How to take good pictures in bright sunlight

Using a flash may seem counterintuitive on a bright day but it’s the perfect tool for overcoming harsh shadows subject’s faces. Stan Horaczek Bright sunlight is one of the most challenging weather conditions to shoot in. If you’re not careful, your photos can come out wildly overexposed, brutally underexposed, or way too contrasty and filled… Continue reading How to take good pictures in bright sunlight

With thoughtful luminescence, Elizabeth Messina offers an intimate study of the female portrait

Messina is renowned for her stunningly simple portraits of women that convey depth and feeling. Elizabeth Messina Southern California-based photographer Elizabeth Messina is something of a legend. With her beloved Contax 645 and Fujifilm GFX100s, she has photographed for the likes of Tori Spelling, Claire Pettibone, and Brooke Shields—and that’s just to name a few.… Continue reading With thoughtful luminescence, Elizabeth Messina offers an intimate study of the female portrait

Best vlogging cameras in 2022

Stan Horaczek Best overall Sony ZV-1 Digital Camera for Content Creators Check Price Developed specifically for vlog content makers, this camera prioritizes face-focusing and quality audio. Best with flip screen Fujifilm X-S10 Mirrorless Digital Camera Check Price Tiny but powerful, this body is also great for mobile video. Best budget Movo SmartCine Smartphone Video Kit… Continue reading Best vlogging cameras in 2022

Best telephoto lenses for Nikon in 2022

Nikon Best overall Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Check Price Best for wildlife Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Check Price Best value Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II Check Price Nothing beats using a telephoto lens when it comes to getting closer to the action. The unrivaled range… Continue reading Best telephoto lenses for Nikon in 2022

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

How to Use Layers in Pixelmator Pro — Nondestructive Editing Workflow

Pixelmator Pro is a Mac-based application that boasts all the power you’d expect from a professional level photo editing software. At a fraction of the price of its competition, and a free 15 day trial, Pixelmator Pro is a great option for any photographer looking to edit their photos. One of my favourite features of… Continue reading How to Use Layers in Pixelmator Pro — Nondestructive Editing Workflow

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

Best trail cameras under $100 in 2022

Moultrie Best overall Cabelas Outfitter Gen 3 30MP Black IR Game Camera Check Price Best for deer hunting Moultrie Mobile Delta Base Cellular Trail Camera Check Price Best motion activated Browning Command Ops Elite 18 MP Trail Camera Check Price What does the pursuit of game, nature watching, and video surveillance all have in common?… Continue reading Best trail cameras under $100 in 2022

How to ensure your photos are sharp

From Edward Weston’s nudes to Ansel Adams’s landscapes, the beauty is often found in the details. Nearly a century ago, both photographers made a name for themselves through the use of crisp, clean lines. They replaced the soft-focus lenses of the day with sharper ones, and they used narrow apertures to capture every last curve… Continue reading How to ensure your photos are sharp

Paris streets in B&W, Meyerowitz’s classic ‘Cape Light,’ and other books worth viewing

From Joel Meyerowitz’s “Cape Light”. © Joel Meyerowitz This month, we look at a collection of COVID-19 lockdown portraits of mothers and their children, each captured through a pane of glass; a series of subtle B&W photos showing a diverse Parisian quarter; a look at the history of portrait photography, from the Daguerreotype to the… Continue reading Paris streets in B&W, Meyerowitz’s classic ‘Cape Light,’ and other books worth viewing