Helpful Tips for Better Portrait Compositions

In portrait photography, we often focus strongly on the posing of the subject, sometimes to the detriment of the overall composition of the image. If you would like to improve the composition of your portrait photos, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced portrait photographer sharing a wide range of helpful tips that will help you create better images.

Is the Canon R8 the Best Entry Level Full Frame Camera?

The Canon R8 is an affordable $1,500 full frame camera that is packed full of features. Is this currently the best entry-level full frame camera on the market for the price and how does it perform in wildlife photography? In this video, Simon d'Entremont covers the pros and cons in more detail.

You Can’t Be a Professional Photographer Without Having This

There are only a select few truly universal things that every photographer must have. While you may think of the obvious, such as cameras, lenses, bags, and other kit, we won't talk about any of these in this particular article. Instead, we will talk more about a service that every photographer must use in order to be a real pro.

The Joys of Nighttime Landscape Photography

When you think of landscape photography, you most likely imagine doing it during golden hour, with dramatic rays of sunshine cascading across the scene. However, you can create compelling landscape images at any hour, even during the night. This awesome video tutorial will give you a ton of practical advice for tackling nighttime landscape photography and producing eye-catching shots.

A Review of the Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens

The Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports lens promises to be one of the most versatile lenses you can own, covering a huge focal length range and making it an appealing option for sports, bird, and wildlife photographers. With such an extreme focal length range, you might wonder if it can keep up with the performance and image quality demands of professional photographers. This great video review takes a look to answer that question.

Are Strobes or Continuous Lights Better for Portrait Photography?

Even just five years ago, this would not even be a question. However, in recent years, continuous lighting has made some remarkable strides, and it is now a viable alternative to traditional strobes for a lot of work. So, which is right for your portrait photography? This excellent video comparison features an experienced portrait photographer sharing her thoughts.

I Built a Digital Technical Camera, and Yes, It's Slightly Ridiculous

I'm not one to obsess over gear; I've never suffered from GAS. Frankly, the seemingly endless discussions around cameras, lenses, and various bits of kit that just keep multiplying year after year, couldn't interest me less. And now that I've said that, I'm going to write about gear.

The One Reason You Should Not Give Up Photography

The time has finally come. Leading to this moment, you sat in the hot sun for hours, waiting for the grazing of the bird’s toe on the water, creating mesmerizing concentric circles, and boom: you got it!

The Power of Tone Curves in Lightroom

The tone curve often gets less use than tools like the exposure sliders or color grading panel, but it offers arguably more power, precision, and versatility than either of those aforementioned options, which is why every photographer should have some level of familiarity with it. This excellent video tutorial takes a look at everything you can do with the tone curve in Lightroom and shows you how to leverage it to take greater control over your photo edits.

The Unlikely Portrait Hero: We Review the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 Lens

The Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 lens is a thoughtfully designed super wide-angle lens for Fujifilm X-Mount cameras. Featuring a physical aperture ring, compact design, and solid construction, it is an excellent option for Fujifilm users. In this article and the accompanying video, I will share my experience using the 13mm primarily as a portrait lens.

The Best Thin and Light Laptops for 2023

Many creatives are on the go quite a lot, and as such, they want to be able to work whenever and wherever they are with enough power to tackle heavy photo and video tasks but not a lot of bulk. If you are looking for such a laptop, check out this great video comparison that will show you three of the best options in 2023.

5 Photographers Shoot the Same Models at the Same Location

It doesn't matter how many variables you match, when you pit creatives against one another, the results will invariably be distinct. In this video, five photographers all shoot the same models in the same location, and the results are exactly that: distinct.
Can You Use Medium Format Cameras for Astrophotography?

Medium format cameras offer incredible image quality, and in recent years, they have become far more affordable. That being said, astrophotography has some pretty specific and extreme gear requirements. So, can medium format work for shooting the night sky? This insightful video takes a look at how it holds up.

How to Retouch Hair in Photoshop

Retouching hair can be a challenging and time-consuming process, but with the right knowledge and carefully practiced technique, you can avoid the frustration and improve the quality of your portraits. If you would like to make your portraits better, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know about retouching hair.

We Review the Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens

I got an opportunity to use the brand-new Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM zoom lens. This expensive and large zoom lens with a large aperture is even more amazing than I initially expected. In this article, I share my experience and thoughts on this lens from real-world use.

