The recurring mantra is that gear is nothing more than a tool, and it is true that even the most expensive camera and lens will not do a thing without a competent creative operating them. However, that does not mean a piece of gear cannot be fun to use or even inspire you. This excellent video essay features an experienced photographer who has used a huge range of equipment discussing how gear can inspire you and how that should factor into your purchasing decisions. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Alex Cooke)

If there is one lens I think should be in every photographer's camera bag, one that's most universal and a workhorse, it’s the 50mm. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Korbin Bielski)

In a career where our job is literally to be creative, sometimes the one thing you don’t get to be is… creative. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Christopher Malcolm)

War photography is a genre that transcends mere visual documentation. It is a testament to the human spirit, a mirror to society, and a call for change. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Michael Rudzikewycz)

In digital photography, the type of shoot that you are doing often dictates whether you shoot in JPEG or raw format. Both options have their own set of advantages and drawbacks. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Gary McIntyre)

Becoming a good photographer is a complicated thing that requires a wide range of factors to come together, and rarely is the journey a straight line. If you find yourself on this journey, check out this fantastic video essay that features an experienced photographer that discusses the truth about growing as a photographer. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Alex Cooke)

I've been through a lot of fast and wide lenses for my nighttime photography — cheap bargains, expensive highly touted lenses. But I've never been as happy as I am with the Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art lens. Designed specifically for Milky Way and star field photography, it's by far the best lens I've used and evaluated. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Mel Martin)

In the world of photography post-production, one name has consistently stood out as a beacon of support, innovation, and commitment to photographers' needs: Aftershoot. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by David Strauss)

Go behind the scenes with photographer Thierry Kuba to observe how he lights, shoots, and edits this high-speed flash project with water splashes. Learn the techniques he uses, listen to discussion of his mistakes, and take in all of his tips and tricks along the way. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Kim Simpson)

While 360 cameras haven’t quite entered the mainstream for most photographers, Kandao’s QooCam 3 makes a solid case why they should: Kandao’s third entry into its QooCam lineup is a solid 360 action camera at a bargain price. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Wasim Ahmad)

The group shots at a wedding are some of the most important, but they can also present some of the most difficult challenges for the photographer. If that is something you struggle with, check out this excellent video tutorial that features an experienced wedding photographer sharing a wealth of practical advice on how to get the best shots. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Alex Cooke)

When most people think of landscape photography, they think of images shot during golden hour, with warm, diffuse arcs of light bathing the land. And while those times can certainly make for fantastic photos, they do not mean you should avoid all others times of day. Even the notoriously harsh midday sun can make for compelling landscape images, and this excellent video tutorial will show you what you need to know to get the most from it. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Alex Cooke)

Fancy exchanging your camera for one that shoots on floppy disks instead? You may actually be surprised by the images made on this retro camera. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Paul Parker)

Today, we’re looking at something that I hope you’ll find helpful — it’s about the Auto button in the HDR Preview window, what it does, why it’s helpful, and a little about the advantages of creating HDR images in Lightroom. STEP ONE: Here are three images from a subway stop (I think I took these in Budapest a few years back). Let’s select all three images (according to Adobe, you actually only need the two-stops over-exposed image and the two-stops under image, but for this example, it’s important that I show all three, even though using three won’t make a better combined HDR image). I selected all three, right-clicked, and from the pop-up menu, I went under Photo Merge and chose HDR...

A 35mm lens with a wide maximum aperture is one of the most useful and versatile options a photographer can have in their bag, but such lenses can often be quite expensive, sometimes running north of $2,000. At $129, you probably do not expect much out of the dirt-cheap Pergear 35mm f/1.4 lens, but you might be surprised at the results it can produce. This excellent video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from this affordable lens. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Alex Cooke)

Huge advancements in technology have changed the way we approach editing. But maybe before adjusting our photos, we should consider what harm it is doing. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Ivor Rackham)

The traditional advice for photographers is to pick a niche and focus in on it, as this will allow you to distinguish yourself and rise above the many other competing photographers. And while that is excellent advice, there is merit to pursuing a multitude of genres as a photographer. This great video essay makes a case for being a jack of all trades photographer. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Alex Cooke)

As much as we would like to deny it, the true essence of photography extends beyond the simple act of capturing images. For centuries, photographers have been using photography as a medium to curate stories that evoke emotions, ignite imaginations, or even create a lasting impression of moments and spaces around us. As an experienced photographer for over a decade, I firmly believe that the process of photography involves a lot more than just clicking the shutter button. A complete process of photography also involves a meticulous effort in crafting a series of images that tells stories through a careful process of curation and presentation of images. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Zhen Siang Yang)

Tamron has established themselves as one of the most innovative lens manufacturers in the photo industry, creating a library of lenses that use smart compromises to offer competitive performance and image quality and performance at prices far more affordable than those of most first-party options. The new 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 continues that tradition, making it a potential workhorse of choice for many users, and this great video review takes a look at everything you can expect from the lens in usage. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Alex Cooke)

Many photographers view AI image creators as harmless tools, believing there's nothing to be concerned about. However, some argue that these AI systems have the potential to replace most photographers sooner than we think, and I have to agree. [ Read More ]Original link(Originally posted by Paul Parker)