Search results for: video tips solutions how to use depth of field
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by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Who doesn’t love a close-up shot of a flower or bumble bee? Some of the most beautiful aspects of nature are quite small and require special tools to capture them in a meaningful way. Whether it be of a cute little insect visiting our garden, or miniature figurines you paint and sell, we need a camera that can focus close and deliver good, quality results.
Before you panic, hear us out. We don’t need to get carried away with complicated lenses and accessories, and can just enjoy yourself with a simple compact,
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
There is nothing that can replace the extreme close-up view of a rare bird in the wild. Binoculars can get you close but, if you want to look the bird in the eye or confirm that identification for your life list, you need a spotting scope. Spotting scopes pack incredible magnification in a generally simple and lightweight package that is
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
The most engaging portraits seem to have direct eye contact between subject and viewer, as if the camera were simply a window through which we’re looking. But is it that simple? So much goes into making a good portrait, can success simply come down to eye contact between subject and camera and is it even necessary to concentrate on the eyes for a portrait? There are certainly wonderful portraits that do not focus exclusively on the eyes that illustrate character with other aspects of the body, from posture to hands, but as an introduction to
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
As you begin to research cameras, you’ll likely hear some technical jargon about sensors. While it’s easy to ignore some elements of any devices, there’s no way to work around sensors. But what is a sensor and what does it do? In this guide, we’re diving into the often confusing world of imaging sensors. By time we’re done, you’ll have a better understanding of the most significant component in our digital camera.
About Sensors
What Is an Imaging Sensor?
At the heart of our digital cameras sits an imaging sensor, which serves as the digital
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Great products deserve (and often receive) great product photography. Whether you are photographing items for online sales, Internet auctions, or simply taking still life photos of a prized possession, there are some simple (and relatively inexpensive) gear and tips that can help your photos stand out from the others.
Online Auctions & Internet Marketplaces
We’ve all seen sub-par product images online. Let’s face it, they do not want to make you reach for your credit card or increase your bid. Smartphone snapshots are perfectly fine if you
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Specular out-of-focus highlights have appeared in photographs since the first photos were taken through lenses. In 1997, Photo Techniques magazine introduced the word “bokeh” to the photography world’s vernacular and the out-of-focus areas of photographs have been scrutinized ever since. Before the term, there was certainly discussion about the aesthetics of the out-of-focus specular highlights of a photograph, but until 1997, there wasn’t a good word in the English language to describe the phenomenon. Credit goes to Mike Johnston, article
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Like the world’s tidal waters, photographic creativity ebbs and flows for many of us. Sometimes creativity can use a jump-start, an artificial method to get the photographer to start looking at the world in a new way in order to facilitate, restart, refine, or improve your photography.
There are many ideas on how to get yourself to push through an artistic block or inspire you to further expand your boundaries. Not all of them involve the camera. Several websites and books publish a mix of assignments or exercises for the intrepid photographer
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
FUJIFILM continues to lead the digital photography world with its unique and beautiful film simulations that give FUJIFILM X series APS-C interchangeable lens, X series fixed lens, and
by Shawn C. Steiner · Posted
If you are here I’m guessing you’ve done a time lapse or two, maybe read our introductory article or Stan Moniz’s night-specific piece, and want to see how you can make your time lapses even better. I’ll admit it, time lapses are tough. There is a ton of information you need to know about photo and video to make
by Jill Waterman · Posted
Ami Vitale has a remarkable affinity for life-changing events. A native of South Florida, Vitale was a self-described shy, gawky child who, like many young girls, possessed little confidence. The assessment of a grade school teacher, who told her she was not very good at English, stuck with her for years. “I just thought that I had no ability as a writer, or as a creative person,” she says. “I remember thinking I was going to become an engineer because I had almost perfect math scores on my SAT.”
Photographs © Ami Vitale
by Jill Waterman · Posted
Travel photography has a certain lure that brings out the uninhibited snapshooter in all of us. But how do you deal with the volume of images you download to the computer after your trip? At that point, it’s high time to sharpen your eye as a photo editor.
According to award-winning travel photographer Krista Rossow, photo editing is a practice that really should begin before you leave on a trip. Rossow is well versed in the process behind editing photos to tell a dynamic story, given her seven years as
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
For some reason, any web search for “extreme macro photography” takes you on an express train to the land of bugs. But, if you are like me, and not a fan of close-up macro photos of bugs, you might enjoy this guide on how to do extreme macro photography because we will not be seeing any bugs here! Sorry, entomologists, I prefer non-organic subjects for my extreme macro work.
by Bjorn Petersen · Posted
Macro photography is a specialized genre that has wide appeal. Despite its familiarity to most as just being “close-up shooting,” there are a variety of terms and tools that come up in the macro photography field that don’t seem to affect other broader, more general shooting methods. Let’s take a look at some of the specialized nomenclature and tools of the macro trade.
1. Macro
Starting with the obvious one first, macro photography is loosely defined as close-up photography done at scales of life-size or greater. We’ll get into this more in
by tom kirkman · Posted
After posing for a few gigabytes of formals in a hall, you can sense the wedding party’s palpable relief when, weather permitting, it’s time to take it outside. If you’re lucky enough to have nicely landscaped grounds, it’s a great opportunity to stop fighting with the tungsten light sources inside and take advantage of that flash-friendly sunlight.
Whether you’re just starting out as a wedding photographer or a friend asked you to shoot his or her wedding or you’re a seasoned professional, you’ll need some kind of help to maximize your
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Many of us have been there. We get into photography and then we start getting more serious about the art, craft, hobby, or profession. Eventually, the “kit lenses” don’t seem to cut it any longer. Regardless of your path through the world of photography, it is likely that you set your gaze on the camera bag of a professional photographer and saved your hard-earned nickels to buy a set of “pro” lenses. Those lenses usually include the triad of f/2.8 aperture zooms covering wide (14-24mm), mid-range (24-70mm), and telephoto (70-200mm) needs.