petermckinnon

6 Bad Habits That Photographers Have

Photographer, videographer, and YouTube star Peter McKinnon brainstormed with his photographer and filmmaker friends and came up with 6 common bad habits in photography that photographers should try to avoid having.

The Bucket Shot: Peter McKinnon’s Journey to Shooting His Dream Photo

Growing up as a skateboarder and BMX biker, Peter McKinnon never thought he would one day become a creative. But after he received a camera, he was bitten by the photography bug and got hooked. This 23-minute short film, titled "The Bucket Shot," tells the story of McKinnon's life journey to shooting the photo of his dreams.

This is a $10,000 Canadian Selfie Stick

After watching the spread of the selfie stick over the past several years, photographer Peter McKinnon recently decided to try one himself for the first time. But then he decided he wanted something better... so he built himself a $10,000 ultra-Canadian selfie stick.

Blindly Taking Apart a $6,000 Camera to See What’s Inside

While riding an ATV through snowy trails, photographer Peter McKinnon accidentally broke the mic input jack on his $6,000 Canon 1D X Mark II. Before sending the DSLR in to Canon for repairs, McKinnon decided to try his hand at blindly opening up the camera to see what's inside.

How to Clean Your Camera Sensor

When was the last time you cleaned your sensor? Even with weather-sealed equipment, dust particles can eventually make their way inside your camera. Peter McKinnon runs through how to clean the sensor and lenses in this 13-minute video.

Don’t Forget to Tell a Story

It’s easy to obsess over gear. We all love new toys, and it’s natural to lust over that hot new mirrorless camera or convince yourself that a lens upgrade is going to take your photos to the next level. But amid the onslaught of pretty-looking shots and gear reviews, never forget: story is king.

Walkthrough: How to Edit a Landscape Photo in Lightroom and Photoshop

Lots of photo editing tutorials these days focus on one specific technique or edit—how to sharpen, or how to use the HSL tool, for example. But if you're just starting out and you need a complete photo editing walkthrough, this tutorial will take you through a landscape photo edit from start to finish.

Why Printing Your Photos Will Make You a Better Photographer

Print your photos. This little piece of advice goes far beyond the simple joy of holding a photograph in your hand. In fact, printing your photos will make you a better photographer and help you hold on to the fulfillment that comes from taking pictures. Here's why.

What You Learn from Shooting the Same Product for 7 Years

What can you learn from shooting the same product over and over (and over) again for many years? That's what photographer Peter McKinnon had to do for work the last 7 years, and in this video he explains how those years taught him to shoot and think more creatively than his competition.

3 Reasons Why You Aren’t Taking Better Photos

No matter your current skill level, you could (and should) always be getting better. And if you ever find yourself in a creative rut—as we all do from time to time—watch this video. Photographer and filmmaker Peter McKinnon thinks he knows why you're struggling, and how to get out.

How to Start Crushing Your Instagram Game

If you use your Instagram account as a main online portfolio for your photography, it's important to make sure you're presenting your work and skills well. Here's a 14-minute video in which photographer Peter McKinnon shares tips for taking your Instagram to the next level.

What Lens Should I Buy? This Video Breaks Down All Your Options

"What lens should I buy?" It's one of the most common gear questions that pops up in the PetaPixel inbox, and while there is no one-size-fits-all answer, photographer Peter McKinnon does a great job of explaining what's out there and what you need to know to decide on your next lens in this informative video.

5 Quick Tips to Instantly Up Your Photo Game

After sharing his 8 camera hacks in 90 seconds, Toronto-based photographer Peter McKinnon is back again with another helpful video for beginners. In the 6-minute one above, he shares 5 basic tips that can help you instantly improve your photos.