You know…aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

But they don’t have to be these big, scary concepts. Instead, if we break them down, learning how to use them to your advantage is far easier. So, that begs the question: What is ISO in photography?

Well, let’s venture into the world of ISO and learn what it does and how it can impact the look and feel of your images!

Table of Contents

• What is ISO in Photography?
• A Quick Scenario: Brightening Your Images
• A Quick Scenario: Getting a Larger Depth of Field by Using ISO in Photography
• A Quick Scenario: Getting a Faster Shutter Speed
• ISO in Photography: Using ISO When Shooting in Full Auto Mode
• The Artistic Side of ISO: Grain
• How to Decide on an ISO Setting

What is ISO in Photography?

Check out the video above by Apalapse for a detailed introduction to ISO.

Back in the film days, ISO was often referred to as ASA, and it referred to the level of sensitivity of film to light.

The scale on which that sensitivity was measured was 100, 200, 400, and so on, with a lower number indicating a lesser sensitivity to light.

So, if you picked up a roll of ISO 100 film, you understood that it would be most useful for photos taken in bright lighting conditions due to its relative insensitivity to light. You also understood that a roll of ISO 800 film was better suited for lower lighting conditions, like taking photos indoors.

When digital photography came about, the manner in which ISO was measured stayed the same. That means that when you dial in an ISO setting on your camera, 100 is still less sensitive than 200, which is less sensitive than 400, and so on. So, in that regard, ISO in photography remains the same in film and digital applications.

The biggest difference, however, is that where in the film days ISO referred to the physical qualities of the film you used, it now refers to an electronic process inside your camera.

Nevertheless, the concept is still the same – ISO controls the sensitivity of your camera’s sensor to light. It’s just one component of shooting in manual mode with your camera.

A Quick Scenario: Brightening Your Images

Photo by Hryshchyshen Serhii via Shutterstock

Let’s say that you’re indoors taking photos of your kids and that you’re shooting in aperture priority mode (A or Av on your camera’s dial). As the name indicates, aperture priority mode prioritizes the aperture setting in your camera. So, whatever value you dial in, say, f/4, it will remain the same while the camera adjusts the shutter speed accordingly to get a quality exposure.

But let’s say that you find that the images you’re taking are just a little too dark and you want them brightened up.

That’s where ISO in photography comes in.

On many cameras, there’s an ISO button on the top or the back of the camera body that allows you to quickly select a new ISO. So, for example, if your indoor images are too dark when shooting at f/4 and ISO 200, you can switch to ISO 400 to brighten the image.

This works because, with every movement of the ISO value upward, you double the sensitivity of the sensor to light. Of course, the inverse is true as well – with every movement of the ISO value downward, you halve the sensitivity of the sensor to light.

A Quick Scenario: Getting a Larger Depth of Field by Using ISO in Photography

Photo by Mr. Simon Paul via Shutterstock

If you’re in aperture priority mode and you want a larger depth of field (which refers to the area of an image that’s sharply in focus), ISO once again comes in handy.

For example, let’s say you want to create an image like the one above with a large depth of field in which everything from the foreground to the background is in sharp focus.

The problem is that in low lighting conditions, choosing a smaller aperture like f/16 to maximize the depth of field means you restrict the light entering the lens. Doing so in aperture priority mode means that the camera will select a shutter speed to maintain a good exposure.

So, if there’s not a lot of light, that means the camera will select a very slow shutter speed (e.g., two seconds) which could end up being too slow to get a crisp, sharp image if you’re holding the camera in your hand.

Again, ISO can come to the rescue.

If you can’t get the aperture small enough for the desired depth of field without getting a shutter speed that’s too slow, simply increase the ISO. In the scenario above, you might be able to keep the aperture at f/16 by raising the ISO to 1600 (though, these numbers are simply used for illustrative purposes; you’ll need to experiment with the precise settings for the exact shooting situation you’re in).

The increased sensitivity will compensate for the smaller aperture and allow you to shoot with a shutter speed that’s fast enough for you to hold the camera as well. But this is just one example of ISO in photography…

Keep Reading: 5 Unique Exercises to Help Improve Your Photography Skills

A Quick Scenario: Getting a Faster Shutter Speed

Photo by matimix via Shutterstock

Assume that you’re at an indoor event photographing your child playing a sport and that you’re shooting in shutter priority mode. Shutter priority mode allows you to select a shutter speed, and your camera selects an aperture that makes it likely to get a good exposure.

Sports benefit from faster shutter speeds because you can freeze the movement of your subjects, even if they are moving very quickly. So, a shutter speed of 1/1000 seconds might be a good starting point for freezing the movement of your child playing sports.

However, sometimes, the lighting indoors isn’t sufficient for a shutter speed that allows you to freeze movement.

Again, that’s where ISO in photography comes in.

Photo by Zamrznuti tonovi via Shutterstock

Let’s say you try taking a photo like the one above, but the movement of the girl’s arms as she digs the ball is blurry with a shutter speed of 1/500th of a second.

To freeze that movement, you might need to dial in a shutter speed of 1/100th of a second.

The problem is that the change from 1/500th to 1/1000th of a second halves the time the shutter is open. That means you need to compensate for that loss of light somehow.

You can do that by bumping up the ISO – if you’re using ISO 400, changing it to ISO 800 could do the trick. Again, the basic concept of manipulating ISO up or down to help you achieve your goals is what we’re focused on. The precise settings you’ll use will depend on the situation you’re in.

ISO in Photography: Using ISO When Shooting in Full Auto Mode

Photo by hilalabdullah via Shutterstock

When shooting in full auto mode, the camera makes all the decisions regarding exposure settings on your behalf.

That’s nice if you’re just starting out because you don’t have to worry about making constant adjustments to aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

But, some cameras allow you to override the ISO selected by the camera, giving you greater control over how you use ISO in photography.

This is beneficial for the reasons discussed above – if your images are too dark or your shutter speed is too slow, you can change the ISO.

In the case of shooting in full auto, you simply select the desired ISO to get the desired effect, just as discussed in the scenarios above. If the image is too dark when the camera selects ISO 100, bump it up to ISO 200. If the shutter speed is too slow at ISO 400, bump it up to ISO 800.

Similarly, if you need a smaller aperture to get a larger depth of field, change the ISO value to a larger one.

The Artistic Side of ISO: Grain

Photo by Jorge Elizaquibel via Shutterstock

Back in the film days, the ISO of the film you chose to shoot with had yet another impact on your images. As the ISO value increased, the grainier the resulting images would be. So, if you used ISO 400 film, you’d see more grain in the image than if you used ISO 100 film.

The same concept of ISO in photography applies to today’s digital imaging – the higher the ISO value you select, the grainier the resulting image will be. You can see this in action in the series of images below:

Note the difference in grain from ISO 64, which has no visible grain, to ISO 12,800, which has grain that is plainly evident.

With film photography and digital photography alike, grain can be used as an artistic element. In many cases, the artistic use of grain is used for black and white photography and for images that benefit from adding grittiness, like street photography.

That means that for a traditional portrait or a landscape shot, grain isn’t viewed as positively. That’s because digital grain (usually referred to as noise) lessens the sharpness of the image. In fact, noise can be downright distracting in some photos, as you can see in the series of images above.

Notice how the image on the left is clear, sharp, and crisp, but the image on the right with the highest ISO value has significant noise that detracts from the sharpness of the subject.

Keep Reading: Understanding Aspect Ratio: A Beginner’s Guide

How to Decide on an ISO Setting

Photo by DanJ10 via Shutterstock

ISO in photography really comes down to four fundamentals: light, movement, stability, and grain. Here’s a quick refresher:

• In low-light situations, dial in a higher ISO setting.
• To freeze movement, use a higher ISO setting so you can, in turn, use a faster shutter speed.
• If you’re shooting handheld, use a higher ISO setting to help prevent blurry photos, again, because you can use a faster shutter speed.
• If you want a grainy look, use a higher ISO setting.

Conversely, if you have more than enough light – like shooting a portrait outdoors during the day – keep the ISO low so as to minimize digital noise. Likewise, if you’re shooting with a tripod and need to brighten the image, you can use a slower shutter speed to get more light instead of using a higher ISO and dealing with noise.

See ISO in action and learn a little more about how to use ISO in photography in the video above by Photo Genius.

Here’s a final disclaimer: reading up on ISO is just the start! To really grasp how powerful of a tool it can be, you’ll need to get out there and practice manipulating the ISO.

With practice, you’ll develop a better sense of what ISO settings get you what results, and from there you can begin to manipulate ISO with more purpose and confidence.

