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Ray Sheffer
Friday Harbor, WA, WA

Bookmarked Articles

You've Been Lied To: Gear Matters!

You can find many articles online that state "Gear doesn't Matter." Some point out that constraints created by the limitations of your equipment force you to become more creative and present an opportunity for growth. And that's true. But the statement "Gear doesn't Matter" is not true.

How to Shoot Portraits in Poor Natural Light

Navigating low-light conditions remains one of the most challenging scenarios for photographers, requiring a deep understanding of camera settings and creative use of available resources. This helpful video provides valuable insights and practical advice that can significantly enhance the quality of photos taken in such tricky environments.

How to Create Stunning Wave Photos

The beauty of waves is that no two are the same, and you can create dramatic and dynamic photos with just a little know-how. This fantastic video tutorial will show you everything you need to know.

The Secret to Making Low Budget Films Look Expensive

Every videographer and filmmaker has to start somewhere and it can seem as if you need tens of thousands of dollars at your disposal to create anything worthwhile, but you don't. Here is one filmmaker's secret to making low-budget films look expensive.
5 Lighting Hacks You Won't Find in YouTube Tutorials

Learning lighting is often considered the first step toward capturing better photos. When I began my journey, I delved into discovering various techniques and unconventional methods for creating truly unique setups that leave clients in awe. In this article, I will share my five favorite lighting hacks.

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.

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.

Will Going Pro Ruin Your Love of Photography?

One of the most common warnings you will hear about going pro as a photographer is that it will ruin your love for the craft. Why is that? Is it true, and if so, what can you do to mitigate that? This excellent video essay features a long-time professional photographer discussing the issue and his experience.

An Important Reminder of What Matters in Landscape Photography

For many people, landscape photography has become a popularity contest, chasing likes and adulation over creative inspiration and an individual voice. And that is a shame for many reasons, both individual and collective. This important video essay features an experienced landscape photographer discussing the issue and what really matters in the craft.

Adapt or Perish: AI Is to Digital What Digital Was to Analog

AI this, AI that. I know, we're all getting a bit fatigued with the conversation. But, the truth is, it is looking as if it will be the next major evolution in many industries, photography included. And so, it's worth reminding ourselves that we must adapt or perish.
Top Creative Photographers Have 10 Things in Common: Part One

Do you struggle with creativity? In the first of this two-part series, we will look at what science and psychology have discovered about people who are creative. The good news is that they are habits that you can learn. Here are some exercises to help you with that.

Boudoir Photography: Tips, Tricks, and Techniques for Success

The primary objective for boudoir photographers is to empower their subjects, encouraging them to embrace their unique beauty and sensuality. Photographers can highlight the individual's strengths and showcase their personality through careful posing, lighting, and composition, creating a personalized and intimate experience.

Woodland Photography at Night

Woodland photography works best during foggy days. It helps to simplify the often chaotic forest environment. Soft sunlight early in the morning or late in the evening can also create a beautiful mood for your woodland photos. But what if you have neither fog nor the right light conditions? You can create those yourself, as I show in this article.

Are TFP Photo Shoots Really a Trade or Is Someone Simply Working for Free?

Collaborating with models for trade shoots, often referred to as TFP (Time for Print), provides a wealth of benefits to both parties involved. In this type of collaboration, neither party charges for their services, but both receive valuable assets in the form of high-quality images that can be used to build their respective portfolios.

5 More Photo Editing Mistakes to Avoid

In a recent article, I shared a selection of easy-to-avoid photo editing mistakes. Today, it's time for five more. Some of them might sound obvious, while others are more subtle. What they all have in common: they can ruin an otherwise great edit.

Benro Theta: World’s First Smart Tripod You Will Love

As a photographer, you know that having the right gear can sometimes make all the difference, and this includes tripods. With the launch of the Benro Theta, shooting just became more fun and easy. This revolutionary tripod combines portability, stability, and intelligence, making it one of the most essential tools for photographers on the go.

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