Search results for: photography lighting essentials
About 143 filtered results
by Luke Rollins · Posted
Chiaro, a brand best known for their UV filters, recently expanded their inventory with the launch of a line of circular polarizer (CPL) filters available exclusively at B&H. Available in 18 different thread sizes from 37 to 112mm, the new filters come in two build configurations, Core (aluminum) and
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
If there’s one question fledgling photographers often ask, it’s “How did you get such a nice background?” Backgrounds are an essential element of a photograph that are often neglected. In fact, it’s safe to say that a background is as important to a composition as the subject itself. After all, a distracting one will detract from an image.
In this guide, we’re going to cover the many methods used to capture clean, smooth backgrounds in our images. This will encompass the settings and gear involved as well as the in-the-field techniques you can
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Through the cacophony of forest sounds, your ears home in on a buzzy, almost garbled ascending song. Perhaps you recognize it immediately, or maybe you need to confer with one of the trusty internet databases or apps. You train your eyes on the canopy, scanning for movement of any kind, when you see it: the cerulean warbler, a small rowdy songbird with wings slightly splayed from the body. Quickly, you lower your binoculars and train your camera on the little blue passerine before snapping a few frames.
The resulting photos clearly show the
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Optic size is measured by what it can do, but when you’re new to the hobby, this can be confusing. Pick up a spotting scope or any pair of binoculars and you’ll see them adorned with a set of numbers like 8x42, 7x32, or 20-60x80. What exactly do those numbers mean and what do they tell us about an optic?
At the most
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
When choosing binoculars or scopes, a term that should be heavily considered is exit pupil. What is exit pupil, and what does it do? We're often focused on magnification and light gathering capabilities in optics, and these are essential for understanding how optics works, but overall viewing experience shouldn't be discounted.
If you look at any optic at arm's length, you'll see the small pinpoint sized window of light in the center of the eyepiece. Try this with various magnifications, and you'll likely notice a difference in the size of
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Birds, they’re all around us. If you haven’t paid much attention to them, you’re not alone. But, once you do, you’ll have a hard time stopping. If you haven’t yet dabbled in bird watching, known colloquially as birding, we have just one question. Why not? Birding is the perfect way of partially disconnecting from the digital world we find ourselves in and connecting with nature through observation, and one of the most relaxing pastimes imaginable.
If you’re fascinated by our feathery friends but don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered
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 Bjorn Petersen · Posted
In a world where photographers are being asked to capture video and filmmakers need to shoot photos, having one tool that can do both is a major asset—especially in the world of wedding photography where it’s often the same team putting together both the photographs and the video. For this type of scenario, Sony’s latest camera solutions offer some of the best options for hybrid shooting.
Here are some of the best
by Shawn C. Steiner · Posted
Wedding season is upon us and whether you’re a first-time wedding photographer or an experienced pro, you’re likely debating which lenses you should keep or add to your daily kit. Sony makes deciding even tougher with an incredible variety of glass offerings for their E-mount mirrorless system.
Don’t worry though, we’re here to help with our picks for the best Sony lenses for wedding photography.
The New f/2 Zooms: FE 28-70mm f/2 GM and FE 50-150mm f/2 GM
Released in late 2024 and early 2025 respectively, the
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
The wait is finally over, and Sony has unveiled not one, but two new game changing imaging tools to their arsenal. Introducing the a7R VI mirrorless camera and the FE 100-400mm f/4.5 G Master lens. The perfect marriage of speed and resolution.
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Editing is an essential piece of the photography puzzle. We all strive to get it right in camera, but even back in the glory days of analog photography, much of the magic happened in the dark room. Today, we have even more tools at our disposal, from photo management software to programs like Adobe Photoshop where we can make drastic changes to our work.
What we consider too much in terms of editing is up to the artist and their creative vision. What matters more is being able to make the edits you wish to make in the most efficient way
by Luke Rollins · Posted
The wealth of B&H is not measured in sales, but in the accumulated knowledge of its people. The breadth of such experience is impossible to quantify, let alone price, which is why we’re offering this batch of wedding photography advice completely free of charge.
Andrea Buritica, Sales Associate – Chat & Email
Burikitak Photography
One of the best parts about working at B&H is that I get to talk about gear all day. However, it’s doing wedding
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Today, we're going to learn about practical applications of other, less common lenses for street photography such as portrait lenses, ultra wide-angle landscape lenses, and special effect glass like mirror lenses and beyond. These are by no means the only unconventional lenses out there, but these should get your gears turning and inspire you to start experimenting.
Portrait Lenses
Portrait lenses are known for their unparalleled sharpness and eye-catching, subject isolating qualities. This is thanks to their simple design, top-of-the-line
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
There are innumerable odds and ends that photographers can add to their bag. From a new lens to protective and creative filters, photographers are always buying new gear. If this sounds like your mom or dad, why not help them out a bit and gift them a fun or practical accessory for this Mother’s Day and Father’s Day!
In this guide, we’re focused on the essentials—including a few you may not have previously considered. Without any further ado, let’s take a look at some must-have accessories for your photographer parent.
Circular Polarizer
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
I love the Sony A7 IV. That might be a strange way to begin a review of the A7 V, but an important fact to mention. When I first put my hands on a Sony camera years ago, I loved the customization they offered, and of course, I loved the glass.
Above photograph © Mathew Malwitz
How a camera fits in one's hand is very important, so when Sony unveiled a beefier camera, I was sold. It was the perfect blend of form and functionality that many (me, myself, and I) had long desired. It pushed the boundaries of what many once considered to be an all-