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…
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…
Need answers to the BIG questions when it comes to organizing mini-sessions? Start here! Mini-sessions can be a great addition to just about any portrait photography business. “Minis” can add an income stream, bring in new clients and provide a place for some serious creativity. But organizing mini-sessions requires planning and forethought. Not sure where…
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…
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…
What the heck is a neutral density filter? Read below for our simple explanation! With so many tools and accessories available to photographers, it can be difficult to determine which ones to add to your photography bag. Neutral density filters are a great addition for photographers that shoot in harsh light or want more creative…
Having trouble getting genuine and crisp images of pets? Here are 14 tips and tricks for improving your pet photography! I don’t know about you, but I love to change up my sessions! This type of photography can be a really fun, light, and rewarding time. It is often popular, as most people consider their…
Backing up your photos is a must these days. Since there are no longer hard copies of photos, digital copies of photographs must be guarded like gold. In this article, I will explain why it is so important to keep your files in multiple places. I will also talk about different ways that you can…