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Illya Ovchar
Munich, DE

Articles written by Illya Ovchar

Really? Is Expensive Gear Actually Even Worth It?

With the market inundated with countless products, it can be overwhelming to choose the right price point for the gear you need. Does the price tag truly reflect the quality and performance of the equipment? Let's dive into this question.

The 5 Best Gear Purchases I've Made

After delving into some of the regrettable gear choices I've made, it's time to shift the focus to the gear that has truly excelled in my toolkit. In this article, I'll share the equipment that brings me joy whenever I use it. Be it a camera, or a light stand, or even a keyboard, it's all in here.

Gear I Should Have Never Bought: 2023 Edition

It's true that I frequently test and use a wide range of gear. With numerous options at our disposal, not all gear is of equal quality. I'll readily admit that I've made some rather regrettable gear decisions. Reflecting on my inventory, I've chosen to revise the list of items that turned out to be poor choices.

My 2023 Post-Processing Setup for Capture One

As photographers, we spend a significant amount of our time post-processing images, writing emails, and engaging in other computer-related tasks. While we often scrutinize the gear photographers use for shooting, there is seldom an in-depth exploration of the post-production setup they employ. In this article, I will showcase my post-processing arrangement.

LaCie 8 TB D2 Drive Review: Affordable, Fast, Reliable

Storage is one of the most critical necessities for a content creator. After all, without a place to store your work, you can't enjoy the freedom of creating. While it might be fine to store your shoots on your computer initially, you will soon run out of storage space. This is when a product like the LaCie D2 external HDD drive becomes essential.

We Review theRocknRoller Cart R12T: Every Photographer Needs One!

There is something innately annoying about having to carry stuff. I can't decide if it’s shoulder pain, back pain, or just a general need to do physical activity. If you are a photographer who has to bring out more gear than a camera bag’s worth, this is a product for you. Don’t think so? Then read on!

From PVA Glue to Motor Oil: Illegal Practices in Food Photography

There is a lot of questionable information and hacks pertaining to photography on the internet. No genre is as notorious as food photography, where some people suggest pouring motor oil on pancakes and using PVA glue instead of cheese. However, some of these practices are literally illegal. Read on to find out why.

5 Secrets To Successful Photos

What separates a good image from a mediocre one? As a photographer who has conducted over 50 shoots in the past few months, this is a question I've asked myself countless times. Through this continuous exploration and practice, I've become adept at recognizing the essential components that elevate an image to greatness. In this article, I'll share my insights and reveal the five crucial ingredients that contribute to the creation of a remarkable photograph.

Redefining Success: What Truly Makes a You A Successful Photographer

Success in photography is a fairly vague metric. Some measure it by the number of followers on Instagram, others by ratings on photography forums, and some people by the gear you use. However, none of these three things mean success. In fact, a photographer who shoots on the latest gear, gets 5-star ratings on forums, and has a million followers is not necessarily successful. Here is what an actually successful photographer is.

Capture One 23 Review: It’s Time to Switch for Good

Having used Capture One for a while now, I came to understand that I never gave the software a proper review. Not an article that talks about tips, or one that only talks about the positive, but a proper in-depth review. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Well, here is my review of the latest version of Capture One.

How to Win on Instagram Starting Today

Instagram is one of the most important marketing tools for photographers in 2023. Being able to optimize your images for the platform so that they perform best is a great way to attract new customers and build a following. In this article, I will explain some of the things that work well for photographers on Instagram.

Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch 360 – Small Size, Surprisingly Good Results

The world of image-making is evolving daily. One such development is the introduction of one-inch sensors to smaller cameras and mobile phones. One of the problems with smaller cameras in the past was that the sensor was too small to capture appropriate detail. Insta360 has recently come out with the one-inch edition of its popular 360 camera, which sets a new standard for photographers and filmmakers worldwide.

We Review Profoto Clic 2.7' Softbox – Not for Everyone

Reviewing good light modifiers is one of my favorite types of reviews to write. As I highly value light, I aim to cover light-shaping tools more than anything else. When this softbox was released, my thoughts were split in half. On one hand, I see how it is useful, but on the other, it is simply not for the majority. Read on to find out why.

We Review the Profoto Clic Magnum: A Must-Have Modifier

Something that was always missing from the Profoto Clic lineup was hard reflectors. Being very low-powered while also aimed to be used outside, the A series was a bit of a mystery to me. After all, can you really work in harsh sun with a light that can't do anything about it? Well, now you can. Your 100-watt light becomes 1.7 stops more powerful, making it suitable for more location work.

Five Things That Are Guaranteed to Skyrocket Your Photography Career

When talking about improvement in photography, we often hear a lot of nonsense answers, such as upgrading equipment, hiring more staff, trying to find a niche, and so on. This isn't bad advice, and I give it as well. The thing is, it is so generic and so common that it has lost its meaning. Here are some real tips on how to become a better photographer.

The Real Difference Between Cheap and Expensive Light Modifiers

I get a lot of commentary on using expensive photo equipment, most notably lighting. Fair enough, a $400 softbox is not for everyone, and most people find it ridiculous to use a modifier this expensive. However, there are good reasons to use such tools. Here is why.

Here Is How I Upgrade My Gear as a Professional Photographer

There are infinite ways of upgrading gear as a photographer. Moreover, camera companies market their next product as the next best thing in the industry. All this results in a lot of confusion, speculation, and simple ambiguity. If we could, we would all upgrade everything at once, but money is a limited resource that we need to allocate with a high degree of efficiency.

You Can’t Be a Professional Photographer Without Having This

There are only a select few truly universal things that every photographer must have. While you may think of the obvious, such as cameras, lenses, bags, and other kit, we won't talk about any of these in this particular article. Instead, we will talk more about a service that every photographer must use in order to be a real pro.

High Quality, Low Cost: 8 Cameras for Livestreaming in 2023

As we all know, livestreaming can be a very expensive adventure. If you want to go beyond streaming from mobile phones, which are great, by the way, you will need to spend money on some higher-end equipment. This is why we put together a list of the top eight cameras for livestreaming that will deliver high quality at low cost.

Pro Results With a Low Budget: Gear Beginners Should Buy Today

Being a photographer can be a very expensive endeavor. Seeing pros on the internet have the latest and greatest gear in large quantities makes you wonder if this is what you need to be one of them. The truth is, no. Here is our list of basic gear that you need to start a business.