Heads up: Clicking on our affiliate links and exploring our sponsored content helps us at no extra cost to you, and we only recommend gear we’re absolutely crazy about!

Learn More:

• Four Simple Beginner Photography Tips
• Creative Photography: How to Get Out of a Photography Rut

Hero photo by Anna Kraynova via Shutterstock

The post What is ISO in Photography? appeared first on Photography Talk.

When shot correctly, portraits freeze individual moments in time and tell their stories. Of course, portrait photography captures people, but there’s so much more to a great portrait than just a person. They transmit emotions, teleport us around the globe, and intimately connect us with the subject.

With that said, if you are a beginner photographer interested in portrait photography, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we share a handful of simple yet effective tips that will increase the quality of your portraits. By implementing them into your photography routine today, you will see immediate results, and your friends and family will be blown away by your images.

So, what are we waiting for? Let’s dive in and discover four simple portrait photography tips for beginners guaranteed to improve your portraits overnight!

Check out the video above by Bach Photography to learn more portrait photography tips and how you can quickly and easily improve your portraits.

Table of Contents

• Portrait Photography Tips: Get to Know Your Subjects
• Portrait Photography Tips: Use the Right Lens
• Portrait Photography Tips: Be Creative
• Portrait Photography Tips: Partner With a High-Quality Printing Company
• Final Thoughts on Portrait Photography

Portrait Photography Tips: Get to Know Your Subjects

Photo by bodnar.photo via Shutterstock

One drastically underrated aspect of portrait photography is the relationship between the subject and the photographer. The better you know the person you are shooting, the more comfortable you both will be during a photo shoot, and the better the pictures will turn out. This is why it’s critical to take the time to get to know and connect with your models before working with them.

In some situations, such as street and travel photography, you rarely have time to get to know your subjects. And sometimes the two of you won’t even speak the same language. However, a smile and a quick hello go a long way in these cases. They will instantly lower your subject’s guard, which will shine through in your photos.

Portrait Photography Tips: Use the Right Lens

Photo by oscargutzo via Shutterstock

Another top portrait photography tip for beginners is to make sure you are using the correct lenses. When selecting a portrait lens, the lens type (zoom vs prime), focal length, and maximum aperture are the primary things to consider. Price will also factor into your decision, so if you are on a budget, I recommend checking out the amazing selection of used lenses at MPB.

In other types of photography, zoom lenses are the most sought-after lenses, but most portrait photographers prefer working with prime lenses. This is because they often feature higher-quality glass and have large max apertures (low f-stop number). The best focal lengths for portrait photography are 85mm, 50mm, and 35mm.

Portrait Photography Tips: Be Creative

Photo by Olga Evans via Shutterstock

This seems like a “duh” tip, but due to the popularity of portrait photography, it can be challenging to make your photos stand out. That’s why our next portrait photography tip for beginners is to be creative and have fun with it! Different ways to be creative include playing with light, using props/outfits, and taking advantage of today’s post-production tools.

There are tons of ways to get creative using light, whether you are using natural lighting, a lighting kit, or creative lens filters. One of my favorites is to create contrast using shadows, as shown above. Next, props and clothing are a great way to add a fun and unique look to your images. Lastly, editing your portraits is a fantastic way to make your images pop! Learn the ropes of a program like Photoshop, watch some editing tutorials, and watch the quality of your portraits improve drastically!

Keep Reading: A Beginner’s Guide to Portrait Photography Angles

Portrait Photography Tips: Partner With a High-Quality Printing Company

Image Credit: Shiny Prints

Our final portrait photography tip is to ensure you always print your portraits from a high-quality, trustworthy source. There are endless places that claim to deliver excellent quality prints, but unfortunately, not all of them live up to their promise. And as a beginner photographer, the last thing you need is to have your portraits ruined by a shabby print job.

Fortunately, there are some fantastic outfits, like Shiny Prints, that offer beautiful prints without breaking the bank. That’s the exact combination you want when you’re starting out in photography!

Shiny Prints specializes in metal prints, and, boy, do they do a bang-up job…

As I discuss in my video below, I was absolutely blown away by the quality of my metal print from these guys. From the color rendition to the contrast to the sharpness, this print was stunning. The quality of the metal and the craftsmanship that went into making it were completely impressive, too!

This focus on one substrate means that you get a better product. Sure, some companies offer paper, metal, acrylic, canvas, and other types of prints, but sometimes the focus on a million different products means they aren’t as good as they could be. It’s a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none situation.

But since Shiny Prints is a metal-only outfit, they’ve honed their craft, developed innovative techniques for creating prints, and found their niche as one of the best metal print companies. That’s the kind of expertise and proven track record you want when you entrust a company with printing your images!

So, if you’re at the point where you want to see your best photos as large-format prints, now is the time to visit Shiny Prints. I’ve gotten numerous prints from these folks over the years, and I’ve been nothing but impressed. I think you will be, too!

Final Thoughts on Portrait Photography

Photo by NDAB Creativity via Shutterstock

As you can see, so much more goes into creating gorgeous portraits than just your camera and subject…

Pre-production, production, and post-production all play huge roles in the process and affect your final results. So, remember what you learned above the next time you are taking photos of people, and you will find that the results you get are vastly improved.

All that’s left to do now is to grab your camera, find a portrait subject, and start shooting!

Our articles might have affiliate links and the occasional sponsored content, but don’t sweat it – if you buy something, we get a little kickback at no extra cost to you, and we only hype products we truly believe in!

Learn More:

• 3 Techniques That Will Completely Change Your Portrait Photography
• Beyond the Selfie: Creative Portrait Ideas to Elevate Your Travel Photography

Hero photo by Prostock-studio via Shutterstock

The post 4 Simple Portrait Photography Tips for Beginners appeared first on Photography Talk.

The question is, how do you do that?

If you’re a photographer looking to take your newborn sessions to the next level, here are five unique newborn photography ideas that will not only inspire your creativity but also elevate the quality of your sessions!

Table of Contents

• Newborn Photography Ideas: Incorporate Personal Elements
• Newborn Photography Ideas: Creative Poses with Parents
• Newborn Photography Ideas: Focus on Siblings
• Newborn Photography Ideas: Black and White Photography
• Newborn Photography Ideas: Macro Photography for Newborn Details

Newborn Photography Ideas: Incorporate Personal Elements

Photo by StoryTime Studio via Shutterstock

One of the best ways to make newborn photography sessions feel unique and meaningful is by incorporating personal elements that resonate with the family. By using family heirlooms or items that reflect the parents’ hobbies or professions, you can create photos that are more than just pretty pictures—they become deeply personal memories.

How to Implement:

• Family Heirlooms: Ask parents ahead of time if they have any special items they’d like to include in the session. These could be vintage toys, a quilt passed down from a grandparent, or even an item from the parents’ own childhood. For example, incorporating a father’s old baby blanket or a mother’s cherished childhood toy into the shoot adds layers of meaning to the photos. Make sure the heirloom is carefully placed in the shot to complement the newborn, rather than overshadow them.
• Parent Hobbies: Reflect the parents’ interests in a subtle and creative way. If one parent loves music, you could pose the baby beside a guitar or within a set of drums, surrounded by soft blankets for comfort. If the parents enjoy reading, position the baby with a few children’s books, hinting at the future bedtime stories that will be shared.

By incorporating these personal touches, you not only provide unique imagery but also give the family a keepsake that tells their story.

Newborn Photography Ideas: Creative Poses with Parents

Photo by Halfpoint via Shutterstock

When it comes to newborn photography, including parents in the shots can result in heartfelt, emotionally powerful images. But rather than using traditional posed shots, think outside the box with more creative and artistic approaches that highlight the bond between parent and child.

How to Implement:

• Close-Up Interactions: Instead of focusing on full-body shots, get up close to capture intimate moments. Photograph the parent’s hand cradling the baby’s tiny feet, or zoom in on the father gently holding the baby’s hand. These small details convey tenderness and care and are often more meaningful than posed, smiling shots.
• Silhouette Photography: Silhouettes are a striking way to create dramatic and visually appealing images. Position the parents holding the newborn against a bright window or soft light source, allowing their outlines to take center stage. The contrast between the strong parental forms and the delicate shape of the newborn creates a captivating image full of emotional depth.

These artistic touches transform standard parent-baby shots into something far more unique and visually arresting.

Newborn Photography Ideas: Focus on Siblings

Photo by Anastassiya Bezhekeneva via Shutterstock

Newborn sessions that include older siblings can be particularly heartwarming. Capturing the bond between a newborn and their sibling is a great way to tell a more complete family story. With the right approach, you can create unique moments that highlight the family dynamic and the excitement of a new addition.

