The $600 Portrait Lens That Competes With Top-End Options
If you're looking for a lens that gives you dreamy portraits without breaking the bank, there's a compelling new option.
If you're looking for a lens that gives you dreamy portraits without breaking the bank, there's a compelling new option.
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.
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.
Maria noticed it first during her daughter's birthday party. She'd positioned herself discreetly across the room with her camera, hoping to capture genuine moments of joy and surprise. But something felt wrong. The children weren't behaving naturally—they kept glancing toward phones, adjusting their positions slightly when they sensed potential photo opportunities. Even the adults unconsciously angled themselves for better documentation.
Today, I’ll share a few thoughts on the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S lens after getting a chance to use it on a real-world test.
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.
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.
If you have ever used a geared ball head for photography, especially with a heavier setup, you will know how frustrating it can be to rotate the camera into the vertical position using the gear head. The entire rig becomes rather imbalanced, and with a heavier lens setup, the base mounting plate tends to slowly loosen, causing the camera to slide downwards, which is both rather annoying and worrying.
Photographing eagles requires patience and precision, and understanding how to adapt quickly in changing conditions makes all the difference.
Sarah posted another sunset photo from her weekend getaway, carefully edited with warm filters that made the moment look even more magical than it had felt in person. Within minutes, the likes and comments began flowing: "Gorgeous!" "So jealous!" "Living your best life!" Each notification brought a small rush of validation, proof that her 847 followers were watching, appreciating, connecting with her experiences.
Adobe has released, without fanfare, a work-in-progress camera app for iPhones that shows tremendous promise, and I think it will excite photographers. The app is part of Adobe's Indigo Project.
Destin at Smarter Every Day recently released a brutally honest video about attempting and failing to make a simple product in the USA after 4 years. Most people don't understand why it's so hard, and what's wrong with our manufacturing. Let's take a deeper look.
Here's how I failed at becoming a full-time photographer.
Sarah thought she'd found the perfect wedding photographer. The portfolio looked stunning, the price seemed reasonable, and the photographer's enthusiasm during their initial consultation convinced her they were the right choice. She signed the contract and paid the deposit immediately, excited about the beautiful photos she'd receive.
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S sits in an interesting position within Nikon's full frame mirrorless lens lineup. You might assume all f/1.8 S-line lenses perform equally, but that assumption could cost you both money and image quality.
They say there are as many 50mm lenses as there are cups of coffee in a photographer’s lifetime—and for good reason. This classic focal length continues to hold a special place in every photographer’s bag, often with more than one variant in rotation.
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.
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.
Landscape photography is crowded with opinions and advice, and sorting out the myths from reality can lead you toward more trouble-free results. Common misconceptions often cause unnecessary limitations in how you approach your photography.
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.
As a professional photographer, I'm always on the lookout for tools that punch above their weight, especially when it comes to lighting. When I first got my hands on the Viltrox Vintage Z1, I'll admit, its retro aesthetic did scratch an itch for me, being an insufferable vintage aficionado. It's a remarkably lightweight unit, coming in at just 116 grams, and at a mere $50, my expectations were tempered.
The bell above the door hadn't stopped ringing for twenty minutes. It was a Saturday afternoon in March 1985, and Harrison Camera on 47th Street was packed with its usual crowd: wedding photographers arguing about lens choices, art students pawing through used equipment bins, tourists asking endless questions about film types, and the regulars who came not to buy anything but simply to belong somewhere that understood their obsession.
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.
Want to give your landscape shots a distinctive look? Check out this helpful video tutorial on easily color-grading your photos in Lightroom.
Air travel can be filled with uncertainty, and more so with camera gear. I've traveled domestically in the United States and internationally as well, learning a few strategies along the way. I'll share some of these tips to help you fly with photography equipment a little easier.
If you've struggled with editing photos that have excessively bright highlights and deep, dark shadows, Lightroom's Adobe Neutral profile could fundamentally change your approach. This lesser-used tool offers distinct editing advantages, especially in complicated lighting situations.
