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Why is the photography community so toxic?

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This is a pretty interesting video from Manny Ortiz talking about an observation that I think a lot of people have come to notice over the last couple of years. And that’s that the photography community, particularly online, can be extremely toxic. To the point where I’ve actually seen people give up photography completely due to the harrassment they’ve received online.

Is it the same in the real world? outside of Facebook and other social media? That’s what Manny believes, but I’m not entirely sure. It definitely exists more online, but it’s still definitely out there in the real world, too.

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Photographers, don’t let your job destroy your marriage

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Being passionate about photography and doing it for a living has plenty of great sides. But, there are some downsides as well, and they can affect your private life. In this video, Manny Ortiz and his wife Diana get honest and personal about how photography can negatively affect marriage. It’s a cautionary tale and an inspirational story for all of us, as we all sometimes tend to take relationships for granted and we find it hard to switch off from work.

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Sigma 135mm f/1.8 for Sony E-mount does an impressive job for portraits

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When Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art lens was first announced, it was available in Canon EF, Nikon F and Sigma SA mounts. But, Sony shooters can now get it with a native Sony E mount too, and Manny Ortiz tested it out. In this video, he’ll show you what it’s like to shoot portraits with this lens, and from his experience – Sigma 135mm f/1.8 Art does a pretty good job.

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These are the advantages and challenges of shooting portraits with a 50mm f/0.95 lens

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The first two things that come to my mind when someone mentions an f/0.95 lens are “bokeh” and “low light capabilities.” And sure, these are both great. However, shooting with a lens this fast isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. In this video from Manny Ortiz, he’ll show you the good and the bad sides of photographing portraits with a lens like this, and he’s using a Mitakon 50mm f/0.95.

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Quick tips for photographing in harsh sunlight without flash or reflectors

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The golden hour is probably the time when most of us would choose to take photos. But, there will be times when you’ll be forced to shoot in a harsh midday sun, for one reason or the other. You can bring reflectors, strobes, or try to find or make a shade. But in this video, Manny Ortiz will give you some quick tips on how to embrace the direct sunlight and turn it into your advantage without any gear but your camera and lens.

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Everyone takes bad photos: here’s some inspiration if you feel bad about your work

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If you’ve been into photography for a while, you know that there are days when your photos turn out bad no matter how hard you try. It’s frustrating, especially when you compare yourself to all those wonderful, inspiring photos other people take. Well, here’s a bit of inspiration and reality check from Manny Ortiz. He admits that he also takes bad photos, and shares a photo shoot to demonstrate it and show you that there’s nothing to feel bad about.

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