LED light panels, once used predominantly by videographers, have now become an indispensable tool for photographers. Whether you are a seasoned professional or an aspiring enthusiast, finding the perfect lighting setup can make all the difference in capturing high-quality images.
In last week’s article, I chose to talk about the joys of going small with lighting gear. In today’s article, we’ll go big, very big, with the Aputure LS 1200d Pro LED Light Kit.
If you have been playing around with the new Generative Fill function in Photoshop Beta, you most likely have come across this error message saying: "The Generated Images were removed because they violate user guidelines." In this quick video by PiXImperfect, he has found an easy workaround.
Fujifilm's X Series of cameras and lenses have become increasingly versatile and feature-laden in the past year, with one of their most capable lenses being the XF 18-120mm f/4 R LM PZ WR, which covers the most popular focal lengths and includes a power zoom mechanisms for filmmaking applications. How does it hold up in practice? This excellent video review takes a look at everything you can expect from the lens.
Composition is perhaps one of the trickiest aspects of photography, particularly since it is less easily codified than something like what camera settings to use for a certain scenario. One of the most effective but underutilized techniques for creating a compelling composition is framing. This helpful video tutorial will show you what framing is, how it works, and some great examples you can use it in your own images.
Photography is an art that allows us to capture moments, freeze time, and express our creativity. One fascinating subject that many photographers are drawn to is small waterfalls. These cascading wonders provide an incredible opportunity to capture the beauty of nature. While wide angle lenses are often popular for landscape photography, telephoto lenses have their own unique advantages. In this post, let's explore how using a telephoto lens can significantly enhance your photography skills when capturing small waterfalls. Specifically, we will discuss the benefits of long exposures at half a second, and explore the focal length range from 70 to 200mm.
We are absolutely inundated by imagery from every angle, every day, and as such, it can be easy to fall into the trap of shooting the most common trends. And it is a real shame when that happens, because it keeps you from developing your own creative voice and from enjoying photography as much as possible. This fantastic video essay is an important reminder that shooting for yourself is what matters most at the end of the day.
It doesn't matter how good your composition is if you have this one glaring error. Take a look to see what it is, if you're guilty of doing it, and how to fix it.
As photographers, we are constantly in pursuit of the perfect shot. Sometimes, the conditions don't align as expected, and the location we had in mind for a stunning sunset turns out to be better suited for a breathtaking sunrise. In such situations, it's important to embrace the opportunity and capture the beauty of the moment.
Lindsay Adler is well known for creating dynamic and vibrant portraits that capture viewers' eyes and imaginations. If you would like to see how she does it from start to finish, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will guide you through a red-inspired portrait shoot, including set design, lighting, gear, and editing.
We had an idea for a shoot and acted on it. We had no idea that this photo would take me all the way to the legendary Abbey Road Studios.
Landscape photographers often default to the wide angle lens when approaching grand scenes in the early part of their photography path. This video looks at simplifying these scenes with a telephoto lens to highlight the smaller details of a landscape.
Logitech International has acquired Loupedeck, a Helsinki-based creator of custom consoles and software designed to elevate the creative process for streamers, creators, and gamers.
When it comes to photoshoot locations, few things can top a cave. This was a wild photoshoot adventure.
Over the last couple of years, the Non-Fungible Token (NFT) market was booming, and I couldn't scroll through the Twitterverse without seeing the many posts saying "GM", sharing their images and links to buy them as NFTs. After a huge crash in 2022, the NFT crew has finally started disappearing from my timelines, and good riddance to them.
Rarely is a landscape photo finished when you press the shutter; almost all images require some degree of editing to produce a fully polished result. One of the challenges of editing a landscape image is bringing a sense of depth back to a two-dimensional photo. If that is something you are struggling with that, check out this helpful video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know to do just that.
The Sony a7R V offers the highest resolution available in a full frame camera, tons of dynamic range, built-in focus stacking, and a range of other features that make it a strong candidate as the best 35mm mirrorless camera for landscape photography. Can it live up to that in practice? This fantastic video review takes a look at what you can expect.
Photographers have been frustrated by Instagram's mysterious algorithms and how their work isn't seen by as many people anymore. Now, for the first time ever, Instagram has revealed how these algorithms work and how best to take advantage of them.
Normally, when we take photos, we save them to the memory card, pop that card into our computer, and download the images to Lightroom or whatever cataloging program we choose. However, many studio photographers use tethering to bypass the logistics of working with a memory card, but it offers more advantages than just the convenience. This excellent video tutorial will show you what tethering is, why it is beneficial, and how to use it in your own work.
The world of image-making is evolving daily. One such development is the introduction of one-inch sensors to smaller cameras and mobile phones. One of the problems with smaller cameras in the past was that the sensor was too small to capture appropriate detail. Insta360 has recently come out with the one-inch edition of its popular 360 camera, which sets a new standard for photographers and filmmakers worldwide.
Hold on to your taste buds, folks, because we're about to embark on a deliciously hilarious journey through the secrets of protein bars! Get ready to discover the five covert tricks that turn these humble snacks into protein-packed wonders that would make even James Bond jealous. So, grab your fork and knife (yes, we take protein bars seriously), put on your best British accent, and let's uncover these delectable secrets and how they can help you overcome the hunger pains that might force you back home and miss that banger shot.
Landscape photography places a particularly high priority on getting sharp photos, with photographers putting a lot of careful effort into ensuring their photos are as crisp as possible. If you find your images are not as sharp as you would like, check out this helpful video tutorial that discusses five reasons that might be happening and what you can do to improve your shots.
Pancake lenses place portability above everything else, and that used to mean that while they were convenient, you could not expect very good image quality out of them. However, optical design and technology has made some great advances in recent years, making lenses like the Nikon NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 intriguing to many photographers and filmmakers who want a tiny and lightweight option. This great video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from the lens in use.
