The Nik Collection, a set of seven photo editing tools, has just received a version number update. Version 7 brings with it primarily speed and workflow improvements, but is that enough to justify a whole new upgrade? In this review, I’ll discuss the new features, improvements, and even a surprise missing feature of this venerable editing suite.

The ability to craft stunning portraits isn't solely determined by the size of your studio or the expense of your equipment. In fact, with a bit of ingenuity and understanding of light, you can achieve professional-quality results in a limited space using just a single speedlight. This fantastic video tutorial will show you how.

As photographers, we often find ourselves searching for inspiration to fuel our creativity and improve our craft. This pursuit of inspiration can be both exciting and challenging, regardless of where we are in our photographic journey. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, finding ways to stay motivated and passionate about photography is crucial for long-term growth and enjoyment.

Choosing a new camera can be overwhelming, especially with the constant emphasis on megapixels in marketing materials. While more megapixels generally translate to more detail, it's crucial to understand how they impact your photography and whether a higher megapixel count truly aligns with your needs.

For Nikon Z mount users seeking an affordable prime lens, the Viltrox 40mm f/2.5 is an intriguing option. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Every once in a while, a piece of gear becomes an instant classic. The Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R carries that title with pride and deservedly so! I have been using it for nearly a decade and cannot recommend it enough. It's a brilliant lens with flaws that are easy to ignore.

The ability to transform a raw image into a final piece is a crucial skill for any landscape photographer. If you're new to editing your images and need a little guidance, check out this fantastic video tutorial.

Vintage lenses have long been celebrated for their unique character and cinematic charm, captivating photographers and Hollywood filmmakers alike in recent years. Can a modern Chinese lens give the classic Soviet Helios a run for its money?

DxO grabbed the popular Nik Collection in 2018 after Google cut it loose. The company has continued to improve it and add features. A case in point is the new Nik Collection 7.

Have you heard the buzz? Sony just unveiled the Sony a9 III, boasting the groundbreaking feature of being the first full frame camera equipped with a global shutter. This technological leap has sent shockwaves through the photography industry, but it's also sparked a flurry of questions, particularly regarding its compatibility with flash and whether it outperforms high-speed sync. But before we delve into that, let's demystify what a global shutter is and how it revolutionizes flash photography.

Tamron is one of the most well-respected lens brands out there, offering a variety of options at great prices. One such option is the 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2, and this great video review takes a look at what you can expect from it.

Achieving tack-sharp focus is a fundamental skill every photographer strives for. Whether you're capturing portraits, landscapes, or fast-paced action, understanding the causes of blur and how to avoid them is crucial for creating impactful images.

Viltrox is rapidly gaining a reputation as the photography world's champion of affordability, consistently delivering lenses that defy their price tags with impressive performance. One of their latest offerings, the AF 75mm f/1.2 XF, specifically designed for Fujifilm X Series cameras, is no exception. This lens boasts an incredibly wide f/1.2 aperture paired with a versatile 75mm focal length, making it an enticing option for portrait, wedding, and low-light photographers.

As a photographer, you're always looking for ways to expand your creative toolbox and capture unique images. One way to achieve this is by using lenses with special characteristics, like the Lomography Petzval 55mm f/1.7 Mark II. This lens offers a distinct aesthetic, taking inspiration from 19th-century optical designs to produce images with swirly bokeh and a vintage feel.

Capturing the beauty of the natural world through photography is an art form that requires a keen eye, technical skills, and creative vision. However, one often underestimated aspect that can significantly impact the outcome of a landscape photography trip is the choice of clothing.

Lightroom masking tools offer quite a lot of control and precision when editing photos. This helpful video tutorial offers 15 masking tips and tricks specifically tailored for landscape photographers, with techniques that refine skies, add ethereal fog, create custom vignetting, and dodge and burn, all while maintaining a natural aesthetic.

Some people think great landscape photographers are just lucky, always at the right place at the right time. The reality is great landscape photographers are persistent. Making portfolio-worthy images often entails repeat visits to areas to find the ideal composition paired with stunning conditions.

YouTube has made it easier to improve your landscape photography. Videos are available about any facet of the topic you could want to explore. Are you confused about a technique? There is a video for it. But can you really learn everything about landscape photography from YouTube?

Let's be real, photography gear can get expensive. Between cameras, lenses, lighting, and backdrops, the cost of setting up a studio can quickly drain your bank account. But what if there was a way to create a functional studio without breaking the bank?

Creating stunning macro splash photographs requires precision and control, especially when capturing the intricate details of water droplets colliding. While manual methods can be time-consuming and yield inconsistent results, specialized tools offer a more efficient and reliable approach. This helpful video will show you how to use such a kit and how to create captivating results.

The ability to capture the essence of humanity in a single frame is what draws many to street photography. However, the genre often finds itself trapped in repetitive patterns and clichés, hindering photographers from expressing their unique perspectives.

Finding the right laptop can be a challenge, especially with the constant influx of new models and fluctuating prices. While the general advice for 2024 has been to stick with slightly older models for cost savings, the Asus Vivobook S 14 presents a compelling case for considering a 2024 release.

Hollyland’s latest wireless transmitter, the Pyro H, is now available. In this review, I go hands-on with this impressively-specced transmitter and see if it can fulfill everything that Hollyland promises.

