Tripods as a concept are simple: they provide a stable foundation to rest your camera on as you work. Despite that simplicity, though, shopping for one can be complicated as there are many options out there. Finding a quality option whenever trying to purchase on a tight budget can also be tricky. Thankfully, you don’t…
High Dynamic Range photography (HDR photography) is a popular technique used to capture a wide range of lights and darks. Essentially, it alters a photograph’s dynamic range. The dynamic range is the complete spectrum of light and dark in a photo. Different types of cameras have different ranges. When the camera can’t accurately capture the…
Photographers everywhere have a difficult relationship with light. Light is necessary to make images, but if there’s too much light, shots with all but the most limited exposure times will appear to be washed out. Neutral density filters bridge the gap between ambient lighting and short exposure times by reducing the overall amount of light…
Wildlife Photography Basics: Mountain lions and tiger salamanders and grizzly bears, Oh My! I’ve always loved wildlife. As a kid and as a grownup. Before I became a pro photog, my job was to talk, and write, about wildlife for our state’s wildlife agency. I was surrounded every day by some of the most stunning…
There aren’t many reliable card manufacturers that make cards and other storage for high-end digital cameras. Of this small field, Lexar and Sandisk are near the top in terms of overall card performance and reliability. Here’s what you should know about the Lexar vs. Sandisk card debate before you go shopping for a new data…
You may be wondering if you need a monopod or a tripod for your photography gear, as using a slower shutter speed works best when the camera is supported and fixed in place. We’ll discuss the monopod vs tripod distinction, provide a few tips, and suggest what works best for situations like hunting and landscape…
Circular polarizing filters are popular among landscape photographers. These glass filters reduce glare and reflection and help you capture deep colors, stunning skies, and transparent bodies of water. Here is what you need to know about how a circular polarizer filter works and how to get the best results when working with light polarization. What…
From blankets and buckets to ribbons and bows…here are some items to stash on your list of best newborn photography props! Having a gorgeous newborn in your studio is a treat. Their sleepy smiles and tiny little noses are pure perfection in and of themselves. But experienced newborn photographers know that having some additional props…
Nail exposure and white balance with the inexpensive, practically primitive, gray card Do you struggle setting white balance during sessions? How about nailing exposure with or without a flash? If I told you that I could solve both your problems for less than $25, would you believe me? It’s true. With the help of the…
Hand strap, cross-body strap or harness? Here’s what you need to know before choosing a camera strap! I never really gave much thought to my camera strap. I left the default yellow and black strap on my Nikon for years. But after really getting bit by the photography bug, I decided a padded strap was…
Crawl before you walk! We’re starting at the beginning of baby photography to start your growth spurt in this industry off right! Baby photography is not for the faint of heart. It requires patience, stamina, a gentle touch and a strong stomach. But if snuggling, shushing and swaddling make your heart clench in absolute joy,…
Create a photo storage plan and eliminate your worst nightmare of lost images! Losing an image is hard. Disappointing clients is worse. But telling a client you’ve lost ALL their images is a freaking nightmare. It’s a worst-case scenario that scares photographers to death and keeps us up nights. Would your business survive a photo…
Use monitor calibration for better client images and prints This is how my first journey down the rabbit hole of monitor calibration began. “Were you going for a really warm portrait stylistically? Because your images lately have been really yellow.” This was a Facebook message I got from a pro photographer friend about six years…
What parent can resist the stunning beauty of the images created during a newborn posing photo session? Learn the basics of newborn photography here, because we all know end result is worth the work! Those chubby cheeks, and the pure serenity of a sleeping baby is irresistible. Parents go through this tricky process days after…
One of the biggest milestones in a parent’s life is the day their little baby first enters this world. The best way to preserve those memories are though birth photography. Between the anxiety of baby finally coming and hoping the birthing process goes smoothly, parents can quickly forget some of the incredible details on baby’s…
Are you in the market for a new computer monitor? Whether your current monitor broke, or you’re looking for to upgrade, these are the features you should be looking for when preparing to buy the best monitor for photo editing. Finding the best monitor can cause some serious anxiety, especially when it comes to photo…