Getting new modifiers is exciting. My first one was a simple umbrella with diffusion. As I progressed into my career, I invested more and more into various light shaping tools. The one I was most reluctant to try turned out to be the modifier I am currently in love with. And here is why. 

Long exposure images of moving water are popular for both photographers and viewers, but it takes more than slapping an ND filter on the front of your lens to create a compelling one. This helpful video tutorial features an experienced landscape photographer guiding you through the process, including equipment, safety, shutter speed, composition, and more.  

When it comes to photography gear, what do you actually need to get the image and what is probably a waste of time buying? That can be a tough question to answer, or is it? With the photography market pushing everything at you from all corners, it all depends on what you are hoping to achieve with your landscape photography. 

Every profession and hobby has clichés that lurk around them like an unpleasant smell, and photography is no different. But what clichés about photographers do you believe to be mostly true? 

Photography authorship has historically been very one-sided. In this video, Vuhlandes is quick to confess that making photographs has historically been a medium for those few people who had the resources by way of money and time to make images. 

In his video, Vuhlandes focuses on macro work and harkens to a hypothetical type of photographer who creates macro images.

Wontancraft has announced their new Scout camera bag. Known for combining old-school craftsmanship and modern-day functionality, their World War II 50s-style bag is designed for just that. The newest bag in their line boasts an accordion-style opening, YKK waterproof zippers,  and water-repellent Cordura fabric.

The truth is that no matter how much you love photography, just like anything else is life, there will likely be periods when you are sick of it, whether because of creative frustration, frustrating clients, or something else. So, what do you do when that happens?

Growing and sustaining a photography business has never been for the faint of heart, but it is possible to do if you have an excellent, multi-faceted plan. I recently collaborated with Lancaster, PA based headshot photographer Richard Waine to compile a list of 20 steps photographers can take to get their phone ringing, and build a business that stands the test of time.

One of the best parts of the Micro Four Thirds system is the wide selection of sharp but quite portable lenses, and if you do not need a particularly wide aperture, the OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4 PRO is especially compact and light while also not breaking the bank.

Photography is a complex topic full of myths and misconceptions, and those can lead you astray and be detrimental to your growth and success as a creative. This interesting video essay discusses three common photography myths that can undermine your work and the truth that is often hiding behind them.  

I think it is fair to say that streaming is complex, especially if you want to go beyond “Instagram live from a selfie camera.” Adding several angles, multiple cameras, and overlays is complex, and you would need quite a lot of gear for that. Well, say goodbye to that. RecNGo is a simple app that makes streaming affordable and accessible.  

Modern cameras support fantastic image stabilization, and ISO noise is not a problem anymore. We can shoot freehand in dusk conditions and get stunning, sharp photos. So, have tripods become obsolete? 

One of the most interesting and sometimes frustrating aspects of landscape photography is that you get no control over the elements of the frame, the lighting, or the surrounding conditions. And that will often mean that things will not be as you hoped or planned, but that should not deter you.

When it comes to portrait photos, lighting and shooting the image is only half of the process. Knowing how to edit your images with a careful touch while still applying your signature creative look is the other half. This excellent video tutorial will show you how one photographer edits his shots using a combination of Lightroom and Photoshop.  

Today, I’d just like to muse a bit of some lessons I’ve learned over a long career as a professional photographer. Hopefully, some of these concepts will help you as well. 

Tamron has established itself as a manufacturer of superbly practical and affordable lenses in the last few years, but they have also started to push the boundaries of lens design to create some impressively extreme lenses.

Superzoom lenses are often overlooked because their extreme focal length ranges mean inherent compromises in image quality, but in recent years, we have seen some impressive advances that make them viable options for a lot of work. This excellent video features an experienced landscape photographer making a case for using a superzoom lens for landscape work. 

Being a photographer is fun. Or is it? The good news is that it can be fun. But you have to know some hard truth that photographers sometimes don’t tell.  

Samyang has long been recognized for creating affordable and sharp manual focus lenses, but in recent years, they have expanded into autofocus options, vastly increasing the versatility of their offerings while maintaining budget prices.

The beauty of shutter speed and aperture is that they are not just for getting technically correct exposures; they allow you to explore creative renderings as well. One way to do this is through dragging your shutter when shooting photos with motion, and this great video tutorial will show you both how to do it and the sort of results you can create.  

Traditionally, portraits are shot with focal lengths between 50mm and 135mm, though there is no reason you can't use a longer focal length. Nonetheless, 400mm f/2.8 lenses are traditionally reserved for professional sports and wildlife photographers who need a lot of reach and the ability to capture as much light as possible.

We all love having a spot to ourselves, but many times, that isn’t possible. There are a few unspoken rules when it comes to shooting in congested areas that every photographer should know.  

While the 85mm focal length is the classic choice for portrait photography, 135mm is a popular alternative, and there are some real gem lenses to be found there. One such option is the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM, and this great video review takes a look at the lens and the impressive performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.  

Perhaps no lens has a wider price range than the 50mm, which can cost anywhere from under $100 to well over $2,000 depending on the sort of performance and image quality you are after. Two options at the top end are the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM and Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM, and this great video review takes a look at both and which edges out the other.  

Modern cameras offer a wide variety of settings to change the behavior and customize to your own preferences. There are also a lot of basic settings you choose once and forget about it. Did you know there are settings you can ignore completely? I found eight of those.