I have to admit that we have rather bizarre Easter traditions in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Before Easter Monday, men and boys weave a kind of whip out of wicker. Then they go from house to house with it, and while reciting Easter rhymes, they hit the girls on...
Photographing Toucans with 400mm Lenses
If you show anyone pictures of birds from South America, there are two types that they are sure to know: toucans and parrots! Toucans are the subject of today’s article – I’ve photographed them for years during my travels, with a variety of camera equipment. Yet almost always with a 400mm lens.
Nikon Z 26mm f/2.8 Review
For this review of the Nikon Z 26mm f/2.8, I’ve tested the lens extensively both in the field and in the lab. This is one of the smallest, lightest full-frame lenses ever made, and not just by Nikon. But how does it perform?
Photoshop’s Selection Tools for Photography, Explained
Understanding how to make selections quickly, easily, and accurately is a fundamental Photoshop skill. Over the last few releases of Photoshop, however, Adobe has shaken up the selection paradigm. Some of the newer tools are claiming that one-click selections are now possible. What are the best selection tools in Photoshop,...
A Rare Encounter with the Buffy Helmetcrest Hummingbird
When you think of hummingbirds, we usually think of small birds found in the warmer parts of the world. And it's true that the regions around the equator are home to the vast majority of the more than 360 species of hummingbird. But among these dwarfs of the bird kingdom, you'll...
Sigma Announces New Lenses and Nikon Z Availability
Sigma just announced three new lenses for various camera systems (L-mount, Sony E-mount, and Fuji X-mount) as well as announcing that three of their existing lenses will be added to the Nikon Z system. It's a total of six lenses - all branded as "Contemporary," with a mix of full-frame...
Photography News: Sony ZV-E1, World Backup Day Deals
If you go out into the countryside right now, you may come across a leaping, squawking procession on its way to the nearest pond or lake. Many amphibians migrate from far and wide this time of year to find suitable places to lay their eggs and foster a new generation....
Five Free, Open-Source Photo Editors To Try in 2023
When it comes to image editing, most people probably think of commercial applications like Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, or Phase One's Capture One Pro. And indeed, these are by far the most popular. On the other hand, there are some serious open-source photo editing programs that can replace commercial programs for...
The Best Micro Four Thirds Lenses: 11 of My Favorites
One of the advantages of Micro Four Thirds cameras is that Panasonic, Olympus (OM System), and third party lenses with a Micro Four Thirds mount can be used on any Micro Four Thirds camera. Also, in part because of the competition between Panasonic and Olympus, these lenses are consistently impressive...
A Rare Encounter with the Cotton-Top Tamarin
The north of Colombia was once covered by a continuous tropical rainforest. However, due to human activity, its area has shrunk to less than 5% of its original size. Countless species of animals and plants have lost their habitat. Some disappeared forever before we could even record them. Others, like...