Explaining the Different Types of Lens Autofocus Motor

While every lens design may or or less look the same, the technology and components contained inside can be very different, particularly the autofocus motors. When it comes to autofocus (AF) systems in camera lenses, there are several types of autofocus motors used to achieve fast and accurate focusing. The decision on which autofocus motor to be used will depend on the lens manufacturer, lens type, and price range. Dive deeper into this article as we explore the most common types of autofocus motors found in lenses.
Why Do Studio Photographers Love Tethering?

Normally, when we take photos, we save them to the memory card, pop that card into our computer, and download the images to Lightroom or whatever cataloging program we choose. However, many studio photographers use tethering to bypass the logistics of working with a memory card, but it offers more advantages than just the convenience. This excellent video tutorial will show you what tethering is, why it is beneficial, and how to use it in your own work.

Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch 360 – Small Size, Surprisingly Good Results

The world of image-making is evolving daily. One such development is the introduction of one-inch sensors to smaller cameras and mobile phones. One of the problems with smaller cameras in the past was that the sensor was too small to capture appropriate detail. Insta360 has recently come out with the one-inch edition of its popular 360 camera, which sets a new standard for photographers and filmmakers worldwide.

5 James Bond Secrets to Protein Bars for Photographers

Hold on to your taste buds, folks, because we're about to embark on a deliciously hilarious journey through the secrets of protein bars! Get ready to discover the five covert tricks that turn these humble snacks into protein-packed wonders that would make even James Bond jealous. So, grab your fork and knife (yes, we take protein bars seriously), put on your best British accent, and let's uncover these delectable secrets and how they can help you overcome the hunger pains that might force you back home and miss that banger shot.

Is the Sony Xperia 1 V the Ultimate Phone for Creators?

Sony's Xperia range of phones has been knocking on the door of entry-level cameras for some time. Their latest offering might just be the best yet, but is it enough for creators to use as their primary all-purpose camera?
5 Reasons Your Landscape Photos Might Not Be Sharp Enough

Landscape photography places a particularly high priority on getting sharp photos, with photographers putting a lot of careful effort into ensuring their photos are as crisp as possible. If you find your images are not as sharp as you would like, check out this helpful video tutorial that discusses five reasons that might be happening and what you can do to improve your shots.

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 Lens

Pancake lenses place portability above everything else, and that used to mean that while they were convenient, you could not expect very good image quality out of them. However, optical design and technology has made some great advances in recent years, making lenses like the Nikon NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 intriguing to many photographers and filmmakers who want a tiny and lightweight option. This great video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from the lens in use.

Feeling Lost as a Photographer? Watch This

We live in an era in which we are absolutely inundated by images every day, from every direction and in which we are often encouraged to think just as much about the tools of the trade as the images themselves. All that can lead one to feel frustrated or even disillusioned with the craft. If you find yourself feeling that way, give this insightful and motivational video a watch.

Ten Months and Thousands of Images Later: We Review the Fujifilm X-T5

The Fujifilm X-T5 has been out for some time. It was announced back in November 2022, but I’ve been using it since a few weeks before that so you could say I’ve had the camera for a long enough time to be able to tell you my opinion on it. Is it the right camera for you? What are its pros and cons?

Can You Recreate Hollywood’s Movie Scenes Using Toys?

Watching Back To The Future as a kid, I always wanted to recreate the flame line scene after the DeLorean hits 88 mph. In my photography career, I have yet to come across one that works and has a Mr. Fusion. YouTuber Sirdork has beaten me to the punch by using toys.

Playing with Hot Wheels, I always remember staring deep into the vehicle to look at the smallest details. At an older age, I look back and wonder why someone would ever spend that much time making a steering wheel look so real, especially something that would likely fall victim to a child wielding a hammer...

Hands on With LomoChrome 92 Film

Lomography recently announced the release of a new film, LomoChrome 92, a 400 ISO C-41 process color negative stock. The film is touted as a throwback to older stocks, with vibrant colors and a more noticeable grain structure.

We Review the Laowa 28mm f/1.2 Lens

Laowa has been producing lenses since 2013 and now has a vast collection, from cine lenses to landscape, to specialist lenses, and everything in between. These lenses are sharp and solid and cater to the ever-growing needs of photographers.

A Beginner's Guide to Camera Modes

Almost every modern camera comes with a variety of modes ranging from automatic to fully manual, with just about every possible option in between. What do they all do, and which should you be using for your work? This fantastic video tutorial introduces you to all the most common camera modes, how they work, and when you should use them.

