In case you haven’t checked the calendar recently you can kiss winter goodbye, because spring officially begins Sunday. And that means it’s time to dust off a macro lens and bone up on your skills.
A couple week’s ago we featured a tutorial for experienced bird photographers, with a variety of tips and mistakes to avoid for achieving optimum results. Today’s episode is for those just getting started, with a complete beginner’s guide to joining in on the fun.
As much as some Shutterbug readers consider it blasphemy to shoot “serious” images with an iPhone, it’s difficult to deny that—when used properly—today’s sophisticated smartphones are capable of making truly superb photographs. In the detailed video below, you’ll learn everything you need to know to do that yourself.
Camera lens filters and adapters are among the least expensive accessories that can make a big difference in your images, especially when shooting outdoors. In fact, many experienced landscape photographers never leave home without a selection of these tools.
Unless you’re shooting in black and white, the effective use of color can make or break a photo. And that typically means striking a balance between tones that are vibrant and realistic.
If you’re interested in giving macro photography a try, or the images you shot in the past were disappointing, this detailed tutorial is for you. And if you think that shooting close-ups is reserved for spring and summer, think again!
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.
The use of Selections in Photoshop is an oft-ignored technique because of a misconception by some photographers that it’s beyond their skill levels. Fortunately, the comprehensive guide below will allay your concerns, and get you up and running today.
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.
If you’ve ever photographed a model or an animal against a busy background, you know how difficult it can be to make precise selections around fine details like flyaway hair or fur. Fortunately, there’s a remarkably easy way to get the job done, as you’ll see below.
“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.
If you wonder why we spend so much time discussing techniques for better composition, the answer is simple: No matter what type of images you shoot, a simple shift in framing can make all the difference between a good photograph and a great one.
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.
Have you ever wondered about the difference between compressed and uncompressed Raw files, or asked yourself if there’s really a difference at all? If the answer is “Yes,” the video below is for you.
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.