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The 135mm lens: capture magical portraits

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What’s your go-to portrait lens? I must admit that when I started out, I was shooting in small spaces on a crop sensor, so my nifty-fifty was probably my most-used lens. And I kind of got used to it. Even now, I seldom use longer than a 105mm lens for portraiture, mostly because I like to boss my subjects about, and if I’m too far away, it’s hard for them to hear! But perhaps I should branch out and try an even longer lens.

In this video, Stefan Malloch shares his thoughts about the 135mm lens and why he thinks it’s the best lens for portraiture. So why might you want to consider using a longer focal length?

Stuck in a rut? Use these tips to improve your photography today

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They say that practice makes perfect, but actually, that’s a lie. Only perfect practice makes perfect. If you simply repeat the same thing over and over again, you will just end up with more of the same. And that’s how we get stuck in a rut with no ideas for escape or improvement.

Luckily (or not, depending on your stance), we now have the internet to fuel our creativity. In this video, Alister Benn from Expressive Photography gives us his top 5 ideas for moving your photography forward when you just don’t seem to be getting better.

What are handheld light meters and how do you use them?

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Digital cameras come with built-in light meters. Mostly, they do a good job of reading the light in a scene and helping you judge your exposure settings. But if you want to be absolutely sure of the light and get an accurate exposure, you need to use a handheld light meter. If that sounds intimidating, here is your light meter guide.

Lindsay Adler’s essential gear for on-location shoots

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Photographers often work in different environments, from the controlled studio setting to the dynamic challenges of shooting on location. If you don’t have a large entourage of assistants, it can feel overwhelming shooting on location. But as Lindsay Adler shows in this video from Adorama, you don’t need a ton of gear to take great shots on location.

As a versatile portrait and fashion photographer, Lindsay Adler has mastered the art of capturing stunning images both indoors and outdoors. In this video, Lindsay explains the essential gear that accompanies her on every location photoshoot.

Symmetry in photography – everything you need to know

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Symmetry exists everywhere around us. It is within nature, for example, in flowers and starfish. This means that artists have been reproducing symmetry in their works since the beginning of art. and photography symmetry is no different. But we also choose to make things that are deliberately symmetrical, too, such as in buildings and cars. And architects, painters, and sculptors use symmetry as a design or compositional technique.

Much like we might use the rule of thirds, as a photography composition technique, we can create photography symmetry, too. We might even use it along with another technique, such as leading lines or triangles. In this article, we are going to look at why symmetry is attractive, how to include it in your photographs, and why you shouldn’t use it too much, either.

Four easy outdoor natural light portrait setups using just one modifier

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Many photographers occasionally (or often) find themselves outdoors having to shoot a portrait. We don’t want to lug a ton of light gear around, so we rely on the available natural light to give us what we need.

Usually, it feels like the sun has a vendetta against us, though. In this video – a video whose title does not do it justice – Jay P Morgan shows us four ways we can shape natural light using just a single modifier. The 5-in-1 reflector.

Top Secret: Six best action photography tips

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Shooting a moving target: This phrase certainly has more than one connotation, especially coming from an ex-military combat photographer. While I’ll be using examples from my time in the U.S. Air Force, we are specifically talking about photography. I’ll be sharing my top six Action Photography Tips for run and gun photographers.

How to use triangles in photography composition

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Triangles are versatile and expressive shapes, so it is hardly surprising that they are a bedrock of composition. They are used by painters as well as photographers as a key composition technique. You can use them to organize your frame, to introduce tension into your scene, as an alternative to the rule of thirds, and so much more. This meant we thought it was worth taking a deeper look at triangles in photography.

How to frame your subjects to create depth in your photos

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One powerful technique that can elevate your photographs to new heights is framing. By strategically placing your main subject within the frame and incorporating accompanying elements, you can add depth, context, and purpose to your images. In this video, Mike Smith explores the art of framing and how it can transform your photography.

Framing is the art of using elements within your photograph to create a frame around your main subject. It’s an ingenious way to guide the viewer’s attention and make them see the subject from the photographer’s perspective. When done right, framing can add layers of meaning and storytelling to your images.

How to enjoy your family vacation AND get great photos

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The summer season is well and truly upon us, and many photographers will be heading off on vacation with their pride and joy. Many will be bringing their families as well as their cameras. And that’s where friction can creep in. You might be going to Paris, France, for example. In your mind, you’re already planning the sunrise photoshoot at Le Tour Eiffel or the beautiful cobbled streets of Montmartre.

But Junior wants to go to Disneyland, and the wife has her eye on Louis Vuitton on the Champs-Élysée. But there is a way to keep everyone happy and get great photographs. In this video, Don Giannatti gives some great advice on reducing the stress of vacation photography.

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