The importance of the positioning of the key light in portrait photography cannot be overstated, with its placement being crucial to defining the subject's features and the overall mood of the photograph. For portrait photographers, mastering key light placement is foundational, affecting everything from the sharpness of shadows to the subtleties of facial contours.
In the past few months, I have been converted to a CFExpress Type A user following some great experiences with the Exascend CFExpress cards, and this week I wanted to try out another affordable card from Pergear to see how it compares. Join me in this article as I put this card to the test.
Woodland photography can be uniquely challenging because natural forests are chaotic by nature. Trees may tilt in various directions, branches and leaves create visual clutter, and composing a balanced shot is tricky. For those aiming to create cleaner, more harmonious forest scenes, certain editing techniques can make a real difference.
I hadn’t considered the possibility of using an external monitor with my camera, but when Neewer gave me the chance to try their touchscreen field monitor, I wondered whether it would meet a particular need of mine. Now that I have tried it, it is something I am adding to my kit bag. Here’s why.
The 85mm f/1.4 lens is perhaps the most classic and highly sought-after model, offering an excellent portrait focal length in tandem with a wide maximum aperture for especially soft backgrounds. However, such lenses are often rather expensive, easily topping $2,000. So, at less than $500, the Meike 85mm f/1.4 AF is an especially intriguing option. This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Investing in camera lenses can be a tough decision, especially when balancing quality and cost. If you're considering Canon RF lenses, you might wonder if they're worth their high price of entry.
When you’re shooting fast-paced wildlife or demanding sports, the right camera can make all the difference. Canon’s new EOS R1 aims to be that difference, equipped to handle action photography, where timing, speed, and image quality are key.
While many have tips for keeping travel expenses low regionally, what happens when you start flying to landscape photography destinations? Things that work with regional travel don’t scale when limited on what you can bring. I have several tips for keeping travel costs low when flying to your destination.
Understanding terms like ISO, aperture, and shutter speed helps you take control of your shots instead of relying on automatic settings. This knowledge can make a huge difference in the quality of your photos, no matter what you shoot.
Tilt-shift lenses are a powerful tool for photographers, offering control over perspective and depth of field for creative and technical applications. However, professional tilt-shift lenses are often prohibitively expensive, which makes this lens an intriguing option.
Low- and high-angle shots play a critical role in shaping how characters and scenes are perceived in films. Understanding the nuances of these angles can improve your own work behind the camera.
Knowing how to adjust colors during photo editing can greatly improve your images. In this video, Albert Dros gives nine awesome tips on how to do it.
If you're navigating your creative journey, staying inspired and finding success can feel overwhelming. In this video, a seasoned freelance photographer shares valuable lessons from his decade-long career.
Compact cameras with fixed lenses continue to appeal to enthusiasts who value simplicity and portability. The Fujifilm X100VI is the latest in this iconic line, combining a retro aesthetic with modern performance.
Capturing dramatic landscape images isn't just about finding a great location. Timing, light, and composition play a huge role in transforming a scene into something special. Understanding how light interacts with natural elements can give your shots a unique depth and atmosphere.
Time blending can create dynamic, visually compelling images. This process involves merging photos taken at different times to showcase the contrast between natural and artificial light, offering a unique perspective on a scene.
Exposure bracketing is a technique that can significantly improve your landscape photography by helping you deal with difficult lighting situations. If you've ever struggled with blown-out skies or muddy, noisy shadows, bracketing might be the solution you're looking for.
Modern lenses are perfectly sharp and crisp. But perfection is overrated and can be rather boring. I have a solution to add some character back into my photography and videos.
As photographers, one of the first things we learn is that we should always shoot in raw. This gives us the most flexibility and data to work with in editing, with the drawback being large file sizes that have gotten even larger over the years. What if you could have all the flexibility of a raw file at ten percent of the file size?
Being a photographer for more than a decade, this is probably the shortest love story I have with camera gear, pushing the definition of a love-hate relationship to the next level.
The marketing battle between the big camera manufacturers is irrelevant. A far older and more important disagreement that has raged since the dawn of our art is as relevant today as ever. Where do you stand?
As a professional photographer, you must face all sorts of obstacles. But the highest hurdles tend to be those you put in your own way.
Long exposures are a fantastic way to simplify your scene and draw attention to your subject. But moving objects in the frame, like swaying trees or shifting boats, can blur and distract from the final image. This technique shows you how to manage motion while preserving sharpness, offering a practical approach for challenging conditions.
Feeling stuck in your photography journey can be frustrating, especially when it's easy to think new gear will solve your problems. Instead of relying on temporary fixes, it’s a good time to rethink your approach and rediscover your creative spark.
