How to Add Glow in Photoshop
Luminar Neo Delivers a Stealth Update With Some Powerful Features
Current Luminar Neo users are in for a treat the next time they open the app, which has quietly hit version 1.8.0. Some of the updates are evolutionary, and there's the usual gaggle of bug fixes, but there are some really nice updates here that will please Neo users.
A Long-term Review of the Canon EOS R7 Mirrorless Camera
The 7D line of APS-C DSLRs from Canon were some of the most popular the company ever made, bringing many of the features and capabilities from higher-level full frame cameras like the 5D and 1D series to far more affordable cameras. Now in the mirrorless age, the EOS R7 has picked up that torch and brought along a modernization of the body with a range of upgrades. This excellent video review takes a look at the camera after six months of usage and if it holds up to the needs of professional photographers.
How to Take Better Rainy Landscape Photos
When you step outside and are greeted by rainy weather, it can be tempting to turn around and head right back inside. However, if you are willing to brave those mundane conditions, you might be rewarded with worthwhile landscape images. This helpful video tutorial offers five tips to increase your chances of coming home with compelling shots.
Samyang's New 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Lens Is Creating Buzz
We would be hard-pressed to find a photographer who wasn't familiar with mega-brands Tamron and Sigma offering lower-priced lenses to rival the designs put out by the giants: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and more. This week, there has been buzz in the nerdy sublayers of photography sites about a new lens coming out: the Samyang 35-150mm f/2-2.8. Let's dive into this.
How to Create Your Own Opportunities as a Photographer
Exactly what does it take to be “lucky?”
Why You're Being Ghosted by Potential Clients
How many times have you had a promising conversation started with a potential client, only for them to simply stop responding to you, never completing a booking? It is a very frustrating but also very common experience. This helpful video tutorial shares some useful advice and techniques to decrease that ghosting rate and land more clients.
A Review of the Affordable Canon EOS R50 Mirrorless Camera
At $679, the Canon EOS R50 offers an affordable entry point into Canon's mirrorless system, though it still brings along an array of enticing features. This excellent video review takes a look at the camera and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.
Is It Worth Traveling for Photography if AI Can Do It for You?
I recently posed a challenge to DALL-E 2 (or to myself?) to mimic one of my photos using prompts. I didn't think it was actually going to work, until it did. Almost.
A Start-to-Finish Edit in Lightroom of a Beautiful Shot in Bali
A Look at How to Break Out of a Creative Rut
Whether you are a new hobbyist or a seasoned professional, creative ruts are something that happens to all of us, and trying to get out of them can be a frustrating exercise that only makes them worse. If you find yourself mired in a creative rut, check out this helpful video that features a photographer sharing what helped him break free and get back to work.
Why the 50mm Focal Length Is Overrated
How to Improve Your Sports Action Photography
When it comes to sports portraits and action photography, employing a bit of artificial light can make a huge difference by giving you the ability to shape the look of the frame and add a lot of drama to the image. If you are ready to get started working with artificial light in your sports action portraiture, check out this excellent video tutorial that will give you a range of helpful tips and advice sure to put you on the right track.
The Magic of a Forgotten Sensor
Camera sensors have evolved at a breakneck pace since the advent of the digital era, but many photographers lament the loss of a sensor from the early days of the technology, often calling its color rendition "magic." Is it nostalgia, or is there really something different in the way it produces images? This awesome video takes a look.
You Are Probably Using Juxtaposition for Your Landscape Photography
Juxtaposition is something you can stumble upon when reading about composition. Although it’s not literally a composition theory, it is a great way to add something extra to your photo. Did you know you’re probably already using it?
Creating a Michael Bay-Level Rig in the Back Garden
Why You Shouldn't Overlook This Fantastic $400 Full Frame Camera
Top-level full frame cameras can easily run north of $3,000 and much higher, and while they are, without a doubt, tremendously capable machines, you may not need all that power. This fantastic video takes a look at a full frame camera that costs only $400 and can still compete with modern options in many ways.
Portrait Beast: We Review the Viltrox 75mm f/1.2 Lens for Fujifilm
I spent a few weeks testing the new Viltrox 75mm f/1.2 lens for Fujifilm, and in the accompanying article and video, I share my thoughts on one of the most exciting third party lenses on the market today.