Mastering landscape photography requires not only technical proficiency but also a keen eye for composition, an understanding of light, and the ability to tell a story through your images. This helpful video tutorial will put you on the right track.

Landscape photographers look forward to days with foggy conditions, which help create interesting scenes to photograph. But timing your outing with those types of conditions isn’t always possible. Using Lightroom, you can use several techniques to enhance the atmosphere of your photos.

There is a unique series of lenses for the X-Mount. They do not offer the brightest apertures, nor do they use linear motors, but what they lack in features, they make up in beautiful vintage-looking, slanted, weather-resistant, and compact build. Some call them Fujicrons and the 35mm started it all.

Unwanted objects, distracting backgrounds, and clipped elements can turn a great photo into a frustrating experience. But what if you could easily erase these imperfections without resorting to drastic cropping? This helpful video tutorial will show you how to leverage Generative Fill in Photoshop to take care of numerous distractions.

The ability to accurately estimate project costs is a crucial skill that directly impacts profitability and client satisfaction. A well-crafted estimate not only ensures you're adequately compensated for your time and expertise but also sets clear expectations with your clients, fostering trust and professionalism.

Understanding and utilizing light effectively is crucial for photographers of all levels. Whether you're capturing a landscape or a portrait, the quality and direction of light can make or break your image. But what happens when natural light isn't cooperating?

Canon makes some wildly good and wildly expensive lenses, including the RF 50mm f/1.2L USM, which offers amazing results but also costs north of $2,000. Do you really need to spend that much? This useful video will help you decide.

Whether you are a professional or amateur photographer finding an efficient way to process your photos is essential. AI can help us do just that, saving us hours of the most tedious part of photography.However, there are reasons for caution.

The 35mm focal length is a staple for many photographers, offering a versatile perspective suitable for various scenarios, from landscapes to portraits. This great video review takes a look at one of the best options out there.

It seems that the genre of product photography is booming right now. I come across hiring ads for product and e-commerce photographers all the time. With e-commerce being such a big market, or at least where I live, there is a lot of need for product photographers. I learned the basics of photographing products many years ago, and it has come in handy several times.

The ability to adapt and evolve is crucial for any photographer. Stagnation can lead to uninspired work, leaving you feeling unfulfilled and your audience disengaged.

Since HDR has been used (wrongly) so much in the past, it's a good time to make people aware of the changes happening in the industry. Zoner Photo Studio X Pro's latest update includes its new True HDR process. This comprehensive software has much to offer, not least an end to overblown HDR photos.

Embracing inclement weather, such as rain, can help add interest to your landscape photographs. Rain can add richness to colors, atmospheric mist, or even dark, moody clouds for grand scenes. But how do you protect your camera gear in these conditions? Here are five tips to help keep your camera safe.

As a photographer, you've likely dreamed of having your own dedicated studio space. It's easy to imagine the creative freedom and professional image that comes with a studio, but the reality involves much more than just taking pictures. Understanding the full scope of owning or renting a studio is crucial before taking the plunge.

Editing is just as important as capturing the image, but there are many places where things can go wrong. This awesome video tutorial discusses five common mistakes people make in Lightroom and how to fix them.

While professional-grade lenses offer exceptional performance, they often come with a hefty price tag. For those seeking a more affordable option without compromising too much on quality, the Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM lens is a compelling choice.

Unlike Canon, Nikon understands the importance of a third-party lens manufacturer for a healthy ecosystem and a stronger incentive for any potential buyer. And thanks to that, we get more and more interesting lenses for their mirrorless Z mount, like this proven budget-friendly option.

Whether you’re shooting for fun or for work, in the rush of modern life it can be all too easy to lose sight of the joy of photography. In this short, meditative interlude with no words, there’s plenty of inspiration to be found in just watching another photographer enjoying their own photography.

Staying competitive and offering unique services is crucial for success. One increasingly popular trend is hybrid shooting, which involves capturing both photos and videos during a single session. This approach allows photographers to cater to the growing demand for video content while maximizing their time and resources.

In landscape photography, there is a powerful reason why it's important to have a go-to location, which cannot be overstated. While the attraction of venturing into new and potentially uncharted territory may be strong, there also exists meaningful value in revisiting familiar spots time and again. This article will delve deeper into the significance of returning to familiar locations and how it can enhance your photographic skills and artistic expression.

Have you ever flipped through an REI catalog with a twinge of despair, or gazed with more questions than answers at the DICK’s Sporting Goods billboard? Perhaps you’ve wondered who shot those jobs and how they got the contract? Standing in the camping section, you suddenly realize why the 20-year-old employee is looking at you oddly. You have been staring at the billboard for who knows how long in a state of perplexed despair. Articles that line your LinkedIn feed extol the value of “networking,” but who to network with and how to gain access to these gatekeepers didn't come attached. You want a shot, but you don’t seem to be able to get your hands on that opportunity. If that description hits home, and if you are a female, you want to read on about the Peak Design & The Roam Collective Photography Scholarship.

The decision of whether to shoot in color or black and white is a fundamental one, impacting the mood, tone, and overall message of an image. It's a choice that goes beyond mere aesthetics, leveraging the very essence of how we perceive and interpret the world around us.