January had been a difficult month for me. I was shooting a lot less, and as a result, I had a ton of time to think about my career and my direction. I ended up in a fairly bad place with my mental health. Like almost every other artist, I ended up hating much of what I do. Here's why it sucks being a photographer, and what you can do about it.

There are many small, simple steps, that you can take to drastically improve your portrait photography today.

I'm a bit of a neat freak when it comes to my gear. Anyone who has bought any of my used gear has usually told me it looks like new, save for maybe by the tripod mount, which I usually attach a plate to while I'm camped out by lighthouses.

Why are photographers obsessed with shallow depth of field? And why I think it can ruin your photography as it almost did with mine. Read on about how it started to affect my photography and what I did about it.

Landscape photographers often speak about the advantages of scouting locations, but a certain creative energy can be lost with too much pre-planning. In this video, we follow along as a landscape photographer explores an area which has some benefits and downsides.

Honeycomb grids are a fantastic tool for taking your lighting to the next level. They offer precision and control that can transform an image's mood and focus.

Today, I get a chance to play with the new Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera 6K.

Becoming a skilled photographer is a journey that requires dedication, practice, and a willingness to learn and grow. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your photography to the next level, there are several key steps you can take to develop your skills and expand your creative horizons. Let’s explore some of the most effective strategies for growing as a photographer, which have helped my own personal journey.

Exploring the nuanced feelings of acquiring a new camera, especially after years of loyalty to a previous model, reveals a complex mix of expectations for photographers. The anticipation of significant improvements in quality and functionality often clashes with the reality of marginal gains, leading to a reflective consideration of what truly enhances one's craft.

Turning a flat raw file into a visually appealing image with rich contrasts and vibrant colors is a critical skill for every new photographer to learn. The helpful video tutorial will show you how to get started with tonal adjustments in Lightroom.

Does the thought of photographing people for the first time frighten you? It did for me a few years ago. As an introverted photographer who also suffers from depression and anxiety, I was petrified to make the step into portrait photography, but I was able to push through it and now I love it!

I do my very best to help out photographers who are starting out. There are some negative tendencies in just about any photographer's career; I had them myself. The only difference between me and you is that you will now find out what's wrong, while I had to figure it out by trial and error.

Mastering the art of photography in urban environments can be a game-changer for photographers looking to expand their skill set and portfolio diversity. This fantastic video highlights the unique advantages of shooting in big cities, emphasizing how varying light conditions and urban chaos can significantly enhance a photographer's ability to capture compelling images.

Buying equipment is as exciting as ever, if you ask me. While my tastes are probably slightly different than yours, in the sense that I buy '90s flash gear and DSLRs, I have been doing this for around five years and have come up with a few tips on how to save money when buying gear.

The HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 laptop offers a lot of power, screen real estate, and flexibility in a portable package, making it an attractive option for creatives on the go. This great video review takes a look at the laptop and the sort of performance you can expect from it in use.

Landscape photography is a pursuit that challenges photographers to harness the unpredictable beauty of nature, pushing them to adapt to ever-changing conditions. This genre demands not only an eye for composition but also the resilience to face natural elements, from navigating rugged terrains to capturing the dynamic interplay of light and shadow in remote locations.

What can docking stations do, and how could they affect your editing workflow? Think of this as an all-in-one, or at least a 13-in-1 solution, to make your work more efficient and expand the capabilities of your editing computer.

There is a lot of bad advice online on how to make money as a photographer. Truth be told, I followed much of it and made a big fat zero. This is not because such advice is wrong, but rather because it is out of touch with what the market is in 2024. In this article, I will shed light on one of the worst ways to make money with your work.

Mastering off-camera flash techniques with a speedlight is a fantastic way to get started with off-camera portrait lighting. Utilizing a speedlight away from the camera allows for more controlled, professional-looking results, transforming simple shots into meticulously crafted images.

Doing a photoshoot with slime was my Nickelodeon-inspired childhood dream come true. We used 20 gallons of blue slime in this shoot, and it created some wild photos.

Having used flash for most of the work I've shot, it’s fair to say that I made a number of mistakes when starting out with a flash kit. Everything that could go wrong did, but I learned a number of techniques along the way. In this article, we will dive into some of the most common mistakes I see photographers make when using flash.

Capturing the ethereal beauty of waterfalls remains a timeless pursuit for photographers, offering a blend of technical challenge and artistic expression. This helpful video dives into this subject, sharing insights based on extensive experience with waterfall photography, underlining its significance not just for its aesthetic appeal but for the technical acumen it demands.

The transformative power of shadows in photography is often understated, yet they hold the key to creating images that resonate with depth, emotion, and a sense of mystery. This fantastic video tutorial explores this concept through the lens of Vincent Peters, a master of using light and shadow to craft visually stunning portraits that evoke the glamour of classic Hollywood.

Photography's essence and education have been significantly altered by the surge of social media, presenting a complex challenge for photographers. This insightful video dives into this topic, exploring how the focus has shifted from the art of photography to monetization and gear reviews, emphasizing the importance of this shift for both emerging and established photographers.

Knowing how to navigate the financial landscape of photography is crucial for those looking to turn their passion into profit. Understanding the various avenues through which photographers can monetize their skills will help you find the right niche for you.