Matte Painting for a New Generation of Filmmakers

Today, video content creation has become more accessible than ever. YouTube, Vimeo, TikTok, and Instagram Reels mean everyone is creating video content. With the rapid advancements in technology, creators have the power to make videos anywhere and inexpensively thanks to AI and, in particular, Generative Fill AI.
The Intuitive Approach to Landscape Photography

There are many ways to approach landscape photography, each with its own advantages and drawbacks, but one that we perhaps engage with the least is the intuitive method, namely building an emotional connection with the scene and allowing that to lead our photographic creation. This insightful video features an experienced landscape photographer discussing the approach and how to connect a landscape's impact on you with actionable photographic ideas and techniques.

Cyanotype Printing: Is It Photography, and How Do You Do It?

Explore the Art of the Cyanotype. In this article, we examine the step-by-step process of cyanotype printing and its place within the realm of photography. You can decide for yourself if you agree whether this is a photographic medium or not.

5 Steps to Making Money as a Beginner Photographer

It is one thing to work on your technique and creative voice, but making money with your work is an entirely separate skill. If you are working on developing your photography income, check out this great video tutorial that shares five actionable steps for making money as a beginner photographer.

5 Reasons Photoshop's Clone Stamp Isn't Obsolete

Photoshop's Clone Stamp has long been one of the program's most useful tools, but with a bevy of new and advanced tools, including Content Aware Fill and Generative AI, it might seem like such a simple tool might be obsolete. Nothing could be further from the truth, though. This fantastic video tutorial features a seasoned Photoshop pro sharing five reasons why the Clone Stamp is still relevant and how you can use it in your work.

Why Are Tilt-Shift Lenses So Useful to Photographers?

Tilt-shift lenses are some of the oddest options out there, and they can be a bit tricky to use, but they hold a very valuable place in the toolkits of many photographers. What makes them so useful? This helpful video tutorial introduces you to tilt-shift lenses and their applications.

How Does the Sony a6700 Compare to the a7 IV?

The Sony a7 IV is widely regarded as one of the best hybrid cameras out there, but with the a6700 now here, Sony users have two excellent options for their work. Despite the a7 IV having a full frame sensor, the a6700 has some better features and is also $1,000 cheaper. So, which is right for you? This fantastic video comparison takes a look at both to help you decide.

Important Advice for New Photographers and Filmmakers

There is a lot to learn when you are a new photographer or filmmaker, but one of the most important bits of advice does not have anything to do with your creative approach, but rather with how you spend your money. Before you pull out your credit card and go on a shopping spree, check out this important video essay that gives some crucial advice that will save you from making costly mistakes.

How Much Risk Are You Willing to Take for Your Photography?

It’s a subject not often addressed but significant in the process of creating images. There are domains where risks have to be assessed, evaluated, and prevented. Taking risks is sometimes necessary, although that encompasses many different aspects, and the stakes are also diverse. It mostly depends on your photo field and where you are on your photography journey.

Because He Was an Artist: Larry Burrows, Photojournalist

The camera can be seen as most impactful when it's used to document life in its rawest form. Every day, photographers grab their camera and head out to create a photograph for many reasons. It could be for a client on a commercial set. It could be a wedding photographer. It could be a landscape photographer. All these approaches hold their own sort of gravitas. However, when a camera is used to capture events that help the viewer understand our reality and our history, it could be said the camera is at its most powerful. Photojournalism holds this gravitas.

Fujifilm and Disney Collaborate on a Rare, Special Edition X100V

Fujifilm and the entertainment powerhouse Disney have collaborated to celebrate 100 years since Disney's founding in October 1923. To commemorate this special occasion, the camera manufacturer has released a very rare edition of its unattainable X100V premium compact camera.
How To Pose and Direct a Photoshoot To Draw Out Emotion

With 10 years of professional photography under my belt, I can confidently say directing models with ease is one of the most important aspects of the job. Yet, it is a skill that so many photographers struggle with. It’s one of those things that seems so simple, but in the actual moment, can be incredibly challenging.

A Crazy Lens Is on the Way

Venus Optics is known for producing some of the most unique and innovative lenses in the industry, including ultra-macro options, smooth trans focus lenses with extra smooth bokeh, extraordinarily wide lenses, and, of course, their famous probe lens. It seems the company is never content to rest, with another crazy lens likely on the way very soon.

3 Reasons Why Crop Sensors Cameras Are Better Than Full Frame

Full frame cameras are generally regarded as the standard option for professional work, but in recent years, crop sensor cameras have come a long way, and their associated ecosystems have filled out to offer photographers and filmmakers a wide range of options suitable for many genres and applications. This interesting video essay discusses three reasons why crop sensors cameras are often a better choice than full frame options.

