Portrait composition tips for an 85mm lens

Apart from 50mm lenses, 85mm lenses are among the most popular focal lengths for portrait photography. However, if you’re shifting from 50mm, you’ll most likely need a bit of getting used to. You’ll be getting more close-up shots with an 85mm lens, so adjustments to your composition will be necessary. Here’s where today’s portrait photography […]

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source https://photofocus.com/found/portrait-composition-tips-for-an-85mm-lens/

Remembering those who served: Luxembourg & Ardennes

Luxembourg and the Ardennes region are know for the Battle of the Bulge. This is something I knew of, about and what little I had been taught in school (or from the movie “Band of Brothers”). One of the most emotional, touching and informative tours I’ve ever been on was during a trip to this […]

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source https://photofocus.com/inspiration/remembering-those-who-served-luxembourg-ardennes/

Mobile Mondays: Find Starlink Satellites app allows you to find satellites easily

What is Starlink? SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, is constructing Starlink. They are launching a web of satellites, or constellation, that will provide internet access. This constellation will consist of thousands of mass-produced small satellites in low orbit.  The idea here is to provide low-latency broadband connectivity to underserved areas, typically rural areas, but also […]

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source https://photofocus.com/reviews/mobile-mondays-find-starlink-satellites-app-allows-you-to-find-satellites-easily/

Remembering our veterans with “Vision of Vets”

This Memorial Day I would like to introduce you to my friend and colleague Bruce Roscoe. Born in Burlington Vermont, Bruce studied photography in the Army in 1967 and served in Vietnam as a still photographer. He was assigned to the I Corp. As a veteran, he has embarked on sharing the stories and history […]

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source https://photofocus.com/inspiration/vision-of-vets/

What exactly are LUTs?

Perhaps you’ve heard the term “LUT” before, but aren’t really sure what it all means. So what exactly are LUTs, especially in regard to photography? Well, a LUT is short for a Lookup Table. It is basically a color grading tool, that takes a conversion profile that takes predefined color values and applies these to […]

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source https://photofocus.com/software/what-exactly-are-luts/

On Photography: Art Wolfe, 1951-present

“It is in the wild places, where the edge of the earth meets the corners of the sky, the human spirit is fed.” -Art Wolfe Margins of the day Wolfe likes working the before and after full light times of the day. “I really enjoy working the margins of the day, before and during sunrise and […]

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source https://photofocus.com/inspiration/on-photography-art-wolfe-1951-present/

Get started with templates in LuminarAI, with Nicole Young

Our friend Nicole Young has an awesome new product that will get you going with LuminarAI and then some! The Complete Video Guide to LuminarAI will show you how to master Skylum’s LuminarAI software, covering every tab and tool inside the program. LuminarAI can help you speed up your editing with some great templates that lead the way. You […]

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source https://photofocus.com/deals/get-started-with-templates-in-luminarai-with-nicole-young/

Perfecting the tones in your landscapes, or step #1 in finishing landscapes

You’ve got your foreground element, you’ve got your rule of thirds, and you’ve got striking light on your subject. Everything is looking good for you to have a terrific landscape photograph that you’ll be proud of. But, as has always been the case in photography, your work has just begun: You still need to finish […]

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source https://photofocus.com/software/perfecting-the-tones-in-your-landscapes-or-step-1-in-finishing-landscapes/

Exposure beyond the camera manual

You reviewed the camera manual and completed an online tutorial. You did everything you thought you were supposed to do. And yet, your photographs have not exposed the way you want them to be. When I was a new photographer, shooting transparency film, I was always frustrated by exposure. I kept asking myself why some exposures […]

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source https://photofocus.com/photography/exposure-beyond-the-camera-manual/

Choosing between vibrance and saturation for boosting colors

Most image editing software and apps today allow you to adjust vibrance and saturation. Play around with the sliders for both settings and you may find that they do nearly the same thing. So, how do you know which adjustment option is the best for giving your photos a boost of color? In the tutorial […]

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source https://photofocus.com/found/choosing-between-vibrance-and-saturation-for-boosting-colors/

