Placing the main light source behind a subject often creates very cool moods (indoors and outdoors). Here’s why I love backlighting! What’s backlighting? Backlighting is any type of photography where the main light source comes from behind the subject. (The primary light faces directly toward the camera.) Why do I love backlighting? 1. Occasional flare […]
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Thinking of getting into stop motion photography? One of the first things you have to familiarize yourself with are the different frame rates you can use. Your choice will influence how your results will turn out, so it’s important that you know how to use frame rates effectively. In the video above, Jay P. Morgan […]
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“For many Black people, rural nature, places like national parks, aren’t very accessible, sometimes it’s the cost, but more often the issue is societal. As Black people, it feels like these rural spaces aren’t for us. I want to turn that idea on its head.” -Chanell Stone Chanell Stone is a 29-year-old fine art photographer […]
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If you’ve been interested in adapting vintage lenses to your digital camera, you must also be already looking around for a vintage lens adapter to use. There’s one for every budget, but we’re sure you’re wondering, are the cheap options safe to use on your camera? Paris-based photographer and filmmaker Mathieu Stern, who is passionate […]
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Sharing pictures from beautiful places is one of my favorite things to do, especially when I’ve hiked to get there. However, if I suddenly had to choose between never making a picture for the rest of my life or never hiking for the rest of my life … I’d choose to give up photography. I’d […]
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Been saving up for a new camera and think it’s finally time for you buy one? There’s no problem with that if you’re in urgent need of an upgrade, especially if you’re a professional photographer. However, you may want to consider investing in something else if you simply feel that getting a new camera will […]
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Recently, ON1 announced that its plugin suite — ON1 HDR, ON1 Portrait, ON1 Resize and ON1 Effects — would work with Capture One as native plugins. As someone who occasionally does HDR work, I was excited for the chance to try out ON1 HDR and not have to go through a bunch of hoops to […]
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Formal training is always helpful but is it necessary for a photography career?
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As you start building your own photography workflow, you’ll also start looking for tools that will make things easier and more convenient. Among these are photography accessories that help save you time and money for when you’re out shooting. These may vary depending on the kind of photography that you do (and if you shoot […]
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When you set up a portrait session, whether it is for a client or family member or even if it is a creative collaboration with model and hair and makeup artist, there are certain things that I believe you need to be aware of. I use a shoot list on which I write the date, […]
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Ever taken some photos that appear sharp on your camera’s LCD screen, but see some blurring once you look at them on your computer screen or monitor? Or, maybe you’ve noticed that you’re getting more out of focus shots. Whichever the case, street photographer Pierre Lambert shares some of his easy secrets to getting sharp […]
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Balancing natural light with flash isn’t complicated — once you have the ingredients and know the recipe!
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I fell in love with long focal lengths from the moment I’ve started using them. Here’s why I LOVE telephoto lenses! What’s a telephoto lens? A telephoto is a lens with a 60mm focal length or more — up to 800mm. It works a bit like binoculars or telescopes. It allows to get close-ups from […]
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Creating posts and banners that stop the scroll has never been easier with Adobe Spark. I have recently found myself using Spark for more and more, from videos for advertising to Facebook and Eventbrite Banners and adverts. It’s simple to use and has some great features. Getting started Spark is an online program. All you […]
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If you are a portrait photographer, you have probably taken pictures of all types of people of all ages. Sometimes a challenging age group to take photos of is kids. How do you help them be comfortable on camera? In this video by YouTubers Dan and Chelle, you can learn some great tips on how […]
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People ask night photographers all sorts of questions. One of the most common is: What’s the scariest, creepiest place you have ever photographed? The last stop for almost 1000 souls The imposing Gothic stone structure, Moundsville Penitentiary in West Virginia, was the last stop for murderers, rapists and thieves. Almost 1000 men lost their lives […]
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One of the most annoying and tedious parts of any photographer’s workflow is removing dust, lint, smudges and fingerprints in post-processing. Imagine having to do that for a product photography project for, say, a hundred items with at least five angles each! Therefore, it’s important to prevent these imperfections before you even start taking photos. […]
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There I was, making pictures for the athletics department to use in their marketing materials when suddenly, a soccer ball soared straight into my lens and smashed my camera into my face. See, the plan was to make action pictures. We’d already photographed all the athletes’ headshots — about 200 people — for the website […]
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If you’re new to film photography, you’re guaranteed to run into some disappointments that may discourage you from shooting more of it. Maybe you’ve seen another film photographer’s work that has led you to have some expectations, but your results instead led to confusion or frustration. This is not surprising since film does have a […]
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For years now, I’ve seen Topaz ads while scrolling social media. At conferences, I’d see the software demoed, and it would always get large crowds. But I wanted to take a run at it myself. Was the sharpening technology that Topaz offers really that effective? I like to think of myself as a “steady” shooter. Meaning, […]
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This week we’re getting to know community member, Ujjwal Mistry. Ujjwal lives in Kolkata, India and enjoys practicing his photography and post-processing skills. Haven’t joined the Photofocus Community yet? Sign up for free today! How did you get started in photography? In my younger years, my father started a small photography business. At that time […]
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The WANDRD FERNWEH backpack is on sale, at 15% off! Perfect for whether you’re hiking in the snow or enjoying the warm sunshine, the FERNWEH gives you ample room for all your photography gear (and then some). Save over $50 on this backpack, which can fit up to five lenses, a camera, shoes, flashlight and […]
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This morning, Sigma announced the 28-70mm f/2.8 Contemporary lens, available for L-mount and Sony E-mount. With a design based off of Sigma’s Art line, the 28-70mm offers the same uncompromising optical performance, in a lightweight and compact body. Featuring a constant f/2.8 aperture, the Sigma 28-70mm offers a balance of performance and portability. It features […]
