10 Essential Tips for Scaling and Optimizing Your Business: Part 2 of 2
In this rapidly evolving world of photography, it's essential to take a step back and scrutinize how well we're reflecting our business in its current state, including growth in our personal photos, websites, and social media profiles. In the previous article, we discussed five actionable strategies to address commonly overlooked areas, from updating personal images to refreshing website content, and from leveraging social media to nourishing creativity through personal projects and continuous learning.
Being Receptive as a Photographer
In today's world, many of us feel the pressure to constantly create and put out content, and that can be quite frustrating and detrimental to our process and enjoyment. There is something to be said for letting photos come to you, in a manner of speaking. This great video follows a landscape photographer as he does just that.
A Review of the Crazy New Sigma 14mm f/1.4 Art Lens
Every once in a while, a lens comes along that rewrites the boundaries of lens design and offers photographers unique creative and technical opportunities that were not possible before. Right now, that is the new Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art, which offers the widest maximum aperture ever seen in a 14mm lens and the widest focal length ever seen in an f/1.4 lens. How does it hold up in practice? This fantastic video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect.
The Impact of AI on Wedding Photography: A Contemporary Perspective
Photography has long been an evolving art form, and the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has introduced a new wave of innovation. As in many fields, AI has begun to shape the landscape of wedding photography, changing how photographers capture, edit, and deliver photos.
Which Nikon Mirrorless Camera Is Right for You?
In the past few years, Nikon has really filled out their mirrorless camera lineup, and there are now options from well under $1,000 to top-of-the-line flagships costing north of $5,000. With eight different models to choose from, there is something for just about anyone. So, which is right for you? This fantastic video takes you through Nikon's entire mirrorless camera lineup to help you choose the right one for you.
Product Photography With Fire Tutorial
In today's video, I light the bottle of Oliveum Hot Sauce on fire for an online advertising campaign I'm about to run.
The Day the White Balance Died: How Canada’s Wildfires Confused Cameras Along the East Coast
If you're living in the northeastern part of the United States, unless you've been under a rock the last day or two, you've probably noticed that the wildfires from Canada are turning the skies a funky shade of yellowish orange. The thing is, your cameras probably haven't noticed.
A Review of the World's First 14mm f/1.4 From Sigma: An Astrophotographer's Dream
Sigma has recently announced the world's first 14mm f/1.4, which is a dream for astro, real estate, landscape, and architectural photographers around the world. The images so far shown have been incredible, and in this video, Christopher Frost puts the lens through its paces.
10 Essential Tips for Scaling and Optimizing Your Business (Part 1 of 2)
Stepping into the world of professional photography isn't just about mastering the art of creating stunning images. It's about becoming a dynamic, evolving brand in an industry that never stands still. As photographers, we are visual storytellers, but often, we become so engrossed in narrating other people's stories that we overlook our own.
How Good Is Fujifilm's Most Expensive X Series Lens?
Fujifilm makes quite a few nice lenses for its popular X Series line of mirrorless cameras, but sitting at the very top of the lineup, at least in price, is the XF 200mm f/2 R LM OIS WR. The 200mm f/2 features an impressive combination of a long focal length and a wide aperture and promises extreme performance to match. This great video review takes a look at the lens and if it can match that high price tag.
5 Mistakes to Avoid When Using Photoshop's New Generative Fill Tool
Photoshop's new Generative Fill feature has been capturing the imaginations of a ton of creatives in the past week or so, and it offers a lot of potential for a wide array of different applications. Like any other tool, though, it pays to know it well so you can get the best results from it. This great video tutorial discusses five common mistakes that can derail the tool and what you can do to get the most from it.
Sigma Announces World's First 14mm f/1.4 Lens: An Astrophotographer's Dream
For astrophotographers and real estate photographers, this lens is very exciting! Sigma has announced the world's fastest 14mm lens for the Sony FE Mount and Leica L mounts.
Explore Your Creativity With Photoshop's Path Blur Feature
Photoshop has some pretty incredible features, and while some, like the new Generative Fill tool, get all the headlines, others are buried deep in several layers of menus, where you might never even know they exist. One such feature is Path Blur, which can quickly and dramatically transform your images. What is Path Blur, and how can you use it in your work? This excellent video tutorial will show you everything you need to know.
Toy Shopping in Ukraine: War Toys Founder Brian McCarty Shares His Vision
Brian McCarty, a self-proclaimed toy geek and an incredible photographer, tells the stories many people don’t want to hear in a way familiar to the world. He depicts children’s accounts of conflict and loss through toys as an advocation against the horrors of war.
It's Worth Upgrading! We Review the Exascend Catalyst 128 GB UHS-II SDXC Card
Never having used the Exascend brand before, when given the opportunity to review them, I leaped at the chance. Would they match the high standards I hoped for?
