Summer Travel Lens Guide

If you're on the road during the hottest months of the year, invest in a compact, versatile zoom or prime that makes bringing back better pictures more convenient than ever

William Sawalich

2019 is shaping up to be a great year for travel lenses, with new offerings from many manufacturers—particularly for their mirrorless camera systems that are small and light and ideal for travel. One way to think about these types of lenses is that they’re go-anywhere, do-anything devices. That’s because travel encompasses such a broad range of... Read more

Adventure-Ready Storage And Backup

Award-winning surf filmmaker Aaron Lieber offers insights for on-location workflow to ensure your images return safely home with you

Staff

As imaging technologies advance, you’re probably taking more images and video than ever before. The fast, continuous shooting capabilities of today’s digital cameras along with their ability to record incredible high-resolution video open up so many creative possibilities for visual storytelling. Whether you’re a working professional or an adventurous... Read more

Lensbaby’s Deliberate Distortion

I’ve experimented with Lensbaby lenses for years, since they paradoxically let me focus on blur in a very unique and compelling way

Text & Photography By Terry Sullivan

During a trip to Florida a few years ago, while staying at a beach-side resort, my daughter began blowing bubbles by the beach. What intrigued me about the oval shapes and oily texture of the bubbles is that they echoed some of the oval shapes appearing in the background as part of the photo’s bokeh. I love the dreamlike quality the lens allows me... Read more

Pro Insights For Studio Lighting

Two professional studio photographers share their go-to gear and setups to help you choose the best lights for your projects

By Mark Edward Harris

As part of a multi-portrait story on Steven Spielberg, Art Streiber used a Profoto head in a small, gridded softbox for the main light; the catch light is a gridded 7-inch reflector right over the camera. The backdrop is lit by a Profoto head in an extra-small, gridded softbox. Studio lighting, both flash and continuous, tends to be larger and more... Read more

Essential Photo Accessories

For the best photo experience and enhanced creative options, consider these must-have accessories

Text & Photography By Brian Matiash

My tripod is the most important accessory in my kit. So much of how I create my photos relies heavily on keeping my camera perfectly still, even when I’m working in challenging environmental conditions. You would think that to practice and enjoy photography, all you’d need is a camera and a lens, right? In a basic sense, that’s absolutely true.... Read more

Portable Lighting Solutions

Keeping it “light” with on-location lighting, from speedlights to monolights and LED

Text & Photography By Mark Edward Harris

Winemaker Bob Tillman at his Alta Colina Vineyard in Paso Robles, lit with a Nikon speedlight with a Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible attached to soften the fill light and a ¼ CTO to warm it. The days of lugging bags filled with heavy lighting equipment and paying hundreds of dollars in excess and overweight baggage fees for location shoots are over.... Read more

Light Modifiers

Softboxes, beauty dishes, ring lights, snoots and more tools to get the photo you want, in any situation, even when traveling

DL Byron

Use softboxes to create even, flattering light without harsh shadows. You can see the softbox in this portrait reflected in the subject’s sunglasses. Considering that, as photographers, we’re essentially capturing light in a box, modifying how that light gets captured is a key to creativity. When you’re working with artificial light sources, light... Read more

Special Lenses For Special Effects

Whether you want to make big enlargements of tiny subjects with a macro lens or alter the focal plane and perspective with a tilt-shift lens, these specialty lenses produce truly unique optical effects

Text & Photography By William Sawalich

When most of us think about camera lenses, we think about things like focal lengths and maximum apertures and how they allow us to photograph certain subjects most effectively. Lots of lenses work for lots of different things, most of the time. But some lenses are built to do things that are especially unique. These specialty lenses may be designed... Read more

Lenses For Sports Photography

Sports photographers need to reach out and grab the shot. Here's how to pick the right lens.

Text & Photography By Mark Edward Harris

I used my Nikon D4 with my NIKKOR 300mm F2.8 lens set to 1/2000th of a second, f/4.5, ISO 200 to capture the action of a steer wrestling competition at the PRCA Rodeo during Cheyenne, Wyoming’s Frontier Days. When it comes to sports photography, since speed is the name of the game, pros turn to “fast” lenses. But what constitutes a fast lens... Read more

Lenses For Landscape Photography

Landscape photographers need a wide variety of lenses to capture nature’s splendor

Text & Photography By Brian Matiash

It’s very important that I provide viewers with a clear path within my photos, especially when I’m using an ultra-wide focal length. I want to avoid the problem of confusing the viewer as to what the primary focal points are by establishing a clear sense of direction. It’s fair to say that landscape photography can mean different things to... Read more

LOGIN