Recent versions of Lightroom come with an improved and far more powerful masking panel that allows you to make precise and powerful adjustments with ease. While the purpose of some of these masks is clear, the intersection function is a bit trickier to use. It is well worth learning, though, as it will add even more power to your editing tools.
Have you ever packed the perfect kit for a trip only to feel weighed down by too many lens options? Or maybe you’re wandering around with a trusty zoom lens and end up missing shots while deciding which focal length to go for? This video succinctly explains why creative restraints – not flexibility – are often the key to achieving creative focus.
When we head out into the landscape to capture some epic bangers we should be full of hope and have some expectations about just what type of photos we will get and how we are going to capture them. What settings to use for each scenario can become second nature over time, however, it’s getting to that stage where most will find challenges.
We all want to be better photographers, but the journey to that destination is often anything but straightforward. If you find yourself feeling a bit stuck and unsure of how to move forward, check out this helpful video tutorial that features an experienced photographer sharing some insightful and actionable advice that is sure to put you on the right track.
Landscape photography is a captivating art form that allows us as photographers to capture the beauty of the natural world. Among the many composition techniques employed by landscape photographers, the Rule of Thirds has long been considered a fundamental guideline for creating visually appealing and balanced shots.
In the digital age, we print our photos less than ever; in fact, some of us never do. And that is a shame, as there is something really special about holding a physical manifestation of your work in your hands and hanging it on a wall where you can pass by it for years to come.
The more you improve as a photographer, the harder it becomes to take photographs you’re happy with. This is an unfortunate paradox most creatives have to endure as they hone their craft, and the psychology can impede your progress if you don’t re-evaluate and manage your expectations along the way.
Busy scenes are common in many genres of photography, and while that business can often be a nice feature, knowing how to cut through it in order to prioritize your subject is an important skill. This excellent video tutorial discusses a range of ways to simplify images to make them more direct and impactful.
Wedding photography is a challenging genre that requires rock-solid technique, the ability to think on your feet, and a ton of people skills. One of the most difficult aspects of the day is large group portraits.
While there's been much ado about the death of stock photography in the wake of AI-based imagery, there are still many photographers earning passive income from the trade. Just how are they doing that, though?
Full-time stock photographer and videographer Luka Ažman made this video that shares a few tips on how he makes money on his stock images and video.
Generally, you can expect relative stability in the amount of couples needing wedding photography services, at least across short to medium periods of time.
We have it drilled into us from the very start about the importance of good light in photos, and while that is certainly crucial, you are not always guaranteed the proper light when you press the shutter. In those situations where you know you have an image with potential, knowing how to manipulate the light a bit in post can make all the difference.
It can be easy to get caught up in things like talking about gear or finding dramatic locations for creating stunning images, but there is a lot more to becoming a successful and fulfilled photographer than just those things.
Composition is one of the trickiest parts of photography, and even seasoned veterans can sometimes struggle with it. If you find yourself struggling with it, check out this fantastic video tutorial that offers a wide range of helpful and meaningful advice sure to improve your images.
Hey, fellow landscape photography enthusiast! Can you feel that slight chill in the air yet? Yep, fall is right around the corner, and you most likely already know what that means: it's prime time for capturing those breathtaking autumnal landscapes. The vibrant colors and the cozy vibes are a landscape photographer's dream come true.
No matter what genre you shoot, understanding how light behaves and knowing how to leverage it in your images makes all the difference when it comes to making compelling photos. If you are a landscape photographer and want to improve your work, check out this excellent video tutorial that offers a ton of excellent information on the types of light in the genre and how to use them.
If hop on a platform like Instagram and look at landscape images, you will probably notice that most of the photos are rather intricate, full of a ton of elements and complicated combinations of vibrant colors. And while such photos can certainly be compelling, they are not the only way to approach landscape image compositions. Simple, direct shots can be just as eye-catching.
There are many iconic and popular locations in landscape photography, and while they offer stunning imagery, with that comes a tricky issue: creating unique images that stand out from the thousands of others also created at that spot. How do you go about that? This excellent video tutorial follows a professional landscape photographer as he does just that.
For many, it has always been a dream in the back of our heads to someday be able to escape the rat race and follow our passion in photography and turn it into a career!
Along with aperture and ISO, shutter speed is one of the three fundamental exposure parameters of photography that not only determine a technically correct exposure, but allow you to take creative control of the image-making process. As such, having it mastered is crucial to growing as a photographer.
The beauty of being a professional photographer is that you have the freedom to pursue what you love on your own terms. However, with that comes arguably its biggest drawback: the loss of guaranteed steady income and financial security. Every freelance photographer goes through lulls, and it is important to expect them and to know how to get through them.
Aside from the bride and groom, on the long list of shots a wedding photographer has to get, few rival the family portraits in terms of importance.
Shooting panoramas can be a highly rewarding exercise. However, there is always the dread in the back of my mind as to whether I will be able to stitch it correctly when back in my editing suite.
