If you’re new to landscape photography, you most likely have heard that the best time of the day to shoot is during the Golden Hour — during sunrise or sunset. This is because the light is often dramatic and colorful, which easily creates beautiful results. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get great photos from shooting […]
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I was recently given the opportunity to review the new PRVKE Lite backpack by WANDRD. It’s the newest and most affordable version of the PRVKE series of backpacks. This bag aims to blend both style and functionality in a day pack for photographers. If I’m being honest, I wasn’t previously familiar with WANDRD products so […]
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The aperture in a lens is photography’s analog to the irises in our eyes. Our irises enlarge to let in more light in dim circumstances. They contract to a smaller size reducing the amount of light in bright places. The aperture (also known as the f/stop) in a lens does the same thing. Of course, […]
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With all the things that happened in 2020, one good thing that came out of it for me was my choice to focus my photography. Before Covid-19, I was taking jobs that I wasn’t 100% interested in and it was showing in my work. So I decided to zone in on things that I love, […]
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You can use post-processing software to take an image to a new level. We don’t always have the opportunity to get everything lit exactly as we like when we come across an interesting subject. Photoshop, Luminar 4 and NIK Silver Efex Pro were my helpmates in making this image be more than the original capture. […]
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The moon is one of the first subjects that budding astrophotographers point their cameras to. Whether on its own or set against a landscape at dusk or at night, it’s one of the most stunning subjects to photograph. To achieve great moon photos, you’ll need to put together a combination of the right timing, the […]
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One of the things I struggle the most with when shooting macro is getting my images tack sharp. I used to assume that since the DOF was so shallow that something has to be in focus, right? Not really a given, not very scientific and certainly not a guarantee for a tack sharp image. Here […]
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I bought a new lens and I am totally in love. This was not just a happy coincidence. I had read reviews and spoken to other photographers. But more importantly, I tried it out, before I bought it. I tried it out several times in fact. So much so, that every time I tried this […]
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In just a few short weeks, you can! The Visual Storytelling Conference — featuring over 80 hours of live photography, video, business and social media training — starts May 14, 2021. You can sign up for your free pass today and learn from some of the top photographers and content creators in the field. Learn […]
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One of the things that noticeably separate novices from pros is how the background looks. This is especially the case for portraits and close-up shots, which often look so much better with out of focus backgrounds. It effectively eliminates distracting elements and isolates the subject to catch the viewer’s attention. Not quite sure how to […]
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The Genaray 34″ Spectro LED Baton Light is impressive, but not without some faults. The 4-light Pro Kit, sent to me by B&H, is very useful in a variety of scenarios. The lights can be a valuable part of any photographer’s toolkit. Before I dive in, I want to mention that this is not an […]
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I have a confession: School was incredibly hard for me and I actually hated it most of the time. There were, however, a few classes that I really liked and excelled at, like Anatomy, Art and History. Looking back on it now I realize a lot had to do with the fact that my Anatomy […]
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The other day, I found myself in Monument Valley photographing a bunch of dancers. Of course, I was there at sunrise, which lasted for two hours and bathed the entire valley in beautiful light so I could leisurely make artful pictures to my heart’s content. Psych! We actually arrived on site when the sun was […]
The post Portrait Tips: Why I use high-speed sync for portraits appeared first on Photofocus.
We hear a ton about the rule of thirds, and how it’s the top rule when it comes to photography. But depending on the type of photography, it can be misinterpreted and even negatively impact your photos. In the video above, Matt Kloskowski explains the misunderstanding with the rule of thirds. More importantly, he talks […]
The post Goodbye rule of thirds — here’s the top outdoor photography composition rule appeared first on Photofocus.
As long as I can remember, I’ve been a zoom lens user first, and a prime lens user second. While I have both types of lenses, I find myself coming back to the more versatile zoom lens time and time again. With Covid-19 in full swing in Michigan, many of our events have taken place […]
The post Why a fast telephoto zoom is my first choice when photographing events appeared first on Photofocus.
This week we’re getting to know community member, Vaughn Bender. Vaughn is a landscape and aerial photographer living in Manitoba, Canada. His interests range from photography to nature and he is also interested in traveling, technology, and hiking. Haven’t joined the Photofocus Community yet? Sign up for free today! How did you get started in […]
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Leading up to the Visual Storytelling Conference, we’re putting the spotlight on some of the instructors! Meet them and find out what you can learn from them at the conference, plus some pre-conference insights. Don’t have your free ticket yet? Register today and join us for free, May 14-17, 2021! Nate Torres Nate Torres is […]
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Recently I wrote about how my Lightroom catalog is full and gave an overview of the process you can follow to migrate your catalog out of Lightroom and into Lightroom Classic. This frees up the cloud storage of your Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, while still maintaining the database of edits performed on each photo. In […]
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Recently I completed a set of studio headshots against a plain, black background. Afterward in the editing stage, I decided I wanted my subjects to definitely pop more. After kicking myself for not utilizing more lights or a more engaging backdrop, I decided to create my own traditional-style backdrop in Photoshop that would help my […]
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I am really fortunate that I am able to photograph such fascinating subjects. Photographing abandoned trains and locomotives is certainly a highlight. However, these enormous cement pipes in front of a train car caught my eye. When I aimed my camera with fisheye lens at them, I literally laughed out loud at how silly it […]
The post Light painting 101: Three easy steps to light painting in heavy light pollution appeared first on Photofocus.
