January 2019

10 Good Reasons Why You Need an Archive if You’re a Photographer

Have you ever had a moment in your life where a friend, co-worker or client comes to you and ask you for a specific image and you just can’t find the original? If you’re like me with a few Lightroom catalogs containing ten thousands of photographs, then this situation will likely happen.

Using a MIDI Controller with Lightroom for a More Efficient Workflow

Editing images with software like Lightroom typically involves changing parameters like exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, and so on for more than 90% of your work. These parameters are controlled using sliders that you have to drag with your mouse -- sliders that emulate physical controls. But why not use such physical controls like sliders or control dials directly?

13 Photoshop Curves Tips in 2 Minutes

Even if you've worked with the Curves Tool in Photoshop for years, they may still be some useful tricks that you've never come across before. Here's a helpful 2-minute video by Adobe that contains 13 different tips.

3 Pros and 3 Cons of Having Business Partners

Debating whether or not it’s time for a business partner? This video and article will help you weigh out 3 pros and 3 cons to running a photography business with a partner.

This Dazzling Drone Hyperlapse Shows the Expanse of Mexico City

Mexico City is the capital of Mexico, the most populous city found in North America, and one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. Aerial photographer and videographer Tarsicio Sañudo flew his drone above the area inhabited by over 21 million people and created this gorgeous 4-minute drone hyperlapse video titled "Hyperia: Mexico City the Hypercity."

Yes, Apple WILL Pay Photographers for Its ‘Shot on iPhone’ Contest

On Tuesday, Apple launched a new Shot on iPhone Challenge that asks photographers to submit iPhone photos for a chance to be featured in a worldwide marketing campaign. The announcement sparked concern and controversy over whether Apple was asking for photos in exchange for purely "exposure." Apple clarified things today and yes, photographers will be paid.

Some Mistakes That I Recommend You Make Behind the Camera

I can’t help but notice all those articles proclaiming mistakes we should try to avoid in order to become a better photographer. Admittedly, I have issues with such an approach. First of all: I hate the word “should”. Basically we “should” nothing. Secondly, there is not much learning in avoiding mistakes — we learn best from our mistakes and the more bittersweet they are the more carved into our memory they become.

Lunar Eclipse Video Catches Meteorite Hitting the Moon

During the super blood wolf moon total lunar eclipse on Monday, cameras pointed at the moon captured the first known sighting of a meteorite slamming into the shadow-covered moon. This 24-second video of the impact was released by Jose Maria Madiedo at the University of Huelva in Spain.

9 Inspiring Landscape Photographers on YouTube You Should Follow

It wasn’t until 2015 that I began using YouTube for more than just a means of entertainment, but rather for the video-centric super search engine that it is. When I first became interested in landscape photography, I would scour YouTube for as much pertinent information on the topic as I could discover which ultimately led me to create the following list of 9 inspiring landscape photographers on YouTube you should follow.

The High Cost of Perfection

Walking past booth after booth at the PhotoPlus Expo in New York, I often heard camera company presenters explaining to their uncomfortably-seated, yet nonetheless-enraptured, audiences how they shot the “perfect” photo.

Is GoPro Failing as a Company?

Almost every year, GoPro releases a new action camera, and for the last few years, they’ve been pretty disappointing. Also, every year I seem to fall for their marketing and buy one of their action cameras only to lament that decision. I understand it’s my fault, I should know better. Clearly, I’m operating with heaps of wishful thinking.

This $6 Flea Market Projector Lens is Surprisingly Great for Portraits

While browsing a flea market, photographer Mathieu Stern came across an old slide projector and managed to buy the Rollei 90mm f/2.4 MC lens mounted to it for just €5 (~$5.70). With a little bit of ingenuity and effort, Stern converted it into a camera lens and found that it's a terrific lens for shooting portraits.

How to Build a $30 DIY Rain Machine (and How to Shoot with It)

I’ve written about this project in the past, as I originally made the rain machine and shot with it in 2012, but we’ve now done it in video form! Hopefully it shows a little more detail about the construction and how I shot with it.

Photos of Dogs Jumping with Colorful Powder Trails

Toronto-based animal photographer Jess Bell has been shooting a wonderful series of photos showing dogs jumping and leaving colorful powder trails in their wake. The photos aren't the result of Photoshop compositing -- they were actually shot with dogs and powder.

This is Sony’s New Real-Time Tracking in Action

In unveiling the new a6400 last week, Sony also announced its next-generation AI-based tracking features that are also coming to existing cameras in a firmware update. Sony Artisan Patrick Murphy-Racey shared this 2-minute video showing just how impressive the tracking is.

Photographing the Same Red Cabin Over the Years

It was in August 2013 that I by accident stumbled upon the red cabin and its surrounding lake. I assume the location has been photographed before my first attempts at capturing its inherent beauty and charm. Owing to the fact that the lake is a drinking water reservoir for a whole community, I am very reluctant to disclose its exact location -- in the hope of protecting it from Instagram trophy hunters.

My First Shoot with a Fine Art Photography Collective

I’m always looking to find new ways to incorporate larger goals into my photography. I find it focuses my approach to the way I treat it as a career and a hobby. By dedicating myself to projects outside of things relevant to my life, I am able to explore potential new ways of seeing and interacting the world through my camera. Something I’ve always been interested in is the idea of photography collectives; a group of visual artists with shared philosophies, spaces, and resources.