Optimize Lightroom’s Performance

Make Lightroom work as fast as possible with these settings and suggestions

William Sawalich

Lightroom works fast out of the box. But if your computer isn’t up to par and the application isn’t configured correctly, you might find the software isn’t performing as efficiently as it should be. When it comes to optimizing Lightroom’s performance, it comes down to ensuring your hardware is top-notch and that the computer and application... Read more

Control Your Camera With A Smartphone

A wireless camera trigger that enables exposure adjustments and provides a live view from the palm of your hand

By Staff

I recently purchased a Sony a7R III mirrorless camera. What I was delighted to discover is that I could use a smartphone as a camera remote control for my new Sony. More than just a wireless connection, smartphone camera controls change the way long exposures and multiple exposures are made. Specifics vary by camera model, but with the a7R III, by... Read more

The Secret To Even Background Lighting

With two lights and a handheld meter, you can make perfectly consistent lighting across a background

William Sawalich

When working in the studio, one particular challenge is making an evenly illuminated background. Sure, in most cases it will look fine as long as the background is reasonably lit. Even the spill from a one-light setup can make the background work. But in some cases, precision really matters. It might be when shooting video on a chroma key background... Read more

Save An Image With A Transparent Background

How to use Photoshop to save a photo with a transparent background for use online

William Sawalich

There are lots of reasons to save an image with a transparent background. You may want to create a collage, for instance, layering one image atop another. Or, more likely, you might need to use the image online, with a background generated by the website. This is a common approach for everything from portraits and product photos to logos and graphics... Read more

Retouch Better By Zooming In Closer

Seeing the small details will take your Photoshop editing skills to the next level

William Sawalich

Photoshop is remarkable no matter how you look at it, but it gets even better when you look up close by zooming in to see the fine details. Think about it: All that resolution in camera sensors goes to waste if you don’t enlarge the photo to 100 percent or beyond when you’re editing in Photoshop. When it comes to making an image the highest quality... Read more

Brush-On Selections In Photoshop

Use the select and mask tool to quickly paint a selection—or a mask—wherever you want it

William Sawalich

As part of my portrait retouching process, I like to select areas of the face in order to smooth skin tones and eliminate wrinkles and blemishes. And one of the ways I like to quickly make this selection is to use the Select and Mask tool to brush on the selection rather than encircling the area with a lasso. This technique of painting a selection is... Read more

Using Black Glass As A Versatile Tabletop Background

The mirror-like surface of black Plexiglas is great for making unique backgrounds for product photography

By William Sawalich

Want to photograph an object on a white background? You can use white paper, or even white Plexiglas, or even clear glass. But one unique approach is to use something that’s pure black: black Plexiglas. Believe it or not, this black glass can be used to make a white background—or a gray one, a black one, a blue one or just about anything else you’d... Read more

Follow The Action

Create an image sequence on your next shoot

Text & Photography By Tom Bol

Sequence created using frames at 1/3200 sec., ƒ/9, ISO 400, Nikon D4, 14-24mm F2.8. “Wow, I just missed most of that jump,” I tell Chance as I review images on my camera LCD. This is not one of my best moments. How could I miss that jump? In this case, Chance flew so high off the jump that I only see the lower half of his bike tires in my frame. “No... Read more

Understanding Digital Image Resolution

Resolution can be confusing. Here’s a simplified way to understand the actual sizes of digital image files.

William Sawalich

I’m regularly reminded that people who should have a solid understanding of how resolution works often don’t. When it comes to understanding digital image resolution and how it pertains to image size, ultimately all that matters is the number of pixels contained in the file. It’s not about DPI or PPI or how many inches Photoshop says your... Read more

Tripod Ban Workarounds

When tripods aren’t permitted, try these alternatives

William Sawalich

Early this year, in an effort to ease congestion on popular trails, Zion National Park authorities implemented a tripod ban for commercial workshop groups. While individual photographers would be able to continue using tripods, and workshops could still use them in certain designated areas, the ban makes difficult the use of an often-essential piece... Read more

Auto Import Images Into Lightroom

This handy feature creates a watched folder that automatically imports photos into a Lightroom catalog

William Sawalich

I use Lightroom as the centerpiece of my digital imaging universe. I use it to stay organized, create batch edits of my RAW image files and output specific files built to my clients’ specifications. I have few complaints about Lightroom, but one of them is tethering. I find it a bit too quirky for my liking, so I’ve begun experimenting with other... Read more

Easy Install of a Studio Cyc Wall

The infinity look is easier than ever if you do it yourself with this highly functional studio addition

William Sawalich

For years, whenever someone has asked me to shoot a full-length portrait on a white background, I roll out a 9-foot seamless paper. The problem with paper, of course, is that it wrinkles and rips and tears and you have to worry whenever someone stands on it that they’re going to pull the whole thing down. The better way to achieve this “infinity”... Read more

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