Recently, I bought a Soligor 300mm 1:5.5. It’s over half a century old, built in 1971 by Tokina. I picked it up for a song and decided to put it through its paces.
During the pandemic, I did some gear juggling. I'm a little embarrassed to admit I changed systems twice in the space of 12 months and even more so about the reasons I made the second switch – but I learned some surprising lessons along the way.
If you like photographing people with prime lenses, you must choose the best possible focal length for your situation. After all, with prime lenses, you can’t zoom in or out. This is a simple guide that can help you to use the most suitable prime lens for photographing one or more people, and groups of people.
It’s been a while since Sony released a new crop sensor camera designed for serious photographers and videographers. But that day is finally here with the launch of the new Sony a6700.
In a time when older cameras and lenses are getting new updated versions left and right, one of the best things to see is when the piece of gear gets an entirely new purpose. This is definitely something that no one expected from the new Sony f/4 telephoto lens.
On paper, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM is a remarkably versatile and affordable lens, offering a wide aperture, macro capabilities, and image stabilization, making it useful for a huge range of applications. Can it keep up with the more demanding, pixel-dense sensor found on the EOS R7 mirrorless camera? This quick and helpful video review takes a look.
In the last few years, medium format has seen itself reinvented from a niche, prohibitively expensive option to an alternative to full frame for those who want access to some of the best image quality that money can buy. It is not without drawbacks, though. So, is it right for you? This great video features a photographer discussing their experience after using medium format for a year.
Are we living in a post-truth era of photography, where the authenticity and reliability of images have become questionable? Given the rise in AI’s association with photography and the ease with which photos can be altered, it might be worth considering a return to the use of traditional film as a means to regain trust and ensure the integrity of photography.
The beauty of artificial lighting is that you can create looks that simply would not be possible using only the sun. One of the greatest technical challenges for a photographer is lighting a group portrait so that every individual is well lit but so the overall look is still sculpted and compelling rather than flat and two-dimensional. If you would like to really take your portrait lighting to the next level, check out this awesome video tutorial that will take you behind the scenes of a cinematic magazine cover photo shoot and show you how to do it yourself.
Deciding which camera to buy can be challenging. But after doing some research, and taking advice from friends and other photographers, you'll find out which one to buy. The thing that nobody is talking about is the extra expenses that are involved.
In today's rapidly evolving creative landscape where images are predominantly consumed and shared online, it is easy for us even as professional photographers to overlook the importance of physical prints and albums. Although the convenience and ubiquity of digital photography have made it simpler to store and share images electronically, there is still a unique charm and lasting impact to physical prints that allow people to truly experience and appreciate timeless images. In this article, we will be discussing the relevance and benefits of album sets and print sets while exploring how these products help us elevate our client relationship as a professional photographer.
Peak Design has a great reputation for well-made equipment. So, I was eager to try out their new Micro Clutch, as it met a need I had. Would it be as good as it promised?
When you are a hobbyist, you can enjoy buying gear however you want so long as you can afford it, but when you are a professional, you have to really change your philosophy to camera, lens, and lighting purchases. This excellent video tutorial features an experienced commercial photographer discussing his approach to buying gear and how he fulfills his needs without breaking the bank.
Medium format lenses are normally quite expensive and of a narrow maximum aperture. So, the prospect of a 135mm f/2.5 lens for just $299 sounds almost too good to be true. That is what the new Mitakon Zhongyi Creator 135mm f/2.5 offers.
As we consume social media, YouTube videos, and online articles, it is easy to think everyone else out there knows what they are doing. I made many mistakes early on in my landscape photography journey. I still make mistakes today! I’m going to share some of those early mistakes I made and things I wish I'd started doing sooner.
Rarely is a landscape photo finished when you press the shutter. Almost every image takes some amount of editing to produce a finished product. In recent years, Lightroom has become a far more powerful editing tool, and it is now possible to complete many landscape images without ever heading over to Photoshop. This fantastic video tutorial will show you five different ways to improve your editing skills in Lightroom.
Once your photos improve after practicing photography for a while, they will likely also attract a larger audience. And at some point, you might be asked if your photos are for sale. It is how I got into selling my images as prints more than ten years ago. In this article, I share an easy way to get started.
Nude photo shoots can be intimidating for both the model and the photographer. Here's how I embraced the challenge, overcame intimidation, and found my creative flow.
When it comes to cameras, two of the most important specs for landscape photographers are resolution and dynamic range. In recent years, cameras from Fujifilm and Hasselblad have reinvigorated medium format by modernizing camera options and reducing their prices to the point that they have become a viable alternative to full frame. So, which company makes the best camera for the genre? This helpful video review compares the Hasselblad X2D 100C and Fujifilm GFX 100S to help you decide.
Since July 4th, over 7,000 earthquakes have been recorded in the Reykjanes Peninsula in the southwest coast of Iceland, leading to sustained speculation that a volcanic eruption is imminent. Over the last couple of years, we have already seen this behavior twice in Iceland, and now, it looks set to happen again for a third time.
A decade ago, the idea of a reasonably affordable supertelephoto zoom lens that also produced professional-level images was almost unheard of. However, that particular market niche has exploded and recent years, and photographers now have a huge range of options to choose from. Which lens is right for you? This fantastic video review takes a look at many different options to help you pick.
