Search results for: photography buying guide how to use step rings
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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
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 Rebecca Melville · Posted
If you ask most consumer-camera owners why they keep a filter on their lens, a majority will most likely reply, “For protection.” While filters do protect the surface of your lens against dust, moisture, and the occasional thumb print, the primary function of lens filters is really to improve the image quality of the pictures you take. There are many kinds of filters with obvious and lesser-known benefits, so if you’re looking for a lens
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 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 Shawn C. Steiner · Posted
Considering the amount of video content now consumed daily by most people, it’s becoming harder and harder for photographers to isolate themselves fully from video. It’s an asset, and practically every DSLR and mirrorless camera made in the past five years not only has video recording but has near-cinema-quality video.
Whether you are learning video for work, want to use your best camera for family videos, or perhaps just want to gain a following online, there are some good tools you should acquire.
For Better Audio: Microphone
One thing
by tom kirkman · Posted
A softbox is an enclosure designed to fit around an artificial light source, such as a flash tube or halogen lamp. Its reflective interior intensifies the light output and projects it through its only means of escape—the front diffusion screen. This creates a quality of light long appreciated by photographers and videographers, which resembles the softer light one might find streaming through a window. It also creates square or rectangular highlights in the reflective surfaces of your subjects. The "soft" name stuck because of the quality of
by David Adler · Posted
In an earlier article comparing cinema lenses and still photography lenses, I made the point that photography lenses could be modified with aftermarket accessories and procedures to make them more “video and cinema friendly.” Since DSLR and mirrorless cameras started to shoot video, there has been a massive interest in using the readily available photography-lens catalog for shooting video. Many of these lenses, optically speaking, are
by Shawn C. Steiner · Posted
Thanks to the DSLR (and now mirrorless) revolution, video shooting has become extremely accessible to more and more individuals, especially the still photographer. Cameras today are emphasizing a combination of photography and video capabilities that produce images that are perfectly suitable for a gallery or movie theater. With many still photographers looking to dip their toes in the motion pool, we have put together the follow list of tools that can help greatly improve video quality.
Just starting out
First things first: if you are truly
by Daniel Wagner_1 · Posted
Always shooting with an on-camera flash is like always shooting with the sun behind your back. While this is a good way to illuminate a subject and capture an image, it may not be the best way to capture your imagination creatively. Positioning your flash off-camera, using an on-camera flash for fill with a second flash, or shooting with three or more Speedlites at the same time, is a great way to add a new level of expression and control to your photography. And, thanks to the integration of radio transmission on Canon’s latest Speedlites,
by Allan Weitz · Posted
What is a lens?
Superficially, a lens is little more than a cylinder containing optical elements that shift about as you focus by turning a ring around the cylinder. But even in its most basic form, a camera lens is far more complex than it might appear.
A lens is more than the sum of its parts. When you attach a lens to a camera, your choice of lens is very much like a painter's choice of brush. For finer details, the painter will choose a narrow, pointier brush. For cloud-free skies, a broader brush would be a wiser choice. Wide-angle lenses