Recent Education Articles

Why an Octabox Should Be Your First Lighting Modifier

Learning artificial lighting is something that every portrait photographer should do, as it frees you from relying on the sun and enables you to explore creative avenues that simply are not possible with only natural light. However, lighting modifiers can be quite expensive, so knowing which is right to start with is important. This fantastic video tutorial features an experienced photographer discussing why an octabox should be your first choice.

A Crucial Mistake Aspiring Professional Photographers Make

Becoming a successful professional photographer takes a lot more than being good with a camera; you need to have a lot of business sense and a keen understanding of how a career as a creative differs from that of a traditional 9-to-5 job. That latter point often trips up aspiring professionals. This excellent video tutorial features an experienced commercial photographer sharing one such mindset mistake and what you can do to avoid falling prey to it.

How to Edit a Portrait in Lightroom

Traditionally, you edit portraits in Photoshop, where you can take advantage of the program's powerful array of local editing tools. On the other hand, Lightroom has taken tremendous steps forward in the past few years, and while Photoshop still sits at the top for portrait work, there are many situations in which you can complete a portrait edit entirely in Lightroom. This helpful video tutorial will show you how to do just that.

80% of the Basics of Photography in 10 Minutes

Photography is a tremendously varied pursuit that can take you many different directions, but there are a few fundamentals that every photographer, no matter what they shoot, should have mastered. If you are new to photography and ready to learn, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will teach you many of the basics in just 10 minutes.

Helpful Tips for Better Waterfall Photography

Waterfalls are some of the most popular subjects in landscape photography, offering a great way to add a sense of drama and motion to an otherwise still scene. They require some special considerations and techniques to maximize the quality of your images, though. This excellent video tutorial will show you a range of great tips sure to help you take better waterfall photos.

A First Lesson in Off-Camera Flash

One of the most valuable skills a photographer can learn is how to work with artificial light, as it frees you from relying on the sun and allows you to explore creative ideas that simply would not be possible otherwise. If you are new to working with artificial light, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you how you can use flash to capture captivating sports action shots.

How to Take Great Landscape Photos in Harsh Light

When it comes to landscape photography, "good" light is generally thought of as that which occurs around golden hour, with softer, warm rays cascading across the scene. However, we are not always there at the right time, nor are we always lucky enough to get that kind of light. That does not mean you should pack your gear away and head home, though. Harsh light can make for excellent images as well, and this great video tutorial will show you how to get as much as you can out of it.

Do You Need a Photographic Style?

It is one thing to be able to create a compelling image in isolation, but many of the best photographers have a recognizable style that unifies their entire portfolio and makes it easy to pick out one of their shots. Do you need a style to find success, though? This interesting video essay explores the topic and if styles are a crucial part of like as a photographer.

Three Fantastic Uses for the Remove Tool in Photoshop

The Remove Tool in Adobe Photoshop is a very handy tool, but did you know it can do more than just remove? In this video, PiXimperfect shows us three brilliant ways to make the most of this tool to make your editing workflow even easier.

Five Things That Will Make You a Better Photographer

Becoming a confident and capable photographer is no small task, and it is something to be proud of when you accomplish it. If you are currently on that journey and looking for tips on how to improve, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced photographer sharing five important tips sure to help you on your way.

5 Ways to Use Photoshop's Generative Fill Feature for Real Estate Photography

Photoshop's new AI-powered Generative Fill feature has generated a ton of buzz around the industry for its ability to perform powerful edits with just a single click. And while it has many discussing what extremes it can be pushed to, it also has some very practical, time-saving applications. This great video tutorial will show you five such applications for real estate photography.

Mastering Mobile Photography: Top Smartphone Cameras of 2023

Photography has become an everyday part of our lives, moving from the realm of professionals to the hands of amateurs and enthusiasts. With the continual evolution of smartphone technology, mobile photography has significantly transformed, delivering professional-level results that rival traditional DSLRs. This year, 2023, showcases some extraordinary smartphone cameras, pushing the boundaries of what mobile devices can achieve in photography.

