Search results for: photography buying guide how to choose a tripod
About 29 filtered results
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
It is probably safe to say that many of us photographers have, either with our cameras or smartphones, tried to capture a close-up image of an insect, flower, toy, or other object. We have an idea of what we want this photograph to look like as we prepare to capture the image. We've seen and admired beautiful close-up images before but, when we nose the camera lens up to the object, we see nothing but a blur—the lens can't focus close enough to
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
One of the most effective ways to improve your portraiture is by controlling the light, and one of the most effective ways to control your light is to move it. Seems like a simple enough concept, but it can be daunting at first, especially if you're using a speedlight or an on-camera flash. Despite its misleading name, an on-camera flash can, very easily, be used off the camera. The "on-camera" part simply refers to its form factor
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
While much of what makes a great family portrait photographer comes with practice, there are ways you can improve your workflow with the right gear. Today, we’re going to look at accessories that will make your life as an at-home or even aspiring professional portrait photographer easier.Family portraits can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding genres of photography. On top of technical expertise and a familiarity with your gear, it also requires personability and the ability to (sometimes) wrangle up large groups. Even after you get 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 Christopher Witt · Posted
Humans’ fascination with the stars is as old as our ability to think and ask questions. For millennia we, as a species, were limited to observing the heavens with just our eyes. Of course, back then we were able to see more because light pollution didn’t exist, but making detailed observations was impossible. The invention of the microscope led to the development of the telescope, which allowed people to finally start exploring the larger universe. As technological advances were made and telescopes got bigger and better, their reach and the
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Leave it to the world of photography to confuse size and speed. In lens-speak, the term “fast glass” refers to lenses with large apertures. In this article we take a look at the lenses with the largest-opening apertures. The aperture is the opening of a lens. The aperture’s size is expressed as a number that shows the ratio of the opening to the lens’s focal length. This number is referred to as an f/number, f/stop, focal
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
The tripod: a three-legged camera support. Why is the tripod market so flooded with options when they all look pretty much the same and are designed to do the same thing? Isn’t one tripod as good as any other? Why are some so expensive? Why are others comparatively inexpensive? Do some hold cameras more steadily than others? And, why in the world is that one pink?
In this article, we will be emphasizing the use of a tripod for photography.
by M. Brett Smith · Posted
While cameras and lenses create the base of any photographic kit, there are a few photo accessories available without which many photographers say they cannot live. The term “photographic accessories” covers a wide swath of what you’ll find at the B&H SuperStore and online, but it includes tripods, camera bags and cases, memory cards, batteries, filters, flashes, and more. In the world of digital photography, the computer and its accessories are
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Photographers and photo enthusiasts are some of the best people to shop for. Do you know why? Because there are a ton of things your shutterbug needs and wants to augment their pursuit of the ultimate photograph. And luckily, there are completely useful and thoughtful photography-related gifts available for any budget.
Let’s dive in.
1. Multitool
Eventually, everyone finds themselves in the field battling against a loose tripod, desperately using a penny or dime to tighten a screw (and potentially stripping both in the process). This is
by Bjorn Petersen · Posted
While film photography tends to take a back seat to digital photography nowadays, many photography programs still teach film photography to help you gain a better understanding of how the basic photographic process works. Without computers and an LCD screen to fall back on, shooting with film helps to reinforce technique and make you learn, understand, and trust yourself while shooting.
Film
The most obvious thing someone needs to begin his or her education in film photography is
by Mos Khan · Posted
As each year goes by, smartphone cameras keep getting better, and this also means more and more people have access right at their fingertips to a powerful camera. Social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook wouldn’t be as big as they are without the proliferation of smartphone photography. Still, even with the impressive improvements that have put these mobile cameras in competition with traditional camera systems, there are times that they show their limitations. This is why many companies have been developing mobile photo
by Jill Waterman · Posted
No matter how many lenses a photographer has, there are often added lenses we still wish for, and even more lenses after which we lust.
There are so many options that choosing your next lens can often involve a dizzying cavalcade of choices—manufacturers, focal lengths, prime or zoom functionality, auto or manual focusing, and price. Below, we offer up some thoughts on what your next lens might be based on your shooting preferences and needs.
To keep things simple, our suggestions are based on the use of a full-frame camera—those seeking a
by Allan Weitz · Posted
Before heading out on assignment, I make a mental checklist of the gear I will be needing, and camera supports are always on that list. Depending on where and what I plan to photograph, I might take a mid- or full-size tripod and be done with it. If I anticipate taking low-angle photographs, I will also pack along a tabletop-size tripod and, for ground-level shooting, one of my Platypods. Truth is, if I have the space, I take all three options, because if I leave any of these options behind, I know I will need it when I get where I’m going
by Cory Rice · Posted
Looking for a light stand? Seems like a simple task, until you head to the category and find that there are hundreds of options, each with its own set of features and specifications, which can make the whole experience a little overwhelming. We are here to help. Whether you are a beginner or experienced photographer, choosing the right light stand comes down to answering the same set of questions. This guide will take you through them one at a time.
How Heavy Is Your Light?
The most important job of any light stand is to provide a solid,
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Photography can be an expensive hobby. Or, if it is your profession, gear is likely one of your largest expenditures. It is just part of the photographic landscape, especially in the digital age. But, what if money were no object?
How fun would shopping be at B&H Photo then? It’s nice to pretend, is it not? So, I asked a bunch of my coworkers at B&H Photo what they would buy if they were suddenly bequeathed an unlimited