The 50mm lens is a place where so many photographers start. They get one and figure out if they want to go wider, longer, or use a zoom. Most folks opt for APS-C cameras for a cost savings benefit. And if you’re going for one of those, then you’ll probably reach for a 50mm lens. So we’ve come up with a few tips to remember when shooting with a 50mm lens on an APS-C camera.
Continue reading…
With so much social distancing going on and being generally unsafe to be out and about, there’s no better time than now to stay home with a great photography book. You can use this time to learn a new skill. You can even learn more about other photographers. There are tons of great reads out there, and lots are on sale. Learn how to capture great portraits of anyone with Lindsay Adler. Her book is just $23.99. Learn all about stunning digital photography for only $12.34. You can learn more about the history of street photography for $34.95. Grab The Art of Photography: A Personal Approach to Artistic Expression. It’s just $28.99. We’ve also found deals on some hilarious photography tees that will bring a smile to your face. See all the deals after the break.
Continue reading…
Since the inception of digital photography, manufacturers have turned high ISO capabilities into a war. It’s typically those weird specks, grain, or discolored images that you see. Getting rid of it arguably started many years ago when Canon introduced the Canon 40D and the Canon 5D. Nikon took it further with the Nikon D300, D3, and the D700. Then everyone else jumped into the game. And as megapixel counts have gone up, the problem with high ISO noise has continued. We’ve compiled our expertise from shooting for over a decade into this one blog post to tell you folks really clearly how you can get better high ISO images.
Continue reading…
My name is Panaitescu Stefan, and I never used Photoshop in my life. And I’m not even going to give you time to recover from the shock and keep going with it. More than 90% of the pictures I’ve used on my social media, site, published articles, social media features were jpeg edits. Not until recently (September) did I ever use filters, masks, brushes in my pictures, and even though I am starting to use how to learn them, what I post on the internet are still tweaked jpegs.
Continue reading…
Matthew James is a passionate photographer based in the UK. Like many of us, he’s been bored in the pandemic. But he’s found a lot of joy in taking photos. For Matt, all he needs is his Sony Xperia 1 II. Sony has gifted photographers with a smartphone that can do almost everything. With roots in their Alpha camera lineup, it’s a potent tool. In fact, it’s so powerful that Astrophotography is possible with the device.
Continue reading…
There’s been something missing from modern photography for a long time. It’s way too sterile. There’s little character. We need life and some sprucing. And that’s why we’re so happy to be playing with the Prism FX lens filters. They basically bring the life back to photography in many ways. And we discussed that in our recent episode of Pro Camera Reviews.
Continue reading…
We know you’re quarantined for the foreseeable future. But that doesn’t mean you need to put the camera down. Instead, this is a great time to shoot and embrace all the fun you can have with it. Trying something new helps us grow. So we came up with a few photography project ideas on what to do while quarantined. Check this out!
Continue reading…
Birding and wildlife photography have both increased in popularity over the last year. The pandemic can be thanked for that. With so many photographers stuck at home, looking outside and capturing wildlife has become a nice way to pass the time and scratch our creative itches. However, birding and wildlife photography is not as easy as you may think. Thankfully, there are now cameras on the market with incredibly sophisticated autofocus systems that can track animals with ease. The best part is that there are cameras available for every budget. After the break, we have rounded up four of our favorite Mirrorless cameras for wildlife photography that will fit into every budget.
Continue reading…
Back in March of 2020, I made a pledge to leave Instagram for a year. The platform can be incredibly toxic on many levels. It’s designed to do just that, in fact. Now, you could say that it’s all about the way you use it, but Instagram is a very invasive platform. The ads creep into your life and it can often make you way too anxious. So, inspired by many other photographers’ stories that continue to get work without Instagram, I did the same thing.
Continue reading…
We test cameras every month. But there are some that really, truly stand out to us more than others. These are the ones that we jive with. They’re our favorites. And specifically, we use them for fun. Being a professional camera tester isn’t easy, but we continue to love photography. So when we just want to have a bit of fun, we use a few key cameras. In this latest episode of Pro Camera Reviews, we show you what we’re smitten with right now.
Continue reading…
Years ago, I had a roommate that asked me to shoot portraits for him. Typically, this is just fine. He’s a friend. He’s not a bad guy. It’s fine. “Hey Chris, I need a new photo right now,” he said. After I questioned why he explained that a ton of women was on the dating apps at the time. Mind you, it was a few days after Hurricane Sandy ended. It was very windy too. So my roommate and I walked across the street to take a specific photo of him. We chose a wardrobe beforehand, planned it out, and set to work. I didn’t think it would end up costing me a trip to the hospital. Photographers, don’t make the same mistake.
