Whether you are a professional or a hobbyist, photography is a complicated craft that takes a wide range of skills in order to find success. While we spend a lot of time studying things like exposure settings and editing techniques, there are some other topics that do not get the attention they deserve. This fantastic video essay features an experienced landscape photographer offering a nice range of important advice that will help you improve your images. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Alex Cooke)

It is important to start learning artificial light with a single source, as this will allow you to better understand the properties and fundamental behavior of light. Once you have mastered that, though, adding a second light will open up a lot of creative possibilities that simply would not be achievable otherwise. This fantastic video tutorial features an experienced studio photographer sharing four effective two-light setups for working with models. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Alex Cooke)

When autumn arrives, it's time to photograph mushrooms. Creating something unique can be challenging, but you don't need to use the most expensive or elaborate equipment, nor do you need a macro lens. I have some nice ideas for you when you go out photographing mushrooms. A macro lens enables you to capture small subjects at a 1:1 size ratio. This means the subject appears the same size on the sensor. If a mushroom is 2.4 cm in height, it will also be 2.4 cm on the sensor. For example, with a full frame sensor measuring 36 x 24 mm, the mushroom fits perfectly within the frame.... [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Nando Harmsen)

The post 25 Breathtaking Shallow Depth of Field Examples appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darren Rowse. Ah, the magic of shallow depth of field photography. If you’ve ever looked at an image and been captivated by the way one element sharply stands out while the rest melts into a soft blur, you’ve seen this technique in action. It’s not just eye-catching; it’s a powerful storytelling tool. The subject – be it a person, a flower, or even a trinket – commands your attention. A carefully controlled depth of field can make even the most mundane subjects come to life, and as a result, the technique is wildly versatile. It’s used in everything from portrait photography and...

Photography can be a tremendously rewarding hobby or profession, but it is important that you have a realistic understanding of what it is like to be a photographer and what it takes to find success. This important video essay features an experienced photographer discussing six harsh truths that every person should be aware of. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Alex Cooke)

With seven new lenses hitting the market, Canon is updating their CN cinema glass to RF mount. They’re almost identical to the original EF mount lenses that debuted in 2011. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Stephen Kampff)

It was inevitable considering the evolution of photo editing, so Skylum is adding key AI features to its very popular Luminar Neo editing software. The new features include GenErase, GenExpand, and GenSwap. The new tools will be released one by one throughout October, November, and December, starting with GenErase on October 26, 2023. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Mel Martin)

After all this time and all the updates to Adobe Bridge, it still lags way behind Lightroom Classic for managing and editing your images (it’s like we always say – “There’s a reason why it’s free”). Anyway, here are 100+ reasons why (and I invite you to list even more in the comments). Now, it’s entirely possible (read as: likely) that I have a couple in here that somehow you can do in Bridge, but if so, they were so buried I couldn’t figure out how to do them, so you could add “it’s harder to learn and use than Lightroom” to the list, but I didn’t include that one. That being said, here we go: There is no “mobile” version...

The new iPhone 15 Pro Max has turned some heads with its various camera upgrades. One new addition is the 5X zoom lens, but while that functionality is nice to have, is it actually usable? [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Robert K Baggs)

Lighting a wedding reception can be a real challenge, as you are often working in less-than-ideal environments and have to keep responding to dynamically evolving conditions, which can make it a bit intimidating for many photographers. If you would like to improve your images, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced wedding photographer sharing five tips that will help you take better control of your reception lighting. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Alex Cooke)

Many camera bodies and lenses have come to the forefront since the Nikon D850 was first announced in 2017, but none pair together quite as well as the D850 and Nikkor 24-70mm 2.8E ED VR. Here is why they are still a perfect pairing. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Kim Simpson)

Whether you are a professional or a hobbyist, going through a period where you are not feeling creatively inspired can be incredibly frustrating. So, what can you do to break out of that and get back to making photos that make you and your clients happy? Sometimes, the best solution is to become your own customer. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Alex Cooke)

Elinchrom has a pretty wide range of lights on offer, but their newest edition fills a gap in their lineup that users will be happy to see. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Jason Vinson)

While learning artificial lighting can feel a bit daunting, it makes you a far more versatile photographer and frees you up to explore many creative avenues that would not be possible otherwise. You do not need to start with expensive equipment, though; a speedlight and small modifier are a portable and affordable way to learn. This excellent video tutorial will show you everything you need to know to photograph a portrait using a speedlight. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Alex Cooke)

Viltrox has continued to gain a reputation as a manufacturer of lenses with performance and image quality of levels far above what their affordable prices imply. The AF 28mm f/1.8 looks to continue that tradition by offering a versatile focal length in tandem with a wide maximum aperture at a price less than half that of many first-party options, and this great video review takes a look at if it can live up to that promise. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Alex Cooke)

Mirrorless mounts have allowed the creation of increasingly lens designs, and as such, we have seen more and more rectilinear full frame lenses that push to wider and wider focal lengths, including single-digit focal lengths. One such example is the 7artisans Photoelectric 9mm f/5.6, which offers people like landscape and architectural photographers a unique field of viewer that inspires creativity. Can it offer the performance and image quality to match? This great video review takes a look at what you can expect. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Alex Cooke)

As a commercial artist, your portfolio is your introduction to the world. So what is the best approach to making sure that you are always putting your best foot forward? [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Christopher Malcolm)

35mm lenses with wide maximum apertures are highly popular, as they can adeptly handle a huge range of scenarios and creative needs, ranging from weddings to astrophotography and much more. For Sony users who want one of the best options out there, the FE 35mm f/1.4 GM promises spectacular performance and image quality. Can it live up to that in real-world usage? This great video review takes a look at what you can expect. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Alex Cooke)

The post AI Editing in Lightroom: How to Supercharge Your Portrait Workflow appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Ringsmuth. As much as I enjoy the act of taking photos, it’s the editing that slows me down, saps my inspiration, and turns this exceedingly creative endeavor into a chore that I have occasionally come to resent. To put it simply, I would much rather be out on location with clients than sitting at my computer while clicking buttons and sliders. However, when doing portrait photography, you can’t really have one without the other – until now. Lightroom’s new AI-powered tools can dramatically speed up the editing process, and with the right approach, you can get very impressive...

Over the years, I have discovered that having the right equipment for the job is essential. This doesn’t just mean cameras and lenses, but also ancillary equipment like tripods and straps. I decided to give both Peak Design’s excellent Slide and the Slide Lite a try to see which would suit me best. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Ivor Rackham)