How to Implement:

• Candid Interaction: Rather than overly staged poses, let siblings naturally interact with the newborn. Encourage them to cuddle, hold hands, or simply gaze at the baby in awe. These candid moments often produce more genuine and touching photographs that capture the sibling relationship beautifully.
• Coordinated Outfits or Props: If the family has chosen a specific theme or color palette, coordinate the siblings’ outfits or use matching props. For example, placing the newborn and sibling on a soft blanket in coordinating colors can create a harmonious visual while still letting their individual personalities shine.

By focusing on the siblings’ interactions, you allow the photos to tell a story of love and togetherness, making the session more than just a collection of images—it becomes a celebration of family.

Keep Reading: Newborn Photography: Essential Tips for Capturing Precious Moments

Newborn Photography Ideas: Black and White Photography

Photo by Tatyaby via Shutterstock

Black and white photography has a timeless quality that can elevate your newborn photography sessions by focusing on emotion and detail rather than distractions from color. These images tend to feel more dramatic and classic, allowing the viewer to focus on the subject’s expressions and delicate features.

How to Implement:

• Focus on Emotion: When shooting in black and white, the absence of color sharpens the emotional impact of the photo. For example, capturing the way a newborn snuggles into their parent’s arms in monochrome highlights the connection and warmth of the moment.
• Highlight Texture and Contrast: Without the influence of color, texture and contrast become the focal points of the image. Pay attention to the textures of the newborn’s skin, the softness of their clothing, and the way light falls on their face. Adjust your lighting to create dramatic shadows and highlights that add depth to the image.

Black and white photography provides a unique way to add emotion and timelessness to your newborn photos, creating images that parents will treasure for years to come.

Newborn Photography Ideas: Macro Photography for Newborn Details

Photo by Sunny Chan via Shutterstock

There’s something magical about the tiniest details of a newborn—whether it’s the curl of their toes, the delicate eyelashes, or the tiny wrinkles in their hands. Macro photography allows you to zoom in on these details, capturing the things that parents will want to remember forever but may forget as the baby grows.

How to Implement:

• Tiny Hands and Feet: Use a macro lens to zoom in on the newborn’s hands gripping a parent’s finger or their feet curled up under a blanket. These images can stand alone or be part of a larger album, offering a sweet contrast to wider shots.
• Eyelashes and Facial Features: Another great opportunity for macro photography is focusing on the newborn’s delicate facial features. Capture close-up shots of their closed eyes, their nose, or their lips. These intimate photos help parents cherish the fleeting moments of their newborn’s first days.

By focusing on the smallest details, you create an album that captures the full scope of a newborn’s tiny world, ensuring that no detail is overlooked.

Newborn photography is an art form, and by incorporating these five unique ideas, you can transform a typical session into something truly special. Whether it’s adding personal elements, creating emotional black and white portraits, or focusing on siblings and macro details, these techniques will help you stand out as a photographer and provide families with cherished memories that last a lifetime.

Get creative, think outside the box, and most importantly, enjoy the process of capturing these precious moments!

Friendly disclaimer: Our articles may contain affiliate links that support us without costing you more, and sometimes we spice things up with sponsored content—but only for products we truly stand behind!

Learn More:

• Use These Newborn Photography Tricks to Get Better Results
• What is Lifestyle Newborn Photography? 4 Tips for Getting Started

Hero photo by Halfpoint via Shutterstock

The post 5 Unique Newborn Photography Ideas appeared first on Photography Talk.

When used thoughtfully, photographs can tell powerful personal stories, evoking a myriad of emotions and connecting us with the past. But doing so requires some know-how and finesse.

Below, I’ve shared tips and techniques to effectively communicate your narrative and create lasting impressions, no matter if you use a smartphone, DSLR, mirrorless, or action camera to tell personal stories. Let’s get to it!

Table of Contents

• Choose Your Narrative for Personal Stories
• Embrace Candid Moments
• Focus on Details to Enhance Personal Stories
• Utilize Composition Techniques
• Personal Stories Need to Show Emotions
• Use Light Thoughtfully
• Final Thoughts on Capturing Personal Stories in Images

Choose Your Narrative for Personal Stories

Photo by oneinchpunch via Shutterstock

The first step in telling a personal story through photographs is to define the narrative you want to convey. Consider the theme or message you wish to communicate.

This could be the joy of a family reunion, the beauty of a travel adventure, the growth of a child, or the love shared between partners. Once you have a clear vision, it becomes easier to frame your shots and select the right moments to capture.

This, in turn, allows you to focus on other areas of capturing memories. For example, if your goal is to highlight the love of a couple, you might add symbolic elements or details that show that love. Think about including objects, gestures, or locations that evoke emotions or represent something larger, such as the couple enjoying visiting the place they first met. These small elements often add layers to the narrative in the shot.

Embrace Candid Moments

Photo by Kleber Cordeiro via Shutterstock

Some of the most authentic and compelling stories emerge from candid moments. Candid shots capture genuine emotions, unposed interactions, and the essence of the situation. In other words, candids can’t be forced.

So, be patient and observant, ready to seize the perfect moment when it presents itself. And when it does, be prepared to rapid-fire shots. Often, the best candid image is buried in a sequence of burst shots.

Candid photographs have a way of drawing viewers into the scene, making them feel like they are part of the story – which is precisely what you want when you’re telling a visual story!

Focus on Details to Enhance Personal Stories

Photo by Fotangel via Shutterstock

Incorporate details into your photographs to enrich the narrative. Details provide context and add depth to the story you’re telling.

Whether it’s the wrinkles on a grandparent’s hands, the texture of a rugged landscape, or the laughter lines around a friend’s eyes, these elements offer a richer storytelling experience.

Close-up shots can be particularly effective in highlighting the smaller, often overlooked aspects of a moment. When framing a tight shot (or cropping in post-processing), don’t be afraid to fill the frame – doing so really highlights the finer details that enhance the story.

Utilize Composition Techniques

Photo by Denis Belitsky via Shutterstock

The way you compose your photographs can significantly impact the story they tell…

For example, use leading lines to draw the viewer’s eye towards the main subject or create a sense of depth. Employ the rule of thirds to balance the elements in your frame, adding visual harmony to your images.

Photo by Pablo Calvog via Shutterstock

Experiment with different angles, perspectives, and framing techniques to add creativity and intrigue to your storytelling as well…

For example, you might use a frame within a frame technique to draw greater attention to the subject of your photo. Additionally, you could position your camera low to the ground and frame a shot looking up at a person or object to enhance their size in the frame to tell a story of power, influence, or triumph.

You can make creating images like this easier by incorporating gear that helps you capture low-angle shots in the first place. I personally use the Octopad in situations like this, as it offers rock-solid stabilization and places my camera just inches above the ground.

Additionally, Octopad has a non-slip bottom surface, so it stabilizes your camera, even on uneven, angled, or slippery surfaces. So, whether you’re angling for a photo on a snowy mountain trail, a steep city street, or somewhere in between, Octopad can help you out!

I also appreciate how small and lightweight Octopad is. You can easily throw it in your camera bag without it taking up the entire space – unlike a traditional tripod. Furthermore, Octopad works with all manner of photography gear, from smartphones to action cameras to full frame cameras with large lenses. You can use Octopad for video gear, too, like lights and microphones.

In other words, this little gadget is something you can get a lot of use out of for telling personal stories in photos and videos. All this is wrapped in a package that’s budget-friendly. What’s not to like?!

Personal Stories Need to Show Emotions

Photo by Evgeny Atamanenko via Shutterstock

Emotions lie at the heart of every personal story. Whether it’s happiness, sorrow, excitement, or nostalgia, capturing emotions in your photographs makes the story relatable and compelling.

Photograph the expressions on people’s faces, their body language, and the atmosphere around them to convey the emotions of the moment. Emotive storytelling fosters a deeper connection with your audience.

Use Light Thoughtfully

Photo by Dima Aslanian via Shutterstock

Light is a powerful storytelling tool. The way you use light in your photographs can set the mood and convey emotions effectively.

For example, soft, diffused light can create a sense of tranquility, while dramatic lighting can add intensity and evoke a sense of drama. Learn to work with natural light and artificial sources, such as lamps or candles, to create the desired ambiance and atmosphere in your images as well.