Light painting 101: Illuminating a service station in three easy steps

Near the end of a long evening, I was packing up to go when I walked past this old yellow service station, which appeared to be in the midst of being refurbished. I couldn’t say no. Here’s how I used “light painting” to illuminate and add interest to a photo taken near a full moon […]

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source https://photofocus.com/inspiration/light-painting-101-illuminating-a-service-station-in-three-easy-steps/

How to choose the right lens for landscape photography

One of the first things every landscape photography beginner must figure out is which lens to use. With all the different choices and focal lengths available out there, it can be overwhelming to pick just one to get started with. If that sounds like what you, today’s featured landscape photography tip provides some insights on […]

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source https://photofocus.com/found/how-to-choose-the-right-lens-for-landscape-photography/

Great photo deals for Memorial Day weekend

With Memorial Day weekend in full swing, there’s never been a better time to get ready for the warm, summer weather with some great weekend sales! Check out the deals from our friends and partners below. If we hear of any more deals, we’ll be sure to update this article. Stay tuned! The Excire Bundle […]

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source https://photofocus.com/deals/great-photo-deals-for-memorial-day-weekend/

Adding a human element to your landscapes

It’s kind of funny that as a portrait photographer, I rarely have people in my landscape photos. Some part of my brain likes to keep them separated I guess. But I recently decided that this isn’t always the best idea, and have been working to change that. Here are a couple of ideas why adding […]

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source https://photofocus.com/photography/shooting-photography/adding-a-human-element-to-your-landscapes/

Three ways to direct light for food photography

When photographing food, the direction of your light is very important. Certain angles will help shape the scene and can also be the difference between a successful image, and one that is just “meh.” In this article, I will be sharing examples of three different types of light: Backlight, front light and sidelight. Backlight Placing […]

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source https://photofocus.com/photography/direction-of-light-for-food-photography/

Reviewing the Magnus VT-4000 and VT-4000PRO video tripods

If you are looking to expand into videography with your camera, you’ll need a reliable, stable and fluid video tripod. I was sent the Magnus VT-4000 video tripod with dolly and the Magnus REX VT-4000 PRO tripod to review, from B&H. Were these up to the task? First impressions First, I unboxed the Magnus VT-4000. […]

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source https://photofocus.com/reviews/reviewing-the-magnus-vt-4000-and-vt-4000pro-video-tripods/

Five incredibly useful photography gadgets

As photographers, we often find ourselves faced with endless choices of gadgets and gizmos that could aid in our artwork. Today I want to share a few items that you could find useful in your camera bag, closet or drawer. These items might not be useful on a regular basis, but when you need it, […]

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source https://photofocus.com/photography/gear-photography/5-incredibly-useful-photography-accessories/

Approaching photography composition beyond the rules

When you’re new to doing photography seriously, among the first things you learn is to be mindful of your composition. There’s a bunch of timeless composition rules — the Rule of Thirds being the most popular — that will serve as your guide. However, it doesn’t mean that these are the only ways you can […]

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source https://photofocus.com/found/approaching-photography-composition-beyond-the-rules/

10 alternatives to a white background

When it comes to still life and even portrait photography, the temptation to use a plain white (or even plain black) background is there. It is simple, effective and uncluttered. But what about looking at some alternatives? Below I look at 10 alternatives to a white background. Doors Doors aren’t just for keeping you out […]

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source https://photofocus.com/photography/shooting-photography/10-alternatives-to-a-white-background/

Creating panoramas at Vermilion Cliffs

Images work just a bit different when you capture a panoramic set of photos. This area of the southwest lends itself to showing off the mountain ranges littered with white puffy clouds that were visible on this day. Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona lends itself to a full-on panorama photograph. Panorama photography I highly […]

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source https://photofocus.com/photography/creating-panoramas-at-vermilion-cliffs/

Save on a complete guide to LuminarAI

Our friend Nicole Young has an awesome new product that will get you going with LuminarAI and then some! The Complete Video Guide to LuminarAI will show you how to master Skylum’s LuminarAI software, covering every tab and tool inside the program. With over five hours of video, you’ll get access to 64 different files […]

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source https://photofocus.com/deals/save-on-a-complete-guide-to-luminarai/

