Search results for: photography buying guide best lenses for beginners
About 14 filtered results
by Shawn C. Steiner · Posted
After you pick up your first speedlight, strobe, or LED panel, the best investment you can make is in some modifiers. These are tools that shape and alter the intensity of our light source. Modifiers come in all shapes and sizes based on the type of light you plan to use them on, which can make it difficult to pick one out if you are new to photography. Since each modifier comes with its own distinct look and ideal use, here is a
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Landscapes and wildlife are among the most challenging subject matter to capture well with a camera. Wildlife is unpredictable and despite your best efforts, will not respond to posing instructions. Landscapes are stationary but at the mercy of available light and weather conditions. All that being said, it is the unpredictable nature of landscape and wildlife photography that has earned these genres a very large, very dedicated, and very passionate following. The dedication of these photographers can make finding the right gift all the more
by John-Paul Pale… · Posted
The new school year is nearly upon us, which means it’s time to start stocking up on necessary gear and school supplies. For film and photo majors, that means finding the camera that’s right for you. To help you get the perfect shot, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite cameras, including options for beginning photographers, prosumers, and professionals.
Medium Format
The
by Rebecca Melville · Posted
2023 has been another banner year for vloggers. Not only did we see new releases from familiar faces like GoPro and Sony, but big-name camera brands like Canon and FUJIFILM wheeled out their own vlog-specific and vlog-friendly cameras, making content creation more accessible than ever. With vlogging on the rise and showing no signs of stopping, you might be interested in getting a vlogging camera for yourself.
The vari-angle rear LCD touchscreen is a must-have for most content creation and vlogging. Vari-angle touchscreens can twist and
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
What is the best camera for beginners? While this seems like a straightforward question, and many websites will just throw a list of camera options at you, the answer can be more complex than one specific camera recommended for every newbie photographer. Giving this question some thought and considering a few options may pay future dividends as a novice photographer evolves into a photographic artist. One certainty is that an entry-level camera should be easy to use, convenient to carry and employ, as well as being intuitive, while also
by Cory Rice · Posted
One of the leading trends in digital cameras over the past few years has been the development of advanced video capabilities in mirrorless and DSLR cameras. Features that could once only be found in costly cinema cameras now come standard in still cameras targeted toward hybrid photo-video content creators. Accompanying the interest in cameras able to create high-quality stills and videos has come a demand for lights that can be used for both purposes.
While on-camera flashes and strobes have long been the standard for photographers, the short
by Shawn C. Steiner · Posted
Smartphone photography is getting better and better each year. It’s now possible to create usable images in near pitch black and capture stunning photos of the night sky. I would advise you not to do that, at least not all the time. Dedicated smartphone photographers know this and go hunting for the best possible light for their photographs. I’m here to tell you that you no longer have to rely on available light to get a great smartphone shot, there are plenty of new lighting tools available, developed exclusively for smartphones.
Compact LED
by M. Brett Smith · Posted
Portrait photography, or portraiture, remains one of the most popular genres of photography today—and for good reason. Portraits are compelling; they are evocative. Portraits tell a story; they elicit an emotion. Shot correctly, a portrait can reveal the true essence of a person, who they are and what they feel. According to Godard, portraiture is tantamount to capturing the soul. About what other medium or form of expression could you say such a thing?
As with most genres of photography, portraiture is not beholden to any one specific
by Jason T · Posted
If you’ve just ordered your first camera system, now you may be wondering what else you need to get started. Deciding which accessories to buy when you’re first beginning in photography can be a bit of a challenge to the uninitiated. Some accessories, like lens wipes for instance, are universal, but other types of accessories to consider may vary quite a bit depending on the kinds of photos you’re interested in making, and where you plan on shooting
by Cory Rice · Posted
One of the most daunting aspects of stepping up to an interchangeable-lens camera is the startup cost of purchasing a camera body and a lens. Fortunately, camera companies and retailers, well aware of this financial deterrent, often team up on a solution: the “kit” lens. While technically kit lenses come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and price points, for the purposes of this article I am thinking of a specific lens many photographers have encountered at one point or another when buying a new camera: the “all-purpose” zoom that provides
by Jill Waterman · Posted
For photography enthusiasts seeking to expand their horizons from pictures made with a mobile phone or a point-and-shoot, the major benefit in of upgrading to a DSLR or mirrorless camera system is the ability to swap out different lenses to fit your specific needs. Prime lenses are available in all lengths and varieties and offer numerous advantages in performance when compared to their zoom-lens brethren. Also, the particular choices associated with sticking to a specific focal length can help improve your photographic technique, as well as
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Fret not! There are holiday stocking stuffers available for your favorite photographer! Better yet, they cover the needs of a wide-ranging swath of holiday budgetary restrictions. I don’t know about the holidays at your home, but I do know that, growing up, my stocking stuffers ranged from chintzy thingies purchased at discount stores in the 11th hour to honest-to-goodness super-useful cool gifts. Now, I am not being thankless when I mention the super-thoughtful (not) trinkets received, but it was the über-cool stocking fillers that always
by Richard Scali · Posted
As complementary as peanut butter is to jelly, the camera and tripod are an age-old pairing that still manages to maintain relevance and unmatched functionality in a world dominated by image stabilization and Photoshop tricks. While the form and function of a tripod is far simpler to understand than the scrolling menus of today’s feature-packed DSLRs, it can still be a chore to choose the right setup for your needs from among a sea of manufacturers and
by John Harris · Posted
I can’t blame anyone but myself. I suggested the title based on the many times I’ve been asked this exact same question. So here I am attempting to answer the almost unanswerable—what camera should you buy for your upcoming trip to Italy, Africa, theme park, or... fill in the blank. Well, I suppose your destination does make a difference. If you know you will be climbing mountains or snorkeling, you will want to consider a camera that can withstand extreme environments or go underwater, and I will address that below, but because the variety of