Education

Few things are more fundamental to photography than the difference between zoom and prime lenses. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, and knowing which one is right for various applications will help you choose the right one for your creative tendencies and ensure you get the shot. This helpful video tutorial will teach you the differences and show you which is right for your work.

When you are new to learning, it can be tempting to think that you need complex multi-light setups in order to create compelling professional portraits, but that cannot be further from the truth. While such setups certainly have their place, you will be surprised by just how much you can accomplish with only one light. This fantastic video tutorial features an experienced portrait photographer sharing four effective single-light setups and how to use them.

When you think of a portrait, you probably think of focal lengths mostly between 85mm and 135mm, but, of course, that does not mean you can't use wider focal lengths. A wide angle portrait outside can be a great way to add a sense of drama and adventure to the frame, but you need to ensure you are carefully balancing the light. This excellent video tutorial will show you how to read the light and ensure you get the best possible images.

In the last few iterations, Lightroom has taken some remarkable steps forward in its masking capabilities, offering powerful and precise tools in tandem with some of its classic features that allow you to not only make precise edits, but take images in entirely different creative directions. This awesome video tutorial will show you a quick walkthrough on using the new tools for adding creative lighting to a portrait.

What does an atomic detonation look like with a 1/1,000,000 s exposure? If you drop milk onto a red table, do you make art? This article holds an interesting discussion about high speed photography.

Landscape photography is a challenging but rewarding genre that requires the confluence of several different facets of technique and knowledge in order to produce a winning shot. If you are new to the genre and ready to improve, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced pro sharing five common mistakes beginners make and how to fix them.

Flash does not have to be restricted to the studio; in fact, you can make some pretty creative and fun images by combining flash with natural light outside. If you would like to get started with working with flash for outdoor portraits, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will guide you through lighting and shooting such a set of photos.

As photographers, we are bombarded by information from all directions on a daily basis, and it can be tricky to know how to cut through it all to the advice that really matters. Whether you are a professional or a hobbyist, if you want some important lessons that will put you on the right track to finding success and satisfaction in the craft of photography, check out this fantastic video essay that discusses such ideas.

With everything photographers are bombarded by these days, it can be easy to confuse what you want versus what you need. This excellent video essay features an experienced photographer discussing a range of things modern photographers often want versus the things that will actually make them better and happier creatives.

The way you see light and the way your camera sees light are quite different, and as such, it is important to understand the differences to ensure you get the correct exposure and to be able to anticipate when your camera might get it wrong. This great video tutorial discusses how cameras meter photos, what to be aware of, and when you should consider switching to manual metering.

Landscape photography is an art that requires skill, creativity, and an understanding of the natural environment. While beginners can capture stunning images, seasoned professionals have honed their craft over the years and mastered some advanced techniques. In this article, we will explore five landscape photography tricks that only pros know.

Backlighting in portraiture offers a huge range of creative possibilities, whether adding a bit of shimmer to your subject's hair, including a dramatic sunset in the frame, or one of many other options. However, the use of backlighting takes some special considerations to ensure you get the results you have in mind. This helpful video tutorial will show you what you need to know to maximize your image quality.

Waterfalls are an extremely popular photography subject, particularly since they offer the chance to really flex our creative muscles and make dynamic, compelling shots. If you would like to take your waterfall images to the next level, check out this fantastic video tutorial by an experienced landscape photographer that walks you through his process and offers a range of helpful tips and advice along the way.

One of the classic challenges of photography is bringing a sense of depth to what is a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional scene. Understanding how to manipulate both color and contrast in post-processing can go a long way in helping you achieve this. This awesome video tutorial will show you how to use tools in Lightroom to give your landscape images a sense of depth.

I love all types of documentaries, and I think it's very important that artists and photographers educate themselves on the past greats and present ones working today. I watch documentaries on photography, fashion, art, and anything else I find interesting. It’s an education coming from a very successful person in that field that everyone can learn from, and I find them to be very inspirational. When I don’t feel inspired or I'm frustrated with things not working out for me, I put on a photography or artist doc and learn about their past struggles and their process that they go through. It’s always a great way to remind myself that everything is going to workout and to create that crazy idea.

PhotoPills might be the most popular app for planning photoshoots. However, there is another feature-rich app that can do even more. In this video, Alyn Wallace shows the app Planit Pro and some of its unique features.

