Surf’s up: Show us your best images of the beach

Abigail Ferguson A little seaside air is the cure for just about anything. Squishy sand beneath your toes, playing tag with the waves, an afternoon ice cream under an umbrella, the shore is the perfect place to hit refresh and soak in the summer. So, this week’s theme is all about beach life. This week’s… Continue reading Surf’s up: Show us your best images of the beach

This week’s reader-submitted Photos of the Day are a tour around the world

Kevin Kielty For this week’s Photos of the Day challenge, we handed over artistic license and invited readers to submit their favorite shots ever. The result did not disappoint and the winners took us on a grand tour of the world. Dripping glaciers in Iceland, the Florentine skyline, and a trek through the desert are… Continue reading This week’s reader-submitted Photos of the Day are a tour around the world

Rats, coyotes, and raccoons, oh my! The year’s best urban wildlife photography

“Oh, snap!”. Barak Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! Well, make that rats, coyotes, and bread-stealing monkeys, and you’ve got the winners of Picfair’s Urban Wildlife Photography Awards. Since 2019, the number of urban wildlife photographs on Picfair’s photo portfolio and e-commerce platform has quadrupled. And the competition, co-hosted by Nikon, Peak Design, MPB, and… Continue reading Rats, coyotes, and raccoons, oh my! The year’s best urban wildlife photography

Photo challenge: Show us your favorite images of all time

Marissa Wu Ever since we started introducing weekly themes for the Photos of the Day challenge, readers have risen to the occasion. You’ve shown us your best macro images, shared awe-inspiring photos of the planets, and proved that you know how to enjoy a proper summer vacation. So, this week, we’re leaving it up to you,… Continue reading Photo challenge: Show us your favorite images of all time

Electrifyingly hot: our favorite reader-submitted photos of the day

“Quiet summer day in Istria”. Rudiescu on Flickr What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of heat? Summer? A backyard barbecue? A big bowl of chili, a hot bath, romance? Heat as a subject is versatile and vast. This week’s Photos of the Day winners provided unique perspectives that spoke to… Continue reading Electrifyingly hot: our favorite reader-submitted photos of the day

We didn’t start the fire, but we want to see your best photos of heat

Get creative—the interpretation of ‘heat’ is up to you. Getty Images An erupting volcano. Spicy food that causes you to break out into a sweat. A fiery sunset. Heat is interesting, varied, and complex. It spans the natural elements to the heights of emotion. Inspired by the rising temperatures as the summer solstice approaches, this… Continue reading We didn’t start the fire, but we want to see your best photos of heat

Take a refreshing dip into these splashy reader-submitted Photos of the Day

‘Sunset over the tropical beach, Seychelles’. Aleksandr Matveev With summer comes the waves of heat, and depending on your part of the world, it might be something gloriously mild or a humidity nightmare. What better way to keep cool than with a dip? This week’s Photos of the Day winners shared their best water images—some… Continue reading Take a refreshing dip into these splashy reader-submitted Photos of the Day

How to get a blurry background in portraits

Dan Bracaglia A blurry, out-of-focus background is often seen as a sign of a professional or high-quality portrait. While it’s certainly a bit of a simplistic take, it’s undeniable that portraits with a sharp subject and a soft, creamy background are popular, and a look that many photographers want to create. Here’s how.  What makes… Continue reading How to get a blurry background in portraits

10 ways to improve your outdoor smartphone portrait shots

Getty Images With proms, college graduations, and even just plain old family barbecues coming up over the next few months, we thought we’d put together some of the best ways to improve the outdoor portraits you shoot with your smartphone. With bright midday sunlight, bustling crowds, and many other challenges, these can be tricky shots… Continue reading 10 ways to improve your outdoor smartphone portrait shots

Cannonball! Dive in and show us your best water shots

The pond at Monet’s garden in France. Marissa Wu Pools, water parks, beaches, rivers, lakes: Summer is the season to live by the water. It’s the stuff of childhood memories—family vacations, seafood feasts, and bright pool noodles floating under the hot estival sun. This week’s theme invites you to dive in and share your favorite… Continue reading Cannonball! Dive in and show us your best water shots