How Mindset Mastery Can Elevate Your Photography Business

Mastering photography involves much more than just technical skill; it requires an understanding of the psychological aspects that influence both the photographer and the audience. The mental game, often overlooked, plays a pivotal role in transforming good photographers into exceptional ones.

What's The Best Advice for Turning Pro as a Photographer?

We've all needed help on the path to becoming photographers. Did some great advice help get you there? Advice may help you out of a bind or may help you to understand something you can't quite get the hang of. Of course, advice may also lead you down the wrong road. So, once you receive advice, you have to determine the value of the guidance. Is it good or bad advice? I asked a few photography colleagues to share the best advice they've received on turning pro. I'd love to hear about good advice you've been given, or good advice you'd like to share on turning pro.

A Guide to Advanced Luminosity Masking

Photographers constantly seek ways to refine and enhance the intricate details within their images, striving for that perfect balance where every element, no matter how subtle, is vividly presented. Luminosity masking is a fantastic technique for achieving this goal, especially when dealing with complex scenes like a lightning-filled sky, where the delicate interplay of light and shadow requires a nuanced approach.

The Power of Classic Digital Cameras

Diving into the archives reveals a compelling truth: older digital cameras, often dismissed in the race for megapixels and modern features, hold a lot of value for today's photographers. Here's why you shouldn't overlook them.

Prism Lens FX Filter Face-off: Lucid Dream FX Versus Moody FX Filters

I’ve been seeing Prism Lens FX filters everywhere and have been curious about what they're actually like to shoot with. There are so many interesting filters available that it’s hard to know which ones are worth the investment. So, here’s a comparison of the Lucid Dream FX Filter and the Moody FX Filter.

Mastering Photo Organization in Lightroom

Efficient photo management is pivotal for maintaining an orderly digital workspace, as it helps you streamline your editing process and enhance productivity. Mastering organizational tools in Lightroom is crucial for this.

How to Color Correct Portraits in Adobe Photoshop

When it comes to portraiture, the power color has to make or break even your best images is not to be underestimated. In this video, Aaron Nace of PHLEARN walks you through how to correct the colors in Adobe Photoshop.
Debunking Photography Myths: A Realistic Look at the Profession

Photography as a profession is often met with skepticism and discouragement, overshadowed by warnings of financial instability and market saturation. Such pervasive negativity can deter aspiring photographers from pursuing their passion, despite the evolving opportunities within the industry.

Bringing Your Photography to Life with Stop Motion Animation

Stop motion animation is a great technique for creating attention-grabbing content to promote a brand or your own photography, or even just for fun. In this article, I am going to show you how to shoot and assemble a series of still images to create an eye-catching stop motion animation.

How Good Is This Extreme Medium Format Lens?

The TTArtisan 90mm f/1.25 is an extreme lens in both design and price, offering medium format users super-narrow depth of field at a rock-bottom price compared to other GFX and X mount lenses. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Using High Speed Sync to Take Your Action Photography to the Next Level

In certain scenarios, such as photographing action outdoors, it’s all too easy to find yourself needing to work at shutter speeds that exceed the flash sync speed of your camera. This is where high speed sync comes into its own, expanding your creative possibilities beyond the limitations of conventional flash.

How Good Is the Leica SL3?

The Leica SL3 offers some of the company's most impressive design and features. This thorough examination highlights the significance of this camera for anyone keen on capturing images with remarkable precision and detail.

Learning From Mistakes: How They Shaped My Photography Journey

Throughout my photography journey, I've encountered various mistakes that have served as valuable learning experiences, ultimately shaping my understanding and approach to the craft. In this article, I'll share some of these mistakes, how you can avoid them, and how they've contributed to my growth as a photographer.

Critique the Community Wedding Photography

With Pye Jirsa
Congratulations to the Winners!

Pye Jirsa and I want to thank everyone who submitted their photos to this wedding critique as well as congratulate each photographer whose images made it into the final show. You can view all the entries and the winners in the post below. 

Tips to 'Shoot From the Hip' With Street Photography

When I was a young photo student studying in college, my professor gave us a scavenger hunt for photography of sorts. One of the categories was "shoot from the hip." I thought it was strange, but in hindsight, it was prescient advice.

Tips for Capturing the Perfect Sunset Photo

Observing the skies and understanding the interaction between light and cloud formations are crucial elements in capturing breathtaking landscape images. This helpful video will show you how to improve your sunset images.

A Beginner’s Guide to Astrophotography

Astrophotography opens a window to the cosmos, allowing photographers to capture the stunning beauty of the night sky. This niche combines the meticulousness of photography with the awe-inspiring vistas of astronomy, offering a unique blend of science and art that can mesmerize and inspire.

Enhancing Your Photos with Time Blending: A Step-by-Step Guide

Time blending can create dynamic, visually compelling images. This process involves merging photos taken at different times to showcase the contrast between natural and artificial light, offering a unique perspective on a scene.

Rethinking Effort and Outcome in Landscape Photography

Landscape photography often entails a complex blend of planning, physical effort, and an intimate understanding of the natural environment. This dedication to the craft, from pre-dawn hikes to meticulous weather monitoring, epitomizes the photographer’s quest for the perfect shot—a pursuit that is as rewarding as it is demanding.

Is ISO 100 Always Right for Landscape Photography?

As landscape photographers, we hear it all the time: "Always use ISO 100 for your photos. That is the only way to get the crispest and cleanest image." Is this true, though? Should we be afraid of using a higher ISO? Or are there times you should use a higher ISO? We find out in this video.

