Search results for: photography buying guide introduction to lenses
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by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Getting great pictures of your newborn or infant is certainly no easy task. Indeed, the window of opportunity for coaxing a perfect expression and a picturesque pose from your little bundle of joy is fleeting, at best. For parents (and others) who aspire to capture such moments, user-friendly gear, highly functional accessories, and photogenic props can make all the difference. With this in mind, here are our best recommendations to help make photo sessions with your unpredictable little darlings a success.
Pick the Right Camera for the Job
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 M. Brett Smith · Posted
The holidays are here, which means it’s time to unfurl those shopping lists, unfreeze your credit cards, and cast aside any concerns about cost or consequence. However, if you’re not feeling so cavalier with your capital—fear not. We’ve compiled a list of 50 great gifts, all under $50. We’re talking stocking stuffers, high-quality bargain-buys, and all-around great gear for a price that won’t cause your credit score to V-fib.
Nothing’s worse than your phone (or tablet) dying while you’re out and about. That’s why the
by Jill Waterman · Posted
Bristling along the sidelines of practically every professional sporting event, super-telephoto lenses are known for their ability to reach out and capture distant subjects with exceptional clarity and speed. They feel incredible in the hand, with top-of-the-line build quality and a heft that gives shooters confidence in their equipment. Many feature a variety of switches and buttons that allow users to set up the lens for optimal performance in any situation.
In addition to length, these lenses feature all of the latest technology, such as
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 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 Bjorn Petersen · Posted
Just as mirrorless is now the dominant camera type, full frame is now the dominant sensor size. It wasn’t too long ago when full-frame cameras were seen strictly as tools for professional and high-end photo applications due to their expense and the associated feature sets that were part of the complete full-frame camera system. Over the last few years, however, full-frame options have begun to trickle down to the middle tier of interchangeable-lens camera development, with some instances placing entry-level full-frame cameras right alongside
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 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 Jill Waterman · Posted
In his 1997 article “The Problem with Wildlife Photography,” author and environmental activist Bill McKibben wrote, “Without Kodak there’d be no Endangered Species Act.”
While viewed by some at the time as controversial, McKibben’s point has only gained traction in the intervening years. Recent news reports abound with stories of overenthusiastic shutterbugs who do harm to themselves—or worse yet, to their intended animal subjects—when attempting selfies in the wild or trying to capture a prize-winning close-up. Fueled by the power of
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
The upper echelons of the binocular world just got a bit more crowded with the introduction of the new ZEISS 8x32 Victory SF binoculars and their stablemate, the ZEISS 10x32 Victory SF. Designed and manufactured for
by Allan Weitz · Posted
The topic of this article might seem easy-breezy to compose, but truth be told—it isn’t. For starters, how do you define “travel friendly?” Where are you going? How are you getting there? And what exactly do you plan on photographing once you get there? Do you already own a camera and lenses? If you do, are you happy with them and, if not, why?
There’s simply no way we can address every scenario but, at the very least, we can offer you food for thought.
Bigger Doesn’t Always Mean Better
With few exceptions, it would be fair to say just about
by Bjorn Petersen · Posted
Over the past couple of years, a transition has occurred that is finally bringing medium format digital photography to the masses. With the introduction of the first mirrorless systems in the genre, as well as more players in the game than ever, medium format will likely continue to expand and evolve at a faster pace in the future. More brands are treading into the larger-than-full-frame waters, and evolutions are also taking place in the high-end segment of this market. With more eyes on medium format than ever, it is exciting how this
by Shawn C. Steiner · Posted
First came the trio of a7 cameras, then came the a7 II series, and now we have the a9. It doesn’t seem like there is any end in sight for Sony with its full-frame mirrorless lineup, and each one has its own unique capabilities. So, if you are looking to grab a member of Sony’s ever-expanding camera family, we are here to help you pick out the one that is best for you.
Overview
We are going to focus on the most current models—the a7 II series and the a9. If you are looking to save some cash or just don’t need/want the latest and greatest, then
by Bjorn Petersen · Posted
As a photographer, it’s easy to get caught up with the quality of your gear. Are you outfitted with a high-resolution, full-frame sensor? How does the MTF curve of your lens compare to others? Can you record noise-free images at high-ISO levels? How many raw shots can your camera take before the buffer fills?
"Sometimes you just need a fresh shooting experience to allow you to home in on the creativity that photography can allow."
Getting the top-quality shots for clients is important, but obsessing over these details in your professional