Level Up Your Video Creativity With This New Website

Video is now king, and all us still photographers better get on board if we hope to survive. That's what I've been told, anyway. Making the leap into video can be daunting, though, and so, a new website hopes to make that process just a little easier.

Eight Tips for Preventing Camera Theft

The last few years have seen an explosion in violent thefts, especially near San Francisco, and recently, a photographer was killed in Texas. Taking expensive camera gear out on a shoot can be a scary thought nowadays, especially when in some locations, violent thefts are on the rise. In this article, I discuss some ways that can help you minimize the impact of such thefts.

Everything You Need to Know About Aperture

Along with shutter speed and ISO, aperture is one of the three fundamental exposure parameters and something every photographer should master in order to take deeper technical and creative control of their images. If you are new to photography and ready to learn, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know about aperture, including how it works and how to use it to create better photos.

10 Essential Tips for Scaling and Optimizing Your Business: Part 2 of 2

In this rapidly evolving world of photography, it's essential to take a step back and scrutinize how well we're reflecting our business in its current state, including growth in our personal photos, websites, and social media profiles. In the previous article, we discussed five actionable strategies to address commonly overlooked areas, from updating personal images to refreshing website content, and from leveraging social media to nourishing creativity through personal projects and continuous learning.

Being Receptive as a Photographer

In today's world, many of us feel the pressure to constantly create and put out content, and that can be quite frustrating and detrimental to our process and enjoyment. There is something to be said for letting photos come to you, in a manner of speaking. This great video follows a landscape photographer as he does just that.

Which Nikon Mirrorless Camera Is Right for You?

In the past few years, Nikon has really filled out their mirrorless camera lineup, and there are now options from well under $1,000 to top-of-the-line flagships costing north of $5,000. With eight different models to choose from, there is something for just about anyone. So, which is right for you? This fantastic video takes you through Nikon's entire mirrorless camera lineup to help you choose the right one for you.

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Using Photoshop's New Generative Fill Tool

Photoshop's new Generative Fill feature has been capturing the imaginations of a ton of creatives in the past week or so, and it offers a lot of potential for a wide array of different applications. Like any other tool, though, it pays to know it well so you can get the best results from it. This great video tutorial discusses five common mistakes that can derail the tool and what you can do to get the most from it.

Explore Your Creativity With Photoshop's Path Blur Feature

Photoshop has some pretty incredible features, and while some, like the new Generative Fill tool, get all the headlines, others are buried deep in several layers of menus, where you might never even know they exist. One such feature is Path Blur, which can quickly and dramatically transform your images. What is Path Blur, and how can you use it in your work? This excellent video tutorial will show you everything you need to know.

Subject Separation: Fast-Track Your Photo Composition Skills With One Technique

Photographers spend their entire careers mastering the art of composition, gradually honing their skills over many years. For new photographers, learning compositional theory from scratch is a huge task, but you can fast-track your progress by focusing on one technique first: subject separation.

How to Find and Photograph Small Details in Landscape Photography

When we think of landscape photography, our minds are commonly drawn towards wide angle images of vast expanses, and while those can make for some jaw-dropping images, they are not the only compelling photos you can make. Looking for the smaller details can open up an entirely new world, and this helpful video tutorial will show you how to do just that.

The Power of Flat Light

When you look outside and see a gray sky, it might be tempting to feel discouraged at the uninteresting backdrop and plain light quality, but flat light can actually be some of the best light to work with as a photographer. If you would like to see why flat light is actually such a boon for portrait photographers, check out this helpful video tutorial that features an experienced photographer guiding students through building a shot.

How to Fix Shiny Skin in Photoshop

Shiny facial skin is an incredibly common problem for people, and the majority of portrait clients will want you to retouch it. Thankfully, it is not particularly difficult to take care of in Photoshop, and this excellent video tutorial will show you everything you need to know to do so.