Final Thoughts on Capturing Personal Stories in Images

Photo by Tereshchenko Dmitry via Shutterstock

Photographs have an incredible power to transport us to different moments in time, allowing us to tell personal stories that resonate with others. By choosing your narrative, focusing on details, utilizing composition techniques, and other techniques, you can effectively communicate your stories through photography.

Remember, the best personal stories are the ones that evoke emotions, spark memories, and leave a lasting impression on the hearts of your viewers. So pick up your camera, unleash your creativity, and start sharing your stories with the world. Happy storytelling!

Our articles might have affiliate links and the occasional sponsored content, but don’t sweat it – if you buy something, we get a little kickback at no extra cost to you, and we only hype products we truly believe in!

Learn More:

• Travel Photography Tips for Beginners: How to Make the Most of Your Photos
• A Beginner’s Guide to Portrait Photography Angles

Hero Photo by Chay_Tee via Shutterstock

The post Capturing Memories: How to Tell Personal Stories Through Photographs appeared first on Photography Talk.

In this article, we’ll share various ways we make extra money as photographers that you can start doing today. From selling prints online and starting a blog/YouTube channel to shooting freelance photography and creating online courses, the list of ways to make extra money is endless.

Moreover, whether you’re a hobbyist looking to start earning money from your photos or a professional already running your own photography business, we aim to help you monetize your skills effectively. With that in mind, keep reading if you are ready to discover how to start generating consistent income as a photographer today!

Check out the video above by Joris Hermans to learn seven photography side hustle ideas that can generate from $100 to $1,000 (or more!) per month.

Table of Contents

• How to Make Extra Money: Sell Prints Online
• How to Make Extra Money: Start a Blog or YouTube Channel
• How to Make Extra Money: Do Freelance Work
• How to Make Extra Money: Create an Online Photography Course
• Final Thoughts on Earning Money as a Photographer

How to Make Extra Money: Sell Prints Online

Photo by 13_Phunkod via Shutterstock

If you already have a large catalog of high-quality images on your computer, an easy way to make extra money from them is to start selling prints online. More people than ever before are buying prints online to decorate their homes and offices, so make sure you get in on the fun!

The best way to sell prints online is to create your own photography website and install an online store. Thanks to tools like WordPress, Squarespace, and Shopify, it’s incredibly easy to build a website. Alternatively, you can sell your prints on platforms like Pinterest, Etsy, and even Instagram.

You Need Quality Prints to Sell

The key is to partner with a printing company that works just as hard to create prints as you do to create the original image. As you can see in the video above, Shiny Prints certainly fits the bill…

I’ve gotten numerous prints from Shiny Prints over the years, and in each case, I’ve been blown away by the quality of the print. As their name indicates, Shiny Prints specializes in metal prints, and as such, they have a level of expertise and craftsmanship with metal that’s a cut above everyone else.

I personally love metal for landscape photos. There’s something about the sleek presentation of metal that makes a landscape photo really pop. However, metal is an excellent substrate for many other types of photography, from portraiture to architecture to wildlife and many others in between. I mean, just look at the image above – it’s full of gorgeous metal prints from Shiny Prints with subjects of all kinds. Not bad, right?!

Of course, the quality of the metal Shiny Prints uses is just one part of the equation…

Instead, the incredible skill level of its artisans is what sets Shiny Prints apart from the crowd. These folks are experts at what they do, and it shows! As I describe in my video above, the color, contrast, and sharpness of my Shiny Prints image were off the charts. And the metal it was printed on was impressive, too, from the smooth edges to the mounting hardware to the attention to detail in its packaging for shipment.

In other words, the Shiny Prints team is primed and ready to help you take the next step in making extra money as a photographer. The question is, what are you waiting for?!

How to Make Extra Money: Start a Blog or YouTube Channel

Photo by amenic181 via Shutterstock

Once you have a website for selling prints, why not take it a step further and start a blog? Blogs are a great way to bring people to your website, teach people about your niche, and market your photos. You can also make extra money from a blog through brand partnerships, affiliate marketing, and ads.

Do you prefer creating videos instead of writing? Starting a YouTube Channel is also a fantastic way to make extra money. The more people watch your videos, the more passive photography income you earn. Furthermore, if you have a strong social media following, you can earn a lot of money by becoming a social media influencer on Instagram, TikTok, etc.

How to Make Extra Money: Do Freelance Work

Photo by Dragana Gordic via Shutterstock

We are in the golden age of the gig economy, and there is tons of work out there if you know where to look. Currently, the websites providing the most freelance photography opportunities are Upwork and Fiverr. They usually have many regional job opportunities and 100% remote projects posted.

While it can be difficult to land that first job, it becomes much easier once you have a few gigs under your belt. Wedding photography is one of the most widespread freelance photography jobs because it pays well and there is consistent demand. Another reason we love freelance work is that it gives you the flexibility to set your schedule and pay rate.

How to Make Extra Money: Create an Online Photography Course

Photo by monster_code via Shutterstock

Suppose you have a lot of experience in a specific genre of photography (landscapes, travel, portraits, etc.). In that case, creating an online course is an amazing way to make extra money and generate passive photography income. It takes a lot of upfront work, but then you can sit back and watch the money flow in!

If you have a website that generates a decent amount of traffic, we recommend selling your online courses there because you will retain 100% of the money. Otherwise, you can publish them on well-known platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, Teachable, etc., for a small commission.

Final Thoughts on Earning Money as a Photographer

Photo by Denys Kurbatov via Shutterstock

As you can see, there are so many new ways to make extra money as a photographer than there used to be. And while I wouldn’t quit your day job right away, we know plenty of people who turned their photography side hustle into a full-time job over the years. So, what are you waiting for? The time for you to start making extra money as a photographer is long overdue!

Lastly, as a bonus, here is a list of a few more ways to make extra money as a photographer in 2024:

• Selling stock photography
• Rent your photography gear
• Create and sell Lightroom presets
• Affiliate marketing
• Social media
• Email marketing
• Sell the gear you aren’t using anymore

Heads up: Clicking on our affiliate links and exploring our sponsored content helps us at no extra cost to you, and we only recommend gear we’re absolutely crazy about!

Learn More:

• Abstract Photography Ideas to Get Better Results
• 5 Advanced Black and White Photography Tips

Hero Photo by BAZA Production via Shutterstock

The post How to Make Extra Money as a Photographer appeared first on Photography Talk.

In the past, you needed a dedicated camera to take good travel photos, but not anymore. Thanks to the rise of smartphones with built-in high-resolution cameras, anyone can take great photos nowadays. That said, we still recommend investing in a DSLR or mirrorless camera for traveling if you are serious about photography and want to grow as a photographer.

In this article, we’ll share five travel photography tips for beginners designed to improve your skills and help you make the most of your photos. We’ll cover various topics, including planning and packing for a trip, the best camera settings for travel photography, how to get sharp images, and more.

OK, what are we waiting for? It’s time to dive in and discover how to start taking better travel photos today!

Check out the video above by Andrew Lanxon Photography to learn how a professional travel photographer takes his best photos when on vacation. 

Table of Contents

• Travel Photography Tips for Beginners: Make a Plan Before You Travel
• Travel Photography Tips for Beginners: Don’t Overpack
• Travel Photography Tips for Beginners: Have Your Camera With You at All Times
• Travel Photography Tips for Beginners: Shoot RAW Photos
• Travel Photography Tips for Beginners: Bring a Tripod Alternative to Help With Sharp Photos

Travel Photography Tips for Beginners: Make a Plan Before You Travel

Photo by Opat Suvi via Shutterstock

Researching and planning before traveling will not only make your vacation smoother and more enjoyable, but it will also help you take better pictures. Find the best photo destinations where you are going, and be sure to include them on your travel itinerary. If you want to go a step further, you can create a detailed shot list of all the photos you want to capture.

Other ways to plan for a photography trip are preparing the right photography gear, getting accustomed to your camera before you go, and staying up to date with local weather forecasts.

Travel Photography Tips for Beginners: Don’t Overpack

Photo by BublikHaus via Shutterstock

Photographers love gear, and while having lots of photography equipment at home is convenient, it’s completely the opposite when traveling. Lugging around a heavy suitcase is a giant burden and an easy way to make yourself miserable while on the road. That’s why we recommend practicing minimalism and only packing the true essentials for your next trip.

That means your travel camera, one or two lenses (max), a lightweight tripod alternative, and spare batteries/memory cards. Depending on the type of images you enjoy shooting, you might also want to throw in a small camera cleaning kit and some lens filters. The less you have, and the easier it is to carry, the more likely you are to take photos.