As creatives, we spend a lot of time at our computers, where the cumulative strain on our hands, wrists, and shoulders is a real concern. While ergonomic mice and chairs have become more common, the keyboard often remains an afterthought. Enter the ZSA Moonlander, a split, ergonomic keyboard promising a highly customizable and comfortable typing experience. It aims to be a premium solution for discerning users and keyboard aficionados. But is it a worthwhile investment for creative professionals? I've been testing the Moonlander over the last few weeks, and here are my thoughts.
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.
Apple's latest M4 MacBook Air is here and I put it head to head against Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 7th Edition. Both laptops are exactly $1,000 and have almost identical specs, but one of them is better in almost every way.
You reach a certain point in your photography life when you realize that you need to bring a lot of gear for a lot of reasons but also need to be kind to your body. This convertible roller camera bag aims to cater to your changing needs.
I’ve been a fan of SanDisk’s portable Extreme Pro SSDs for many years. When I travel with my laptop, I take a couple with me so I can back up my photos and videos each day. The ones I’ve been using transfer data up to 2,000 MB/s (sustainable read and write speed). They’re also very durable, with good water and dust resistance (IP65).
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.
Peak Design has announced three new tripods that they are launching through a Kickstarter campaign. I’ve been lucky enough to play with the prototypes, and what I have seen has impressed me so much that I think the company should win the tripod crown.
Photography can help improve people's mental health. It’s a mindful activity that brings moderate exercise outdoors, which can help our mood. However, with every advantage in photography, there is always a disadvantage, and the damage photography does to our brains is exacerbated by AI.
Photography is an artistic pursuit, and yet shares similarities with sports. While fundamentally an individual activity, there is a necessary social component that enhances the experience. How do these two strains interact in our photographic journey?
Luminar, known for its user-friendly photo editing software, has expanded its availability to Android tablets, bringing powerful editing tools to more devices. Here's a first look.
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.
New camera iterations often offer incremental upgrades that don't always align with specific needs. Yet, some cameras break the mold, igniting a genuine sense of intrigue and the undeniable pull of Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S.). Enter the Sigma BF. This isn't just another camera; its promise of being uniquely good, undeniably quirky, and refreshingly different made it an instant standout.
Photography has always been a mirror of its time, but the digital age has transformed it from a tool of documentation into a weapon of self-delusion. The camera, once used to capture reality, now serves primarily to manufacture it. What we photograph, how we photograph it, and why we photograph it reveals a society that has lost touch with authentic experience, commodified human connection, and replaced genuine accomplishment with the performance of success.
When choosing a lens, the priorities you might typically have, like sharpness, character, or lens speed, begin to shift dramatically if you have to choose just one. You then start considering versatility above all, searching for a single lens that covers a variety of situations easily.
What do you do when you’re out and about and forgot your camera? Well, if for some strange reason you don’t want to use your phone, Five Below has you covered. I checked out the store’s $15 camera offering, the Up-Tech Mini Digital Camera. Is it worth it?
Getting your camera settings right from the start not only improves image quality, it helps you become more deliberate as a creative. Choosing a manual approach can shift photography from a reactive activity to something more intentional and rewarding.
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.
Although designed for gamers, the 16.1" Arzopa Z1FC Grey display should also be great for photographers and especially videographers with its HDR facility. Here's the result of my deep dive into it.
Instagram isn't what it used to be, especially if you're sharing your photography. Likes often seem scarce, and the frustration of competing against content like viral cat videos or controversial posts is real.
The photography industry has convinced beginners that better equipment equals better photographs. Photography forums buzz with gear recommendations that prioritize technical specifications over learning fundamentals. But this advice, however well-intentioned, is fundamentally wrong.
Mastering macro photography opens creative doors beyond traditional outdoor scenes. With controlled techniques and thoughtful setups, even your own living space can transform into a studio, allowing you to produce professional-grade images without elaborate equipment or spacious locations.
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.