Photographing details at Rhyolite Ghost Town

After my adventures finding a new set of tires I really didn’t feel like getting up for a sunrise session. The weather was breezy and surprisingly overcast. While this was crummy for broad landscapes, it was great for details. Hopefully by now you’ve learned I like to make the most of things. This was a […]

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source https://photofocus.com/photography/photographing-details-at-rhyolite-ghost-town/

LuminarAI gets refinements with greater control

This morning, Skylum announced the LuminarAI Update 3, which adds refinements to the software’s algorithms, new support for Apple hardware, enhancements to tools and more. Update 3 is available as a free update for all LuminarAI users. “Skylum is built around the concept of continuous improvement,” said CEO Ivan Kutanin. “We constantly listen to our […]

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source https://photofocus.com/software/luminarai-gets-refinements-with-greater-control/

The four things I’d buy right now to get started using off-camera flash with my Canon DSLR

It took me years to work up the guts to start playing with off-camera flash. As an enthusiastic but financially-challenged amateur photographer, buying a flash seemed like an expense fraught with uncertainty. I didn’t know what I was looking for, they cost a lot, and I didn’t know what to do with it when I […]

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source https://photofocus.com/photography/the-four-things-id-buy-right-now-to-get-started-using-off-camera-flash-with-my-canon-dslr/

Don’t forget to style the photoshoot

Sometimes photographers can get so wrapped up with the technical side of a photoshoot that they forget to add a key element that makes the purpose of the image clear. Forgetting this element can cause confusion and make the viewer lose interest immediately. Using a sports image as an example, here’s how to style the […]

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source https://photofocus.com/photography/shooting-photography/dont-forget-to-style-the-photoshoot/

10 creative ideas to try before springtime ends

Still planning your spring photography shoots for this year? It’s time to make the most out of the warm weather, the lush greenery and the flowers in full bloom! In the video above, Maria Perez shares 10 ideas to make your spring photography more eye-catching and unique, whatever your subject. These include some of the […]

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source https://photofocus.com/found/10-creative-ideas-to-try-before-springtime-ends/

Know your analytics: Impressions

In this new article series, I’ll review important analytics that you should know to help your digital presence. My focus here is on impressions and impressions click-through rate. An impression counts when your content is exposed to a user. A single user can count for multiple impressions if the user was exposed to the same […]

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source https://photofocus.com/video/know-your-analytics-impressions/

WANDRD unveils much-anticipated sling bags

Today, WANDRD unveiled its new ROAM Sling and patent-pending laptop case — the perfect camera solution and everyday carry for sling devotees. Available in three sizes — 3L, 6L and 9L — the ROAM Sling features a wide opening for easy access, removable dividers and an expandable water bottle/tripod pocket. “It may look small, but […]

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source https://photofocus.com/news/wandrd-unveils-much-anticipated-sling-bags/

Ed Lareau: Landscape and wildlife photographer

This week we’re getting to know community member, Ed Lareau. Ed is from the San Francisco Bay area in California and enjoys heading out to the national parks and forests in the area. Haven’t joined the Photofocus Community yet? Sign up for free today! How did you get started in photography? “I got started because […]

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source https://photofocus.com/inspiration/community-spotlight/ed-lareau-landscape-and-wildlife-photographer/

How to straighten a photo in Lightroom

It’s the first thing I notice about a photo — wonky lines. I don’t know if I’m alone here, but horizons that aren’t horizontal and square corners that aren’t perpendicular just set off every irritation trigger in my head when I look at a photo. Maybe I’m a little bit OCD, but it seems to […]

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source https://photofocus.com/software/how-to-straighten-a-photo-in-lightroom/

What to pack when traveling to remote locations

I’ve just come back from a road trip, to a little place called Mungo Station. It’s so remote there were no more than a handful of people there, and most of us traveled in together. There are some truly stunning landscapes out there in some truly remote and difficult locations. Not just in Australia, but […]

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source https://photofocus.com/photography/what-to-pack-when-traveling-to-remote-locations/

Festival, fair and carnival photography

As life begins to open back up here in the U.S., festivals, fairs and carnivals are being added to event calendars. Attending these events with your camera can be a lot of fun. There are plenty of people, bands, games, rides and food to take photos of, and a lot of different things you can […]

