Search results for: photography features understanding exposure
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by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
For macro photographers, having the right gear is essential. Magnification and lighting are key, but you don’t necessarily need the biggest, priciest macro lenses out there to get close-up shots. If you’re a macro photographer yourself or buying a gift for one, we have some excellent recommendations for every budget.
Gifts Under $50
1. Close-up macro filters (like this
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
If renowned landscape photographer Ansel Adams were alive today, he would surely be astounded at the variety of cameras available. When compared to his hulking 8x10 view camera, today’s cameras look like child’s play. He would also be flabbergasted at the image quality these little devices produce.
This year, we have a bottomless well of cameras
by Luke Rollins · Posted
Everyone and their mothers are in on the digicam trend, a fact reflected in the used-market prices found across most platforms. Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, B&H Used--everywhere you look, the best-known models are selling for prices that often meet or exceed their debut MSRP.
Take that old favorite of mine, the Canon S95. Extraordinarily capable, exceedingly pocketable, I got it for a song ($130) back in 2023. Three years later, the going rate has more than tripled, with the average price sitting above $400 and pushing $500
by Luke Rollins · Posted
At first glance, studio photography and the compact camera may seem strange bedfellows. The type of work associated with the studio—still life, product photography, portraiture, macro photography—usually wants cameras with larger sensors and interchangeable lenses, especially in professional applications. Compact, point-and-shoot cameras, for their part, have their natural home in everyday, travel, nightlife, and street applications, where their discretion and size become virtues.
It might seem almost cruel to introduce the compact to the
by Luke Rollins · Posted
Achieving a standard of production value is an essential component of establishing a brand and growing a following. For part-time, burgeoning, and mid-level creators, it can feel like bridging that gap is less a matter of learned skill and more about the equipment you can afford.
In most cases, the problem isn’t budget at all. Acquiring the specific know-how can give your content professional sheen with little to no financial outlay.
Lighting design is arguably the most immediately visible production component—and the one most capable of
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Exposure can be challenging to master. There are many moving parts, and knowing which settings affect what aspect of our image takes time and practice. The goal might be to take full control and use manual exposure mode, but first, we need to learn the ropes using auto exposure modes.
These modes let us use our camera with a little help. As covered in our introduction to exposure article, photography consists of
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Let's face it: throwing a heavy camera over your shoulder can seem like a hassle, especially if photography isn't the main purpose of your trip. Those big mirrorless and DSLR cameras might stun with their incredible clarity, but not every outing calls for a "serious" camera. Still, there's a desire to capture fun photos, either for your own enjoyment, or to share with friends and family when you return.
Enter the bridge camera. Bridge cameras are an excellent, all-in-one solution for wildlife enthusiasts looking to capture images of their
Posted
by John Harris · Posted
It would be foolish to claim that there is only one way to take a portrait, but there are some accepted norms and basic camera settings that you should understand if portraiture is to become your area of photographic interest. Remember though, as you walk down your creative path, that a portrait is more than a headshot, more than a beautiful photo of your subject; it is an opportunity to get to know someone, to have a visual conversation with a person, and to use your photographic skills to pass that understanding of the person on to the
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Imagine, if you will, a photo shoot. Your subject is a striped, orange cat bouncing off of the walls. You have your camera raised to your brow, finger on the trigger, waiting for the perfect pose. He turns his gaze toward you, but his head is constantly moving. No matter, you quickly fire a few frames, figuring that you finally nailed the shot. You check your shots, only to see a series of blurry portraits.
If this sounds like a situation you’ve been in before, we know the feeling. That’s why, today, we’re taking a look at settings for pet
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Getting a new camera is always an exciting affair. Whether it’s your first interchangeable lens camera or a long-awaited upgrade, there’s almost always new features to explore. Mirrorless cameras are especially exciting as they bring new and intuitive features that boost creativity while making photography easier than ever! Whether you’re new to cameras, shopping for one, or looking to dust off an old hobby, let’s get into setting up our new mirrorless camera.
What Is a Mirrorless Camera?
It’s not often something is named after a feature it
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
Taking a look at any modern mirrorless or DSLR camera, you’ll notice a slew of controls, buttons, and dials. Atop nearly all cameras sits a large dial labeled with many letters and icons. This is our mode dial. It is how we control the level of power we give to our camera or take for ourselves.
One of the wonderful things that modern electronic digital and film cameras give you is many high-tech options for your image making. One of the horrible things that modern electronic digital and film cameras give you is many high-tech options for your
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Most photos consist of a balance between bright and dark tones, creating what we typically consider to be “proper exposure.” In proper exposure, there should be ample detail in all areas of the image, no matter how dark or how bright. At least, that’s what we should do when trying to capture a balanced exposure.
Balance, while important to most photographic situations, is not always best for a scene. There are
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Every facet of photography is about controlling light, from the amount of light we allow to enter our camera via the aperture of a lens to the duration of our exposure set by the shutter speed. But how does the camera measure the brightness of the scene to set these settings automatically? How do you, the photographer, know how much to adjust your exposure settings to achieve a specific result for the final image? This is achieved with an in-camera light meter.
What Is Metering?
Metering is how a camera evaluates the available light to