This Hollywood Blockbuster Was Filmed on a Sony FX3

When you think of Hollywood blockbusters, they're typically shot on Arris or other extremely high-end rigs. Well, this latest film to be garnering quite the audience wasn't filmed on anything of the sort and it still looks incredible.
High Quality, Low Cost: 8 Cameras for Livestreaming in 2023

As we all know, livestreaming can be a very expensive adventure. If you want to go beyond streaming from mobile phones, which are great, by the way, you will need to spend money on some higher-end equipment. This is why we put together a list of the top eight cameras for livestreaming that will deliver high quality at low cost.

We Review the Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera

I’ve gotten the great pleasure of getting to spend the last two weeks with Nikon’s brand new, Z8 mirrorless camera. Here are a few reasons why this might be the camera for you.

How to Add a Warm Glow to the Sky of a Landscape Image Using Lightroom

The warm glow of a sunrise or sunset can be a nice addition to a landscape image, but sometimes, the weather simply does not cooperate, and you are left with a rather plain sky. Luckily, it is not terribly difficult to add a nice, subtle warmth to the sky of such a photo. This great video tutorial will show you how to quickly and effectively do just that using only Lightroom.

Is This the Best Affordable Full Frame Camera?

At $1,499, the Canon EOS R8 is not the cheapest full frame camera available, but it is certain on the more affordable side of things and offers a lot of features that make it a worthwhile upgrade. Is it the best affordable full frame camera on the market at the moment? This great video review takes a look.

How to Get Photo Clients From Instagram

While a website is important, depending on what you shoot, an up-to-date Instagram account can be just as (or arguably more) important for providing a place for clients to find and contact you. If you would like to increase your bookings on Instagram, check out this fantastic video tutorial that shares five tips to help you do that, even if you do not have a lot of followers.

Is the Fujifilm GFX 100S Too Much for Weddings? 

I’ll admit I was seduced by digital medium format, with its ridiculous resolution and that “medium format look.” It has been two years of full-time use. Do I still think it was worth it? Better yet, should you drop $10K+ for a medium format digital camera kit?

10 Mistakes New Landscape Photographers Make

Landscape photography is a challenging genre that takes a combination of technical skill, creative vision, knowledge of the elements, and occasionally, a bit of luck. If you are new to the genre and looking to improve your work, check out this helpful video tutorial that details 10 common mistakes new landscape photographers make and how to fix or avoid them.

A Look at the DJI Mavic 3 Pro for Landscape Photography

Drones have become incredibly powerful image-making tools in just a few years, and for landscape photographers, they offer the ability to reach perspectives that would not have been possible before. If you would like to see how a drone can improve your landscape shots, check out this helpful video tutorial that features an experienced landscape photographer showing how he uses the DJI Mavic 3 Pro in his work.

Canon Is Planning Another Innovative Device

In the last few years, Canon has released some rather innovative lenses that push the boundaries of optical design and allow photographer capabilities not previously possible. It seems that philosophy is not just being applied to lenses, however, as another clever device is likely on the way in the coming months.

A Look at the New X-S20 Mirrorless Camera and XF 8mm f/3.5 R WR Lens

The Fujifilm X-S20 mirrorless camera and XF 8mm f/3.5 R WR lens are here, and they bring with them the promise of great performance and excellent image quality. How do they hold up in practice? This excellent video takes a first look at what you can expect from both.

We Go Hands on With the New Leica Q3

Leica has just released their long-awaited update to the fan-favorite Q line-up called the Leica Q3. I’ve been using it for a couple of hours each day for the past three days. So, how does it feel to shoot with it, and should you want one?

Still a Brilliant Choice Seven Years Later: Fujifilm X-Pro2 Re-Review

Loved by many when it came out and adored by a solid user base today, the Fujifilm X-Pro2 was truly a hit camera made so well that it still has not truly been replaced even by the newer X-Pro3. And thanks to its age it is finally attainable even for the ones not willing to spend a ton on a quality camera.

Why Every Photographer Should Create a Series of Images

I usually don't speak in absolutes, but in this case, I do believe that every photographer should create a series of images at some point. What might surprise you is that the content of the series is wholly unimportant.
Five Helpful Tips for Better Black and White Photography

Perhaps no style is more timeless than the black and white photo, but creating a successful monochrome picture takes a lot more than simply pulling all the saturation out of a color photo. If you would like to improve your black and white photos, check out this great video tutorial that shares five helpful tips sure to put you on the right track.