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source https://photofocus.com/photography/capturing-festivals-fairs-and-carnivals/

Using “hey” and “yes” when photographing people

One of the biggest challenges for photographers in working with subjects is to replicate natural-looking expressions. In the above video, full-time photographer and author Nicole Young discusses how encouraging your subjects to say “hey” and “yes” will keep them from looking stiff. She also gives photo examples from when she used this technique at a […]

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source https://photofocus.com/found/using-hey-and-yes-when-photographing-people/

Electronic vs. optical: The viewfinder showdown

When the Olympus OM-D E-M1X was announced, the argument over electronic viewfinder (EVF) vs. optical viewfinders (OVF) came up in a lot of my conversations. Those of us who have been mirrorless users for a while have surely gotten used to our EVF, but it’s one of the biggest concerns I hear from those photographers who […]

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source https://photofocus.com/photography/electronic-vs-optical-the-viewfinder-showdown/

Solving night photography problems: I can’t find my camera!

Suddenly, I heard the frantic crunching of footsteps coming toward me. The figure whipped around the flashlight.  “Have you seen a camera on a tripod? I was doing a time-lapse and now cannot find it!” Finding cameras in the dark of night It was easy to see how he could lose his camera. Mesquite Flat […]

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source https://photofocus.com/photography/solving-night-photography-problems-i-cant-find-my-camera/

Panasonic announces the Lumix GH5 II, development of GH6

This morning, Panasonic announced the release of a new iteration of its popular GH5 micro-four thirds camera, the GH5 II. The camera features up to 10-bit 4K60p video capture, as well as improved autofocus and live-streaming. The camera uses the same 20.3-megapixel CMOS sensor as the GH5, but it features a new coating to suppress […]

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source https://photofocus.com/news/panasonic-announces-the-lumix-gh5-ii-development-of-gh6/

Creating a cohesive Instagram look

We’ve all seen those Instagram accounts whose profiles look amazing when you look at it as a whole, right? All one tone, color, subject or some combination of the three. Completely cohesive. They do it because it works.  As photographers, I think this is a bit more difficult than some of the brand-influencer types of […]

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source https://photofocus.com/business/create-a-cohesive-instagram-look/

Landscape photography inspiration: The beauty of storms

Seasoned landscape photographers are no strangers to how unpredictable the sky and weather conditions can be, and how they must adjust to the smallest changes as they come. But some actually seek to capture the most extreme forms that weather can whip up — such as tornadoes. Storm chasers, whether they also do landscape photography […]

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source https://photofocus.com/inspiration/landscape-photography-inspiration-the-beauty-of-storms/

Sibling rivalry: Can mirrorless and DSLR cameras live under the same roof?

It seems that photographers fall into the trap of either/or. Either they shoot film or they shoot digital. Either they shoot in natural light or they use studio light. Either they shoot with DSLRs or they shoot with mirrorless cameras. Or do they? Who said a film photographer can’t pick up a digital camera? Who […]

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source https://photofocus.com/editorial/sibling-rivalry-can-mirrorless-and-dslr-cameras-live-under-the-same-roof/

Striving for your “you-ness”

We are completely bombarded with images every single day. From social media to blogs, to advertisements and billboards, we are constantly flooded with images that are aggressively jostling for our attention. As a fledgling portrait photographer myself years ago, this presented me with quite the challenge as I sought to catch the attention of my […]

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source https://photofocus.com/inspiration/striving-for-your-you-ness/

Portrait photography tips: Three ways to hide a messy background

Do you have no choice but to shoot portraits at home or in a small space? chances are you’re also going to work with less than ideal backgrounds. But, don’t let messy backgrounds stop you from doing your projects. Today’s portrait photography tips make sure you can work around that! In the video above for Adorama, […]

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source https://photofocus.com/found/portrait-photography-tips-three-ways-to-hide-a-messy-background/

Six photo editing terms you need to know

If you’ve been editing for a while, you probably know what terms like Exposure, White Balance, Contrast and more are. But what about some of those more “advanced” terms? 1. Camera profile Camera profiles are relatively new to software programs. These let you edit the overall “style” of your image. Depending on your camera and […]

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source https://photofocus.com/software/six-photo-editing-terms-you-need-to-know/