Category: Gear
Big Results from a Small Sensor (Video)
In this video tutorial, you’ll learn techniques to make your camera create files that rival – or exceed – those created by more expensive cameras with larger sensors.
How Sensor Size Affects Your Photos (Video)
What is the real impact of different sensor sizes? It can be confusing. You’ve probably run into photographers that look down their noses at anything but full frame cameras. At the same time, you may have heard from evangelists out there shouting about the greatness of micro 4/3 cameras. So what impact does sensor size… Continue reading How Sensor Size Affects Your Photos (Video)
Picking a Tripod (Video)
Most of the advice you hear in the photography world tends to push you into buying a super-expensive tripod. Usually that means spending $1000 or more. That seems excessive to me, and I think you can get an excellent tripod that will suit all your needs for much less. I recommend something in the range… Continue reading Picking a Tripod (Video)
All About Neutral Density Filters (Video)
If you are not familiar with neutral density filters, I can promise you that adding one to your arsenal will dramatically impact your photography. It puts you in control of the water, whether that is the waves of an ocean, currents in a creek, or the appearance of a downtown fountain. It also allows you… Continue reading All About Neutral Density Filters (Video)
Introduction to Luminar
Recently, I took the plunge and picked up a copy of Luminar 2018. I spent some time going through it this weekend. I thought I would write about my impressions of it for those who are unfamilar with Luminar or who have been considering it but haven’t yet taken the plunge. This will look like… Continue reading Introduction to Luminar
Photography Gear You Don’t Need
Everyone Talks About the Stuff You Need. Let’s Talk About What You Don’t. Since the day you became interested in photography, you’ve been inundated with articles, ads, and reviews about all the photography gear you need. Hint: you don’t need most of it. Your photography friends probably join in too. It is a rare outing… Continue reading Photography Gear You Don’t Need
Which Filters Do I Need?
As photography has advanced, filters become less and less necessary. The old black and white photographers used a lot of filters. Now we use very few (and some photographers use none at all). The only filters I personally use – or that I really think are useful – are Polarizing filters, Neutral Density filters, and Graduated… Continue reading Which Filters Do I Need?
Should I Get a Variable Strength Neutral Density Filter?
I do not recommend that you purchase a variable strength neutral density (ND) filter. If you are familiar with these filters, that might surprise you. It is not that I don’t agree that they are a wonderful idea, it is just that I don’t think they work properly. Instead, I think you should buy normal… Continue reading Should I Get a Variable Strength Neutral Density Filter?
What Strength Neutral Density Filter Should I Buy?
Common strengths of neutral density (ND) filters are 3-stop, 6-stop, and 10-stop. I recommend that you start with a 6-stop, but any of them will be fine. I find that a 6-stop filter is powerful enough to achieve virtually any goals I might have in terms of lengthening my shutter speed. At the same time,… Continue reading What Strength Neutral Density Filter Should I Buy?
The Lens for Your Next Big Trip
A question I seem to get pretty frequently is, “I’m going on a big 2-week trip to [exotic location], so what lens do you think I should buy?” My answer usually surprises them. I tell them don’t buy any lens at all. Rather, rent a lens. Judging from the surprise I get when I tell… Continue reading The Lens for Your Next Big Trip
Introducing Lightroom Classic (and what Adobe’s changes mean for you)
The photography world was atwitter this week following an announcement by Adobe regarding changes to Lightroom. If you are catching wind of any of it, you may have questions about what is going on (people tend to get pretty riled up when Adobe makes changes to Photoshop or Lightroom). Here is what you need to… Continue reading Introducing Lightroom Classic (and what Adobe’s changes mean for you)
The Best Choices for On-Camera and Off-Camera Lighting
For those who want to dabble in lighting without spending a fortune. If you are like me, you would like add some light to your photos on occasion. Not all the time – and I’m certainly not looking to become a portrait photographer or anything – but perhaps you would like to have some lighting handy… Continue reading The Best Choices for On-Camera and Off-Camera Lighting
Drones: The Best New Tool for Outdoor Photography?
I just returned from Ireland, where I spent two weeks photographing the countryside and coastline. While I was there, I had something of a revelation. I realized that, if I was forced to choose between bringing only my trusty DSLR or my drone, I’d choose the drone. That surprised me. I never planned on getting… Continue reading Drones: The Best New Tool for Outdoor Photography?
Photoshop or Lightroom? Which To Start With
When you are starting out in photography, and want to get the best software to edit your photos, should you get Photoshop or Lightroom? This is a question a lot of people have, so I want to answer it directly. But before I do so, let me say that it is a false choice. There… Continue reading Photoshop or Lightroom? Which To Start With
Which Camera Are the Best Photos Taken With?
Let’s look at cameras in a little different way than usual. Normally, we all look at the specs and features of cameras and think about what pictures that camera is capable of creating. I’m not suggesting we should ordinarily do anything differently. But just for today, let’s look at things in reverse. Rather than… Continue reading Which Camera Are the Best Photos Taken With?