Dynamic range is the ratio between the strongest and weakest signal measured in a given context. For example, the dynamic range of a camera sensor is the ratio between the brightest and darkest signal that can be captured in a single image. Like most other things in photography, dynamic range...
Post Archive By Jason Polak - Page 9
What Are Megapixels and How Many Do You Need?
It's impossible to read about cameras and not encounter the terms "pixels" and "megapixels." Nowadays most cameras have 20 megapixels (MP) or more, and there are some monstrosities with 100MP. I still have memories of walking into camera shops as a teenager and seeing the higher end models having 2...
10 Tips for Better Bokeh in Photography
“Bokeh” is a term to describe the quality of out-of-focus areas in a photograph, both in the foreground and background. Although some aspects of bokeh are subjective, everyone seems to like creamy, smooth bokeh, whereas the infamous “onion rings” are unwanted in photos and probably better left as a food.
Micro Four Thirds vs APS-C As Someone Who Uses Both
What's better: micro four thirds or APS-C? Are these two sensor formats at odds? Could any question spark an internet argument more quickly than comparing sensor sizes? There is no doubt that there are advantages and disadvantages of each. Today, I would like to talk about why I (gasp) choose...
Bird Photography with Really Cheap Lenses
There is no doubt that the best gear for bird photography is shockingly expensive. For example, the latest generation 600mm f/4 comes in at about $13,000 US dollars whether you look at Nikon, Canon, or Sony - and that's without a camera. More modest setups are not cheap either and...
How to Get a Blurred Background in Your Photos
Blurring the background is one of the many ways to isolate or emphasize your subject. Do you need a special lens to do so? Absolutely not! In this article, we look at some of the ways you can get those creamy, beautiful backgrounds using almost any camera and lens.
Best Camera Settings for Bird Photography
Imagine that you're on a beautiful beach and you see an unusual bird fly towards you. The sun is low in the sky and golden light washes over delicately patterned wings. You raise your camera, unsure of what settings to use. When you get back home, you realize the shots...
Think Tank Digital Holster 150 Bag Review
Long lens users arguably have an easier time selecting camera bags, simply because there are fewer bags that will fit a long lens in the first place. Today, I will review one such bag, the Think Tank Digital Holster 150. This $110 shoulder bag is capable of holding a camera...
Lightroom Classic vs Lightroom (2023)
Once upon a time, there was just Lightroom. But ever since Adobe moved to cloud-based and subscription-based services, Lightroom has had two incarnations: Lightroom Classic and Lightroom (formerly known as Lightroom CC, where CC stands for "Creative Cloud"). Lightroom Classic is the desktop-only Lightroom that most photographers use, whereas Lightroom...
Best Monitor for Photography
One of the most frequently asked questions from our readers and friends is related to picking a good monitor for photography needs. It seems like the market is over-saturated with all kinds of choices, whether you visit a local store or browse through an online catalog. There are so many...