Photo How To

Among the most popular stories we post are those in which professional photographers recount mistakes they’ve made in the past, so you don’t make them in the future. And that’s exactly what you’ll find below, as Curtis Padley discusses seven shooting errors he wished he had avoided as his skills evolved.

One characteristic of great portrait photographers is the way they employ empathy to develop a strong rapport with their subjects, and the New York-based visual artist known as Shotti is a great example. He says, “My process relies heavily on communicating with my subjects on an emotional level, and through that connection I am able to get an insight into our shared experiences.”

Cropping is a simple and effective way to fix poorly composed images, turn a horizontal shot into a vertical one, or get rid of distracting elements. And if you’re caught out in the field without a telephoto lens, cropping is an effective way to get in tight on a distant subject—especially if you’re using a hi-res camera.

Product photography is a lot harder than it looks. Consequently, many photographers may think they know how to photograph products when they really don't. This results in some serious product photography mistakes.

If you want to shoot better portraits without expensive lighting equipment, this quick tutorial is for you. In just five minutes you’ll see how to create a simple and effective natural light studio in your garage that delivers professional results. And you can use this setup for more than just portrait photography.

Why would anyone want to hang a manual focus vintage lens on a modern digital camera? Well, for starters, you can find used legacy lenses on eBay and elsewhere, and if you know what you’re looking for you’ll save big bucks in the process.

If you’re looking for a bit of inspiration for shooting unique photos over the upcoming holiday weekend, you’ve come to the right place. That’s because a popular pro reveals what he considers the 10 best photography ideas of 2020.