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by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Content creation can be as simple as we make it, but if you truly want to make your content stand out, you’ll need the right tools to do it. Visually pleasing lighting and quality audio can go a long way to legitimizing your work and giving it a pro level feel. In this guide, we’ve put together a few kits ranging from budget friendly to higher end and everything in between.
Best Budget Kit
It’s said that the best camera is the one you have available. Odds are, you likely have a smartphone, so that’s our budget camera. Most modern smartphones
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
When photographing a wedding, we face a wide array of lighting conditions, ranging from bright sunlight to dimly lit interiors. Photographing in any of these scenarios is a challenging endeavor, with our exposures pushed to their limits and our post-processing routines shaken with heavy edits.
Many photographers opt to shoot with ambient lighting, and clients may prefer this style as well. Natural light has an organic look to it that flash seldom
by Luke Rollins · Posted
Subject and style may vary, but consistency is a quality shared by all successful photo studios. When working indoors, that begins with lighting. Strobes remain the bread and butter of many still photography studios. Unlike natural light, which can be finicky and unpredictable; on-camera flashes, which are not typically designed for studio use; or continuous lights, which can become costly as output increases; strobes are built to withstand the rigors of studio life while providing flexible and powerful light. But with so many options on the
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Good lighting is essential to creating a strong, visually pleasing image. This is as true for naturally lit outdoor shots as it is for studio portraits. For individual or even couples portraits, many photographers make use of on-camera flash or compact, battery-powered strobes to supplement natural light and fill shadows, but how do we situate these in the scene? What light shaping tools should we use? Groups alone can be tricky for a plethora of reasons. Whether it be getting everyone to smile, getting kids to look at the camera, or the
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Everyone loves cute baby photos. It may seem simple, but these are important images. These little ones won’t be this small again, and they certainly don’t remain that size for long. Whether you have a little experience under your belt or just getting started, one area that can seem overwhelming is lighting. In this guide, we’re looking at the lighting tools needed to capture stunning portraits of infants and newborns.
The Basics
First, some general newborn photography pointers.
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Photographing pets is something you likely do daily, whether it be with a phone or a dedicated camera. I don’t know about you, but I have thousands of pics of my pup filling up my photos app. After all, pets are part of the family, and we want to capture them in the best possible light. In this quick guide, we’re going to look at 10 ways you can improve your pet photography with practical creative tips and techniques as well as gear.
1. Get to your pet’s level. If there’s one trick to make your images more engaging, it’s to physically shoot
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Anyone who has dabbled in pet photography knows that it can be a rewarding yet challenging experience. While pets are considered to be part of the family, they’re still animals who walk to the beat of their own drum and do things at their own pace. Even the best listeners can be easily distracted or have trouble sitting still for more than two seconds. If you’re considering trying your hand at photographing our fuzzy friends, we’ve put together this helpful guide for you. In this guide, we’re going to cover the essentials for those with a
by Cory Rice · Posted
The trick with any home studio is in creating a space that can be used to create images that do not betray the fact that you shot them in your living room, in your pajamas, using your pet dog as an assistant. Luckily, creating a home studio can be done fairly easily without breaking the bank. This article will help get you up and running.
Planning Your Studio
Before making any purchases, it is important to sit down first and answer some basic questions about what you want your studio to accomplish. First, what type of photographs do you plan
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 Macro Lens
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Whether you’re interested in photography or a semi-experienced beginner looking to upgrade your gear, this is a guide to the essentials you need to build a complete camera kit for any budget. But what do we need in a basic kit? Of course, you can’t take photos without a camera and lens, but we’re looking to help you take your photography to the next level. To do this, we’ll need other staples like a tripod, flash, and select filters to enhance our image taking abilities.
The Basics
When building a kit, there’s more to consider than just the
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Portraiture: It’s one of the most popular and prevalent forms of photography. Although it may seem simple on paper, it comes with its own unique obstacles. Of course, you’ll want to be familiar with your gear. This is essential to all working photographers, but it allows you to focus your efforts on the genre-specific challenges you’ll face.
When photographing people, you’ll find that some folks are photogenic, while others are not. Your job as a photographer is to break down the barriers set by your clients and to put them in the most
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Weddings are one of the most significant days in a couple’s life, and they often have high expectations of the way it’s recorded. Some couples desire to have their day photographed in a manner in which they barely know it’s even happening. Others might prefer the superstar treatment and choose to have their special day shot in a more manicured, glamourous way. The approach—or “style”—we take to photographing a wedding is highly personal, while also being dependent on client’s needs. Wedding photography styles sit on a spectrum. There’s
by Cory Rice · Posted
The equipment used by fashion photographers varies considerably, depending on what is being photographed and who is behind the camera. In general, the kit requirements for documenting a fashion show are more standardized than those for creating editorials. There are successful fashion photographers who can fit all of their gear in a single bag—and others who require an entire equipment truck. This article is aimed at photographers getting started with fashion productions. Photographers interested in capturing runway should read Theanos Nikitas
by Jordan Gallant · Posted
Lots of big announcements this week, including new releases from Sony and LightPix Labs that should definitely appeal to hybrid shooters. Elsewhere, Aputure expanded its STORM series with two new LED monolights.
Sony Unveils New Flagship Camera
The biggest news this week was Sony’s unveiling of the a1 II, an upgrade of the original Alpha 1 flagship with some impressive new features and enhancements. The second generation
by Tim Ireland · Posted
Macro photography allows photographers to explore the intricate details of subjects at a 1:1 or greater magnification ratio. However, capturing sharp, stable, and well-lit macro shots can be challenging, due to factors like camera shake, focusing difficulties, and lighting issues. This comprehensive guide will delve into the support systems and related tools that can enhance your macro photography experience, addressing specific challenges that may arise.
Stabilization Tools
Studio Stands: Studio stands are large, stable support systems