Trending Photography News and Reviews

Easy Steps to Make Colors Pop

Making colors pop in your photos doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a few straightforward adjustments, you can make your images vibrant and polished, whether you’re working in Photoshop or Lightroom.

This Camera was a Lot of Fun!

The recent resurrection of film and instant film cameras never really interested me until a few months ago. I love shooting digital, mostly because I can just keep going until my heart is content, but that was until I discovered this gem of an instant film camera.

Film Recipes: A Shortcut to Nostalgia or a Creative Dead End?

The art of translating the nostalgic essence of film into digital photography has gained momentum, bridging the gap between analog textures and the precision of modern technology. Are presets and recipes a shortcut to this nostalgia, or do they stifle creativity?

The Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4: A Budget Portrait Lens Worth Considering?

Portrait photography often calls for a lens that can isolate your subject with a shallow depth of field while maintaining sharpness. The Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4 lens offers these features at a budget-friendly price. Whether you’re looking to step up your portrait game or experiment with low-light shooting, this lens might be worth a look.

Mastering Simplicity: Tips for Better Landscape Photography

Simplicity in landscape photography is not as easy as it sounds. The natural world is filled with complexity, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the visual elements. However, simplifying a scene can help create more powerful, evocative images, making it easier for viewers to connect with your work.

What’s New in Adobe Lightroom Classic 14.0: Key Updates Explained

Lightroom Classic 14.0 has introduced updates that aim to refine the editing process, from enhanced tools to smarter file management. For those who spend hours perfecting images, these changes could make a big difference in productivity and ease of use.

When to Prioritize Shutter Speed or Aperture in the Field

Shutter speed and aperture are two key components of the exposure triangle. Even if you are familiar with their role in proper exposure, you might struggle with when you should prioritize one over the other for the scene you are photographing. What elements should you be considering?

Ditch the Algorithm: Why Substack Is Perfect for Photographers

In an era dominated by social media algorithms and fleeting engagement, photographers often struggle to reach audiences in any meaningful way. With established social media platforms at saturation point, it’s become harder to reach the people who follow you, let alone new audiences.

Flash vs. Video Light: When to Use Each for Better Photos

Choosing between a flash and a video light can make or break the mood and quality of your photos. Both tools have their strengths, but knowing when to use each is key to capturing the right look without disrupting your environment.

Is This The Compact Film Camera I Had Hoped For?

Shortly after I last mused about what I thought would be the perfect new compact film camera for 2025, I discovered that there was a camera in the works that seemed to tick every box I hoped for: the Analogue AF1. But with little more than a gorgeous website promising the moon at a modest price, I held off, preferring to wait for more details before getting too sentimental about what could be the long-awaited savior of compact film photography.

Insta360 Ace Pro 2: A New Contender To The Action Cam Throne?

When it comes to action cameras, this time of year seems to be when all the main players release their latest and greatest iterations to the market, each promising to be better than before and better than the rest. Enter the ring, Insta360 and the Ace Pro 2, which promises to shake things up quite considerably.

Why Is This Newly Released Zoom With a Gargantuan Reach Causing a Stir?

Sometimes I am sent lenses to test, and I can’t wait to send them back. Others stay attached to my camera for as long as possible before they are returned. What I chose to do with this 150-600mm lens took me by utter surprise, and there is good reason why it is making a mark.

A Compact Powerhouse: Introducing the Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 Lens

Viltrox, as you know, has established itself as a go-to brand for photographers looking for quality glass at a more affordable price. The Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 takes that ethos a step further, offering a compact, lightweight option that seems tailored for street photographers and travelers. With its discreet design and modest f/4.5 aperture, this lens feels like it’s made for those who prioritize portability without sacrificing sharpness.

Is the Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8 the Best All-in-One Lens for the Price?

If you need a lens that can cover a lot of ground without switching gear, the Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8 DG DN Art might be what you’re looking for. With a constant f/2.8 aperture and a flexible focal range, it aims to be a one-lens solution for many types of shooting environments.

A Better Way to Enhance Contrast and Detail in Lightroom

Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw give you plenty of powerful tools to enhance your images, but some adjustments can do more harm than good if used incorrectly. Over-processing is easy to spot—crushed shadows, unnatural contrast, and an artificial look that takes away from the image instead of improving it. Three sliders in particular tend to cause the most damage when misused.

Why Sensor Size Matters More Than Megapixels

Megapixels alone don’t determine the quality of your camera’s images. For most people, the number of megapixels in a camera is often viewed as the ultimate measure of quality. But this thinking misses the bigger picture—there’s more to it than just the number of pixels.

Sigma vs. Tamron vs. Canon: Which Zoom Lens Wins?

High-end zoom lenses can make a real difference in the quality of your images. If you’re considering lenses with both versatility and speed, the Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8, Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8, and Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 are all worth looking at.

Turn Rainy Days Into Creative Opportunities With This Technique

Long-exposure photography isn’t just for tripods and perfect lighting conditions. With the right technique, you can create surreal, motion-filled images handheld, even on a rainy day. This can turn an otherwise uninspiring scene into something captivating.

