You're probably not using about 100% of your camera's capabilities. Canon has quietly embedded a treasure trove of advanced features that could revolutionize your photography—features so specialized, most photographers never discover them.
The constrictive algorithms, toxicity, and competitive atmosphere of some social media platforms can be a drain on your creativity as a photographer. By contrast, the platforms that foster a sense of community and support can be great portals for photographers to connect and share their work.
Here's a radical thought: the most underutilized piece of equipment in your camera bag isn't that expensive filter you never remember to use or the flash modifier gathering dust on your shelf. It's something else that came with your camera and that you probably tossed aside.
Editing photos doesn't have to feel like a chore you dread. Instead, it's possible to streamline your approach and eliminate the clutter that's keeping you stuck at the desk.
Kevin Jairaj has been the Official Photographer for the College Football Playoff National Championship since its inception in 2015 and has become sought after for sports, weddings, and events in London; Trinidad and Tobago; the Bahamas; the USA; and, especially, his home state of Texas. Kevin has covered multiple Super Bowls and the Olympics. He shares why double exposures aren't artful, why panning skill is essential, and which standard piece of gear is "obsolete."
In an era where 24-240mm superzooms promise to capture "everything you need" in a single lens, suggesting that photographers should intentionally limit themselves to fixed focal lengths sounds almost heretical. Yet the most compelling case for prime lens education lies in understanding how constraint-based learning accelerates skill development and creates better photographic habits.
The most expensive photograph you'll ever lose is the one you never backed up.
As photographers progress in their journey, admittedly, there’s a natural tendency to gravitate more toward the technical side of things, including myself. The reason is simple: technical improvements are measurable metrics and rather reassuring. You can objectively tell if your images are sharper, your exposures more accurate, and have a higher dynamic range. Whereas growth in reactionary and observational skill sets like instinct is not easily measurable, let alone translated through a camera into our work.
War teaches you how to see. Not in an artistic sense, but in a survival sense. Every detail is information, and every flicker of movement becomes a decision. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that constant scanning and forced situational awareness rewired the way I perceive everything. I went to war with a rifle and a camera; only one still shapes how I see the world today.
Black and white photography demands a different kind of approach. Knowing when and how to convert your images can mean the difference between a photo that commands attention and one that feels flat.
Posing portraits shouldn't be complicated, yet it's an area many find challenging. Getting poses right transforms your images from ordinary to powerful.
Choosing your first landscape photography camera isn't about specs alone—it’s about finding gear that suits you personally. The right camera can make the difference between thriving or getting stuck worrying about equipment.
Many landscape photographers complain that their local area for photography is uninteresting. While travel for landscape photography can be invigorating, your local area has untapped potential waiting to be discovered. Have you taken the time to explore your local area to find interesting scenes?
Understanding light isn't just about technical skill; it's about transforming ordinary scenes into standout images. Knowing how to read and use various types of natural light can help you create more interesting and satisfying photos, regardless of weather or conditions.
Removing glare from glasses is a constant challenge when editing portraits, especially if you want a clean, realistic look without losing facial detail. Whether shooting professionally or for fun, glare can detract from your photos, making mastering this skill valuable.
When Kodak filed for bankruptcy in 2012, it wasn't just the end of an iconic brand—it was the tombstone marking the grave of a centuries-old apprenticeship system that had been the backbone of professional photography education. Today's Instagram-famous photographers may command six-figure day rates, but they've never experienced the foundational learning that came from spending years in the trenches as a photography assistant, and the industry is weaker for it.
Want to take better wildlife photos without spending a load of cash? This photographer shares a series of smart, surprisingly simple tips that can dramatically improve your images—and your experience in the field. And yes, they’re all completely free.
Many photographers fall into the trap of believing their hometown lacks photogenic subjects while envying images from distant locations. This mindset blinds you to compelling compositions that exist right under your nose, requiring a deliberate shift in perspective to rediscover familiar places.
Creating compelling photography work often means thinking beyond the single image. When you approach your craft as a series of connected photographs rather than isolated shots, you unlock storytelling potential that individual images simply cannot achieve on their own.
Your portraits might look technically correct but still feel off in ways you can't quite pinpoint. The difference between amateur and professional-looking portraits often comes down to six specific mistakes that most people make without realizing it.
When your subject gets lost in a busy composition, even the most technically perfect image falls flat. The solution lies in understanding how to manipulate light and shadow within your editing workflow to guide your viewer's eye exactly where you want it to go.
Most photographers dismiss cat photography as amateur hour, but they're missing a crucial training opportunity. Your feline subjects actually offer some of the most challenging and educational shooting scenarios you'll encounter.
Converting color images to black and white in Lightroom often produces flat, uninspiring results that lack the punch of dedicated monochrome cameras. The secret isn't in expensive hardware but in understanding how to properly handle the conversion process and subsequent editing workflow.