How to Batch Process Noise Reduction in Lightroom

Lightroom's new AI-powered noise reduction is a remarkable step forward for the program, giving users powerful capabilities for working with high-ISO photos without having to ever leave the program. The one drawback is that the noise reduction can take a bit of time, particularly if you are using an older computer. So, if you are working with a large batch of photos, it is important to ensure you have set up your workflow for optimal efficiency. This helpful video tutorial will show you how to do just that.

4 Reasons Why New Photographers Should Try Every Genre

What lured you into photography? Was it a specific genre? Was it a person? Whatever the case, I want to lay out the benefits of being as open and experimental as possible when you are new to the craft.

The Power of Symmetry in Photography

Symmetry has long been one of the most powerful tools to provide visual interest in an image, and there are many ways to leverage it in your work to create compelling shots. This fantastic video tutorial will show you some of the different types of symmetry in landscape photography and how you can use them in your own work.

Canon Patents Two More Extreme Lenses

A theme of Canon's RF lens philosophy has been taking some standard, well-established designs and pushing them to new extremes, such as the 28-70mm f/2 zoom or replacing the 300mm f/2.8 prime with the new 100-300mm f/2.8L. It seems like they have no intention of slowing down, with more extreme patents now emerging.

5 Helpful Pieces of Advice for Better Landscape Photo Compositions

Composition is a challenging aspect of photography no matter what genre you shoot, but it can be particularly tricky in something like landscape photography, where you get no control over the placement of elements in the frame, only your position relative to them. If you find yourself struggling with your landscape compositions, check out this helpful video tutorial that offers five bits of advice sure to help you improve.

3 Things That Hold Back Photographers

Photography can be a pursuit marked by slow growth, and as such, insidious things can creep in and derail our journey, and it can be years before we even realize they have done so. If you would like to continue to grow as a photographer and creative, check out this fantastic video essay that discusses three mistakes that will hold you back and how to avoid them.

I Interviewed AI About AI, and It Wants You to Know It Comes in Peace

Generative artificial intelligence like Chat GPT, Dall-e, Midjourney, etc., what we are all now collectively referring to as "AI," has all but dominated almost every aspect of popular public discourse over the last year. And for good reason: it's kind of a big deal, though I would argue a lot of the conversation around AI is overblown at best and outright unwarranted panic at worst. But that's not to say we shouldn't be paying close attention to the advancements in this new technology. Quite the opposite, we should be paying very close attention, and making every attempt to understand this tech to the extent we possibly can.

A Beginner's Guide to Ordering Your First Photo Print

In the digital age, some of us never print our photos, content to share them on social media and view them on our monitors and phones. That is a shame, though, as seeing your images in a physical form is something really special that can't be replicated by anything digital. You do not have to print your photos yourself, though. There are plenty of great printing services out there, and this helpful video will show you how to get the most from your first order.

Is There Any Film Left in Japan?

From time to time you see images circulating on social media of Japanese camera store shelves awash with film. I’m not talking about half a dozen pro packs of Portra, I’m talking about hundreds and hundreds of rolls of film. More film than you could shoot in 10 years. Names of long-forgotten emulsions that many die-hard film shooters can’t even recall.

The Delicate Balance Professional Photographers Must Strike to Be Successful

Being a successful professional photographer is about a lot more than simply being good with a camera. One of the things you need to be good at (and something a lot of people are uncomfortable doing) is selling yourself and your work, which requires a good dose of self-confidence or the ability to fake it, at least. Done wrong, though, and this can lead to pushing away clients. This insightful video essay features an experienced commercial photographer discussing the delicate balance and why it is so important.

The Joy of ICM Landscape Photography

ICM, which stands for "intentional camera movement," is a technique in which the photographer moves the camera during the exposure in a precise way, resulting in creatively blurry images that often have a painterly appearance. It is a great way to explore your creativity and expand your landscape photography techniques. This neat video takes you behind the scenes as a landscape photographer tries it out to show you what is possible and some common mistakes.

Charles Brooks: Architecture in Music Interview

Jumping back to an article I just wrote on how to speed up your career by 10 years, We Eat Together suggested “finding your passion and photographing the hell out of it.” That is what exactly New Zealand-based photographer Charles Brooks did in his recent photo series, Architecture in Music.

7 Common Landscape Photography Mistakes

Landscape photography is a challenging but rewarding genre that takes the combination of strong technique, creative vision, and solid editing to create a successful image, and things can sometimes go wrong. If you find your landscape shots are not as good as you would like, check out this fantastic video tutorial that discusses seven common landscape photography mistakes and how to fix them and improve your work.

The GR Is Not the Only One: Fujifilm X70 Re-Review

Many photographers know the famous Ricoh GR lineup. Unsurprisingly, it is a widely loved and appreciated series of APS-C fixed-lens compact cameras. But it is not alone in this space. Many Fujifilm users know the X70 well, but is it still a good choice today, nearly seven years after its release?