In January, I went on a road trip to Zion National Park in Utah. Only recently did I realize that I hadn’t destroyed (yes, destroyed) the best photo I took there, of star trails at night. How did that happen? It’s entirely my fault, but at least the story, and the results, are encouraging.
Post Archive By Spencer Cox - Page 24
Should You Switch from DSLR to Mirrorless?
The viral reports from Nikkei – the ones that say Nikon is completely switching focus from DSLRs to mirrorless – are hardly news to anyone who’s followed the camera world for the last few years. Canon is in exactly the same boat. With few exceptions, camera companies have moved on from DSLR to mirrorless. Should you?
Please Welcome Nicholas Hess to the Photography Life Team!
Today I’m happy to welcome the newest member of Photography Life’s growing team of writers and photography experts: wildlife photographer Nicholas Hess! I’ve been stunned by the quality of his wildlife photos and was thrilled when he agreed to join the team. Here he is now to introduce himself.
The Art of Saving Money on Camera Gear
For most of my time as a photographer, I’ve been on a strict budget, from my days as a student to my current attempts to save for a house and car. I’m sure I’ve spent more than necessary along the way - but I’ve also learned how to navigate the...
The Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 Isn’t PF, But It’s As Small As One
Alongside the Z30, Nikon also just formally announced the $3250 Z 400mm f/4.5 S, shipping in mid-July. This lens isn’t much of a surprise since it was already on the roadmap – plus it had plenty of hands-on previews from YouTubers last week – but it’s still an exciting sight.
Nikon Z30 Announcement: Video-Oriented, Viewfinder-Free, Uninspiring
The Nikon Z30 is the most entry-level camera in the Nikon Z series yet – and the first without a viewfinder. Nikon’s advertising leans heavily on the camera’s video prowess, although its specs frankly aren’t very different from those of 2019’s Nikon Z50. It ships mid-July for $710 body only.
How Many Good Photos from a Trip Is a Success?
I’ve gone on two photography trips recently with very different results. The first trip led mostly to duds, aside from a single portfolio-quality image. The second led to dozens of publishable shots and multiple for my portfolio. It made me wonder what counts as a successful photography trip at all.
Our Most Popular Comment Ever
As I was updating some old articles on Photography Life, I came across what I believe to be the most popular comment anywhere on the site. It concerns a particular lens that Nikon Z users have been asking about for a while now. I’ll let the comment speak for itself:
Blurry Corners in a Photo? Don’t Blame Your Lens
One of the most common image quality challenges in photography is to get sharp corners. Landscape photographers (among others) often pay big bucks for lenses with high resolving power at the edges of the frame. But a new lens may not solve your problem – because blurry corners usually aren’t due to the lens.
When and Why to Make a Photo Black and White
I’m a fan of black and white photography. A lot of subjects that fall short in color look evocative and powerful when captured in shades of gray. But it’s not always easy to decide if a photo should be color or black and white. Today, I’ll explain how I choose.