Travel Photography Tips for Beginners: Have Your Camera With You at All Times

Photo by StratfordProductions via Shutterstock

That leads us to our next travel photography tip for beginners—always carry your camera, no matter what. You never know when something unexpected will happen, and you want to be prepared to capture it on camera when it does. Even if you are only popping out to grab a quick morning coffee, think twice before heading out without your camera. 

Following this rule is easier than ever in the current age of smartphone photography. Better yet, you can instantly share photos from phones with loved ones back home or upload them to social media.

Travel Photography Tips for Beginners: Shoot RAW Photos

Photo by weerasak saeku via Shutterstock

Another one of our top travel photography tips for beginners is to take RAW images instead of JPEGs. RAW photos store much more information in them than JPEGs, which gives you more control when it comes to editing them. Editing is an easy way to enhance the quality of your photos, as long as you don’t overedit. 

When shooting in RAW, we recommend investing in memory cards with more storage and an external hard drive since the files take up more space. Other important camera settings for travel photography to monitor include the shooting mode, autofocus mode, drive mode, and exposure settings. 

Travel Photography Tips for Beginners: Bring a Tripod Alternative to Help With Sharp Photos

Photo by Sarath maroli via Shutterstock

One of the keys to getting the best images is stabilizing your camera. When traveling, having a tripod – the traditional means of camera stabilization – isn’t always practical. So, many travelers turn to simply holding their cameras in their hand while they shoot, like the gentleman in the image above.

Though this may generate acceptable results in most situations, why leave things to chance? The slight movements that occur while hand-holding your camera can cause otherwise fantastic photos to be slightly blurry. So, to address this problem, bring a tripod alternative to help you achieve maximum sharpness.

I’ve used the Octopad for years and years now, and a simpler and more effective tripod alternative you won’t find. Its small form factor allows you to throw it in a camera bag or satchel without being weighed down by a bulky or heavy tripod. Yet, despite its small size, it offers all the stability you need to keep your camera on the straight and narrow while the shutter is open.

In fact, the non-slip bottom of Octopad is ideal for positioning it on virtually any surface – including those that are sloped, slippery, or wet. And don’t worry about getting Octopad dirty or wet, either. Its durable build allows it to be used and abused without suffering malfunctions. Like I said, I’ve had my Octopad for years, and it’s still going strong!

Octopad Isn’t Just for Camreas

Better still, Octopad is a great help for other creative pursuits. For example, I often use my time traveling to film footage for my YouTube videos. Octopad is perfect for supporting external mics, B-roll cameras, or lighting for my videos. With a couple of these bad boys in my bag, I can generate high-value video footage on the go. Nice!

Now, gear is not the end-all, be-all for great travel photos. However, having gear that facilitates your process certainly helps. So, as you travel more and take more photos and videos, be sure to invest in quality gear that makes your job easier, that way you have more time to explore!

Just so you know, some of the cool stuff we mention comes with affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission if you buy (no extra charge to you!). Plus, we occasionally feature sponsored content, but rest assured, we only shout out products we genuinely stand behind.

Hero Photo by Jaromir Chalabala via Shutterstock

Learn More:

• Photography Tips: Techniques for Beautiful Landscapes
• These Beginner Tips Will Get You Better Photos With Your Action Camera

The post Travel Photography Tips for Beginners: How to Make the Most of Your Photos appeared first on Photography Talk.

That’s what we’ll explore today!

With these five advanced black and white photography tips, you can see the world differently and elevate your work, too. Whether you’re looking to experiment with exposure, tone, or even grain, these tips will give you new ways to approach your craft.

Let’s dive into some techniques that go beyond the fundamentals so you can control the nuances of black and white imagery like a pro!

Table of Contents

• Black and White Photography Tips: Mastering Zone System Exposure
• Tonal Separation with Color Filters
• Black and White Photography Tips: Exploring High-Key and Low-Key Images<
• Creative Use of Noise and Grain
• Black and White Photography Tips: Print Your Black and White Images

Black and White Photography Tips: Mastering Zone System Exposure

One of the more advanced black and white photography tips is to learn and master the Zone System. This technique, developed by Ansel Adams, goes beyond just ensuring your subject is properly exposed; it allows you to control the tonal range across your entire image. You can learn all about it in the video above by The Art of Photography.

The Zone System divides a scene into 11 different zones, ranging from pure black to pure white, with various shades of gray in between. The beauty of this system is that it allows you to pre-visualize how your photo will look in black and white even before you press the shutter. With practice, you can assign parts of your scene to specific zones and adjust your exposure accordingly, either in-camera or in post-processing.

For instance, let’s say you’re photographing a landscape with deep shadows in the foreground, mid-tones in the grass, and bright highlights in the sky. By understanding the Zone System, you can decide how much detail to keep in the shadows and how bright you want the sky to be. This kind of intentional exposure helps ensure your black and white photo has the tonal depth and complexity that sets it apart.

Tonal Separation with Color Filters

Photo by rdonar via Shutterstock

When it comes to black and white photography, one of the biggest misconceptions is that color becomes irrelevant. That’s not true at all! In fact, the way different colors are translated into grayscale can dramatically affect the outcome of your images.

Using color filters—whether in post-processing or with physical filters on your lens—can significantly alter the tonal relationships in your shot. For example, a red filter will darken blue skies, making clouds stand out starkly against the backdrop. Meanwhile, a green filter can enhance foliage, brightening greenery and adding texture to nature shots.

Photo by kiri11via Shutterstock

For advanced photographers, this is one of the black and white photography tips that opens up creative possibilities. You’re no longer just working with light and shadow—you’re manipulating how colors convert to different shades of gray.

Try experimenting with digital filters or use physical red, orange, yellow, and green filters on your lens to see how they alter tonal separation. You’ll find that these adjustments can make all the difference in crafting a visually compelling black and white image.

Black and White Photography Tips: Exploring High-Key and Low-Key Images

Photo by Werner Stoffberg via Shutterstock

Another powerful technique in black and white photography is mastering high-key and low-key images. High-key images are bright, with minimal contrast and shadows, while low-key images are dominated by dark tones, creating a moodier and more dramatic effect.

Both techniques require careful lighting and exposure adjustments. In high-key photography, you’ll want to minimize harsh shadows and keep your image light and airy, yet still full of detail, as shown above. Low-key photography, on the other hand, emphasizes shadows, with selective highlights that bring focus to specific elements within the frame.

Photo by Stefano Buttafoco via Shutterstock

What makes this one of the more advanced black and white photography tips is the fine balance required between exposure and lighting. You don’t want your high-key images to look washed out, and you don’t want your low-key images to lose too much detail in the shadows. Pay close attention to your camera’s histogram while shooting and in post-processing to ensure you’re retaining the dynamic range you need.

Advanced photographers often use high-key and low-key photography to evoke specific emotions—high-key for a clean, light-hearted feel and low-key for moodier, more intense vibes. These styles work beautifully in black and white, where contrast and tone take center stage. Experiment with these types of lighting and the emotions they evoke; you’ll find a whole new world of black and white photography opens up for you!

Creative Use of Noise and Grain

Photo by Jorge Elizaquibel via Shutterstock

Usually, sharpness and clarity are the priority in photography, so embracing noise or grain might feel counterintuitive. But in black and white photography, grain can add texture and atmosphere to an image, mimicking the look of classic film.

One of the more overlooked black and white photography tips is to experiment with noise as a creative tool, rather than seeing it as a flaw. If you’re shooting in low light or with a high ISO, instead of worrying about reducing noise in post-processing, embrace it. Grain can enhance a moody scene or add an element of grittiness to street photography, as just two examples.

Adding grain in post-processing can help evoke the nostalgic feel of analog film, too. Many editing programs, like Adobe Lightroom, even offer grain sliders to control the intensity and style. Use this technique intentionally to add a tactile quality to your black and white images, especially when photographing subjects that benefit from a sense of roughness, like urban landscapes or portraits with dramatic lighting.

Black and White Photography Tips: Print Your Black and White Images

The previous four tips all dealt with the process of creating black and white images. Well, there’s a final component to making the best photos – printing them!

Now, obviously, you shouldn’t print every photo you create, but printing your best work is definitely good practice. Why? It’s simple! Having a physical print allows you to see your work up close and personal. Looking at a large print on the wall gives you a better opportunity to examine your photo, what works, and what isn’t quite right.

Moreover, printing your best images allows you to understand how what you see in the camera’s viewfinder and on your computer screen translates to a physical print. It isn’t always spot-on, and understanding how prints are different will help you in your photo-making process moving forward.

