Search results for: photography buying guide digital camera basics
About 29 filtered results
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are right around the corner! Finding the right gifts can be a challenge, especially when it seems like they already have everything. Luckily, we’ve got the best gift ideas for the outdoorsy photographer parent in your life. Whether mom and dad are avid hikers, bird watchers, beachgoers, or polar bear guides in Svalbard, Norway, we’ve got you covered.
Camera
In a surprising twist, a camera is our first suggestion. One of the first things any outdoorsman should consider is a tool to record what they see so
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
There’s an old adage that claims in order to be a wildlife photographer, you need a lot of time and a lot of money. This is only partly true. Many great wildlife photo opportunities can occur in urban parks and even in your own backyard, as long as we know what we’re doing. In this article, we’re going to cover a number of essential tips that will help you become a better wildlife photographer.
If you’ve read our introduction
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Choosing a lens is a highly personal choice, and that’s especially true for wildlife photography. This is in the realm of the telephoto lens after all. While almost any focal length lens works for landscapes and other types of photography, in general, when it comes to photographing animals in the wild, you'll want to have the longest reach you can. In this guide, we’re going to discuss the factors one should consider when purchasing a lens for wildlife photography.
Focal Length
The first and most straightforward factor to consider is focal
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
After the smartphone revolution, it appeared that the days of the compact camera were done. How wrong we were. It’s true that a few years back, point-and-shoot options were few and far between. There were just a handful of options on the market, and some industry titans even left the market entirely. Despite the long-rumored demise of the compact camera, it seems that photo enthusiasts still desire a dedicated device without the distractions that come with a smartphone.
What is a compact or “point-and-shoot” camera? Just because a camera is “
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Anyone who has dabbled in pet photography knows that it can be a rewarding yet challenging experience. While pets are considered to be part of the family, they’re still animals who walk to the beat of their own drum and do things at their own pace. Even the best listeners can be easily distracted or have trouble sitting still for more than two seconds. If you’re considering trying your hand at photographing our fuzzy friends, we’ve put together this helpful guide for you. In this guide, we’re going to cover the essentials for those with a
by Zack Young · Posted
While photography tends to get a lot of the spotlight here at B&H, 2025 was also full of groundbreaking cinema lenses, powerful LEDs, and versatile audio equipment. So we thought we'd take a moment to honor unique new favorites in lighting, video, and audio.
Lighting
Nanlite wand RGB LED Light
Yes, it's a tube light with a built-in handle and barn doors, but that's not a bad thing. The Nanlite wand RGB LED Light
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Photography is, by definition, the capture of light on a light sensitive surface. Exactly what kind of light this is in reference to is up to you as the photographer. When we think of lighting for photography we may immediately conjure up images of on-camera speedlights or big studio lights with soft boxes atop towering light stands.
While these lights can give us control over our scene in a variety of lighting conditions, they're not the only way we can light our images. Natural and ambient lighting can be harnessed to dramatic effect, if we
by Shawn C. Steiner · Posted
Audio is extremely important. Photographers haven’t really had to worry about this, but it is something that can make or break your videos. Watch some of your favorite movies and pay close attention to the sound—you will probably pick up some audio cues or effects that amplify the scene or action. If recorded poorly, audio can make something completely unwatchable. Have you ever opened a video online to crackling and noise and decided that it just wasn’t worth enduring? Clarity in audio is one of the most important things for keeping your
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 Luke Rollins · Posted
It’s easy to overlook the fact that when you’re buying a camera, you’re not just buying the body—you’re buying the mount system and all the lenses, too. After a camera and two lenses, you’re locked in, and switching brands becomes as difficult as moving apartments or buying a new car. Sure, making a camera and making a lens are different beasts, and while in truth there are great cameras and great lenses across all the brands, some companies do some things a little better than others. And let’s face it—you know somebody is going to ask you
by Rebecca Melville · Posted
Content creation has exploded into a multi-billion-dollar industry with no signs of slowing down. While it’s true that anyone with a smartphone can become a content creator, the shift toward polished productions might have you browsing some more professional gadgets. Luckily, affordable, easy-to-use gear is widely available for every kind of content creator. Let’s explore some options you might consider snagging for your new hobby or upcoming project.
Best vlogging cameras for content creators
by Zack Young · Posted
Once you’re familiar with the basic concepts behind high-volume photography, the next logical step is to figure out what gear you need to purchase. That’s when the panic might hit. Suddenly you’re flooded with decisions about cameras, lenses, strobes, backdrops, barcode scanners, and more, each category including tons of different options at every
by Cory Rice · Posted
The equipment used by fashion photographers varies considerably, depending on what is being photographed and who is behind the camera. In general, the kit requirements for documenting a fashion show are more standardized than those for creating editorials. There are successful fashion photographers who can fit all of their gear in a single bag—and others who require an entire equipment truck. This article is aimed at photographers getting started with fashion productions. Photographers interested in capturing runway should read Theanos Nikitas
by Bjorn Petersen · Posted
There were nearly 200 new lenses released this year, many of which were iterations of an existing lens. Many of the lenses were also wholly new designs, whether first-party designs to pair with a new flagship camera or third-party innovations designed to fill the gaps in existing lineups.
With such a breadth of new lenses available in the past 12 months, we're narrowing things down to cover some of the highlights and most unique or exciting lenses that came out
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
What is the best lens for landscape photography? The answer is that any camera lens can and will be the perfect lens for capturing a landscape, depending on your viewpoint and the subject. But if a landscape photographer is heading out into the world with a single lens, betting money says they will go with a wide-angle zoom or prime lens affixed to their camera.
How to Choose the Best Focal Length for a Landscape Lens
We started this buying guide by saying that almost any lens could be used as a landscape lens. Let’s refine that premise to