Chase Jarvis has been getting real with a lot of topics on his show The Daily Creative. He's been answering questions from callers all over the world and doing it in an honest, straightforward way. If you haven't been following this, I recommend you start below and then head over to watch a whole lot more direct advice from one of the photography industry greats. In this week's episode, entitled "Dabbling Gets You Nowhere," Jarvis takes a question from my good friend Jason Teale that I think is something a lot of us struggle with.

Dogs are among of the most difficult subjects to photograph. They are unpredictable, easily distracted, and move quickly. The challenges that accompany photographing our canine counterparts are multiplied when working with more than one dog at once. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help get the perfect shot of a group of dogs.

It doesn't seem all that long ago that the magic wand tool in Photoshop was pretty much as advanced as selection tools got. These days, however, there are several different ways to make selections in your images. Question is, which of these tools actually does the best job?

We live in a world constantly fascinated by technology. We want the TV with the greatest definition. We want the tablet with the shiniest screen. And, as photographers, we always want the most expensive gear and the most elaborate new toys. But the more you grow as an artist, you'll quickly realize it's the man that makes the equipment, not the equipment that makes the man (or woman).

It sounds a bit strange or even silly at first, but it is advice that will serve you well, especially in an age where we are inundated by images and unsolicited feedback. This great video features some really important advice that is well worth taking the time to listen to.

Bodyscape photography emphasizes the artistic form of the human body, typically focusing on abstract compositions. While this style is often associated with low-key, shadowy images, high-key bodyscapes offer a fresh take, relying on bright lighting and minimal shadows to create ethereal, luminous results. This approach is perfect if you want your work to feel clean and elegant.

"Color science" is a term that gets thrown around quite a bit as a catch-all for some things that are actually under the umbrella of science and many that aren't at all. This excellent video unpacks all the baggage that comes along with the term "color science."

Wedding photography is a highly challenging genre, requiring the ability to put your creativity and technical skills to the test in a variety of quickly evolving scenarios, all with no second chances. As such, when you are new to it, it can feel a bit overwhelming to all take in. However, this helpful video tutorial offers some great advice that will get you on the right track.

In his latest video, Greg Benz shares some surprising raw editing results. The seemingly same setting can have drastically different effects, depending on how you apply it in Camera Raw or Lightroom.

Creating composite image can be a fun blend of imagination and a range of practical post-processing techniques. Two of the most important skills for creating convincing results are matching light and color. This helpful video will show you a range of tools to check your work and to achieve the best results.

I consider myself a very lucky photographer. After all, I have a studio to myself, plenty of various funky lights, and plenty of lighting knowledge to rely on when I want to create something. This was not the case a few years back. At some point, all I had was a light and an umbrella. If you are in this boat, this is the perfect article for you. There is a lot you can do with just a light and a modifier.

It's always such a sensitive subject for the creative industry. Money is what the creative industry hates to ask for. but loves to have for their gear and career. So let's get it out there. Professional photography is a business, and in photography, you'll only flourish at it because you love what you do. You'll never become a photographer if you didn't love it. David Bergman gives some good tips when starting out because photographers don't usually know what their images are worth.

One of the most consistent opportunities we have as photographers to earn money with our cameras is photographing real estate and hospitality properties, such as Airbnb rentals, and contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t take a huge investment to offer quality images for this purpose.

To have a publisher wanting to produce a book of your work is a dream many photographers have. But where do you start? What costs are involved? And is it really worth doing in the first place?

No matter how good you are, there is always room to learn more and improve as a photographer. There are many different levels you go through in your development as a photographer, and knowing where you are can help you prioritize where to focus your attention next. This insightful video discusses the five levels of proficiency as a photographer and what it means to be at each one.

Wedding photography requires you to be at the top of your game, as there are a lot of must-have shots and no second chances. One of the most important sets of images is the family formals, and this helpful video tutorial will show you how to shoot them quickly, effectively, and with as little stress as possible.

David Katz has enjoyed a long and successful career as a sports photographer in the British press, despite having been secretly legally blind his entire life, choosing not to disclose his condition, as he didn't want to be judged on anything except the quality of his work. In this inspirational video, he talks about his work, life, and condition and reveals it to former colleagues for the first time.

In last week’s article, I detailed my experience interning with photographic legend Art Streiber and how his extensive use of preparation has helped him to create some of the most iconic images in photographic history. In this post, I’ll attempt to take you through my own method of preparing creatively for a shoot so that I can get exactly what I want, and often a whole lot more.

In November of last year, Jonny Von Wallström sold his feature-length documentary film "The Pearl of Africa" to Netflix. He had been attempting to chase down the video streaming service for several years. This included hunting down contact information for commissioning editors and attempting to woo Netflix employees at every pass. After a number of disappointing setbacks, he finally landed an offer. In a fascinating vlog entry on his YouTube channel Creative North, he discusses his journey to landing a global distribution deal with the streaming monolith.

Most photographers are very hard-working people, but sometimes, it is ok to be lazy. In fact, it might even improve your images, and this great video discusses why.

When it comes to photographing models, a comfortable subject can make for exceptional photos. Making your subjects feel like they are in a safe and welcoming environment will make your photoshoot a successful photo set for both your portfolio and the models. As a photographer, it is your responsibility to make the subject of your images feel comfortable and in a safe space.

While it used to be that Photoshop was the place for any sort of advanced photo editing, in recent iterations, Lightroom has become impressively intricate and capable. In fact, you can now do a lot of things in the program you used to have to switch to Photoshop for, and often, you can perform them more efficiently in Lightroom. This great video tutorial will show you three functions and techniques you might not be aware of and how to use them in your editing.

Understanding how to navigate manual mode in photography is essential for achieving professional-grade results, which can seem daunting due to its perceived complexity. Many photographers view manual shooting as a rite of passage to professionalism, yet the prospect of managing shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings can be intimidating.

Adobe After Effects is something of a companion to Premiere Pro, offering a range of visual effects, motion graphics, and more for video work. And like other Adobe production apps, it is a fairly intricate and often complex application. This great video demonstrates every effect in the program so you can see what they can do and where they might be appropriate for your own work.

There's quite a bit more to becoming a successful photographer than simply learning to use a camera proficiently. This great video talks about some more useful steps you can take to give yourself a better chance of being successful.

Perfectionism is a trending topic in modern society, but can we not do without?

I still think the hardest part of portraits isn't shooting or post-production but the human element. Making your subject feel comfortable in front of the lens is crucial to getting shots you're both happy with. This helpful video will give you some quick tips on how to do just that.

When you're shooting sports, knowing the game is key. It's about anticipating the action and being ready to capture those peak moments. Timing is everything, and the better you know the sport, the more consistently you'll make great pictures.

Understanding how to effectively use speedlights is crucial for capturing high-quality images in various settings, from weddings to family events. Speedlights offer photographers a compact, versatile lighting solution that enhances the quality of their work, especially in fast-paced and low-light environments. The helpful video tutorial will get you started working with one.

Improving your photography isn't just about mastering the technical aspects; it involves insights gathered from real experiences. Understanding the subtle lessons beyond the basics can dramatically shape your photographic journey.