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Most recently published stories in Photography.
Tips & Tricks for Retouching Skin in Photoshop
Even amateur photographers currently have the tools to give their portraits a professional makeover, and they don't need the best computers for photo editing to do it! If the subject of your portraits feel insecure about their skin or have blemishes you’d like to correct, you can make those corrections. Check out these 10 tips for retouching skin in Photoshop to maintain the natural skin look.
By Carolena Trissel8 years ago in Photography
Nostalgia
The sky held a heavy overcast, clouds came in the shades ranging from close to steel gray and some a misty serene white. The wind blew briskly, making the leaves and debris skip across the road and the sidewalk. The trees swayed and rustled, shedding their leaves and an occasional thud of a pinecone falling. People stood out on their balconies, witnessing the storm that hung over our tiny town and watching the developments of the stages. The sky held a faint orange glow, dust was swirling in the air. The musty but sweet smell of rain and wet earth hung in the air. Monsoon season came every year around this time. For our dry town, it seemed a rare occasion to be paid its respects. My grandparents sat on their swinging bench, my grandma slowly rocking the seat back and forth gently. Her legs swung slightly. The silent ringing from the windchimes twinkled, filling the atmosphere with a quiet melody. I could see my grandma smiling, my grandpa staring at her. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her on her wasted cheek. It was truly a sight that could be explained as the most genuine display of affection. I sat inside, hearing the fan meekly swing in the living room. The silence caused an empty echo in my ears, a slight ringing. I twirled one of the strings to my worn out grey Old Navy sweater, biting my lip. The flowers on the dining room table sat in a dreamy glow from the dust storm, I stood up slowly. The floorboards creaked with every step I took. I made my way up the stairs, and down the hallway towards my bedroom. I pushed my door open as I reached my hand to my black Canon camera. My fingers twitched with the sort of familiar adrenaline. I saw the world in the art of simplicity. I went back downstairs, the house moaning silently as the wind picked up. I paused by the dining room table. I slightly crouched, I carefully angled the camera and caught the light casting upon the dull pink daisies. The sound of the click as I captured the picture was the only sound that filled the house for a split second. I peeked towards the living room, my grandpa held his head back as he laughed. I smiled. The sliding glass door leading to the porch creaked as I pulled it open. My grandparents turned to look at me, the smiles still worn on their faces. I nodded and smiled at them. My grandma smiled as she scooted across the bench, patting it gently as she beckoned me to come to sit with her and grandpa. I felt the camera slightly bump every step I took down the steps against my chest. "Did you take any good pictures granddaughter?" I nodded, as I pulled up the picture I had taken in the dining room of the pink daisies. She smiled. I turned to her as I asked her if I could take a picture of her. She insisted that she was not picture ready, but I swore to her it would not be a portrait. She stood up, smoothing out her dress. The dark navy blue color contrasted against her delicate pale fingers. Her wedding ring stood out, a thick white gold band with a diamond encrusted in the middle. I ran inside, my grandmother calling after me to be careful. I pulled the daisies from the vase gently. I made my way back to her, handing her the daisies as I instructed her to hold them. She gave me a questioning look but did as I asked. I looked across their backyard, leaves littered the ground and set a good background. I pointed in the direction of where I had wanted my grandmother to stand. She cocked her head and held out her arm to me, as we made our way to her designated area. She stood limply, and I assured her for the hundredth time the picture would not involve her face. I felt my boots sink into the earth as I stood, holding the camera over the tulips. I carefully posed my grandmother, as I rearranged a few daisies to make the bouquet look full. I focused the camera lens on the flowers, and with a breath, took the picture. It was perfect, it had captured the beauty of old age holding onto the youth of the flowers. The beauty of old and new. I had captured the beauty of both. Grandmother leaned forward to admire the picture. I could hear her breath getting slower, her stray gray hair tickling my cheek. She looked at me with her grey eyes, smiling. "I do not know how you do it, but you always manage to get beauty as she shows." I blushed, I knew this picture would be a keeper, I wrapped my arms around her neck, and for a moment, I felt the world settle around us as we held each other. From one youthful heart to another wise soul, I could tell you there was no perfect way to settle the moment we had.
By Kasey Mitchell8 years ago in Photography
Best Camera Bags in 2018
It doesn't seem fair that incredibly expensive equipment should be so delicate, but such is the life for a photographer. Whether you're a hobbyist or a full-time professional, you've likely dropped hundreds or thousands of dollars on cameras and lenses. You owe it to yourself to protect your investment with a high quality shoulder bag, backpack, or other case for your camera kit. There are as many different camera bags on the market as there are lenses, and if you've ever spent time trying to choose the right lens for your camera, you know that means there's a ton of options. I've taken the liberty of searching through some of the best camera bags on the market today ranging from lightweight, quick access sling bags to heavy duty airplane cases. Whatever your wants and needs may be, there's a camera case on this list for you.