The Importance of Embracing Mistakes in Photography

The art of photography thrives not just on the celebration of successes but equally on the acknowledgment and analysis of failures. Understanding what doesn't work in one's photography can be as crucial as recognizing what does, providing valuable insights for personal growth and style development.

You Are Missing Out by Ignoring an Important Approach to Photography

If you want to elevate it to a higher level, then there is an essential approach to your photography that you should embrace. Known for thousands of years, but nonetheless elusive, here's an approach to photography you can adopt, used by masters in all fields.

A Guide to Unifying Skin Tones in Photoshop

Unifying skin tones in portraits is a pivotal skill that directly impacts the final quality of an image. This helpful video tutorial addresses the common challenge of mismatched or uneven skin tones, which can detract from the cohesiveness and aesthetic appeal of an image.

Where to Find Clear Skies for Monday's Total Solar Eclipse

Capturing the total solar eclipse is a momentous opportunity for any individual behind the lens, though it presents unique challenges and rewards. This helpful video from a professional meteorologist will show you what to expect.

How to Achieve Vibrant, Three-Dimensional Images With These Easy Steps in Lightroom

Transforming the tedious task of color grading from a Photoshop layer-heavy process to a streamlined Lightroom slider manipulation is a real game-changer. This simplification not only speeds up the workflow but also offers precision and creativity, making it a significant advancement for you if you're looking to elevate the quality of your images with less hassle.

Fujifilm Explains Why The X100VI Is Still Out of Stock

Fujifilm is currently managing incredible demand for its X100 series of cameras. Despite the latest X100VI only being released a couple of months ago, the backlog has already grown to immense proportions. In our latest video, we speak to Fujifilm to see why this is the case.

The Godox V1Pro Review: The Best On-Camera Flash Finally Gets Updates

Recently, Godox launched the V1Pro, an upgrade to the popular V1 flash. But with the V1 already at the top of the pack, was there much to improve? In this review, I’ll be comparing the Godox V1 and V1Pro to determine which you should consider adding to your flash photography kit.

Capturing Humanity Through the Lens: Kevin Carter

In 1993, Kevin Carter, a South African photojournalist, etched his name in photography history with one poignant image that encapsulated the harsh realities of the world. The iconic photograph, "Vulture and the Little Girl," stirred emotions, sparked debates, and shed light on the famine-stricken Sudan. However, it also plunged Carter into the depths of controversy, with this photograph revealing the complexities and ethical dilemmas surrounding shocking photography.

How to Create an Eclipse Composite in Photoshop

Creating a compelling composite image of an eclipse is an intricate process that combines technical skill with creative vision. Such composites offer a unique storytelling avenue for photographers to showcase the celestial event's phases in a single, cohesive piece.

Fine-Tuning Your Images with Texture, Clarity, and Contrast in Lightroom

Understanding the nuanced interplay between contrast, texture, and clarity is pivotal for properly enhancing image details and directing viewer attention. Each tool manipulates image contrast in distinct ways. This helpful video tutorial will walk you through the differences.

Do You Really Need a Graphics Tablet for Editing Photos?

Navigating the vast array of tools in the digital art and photo editing landscape can be overwhelming, particularly when it comes to deciding on the necessity of a graphic tablet. Do you really need one? This insightful video will help you decide.

Review of Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z

The zoom range of 24-105mm is perhaps one of the most versatile options available. Typically, lenses within this range maintain a constant f/4 aperture throughout. While this is adequate, having an aperture one stop larger would be ideal. Now we have the Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM.

Is the New Fujifilm X100VI Really That Good?

The X100 series from Fujifilm has long been featured some of the most popular cameras in the industry, known for their quirky but capable design and features and unique user experience. The X100VI is here, and it brings with it a huge range of improvements and new features. This excellent video review takes a look at the new model and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

5 Unconventional Tips to Improve Your Editing and Managing Post-Processing Workload

In today's fast-paced world of photography, managing the post-processing workload efficiently is almost a non-negotiable skill, especially when we are all guilty of shooting too much, only to suffer when dealing with large quantities of images. In this article, we will discuss several unconventional tips that I have learned throughout my career, including back-to-back assignments and trips, to address the challenges of editing fatigue and compromised post-processing.

Debunking the High-Cost Myth of Starting a Photography Business

Understanding the cost of entry into the photography industry is crucial for anyone considering this career path. Contrary to popular belief, starting a photography business may not be as prohibitive in terms of initial investment as often portrayed, if you play your cards right.

How Behind-the-Scenes Content Can Transform Your Photography Business

Exploring innovative marketing strategies is essential for any creative professional seeking to stand out in a crowded market. For those behind the lens, finding fresh ways to showcase their work and personality to potential clients has never been more critical.

Handcrafting the Image: The Art of Analog Photography

The transformative power of analog photography and handcrafted image processing is a captivating journey back to the roots of photographic artistry, offering a tangible connection to the creative process that is often lost in the digital age.

Enhancing Your Portraits With Shadow Boards

Mastering lighting techniques is a cornerstone of creating compelling compositions, allowing for the manipulation of mood, texture, and depth in an image. The helpful video tutorial will show you how to use shadows to create more pleasing images.

How to Use AI Denoise in Lightroom

Lightroom has some impressively powerful denoising tools, and they can help you rescue images that might not work otherwise. This helpful video tutorial will show you how to use them for landscape images.

How Shapes Influence Photographic Storytelling

Understanding the influence of shapes is a crucial aspect often overlooked by many practitioners in the field. Shapes are not just basic elements of design; they're powerful tools that can evoke emotions and tell stories, making their study essential for photographers aiming to enhance their visual storytelling.