Photographing popular locations presents a dilemma that every landscape photographer faces at some point. The tension between capturing iconic scenes that countless others have shot and creating something genuinely personal can feel impossible to resolve.
Camera gear often becomes deeply personal, with certain models leaving lasting impressions that shape how you approach photography for years to come. The cameras that inspire you aren't always the most expensive or technically advanced—sometimes it's about timing, circumstance, or simply how a particular tool unlocks new creative possibilities.
Making the leap from editorial photography to commercial work presents unique challenges that can make or break your career trajectory. The pressure to maintain your authentic voice while meeting client expectations often creates tension that many photographers struggle to navigate successfully.
Adobe continues rolling out new features for Photoshop, and two recent additions deserve your attention if you work with text or color adjustments regularly.
Documenting local history through photography creates a deeper connection between images and the people who lived the stories. Your camera can capture much more than moments—it can preserve the identity of a community.
Most people entering photography expect to start earning decent money within a couple of years, but the reality is far harsher than anyone wants to admit. The timeline for building a profitable photography business often stretches much longer than the optimistic projections you'll find in most career advice.
Most photographers struggle to find organized photo walks in their area, leaving them to shoot alone or wonder how they could create their own community events. The reality is that there's a significant shortage of photo walks everywhere, creating an opportunity for you to step up and fill this gap in your local photography scene.
Lighting can make or break your portraits, yet many people struggle with creating natural-looking illumination that flatters their subjects. The difference between amateur and professional-looking portraits often comes down to understanding just a few key lighting principles.
Street photography demands more than just technical skill—it requires a fundamental shift in how you approach both your subjects and your craft. Most people struggle with confidence and direction when they first step onto the streets with their camera, missing countless opportunities because they hesitate or lack a clear vision.
Choosing the correct tripod is essential, and there’s nothing worse than spending too much money only to discover you’ve made the wrong decision. Here, examine Peak Design’s Travel Tripods, which are great for highlighting what we should look for.
Using different white balance settings within a single image can dramatically enhance your photos. Here's how to do it in Lightroom.
Many photographers assume shooting wide-open with lenses like f/1.4 or f/1.2 guarantees cinematic shots, but this habit often results in softer images. Understanding when and how to adjust your aperture is essential for achieving genuinely sharp and compelling images.
Restoring damaged photographs with AI can seem straightforward, but getting realistic results requires more than just a good algorithm. Knowing how to blend AI with human adjustments can drastically improve your restoration workflow.
Photography isn’t about mastering a list of rules, and understanding that can transform your approach. Clinging rigidly to rules can limit your growth and creativity, leaving you stuck instead of progressing.
When learning photography, it's common to fall into the mindset of right and wrong images. This approach can stifle creativity and hinder your progress by creating unnecessary stress.
Who doesn’t love to travel and explore new places? And if you have a camera with you to document the experience, well, I can’t think of a more fun thing to be doing! I’m not including the obvious things most tip lists include, like planning ahead, shooting during golden hour, or traveling light. I’m more interested in the creative aspects of travel photography, so I’ve compiled five points to consider aimed at helping you bring home a collection of photos to be proud of—photos that tell a story and project a sense of place.
Have you ever taken your camera out of your bag while overlooking a beautiful scene, only to put it back because you felt nothing? Well, folks, I'm here to tell you that you are not alone.
In a culture of sensational media competing for our attention, an obvious path to dramatic images is to point your camera at dramatic stuff. But this photographer wants to show us the compelling beauty of the banal and the everyday that is, for most of us in this busy world, hidden in plain sight.
Unwanted shadows can significantly degrade your image quality. Here's how to fix them with better lighting.
Customizing Photoshop’s toolbar to match your workflow can streamline your editing process significantly. By eliminating unnecessary tools, you keep only the essentials visible, simplifying your interface and saving valuable editing time.
Wedding season demands preparation—not just in skill, but in how smoothly your gear and workflow run. Overlooking these details risks missed moments and increased stress.
Photography success isn't just about mastering camera settings. A huge part of your growth comes down to mindset, the less obvious but equally essential side of your craft.
Modern photo editing software offers unprecedented creative control, with thousands of filters, adjustment options, and effects available at the click of a button. Adobe Lightroom alone provides over 100 adjustment sliders, while apps like VSCO offer hundreds of preset filters. Instagram and TikTok have democratized photo editing with dozens of built-in options that users can apply instantly.
Creating magazine-quality portraits doesn't require an elaborate lighting setup or years of experience. A simple two-light technique can consistently deliver professional results when you need to work quickly and efficiently.
If you’ve picked up a micro four thirds camera or are thinking of switching, understanding how to use it effectively is key. The camera format brings specific advantages and limitations that affect your photography significantly.
Flash photography can dramatically transform your images, but beginners often trip over common mistakes. Knowing how to sidestep these pitfalls can make your photos stand out from the start.