Abstract Photography Tips to Improve Your Compositions
Do you find yourself overwhelmed and stuck when composing a landscape photography scene? Having some tips on what to look for can help if you are stuck. This video looks at the world of abstract photography as a way to find scenes and compositions.
Shooting With a Broken Lens: Genius or Giant Mistake?
I was challenged to photograph an entire portrait shoot using a broken lens. Can a consumer-grade camera and a half-broken, old lens from eBay create anything interesting?
Testing Luminar Neo Extensions
I wanted to share with you my experience exploring the new extensions available in Luminar Neo, photography software that many of you may already be familiar with. These add-ons offer specific functionalities to enhance your photographs and are each sold separately.
One Year Later With The Sony a7 IV
One year ago, I finally received my Sony a7 IV after a long wait from my local camera store. In this article, I explain what I like about the camera and where I think it could improve.
The New Mac Studio Is Now Available to Order
The Mac Studio, Apple's powerful desktop computer, has been upgraded with new chips and a range of new features and capabilities. Here's what's new and how you can order yours.
The New Mac Pro Is Available for Preorder
The Apple Mac Pro, their top-of-the-line computer, has been updated to now use the company's own chips. And now, you can preorder yours.
Why You Should Try a 50mm Lens for Street Photography
Street photography traditionally makes use of a relatively wide angle lens, with 35mm and 24mm options often being the most popular. Of course, you do not have to limit yourself to those focal lengths, however. This interesting video essay makes a case for why you should grab a 50mm lens the next time you head out for a street photography session.
Apple Vision Pro is Goofy
Monday, Apple made a groundbreaking announcement: the release of their Apple Vision Pro augmented reality (AR) headset, priced at $3,500. As an enthusiast, I can't help but feel a mix of excitement and skepticism about this new product.
The New MacBook Air Might Become Apple's Most Popular Laptop Yet
Subject Separation: Fast-Track Your Photo Composition Skills With One Technique
Photographers spend their entire careers mastering the art of composition, gradually honing their skills over many years. For new photographers, learning compositional theory from scratch is a huge task, but you can fast-track your progress by focusing on one technique first: subject separation.
The Cheat Codes to Make Any Video More Cinematic
How to Find and Photograph Small Details in Landscape Photography
When we think of landscape photography, our minds are commonly drawn towards wide angle images of vast expanses, and while those can make for some jaw-dropping images, they are not the only compelling photos you can make. Looking for the smaller details can open up an entirely new world, and this helpful video tutorial will show you how to do just that.
Is This the Best Low-Cost Full Frame Mirrorless Camera?
The Canon EOS R8 full frame mirrorless camera is one of the more affordable options out there, but it is not so cheap that it does not come with many of the features professionals need. The EOS R8 sits in an intriguing position, offering a nice balance of capabilities and price, and this excellent video review takes a look at the features and performance you can expect from it in practice.
Create Captivating Portraits With an LED Light Wand
Over the past few years, LEDs have become a popular choice for still photographers, and with good reason. Although LED light sources do have limitations, there are many clear benefits to using constant light for portrait photographers. In this article, I will detail five ways I use an LED light wand to create captivating portraits, both in and out of my studio.
A Review of the Impressive Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G Lens
24-70mm f/2.8 lenses are the standard tool of choice for countless creatives, offering a versatile focal length range in tandem with a wide maximum aperture, making them suitable for a huge range of applications. However, such lenses are rarely cheap, often running north of $2,000. The Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G trades a stop of aperture for extra reach and a significant discount, making it an intriguing alternative. 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.
The Beauty of Micro Four Thirds
Micro four thirds, once a bit of an outlier in the APS-C, full frame, and medium format race, is enjoying a bit of a moment in the spotlight right now, with innovative cameras and portable, affordable gear making it the format of choice for many photographers and filmmakers. Why does micro four thirds have some of the most fiercely loyal enthusiasts? This interesting video takes a look.
A Review of the Fujifilm GFX 100S Medium Format Mirrorless Camera
The Fujifilm GFX line of medium format mirrorless cameras reinvigorated larger-than-full-frame cameras for the industry by offering a range of modern features and conveniences usually reserved for smaller formats and doing so at aggressively competitive prices. The GFX 100S sits at the top of that line, offering the company's top-level sensor in a body that comfortably competes with the costs of upper-level full frame cameras. This great video review takes a look at how the camera holds up for paid work after a week of usage.
The Power of Flat Light
When you look outside and see a gray sky, it might be tempting to feel discouraged at the uninteresting backdrop and plain light quality, but flat light can actually be some of the best light to work with as a photographer. If you would like to see why flat light is actually such a boon for portrait photographers, check out this helpful video tutorial that features an experienced photographer guiding students through building a shot.
