Lightroom Shortcut to Open Files as Layers

When compositing image files, this simple shortcut can open many image files from Lightroom as layers in a Photoshop file.

William Sawalich

There are lots of photographs I make that incorporate elements from multiple different frames. I might shoot a portrait and take the eyes from one shot and replace closed eyes in another. Or maybe I’ll shoot a landscape and clone the tree from one exposure into another frame. Every once in a while, though, I shoot something with the knowledge that... Read more

Macro Photography, Winter Style

How to get your close-up fix even in the dead of winter—whether you’re shooting outdoors, indoors or somewhere in between

William Sawalich

When folks think of macro photography, they often picture close-ups of blooming flowers and honeybees and all sorts of bright and sunny summer imagery. But winter can also be an ideal time to have fun with a macro lens—whether you feel like working indoors or out. Here are some suggestions for ways to work with a macro lens this winter, braving the... Read more

SEO For Photographers

Want to draw more eyes to your website? Try these tips to rank your website higher in Google search results.

William Sawalich

Do you want people to find your photography website? Whether you’re displaying your images for fun or, more than likely, with the hopes of making a profit, it’s important to optimize your website so search engines will be more likely to return your site in the search results much earlier. The sooner you appear in that list, the better, because studies... Read more

Winter’s Here, Protect Your Gear!

Great ways to protect your camera equipment this winter and all year-round

William Sawalich

Winter weather can wreak havoc on expensive camera gear. When it comes to cold and moisture, even rugged camera equipment is fairly fragile. The kiss of death comes from moisture—whether that’s from rain, melting snow or condensation. Here are a few great ways to protect your gear in some popular precarious situations. In Transit Getting your gear... Read more

Five Tips For Improved Video Storytelling

How to discern if a potential subject has the right ingredients for a good visual story

William Sawalich

With so many photographers picking up on video thanks to its inclusion in so many cameras, there’s a lot of room for still shooters to learn the ins and outs of video. In a recent conversation with renowned travel shooter Bob Krist, the still photographer turned videographer explained that one of the biggest challenges for photographers learning video... Read more

7 Lighting Solutions For Photo And Video

By The Editors Of Digital Photo Magazine

Beautiful light is critical in creating an impressive image. Digital Photo shares these pro tips and techniques for illuminating your compositions, plus reviews of lighting tools to help you get the shot. 1. Cross-Lighting The silver bullet of lighting can solve some difficult photographic problems, as it allows photographers to change light angles... Read more

Winter Evening Photography

Make the most of early sunsets with techniques for shooting magic hour light as well as after dark

William Sawalich

Sunset is very early this time of year, which makes this the perfect time to head out for dusk and after-dark shots in the late afternoon and evening. What sorts of things can you shoot without bright sunlight? Well, the same things you might shoot at midday—just with different techniques. Here are a few interesting ways to take advantage of winter’s... Read more

How To Ensure Bad Lighting

Follow this terrible advice, and you’ll always ensure your lighting will be subpar

William Sawalich

If you follow the bad lighting advice provided here, you’ll never get a shot like this, which was made using a north-facing window as a beautiful, soft key light that’s ideal for portraits. If poor quality lighting is your goal, from portraits to landscapes, here’s our advice for ensuring your lighting is never very good. Learn a lighting rule... Read more

Weigh Down Your Tripod To Make It More Stable

Many tripods have a simple, yet immensely useful feature hiding in plain sight

William Sawalich

Why is there a hook on the bottom of my tripod? Do you know that your tripod likely has a little retractable hook at the bottom of its center column? Do you know why? If you answered “yes” to both questions, do you know the particulars about how to put this hook to use? Many professional-caliber tripods include a small hook beneath the center column... Read more

7 Top Guides To Winter Photography

From technical information on exposure and other settings to creative compositional suggestions, these winter photography tips and techniques will help you capture fresh images of the season

By The Editors Of Digital Photo Magazine

From technical information on exposure and other settings to creative compositional suggestions, these winter photography tips and techniques will help you capture fresh images of the season. 1. Make A Beautiful Family Portrait This Holiday Take advantage of the winter gathering to make a family photo to remember with these tips and techniques. Read... Read more

Make A Beautiful Family Portrait This Holiday

Take advantage of the winter gathering to make a family photo to remember using these tips and techniques

By William Sawalich

Whatever your family’s traditions, consider taking advantage of a holiday gathering as the perfect opportunity to make a family portrait. In warmer parts of the country you may be able to comfortably make portraits outdoors in late fall and early winter, but for the rest of us, a holiday photo shoot means working indoors. Use these tips to make the... Read more

On-Axis Lighting

Three instances where placing a light source as close to the lens as possible makes for a great lighting look

William Sawalich

Plop a flash on top of your camera and start firing away, and you’re not likely to be accused of masterful lighting. I’ve always thought of an on-camera flash as dumping a bucket of light on a subject—not exactly the most nuanced lighting approach. But not all frontal illumination is quite so bad. In fact, sometimes full-frontal, on-axis lighting... Read more

LOGIN