Being an artist means keeping an open mind to all possibilities. But sometimes, limiting your scope can lead to a world of opportunities.
Isn't it great to have a crystal ball to tell us our future and what's around the next corner? Unfortunately, there is no such thing, and we must live life, make mistakes, and move on. I wish I had one, especially when I started my photography journey. Here are five things I had to learn the hard way.
Whether you’re shooting for fun or for work, in the rush of modern life it can be all too easy to lose sight of the joy of photography. In this short, meditative interlude with no words, there’s plenty of inspiration to be found in just watching another photographer enjoying their own photography.
The OM System OM-1 Mark II offers a compact solution with powerful capabilities, perfect for your next adventure. Discover how this lightweight camera handles the stunning vistas of the Grand Canyon and why it might be the option you need.
Using medium format cameras for wildlife and bird photography might seem unconventional, but the Fujifilm Fujinon GF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR lens changes the game. This long telephoto lens offers excellent image quality, strong stabilization, and a surprisingly lightweight build—all while retaining the detail and resolution that make medium format so appealing.
If you’re creating content on your iPhone, Apple’s storage pricing can make it very difficult to justify using storage-heavy workflows like ProRes. Lexar’s Go Portable SSD, however, is specially designed to be the perfect external storage pairing for iPhones and other USB-C mobile devices.
Tilt-shift lenses are specialized tools for photography and even video, and you can imagine the functionality expanding further when it is also a macro lens. But what exactly can you do with such a lens that literally bends for you?
While portable editing devices offer the convenience of editing anywhere, nothing beats having a dedicated desk with a large screen for meticulous editing and post-production. Let’s see if this second-generation pen display from XPPen is worth getting.
Understanding the nuances of landscape photography can elevate your work from good to breathtaking. Composition plays a vital role in capturing stunning images.
High Dynamic Range (HDR) images can capture a range of light and detail that’s difficult to achieve with a single shot. Using Lightroom, you can merge bracketed photos into an HDR image with minimal effort, even if the photos are handheld or noisy.
Understanding how colors interact within an image can make a profound difference in how it’s perceived. Color adjustments can separate elements, guide the viewer’s focus, and even bring a certain “depth” to your photos.
The tone curve in Lightroom is a powerful tool for adjusting the exposure and tonal balance of your photos. Mastering this feature can help you achieve more refined edits, creating a polished, professional look.
SmallRig's new version of the rotating camera mount has definitely addressed the issues we had with the first version. In addition to making it compatible with most, if not all, cameras, they went the extra mile that some might think is too far.
Self-doubt can creep into any creative process, but in photography, it has a way of growing unchecked. That inner critic can leave you questioning your abilities, even if you’ve won awards or spent decades honing your craft. It’s not a lack of skill that fuels this doubt—it’s often how you compare yourself to others and how you view your own work.
The Tamron 28-300mm f/4-7.1 lens might not seem like an obvious choice for professionals, but it’s a versatile option for a wide range of situations. Whether you're traveling, exploring the outdoors, or simply need an all-in-one solution, this lens offers a lot in a compact package.
Christian Möhrle recently challenged seven pro photographers to edit the same raw photo and used it to create this video full of helpful editing tips.
Mistakes are part of growth in any craft, including photography. For landscape photography, where conditions and circumstances can change in an instant, even experienced professionals find themselves relearning old lessons. These missteps aren’t just frustrating—they’re also opportunities to adjust your approach, improve, and refine your process.
What is the best camera for landscape photography? Is there a best landscape photography camera? Typically, one would want a high-megapixel camera with great dynamic range, something easy to use in the field, and something that can handle harsh environments. Is this the best landscape photography camera?
The Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L lens is a powerhouse, offering exceptional image quality and features at a hefty price of around $2,000. On the other hand, the RF 50mm f/1.8, affectionately known as the "nifty fifty," costs just $200. With such a huge price difference, you might wonder: how much better is the premium lens compared to the budget-friendly option?
The ability to utilize a wide range of lenses is crucial for achieving creative vision and capturing diverse subjects. Lens choice impacts everything from focal length and depth of field to image stabilization and low-light performance. However, investing in a comprehensive lens collection, especially across different camera systems, can be a significant financial undertaking.
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art II lens is a great option for those who want an affordable workhorse. Here's what you can expect.
In the world of digital photography, our discussion topic has always revolved around equipment, software tricks, and tips for getting better images. But deep down, we should know that data management discipline after every shoot is also crucially important. After all, what is there to edit and publish if there is mishandling of our photo files?
The Voigtländer 75mm f/1.5 Nokton lens offers a unique blend of precision and quality. Here's a close look at how it performs.