Tiny But Mighty: We Review the Fujifilm X-S20 Mirrorless Camera
The Fujifilm X-S20 is here, and it truly feels like a complete package for enthusiasts, hobbyists, vloggers, content creators, and a combination of all of the above. It's a small camera body packed with many professional features. So what’s the catch? Is there one?
Photography Exhibition Visitors Offer Their Thoughts on Martin Parr's Satirical Depiction of Working Class Life in Scotland
Visitors are urged to share their reactions to images showcasing English documentary photographer Martin Parr’s view of Scottish life and Scottish stereotypes in a new exhibition taking place this summer.
The Beauty of Generative Fill in Photoshop Beta: There Is Nothing to Be Scared Of
When Generative Fill in Photoshop Beta was announced, it seemed the world had gone crazy. From this time onward, nothing about photography could be trusted anymore, they said. It was the end of photography the way we know it, or so it was believed. But perhaps we’re really scared for nothing.
What Is Manhattanhenge?
Do you know what a barm or a zarf are? They're two items seen practically every day but rarely called by their real names. A barm is the foam head on a beer, and a zarf is the cardboard burn prevention sleeve. This brings me to Manhattanhenge. Can you believe it’s a New York City sunset?
5 Reasons Why You Need AI Software in Your Photo Editing Workflow
In the ever-evolving world of photography, the integration of new technologies in the photo editing workflow can create fears and concerns among photographers. Many worry that AI software will replace their skills and make them obsolete. However, it's essential to understand that AI software is not here to replace, but instead assist photographers.
We Review the Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 Lens: Wide, Sharp, and Beautiful
Recently, I had the opportunity to try out the Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 lens along with two other lenses and a GFX 100S, and I have to admit it has left a lasting impression on me. As landscape photographers, we value wide angle lenses for capturing wider vistas with stunning detail, and this lens didn't disappoint.
Photoshop's Generative Fill: Overhyped or Industry Changing?
How to Fix Shiny Skin in Photoshop
Shiny facial skin is an incredibly common problem for people, and the majority of portrait clients will want you to retouch it. Thankfully, it is not particularly difficult to take care of in Photoshop, and this excellent video tutorial will show you everything you need to know to do so.
Learn How to Create This Four-Light Portrait Yourself
You can create stunning portraits with just a single light, but once you have mastered that, moving into more complex multi-light setups will open up your creative opportunities even more. If you would like to try a challenging but rewarding portrait lighting setup, check out this great video tutorial that will show you a dramatic image shot using a four separate lights.
Making a Slideshow in Adobe Premiere Pro in Six Easy Steps
If you are using Lightroom Classic for your photo editing, you have the possibility to use the presentation module. This module makes it easy to create a slideshow and export it as a video file. Try Premiere Pro if you want to take your slide shows to the next level.
Is This the Ultimate Landscape Photography Camera Kit?
Landscape photographers put a high priority on resolution and dynamic range, but on the other hand, in a genre that often requires a lot of physical effort to get to a location, every ounce of weight counts. That is what makes the Hasselblad X2D 100C, as it offers the ultra-high levels of detail and quality one would expect from a medium format in a very small and portable package. Is it the ultimate package for landscape photographers? This excellent video review takes a look.
How to Create a Tasteful HDR Image
HDR images took the photography world by storm about 15 years ago, and after a few years, they mostly fell away, as they were mostly deemed to be too over the top to be tasteful. Nonetheless, even today's best cameras can't capture some scenes all in one exposure, and as such, if you want to avoid blown highlights or shadows, you need to combine multiple exposures somehow. This in-depth video tutorial discusses what makes for a tasteful HDR image and how to go about creating one in Lightroom.
The Beauty of Bad Light in Landscape Photography
When you think of memorable landscape images, you probably think of golden hour shots with dramatic rays cascading across the frame, but there is a lot more to life than that. Any light, even "bad light," can produce worthwhile images, and if you spend your time waiting for those magic golden hour moments, you are missing out on a lot of photo opportunities. This great video discusses the issue and the sort of personal philosophy that can make bad light days more enjoyable.
Why Constant Lights Are Better for Studio Work
Constant lights are traditionally used for video work. But I think they make for the perfect solution for a photography studio.
A Review of the New Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 FE Lens
Over the past few years, Viltrox has quietly grown into a leader for third-party lenses that often punch well above their weights in terms of their price-to-quality ratios. Their latest offering, the AF 16mm f/1.8 FE, promises to continue that trend by offering an ultra-wide focal length in tandem with a particularly wide aperture, making it useful for quite a few applications. This excellent video review takes a look at the new lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
How to Use Some of Lightroom's Most Powerful Tools
While it remains primarily a cataloging program, Lightroom has made some significant steps forward in editing capabilities in recent years, and it is now possible to complete entire edits within the program, making your workflow far more convenient and efficient. This helpful video tutorial takes a look at the three of Lightroom's most useful tools, the Masking panel, Healing Brush, and Panoramic Merge, and how to use them.