Astrophotography can be one of the most stunning and magical genres of photography, as you watch wonders of the universe that are invisible to the naked eye appear on your camera screen. It is also one of the most technically challenging photography genres, but your practice and patience will be rewarded. If you are ready to get started, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you the basics of wide field astrophotography.

The difference between image quality and quality images is significant, and yet, they are two things that are often confused for one another. It is crucial that we maintain clarity about which is which and how to improve each individually. This excellent video essay features an experienced photographer discussing the topic and offering some insightful advice.

If you are new to photography, it can be a little overwhelming trying to learn how to edit images with all the tools at your disposal. Nonetheless, one of the most common post-processing tasks you will have to tackle is fixing an overexposed or underexposed photo. This helpful video tutorial features a seasoned Lightroom pro showing you how to do just that.

You can work tirelessly on developing strong technique and nurturing your creative voice, but if you do not know when you have taken a good photo, it can all be for naught. Evaluating your own work can be trickier than you might think, but it is a crucial skill to develop, whether you are an amateur or a professional. This helpful video tutorial offers a range of actionable advice on how to do just that.

A basic understanding of the physics of light can help us to achieve the best possible photographic results. Here are some very simplified explanations of how what we learned in school science lessons can affect what we do with our cameras.

Knowing how to confidently and efficiently pose couples is an absolutely crucial skill for any engagement or wedding photographer, and yet, posing is one of the trickiest skills that often takes photographers the longest to master. If you find yourself struggling a bit with posing, check out this helpful video tutorial that offers some great tips sure to put you on the right track.

Having a few simple lighting setups available at your disposal is one of the most important tricks any photographer can have up their sleeve. In this post, I'm going to share with you six of my favorite lighting setups for wedding photographers, but really any photographer can use these simple tips.

Mastering shutter speed, aperture, and ISO is crucial as a new photographer. Doing so will not only give you technical control over your images, but will enable you to explore creative ideas that help you develop your unique photographic voice. This awesome video tutorial will give you a useful approach to camera settings to help you take precise control over your photos.

As we progress as photographers, we accumulate more and more images in our catalogs, and it can be easy for old photos to become buried deep on hard drives, left to be forgotten about. But there can be a lot of value in revisiting old shots, and you find even find treasure hidden in those old folders. This great video tutorial shows you what you can accomplish when you apply modern techniques and improved skills to older shots.

Modern lenses are quite remarkable devices, and they often allow you to shoot at extremely wide apertures with little consequence in image quality, making it easy to fall into the habit of just leaving your lens at that maximum aperture for all your images. That can be a mistake, though, and it can make your work overly one-dimensional. This excellent video essay discusses some of the many reasons you might want to consider stopping down the next time you head out.

When it comes to landscape photography, rarely is the photo finished the moment you press the shutter; most landscape images require some degree of processing in order to produce a polished product. If you are new to the genre and ready to improve your images, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you the ins and outs of how to edit your first photos.

Knowing what photos work best and worst in different lighting conditions can help us create the best possible photos. Here's how to do it.

Flash can sometimes be used to create dramatic, otherworldly portraits whose lighting jumps off the screen, but other times, you want to use flash to mimic the look of natural light. This fantastic video tutorial will show you how to use flash for a subtle effect that looks like it was natural light the whole time.

Overcast days can produce rather flat light that lacks dimension and can feel rather boring, and as such, it can be a bit tricky to product images that are compelling. That does not mean you should just pack it up and head home, though. Flat light can actually lead to fantastic images, and this excellent video tutorial will show you how to find and shoot them.

Landscape photography is a challenging genre, but when you get a good shot, it makes all the time and effort worth it. If you would like to improve your landscape photos, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced photographer sharing a range of useful advice to help you get on the right track.

Landscape photography offers endless opportunities to capture breathtaking scenes and create stunning images. However, one common issue that can plague your landscape photographs is the presence of dust spots. These pesky little specks can appear on your images and distract the viewer's attention from the beauty of the scene. In this article, we will explore several effective techniques to help you avoid dust spots in your landscape images and maintain the integrity of your photographs.

When it comes to portrait photography, the classic focal length is 85mm, but of course, that is not the only option you can use for creating worthwhile images. 135mm lenses have long been a popular alternative to the classic 85mm option, and this great video essay discusses why you should consider using one in your work.

