We all know that photography is all about light, and even the best cameras make mistakes rendering what they "see"—yielding images that are either too bright or too dark. If, like most of us, you prefer nailing exposure in the camera (instead of fixing things in post), you've come to the right place.
Most photographers love upgrading their gear, especially when the purchase is a new camera. The temptation is to charge the battery, mount a lens, and head out the door for a test spin, but there are a few things you should do first if you want to take advantage of everything your new toy can do.
Camera settings are among the most democratic aspects of photography, in that the optimum choices are available for shooters of all skill levels. It's simply a matter of changing the defaults and configuring the camera in a way that best suits your specific style of photography.
One specification that's important to many photographers when shopping for a new camera is the number of focus points available. But do you really know how to choose the best focus point(s) at your disposal when shooting different types of images? If not, read on.
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.
Most photographers understand that the f/stop they choose is an important component of arriving at a correct exposure. But this setting affects other attributes of a photo that novices
If landscape photography is a primary areas of interest, you're likely familiar with the conventional "wisdom" that f/11 is the optimum aperture to use when shooting this genre of imagery. But many accomplished pros consider this "rule" nothing more than a useless myth, and the tutorial below explains why.
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.
We've all had the misfortune of failing to capture a dynamic fleeting moment when shooting in the field. Sometimes that's because of poor reflexes, a lack of anticipation, ineffective planning, or incorrect camera settings. Whatever the cause, the tutorial below from one of our favorite instructors will greatly increase your chances of success.
Are you in the habit of always letting the camera make decisions on your behalf? If so, sooner or later you'll want to switch out of Auto and experiment with other exposure modes than provide far more control. Otherwise you'll have difficulty expressing your creative of vision as your skills evolve.
A solid understanding of key camera settings is essential if you're serious about shooting impressive photographs instead of mere snapshots, and one of the most important considerations is whether to use the Raw file format or shoot Jpegs. As you'll see in the video below, the decision you make depends up a variety of factors—including the specific way you intend to use the images you make.
When all else fails and there's "nothing to shoot" it's time to do out and photograph the sunset. These warm, romantic scenes are favorites among photographers of all genres, and this tutorial from the B&C Camera YouTube channel reveals the best camera setting to use for achieving beautiful results.
If you're looking for a way to optimize the range of focus throughout an image the tutorial below explains the best way to get the job done, and it works for just about any type of photos you make. We refer to this technique as "bracket and stack it" and it's not difficult to do.
What do you mean you've never cleaned your lenses and the dirty sensor in your camera? After all, some of us spend a small fortune on cameras, lenses, and important photo accessories, and regular maintenance is part of the game. As one pro says, "It definitely behooves us to do everything in our power to try to extend the life of our gear as much as possible."
If you're considering making the switch from a crop-sensor camera to full-frame model we urge you carefully consider the key points of today's tutorial before pulling the trigger—especially if you're motivated by achieving images with less noise while shooting under low light with high ISO settings. That's because despite conventional wisdom the determining factors are more involved than you think.