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Three Easy Steps for Creating Star Trails in Adobe Photoshop

Star trails are magical. They show the apparent movements of the stars over a long period of time, a result of the rotation of the Earth. And even better, they're easy to photograph and process in Adobe Photoshop!

Is Sigma's 300-600mm f/4 Your Ideal Super-Telephoto Lens?

The Sigma 300-600mm f/4 DG OS Sports Lens is filling a noticeable gap between typical telephoto zooms and ultra-expensive super telephoto primes. If you've been struggling to find a high-quality lens without reaching into the $10,000-plus range, Sigma's latest offering might be precisely what you're looking for.

Setting Up Successful Model Collaborations

If you're serious about improving your photography, scheduling regular test shoots with models—without money exchanging hands—is necessary. Learning how to handle these arrangements correctly saves you from wasted effort and awkward situations.

Meet the Roller Bag That Actually Delivers

Whether you're a travel or commercial photographer, getting your bag around the airport or to your next shoot can get annoying—if only there were a bag that made traveling a little easier.

How to Pose People Naturally: Proven Advice for Portrait Sessions

When starting out, posing subjects naturally can be tougher than mastering camera settings or lighting techniques. Getting someone comfortable in front of the lens is a crucial skill that directly impacts your images.

Practical Advice for Becoming a Photographer in 2025

If you're thinking about starting a photography career in 2025, it's natural to have concerns, especially with the growing presence of AI. Understanding the current landscape and how you fit into it matters more now than ever.

Nik Collection 8 Is a Big Upgrade That Adds Masking and More

The Nik Collection has been a powerful and useful tool for photo editors since DxO rescued the software from Google in 2017.

Effortlessly Remove People From Images Using Photoshop's AI

Photoshop's recent integration of AI tools has significantly simplified the process of removing people from images. Whether you're dealing with unwanted background figures in portraits or distracting elements in event shots, these modern techniques can dramatically streamline your workflow.

SEO for Photographers Who Hate SEO (But Hate Being Invisible More): Part 2

By now, you’ve started making peace with the idea that your gorgeous photography isn’t enough on its own. You’ve added a clear intro to your homepage. You’ve started naming your images like an adult. You’ve even braved the back end of your site to fiddle with some alt text. That’s huge—give yourself a high five. Now let’s crank it up a notch.

Premium Portrait Lenses Compared: Nikon’s NIKKOR Z and Viltrox Lab

Two 135mm lenses are competing for a place in your Nikon Z setup: Nikon’s own Plena and Viltrox’s Lab Series. Knowing which lens suits your work means digging into details beyond the spec sheet.

Understand Your Camera’s Metering Modes Easily

Understanding camera metering modes is essential if you want consistent results and greater creative control over your photography. Metering affects how your camera interprets lighting in a scene, influencing your exposure settings and the overall look of your photos.

Hands On With The Canon RF 20mm f/1.4 L VCM Hybrid Lens

Canon has just released the fourth lens in its L VCM line of Hybrid Primes, the RF 20mm f/1.4 L VCM. I got to have an early look and wanted to share my thoughts.

Creative Techniques for Capturing Ethereal Flower Photos

Bluebells offer photographers a challenging yet rewarding opportunity to create delicate and dreamy images. Capturing their soft, ethereal beauty often requires specialized techniques and careful handling.

Essential Gear Every Beginner Needs for Macro Photography

When you're starting macro photography, knowing what gear actually makes a difference is the fastest way to getting impressive shots. It's not about buying everything, but choosing exactly what matters to capture the small details you're after.

Good Night, Sweet Prince: Nikon Discontinues the D6 DSLR

Nikon has officially discontinued the D6 DSLR, marking the end of its flagship DSLR line.

Pixel Perfect or Problematic? The Best AI Noise Reduction Software

Pushing your camera's ISO is often a necessary evil in photography. Whether capturing the ambiance of a dimly lit wedding reception, the sprawl of the Milky Way, or the split-second action of wildlife, higher ISOs let you get the shot. The trade-off, however, is digital noise—that grainy, color-speckled texture that can obscure fine details and degrade the overall quality of your images. There are now several contenders vying for a spot in your noise reduction workflow, but which one truly delivers the cleanest results without introducing new problems?

Why Aperture Priority Could Improve Your Photography

When you're out shooting, deciding between camera modes can shape your entire photographic experience. Many believe manual mode is the hallmark of a skilled photographer, but choosing differently can significantly improve your workflow and your results.

Sony's Game-Changing 50-150mm f/2 GM Lens Reviewed

Sony's latest lens, the FE 50-150mm f/2 GM, offers an intriguing combination of speed, flexibility, and high-end optical performance. With its unusual zoom range and bright maximum aperture, this lens could fill a significant gap in your kit, especially if you often shoot events or portraits.

Canon’s RF 15-35mm vs RF 16-28mm STM: Worth the Big Price Difference?

If you're debating between Canon’s RF 15-35mm f/2.8L and the newer RF 16-28mm f/2.8 IS STM, understanding the actual performance differences can save you money and hassle. Lens choice isn't just about price—it's about matching your shooting needs to practical differences in performance and handling.

Advanced Masking Techniques for Striking Landscapes

Lightroom’s color range mask is a powerful tool for making selective edits that bring your photos to life. Understanding how to precisely target colors can significantly improve your editing skills, giving your images depth and nuance.

Photoshop’s New Dynamic Text: Design Easier and Faster

Photoshop recently released a new beta feature called dynamic text, which automatically adjusts your text formatting and size in real time. Text-handling in Photoshop has always been tedious and required careful adjustments, but it just became significantly easier.

Critique the Community Modern Photos

Justify Your Gear, Show Us Your Best Modern Photographs

You've spent thousands on photography equipment. Justify your purchase by showing us your recent images that were made possible with modern gear and cutting-edge features.

Freewell Pro Reader: A Fast, Versatile Reader With Bonus Storage

Freewell aims to simplify the modern card storage conundrum with their Pro Reader, a device that promises not only high-speed reading of multiple formats but also integrated storage for cards when you're out in the field. I've been testing one out to see how it fits into a creator's workflow.

High Dynamic Range Can Be Like Supersizing Your Soda: Just Because You Can, Doesn’t Mean You Should

More is sometimes less. High dynamic range can be great for bringing out the details in your photographs’ shadows and highlights, but it can also make them look rather flat, clinical, and lifeless. If you want to give your images impact and emotional depth, consider trying high contrast instead.

A Year of Shooting in Only Black and White

Photographing exclusively in black and white for an extended period can fundamentally shift the way you approach image-making. It pushes you beyond habitual techniques, challenging you to see and create photographs differently.