Photo How To

Not everyone has an opportunity to go on safari to photograph rare and wild animals, but most of us have a zoo nearby which is often the next best thing. The problem is that most images shot at the zoo look like were shot at the zoo.

Everyone knows that shooting during the sweet light of  “golden hour” makes for better landscape and nature images. But in this tutorial from innovative photographer Manny Ortiz you’ll learn how to take great portraits when the sun is low in the sky.

Anyone can go out and buy a sophisticated DSLR, as long as they have the cash. But knowing how to take advantage of the capabilities a camera provides is a whole other matter. In the video below, nature photographer Steve Perry reveals seven tips and tricks for making the most of a new Nikon DSLR, or the one you already own.

We recently featured an eye-opening tutorial from the PHLOG Photography YouTube channel, explaining a four-step process for streamlining your workflow with any Raw editor you use. The video below demonstrates a practical example of using this straightforward method to make the subjects of your images really stand out.

I have long been intrigued with kaleidoscopic images, but it’s virtually impossible to photograph into a traditional kaleidoscope because the hole through which you look to see the beautiful designs is too small. Several years ago I figured out how to construct a kaleidoscope that would permit photography, and I’ve always had a lot of fun with it. The cost is around $5-$10, and it can be put together in just a few minutes.

Mark Mawson is a London-based photographer with over 25 years of experience creating unusual images. He’s received international acclaim for his unique photos of colored dye “exploding” in water, and this interesting project is something you should try yourself.

German pro Christian Mohrle is a favorite among Shutterbug readers for two reasons: His imagery is stunning and the tutorials he posts are extremely effective and to the point. So when Mohrle identifies a Lightroom tool as the software's "most powerful feature," it's time to pay attention and learn how it works.