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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
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
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 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 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 Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Despite what you might have seen on the internet, you don’t need all the money and time in the world to photograph wildlife. Sure, an African safari would be nice, but it is by no means the only way to capture stunning images of wild animals. In fact, regardless of where you live, odds are there’s a vast ecosystem that likely goes unnoticed. If you have trees in your neighborhood, you’re off to a great start.
What You Need to Photograph Wildlife
While gear plays a crucial role in our ability to photograph wildlife, it isn’t everything. In this
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
If there’s one area of wildlife photography that challenges even some of the most consummate artists, it’s birds in flight. A dynamic flight shot shows action, and a bit of technical prowess. As you can imagine, capturing birds in flight is no easy feat.
To consistently capture these shots, one must be proficient with their gear and have a knowledge of animal behavior. We’d go as far as to say you need a bit of luck too, but what is luck if not preparedness meeting opportunity. In order to make the most of the opportunities that present
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
When you first head out to take photos of wildlife, what’s the first thing you think of? If it’s not lighting, we’ve got news for you. Photography is, by definition, the capture of light on a light-sensitive surface. The word “photograph” is derived from Greek roots that translate to “drawing with light.”
We can have the most expensive camera and lens combo, but without good light, we’ll never get the most out of it. Understanding our primary light source and its many qualities is essential to improving as a wildlife photographer, and in this
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Photography is by definition, the capture of light on a light sensitive surface. That surface could be glass, tin, film, or a digital imaging sensor like those found in most modern cameras. The amount of light that reaches our light-sensitive surface is what we can define as exposure.
A good exposure will look accurate to life or the photographer's creative vision. It will maximize an images quality and
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 Rebecca Melville · Posted
An on-camera flash is an indispensable accessory for many photographers. While it provides light to supplement dark conditions, an on-camera flash also allows you to achieve more balanced exposures in daylight conditions, permits freezing of fast-moving subjects, and can even be used to control other flash light sources. With so much to offer, an on-camera flash can become an integral part of your workflow, but where do you start? We are going to give you the on-camera flash rundown with everything you need to know to make the most of this
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 Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Photography is, by definition, the capture of light on a light sensitive surface. Exactly what kind of light this is in reference to is up to you as the photographer. When we think of lighting for photography we may immediately conjure up images of on-camera speedlights or big studio lights with soft boxes atop towering light stands.
While these lights can give us control over our scene in a variety of lighting conditions, they're not the only way we can light our images. Natural and ambient lighting can be harnessed to dramatic effect, if we