Outdoor Photography How To

Live and learn. That's as good a motto for photography as it is for life. 

The current trend in cameras is clearly moving in the direction of full-frame mirrorless models with super-high resolution, and the megapixel race shows no signs of abating. But is this based upon sound photographic principles, or does creative marketing and the “Gear Acquisition Syndrome” factor into the equation?

There was a time when it was considered blasphemy for a serious landscape photographer to leave home without a sturdy tripod. But with recent developments in camera and lens technology, the advantages of shooting handheld are at least worth considering.

Mads Peter Iversen is a professional landscape photographer, but he freely admits that he still makes mistakes. Iversen even says that two major photography mistakes he makes are ones that beginner photographers typically struggle with.

According the instructor Neil Borg, "Dodge and Burn is the secret weapon for sculpting light and adding drama to the photos you capture outdoors"—just like it was in the darkroom for the iconic masters of landscape photography during the heyday of film.

The April 8 total solar eclipse is just around the corner and many people across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are excited about this spectacular event. Here's an extremely important warning worthy of careful consideration—whether you plan to photograph the eclipse or just marvel at the celestial beauty with your eyes.

OK, it's time for some honest self-reflection if you're not a fan of supplemental illumination: Do your avoid flash photography because you prefer the look of available-light imagery? Or are you under the misconception that it's too difficult to do right?