Here’s How I Failed at Full-Time Photography
Here's how I failed at becoming a full-time photographer.
Here's how I failed at becoming a full-time photographer.
If you're looking for a lens that gives you dreamy portraits without breaking the bank, there's a compelling new option.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A reliable 35mm lens can elevate your work significantly, especially when you shoot environmental portraits, travel images, or video. A lens like the Canon RF 35mm f/1.4 L VCM might promise top-tier results, but does it truly deliver enough to justify its price?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Unwanted shadows can significantly degrade your image quality. Here's how to fix them with better lighting.
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.
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.
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.
Disk Drill has been around a long time. Its job is to recover files from damaged disks such as hard drives and SD cards—pretty much anything that holds media files.
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.
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.
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.
Our friends over at GuruShots, hosts of "The World’s Greatest Photo Game,” recently offered a challenge where particpants submitted their best images "Traveling the World." There were thousands of entries and over 27 million votes throughout the contest but the top winners have been chosen. Check out the winner and the the 60 top rated images below.
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.
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.
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.
Photographing eagles requires patience and precision, and understanding how to adapt quickly in changing conditions makes all the difference.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is undeniably a marvel of modern drone technology. It is currently the best compact sub-250 g drone that money can buy. Packed with tons of new features such as omnidirectional obstacle sensing, true vertical shooting, and 4K video recording up to 120 fps, it is clearly designed for creators who demand both performance and portability—and for working professionals like me who prefer a smaller drone for easier flight access in most areas. It's easy to see why it's a popular choice among drone enthusiasts.
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.
Photography has undergone a fundamental transformation that extends far beyond technical capabilities. While digital cameras and smartphones have democratized image-making and eliminated financial barriers to practice, they may have simultaneously dismantled the psychological foundations that historically drove photographic mastery: patience, deliberation, and tolerance for delayed gratification.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wireless mics now come in all shapes and sizes, sometimes at the cost of important features. This new wireless mic system packs way more features than it seems.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For mobile-first creators, capturing good audio can be challenging, often being more expensive and complicated than the point-and-capture nature of mobile video. Hollyland is aiming to solve that problem with its new Lark A1, a dual-channel wireless microphone system designed specifically for mobile devices that prioritizes simplicity while keeping costs impressively low.
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.
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.
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.
Want to give your landscape shots a distinctive look? Check out this helpful video tutorial on easily color-grading your photos in Lightroom.
How has the Sonya9 III fared during an entire wedding season? I share my thoughts after extended use.