A Review of the New Sigma 50mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Lens
The new Sigma 50mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary lens offers one of the most popular focal lengths in tandem with a modestly wide maximum aperture, all in a very travel-friendly package, making it an appealing lens for quite a few photographers. Can it deliver good performance and image quality to back up those appealing characteristics? This great video review takes a look at what you can expect.
Who Makes the Best APS-C Camera: Canon or Fujifilm?
The Canon EOS R7 and Fujifilm X-T5 are two of the most advanced APS-C cameras on the market, sporting high-resolution sensors in tandem with fast burst rates, advanced autofocus systems, and a wide range of other useful features. Which one is right for your needs? This excellent video comparison takes an in-depth look at both cameras to help you decide.
Should You Buy the Godox AD200 Pocket Flash? We Review
The Godox AD200 has been around for a few years now, and in 2019, Godox released the "Pro" version of the AD200. Is this small, lightweight, powerful flash the right choice for you in 2023? Why do so many photographers think so highly of this pocket flash?
The Best Budget Sony E Mount Lenses for Wedding Photographers
It used to be that wedding photographers had to carry expensive top-level optics in order to ensure they could reliably deliver professional shots. However, in recent years, third-party and mid-tier lenses have made remarkable steps forward, and it is now possible to save both your back and your bank account by purchasing more modest options and still be able to deliver excellent images. This excellent video discusses some of the best options out there for Sony users.
A Common Pricing Mistake New Photographers Make
Being competent with your camera and having creative vision is, of course, essential to finding success as a professional, but it also takes a fair amount of business savvy as well. One of the things newer photographers struggle with the most is pricing. This great video tutorial features an experienced pro discussing a common mistake and what you can do to avoid it and increase your chances of success.
GPT-4 Gets Even Smarter With After Effects
A step up in ability makes a huge difference. Suddenly, the future doesn’t seem that far away.
BTS of a Stunning Music Video in a Modest Location
A Review of the New Sigma 17mm f/4 DG DN Contemporary Lens
The new Sigma 17mm f/4 DG DN Contemporary lens promises nice image quality and a wide focal length in a very light and portable package. Can it deliver on that promise? This great video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from the lens in practice.
Getting More Leads for Your Photography Business
It can be challenging for many photographers to get qualified leads, but there are steps you can take today to enhance your online exposure and lead generation.
Hands-On With the New Sigma 23mm f/1.4
How to Take Unique Landscape Photos in Popular Places
Popular landscape locations are like that for a reason: they are often quite breathtaking and can be a real joy to experience. Nonetheless, the challenge is creating unique imagery that stands out from the thousands of other photos of the location. How can you do that? This great video tutorial features an experienced landscape photographer discussing the dilemma and how you might approach it.
Sigma's Latest Lenses: A Perfect Fit for Mirrorless Enthusiasts
Sigma has announced the release of three new lenses: the 17mm f/4 DG DN Contemporary, the 23mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary, and the 50mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary.
Speed Up Your Culling and Editing With Aftershoot PRO and EDITS
Over 20 years of digital photography produced 80,000 images. Culling is a time-consuming, tedious process that I’ve neglected. Consequently, my hard drives and cloud storage are bloated. Can Aftershoot PRO help me lighten the load?
This Data Helps Illuminate Why Canon Is Not Allowing Most Third Party Lenses
Canon has caused a fair amount of controversy recently over their refusal to allow most third-party lenses for the RF mount. However, recent research data sheds a lot of light on the decision.
Amazing Black and White Fine Art Photo Editing
I've long been fascinated by the work of Joel Tjintjelaar and Julia Anna Gospodarou. Those two are among the pioneers of a popular editing style for black and white architecture photos that is very graphical and introduces strong contrasts and lighting that feel surreal. In this fantastic video by Ben Harvey, you learn how such images are created.
Putting the New Canon R6 Mark II Through Its Paces
We shoot with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II mirrorless camera at a real wedding and a live concert and test the camera that changes the rules when it comes to shooting in low light and at high speed.
A Review of the Canon EOS R6 Mark II Mirrorless Camera
The Canon EOS R5 burst onto the scene and instantly showed the industry that the company was extremely serious about contending in the professional mirrorless market. The EOS R6 came with the EOS R5 and brought with it most of the same features as the EOS R5, save for the high-resolution sensor and 8K raw video, and did so at a much lower price. The EOS R6 Mark II builds on that foundation and brings a wide variety of improvements and new features. This great video review takes a look at everything you can expect from the camera.