We live in an era in which we are absolutely inundated by images every day, from every direction and in which we are often encouraged to think just as much about the tools of the trade as the images themselves. All that can lead one to feel frustrated or even disillusioned with the craft. If you find yourself feeling that way, give this insightful and motivational video a watch.
The Fujifilm X-T5 has been out for some time. It was announced back in November 2022, but I’ve been using it since a few weeks before that so you could say I’ve had the camera for a long enough time to be able to tell you my opinion on it. Is it the right camera for you? What are its pros and cons?
Watching Back To The Future as a kid, I always wanted to recreate the flame line scene after the DeLorean hits 88 mph. In my photography career, I have yet to come across one that works and has a Mr. Fusion. YouTuber Sirdork has beaten me to the punch by using toys.
Playing with Hot Wheels, I always remember staring deep into the vehicle to look at the smallest details. At an older age, I look back and wonder why someone would ever spend that much time making a steering wheel look so real, especially something that would likely fall victim to a child wielding a hammer...
Lomography recently announced the release of a new film, LomoChrome 92, a 400 ISO C-41 process color negative stock. The film is touted as a throwback to older stocks, with vibrant colors and a more noticeable grain structure.
Laowa has been producing lenses since 2013 and now has a vast collection, from cine lenses to landscape, to specialist lenses, and everything in between. These lenses are sharp and solid and cater to the ever-growing needs of photographers.
Almost every modern camera comes with a variety of modes ranging from automatic to fully manual, with just about every possible option in between. What do they all do, and which should you be using for your work? This fantastic video tutorial introduces you to all the most common camera modes, how they work, and when you should use them.
There are many ways to approach landscape photography, each with its own advantages and drawbacks, but one that we perhaps engage with the least is the intuitive method, namely building an emotional connection with the scene and allowing that to lead our photographic creation. This insightful video features an experienced landscape photographer discussing the approach and how to connect a landscape's impact on you with actionable photographic ideas and techniques.
Explore the Art of the Cyanotype. In this article, we examine the step-by-step process of cyanotype printing and its place within the realm of photography. You can decide for yourself if you agree whether this is a photographic medium or not.
It is one thing to work on your technique and creative voice, but making money with your work is an entirely separate skill. If you are working on developing your photography income, check out this great video tutorial that shares five actionable steps for making money as a beginner photographer.
Photoshop's Clone Stamp has long been one of the program's most useful tools, but with a bevy of new and advanced tools, including Content Aware Fill and Generative AI, it might seem like such a simple tool might be obsolete. Nothing could be further from the truth, though. This fantastic video tutorial features a seasoned Photoshop pro sharing five reasons why the Clone Stamp is still relevant and how you can use it in your work.
Don’t wait for someone to hire you to create your dream photoshoot. Do it on your own, and let that work attract clients who have a need for what you want to create.
Tilt-shift lenses are some of the oddest options out there, and they can be a bit tricky to use, but they hold a very valuable place in the toolkits of many photographers. What makes them so useful? This helpful video tutorial introduces you to tilt-shift lenses and their applications.
The Sony a7 IV is widely regarded as one of the best hybrid cameras out there, but with the a6700 now here, Sony users have two excellent options for their work. Despite the a7 IV having a full frame sensor, the a6700 has some better features and is also $1,000 cheaper. So, which is right for you? This fantastic video comparison takes a look at both to help you decide.
There is a lot to learn when you are a new photographer or filmmaker, but one of the most important bits of advice does not have anything to do with your creative approach, but rather with how you spend your money. Before you pull out your credit card and go on a shopping spree, check out this important video essay that gives some crucial advice that will save you from making costly mistakes.
It’s a subject not often addressed but significant in the process of creating images. There are domains where risks have to be assessed, evaluated, and prevented. Taking risks is sometimes necessary, although that encompasses many different aspects, and the stakes are also diverse. It mostly depends on your photo field and where you are on your photography journey.
The camera can be seen as most impactful when it's used to document life in its rawest form. Every day, photographers grab their camera and head out to create a photograph for many reasons. It could be for a client on a commercial set. It could be a wedding photographer. It could be a landscape photographer. All these approaches hold their own sort of gravitas. However, when a camera is used to capture events that help the viewer understand our reality and our history, it could be said the camera is at its most powerful. Photojournalism holds this gravitas.
When I'm teaching photography, I always suggest to my students that they make checklists of to remember things when they shoot. I'm also a fan of handy acronyms to remember them.
With 10 years of professional photography under my belt, I can confidently say directing models with ease is one of the most important aspects of the job. Yet, it is a skill that so many photographers struggle with. It’s one of those things that seems so simple, but in the actual moment, can be incredibly challenging.
Venus Optics is known for producing some of the most unique and innovative lenses in the industry, including ultra-macro options, smooth trans focus lenses with extra smooth bokeh, extraordinarily wide lenses, and, of course, their famous probe lens. It seems the company is never content to rest, with another crazy lens likely on the way very soon.
Full frame cameras are generally regarded as the standard option for professional work, but in recent years, crop sensor cameras have come a long way, and their associated ecosystems have filled out to offer photographers and filmmakers a wide range of options suitable for many genres and applications. This interesting video essay discusses three reasons why crop sensors cameras are often a better choice than full frame options.
Lightroom's new AI-powered noise reduction is a remarkable step forward for the program, giving users powerful capabilities for working with high-ISO photos without having to ever leave the program. The one drawback is that the noise reduction can take a bit of time, particularly if you are using an older computer. So, if you are working with a large batch of photos, it is important to ensure you have set up your workflow for optimal efficiency. This helpful video tutorial will show you how to do just that.