Learn How to Create This Four-Light Portrait Yourself

You can create stunning portraits with just a single light, but once you have mastered that, moving into more complex multi-light setups will open up your creative opportunities even more. If you would like to try a challenging but rewarding portrait lighting setup, check out this great video tutorial that will show you a dramatic image shot using a four separate lights.

Making a Slideshow in Adobe Premiere Pro in Six Easy Steps

If you are using Lightroom Classic for your photo editing, you have the possibility to use the presentation module. This module makes it easy to create a slideshow and export it as a video file. Try Premiere Pro if you want to take your slide shows to the next level.

How to Create a Tasteful HDR Image

HDR images took the photography world by storm about 15 years ago, and after a few years, they mostly fell away, as they were mostly deemed to be too over the top to be tasteful. Nonetheless, even today's best cameras can't capture some scenes all in one exposure, and as such, if you want to avoid blown highlights or shadows, you need to combine multiple exposures somehow. This in-depth video tutorial discusses what makes for a tasteful HDR image and how to go about creating one in Lightroom.

The Beauty of Bad Light in Landscape Photography

When you think of memorable landscape images, you probably think of golden hour shots with dramatic rays cascading across the frame, but there is a lot more to life than that. Any light, even "bad light," can produce worthwhile images, and if you spend your time waiting for those magic golden hour moments, you are missing out on a lot of photo opportunities. This great video discusses the issue and the sort of personal philosophy that can make bad light days more enjoyable.

How to Use Some of Lightroom's Most Powerful Tools

While it remains primarily a cataloging program, Lightroom has made some significant steps forward in editing capabilities in recent years, and it is now possible to complete entire edits within the program, making your workflow far more convenient and efficient. This helpful video tutorial takes a look at the three of Lightroom's most useful tools, the Masking panel, Healing Brush, and Panoramic Merge, and how to use them.

Why You Need to Do Things You Don't Like to Be a Successful Professional Photographer

It would be nice if finding financial success as a photographer was as easy as taking great pictures and being paid for them, but it involves so much more than what you do behind the camera and often requires you to do things you might not really enjoy. This excellent video essay features an experienced professional discussing why you have to "play the game" if you want to make photography a career.

Common Photography Business Mistakes and How to Fix Them

It is one thing to be a good photographer, but running a successful photo business takes a large set of skills that have nothing to do with a camera. If you are new to working as a professional, check out this fantastic video tutorial that discusses some common business mistakes photographers make and how to fix them.

Unfortunately Beautiful: World War II Photographer Tony Vaccaro

In the midst of chaos, there exists a small group of brave individuals who risk their lives to document the horrors of war: combat photographers. These individuals point their cameras at the atrocity of war, capturing the brutal reality that unfolds across the landscape of battle. What's created is a visceral reminder of the violence, allowing the public to get just a small glimpse into the nightmares faced by those touched by the fire of combat. The photos we see once the silence has settled offers us a small chance to witness the harrowing experiences they endured, what they needed to do, and what they still carry with them as they try to live their lives in peace.

Focus Stacking on Steroids

With the advancements in camera technology and software, focus stacking has never been easier. You can now even stack complex woodland photos without significant difficulty. In this article, I share how to approach such scenes.

Strobe or Natural Light? Let the War Begin.

I love watching other photographers at work. In this video, you will see one of my favorite fashion photographs, Lindsay Adler, who is known for studio lighting and Dani Diamond, who prefers natural light. They go head to head on the streets of New York with the same model.
4 Habits You Should Practice to Grow as a Photographer

Photography is as much a learned skill as it is a natural talent for some. Whether you fall into the former or the latter category, there are a few practices that you can practice every day that can help you become a better photographer.

10 Different Ways to Print Your Photos

We may be firmly in the digital age, but there will always be something special about printing your images. However, there are dozens of ways to print your images, and it comes down to cost, your taste, photo content, final location, and much more. So, before you start spending a lot of money, it is worth taking a look at some of the options. This helpful video will show you 10 different ways to print your images, including the pros, cons, and aesthetic differences between them.

