The Beginner’s Guide To Shooting Street Portraits (Part 1)

Taking a portrait of a complete stranger is extremely liberating. However, to do them successfully, street portraits take skill, confidence and good intuition.

I’m often asked about my process when it comes to photographing strangers. How do I approach someone? What if they say no? Should I shoot in manual mode? These are just a few of the questions I receive as people want to start their own journey in street portraiture. Determined to support you, I’m putting together a 3 part guide to help develop your approach to street portraits.

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Female-Only Exhibitions: Are Women in Street Becoming Everything They Fought Against?

There has been a wonderful insurgence of women in street photography over the past couple of years. But does everyone welcome their approach?

Men and women have been at battle for centuries. With the patriarchy in full swing across all areas of life, several revolutions have been born with the aim to break it down. It is of no surprise then that this “you against us” divide found its way to our little old world of street photography. Often blasted as being a middle-aged white man’s club, the big names in street photography have been put under increasing pressure to push fairer representation within the field. Are things working for the better?

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VSCO Announces Kodak Portra 400NC Film X Preset

Fans of Kodak Portra 400NC may be delighted to find that the popular emulsion’s look is now on VSCO.

Attention, VSCO users! If you’re a fan of the photo editing app’s film simulations, you might want to check out their latest addition. The company just introduced the Kodak Portra 400NC (KP5) preset for those who want to give their digital snaps the dreamy natural tones of the popular film.

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Mark Mawson Gives Photos of Coffee Extra Life in an Abstract Way!

All images by Mark Mawson. Used with Creative Commons permission.

Ever been curious about getting experimental with food photography? The genre can yield some pretty interesting results with some out-of-the-box approaches. Case in point is the clever project by Gabriella Marks which put the spotlight on the produce rather than scrumptious dishes. Let’s look at another fine example in this a simple yet fun abstract exercise by London-based photographer Mark Mawson using coffee and milk captured in high speed.

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Up Your Portrait Game with These Basic Portrait Lighting Techniques

Lighting techniques

Learn how to master basic lighting techniques to really take your portraits to the next level.

Adding artificial lighting into your portrait workflow can really make your images stand out from the crowd. There are many photographers out there who are scared to use speed lights, strobes, and monolights, but there really is no need to feel overwhelmed. After the break we’ll share a video with you from Run N Gun that shows just how simple it can be to add lighting into your portrait photography with simple, easy to use lighting techniques. Continue reading…

Five Great 50mm Lenses Under $600 to Improve Your Photography in 2019

If you want to improve your photography in 2019, 50mm prime lenses should be on your radar.

If you were lucky enough to get your hands on a new camera over the holidays, congratulations. Chances are your new camera came with a kit lens. While kit lenses are much better today than they were in the past, your still going to want to upgrade to better lenses as soon as you can. One of the keys to better images is better glass, and there is no better starting place than with 50mm prime lenses. After the break we’ll take a look why 50mm prime lenses are so great, and we’ll show you a few that are affordable and capable of producing incredible images. Continue reading…

Maryline Rivard’s Conceptual Photos Convey Magical Levels of Inspiration

All photos by Maryline Rivard. Used with Permission.

Within a scene of truly spectacular fantasy, Maryline Rivard portrays elements of her reality. Her conceptual creations are something to admire, more so as she plays the dual role of photographer and subject. Through hard work, persistence, and the odd climb up a huge rock, Maryline sets the bar in terms of her work ethic and creative output. Impressed by the photographer, and mesmerized by the subject, we wanted to get to know the artist from Quebec, Canada a little better.

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Film vs. Digital: Side by Side Comparison of 35mm, Medium Format, and Mirrorless Photos

Just tuning in to the film vs. digital discussions? Step right up: we have just the stuff for you to check out and learn from.

Yes, it’s already 2019, but it looks like we’re still not done with film vs. digital shenanigans. But, more than a topic of debate, this video by Shutterstock Tutorials is a side by side comparison that should actually come in useful whether you’re a pure digital shooter curious about the film look, or a hybrid shooter wanting a more detailed study of how each medium compares.

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The Masters of Photography Releases Free Videos to Nourish Your Soul

The free video vault over at the Masters of Photography will inspire you to no end.

