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

Portrait Lenses

What to look for when shopping for a portrait lens for any camera, any format and any budget

Text & Photography William Sawalich

Just about the moment the camera was invented, it was used to create portraits. Historic records of people have always been a main photographic focus. In an era of selfies, a portrait stands out as a composed and intentional representation of a person. The first consideration when choosing a lens for portraiture is typically focal length because it... Read more

Gear For Travel Photography

Think small when gearing up for travel photography

Text & Photography By Mark Edward Harris

While many cameras continue to downsize thanks to the mirrorless revolution, the quality of their images keeps ramping up. Many photographers are switching over to small full-frame, APS-C and Micro Four Thirds camera systems and enjoying the incredible results these systems provide, and equally enjoying the weight savings they provide. As we gear up... Read more

Travel Lenses

Confidently capture the world with these great lenses

Mark Edward Harris

Kudla/Shutterstock While there’s no single defining characteristic that makes something a travel lens, there are definitely pieces of glass that are geared for work on the road. When it comes to zooms for travel, one focal length range must be covered—a 24-70mm for a full frame camera or a 16, 17, or 18-55mm for a camera with an APS-C sensor. With... Read more

Lighting Demystified

Mastering photographic lighting is easier than you think, and will open up a world of possibilities

David Schloss

It can take just a single light to completely change a scene—if you know how to use it. Photo by David Schloss Whenever I hear a photographer say “I just use natural light,” sometimes what they mean is “because I don’t know how to use lighting equipment.” For most photographers, understanding how to set up and modify lighting to achieve... Read more

Making Sense Of Storage Media

Maximizing the potential of today’s offerings in the storage and backup space

Brett Wilhelm

With each evolution of high-performance digital cameras, the need for greater amounts of media on which to stockpile your pictures continues to climb. We’ll discuss a variety of options and levels that photographers should consider, as the technology for storing and backing up images is as varied as the camera technology used to capture. Modern Connectivity A... Read more

Essential Lenses And Necessary Accessories

Outfit a growing camera kit with the ideal lenses and accessories for the kind of photography you like to do—from travel to landscapes, portraits to wildlife

William Sawalich

Without a lens, a new camera is useless. And, without the right lens and the right accessories—media, tripod and camera bag—anything beyond the basics is a real challenge. Here’s a look at the lenses and accessories that make a new camera better and more fun. Lens Fundamentals Lenses aren’t very flashy, but they sure are important. In the past... Read more

Strobe Fun In The Cuban Sun

Ira Block spent three years photographing baseball in Cuba, with a little help from strobes and a lifetime supply of lighting know-how

By William Sawalich / Photography By Ira Block

“If we didn’t have a connection,” Block says, “we would pull into a town, and all you’d have to do is ask someone, ‘Hey, where are they playing ball here?’ And you’d get to someplace and that was a start. You’d get to a place where some kids were playing ball, and, you know, we’d ask questions: Where’s a good field? Where’s a... Read more

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