Nature Photography How To

If you're a Shutterbug reader you likely own a few lenses, or at least a couple zooms offering a variety of focal lengths. But do you really understand how the focal length you choose impacts more than just the magnification of a subject?

If you're a landscape photographer who strives to capture great images in the camera, rather than resorting to post-processing, the quick tutorial below is just what you need. In barely 10 minutes you'll learn what an accomplished pro says are the three lens filters you need, and how to use them.

If you're wondering if there's anything new of substance in the updated version of Adobe Camera Raw (ACR), take a listen to image-editing expert Blake Rudis who says this: "There's an epic color theory tool that I never knew I needed, and now that I have it I'm stoked."

Most new photographers begin their creative journey by learning a bunch of so-called "rules" to  help them develop their craft. But here's the deal: while many of these guidelines are great for beginners, they may actually inhibit growth as your skills become more advanced.

If you're looking for a way to optimize the range of focus throughout an image the tutorial below explains the best way to get the job done, and it works for just about any type of photos you make. We refer to this technique as "bracket and stack it" and it's not difficult to do.

Well-composed landscape photographs are often difficult to achieve—especially in scenes with several important elements. Sure, there are a variety of common guidelines, like the Rule of Thirds and the importance of leading lines, but you're undoubtedly familiar with those.

Most outdoor photographers love shooting at Golden Hour, when soft warm tones bath the landscape before the sun disappears below the horizon. Unfortunately it's not always possible to control when we come across an epic scene, and sometimes that happens earlier in the day when light is less than ideal.