If you’re looking for a source of inspiration you’ll love what the guys and gals over at Masters of Photography have assembled. Whether you want to find out about ‘The Decisive Moment’ from Henri Cartier-Bresson, or have wondered how Martin Hartley captures stunning images from his Polar expeditions, the Masters of Photography has your back. After the break learn more about how you can watch more than a dozen inspiring videos that feature some of the greatest photographers of our time for free. Continue reading…

If You’re a Big Fan of Analog Photography, You’re Going to Love Geoffrey Berliner

Our next guest on Inside the Photographer’s Mind is Penumbra Foundation’s Geoffrey Berliner.

Continuing with our once a month interview series, our next photographer on Inside the Photographer’s Mind is Geoffrey Berliner. Geoff is one of the Co-Founders of the Penumbra Foundation, which specializes in keeping all of the super old styles and techniques of photography alive. The foundation hosts workshops, shoots (obviously), and looks to spread the Gospel of Analog any way they can. Located in midtown NYC, they’re well known amongst the local photography community and have been featured on television a number of times. So this show will be a tad different. We’re going to be talking about Geoff’s creative vision along with what it’s like to run an organization in the photo world.

You can catch it live on Adorama TV on January 16th at 5pm EST by following the Phoblographer or Adorama on Facebook. Or join us live at the Adorama Event Space via EventBrite!

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Here are Features We’d Like to See in the Newly Registered Fujifilm X-T30

Will Fujifilm be able to claim more market share with a new feature packed Fujfilm X-T30?

Fujifilm have found great success in the past with the X-T10 and the X-T20, but with competition heating up in the compact camera race they will have to do something special with their newly registered X-T30. With news flying around about the Sony A6500 replacement, Fujifilm will have to bring their A game if they want to be able to compete with what their main rivals bring to table. Join us after the break as we we take a look at what the filing says, and what the Fujifilm X-T30 will have to bring in order to be successful. Continue reading…

4 Sharp Wide Angle Lenses for Landscapes and Cityscapes Under $600

Quality wide angle lenses don’t have to have four figures attached to them.

Read any magazine, or watch any YouTube video and no doubt you’ll see that the wide angle lenses attached to the cameras in the videos and articles are all pricey affairs. This can lead one to believe that in order to make quality images you must have the most expensive glass available. This couldn’t be further from the truth. There are high quality, super sharp, wide angle lenses on the market today that aren’t only fantastic performers, they’re also incredibly affordable. After the break we’re going to take a look at four wide angle lenses under $600 that are perfect for landscape and cityscape photographers. Continue reading…

Cheap Photo: Panasonic G7 Kit $497.99; Canon EOS R $1,999; Fujifilm X-T20 Kit $799

We’ve found more photography deals than you can shake a stick at.

We’ve found some great photography deals for you in this edition of Cheao Photo. The Canon EOS R can be picked up for $1,999, and the Panasonic G7 which comes with a 14-42mm lens, and is capable of recording in 4k is a steal at just $497.99! That’s a discount of $302! The excellent Fujifilm X-T20 with XC 15-45m lens is also a bargain at just $799. There are also great deals on Photoshop overlays too. Add some sparkle to your winter photo shoots with a 2-For-1 Deal where you will get over 300 flare and bokeh overlays for just $19, and check out the Street Photography tutorial bundle that’s just $39! After the break see all of the photography deals we’ve found that also include storage, accessories and lenses too.

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Hints of a Leica 35mm Noctilux Lens Spill Onto the Web

We might be treated to some new Leica cameras and lenses in the very near future; including a Leica 35mm Noctilux lens.

If you’re a fan of all things Leica you’re going to like this news. During LHSA (Leica Historical Society of America) meetings that were held late last year, current Leica employees and product managers hinted around that the company road map is littered with new cameras, lenses, and initiatives that could all be released and rolled out in the near future. One of the coolest things is the addition of a hybrid viewfinder Leica M camera that sounds similar to how the Fujifilm X Pro series of cameras works. But perhaps the most exciting thing is the addition of a Leica 35mm Noctilux lens.

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Maybe It’s Time for Samsung to Return to Making Camera Sensors

It sure would be good for consumers if Samsung started producing camera sensors for Mirrorless and/or DSLRs again.

