, able to tackle a huge range of needs and genres with ease. However, such lenses are neither light nor cheap. 70-200mm f/4 lenses offer a nice alternative for those who do not need that wide aperture, and the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 Macro G OSS II offers 0.5x macro capabilities as well. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in use.