As I discuss in my video above, I got a print from Shiny Prints a while back that just blew me away. From the colors and contrast to the sharpness and quality of the print, Shiny Prints knocked it out of the park.

I’m sharing this because when you print your best images, you want to get the most bang for your buck, and Shiny Prints certainly fits the bill. You can get a gorgeous metal print that’s beautifully made and is affordable, too. It’s a win-win!

Besides, metal is a fantastic substrate for black and white images, especially landscapes. The clean, modern look of the print lends itself to the pared-down vibe of black and white images. And when you get a large-format print, the beauty and simplicity of the composition and the print are elevated even further.

Not All Printing Companies are Made Alike

There are a lot of printing companies out there, so you have your pick of dozens of options. But not all printing companies are the same. Many printers focus on too many things – hats, bags, mugs, metal prints, canvas prints, and so forth. Sometimes, that means the quality of the product suffers because the artisans are focused on a million different things.

But Shiny Prints creates just one type of print – metal. That focus allows them to hone their skills and make prints that are second to none. Don’t take my word for it, though! Visit Shiny Prints today to see what your black and white photos (and color ones, too!) might look like on a big, beautiful metal print.

Our articles might have affiliate links and the occasional sponsored content, but don’t sweat it – if you buy something, we get a little kickback at no extra cost to you, and we only hype products we truly believe in!

Learn More:

• What are the Best Cameras for Nature Photography?
• Understanding Aspect Ratio: A Beginner’s Guide

Hero photo by Joe Belanger via Shutterstock.

The post 5 Advanced Black and White Photography Tips appeared first on Photography Talk.

Over the last 15 years, I’ve tested an extensive range of camera gear and developed a particular fondness for Canon’s offerings. As a matter of fact, my landscape photography journey began with a Nikon, but right when Canon announced the R5 in 2020, I jumped on the opportunity to make the switch and found myself consistently impressed with the performance and image quality, particularly for landscape work. 

In this article, I’ll share my personal recommendations for the best Canon cameras for landscape photography. From high-resolution sensors to robust weather sealing, each camera on this list has earned its place based on real-world performance and extensive testing.

And yes, some of the cameras are newer while others have been around a bit, but remember this—mastering the fundamentals of photography is far more important than chasing the latest models. Great landscapes can be captured with almost any camera if you know how to use it!

Table of Contents

• Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS R5
• Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS R6 Mark II
• Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS R8
• Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS R10
• Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS 6D Mark II
• Final Thoughts on the Best Canon Cameras for Landscapes

Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS R5

I’ve been shooting with the Canon EOS R5 for some time now, and it quickly became my go-to camera for landscape photography. With its 45MP sensor, I can capture every minute detail in a scene, whether it’s the delicate texture of leaves or the rugged lines of a mountain range. The dynamic range is phenomenal, allowing me to retain details in both the shadows and highlights during challenging lighting conditions—like a bright sky over a shadowed valley.

Get an inside look at the R5 in my 18-month long-term review above.

Specs:

• Sensor: 45MP full-frame CMOS sensor.
• ISO Range: 100-51,200 (expandable to 102,400).
• In-body Image Stabilization (IBIS): Yes, up to 8 stops.
• Weather Sealing: Fully weather-sealed body.
• Video: 8K at 30fps, 4K at 120fps.
• Burst Shooting: 20fps with electronic shutter, 12fps with mechanical.

Pros of the Canon EOS R5

• Incredibly high resolution for capturing fine details in landscape shots.
• Excellent dynamic range, especially for challenging light conditions like sunsets and sunrises.
• 8-stop IBIS allows for handheld shots in low light or longer exposures.
• Weather-sealed for all types of outdoor conditions.
• Dual card slots for backup and security on long shoots.

One of the features I appreciate most is the 8-stop IBIS. This makes a world of difference when I’m out in the field and don’t want to lug around a tripod. I’ve been able to handhold shots at slower shutter speeds without worrying about camera shake, especially when I’m hiking through rough terrain. The R5 also holds up in tough conditions thanks to its weather sealing, which I’ve tested in everything from desert dust storms to misty mountain mornings.

Cons of the Canon EOS R5

• Can overheat during extended 8K video recording.
• Higher price point, making it an investment for serious photographers.

Other than those two relatively minor issues, I honestly haven’t found any major flaws with this camera over the years. It’s simply a fantastic rig, especially for landscape photography.

In short, if you’re serious about landscape photography and need a camera that delivers across the board, the Canon EOS R5 is a powerhouse that doesn’t disappoint​ and feels amazing in your hands! 

Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS R6 Mark II

Having used both the original Canon EOS R6 and its successor, the R6 Mark II, I can confidently say the upgrade was worth it.

While the 24.2MP sensor may seem modest compared to the R5, it still produces stunningly detailed images, and the low-light performance is where this camera truly shines. Many of my favorite landscape shots are taken either at dawn or dusk, and the R6 Mark II handles these lighting conditions effortlessly. The ability to push the ISO without sacrificing image quality has been a game-changer for me as well.

Get a thorough walk-through of the Canon EOS R6 Mark II in my video above!

Specs:

• Sensor: 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor.
• ISO Range: 100-102,400 (expandable to 204,800).
• In-body Image Stabilization (IBIS): Yes, up to 8 stops.
• Weather Sealing: Yes.
• Video: 4K at 60fps.
• Burst Shooting: 40fps with electronic shutter, 12fps with mechanical.

Pros of the Canon EOS R6 Mark II

• Fantastic low-light performance, perfect for dawn and dusk landscapes.
• 8-stop IBIS for stabilized handheld shooting.
• Fast and accurate autofocus system, even in low-contrast situations.
• Compact body with professional ergonomics.
• Dual card slots for increased security when shooting.

One of the first things I noticed when I upgraded to the R6 Mark II was the improved autofocus system. It’s fast, responsive, and accurate, even in low-contrast situations like foggy mornings or shadowed forests. I also appreciate the ergonomics—the camera feels great in hand, with controls that are logically placed, making it comfortable to shoot with for extended periods. Canon’s attention to ergonomics is something I’ve always valued from the first time I picked up the original EOS R with the 15-35mm f/2.8, and the R6 Mark II is no exception.

Cons of the Canon EOS R6 Mark II

• Slightly lower resolution compared to the R5 (24.2MP).
• Limited video resolution compared to the R5 (no 8K).

But, again, these are nit-picky things. I’ve had the R6 Mark II for a while now, and I’ve yet to discover any major flaws with it. Yet another great option for your landscape photography!

Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS R8

If you value portability without sacrificing image quality, the Canon EOS R8 is a fantastic option…

It’s a full-frame camera, but much more compact than the R5 or R6. Where the R5 and R6 may sting the old bank account, the R8 is a little more forgiving in this department.  While I don’t own this camera and have only tested it, I can see this being a go-to when I know I’ll be covering long distances, hiking through rough terrain, or backpacking. Why, you may ask?

Well, to start, if you are watching the weight of what you are carrying, the R8 comes in roughly 7 ounces less than the R5 and R6. Yet, despite being smaller and lighter, the image quality is impressive, especially for the price point. The fast autofocus system makes it easy to capture quick compositions before the light changes or critters move, too.

Take a detailed look at the Canon EOS R8 in the video above by Simon d’Entremont.

Specs:

• Sensor: 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor.
• ISO Range: 100-102,400.
• In-body Image Stabilization (IBIS): No.
• Weather Sealing: No.
• Video: 4K at 60fps.
• Burst Shooting: 40fps with electronic shutter.

Pros of the Canon EOS R8

• Lightweight and compact, making it ideal for hiking and travel.
• Fast autofocus system, great for quick landscape compositions.
• Excellent image quality for its price point.
• 4K video capabilities for landscape filmmakers.

Keep Reading: What are the Best Cameras for Nature Photography?

Cons of the Canon EOS R8

• No in-body image stabilization, which may require a tripod for longer exposures.
• Limited weather sealing, not ideal for extreme outdoor conditions.

The lack of in-body stabilization is definitely something to be mindful of. When shooting handheld, especially in lower light, I’ve noticed that I need to be more cautious with my shutter speeds.

That said, this really isn’t a big deal, considering that the lighting conditions for most of my work are usually awesome, and even still, I nearly always have my tripod with me. So if you’re like me and prefer to travel light, bring along a small, sturdy tripod (the Peak Design Travel Tripod is what I carry) to mitigate this limitation​.

Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS R10

The Canon EOS R10 is a great option if you are just getting started or looking for a budget-friendly camera.