Over the last few years Sony have emerged as the the world’s leader when it comes to camera sensor manufacturing and supplying. The Japanese powerhouse develops and keeps the very best sensors for use in their own cameras of course, but they also supply sensors to most other camera manufacturers too, with the likes of Nikon, Canon’s point and shoots, Fujifilm, etc relying heavily on their technology. There is one company though that could take the crown from the current sensor kings, and that company is Samsung.  Continue reading…

Get Lost in the Atmospheric Nightscapes of Simon Åslund

All images by Simon Åslund. Used with Creative Commons permission.

Nighttime is one of the most inspiring times to shoot, as we’ve seen in a lot of impressive works we’ve previously featured. Today, we bring yet another series to inspire everyone to seek their own nighttime visions and bring them to life. In his Night Series, Simon Åslund takes us to some of the most captivating night strolls caught on camera, full of mood, colors, and atmosphere.

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Review: Nikon Z6 (The Better of Nikon’s Two Initial Mirrorless Cameras)

The Nikon Z6 is a fairly competent entry-level interchangeable lens mirrorless camera, but we were definitely hoping for more.

When Nikon first announced the Z6, we were certainly hoping for a camera system that would blow us away. Instead, what we got was a camera system that felt half-baked at best. Coming into the mirrorless marketplace five years later than the competition, you would expect Nikon to avoid pitfalls that have plagued competing camera manufacturers, but the reality is they seem to be making a lot of the same mistakes. Nikon got quite a bit right with the Z6, and it is certainly a decent enough entry-level interchangeable lens mirrorless camera, but wow us it most definitely did not.

Editor’s note: This review is going by an experimental new standard that we’ve outlined. Each section receives its own rating and in this case, the Nikon Z6 can earn a maximum of 25 stars with each section having a maximum 5 star rating.

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Arnaud Bathiard Loves Singing ‘The Rain Song’ With his Stunning Landscape Images

The skies tell such amazing stories when it comes to landscape photography. All images captured by Arnaud Bathiard. Used with Creative Commons permission.

There is really something quite beautiful about the way that skies tell stories in landscape photography. Clear blue skies can often symbolize peace and calm, while cloudy skies can evoke feelings of uncertainty and unrest. Landscape photographer Arnaud Bathiard set out to capture landscape images before, during, and after rain storms to see what emotions and feelings his images would make people feel.  After the break check out some of the beautiful, moody images that he was able to capture. Continue reading…

Portrait Photography Tutorial: How to Do a Hero Shot in a Few Simple Steps

The Hero Shot: it’s the headshot and portrait photo that so many folks want.

If I had to define the hero shot style of portrait, then I’d say that it’s a portrait photo that likens a person to the iconic poses of many comic book and fantasy super heroes that we’ve come to know and admire over the years. These photos and images are often depicting someone looking off to the side or with a very particular lighting. Undoubtedly, these images elicit a feeling that the viewer gets. And getting that feeling in the image is easier than you’d think.

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4 Low Cost Lenses That Will Help You Create Gorgeous Environmental Portraits

You don’t have to spend a fortune on gear to be able to take gorgeous environmental portraits.

Environmental portraits differ from regular portraits in one key way. While regular portraits aim to capture just the person, environmental portraits aim to capture and tell a story about the person in the image.  You can capture environmental portraits that tell a story about the persons job, or about their hobbies and likes. The possibilities are endless. Due to the story telling nature of environmental portraits a wider angle lens is needed so that you can capture the surroundings of the person in the image too. For environmental portraits you need a good 35mm or wider lens, but it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. After the break we’ll take a look at four relatively low cost lenses that will help you create gorgeous environmental portraits.

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Get the Hang of the Exposure Triangle With This Tutorial

The Exposure Triangle is one of the first things you should know by heart as a photographer.

So you’ve decided to take photography seriously and start learning how to take better photos. Of course, part of that is mastering the controls and capabilities of your camera. But you will be able to do that better if you know the Exposure Triangle, or the three main variables that make up the exposure of a photograph. Fortunately for you, we have just the right quick tutorial to get you up and running with the basics.

Called Exposure Pyramid in the video tutorial by graphic designer and aspiring photographer Atelic, it’s part of the basics of photography. Here, you’ll learn what each of the variables do to create what is called a balanced exposure. Let’s get right to it before anything else.

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