Previously, I wrote about five elements of art and how they can impact our photographs. However, there are three more elements that work in conjunction with points, lines, shape, and form that can elevate your photography further.
Beyond basic RAW adjustments lies the world of creative color grading where photographers define their signature style. DxO's recently updated Nik Collection 8 unlocks a staggering amount of creative potential, but knowing where to start with its powerful Color Efex plugin is key.
A crew working for an unnamed wildlife photographer fed and used cellophane paper to lure a fox for the 'perfect shot' in Grand Teton National Park. Since the fox was conditioned to human food, park officials euthanized it. The photographer got his shot. The fox paid with its life. Learning about this event became the North Star for Arthur Lefo, an OM SYSTEM Ambassador who has spent almost a decade photographing iconic wildlife. Lefo believes that ethical wildlife photography isn't just about rules, but respect.
Understanding the roles of the fundamental elements of art allows photographers to create compelling compositions. These elements are not merely aesthetic choices but tools for creating structure in your photography.
Four miles into my hike in the Ansel Adams Wilderness, I started daydreaming about Adams’s mule, that stalwart equine that carried his large-format camera, developing equipment, tent, provisions, and other supplies on his excursions into California's high country.
I’m a desert lover. I’ve always been drawn to the vast dunes, the soft light at dawn and dusk, the abstract beauty hidden in every composition, and the serenity that defines these landscapes.
In this, the second in a series of articles about autofocus, we will look at different focusing modes and their practical applications.
Every few years, I write an updated version of the Film Grain Emulation guide. I do this because my passion drives me to learn more, and my understanding of film grain changes significantly.
There’s a lot more to focusing than many novice photographers realize. When they delve into it, it can seem complex. However, it is easy to master once you have found your way around your camera.
In e-commerce, photography isn’t just a picture—it’s the customer’s only connection to the product. A shopper can’t hold the glasses, feel the texture of the frame, or judge the true glossiness of the metal. When the image doesn’t reflect reality, the result is disappointment, higher return rates, and ultimately, a loss of trust in the brand.
There are small pieces of information that can make a big difference to your enjoyment of photography and your success at taking better pictures.
A "blood moon" lunar eclipse will dazzle viewers this weekend, September 7-8, and provide photographers their second chance of 2025 to capture incredible total lunar eclipse images.
As I passed through the airport security in Managua, Nicaragua, on December 30th, 2024, my heart sank -- the LowePro camera bag had been flagged and was being taken aside for checks. The handler found what he was looking for: my DJI Mavic Pro Drone.
While birds inhabit every environment from remote wilderness to urban parking lots, capturing their beauty and behavior demands technical …
As the world grapples with artificial intelligence and where exactly the technology fits in, one Twitter user has demonstrated an extremely handy use for ChatGPT.
Over the past few product generations of the GoPro line, we’ve seen a ton of advancement in the feature set offered by everyone’s favorite action camera. Not only can it go anywhere and do pretty much anything you ask it to, newer models can even record in 10-bit log formats, in resolutions higher than 4K, in an 8:7 aspect ratio for ultimate flexibility in post.
Landscapes are one of the most accessible yet challenging genres of photography. The challenge for many landscape photographers is effectively translating the experience of witnessing incredible moments in nature into a single, compelling frame.
The long days of summer offer a unique advantage for photographers: an abundance of golden hour light. This seasonal extension of the coveted 'magic hours' provides more time for photographers to work with the soft, beautiful light that can transform a scene. Adobe Lightroom and Sony Ambassador Colby Brown shares with PetaPixel his process of mastering this unique light, providing practical techniques for both in-camera capture and post-processing.
Color grading is a crucial creative adjustment that enhances storytelling and evokes emotions. In portrait photography, it plays a significant role in establishing the mood of the subject. This article explores how to craft color grading in portrait photography, from sourcing inspiration to achieving the final result.
While many photographers will venture out to their local Fourth of July fireworks shows armed with a dedicated camera kit, what if you only have your smartphone on hand? It's still possible to get great shots as Google Senior Product Manager Alex King and Pixel Camera Senior Product Manager Michael Specht explain.
If you’ve ever watched one of my tutorials, you know I’m obsessed with finding ways to edit faster in Lightroom. I want to avoid having to jump to Photoshop just for minor tweaks or small retouching tasks, so I keep looking for ways to apply the same techniques inside Lightroom.
Pelican partner Boone Speed is regarded in many circles as a jack-of-all-trades. In addition to being a pioneering rock climber, Speed is also a successful photographer with a portfolio rich with unique images.
For decades, OM SYSTEM Ambassadors Joe and Mary Ann McDonald have traveled the globe, documenting wildlife in its natural element through their photography.
Adobe Lightroom Ambassador Melissa Findley is a photographer with a deep interest in travel, adventure, landscape, and lifestyle photography. Her passion for visual storytelling has taken her across the globe, leading to significant projects with major brands and non-profit organizations. The acclaimed Australian-born photographer shares her invaluable insights with PetaPixel, offering tips to elevate the nature photography skills of enthusiasts at every level.
As a photographer, if there is one thing I despise when editing my photos, it is jumping between multiple editing apps with one single photo and ending up with duplicate files where my settings are burned in and can’t be tweaked down the line.
A total lunar eclipse will be visible across the entirety of North America, most of South America, and other parts of the world tonight and tomorrow, March 13 and 14.
Despite its embattled status, TikTok still boasts nearly two billion monthly active users, making it an excellent platform for photographers looking to showcase their work.
Photographing flowers is easy and very rewarding. You can create beautiful images with any equipment, most any day or evening, indoors and out. Spring is nirvana for flower photography but I find good opportunities all year.
Taking on a personal project is the next level. It makes you treat photography as an art form. Like in any art, you first start with one-offs, singles, or short stories, and only then approach writing a novel. And this is how I invite you to treat your personal project, as writing a novel, as opposed to snapping unconnected stories here and there.
The annual Geminid meteor shower peaks tonight and tomorrow, December 13 and 14. The impressive meteor shower is an excellent chance for photographers to get out and enjoy one of nature's most beautiful spectacles, and get some fantastic shots, too.