While it has an APS-C sensor, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the image quality, especially when shooting in well-lit conditions. When I first got started, I shot with an APS-C sensor camera (Nikon D90) for some time before I made the jump to a full frame camera (Nikon D700). Even still, I kept my crop sensor camera for years after as a reliable second body.

Something that is a bit of a bonus on the R10, like what I mentioned a moment ago on the R8, is that this camera is also lightweight and portable coming in roughly one ounce lighter than the already lightweight R8. This makes the R10 a strong contender for travel photography. While it lacks some of the advanced features of the higher-end models, it’s still a capable performer for capturing beautiful landscapes.

Learn all about the Canon EOS R10 in the video above by Tech Through The Lens.

Specs:

• Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor.
• ISO Range: 100-32,000.
• In-body Image Stabilization (IBIS): No.
• Weather Sealing: No.
• Video: 4K at 60fps.
• Burst Shooting: 23fps with electronic shutter, 15fps with mechanical.

Pros of the Canon EOS R10

• Affordable and lightweight, perfect for beginners or those on a budget.
• Good image quality for an APS-C sensor, especially in well-lit conditions.
• Compact size makes it easy to carry on long hikes.
• 4K video capabilities for creative landscape filmmakers.

Cons of the Canon EOS R10

• No in-body stabilization or weather sealing.
• APS-C sensor doesn’t offer the same depth or dynamic range as full-frame.

One thing to keep in mind is that the APS-C sensor means you’re not getting the same depth and dynamic range as a full-frame camera. However, if you’re willing to work within its limits, the R10 is more than capable of producing excellent landscape shots​. This camera is a workhorse and a fantastic option for anyone on a budget wanting to get into the Canon EOS R ecosystem.  

Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography: Canon EOS 6D Mark II

The Canon EOS 6D Mark II is a fantastic option if you’re a hobbyist landscape photographer looking for an affordable, full-frame camera.

Don’t get me wrong. While I appreciate the 26.2MP sensor, which delivers solid image quality, especially when working in well-lit conditions, what really excites me about this camera is the amazing affordability of its lenses.

You see, this camera uses Canon’s EF mount. Since many folks have jumped over to the R family of cameras, the used market is FULL of great deals on EF lenses (and older Canon camera bodies, for that matter). This means you can get into a full frame body with awesome specs for about the same price as the R10, which is a crop sensor.

While the EOS 6D Mark II doesn’t offer the ultra-high resolution of some of Canon’s newer models, it’s more than capable of producing detailed, vibrant landscape images.

Get some more insights into the Canon EOS 6D Mark II in the video above by
Jake Borowski.

Specs:

• Sensor: 26.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor.
• ISO Range: 100-40,000.
• In-body Image Stabilization (IBIS): No.
• Weather Sealing: Yes.
• Video: Full HD at 60fps.
• Burst Shooting: 6.5fps.

Pros of the Canon EOS 6D Mark II

• Affordable full-frame camera, ideal for hobbyist landscape photographers.
• Good image quality, especially in well-lit conditions.
• Fully articulating touchscreen for versatile shooting angles.
• Weather-sealed body, great for outdoor photography.
• EF mount – very supply rich used market – means great deals!

One of my favorite features is the fully articulating touchscreen. This has been a huge help for shooting at unusual angles—whether I’m capturing low-to-the-ground perspectives of wildflowers or framing high-angle shots of mountain peaks.

The weather-sealed body has also proven to be a reliable companion when shooting in unpredictable conditions. I’ve used this camera in light rain and snow, and windy desert conditions without any issues.  

Cons of the Canon EOS 6D Mark II

• Lacks in-body stabilization, requiring a tripod for longer exposures.
• Lower resolution compared to newer models.

One area where the 6D Mark II does fall short is the lack of in-body stabilization. This means I often rely on a tripod for longer exposures, especially when shooting at dawn or dusk, or when I’m working in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. But, as I mentioned earlier, this isn’t a big deal for me as I always have a tripod with me.

While the burst rate of 6.5fps is sufficient for most landscape needs, if you need fast burst rates, you might need to get creative here. That being said, the 6D Mark II has its rightful place on this list, especially if you are looking for a budget-friendly, full-frame camera that doesn’t compromise on image quality. It’s a solid, no-frills choice for anyone who wants to dive into landscape photography without breaking the bank​.

Keep Reading: The Best DSLR Camera for Enthusiast Photographers

Final Thoughts on the Best Canon Cameras for Landscapes

Photo by Josh Withers on Unsplash (license)

Closing things up on this Best Canon Cameras for Landscapes topic, for years, I’ve been saying the same thing—don’t get caught up in thinking you need the latest and greatest camera gear to take amazing photos.

The truth is, great shots are out there waiting for you, and it doesn’t really matter what camera you have in your hand (seriously, it doesn’t!). Whether it’s a film camera like this Canon AE-1 next to me, your iPhone that’s in your pocket, or any camera capable of capturing light and converting it into an image, it’s the photographer, not the gear, that makes the magic happen.

To the salty veterans out there reading this, you already know this truth all too well. But for those of you who are beginners, this reminder is aimed at you: focus on learning the fundamentals of photography—lighting, composition, exposure—and worry less about what camera you’re using. While this list includes some fantastic Canon cameras that will help you along your journey, remember that any camera can do the trick if you know how to use it.

This list represents a well-balanced selection of cameras, from high-end powerhouses like the EOS R5 to budget-friendly options like the EOS R10. Any one of them will do the job, but in the end, it’s your creativity and knowledge that will bring those landscapes to life!

Just so you know, some of the cool stuff we mention comes with affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission if you buy (no extra charge to you!). Plus, we occasionally feature sponsored content, but rest assured, we only shout out products we genuinely stand behind.

Learn More:

• Best Canon Camera for Beginners
• Best Intermediate Camera for 2024: 3 Top Options

Hero photo by Photo by KAL VISUALS on Unsplash (license)

The post Best Canon Cameras for Landscape Photography appeared first on Photography Talk.

Looking for creative landscape photography ideas often leads me in unexpected directions – it can be for you as well. Follow me as I go through some landscape photography ideas I have found helpful in continuing to capture more and different images.

Table of Contents

• Landscape Photography Ideas – Blue Hour
• Landscape Photography Ideas – Low Angle
• Landscape Photography Ideas – Telephoto Compression
• Landscape Photography Ideas – Black & White
• Landscape Photography Ideas – Make Canvas Prints

Landscape Photography Ideas – Blue Hour

Photo by Wojciech Dziadosz via Shutterstock

Blue hour photography is a wonderful method for capturing awesome and unique landscape images. What is blue hour photography, and what makes it part of my list of unique landscape photography ideas to try?

Blue hour photography refers to a time of day with a particular lighting characteristic – blue light. Many photographers know golden hour backward and forwards. Golden hour refers to the time of day just after sunrise or coming up on sunset. 

In golden hour, the sun is above the horizon but low in the sky. With the sun low in the sky, the light passes through more atmosphere and takes on a somewhat warm and golden hue. This makes for beautiful landscape images.

Photo by Mr. Simon Paul via Shutterstock

Blue hour is when the sun is below the horizon, but the sky is still lit by sunlight. With the sun out of the picture (literally!), the wavelengths of light are more similar to nighttime conditions. The color hues are decidedly cool, leaning towards purple, violet, and blue. Hence the name blue hour.

What time is blue hour? In the morning, it is from an hour or so before to right before sunrise. In the evening, it is just after the sun dips below the horizon and lasts for about another hour. Before or after blue hour is entirely nighttime. The actual length of time will depend on the season, the weather, and your latitude.

Calculating proper exposure can be tricky, with some light values requiring shutter speeds of several seconds. However, the beautiful results are well the effort required for landscape photography ideas involving the magic of Blue Hour.

Landscape Photography Ideas – Low-Angle

Photo by Kedardome via Shutterstock

Extreme low-angle photography is one of the better landscape photography ideas for unique images. Zooming with your feet is a common method for changing the view of a landscape scene. As the name indicates, you just walk closer to the subject to frame a tighter shot. Low-angle photography is similar in intent.

Lowering your camera almost to ground level creates a unique perspective that can work wonders with certain landscape photography scenes. It works especially well with extreme depth-of-field effects with foreground interest. The image above, for example, benefits from a low-angle perspective because it fills the foreground with the beautiful long exposure effect of the water rushing over the rocks in the stream.

Landscape Photography Ideas – Telephoto Compression

Photo by skyNext via Shutterstock

Forced perspective tricks can be accomplished as landscape photography ideas by using lenses other than the normal range of lenses often used in photography. Ultra wide-angle lenses stretch apparent perspective, which is a common effect in landscape photography.

