NIKON D800E + 24mm f/1.4 @ 24mm, ISO 100, 0.6 seconds, f/16.0 As photographers, it’s easy to get in our own heads and overthink which aperture to use. On one hand, there’s the classic saying - “f/8 and be there.” On the other, modern lens reviews almost always conclude that…
Understanding Luminosity Masks in Photoshop
There are many ways to select an area of an image. In this article, we will take a detailed look at what luminosity masks are, how to create them and how to use them effectively in Photoshop. Luminosity masks are one of the most powerful tools when it comes to…
It’s Time for More Pancake Lenses
Camera manufacturers have gone all-in on the idea of lightweight cameras. That’s almost entirely how mirrorless got its start, and it remains a major reason why photographers switch from their bulky DSLRs today. So, why haven’t lighter lenses caught on, too? In an earlier article, I analyzed every lens released…
Photographing Myanmar – Insider Insights
Several years ago National Geographic photographer Catherine Karnow said, “Myanmar is the most photogenic place that I have ever photographed.” (more…)
How to Improve Your Camera Battery Life
Sooner or later, every photographer runs into their camera’s dreaded low battery warning. The eighth law of photography states that the charge left on your battery decreases as the scene in front of you grows more interesting. But never fear - that’s where the tips in this article come in.…
Understanding Aspect Ratios in Photography
Many modern smartphones have a native aspect ratio of 4:3 on their camerasImage captured with the iPhone X @ 4mm, ISO 40, 1/15, f/1.8 Although aspect ratio might sound confusing for beginners at first, it is a relatively simple subject to understand. In this article, we will explore aspect ratios…
ioSafe Solo Hawk Rugged SSD Review
The ioSafe Solo Hawk is an external SSD drive that is built to withstand some of the harshest conditions a storage device could endure. Build to military standards, the drive is waterproof (up to 10 feet for 72 hours), crush-proof (up to 2500 pounds), drop-proof (up to 10 feet) and…
Nikon Z 24mm F1.8 S Announcement: 4 Aspherical Elements, $1000
Nikon just announced its seventh lens for the Nikon Z mirrorless cameras, the Z 24mm f/1.8 S. Although we already knew this lens would arrive in 2019 thanks to Nikon's roadmap, today's announcement sheds much more light on its features. The 24mm f/1.8 ships in October for an MSRP of $1000.…
Nikon D6 and 120-300mm f/2.8E VR Announcements
Nikon has just announced that it is "developing" the next generation top-of-the-line "flagship" camera for sports and wildlife photographers, the Nikon D6. The launch is intended for the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan next summer, which is going to be an important event for all major camera manufacturers, including…
The Quest for Unique Perspectives in Endlessly Photographed Italy
Italy is one of the most photographed places in the world. And yet, with the advent of social media and location sharing, more and more of these photos are limited to a few popular locations and compositions. Readers who've spent any time on the major photography websites know exactly what…