When traveling, it's often the case that photographers zero in on the iconic sights that everyone else gets: the Eiffel Tower in France, Big Ben in London, etc. But instead of capturing what everyone else gets, there are ways to capture the feel of a place without necessarily getting the "standard" shot.
If you are anything like me, you hate having to lug a tripod around, a hate which is only outmatched by your disdain for unstrapping it, setting it up, and packing it up again. If you are going to shoot handheld, though, you need to have careful technique and awareness to ensure you still come away with sharp images.
Perhaps one of the more challenging aspects of running a professional photography business is that you have to deal with all clients yourself, including those who might be looking to take advantage of you. It pays to be aware of some of the red flags these clients will frequently show before you get involved with them in order to save yourself a lot of headaches down the road.
Portrait photography is a challenging genre that requires not just a creative voice and technical command, but the ability to work with people at the same time. If you are new to the genre and would like to improve your portrait images, check out this helpful video tutorial that shares three tips that will put you on the track to better results.
It used to be that Photoshop was the place to go if you wanted to edit portraits, but in recent iterations, Lightroom has implemented some powerful tools that make it easier to edit your images without leaving the application. This great video tutorial will show you how to use those new tools for editing portrait photos.
If you've ever owned a fixed focal length wide-angle lens, you've probably noticed the numbers located between the focus ring and the aperture ring. This is the depth of field scale, and it's a valuable tool that helps you check the depth of field for different apertures and focus distances.
We all want to be better photographers, but the path to getting there is not always readily apparent. If you are feeling a little stalled out in your progress but looking to grow, check out this helpful video tutorial that features an experienced photographer sharing 10 useful tips that will put you on the path to improvement.
Hold on tight, my fellow photography enthusiasts, as we dive into the world of shutter speed! Get ready to unlock the five secrets that will make your photographs freeze time, bend reality, and maybe even make your subjects strike a pose like supermodels on a catwalk. So, grab your camera, put on your photography hat, and let's embark on this adventure.
The work of Daido Moriyama is some of the most unique of the last several decades, and it is a fantastic source from which to draw creative inspiration. The excellent video essay takes a look at Moriyama’s work and how his creative philosophy shaped his images.
Remove the complications and long lists of equipment that you think you need to create stunning portraits. Look at what Irene Rudnyk can achieve shooting with this simple LED light set up in her living room.
Landscape photography can often be a very slow process that requires a lot of preparation followed by a lot of waiting for just the right conditions and right light to develop in front of you. If you are willing to wait, though, you will often be rewarded with worthwhile images.
We often think of photo composition in an additive way, including an increasing numbers of elements in the frame to balance each other out, until the shot feels relatively full and satisfying. However, thinking about how you can leave things out of the image can often be a great way to reduce distractions and bring your viewer's attention back to the subject.
One of the neat things about landscape photography is that any one frame can be edited in numerous ways to produce many vastly different but equally compelling results.
Landscape photography is a challenging genre that requires the confluence of technical skill, creative vision, careful planning, physical effort, and sometimes, a bit of luck. If you would like to improve your landscape photos, check out this fantastic video tutorial that offers five useful tips sure to put you on the track to better images.
Ever wonder about VR filmmaking, but aren’t sure how to get started? Here is a mini-primer using the Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8 L Dual Fisheye 3D VR lens and the R5 C camera.
Composition can be one of the hardest skills of landscape photography to learn for more pleasing images. The rules can be overwhelming: the rule of thirds, leading lines, golden ratio, and more. This video brings it all down to one element to help master composition and landscape photography.
Hendrix used it. As did Hemingway. Slash still does, and so too does George Saunders. It's simple, relatable, and easy to implement. Best of all, it really does help take your creative work to the next level. Learn how you can use it, too.
Photographer's block, also known as creative block, is a common challenge that many photographers encounter during their artistic journey. It is a frustrating and sometimes overwhelming feeling of being stuck, unable to find inspiration or ideas for new photographic projects. Photographer's block can affect photographers of all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals.
In the archives of photography, few moments have been as pivotal as Robert Capa's coverage of the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944. Capa stepped onto the beaches of Normandy and captured the raw intensity of one of the most significant events of World War II, and, it can be argued, one of the most significant events in history.
Abstract photography, do you hate it or love it? Either way, there’s a lot we can learn from the techniques and utilize them in our other photographic work.
Lighting can make or break a portrait, and sometimes, you will be asked by a client to tailor your lighting design to accentuate specific characteristics or features of your subject.
It can be a strange experience to take a photo you know is sharp, only for it to look soft despite getting everything right. If you know your technique is solid, but your photos still do not look sharp enough, check out this great video tutorial that discusses some of the reasons technically sharp photos can look soft and what you can do to improve them.
Almost no landscape image is finished when you press the shutter; pretty much every photo you take is going to require some level of editing to produce a finished product. Editing does not have to be complicated, though.
Ah, the allure of the sea! The crashing waves, the salty air, and the breathtaking beauty of the coastline. If you're a beginner photographer looking to embark on a seascape photography journey, you're in for a treat.