Is Photography Dead? The Relentless March of AI

With Adobe's latest beta offering what they call Generative Fill, we're given a very powerful feature that lets us create or undo what is in our images. And I think features like Generative Fill are causing another round of soil searching, praise, and panic from photographers. I've tried to put my own thoughts in order, so I'm humbly sharing them, even though my thoughts will continue to evolve, or maybe devolve. I also wanted to create a forum in comments for your more recent thoughts as AI becomes more and more mainstream.
Pro Results With a Low Budget: Gear Beginners Should Buy Today

Being a photographer can be a very expensive endeavor. Seeing pros on the internet have the latest and greatest gear in large quantities makes you wonder if this is what you need to be one of them. The truth is, no. Here is our list of basic gear that you need to start a business.

Who Is the Canon PowerShot V10 For, Anyway?

Back in the mid-2000s, The Flip Video camera was all the rage, a vertically held, brick of a camera that was purpose-built for easy video in an age where video wasn't easy. With the Canon PowerShot V10, the company seems to want to channel some of that magic, but I have to ask: Why?

Leica Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 Versus Sigma 50mm f/2

The 50mm is a staple prime and lives in many photographers' camera bags, but the question is whether there is a vast difference in quality between them. In this video, a Leica and a Sigma are compared to gauge the differences.
5 Items a Portrait Photographer Brings to Every Shoot

James Quantz Jr is one of the best portrait photographers out there, with his innovative lighting and dramatic concepts making for eye-catching images. While every portrait photographer knows the importance of things like lights, there are some other items that we think about less often, but that can be tremendously useful on a shoot. This fantastic video essay features Quantz Jr discussing five items he brings along on every shoot.

4 Mistakes to Avoid When Shooting With Filters in Landscape Photography

Filters are some of the most transformational tools when it comes to creating possibilities in landscape photography. Aside from the intended exposure effects, there are some things you might need to learn about using them that will help you achieve better-quality images.

Six Directors of Photography That Every Photographer Should Know

Cinema may be a source of inspiration for photographers. And if we have titles of movies coming to mind or names of directors, we usually pay less attention to directors of photography, also called cinematographers. Big mistake! Those are the guys who master cameras and lighting techniques in order to materialize ideas into images.

Why One Photographer Prefers Smaller Cameras

In recent years, we have seen budget full frame cameras become more affordable while medium format prices have become competitive with upper-level full frame options. At the same time, APS-C cameras have continued to grow in capabilities and performance, and micro four thirds is enjoying a resurgence. So, should a new photographer follow the old wisdom of using a larger sensor for the best image quality or consider the benefits of a smaller system? This great video makes a case for the latter.

Photography Can Change the World: Farnaz Damnabi

Can photography change the world? Iranian artist and journalist Farnaz Damnabi's new exhibit, "UNVEILED," set to open at 29 ARTS IN PROGRESS, would seem to suggest yes, at least in part. I don't think it's a surprise to anyone that shifts in power structures can be turbulent. Even minor revisions in social identities can lead to conflict. Damnabi's exhibit is a document of the transformations in the identity, visibility, and recognition of women as equal and free participants in Iran, an unveiling of a new Iran, if you will.

How Powerful Is This New Photoshop Feature?

A few years ago, Content-Aware Fill made its debut in Photoshop, and it took the photo world by storm. Photographers could now ask Photoshop to fill in areas of an image intelligently by considering the content in the rest of the frame, and the results were often astounding. Now, we have taken the next step forward, and it looks like another paradigm shift for editing images.

The Worst Advice I've Received as a Professional Photographer

Being quite young and eager to be a photographer, I received tons of advice from all sorts of people. Everything from "quit right now" to "pretend to be someone who you’re not." Between these extremes, I had some decent, but also some horrible advice. In this article, we will look at the worst things I was advised.

What Can We Learn About Photography From Picasso?

Photographers can learn a lot from the realm of the visual arts, and few artists were more groundbreaking than Pablo Picasso. What can Picasso's works, approach, and philosophies teach us about modern photography? This excellent video tutorial discusses the topic and offers a wider range of useful advice for growing as a creative.

5 of the Best 20mm Lenses You Can Buy

When you get into wide and ultra-wide angle lenses, two of the most common focal lengths are 16mm and 24mm. There is a significant difference between those focal lengths, though, and something in between can be just the ticket, which is where the 20mm focal length comes in. With many options, you might wonder which is right for you. This fantastic video review features an experienced lens tester detailing five of the sharpest 20mm options you can purchase.

The Strange Relationship Between Hobbyist Photographers, Professionals, and Influencers

Influencers have invaded just about every space in which there are products for sale. If there is money to be made, there is probably an influencer for it, whether you realize it or not. Photography has not been immune to this, and it has left hobbyist and professional photographers in a strange place. This insightful video essay features a long-time pro discussing the issue and offering his thoughts.