Continue reading…
There are plenty of fantastic cameras on the market today. So many, in fact, it has become all too easy to forget about the great cameras that came before them. Cameras have been released at such a rapid pace that some cameras simply didn’t have time to establish themselves as greats. That doesn’t mean that you can’t hunt them down and but them today, though. In this roundup, we’re going to take a look at some digital cameras that simply didn’t get the face time they deserved. These four cameras are masterpieces that should be hunted down and snapped up at the first opportunity you get. Their image quality will stun you. Their ergonomics will delight, and their overall performance will make you ask yourself why you didn’t look more closely at them when they were released. Join us as we look at four of our favorite older digital cameras.
Continue reading…
“I think it’s the best way I have of expressing myself, and it’s also one of the things that I feel most comfortable doing,” says Andrei Mihalache when asked why he chose photography. He adds, “taking photos helps me disconnect from daily life with all its ups and downs.” Mihalache sent us a very thoughtful submission. He happily shared his personal journey, his creative process, and useful tips for the budding photographer. There’s a lot to get through in this feature. But all of it will add value to your photographic journey, as Mihalache shares the wisdom he’s obtained during a career that’s lasted over a decade.
Continue reading…
Joel Grimes is one of the most recognized names in photography, and for a short time, you can learn with him without breaking the bank. For a limited time, some of his best selling photography guides have massive discounts. You can even get access to a free FREE webinar as well that will help you get even better at photography. Joel Grime’s One Light Master Class is one of the best photography guides around for a good reason. Normally this class costs $197. However, you can get a copy for just $57! There are even more incredible deals after the break, including the Joel Grimes Beauty Brush Set. Take your portrait editing to new heights for just $27! There are even more savings, too, on world-class photography guides that cost just $9 each! Come and take a look.
Continue reading…
“At least here in Germany beer is cheaper than coffee and orange juice, so even if you go with a normal process not using chemicals, beer can be cheaper,” explains photographer Juan Antonio Hoyos to us in an interview. To that end, it’s one of the reasons why he’s been developing his black and white film with beer. Juan is a long time veteran of the analog photography community. And now, he’s teaching you how to develop black and white film at home using beer.
Continue reading…
“Of course, the vast majority of my professional life came to a crashing halt in 2020,” relates professional photographer Guy Carpenter to us in an interview. “I spent a few weeks in March and April 2020 at home, reading a lot of books. I barely touched a camera.” Guy’s words resonate with us as it speaks volumes to the general mental state of photographers. Like many other passionate photographers though, Guy also shoots for fun. So when his godmother asked him to come help with their upland sheep farm in Yorkshire Dales, he brought the camera along.
Continue reading…
All that I’ve wanted as a photographer is an SD card port. More specifically, I’ve wanted one that doesn’t suck. The one on the iMac 2019 doesn’t play well with new SD cards. In fact, having an SD card port is mandatory for me to buy a computer. That’s why I still use the early 2015 MacBook Pro. Couple that with a great keyboard and good specs, of course! And the word on the street is that there’s a glimmer of hope for us photographers in a concept I’d like to call the Apple MacBook Pro Classic.
Continue reading…
We talk about cameras and lenses a lot. Still, there’s so much more that goes on behind the scenes when it comes to creating great images. To get the most out of the RAW files that your camera produces, you need to have the right tools in your office or studio to make them come to life. If you really want to make your pictures stand out from the crowd, this roundup is for you. After the break, we’ll share five photography accessories with you that will help bring your creations to life.
Continue reading…
Stop simply capturing images and start creating them; this is how you’ll put your unique stamp on your photos.
Everyone always talks about capturing images, but not about creating them. We can create in Photoshop, but so too can anyone else. It’s my firm belief that creating in camera is the best way as it means the photographer took all the methods and steps to create a photo organically rather than by compositing, layering, etc. in post-production which makes a photographer a better photo editor than a photographer. Though this idea could be controversial, these methods aren’t in use much because everyone is afraid of them. So, why not try them?
Lensbaby launched when founder Craig Strong literally took part of a shop vac hose to mount a vintage lens on his DSLR. The company’s first lens took on a similar look, with a plastic bumpy black tube creating a tiltable lens. The new Lensbaby Spark 2.0 mixes that heritage with a few modern updates, including mirrorless compatibility.
Continue reading…
There are several benefits to setting yourself new photography goals at the start of a new year. Most obviously, it allows you to improve your skillset and get better at your craft. But it also encourages emotional growth, as you work towards targets and take satisfaction when you reach them. Having photography goals can also help you if you find yourself stagnated. And they’re useful for those struggling with their mental health, looking for a focus to help them get out of any darkness they may find themselves in. No matter the motive, goals are essential, and in this piece, we share some ideas for things you can work on throughout 2021.
Continue reading…