Going to the other extreme and using very long lenses gives a forced perspective effect known as telephoto compression. Instead of stretching the apparent perspective, this effect compresses the apparent perspective, making objects seem to be closer to each other.

In the video above, Henry Turner explains how to use telephoto compression in landscape photography.

Read more: Is a Zoom or a Prime the Best Lens for Landscape Photography?

Landscape Photography Ideas – Black & White

Photo by Sam Kranz via Shutterstock

Black-and-white landscape photography ideas are part of what got me into this field in the first palace. Seeing what Ansel Adams could do with a landscape scene and black & white film and paper was magical.

You can do black-and-white in film and in digital photography, too. Digital black-and-white landscape photography ideas can turn a current scene into a classic and timeless work of art. Do it in-camera with its black-and-white mode or use a post-processing program like Adobe Photoshop Lightroom to adjust any color digital image file.

When creating black-and-white images, focus your attention on elements of the scene that provide interest in the absence of color. It’s common to look for textures and patterns that catch the viewer’s eye. The image of the beach above is a good example of this. The beach sand takes on an almost asphalt-like appearance. Combined with the softer texture of the water coming ashore and the linear element of the horizon, this photo is oozing with detail!

Landscape Photography Ideas – Make Canvas Prints

With these unique and special landscape photography ideas captured in your camera, you will want to display them in the best form possible. If you ask me, a large canvas print from Artbeat Studios is a marvelous way to showcase the results of these landscape photography ideas.

I’ve used Artbeat Studios for years to order prints of all shapes and sizes. And one thing has rung true for all of them – the exceptional quality. Beyond the inherent value of a well-made print, you can also benefit from features like different styles, wraps, and frame options to tailor the look of your print to your specific needs and likes.

Artbeat Studios ensures the best-looking prints by using archival inks to print the image on the canvas. The canvas is then wrapped around a frame made with real wood bars that prevent the canvas from sagging or drooping over time. The result is a canvas print of your landscape image that stands the test of time – as it should!

Generating your print is simple, too. Start the process using Artbeat Studios’ online order portal, and you’ll have a gorgeous print at your doorstep in a few days!

Implementing these unique landscape photography ideas and then printing them as canvas prints will lead you in unexpected directions, resulting in the beautiful art of your favorite genre of photography.

A quick heads-up: If you snag something through our affiliate links or check out our sponsored content, we might earn a commission at no extra cost to you. But fear not, we’re all about recommending stuff we’re truly stoked about!

Learn More:

• Summer Landscape Photography Tips
• Photography Tips: Techniques for Beautiful Landscapes

Hero shot by IZZ HAZEL via Shutterstock.

The post 5 Unique Landscape Photography Ideas to Try appeared first on Photography Talk.

There’s just something about having a physical print of one of your images. Being able to see it and touch it in real life – as opposed to looking at it on your computer screen – can be a great learning experience. Your successes and failures with the image will be on full display. It can be a true learning moment for beginner photographers.

But how do you go about printing photos?

In this guide, we’ll discuss a few beginner tips for printing photos that will help you get the best prints!

Table of Contents

• Tips for Printing Photos: Calibrate Your Computer Monitor
• Tips for Printing Photos: Get Cozy With Color Management
• Tips for Printing Photos: Sharpen the Image File
• Tips for Printing Photos: Speaking of the Medium…

Tips for Printing Photos: Calibrate Your Computer Monitor

Photo by Proxima Studio via Shutterstock

The first of my beginner tips for printing photos is to calibrate your computer monitor.

I won’t get too technical here, but color calibration ensures that the colors you see on screen are a common color standard or profile. This is critically important when having images printed because without it, the colors you see on your screen could be different than those represented in the images you have printed.

For example, if you don’t calibrate your monitor, an image with beautiful red tones on your screen could end up being more orange or purple in a print of that same image.

What’s more, even if you don’t intend to print your images, calibrating your monitor will ensure that the images you share on social media adhere to common color standards. 

In either case, there’s not much point of working tirelessly in post-processing to perfect the way your images look if you don’t take the time to calibrate your monitor. It’s not a terribly complex process, either, as explained in the video above by Pixel Village.

Remember as well that monitor calibration is not a one-and-done thing – you need to calibrate your monitor periodically to maintain color accuracy.

Tips for Printing Photos: Get Cozy With Color Management

Photo by Gorodenkoff via Shutterstock

Color management is closely related to monitor calibration.

Where monitor calibration ensures that our screens adhere to a common color standard, color management involves an equally important concept: choosing the right color space.

With regard to color space, printing images requires that you use the right color space when exporting your images from your post-processing program. Many photographers use either AdobeRGB or sRGB, though there are many other options. Personally, I tend to use AdobeRGB because it has a wider range of color tones available and you can convert files to sRGB if you need to.

If you’re printing your photos, it’s best to consult with the printing company to see if they have a preferred color space. Doing so will ensure you’re both on the same page and that the colors in the print look as you intended. For example, I use Shiny Prints a lot, and they recommend using either Adobe1998 or sRGB.

Tips for Printing Photos: Sharpen the Image File

Photo by Kaspars Grinvalds via Shutterstock

When printing photos, it’s advisable to sharpen the image file in post-processing.

But this isn’t as simple as cranking up the sharpening willy-nilly. Instead, it needs to be done purposefully.

For example, the level of sharpening required depends on the size of the print. For smaller prints, you can get away with more sharpening than you can for larger prints. So, if you’re getting an enormous print done, take it easy on the sharpening. Otherwise, the noise introduced from the sharpening process will be extremely noticeable.

Another factor that affects how much you should sharpen the image file is the medium on which you intend to have the image printed.

Canvas, because of its texture, is quite forgiving, so you can sharpen the image more than if you were to have the image printed on a different medium, like acrylic.

I’m a big fan of metal prints, but I have to be careful of how much I sharpen my images because noise from too much sharpening shows up pretty easily on metal.

Tips for Printing Photos: Speaking of the Medium…

Photo Credit: Shiny Prints

Getting prints of your photos also requires that you think about the medium on which you want the image printed.

There are plenty of options here – paper, acrylic, metal, and even wood. Each medium has its advantages and disadvantages and gives the image a different look and feel.

As I noted a moment ago, I have a soft spot for metal prints. I like their sleek, modern look, and as a landscape photographer, I love how metal makes the colors in my photos really pop.

You need to consider the finish of the print, too.

Let’s use metal prints as an example again…

Metal Print Options

Photo Credit: Shiny Prints

Earlier, I mentioned that I like using Shiny Prints. If you visit their website, you can get a feel for all the finishing options you have. You can get metal prints with a gloss or matte finish. You can also choose white or silver in either gloss or matte. Need a print for outdoors? No problem! Shiny Prints has a White Gloss EXT option that stands up to the harsh conditions of hanging outside.

Glossy metal prints are obviously extremely reflective, while matte prints have a very flat presentation due to the low reflectivity. Glossy options tend to be best for low-light areas where reflections are a minimum. Matte options, on the other hand, tend to be best for well-lit areas or rooms with lots of windows. Check out a print I ordered from Shiny Prints below to see the quality these folks provide:

White metal is a great choice because it gives the print the illusion of being behind glass. What’s more, the colors in a white metal image come out just as expected. Silver metal, on the other hand, gives the print a stronger metallic look. Since there’s no white background, white areas of the image look silver. Other colors in the image look darker, too, so you’ll want to increase the brightness and saturation of the image to compensate.

Which Finish Should You Choose?

Photo Credit: Shiny Prints

But the finish you get depends on your personal preference and on the specific image you are printing. For most folks, glossy is the way to go (white gloss is Shiny Prints’ most popular option), but your images might show better with a matte finish.

If you’re not sure what finish would be best for your image, you can always ask the printing company you choose for advice. When I order prints, I make a habit of asking a lot of questions about the printing process; that way, I ensure that the print I get in the mail is spot-on.

So, if you’ve got an image you’d like to print, follow these simple tips for printing photos, find yourself a great printing company, and enjoy your best photos as beautiful pieces of art in your home!

Our articles might have affiliate links and the occasional sponsored content, but don’t sweat it – if you buy something, we get a little kickback at no extra cost to you, and we only hype products we truly believe in!

Learn More:

• What are the Best Cameras for Nature Photography?
• How to Shoot in Manual Mode – Beginner’s Guide With Examples

Hero photo by KOKTARO via Shutterstock

The post Beginner Tips for Printing Photos appeared first on Photography Talk.