Photo How To

Ask a bunch of experienced Lightroom users to name their most essential editing technique and most will respond with one word: "Masking." This is particularly true among landscape shooters who frequently encounter scenes with a wide range of tones that exceed the density range of their camera.

A few days ago we posted a tutorial for making simple cutouts of hair in portrait photos using a “futuristic” Photoshop tool. Today we’re taking things a bit further, with two tricks for making more difficult clip outs in Photoshop.

Humans learn to speak correctly by repeating what they hear, and during the process they automatically and unconsciously develop “an ear for correct grammar” naturally. I’ll bet you don’t leave many dangling participles, even though only a few English majors know exactly what that means. I propose that composition, particularly composition in photography, is learned the same way.

“Keep things simple” is great advice for whatever type of images you shoot, but when photographing nature scenes it’s often crucial to simplify the landscape if you want to capture compelling photos without a lot of unnecessary clutter.

The way you frame an outdoor scene can often be the difference between a mediocre shot and one that really grabs attention. In the tutorial below you’ll discover both impediments and potential solutions to composing landscape images for maximum impact.

If you were befuddled by a description of the “Exposure Triangle” in your first photography class, you’re not alone. This relatively simple concept can be a bit difficult to explain; unless, that is, the instructor has some red Kool-Aid and a few glasses handy.

Thoughtful composition is an essential element of all great photos, especially when shooting complicated nature and landscape scenes that can really confuse a viewer. Today you'll learn how to employ a simple technique that will "instantly" boost the impact of every image you make in the great outdoors.