We Review the World First Remote Control Lighting System: Falcam Move LightGo
If you’re a one-person crew or working with a small team on photo production, you’ll know the pain—especially when it comes to lighting setups. It can be one of the most frustrating parts of a shoot. It’s not just about turning a light on. It’s the constant need for micro-adjustments: tilt it a little more, feather it to the edge, raise it higher—only to realize the angle’s off and you have to bring it back down again. When your light is way up there, you never really know how much to tilt until it’s already in the air.
[ Read More ]
Why Friends and Family Discounts Backfire
Your sister needs engagement photos. Your college roommate is getting married. Your neighbor wants family portraits. They all know you're a photographer, and they all expect the "friends and family discount." It feels natural to help the people you care about, especially when you have a skill they need. So you cut your rates in half, or maybe shoot for free, thinking you're being generous and strengthening relationships.
[ Read More ]
Advanced Lightroom Techniques for Perfecting Contrast
Contrast can make or break your images, and knowing how to control it precisely is essential. Getting beyond the basic slider in Lightroom opens up powerful editing options that enhance your creative control.
[ Read More ]
We Review the Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 FE LAB: Flagship Performance, Remarkable Value
Lenses like the Sigma 35mm f/1.2 Art and Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM have long dominated the fast 35mm space on Sony E-mount. But Viltrox, with its new 35mm f/1.2 FE LAB, is aiming right at the high end. Is this latest entry in Viltrox’s already impressive LAB series a competitor for the best-performing 35mm on E-mount?
[ Read More ]
Four Months With the Powerful Sony a1 II Mirrorless Camera
Sony's a1 II is their latest flagship camera, boasting top-tier specs and the best performance Sony currently offers. But despite these exceptional features, this camera isn't necessarily the right choice for most photographers or content creators.
[ Read More ]
Inside the '90s Magic Eye Phenomenon and How It Was Created
Magic Eye stereograms swept through the 1990s as a cultural phenomenon, capturing imaginations with their ability to transform a flat image into a mesmerizing 3D scene. For many, they became an intriguing challenge that separated those who could instantly discern the hidden depth from those left squinting at a frustrating blur (aka me).
[ Read More ]
The Essential Gear List for Photographing Milky Way Landscapes
What gear do you need to photograph landscapes with the Milky Way? The good news is that you don't need the most expensive, fanciest gear to get amazing Milky Way photos.
[ Read More ]
We Review the ASUS ROG Flow Z13: A Portable Powerhouse for Photographers, Creatives, and Coders
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 combines the power of a high-end laptop with the versatility of a tablet. This 13.4-inch 2-in-1 packs cutting-edge hardware in a sleek CNC-milled aluminum chassis, aiming to deliver pro-level performance for photographers, digital artists, and programmers on the go. In this in-depth review, we’ll explore its design, display quality, performance benchmarks, thermals and battery life, connectivity, cameras and audio, and overall user experience to see if it lives up to the hype.
[ Read More ]
Godox Announces FL100R, FL200R, and FL200SR Foldable LED Mats
Godox has announced three new LED lights and light mats: the FL100R, FL200R, and FL200SR. The company positions these full-color LED panels as affordable lighting solutions for small studios and independent content creators, building on their existing KNOWLED F series.
[ Read More ]
Seeing Landscapes Differently With a 100-400mm Lens
When it comes to landscape photography, choosing the right lens isn't just a detail—it shapes your entire creative process. Many photographers default to wide angle lenses, but exploring telephoto options can completely redefine your images.
[ Read More ]
Three Simple Rules for Success in Art and in Life
Today, I’d like to share three simple rules for success in art and in life that have helped me through both the ups and the downs.
[ Read More ]
Are Niche Cameras Even Worth It Anymore?
One need only look at GoPro's stock price, once at almost $94 in 2014 and now trading at less than a dollar, to recognize that maybe action cameras — and other niche, specialized cameras — aren't the best ideas. Still, that hasn't stopped me from buying a good many of them over the years, and after watching this video, I have some feelings.
[ Read More ]
Unlock the Hidden Potential of Your Camera’s Timer
Understanding camera drive modes is critical if you want crisp, professional-looking images. Knowing how and when to utilize these settings can significantly improve the clarity and composition of your photographs.
[ Read More ]
Top Ten Questions With Alison Conklin
Alison Conklin is a Fujifilm creator who has spent more than two decades capturing emotional, candid imagery for weddings, engagements, families, and editorial clients including Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot, and Brides. She tells us what gear is indispensable, what she learned from Linda McCartney, and why instinct tops technical skill.
[ Read More ]
Cameras That Failed Hard (And Why)
The camera industry is littered with the corpses of products that looked revolutionary on paper but crashed spectacularly in the real world. These aren't just minor missteps—these are epic failures that cost companies millions, confused consumers, and taught us valuable lessons about what not to do. Here are the cameras that failed hardest, and the brutal reasons why.
[ Read More ]
Is Fujifilm’s X half the Perfect Blend of Digital and Analog?
The Fujifilm X half is a unique compact camera that blends modern features with the feel and simplicity of analog photography. If you've been curious about a smaller camera that captures images with a distinct retro vibe, this might be an intriguing choice to explore.
[ Read More ]
The Myth of Perfect Composition in Landscape Photography
Composition is one of the most talked-about aspects of landscape photography. You hear it everywhere: follow the rule of thirds, use leading lines, balance your frame. These principles are undeniably useful, but the problem is that they are often treated as absolutes rather than guidelines. The notion that there is a single "perfect" composition is one of the most pervasive myths in landscape photography, and today, we will break it down.
[ Read More ]
Photography Myths That Actually Hurt Your Photos
Photography myths can clutter your approach and limit your creativity. Knowing which advice to discard can drastically improve your results and reduce unnecessary frustrations.
[ Read More ]
How to Choose the Right Camera Mode Every Time
Understanding your camera's exposure modes goes beyond basic settings; it's about taking control of your creative outcomes. Using the right mode in the right situation can significantly influence the quality of your photos and your growth as a photographer.
[ Read More ]
Photoshop or Lightroom? Choosing the Right App for Color Edits
If you've ever felt confused deciding whether to use Photoshop or Lightroom for color adjustments, you're not alone. Adobe’s latest updates have added to this confusion by offering overlapping color editing features in both apps.
[ Read More ]