One of the challenges with outdoor photography is that we’re all at the mercy of Mother Nature. That means dealing with bad light, ever-changing weather, and less-than-ideal skies whenever we’re in the field. For most of us, packing up and going home is rarely an option, so it’s important to know how to make the best of whatever situation you confront
If you're just learning about landscape photography you have, no doubt, heard about the importance of adding foreground elements to your photos when shooting with wide-angle lenses. But how does one find a good foreground subject of interest to use in a landscape image and what sort of elements should you look for?
Sometimes you need to fix an otherwise good photo by removing a few distracting elements, like overhead power lines or the proverbial fence post emanating from a subject’s head. Other times you may want to create a mind-bending special effect. In either case this task is really easy to accomplish, as you’ll see below.
Regardless of the type of images you shoot, without sharp and precise focus your efforts will likely be for naught. There are a variety of methods to use, and the one you choose depends upon a number of key variables.
We always enjoy it when a few of our favorite photography YouTubers join forces to make an educational collaboration video. In the below clip, professional boudoir photographer Michael Sasser teams up with commercial swimwear photographer Anita Sadowska to explain the differences between their two specialties.
One characteristic of great portrait photographers is the way they employ empathy to develop a strong rapport with their subjects, and the New York-based visual artist known as Shotti is a great example. He says, “My process relies heavily on communicating with my subjects on an emotional level, and through that connection I am able to get an insight into our shared experiences.”
It’s unfortunate so many photographer overlook color theory. That’s because whether you’re a beginner or an experienced pro, even a rudimentary understanding of this concept can make a huge difference in your images. Moreover, a bit of knowledge about how colors work together will change how you go about the image-editing process.
We all tend to get a bit stale on occasion, shooting the same types of images over and over again, instead of stepping outside our comfort zone to try something new. And that tends to limit our vision and stunt our growth as photographers.
Cropping is a simple and effective way to fix poorly composed images, turn a horizontal shot into a vertical one, or get rid of distracting elements. And if you’re caught out in the field without a telephoto lens, cropping is an effective way to get in tight on a distant subject—especially if you’re using a hi-res camera.
Everyone strives for maximum detail in photographs, which is why we always recommend investing in premium glass. But if you’re on a budget, and stuck with basic lenses, there are several post-processing techniques you can try.
When heading out for a day of landscape photography, most shooters instinctively reach for a wide-angle lens. That’s because conventional wisdom dictates that capturing expansive vistas is the best way to go. Unfortunately, if you’re afflicted with this common reflex, many great photo opportunities will pass you by.
Experienced wildlife photographers know that the power of an image often depends upon how an animal’s eyes are rendered. Out-of-focus dull eyes can really spoil an otherwise great shot, while overly brightened, sharpened eyes make the subject appear unnatural and crazy.
After a quick glance at the above headline, some of you may wonder, “Why would anyone edit an image five different ways?” Well, whether you’re an athlete, musician or a passionate photographer, it’s all about practice.
If you’ve ever tried shooting nighttime portraits against a bright city skyline, you how difficult it can be for a subject to remain motionless for a 30-second exposure so both she and the background are properly exposed. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution to this type of portraiture, as you’ll see here.
Which is better: cropping your photos, zooming in with your lens, or zooming with your feet? It's another one of those age-old questions from photographers and one that Matt Granger tackles in the below video.