Three Tips to Find Your Own Style

As a photographer, you’re attracted to everything that catches your attention, which sometimes leads to a very disparate amount of files. When you observe your portfolio, you can’t get a sense of coherence from it. Here are three tips that might help you identify a pattern in your photography and find your style.

How to Fix This Issue With Photoshop's Generative Fill Feature

Photoshop's new Generative Fill feature has taken the industry by storm in the last week, with its remarkable capabilities capturing the attention of many for its potential to invigorate creative tasks and streamline workflows. It is not perfect, though, and it has one issue that you should be aware of should you plan to use it for professional work. This helpful video tutorial will show you the issue and a quick and effective workflow to ensure you get high-quality results.

A Guide to Woodland Photography

Woodland photography can be tremendously rewarding, but it can also be a particularly challenging sub-genre of landscape photography. If you are interested in improving your forestry photos, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced landscape photographer sharing some of his best advice.

The Difference Between Mechanical and Electronic Shutters

One of the nicest features of mirrorless cameras is the electronic shutter, which allows you to shoot in total silence, a fantastic option for situations where being discreet is key. That does not mean electronic shutters are without faults, however. Knowing when to use an electronic shutter and when to use a mechanical is important, and this great video tutorial will show you everything you need to know.

A Practical Beginner's Guide to ISO in Photography

Along with shutter speed and aperture, ISO is one of the three fundamental exposure parameters that have a significant impact on the technical quality of your image and on the creative decisions you can make. If you are new to photography and feeling a bit unsure about how to handle your ISO, check out this helpful video tutorial that takes a very pragmatic approach to the topic with five useful tips.

Helpful Tips for Better Portrait Compositions

In portrait photography, we often focus strongly on the posing of the subject, sometimes to the detriment of the overall composition of the image. If you would like to improve the composition of your portrait photos, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced portrait photographer sharing a wide range of helpful tips that will help you create better images.

The Joys of Nighttime Landscape Photography

When you think of landscape photography, you most likely imagine doing it during golden hour, with dramatic rays of sunshine cascading across the scene. However, you can create compelling landscape images at any hour, even during the night. This awesome video tutorial will give you a ton of practical advice for tackling nighttime landscape photography and producing eye-catching shots.

Are Strobes or Continuous Lights Better for Portrait Photography?

Even just five years ago, this would not even be a question. However, in recent years, continuous lighting has made some remarkable strides, and it is now a viable alternative to traditional strobes for a lot of work. So, which is right for your portrait photography? This excellent video comparison features an experienced portrait photographer sharing her thoughts.

The Power of Tone Curves in Lightroom

The tone curve often gets less use than tools like the exposure sliders or color grading panel, but it offers arguably more power, precision, and versatility than either of those aforementioned options, which is why every photographer should have some level of familiarity with it. This excellent video tutorial takes a look at everything you can do with the tone curve in Lightroom and shows you how to leverage it to take greater control over your photo edits.

How to Retouch Hair in Photoshop

Retouching hair can be a challenging and time-consuming process, but with the right knowledge and carefully practiced technique, you can avoid the frustration and improve the quality of your portraits. If you would like to make your portraits better, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know about retouching hair.

How to Add a Warm Glow to the Sky of a Landscape Image Using Lightroom

The warm glow of a sunrise or sunset can be a nice addition to a landscape image, but sometimes, the weather simply does not cooperate, and you are left with a rather plain sky. Luckily, it is not terribly difficult to add a nice, subtle warmth to the sky of such a photo. This great video tutorial will show you how to quickly and effectively do just that using only Lightroom.

How to Get Photo Clients From Instagram

While a website is important, depending on what you shoot, an up-to-date Instagram account can be just as (or arguably more) important for providing a place for clients to find and contact you. If you would like to increase your bookings on Instagram, check out this fantastic video tutorial that shares five tips to help you do that, even if you do not have a lot of followers.