On a day marked by tensions surrounding press freedom in Thailand, two journalists found themselves ensnared in the legal system for their investigative work into acts of political defiance against the monarchy.

Shooting interiors for real estate shouldn’t be that challenging if your goal is simply to photograph the entire space. However, if the goal is to come up with visually impactful images, then it’s very likely that you’ll have to solve some problems while shooting.

There is a growing tendency in photography to produce commercially viable portfolios. I can't say that this is a bad tendency, as it nurtures image-makers who are more profitable. However, there are a few negatives to this. One of them is that everyone's portfolio looks the same.

If you happened to see the recent press release and subsequent articles, you may be under the impression that Canon has become the number one brand of mirrorless cameras. And this data is probably correct. But after their release, Sony was asked about it and decided to share their end of the same data, which also says they are number one in mirrorless. So what's the deal?

The 1 Series and 5 Series are Canon's most important professional bodies, representing their flagship and workhorse cameras, respectively. As such, many users are eagerly awaiting more information on the upcoming EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II cameras, and we now know a bit more.

For Fujifilm medium format users, the GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR lens offers a wide angle of view suitable for genres like landscape and architectural photography. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Lightroom Classic is a surprisingly intricate program that, despite its widespread use among photographers, contains functionalities that often go unnoticed. For real estate photographers, and indeed for those in many other genres, mastering these lesser-known tools can significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of their workflow. This helpful video tutorial will show you several such tools.

The choice between zoom and prime lenses is a fundamental consideration for photographers, affecting everything from image quality to shooting style. Understanding their differences is key to selecting the right lens for your photography needs, whether you're capturing landscapes, portraits, or fast-paced events. This helpful video will show you what you need to know.

We all want to capture memories of our beloved canine companions. This fantastic video tutorial will show you how to create those images at home.

Most people are familiar with the Sony a7-series cameras. These mirrorless cameras have matured over the last decade and enjoy a wide fan base. However, they have also grown significantly in size. If you prefer a smaller form factor, perhaps it's time to consider the Sony a7C II and a7CR.

One of the biggest tendencies I see among photographers is the pursuit of the latest and greatest kit. I, however, did the very opposite and invested in some truly ancient equipment. Not because I intended to write an article about it, but because there is a valid reason behind my choice. Let's delve into it.

Masking is an essential technique for photographers aiming to refine their images with precision, affecting specific parts of an image without altering the whole. This excellent video tutorial will show you everything you need to know to get started.

Macro photography in challenging weather conditions, such as the cold and colorless winter of Stockholm, poses a unique set of obstacles and opportunities for photographers. Identifying the right subjects and adapting techniques to suit the environment is crucial for capturing compelling images, even in the least promising seasons. This fantastic video tutorial will show you how to do that.

Whether you're just starting out or have been honing your craft for years, the practice of photography is a continuous journey filled with discovery, growth, and boundless opportunities for self-expression. You are stepping into a world where creativity knows no bounds, and each time you press the shutter, you capture a moment frozen in time. This you already know, but has there ever been a time that you looked back to see where you started, and then suddenly realized how far you have actually come with your photography and appreciated the journey so far?

Photography, much like any artistic or professional pursuit, thrives on the establishment of clear goals. Setting objectives not only provides direction but also serves as a catalyst for growth, pushing creatives to explore new territories, techniques, and perspectives.

The intersection of artificial intelligence and photography represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of visual arts. AI's impact on photography is profound, challenging traditional practices and opening new avenues for creative expression, but also causing significant unrest. This development is not just a technological upgrade but a fundamental shift in how images are created and consumed.

Landscape photography is an endeavor fraught with unpredictability and challenge, especially when one is faced with adverse weather conditions. This reality underscores the importance of adaptability and perseverance for photographers, who must often contend with elements beyond their control to capture the beauty of the natural world.

Photography thrives on creativity, and finding ways to boost this creative energy is crucial for every photographer. This excellent video tutorial gets into practical exercises aimed at overcoming creative blocks, emphasizing their significance for photographers seeking fresh perspectives.

Primarily designed for sports photography, could the Sony a9 III be the perfect camera for weddings?

The art of color manipulation in Photoshop opens up a myriad of creative possibilities for photographers, allowing them to transform their images beyond the original capture. This helpful video tutorial will show you everything you need to know to do so.

Macro photography offers a unique lens through which photographers can explore the minutiae of the world around them, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. This technique is particularly compelling because it allows for the exploration of texture, color, and detail in subjects that might otherwise be overlooked, all without the need to even leave your home.

Exploring familiar landscapes with a fresh perspective is a challenge many photographers face, particularly when seeking to maintain creativity and inspiration in their work. This issue is particularly relevant for those who frequently revisit the same locations, where finding new angles and approaches can significantly enhance the photographic experience and outcome.

Social media has undeniably dominated a major part of our lifestyle and played an even more irreplaceable role for us to express our opinions on the net. This social media domination has somewhat become both a blessing and a curse for photographers where most of their work is held hostage under the power of the scrolling algorithm. While some photographers may have taken the opportunity to market and broadcast their work to the world, it is still pretty challenging to maintain the utmost creativity and artistic integrity under the influence of the constantly evolving algorithm.

Knowing how to efficiently make a precise sky selection is crucial to taking better control of your landscape photos. This fantastic video tutorial will show you how to create better sky selections in Lightroom.