A Four-Step Approach to Photo Editing for Beginners

Editing photos can feel overwhelming when you’re just starting out. With so many tools available, deciding where to begin often leads to trial and error. If you’ve ever struggled with this, a clear workflow can make all the difference.

How to Handle Zillow Showcase Requests and Offer Better Options

As Zillow pushes its Showcase platform to brokerages, real estate media professionals face new challenges and opportunities. Understanding how this platform works and its impact on listings is key to staying ahead in a competitive market.

Aiarty Image Matting Removes Any Background Precisely with AI

In today's fast-paced world of AI and digital photography, tools like Aiarty Image Matting are transforming workflows for photographers. Designed for creators and businesses, it uses advanced AI to deliver precise background removal, even for challenging images. As a professional photographer, I find background removal essential in most of my commercial work, and sometimes dealing with a complex subject can be frustrating.

Review of the SmallRig VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount Battery

There is a lot of power required for video recordings, often more than a normal camera battery can deliver for an extended period of time. An external battery can be the answer to that problem. I have reviewed the excellent SmallRig VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount battery.

What Is The Artist's Responsibility In Times Of Struggle?

As my hometown of Los Angeles continues to combat historic fires, my thoughts have once again been drawn to the age-old question posed by artists throughout time: What is the role of artists in times of strife?

How to Create a Dark Blue Aesthetic in Lightroom

Crafting a compelling edit starts with a solid foundation. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a striking dark blue aesthetic using only Lightroom Classic. The process covers cleaning up distractions, adjusting basic settings, and enhancing the image with detailed masking and color grading.

How to Edit Dusk Photos for Maximum Impact

Dusk is a short but powerful window of time for photos. Right after sunset, the sky turns deep blue, and city lights start to glow. It’s an ideal moment to capture dramatic scenes, but getting the editing right is key.

A Review of the Affordable DJI Mini 4K

The new DJI Mini 4K offers a very affordable and portable entry into the world of drone photography and filmmaking. Can it match your needs? This excellent video takes a look at what to expect.

How to Shoot While Tethered to Your iPhone or iPad

Shooting tethered can be useful for so many things, from having a better screen to view an image on, to being able to record what your camera sees for real behind-the-scenes footage. In this video, Jiggie Alejandrino shows you how he does it and how valuable it can be.
Aftershoot: Hours Worth of Editing Reduced to Minutes

Working as a photographer for over a decade has helped me realize one important thing: I hate editing photos. I absolutely love every aspect of being a photographer, except for the editing. This is why Aftershoot has been incredibly useful to me.

Lightroom and Photoshop Tips You’ll Use Every Day

Editing your photos is just as important as capturing them. By mastering a few key tools in Lightroom and Photoshop, you can fix imperfections, enhance details, and transform an image into something extraordinary.

Functional and Practical: We Review the Peak Design Everyday Sling

Peak Design is known for their functional designs of camera accessories that are coupled with sleek and modern aesthetics, and the Everyday Sling is no different. Available in three sizes: 3L, 6L, and 10L, the Everyday Sling has you covered whatever your shooting and wherever your travels take you.

What This Photographer Is Taking Forward to 2025 and Leaving Behind in 2024

The turn of the new year is the perfect time for reflection and renewal. For photographers, this moment can be used to evaluate the practices that either propel creativity or hold it back. As we step into 2025, I’m taking stock of the ways I work, create, and connect, making conscious decisions about what to carry forward and what to leave behind. Here’s my roadmap for growth and fulfillment in photography for the coming year.

Which Nikon Should You Buy In 2024?

With the announcement of the new Nikon Z6III last week, it inspired me to have a little fun thought experiment as the Nikon lineup of mirrorless cameras continues to take shape.

Why Pretty Photos Might Be Holding You Back

Is a beautiful photo enough? It might grab attention at first glance, but does it hold meaning beyond the surface? Many start with the goal of capturing visually stunning images, but over time, it becomes clear that beauty alone isn’t always fulfilling. Photography can achieve so much more by telling stories, evoking emotions, and inviting deeper reflection.

Why I Still Prefer the Optical Viewfinder Over the Electronic Viewfinder

In an era where electronic viewfinders have dominated most mirrorless cameras, it may seem old-fashioned to still use a DSLR camera with an optical viewfinder. Yet, as someone who has spent more than a decade behind the lens, constantly switching between mirrorless and DSLR, I still find myself drawn to the simplicity and authenticity of the optical viewfinder.

Preserving Your Memories: Epson FF-680W Photo Scanner Review

Archiving old family photos can be a daunting task, especially when faced with large stacks of prints. If you’ve been searching for a faster way to digitize and preserve these memories, a high-speed photo scanner could be a game-changer.

How to Organize and Back Up Your Photos

The start of a new year is the perfect time to prepare your files, backups, and workflow for the months ahead. This organizational groundwork not only ensures your files are safe but also frees you to focus on creative work instead of dealing with last year's clutter.

Lightroom Slider Secrets: A Guide to Sharpening and Contrast

Understanding how key sliders in Lightroom work can transform your approach. Sliders like Texture, Clarity, and Dehaze are powerful tools that shape how details, edges, and light appear in your photos. Learning their nuances helps you make informed decisions when enhancing your images.