Beyond Perspective Control

More great reasons to use a tilt-shift lens.

Text & Photography by William Sawalich

Regular readers know that I love my tilt-shift lenses. Also known as “perspective control” optics, these devices are really neat. They bring view camera movements into the world of the DSLR. And every time I connect one to my camera I’m struck by how uniquely they let me view the world. Most folks who employ tilt-shift lenses use them for perspective... Read more

Correct Architectural Distortion Easily in Photoshop

You don’t need a perspective control lens if you know the simple Photoshop tool that eliminates architectural distortion.

William Sawalich

As long as there have been cameras, architectural photographers have struggled to keep straight lines straight when they point those cameras up at their subjects. You see, when the focal plane is not parallel with the planes of a building—its walls—the lines appear to converge. The more you tilt up, the stronger this distortion becomes.To solve... Read more

Shooting Color on Color

How to match colors in camera, and in the computer, to make subjects and backgrounds match.

William Sawalich

If you’re charged with photographing a still life of a simple object on a plain background, you don’t have to settle for the basic “plain white background” approach. Why not consider making a more stylish take on the shot, and shoot on a color? And not just any color, but the color of the subject: a red berry on a red background, or a blue jewel... Read more

Fixing Double Chins

How to help those of us with extra chins to look better in portraits

William Sawalich

I shoot a lot of portraits. The number one request I get from subjects as they’re preparing for their session is to make them look better than they do in real life. And the number one way they want to look better is to remove any evidence of a double chin. For those lucky among you who don’t have firsthand knowledge of double chins, it’s the bit... Read more

Set Up “My Menu” on Nikon and Canon DSLRs

Never get lost in a cluttered camera menu again thanks to My Menu customization.

William Sawalich

Tired of searching through the acres and acres of menu options on your DSLR? Instead of scrolling around through countless options until you find the item you’re looking for, set up My Menu to put your most-often used items all in one place. For me, that’s Format Card, Image Quality, Custom White Balance and Custom Shooting Modes. It’s one of... Read more

Five Classic Lighting Recipes

Five tried-and-true lighting styles for effective portraits

Text & Photography By Tom Bol

As much as I like to experiment when it comes to lighting, there are times I need a sure thing, and that’s when I reach into my bag of tricks and pull out one of the five lighting techniques that always work and that create a variety of looks? These techniques are ones that a beginner can master in a short time with minimal gear, and should be part... Read more

The Basics of Photographers’ Rights

Do you need permission to take pictures of certain places or things? Usually, believe it or not, the answer is no.

William Sawalich

Lots of photographers misunderstand the rules of where they can take pictures and who they can take pictures of. And the general public surely seems confused about the legality of photography in public places. Here’s a simple primer to help you know when you’re in the clear. Where? On public streets and sidewalks, as well as public parks and truly... Read more

New Magic Editing Tools in Photoshop CC

How to make the most of some cool new editing features in the latest update to Adobe Photoshop

William Sawalich

Adobe recently released an update to its flagship Photoshop CC image editing software. Included were a handful of neat new tools that work like magic. Here’s a rundown of what’s new, what makes them special and how they work. Face Aware Liquify The Liquify filter has long been one of the most powerful body-shaping tools available in Photoshop. It... Read more

10 Tips For Better Travel Photos

Pro techniques to help you take unique and personal images for your photographic journal

Text & Photography By Nevada Wier

If you want to return home with a great travel portfolio, you need to break out of the tourist mentality and move beyond typical snapshots of postcard locations, you want to master the fine art of travel photography. Award-winning travel photographer Nevada Wier shares her top techniques to create photographs that are not only visually engaging, but... Read more

Indoor Light Portraits

Capturing everyday life with beautiful light in the home

Text & Photography By Me Ra Koh

VERONICA BERNAL, a CONFIDENCE workshop graduate, captured a gorgeous moment between her grandpa and daughter. Window light creates a soft diffused look that adds to the story of gentleness and love. Do you ever have a sinking feeling that all of your photos are starting to look the same? You’ve taken your clients to the same park two dozen times.... Read more

Use Auto ISO for Outdoor Portraits

When a photo shoot moves between bright sunlight and deep shade, nothing beats the Auto ISO function of modern DSLRs.

William Sawalich

One of the most popular requests I get these days is a natural light portrait made outdoors. This au naturel look requires little more than open shade or a lightly overcast sky, and a lens with a wide maximum aperture. And it works wonderfully for portraits, whether of CEOs or musicians or kids. Actually, I think it works especially well for kids. Even... Read more

10 Lessons For Your Best Landscape Photographs

Follow these tips and techniques for more creative compositions of the natural world

Text & Photography By Rick Sammon

“Landscape photography is the supreme test of the photographer—and often the supreme disappointment.” —ANSEL ADAMS Landscape photography can be great fun, but when we get back home and look at our images on our computers, we sometimes ask ourselves, “What was I thinking?” or, “How did I make that mistake?” It’s difficult to capture... Read more

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