When learning photography, it's common to fall into the mindset of right and wrong images. This approach can stifle creativity and hinder your progress by creating unnecessary stress.
Who doesn’t love to travel and explore new places? And if you have a camera with you to document the experience, well, I can’t think of a more fun thing to be doing! I’m not including the obvious things most tip lists include, like planning ahead, shooting during golden hour, or traveling light. I’m more interested in the creative aspects of travel photography, so I’ve compiled five points to consider aimed at helping you bring home a collection of photos to be proud of—photos that tell a story and project a sense of place.
Have you ever taken your camera out of your bag while overlooking a beautiful scene, only to put it back because you felt nothing? Well, folks, I'm here to tell you that you are not alone.
In a culture of sensational media competing for our attention, an obvious path to dramatic images is to point your camera at dramatic stuff. But this photographer wants to show us the compelling beauty of the banal and the everyday that is, for most of us in this busy world, hidden in plain sight.
Unwanted shadows can significantly degrade your image quality. Here's how to fix them with better lighting.
Customizing Photoshop’s toolbar to match your workflow can streamline your editing process significantly. By eliminating unnecessary tools, you keep only the essentials visible, simplifying your interface and saving valuable editing time.
Wedding season demands preparation—not just in skill, but in how smoothly your gear and workflow run. Overlooking these details risks missed moments and increased stress.
Photography success isn't just about mastering camera settings. A huge part of your growth comes down to mindset, the less obvious but equally essential side of your craft.
Modern photo editing software offers unprecedented creative control, with thousands of filters, adjustment options, and effects available at the click of a button. Adobe Lightroom alone provides over 100 adjustment sliders, while apps like VSCO offer hundreds of preset filters. Instagram and TikTok have democratized photo editing with dozens of built-in options that users can apply instantly.
Creating magazine-quality portraits doesn't require an elaborate lighting setup or years of experience. A simple two-light technique can consistently deliver professional results when you need to work quickly and efficiently.
If you’ve picked up a micro four thirds camera or are thinking of switching, understanding how to use it effectively is key. The camera format brings specific advantages and limitations that affect your photography significantly.
Flash photography can dramatically transform your images, but beginners often trip over common mistakes. Knowing how to sidestep these pitfalls can make your photos stand out from the start.
Shooting street photography on film offers a unique way to engage more deeply with your environment. Film requires intentionality and mindfulness that digital doesn't always demand, making it especially rewarding when done thoughtfully.
Abstract photography could be your next creative breakthrough, especially when traditional subjects no longer inspire you or you're facing restrictive shooting conditions. By removing context, abstract images emphasize shapes, colors, and patterns, opening entirely new avenues for creativity.
Photographing eagles requires patience and precision, and understanding how to adapt quickly in changing conditions makes all the difference.
Standing out as a photographer today goes far beyond simply taking great pictures. With social media feeds overflowing with impressive work, capturing someone's attention long enough to build your photography business demands strategic branding and presentation.
As landscape photographers, we have all been there—tried to get a shot on many occasions and failed for one reason or another. The most frequent reason is that the weather didn't play by the rules we had in mind; however, sometimes it does, and when it does, it makes it all worthwhile. This is my story about persistence and sticking to my guns to get the dream shot.
Panasonic has added two new cameras to their Lumix S-Series lineup, the S1 II and S1 IIE. For anyone considering Panasonic’s full-frame system, here's how they compare to the popular S5 II and S5 IIX.
Photoshop has released a wave of new updates, and knowing these fresh tools can easily streamline your editing.
Want to give your landscape shots a distinctive look? Check out this helpful video tutorial on easily color-grading your photos in Lightroom.
Understanding the order in which your photo editing software applies adjustments can dramatically affect your images. Nailing this concept helps you avoid unexpected results and makes your workflow smoother and more predictable.
Infrared photography can dramatically change your images, giving black and white shots a unique, almost surreal character. Exploring infrared doesn't require an expensive setup; you can start with a simple, budget-friendly filter.
Marcus had spent three years perfecting his technical skills. His exposures were mathematically precise, his compositions followed the rule of thirds religiously, and every image emerged from his camera tack-sharp from corner to corner. His Instagram followers praised his "flawless" technique, photography forums celebrated his pixel-perfect images, and his technical knowledge could answer any camera setting question. Yet Marcus felt creatively empty.
Charles Cramer is one of the photographers whose work I greatly admire. Cramer is one of the very premier landscape photographers in the world, having printed his photographic work first using the dye transfer process, then Cibachrome/Ilfochrome (which I have also printed), and now using digital means. I thought it might be interesting for people to see what was necessary to make color prints as recently as 50 years ago.
Adobe's new "variance" feature in Camera Raw completely changes how you adjust colors and tones. If you regularly edit portraits, landscapes, or any imagery involving varied color ranges, it's worth understanding exactly how this tool can improve your editing efficiency and results.
Bird photography is more complicated—and more rewarding—than you might expect. From unexpected hours spent waiting in unbearable conditions to moments where the world narrows down to you and the perfect subject, the process stretches far beyond gear and technique.
Adobe recently updated Lightroom Classic's noise reduction, a significant change affecting how you batch process your images. Here's how to get the most from it.
Done right, gradient colors offer flexibility and creative freedom beyond standard color adjustments. Here's a creative way to make them in Photoshop.
Taking sharp wildlife and bird photos isn't easy, and understanding exactly why your images aren't crisp can be frustrating. Tackling the top reasons behind blurry wildlife shots can drastically improve your work, giving you the clarity you're after and making your images pop.
Jennifer's heart rate spiked the moment she saw the camera. Her shoulders tensed, her smile became forced, and her natural warmth disappeared behind a mask of visible discomfort. The photographer, confused by her sudden transformation, kept shooting while Jennifer grew increasingly rigid and self-conscious. By the session's end, both parties felt frustrated—the photographer couldn't understand why such a vibrant person became wooden in front of the camera, while Jennifer felt embarrassed about her obvious discomfort and disappointed with the stiff, unnatural results.