Most modern photographers interact with social media at least to some degree, and it can have more of an effect on your work and your creative evolution than you might think. This insightful video essay discusses how social media can lead professional and amateurs alike to make a mistake that handcuffs their ability to grow and to enjoy the craft of photography.

When taking landscape photos, it can sometimes be helpful to put yourself into the scene to provide a sense of scale. The same is true for night photos. But the long exposure times make it hard to create sharp selfies. In this video, Alyn Wallace shows how to solve this problem.

In the world of photography, capturing the perfect shot often requires meticulous attention to detail. From adjusting camera settings to framing the subject just right, photographers invest significant effort in creating stunning visuals. However, amidst all the technicalities, there is one often overlooked but indispensable tool that can make or break the outcome of a photograph: the tripod.

Canon has filled out their APS-C mirrorless line quite nicely with an array of models that offer everything from highly affordable options to professional-level models capable of tackling just about anything you can throw at them. So, which model is right for your budget and needs? This helpful video gives an overview of every option to help you choose.

We all want to be better photographers, but rarely is the path to accomplishing that plainly obvious, and it can be easy to make unconscious mistakes that stop us from reaching the next level. If you feel like you are a bit stuck in a rut, check out this insightful video essay that features an experienced photographer discussing five common reasons photographers fail to improve and how to break free and take the next step forward.

The beauty of artificial lighting is that it allows you to create just about any photo your imagination can envision with total control over every last detail. And while we often aim for bright, soft, and flattering lighting in our portraits, if you want to explore your artistic side a bit more, a dark and moody look can yield some very interesting images. This fantastic video tutorial will show you how to light and shoot those dark and moody portraits.

Landscape photography is a challenging but rewarding genre, and with all the time and effort it can take to get to a location, it is worth considering the approach you take once you are there to ensure you come away with as many great photos as possible. The insightful video tutorial features an experienced landscape photographer discussing the philosophy that helps him to consistently produce worthwhile images.

In today's age, billions of photographs are uploaded to the internet. We're accustomed to it. It's the norm. However, like anything on this planet, it started somewhere and some time. Photography was invented in 1822, 39 years before the opening shots of the American Civil War. Digital photography made its appearance 48 years ago. Comparing this, you can say digital photography has been barely a thing even though it's something that's such a staple in today's world. But to those that lived in the mid-19th century, photography was a thing of magic.

Landscape photography is a rewarding and captivating pursuit that allows us to capture the natural beauty of the world around us. However, it often involves long hours of carrying heavy camera gear and traversing various terrains. To fully enjoy and excel in this art form, it is crucial to prioritize the health and maintenance of your back and lumbar region. In this article, we will explore the significance of good back and lumbar maintenance for landscape photography. We will discuss the role of a suitable camera bag, the importance of ergonomic camera gear choices, and various exercises that can help you maintain a healthy spine, ensuring longevity and comfort in your photographic journey.

American documentary photographer Alec Soth's work has a strong element of narrative and metaphor, making it not just powerful imagery to enjoy, but worthwhile instructional material for improving our own photos. This fantastic video essay takes a look at Soth's work, how it creates such powerful narratives, and how we can use the lessons we take from it in our work.

As a beginner photographer, your natural instinct often tries to capture everything that catches your eye. If you’re standing in front of the most beautiful view you’ve ever seen, of course you’ll want to show the whole scene in your image, but you’ll often create the most compelling images by showing less.

Just like portrait photography, the height you hold your camera relative to your subject makes a significant difference in how your wildlife images come across to your viewers. If you would like to improve your wildlife images, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced photographer discussing the impact camera height has on storytelling in your photos.

Landscape photography is a pursuit that requires patience, dedication, and a persistent mindset. From waiting for the right conditions to refining compositions during challenging moments, as landscape photographers, we face a range of experiences that test our resolve. This article delves into the significance of persistence in landscape photography, exploring how embracing unfavorable conditions can benefit our skills, how enjoying the rewards of successful shots can continue to benefit us long after the shoot, the importance of how considered post-processing and printing of our banger combine and contribute to help us become a successful landscape photographer.

Nowadays, your website is one of the most important parts of your photo business, and as such, it is well worth putting a lot of time and effort into making yours as good as possible. If you would like to make sure yours is as good as possible, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced wedding photographer discussing a common mistake creatives make with their websites and how to ensure yours rises above the rest.