Photo How To

OK, listen up. If you’re rolling your eyes because “real photographers use real cameras,” we have two suggestions for you to consider: Either replace your five-year-old phone or watch the tutorial below. Then, if you’re still not convinced, go ahead and ridicule mobile photography all you want.

We’ve all been taught to avoid shooting in direct sunlight whenever possible, to avoid blown-out highlights, harsh contrast, washed-out colors, unflattering shadows, and models with squinty eyes. In the shooting and editing tutorial below, you’ll earn how to meet these challenges and achieve beautiful photos.

Lens diffraction is an important concept that’s not very well understood by many photographers, and it can have a big impact on your images. In the tutorial below you’ll find a simple explanation, and learn how to deal with diffraction for better results.

The quickest way to fall into a creative rut is shooting the same types of images over and over again. Landscape photographers shoot landscapes, portrait specialists concentrate on people … well, you get the idea.

Editor’s Note: The imaging world has lost a spark of brilliance with the passing of legendary photographer and beloved friend Douglas Kirkland at the young age of 88. In his memory we’re re-posting our 2017 article with a selection of Douglas’ iconic images and a video revealing the secrets behind his photos of the rich and famous.

When configuring a camera, some photographers either ignore the Color Space menu or consider the options a “set-it-and-forget-it” choice. And that’s a big mistake, because this simple setting has a big impact on how images appear on a computer monitor and when used for various purposes.

Many photographers shy away from portraiture because of the misconception that a studio, expensive lights, and special skills are required to make images that impress. The quick tutorial below, from Adorama TV, dispels that myth and demonstrates how to make beautiful images outdoors with available light (and a few pro tips).