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I love getting out in nature and capturing terrific photos of wildlife. Due to location, distance and travel requirements during Covid-19, that’s not always possible. I find the next best thing is a wildlife sanctuary or zoo. We have some terrific conservation zoos here in Australia. I have recently visited a few zoos, and one […]
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Once you know what types of goods and services your photography business will be offering, you can develop a pricing structure for them. What do you need to consider when determining the price of your services? In this chapter, instructor Skip Cohen discusses things to consider when deciding upon your pricing structure. Want to learn […]
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Anyone who takes up photography does so with the intention of being good, if not the best at what they do. It will definitely take some time and practice, but with hard work comes the reward of being better, one step at a time. But, how do you know exactly that you really are improving? […]
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I’m going to get this out of the way first: I don’t like watermarks. I use them, but I don’t like putting them on my photos. Oh sure, I can name all the reasons that many of us put watermarks on our photos. People can more easily find and quickly identify your photos, it makes it […]
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There’s something about macro lenses and focus stacking. It makes for a memorable image because the level of detail is rendered beyond what the naked eye can see. It makes something as simple as geranium plant a fun exploration. Macro lens First up is a dedicated macro lens. Optics in a macro lens are built […]
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Grain is a word used in film photography to describe the fineness of detail a film or paper is capable of capturing. Landscape photographers typically want the finest detail possible, which comes from fine grained films. Documentary photographers and journalists may need faster speeds (higher ISOs) and will compromise detail for speedier films that have […]
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I’m a big fan of cinematic photography. It’s one of the most popular visual styles these days for photographers of all levels, and it’s easy to see why. With its innate ability to effectively set the mood and emphasize the narrative, it’s the go-to style of many photographers who are more inclined towards story-driven work. […]
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The key to an arresting close-up portrait is in the eyes. Naturally, nailing focus in camera is your first step, but in post-production there is a lot you can do to enhance your subject’s eyes and draw your viewer into their world. In this article I’m going to explore how the eye and portrait tools […]
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Recently someone commented on one of my images: “I wish I had your eye for composition.” My reply: Composition can be learned. Art classes in high school and college helped me learn the basics of composition, color, lines, shapes and the elements of design that go into creating good compositions. These apply to art, drawing, […]
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If you’re feeling bored or uninspired about photography, it may be time for you to take on a photography challenge. Apart from being a fun creative exercise, it will also help you get acquainted with setups that are new to you. Among the most popular photography challenges you can try is the minimalist gear challenge, where […]
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Despite a global pandemic and record-setting weather, I’m finding myself with a super busy February. I’ve learned that, while work is great and much appreciated, it’s important to squeeze in time to photograph for myself. Even if it means pulling a late night of photo editing for clients. I’ve been trying to do this every […]
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Thinking of doing some studio portraits? You’ll definitely need some light modifier know-how so you can light your subjects properly for flattering portraits. Since there are several kinds available, choosing which one to use can be overwhelming for beginners. This is where the quick comparison above by Hypop will come in handy. In the video, […]
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Do you love to travel light? Next time you take your photography on the road, leave the laptop behind and instead, transfer your photos directly to your phone for backup and editing. No computer or camera WiFi required! About two or three phones ago, I received my first one of these little adapters in the […]
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This morning, Adobe announced the formation of the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), a Joint Development Foundation project established to address the prevalence of disinformation, misinformation and online content fraud. Other founding members include Arm, BBC, Intel, Microsoft and Truepic. The group seeks to develop standards for certifying the source and history of […]
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Nothing even comes close to the level of quality and connectivity we find at the Trailblazer’s price point, making it one of the most potent values on the market today. While I tend to be a creature of habit when it comes to gear these days, a recent upswell in video demand has me exploring […]
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Many photographers don’t like or recommend taking portraits in direct sunlight because the light is too harsh and it’s difficult to work in. Models also tend to struggle to hold poses or do expressions if it’s too bright or too hot. However, with some tips, adjustments and workarounds, it’s actually possible to get great results […]
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“The impulse that led you to make an image is a thing that you cannot share with anyone, even if you explain it. What remains is a surface that will live its own life, that will belong to everybody. I accept that surface.” -Jeanloup Seiff Jeanloup Sieff Jeanloup Sieff was tall, elegant with an eye for […]
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Many night photographers explore various artistic genres. With Mojave Desert-based Dave Dasinger, you might find him experimenting in sound design, video synthesis or night photography on any given evening. I thought it would be interesting to catch up with him to find out more about how he approaches his art. Exploring sound and video I […]
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If you’re just getting into photography, there are several things to consider when buying a camera. Why do you want a camera in the first place, and what’s drawing you toward photography? While the question of “which camera should I buy?” may be a simple one, the answer is anything but. What to ask yourself […]
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A while back, one of my students asked “Where can I find the Keywording panel?” I answered, “It’s in the Library module’s right sidebar.” She replied, “No it’s not…” Sure enough, the Keywording panel had gone missing. What gives? Viewing panels There are several methods that can hide and reveal panels. In this tutorial I’ll […]
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Sometimes, you’ll come across a vintage photography gear that either an iconic part of photography history, or an interesting piece of curiosity. If it’s your lucky day, you’ll find one that is both and comes dirt cheap. One such lucky photographer is Paris-based Mathieu Stern, who recently chanced upon a complete Zenit Photosniper (or Fotosnaiper […]
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Trying to get noticed on social media is harder than ever, right? Stopping the scroll requires grabbing everyone’s attention. Good news — Adobe Spark is not only a great way to make posts, but also terrific slideshows from videos and photos. It’s quick and simple, and there are loads of templates. Working with Spark You […]
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