Lighting How To

If you've been shooting in Auto of Program mode and your images lack that special something, the tutorial below from the Photo Genius YouTube channel will solve the problem. In barely 14 minutes you'll learn the many benefits of Aperture Priority mode and pick some useful tips for capturing images with a creative flair.

Nighttime offers a variety opportunities for capturing eye-catching images, whether you're shooting cityscapes, on the water, or elsewhere outdoors. That's because scenes that look boring during the day are often transformed into sparkling tableaus once the sun drops below the horizon and the lights come on.

The use of affordable lens filters was more prevalent in the days of 35mm photography when we didn't have image-editing tools to enhance our work. But as you'll see in the quick video below, these simple accessories are just as valid in today's era of digital imaging.

Most beginning photographers are enthusiastic about their new creative pursuit, but sheer passion alone is not enough to get the job done. That's because practice, a firm understanding of the fundamentals, and appropriate gear are essential if one is to develop their skills.

Nailing exposure is a critical aspect of all genres of photography as you refine your skills, and this can be difficult when shooting outdoors under varied illumination. This is a particularly challenging task when the light is everchanging as clouds pass through a scene, or when subjects in motion move in and out of sunlight and shadow.

Something magical tends to happen once the sun drops below the horizon: scenes that were dull and unimpressive during the day are often transformed into sparkling tableaus full of interesting light, vivid colors, and captivating reflections—while all the boring stuff disappears into the shadows.

One of the biggest challenges when shooting indoors is dealing with unusual light that imparts ugly color casts to the images you shoot. This can even happen when photographing outdoors in ambient light when nearby or overhead objects may bias tones and make them appear unrealistic.