Background stands are handy for photographers. We need to separate our subjects from the environment. Having a portable option doesn’t have to tax your pocketbook. Raya background support kit I was sent a Raya BGS-S10 background kit to test out. When I saw it had a sub-$40 price point, my expectations were not very high. […]
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When it comes to otherworldly landscapes, the island nation of Iceland sits on the top of many photographers and travelers’ lists. There are now so many bodies of work that serve as testaments to why it’s a crowd favorite. I think we can never have too much of that, so allow me to share one […]
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This morning, Sigma announced its new 35mm f/1.4 DG DN | Art lens for mirrorless cameras. Featuring a smaller footprint and lighter weight than the existing model, the 35mm offers “an outstanding level of sharpness right to the edges of the frame at all apertures, as well as exceptionally smooth and attractive bokeh.” The lens […]
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We’ve waited, maybe patiently, maybe not, for our lives to return to some sort of what it used to be. Most of us have been missing traveling. We missed being at in-person workshops, photo tours and photography conferences so much this past year. Whether you are an attendee or the organizer of these events, we […]
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How often do you hear photography masters and mentors caution against chasing perfection? It’s a construct that is so subjective and elusive that it can be more of a distraction than a way forward in our photography. Today’s photography inspiration is a reminder of what we should be pursuing instead as part of nurturing our […]
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I’ve never been interested in animal portraiture … until I welcomed home baby Henri and had my first cat photography experience with him. Love at first pic Look at this cute little face, how can it not be?! I couldn’t help myself but to reach out for my trustworthy 135mm when I saw Henri graciously […]
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Ivan Rigamonti will be our guest this week on The Photographer Show, presented by Tamron. Meet Ivan Rigamonti Ivan is an urban and street photographer from Zurich, Switzerland. He has a unique way of capturing light, shadows and reflections that add depth to his images. Join us Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at 1 p.m. ET! […]
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Google Photos has finally updated to include a couple of handy post-processing options. Even though the unlimited cloud backup for free is not available any longer, Google has not forgotten about the free users. Users of Google Photos can now use a manual sharpening and a denoise filter to photos. This helps with the two […]
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Leading up to the Visual Storytelling Conference, we’re putting the spotlight on some of the instructors! Meet them and find out what you can learn from them at the conference, plus some pre-conference insights. Don’t have your free ticket yet? Register today and join us for free, May 14-17, 2021! Skip Cohen Skip Cohen is […]
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Creating abstract photo art from nature is a wonderful way to turn a ho-hum overcast photo day into one that gets you some colorful décor imagery. Keep this in your back pocket on days when it just isn’t working for you as well. Camera settings When you have an overcast flat light day it’s time […]
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I recently did a creative portrait shoot with Little Red Riding Hood on location in a forest. It very was dark and very gloomy, which made for challenging shooting. I was using the fastest lens I had to shoot in this dark environment and overall I was pretty happy with most of the shots. However, […]
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To help kick off Mother’s Day, Tamron is offering up to $100 instant savings on four popular zoom lenses for the Sony full-frame mirrorless system. From now through May 9, 2021, you can save on the 17-28mm, 28-75mm, 70-180mm and 28-200mm lenses. All four lenses feature a wide aperture starting at f/2.8, Tamron’s RXD (Rapid-eXtra-silent […]
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If spring is yet to arrive and work its magic on the surrounding landscapes, you can take this time to prepare for a photoshoot. Doing some woodland photography is a perfect way to enjoy nature in bloom and get some beautiful snaps while you’re at it. If you need some ideas on how to get […]
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Tough times are, well, tough. I wrote this from a hospital room. Not my room, a family member. I’ve been through this to some extent or another before and I’ve used my photography to help me focus on the light, the good and the beauty that surrounds us daily no matter what the circumstances. Endless […]
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“Photography is a tool for healing, and really it is how I’ve been able to heal from cancer. I mean, look, I’m a boudoir photographer with no boobs! Right?” -Jen Rosenbaum 2008: Changes Jen Rosenbaum was a stay-at-home mom trying to have another baby. She suffered miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies and went through surgeries. By 2008, […]
The post On Photography: Jen Rosenbaum, 1975-present appeared first on Photofocus.
Ever wondered how to create those stunning long exposure photos? Or, have they intimidated you because you felt they needed special tools like filters to achieve? It’s a technique that is typically used for landscape photography and fine art photography, so it’s definitely a useful skill to learn. Fortunately, it’s something you shouldn’t be afraid […]
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It’s time to make your voice heard! Each week, we ask a question of our readers so we know what sort of content to produce more of. Your input helps us make Photofocus better. This week, we want to know what your favorite subject is to photograph in the great outdoors! Let us know below, […]
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While the world remains plunged in a modern-day pandemic, cities cycling between lockdowns will continue to be a common sight. It’s not a pleasant view, but trust creative minds to make the most out of it. Among them are photographers like Amsterdam-based Stijn Hoekstra, who did a couple of cinematic photography projects documenting lockdowns in […]
The post A cinematic peek at curfew in snowy Amsterdam appeared first on Photofocus.
Typically, it’s best to dedicate a memory card to one shoot. After the session, you import your images into your computer, rename them, add a few keywords, then format the card — in-camera — for the next shoot. This is a solid workflow until you’re forced to photograph multiple sessions or subjects on the same […]
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Sometimes, the best way to get better at editing photos is to familiarize yourself with the software you’re using. For today, it’s about how to quickly fix boring food photography using Adobe Photoshop. Knowing which adjustments and techniques are available to will allow you to transform any food photo into a mouth-watering masterpiece. In the […]
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Whether you’re a fan of cinematic photography or want to do both photography and filmmaking, lighting techniques will be crucial to your craft. After all, what are photos and videos but images and moving pictures made possible with light? As you have probably already seen, poorly or badly lit scenes often lead to uninteresting results. […]
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After a lot of build up and hype since they were initially announced last year, Apple’s new AirTags are officially ready to order. I just put in an order myself, and as a photographer, I see a lot of use cases outside of just putting one on your keychain. If you haven’t heard of AirTags […]
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