Don’t get me wrong, Pentax has made some incredible cameras in the past, many of which are still brilliant to this day. One of my favorite SLRs to this day is the KM released in 1975. But technology is advancing, and this “new” camera feels a little out of place, even though it produces great files.
The Fujifilm GFX 100 was released four years ago, and a replacement model is most likely coming out soon. Even so, I have been wanting to try out this 102 megapixel behemoth for a long time, and I was recently able to get one on loan from Fujifilm for review. After testing the camera, I realize that it was a mistake, and in this video, I tell you why.
The X100V has been on the wishlist of many. So many in fact, the waiting period to even get their hands on one can exceed six months. But why? What is the hype all about? What makes the camera so unique? Is it truly as good as everyone says? Is it worth the wait?
RIP Photography, 1839-2023.
Understanding how different elements of the frame "rank" relative to each other is fundamental to creating balanced photos that draw the viewer's attention in the right direction in a pleasing and intuitive manner. If you would like to improve your landscape photography, check out this fantastic video tutorial that discusses the idea of visual hierarchy in the genre and the different elements it includes.
Landscape photography can be a technically challenging genre, and so, it can be particularly frustrating when you do everything right but still come home with a boring photo. If you find yourself in the position of having an abundance of technique but often ending up with images that just are not that compelling, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you a range of useful advices to make your shots more attention-grabbing.
Astrophotography can be a tremendously fun and rewarding genre, but it takes some specialized knowledge, techniques, and often, equipment. If you are interested in capturing eye-catching photos of the night sky, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know to get started.
Landscape photography is a captivating art form that allows us to unveil the extraordinary beauty of our planet. From towering mountains and serene lakes to vast deserts and lush forests, the diversity of Earth's landscapes provides an endless array of subjects for photographers to explore. In this article, we will delve into the world of landscape photography, discussing techniques, equipment, and the essence of capturing the awe-inspiring beauty of our planet through the lens.
Today, I’ll share two new additions to my lighting kit when keeping it small.
Social media is changing. The algorithms are changing. The type of content and media is changing. And change is uncomfortable. Change can be frustrating. What is a photographer to do? I say put the social back in social media.
Learning flash can be a tough endeavor; it takes a combination of a lot of technique, attention to detail, and creative vision. If you are working on mastering flash, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced photographer sharing perhaps the biggest mistakes photographers make when working with flash.
Alexey Titanrenko is a photographer that creates unique results on a consistent basis. It sounds simple, but he is truly a master of his craft and creates stunning, otherworldly images. Here is how you can take photographs in a similar style.
The Fujifilm X Series of mirrorless cameras has become a favorite of many photographers, offering a fantastic blend of tactile shooting experience, professional features, and impressive image quality. The X-S20 is the newest member of the X Series, and it offers a nice balance of capabilities and cost, making it a nice option for many photographers. This great video review takes a look at the camera for photography use and the kind of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.
Pricing can be an extremely tricky things for photographers to master, and even small mistakes can add up to big losses over time. This fantastic video tutorial features an experienced commercial photographer discussing a common and easy-to-make mistake, how to recognize it, and how to fix it.
Photographing a friend's wedding sounds like a blast. Is it really worth it, though? Make sure to consider these things before making a decision.
We all practice photography as much as we can, but how often do you consider how you approach your practice? More focused and purposeful practice can yield better results in less time, and one of the best ways to go about that is with a project. This fantastic video essay features an experienced photographer discussing the power of projects and offering some great ideas you can try out yourself.
Photography is an art form that constantly evolves, and with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) software, many professional photographers now face a common question: Should they fear AI in photography?
Sooner or later, every filmmaker starts to understand the magic of manual focus. The SmallRig F60 Modular Follow Focus is a tool to help you keep things sharp.
Photoshop is a tremendously complex and multilayered program, and as such, it can be easy to overlook some of its less obvious features. Blend if is one such feature, but despite its somewhat hidden location, it is one of the most of useful tools at your disposal. This fantastic video tutorial will show you everything you need to know about Blend if, including how it works and some of its most useful applications.
As new technology emerges, file formats like JPEG, PNG, and TIFF may no longer be the best options for photographers. Let's take a look at some potential replacements.
Besides the camera and lens, perhaps no piece of equipment is more standard in landscape photography than the tripod. And while a tripod can help ensure you get the best image quality possible, it does not come without drawbacks. So, do you really need a tripod, or would you be better off without one? This excellent video essay discusses the issue.
Mark Zukerberg and the people over at Meta have just launched the new Instagram-adjacent app, Threads, which sees scores of photographers jumping ship from Twitter. Here, we unpack our initial thoughts on the new contender on the social scene.
Do you have a lens, camera, or a drone that you no longer need or use? Reluctant to sell via online marketplaces? Perhaps it's time for an upgrade and you want to earn some extra money to put towards the latest and greatest gear. MPB values your camera, and I will show you how.
The golden hour, a cherished time for photographers, offers breathtaking opportunities at both sunrise and sunset. While both moments provide stunning lighting conditions, there is something truly magical about sunrise photography. This article explores the top five reasons why sunrise photography shines brighter than its counterpart, sunset photography, why many choose to set their alarm at a ridiculous hour, leave their warm bed, and head out into the darkness with their camera bags packed with both certainty and uncertainty.