By Joseph D. N. Kendrick8 years ago in Photography
Best Aerial Photographers to Follow on Instagram
Every kind of photographer has their own kind of style, and their own way of finding the perfect shot. That's why there's always so much variation between the best portrait photographers, and why so many of the best abstract photographers also tend to shoot from such unique angles.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart8 years ago in Photography
How to Shoot Portraits in Direct Sunlight
You've read the best photography quotes that will inspire you to take more photos and are ready to take some pics. But when you get outside you discover that you’re forced to shoot portraits in direct sunlight, which you quickly discover is not an easy task. When shooting in direct sunlight, the sun is obviously very bright. The lighting situation will not be ideal, and your subject’s faces will be exposed to harsh shadows, raccoon eyes, and very bright glare that bounces light into the eyes. As opposed to the natural lighting you get when the sun is lower in the sky, direct overhead sunlight produces blown out highlights on the face and, overall, just isn’t ideal for anyone. However, sometimes timing and lighting are not in your favor, and you must make do with what you have. If you must shoot portraits in direct sunlight, here are the best tips to make it work.
By Morgan E. Westling8 years ago in Photography
A Shot in the Dark: My Crazy Night Sky Photography Story. Top Story - July 2018.
Basically, this is the story of a lucky shot. To begin, let's go back a few years. First of all, I am far from a pro-photographer. I shoot on a DSLR, for which I only have one lens. But I am an aspiring photographer. Over the past year or two, I have been learning more and more about photography, not to mention falling in love with it. Also, I am a stargazer by nature so night sky photography has always intrigued me. I remember being in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan a couple years ago, gazing mesmerized at the star-filled sky. This was not long after I bought my first DSLR, and I figured I could use it to snap a quick photo of the beautiful sky. I turned it on and pointed it towards the sky, in auto mode. To my dismay, the blurry picture that resulted hardly captured any of the millions of pinpoints of light I could see with my eyes. This was my first experience with "night sky photography."
By Reese Marie8 years ago in Photography
Canon vs Nikon
This article is about what makes a good camera and how to pick a camera for you. I feel now is a good time to write this article as I have a rather large gathering of cameras in my house. If you have read the captions under the photos in my other articles you might see a trend in the cameras I use... Nikon.
By Harrison Galgut8 years ago in Photography
Best Pet Photographers on Instagram To Follow
No matter who you are, what you do, or what you're interested in, there will never be a day that can't be improved by looking at adorable photos of pets. Think about it. How can you hate an adorable animal? You can't!
By Iggy Paulsen8 years ago in Photography
How To Capture Perfect Beach Sunset Photos
After all, you are trying to capture every bit of the expansive and almost overwhelming glory of a beautiful sunset in one small picture. Quite the task for any who attempt it. The best landscape photographers on Instagram are total masters of it, though.
By Madeline Zenk8 years ago in Photography
Tips for Using the Rule of Thirds in Photography
The rule of thirds is one of the important elements photographers use where they take both vertical lines and horizontal lines called the “rule of thirds grid” and use these as intersection points for important elements in photos. It is said that placing main subjects on these focal points is more pleasing to the eye when composing your image. While this is just a starting point for photographers, placing the subject or placing the horizon of an image along the rule of thirds grid is a helpful composition technique for photographers to know before they begin to get creative and start breaking the rule. All of the most followed photographers on Instagram started out knowing this rule. Here are some of the best tips for using the rule of thirds. These tips can help you compose your photos and transform them into art.
By Morgan E. Westling8 years ago in Photography
How to Choose the Right Lens for Your Camera
Once you graduate from the (admittedly decent) camera on your iPhone in favor of a high quality interchangeable lens camera, you open up a whole new world of possibilities. Most cameras come with a mid-range adjustable lens (also known as a "zoom lens") for general use, but the best way to take full advantage of your newfound photographic strength is to purchase specialized lenses that are optimized for your particular needs. That how you master your lenses. Firstly, you'll want to pay attention to the lens mount, which determines which camera bodies a particular lens can attach too. Most camera companies produce proprietary lenses for their own cameras, but there are also some modular third party options.
By Joseph D. N. Kendrick8 years ago in Photography
Why Professional Photographers Need to Embrace a Changing World. Top Story - July 2018.
The world has changed. With the dawn of (truly) accessible digital photography and camera phone advancements, everyone and their robot vacuum cleaner can claim to be a photographer, but are they? What makes a photographer? What's the difference between the "Pros" and these emboldened upstarts trying to lay claim to the throne? Let's dig into the argument and see who comes out on top.
By Jonny Wanders8 years ago in Photography
