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Mitchell Kanashkevich

Stop lusting after new gear – Your camera is probably better than you are

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You’ll have to forgive this post coming just a couple of hours before Panasonic is set to announce the shiny new GH6 but with the gear lust I’ve seen in Micro Four Thirds groups lately, it actually seems like some pretty fortuitous timing. Photographer Mitchell Kanashkevich just posted a video about gear and how it doesn’t matter. And, yes, we’ve all heard that before, “the best camera is the one that’s with you”, etc. But this one actually comes with some pretty compelling backup.

I’ve had people over the years swearing to me that they could tell the difference between images shot on APS-C cameras vs full-frame cameras for years. Usually, I challenge them by throwing down a stack of 18×12 prints and make them pick which is which. They always get it wrong. This video kind of aims to do the same thing but with a bit more of an explanation than I usually have the patience to give.

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Moderation is key: In-depth tutorial for editing documentary photos

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In his recent tutorial, photographer Mitchell Kanashkevich drew our attention to some major mistakes we make when editing documentary and travel images. Now he’s taking things to a higher level. Mitchell has just announced an in-depth tutorial for editing these kinds of images. He guides you through editing one of his photos, so you can follow along, one step at a time. Even though you can edit Mitchell’s image, it’s not about following a certain trend or replicating a certain look. The goal is to learn how to edit a documentary photo of life to be lifelike.

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Follow these five editing tips so your photos don’t look terrible

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As I mentioned a gazillion times before, we all make mistakes and we learn from them. But some mistakes are more common than others and they persist even though they’re “rookie mistakes.” In this video, Mitchell Kanashkevich draws your attention to them and gives you five tips that will help you to stop making them.

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7 unusual travel photography tips you won’t hear very often

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You’ll find and hear plenty of travel photography tips all over the internet. Many of them are useful, but others may sound pretty obvious. This is why Mitchell Kanashkevich has created this video with seven travel photography tips you aren’t likely to hear very often.

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These are the hard truths about photographing people while traveling

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When you’re traveling, everything is new to you and there’s so much to photograph: nature, landscapes, cities, and of course: the people. It seems like a dream come true, but it can be a real challenge to photograph people in a country new to you and in a different culture. There are so many nuances to keep in mind and many potential misunderstandings.

In this video, Mitchell Kanashkevich discusses all the hard truths about photographing people while you’re traveling. But he also offers solutions to overcome challenges and end up with splendid photos, memorable experiences, and perhaps even some new friendships.

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These are the best lenses for travel and documentary photography

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Traveling and taking photos is bringing to of the most wonderful things together. Photographer Mitchell Kanashkevich has been capturing his travels for years, ending up with plenty of award-winning photographs. In this video, he shares his thoughts about the best lenses for travel and documentary photography. Would you agree with his choice?

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Is there really bad light: how to take awesome travel photos in all lighting conditions

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Natural light is a valuable “tool” of every travel and documentary photographer. Most of us don’t really like shooting in the harsh midday sun, but sometimes there’s no other choice, especially when your time at a location is limited. In this video, photographer Mitchell Kanashkevich shares tips that will help you get the best of any lighting conditions. He will guide you through all weather conditions and parts of the day and teach you how to get the best out of the light they give you.

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Bob On The Rock And When Inspiration May Seem Like Copy

[note from the editor: being inspired is often an illusive process, I mean, it was all said and done and all we do now is remix, right? This is especially true in the realm creative arts. What differentiate “heavily inspired” from “blatantly copied”? How much of an image is the idea, and how much of it is the execution? Mitchell Kanashkevich is a travel photographer who has a regular section on his website where he takes the reader behind the scenes of some of his photographs. There is a crazy story connected to the last photo he posted. I asked if I could share it here.]

An image of a warrior native with a bow and arrow is not a new idea. I was inspired by a photo of a Papuan man atop a hill (right) made by a well-known photographer of disappearing cultures Chris Rainier. I’ve probably seen similar images elsewhere too, but, this is the specific photograph that I stuck in my memory. I took an element from his photo – the warrior ready to fire away and appropriated it to my situation with my model Bob from Rah Island in Vanuatu.

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