The Importance of Knowing and Photographing Your Local Landscapes
When you look at landscape photography online, you will probably notice that, for the most part, it is of extraordinary locations that are difficult and pricey to reach, at best. And beyond that, you have further issues to contend with, such as distinguishing your images among the thousands of others created at the spot. This great video tutorial discusses why you should be embracing your local area and how to go about doing it.
We Review the HP Sprocket Studio Plus: A Capable, if Pricey, Photo Printer
Small, dye-sublimation printers have all but eliminated the need to go to the drugstore to make basic 4x6 prints, and HP’s new Sprocket Studio Plus is a welcome update to this style of printer from a venerable name in printing.
How to Color Grade Images in Lightroom
Color grading is a subtle art, and yet, it is one of the most powerful ways to give your image a professional look, convey a certain mood, and establish a recognizable personal style. If you are new to the technique and looking for some advice on how to do it in a professional manner, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you a wide range of useful tips and techniques for color grading images in Lightroom.
Is This $8,000 Bokeh Machine Worth the Price Tag?
Portrait photographers will often drop significant amounts of money on top-level lenses, but even by those standards, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct is particularly expensive. At $8,000, can its performance and image quality justify that stratospheric cost? This great video review takes a look at everything you can expect from the lens.
Make Your Own Film Presets With This Simple Tutorial
The nostalgia of film and the decades gone is fascinating so no wonder film presets and looks are popular to buy for your editing software. They’re pretty easy to make yourself if you put a little bit of time into understanding what elements in editing make the film look different from digital. Follow my tutorial to make your own vintage film presets for Capture One, Lightroom or PhotoShop.
How to Edit Skies in Landscape Photos in Lightroom
The way you edit the sky can have a tremendous impact on not just the quality of a landscape images, but the mood it conveys to the viewer. Lightroom offers a lot of power and versatility for editing skies, and this fantastic video tutorial will show you how to take advantage of those capabilities to create better and more precise edits.
A Review of the New Venus Optics Laowa Argus 28mm f/1.2 FF Lens
Venus Optics, well known for creating some of the most unique lenses available, recently released the Laowa Argus 28mm f/1.2 FF, which offers an extremely wide maximum aperture in tandem with a popular in-between focal length. This great video review takes a look at the new lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
The Value of Teamwork in Creative Endeavors
A few brief words on why it sometimes pays to have more hands in the kitchen when cooking up a creative project.
Helpful Tips for Using Your First Ultra-wide Angle Lens
The ultra-wide angle lens is one of the most exciting out there, able to take sprawling, majestic scenes and bring their entirety into a single frame. They can be rather challenging to use, however. If you just picked up your first ultra-wide angle lens and you are ready to get started, check out this helpful video tutorial that will give you a range of useful advice sure to have you on your way in no time.
Which of These Premium 50mm Lenses Do You Prefer?
The wide-aperture 50mm lens is, by far, one of the most common lenses out there, and for good reason, as it is also one of the most versatile, able to tackle a humongous range of scenarios and needs thanks to its neutral focal length and top-notch low-light and narrow depth of field capabilities. Both Sigma and Sony have recently released professional-level 50mm f/1.4 options. So, which is right for you? This excellent video comparison looks at both to help you decide.
Super Telephoto Lenses: Amazing or Overrated?
Last summer I bought a super telephoto lens to capture wildlife in Alaska. After more than half a year of using it as a lens for landscape photography, was it worth it?
One of the Biggest Pitfalls of Being a Professional Photographer
Without a doubt, finding success as a professional photographer takes solid technique and a strong creative voice, but those alone are not sufficient. Becoming a successful professional takes quite a bit of business savvy, including the ability to monetize your work, anticipate market trends, and understand how to convert one-time clients into loyal returning customers. This great video essay featured an experienced pro discussing one of the most common mistakes newer professionals make and how you can fix it.
Unlock the Advanced Features of Your Camera and Make a Sony Work Like a Canon
A new Finnish startup business, Huhtikuu Yksi, offers software that unlocks advanced functionality in basic camera models and standardizes features from different brands. I interviewed the company's CEO, Harri Tyhmäläinen.
What's the Frame Rate of the Human Eye?
Have you ever wondered what the frame rate of the human eye is and, just importantly, why it matters? It turns out the answer is far more complex than a simple numerical value, and that has tremendous consequences for the design of cameras and why we work the way we do. This neat and informative video takes you behind the scenes of the science behind how the eyes sees to discuss the topic and the implications it has for filmmakers.