Weather photography is a subtype of nature photography that focuses on weather-related phenomena. It includes everything from extreme meteorological events (e.g., storms, hurricanes, lightning, blizzard, etc.) to everyday weather conditions (e.g., sunrise and sunset, rain, dew, fog, clouds, etc.). In 2021, Giulio Montini was awarded the weather photographer of the year. The photograph that brought him the award was taken …
Back Button Focus Explained
Back button focus is a technique available with most DSLR camera models but unfortunately rarely used. Many photographers don’t even know they have it. Back button focus disables the double functionality of the shutter release button by eliminating the half-pressing action (i.e., engaging the autofocus system). As a result, the shutter release button will just fire the shutter. Back button …
Tips for Photographing Patterns with a Story
Patterns are easily found in the natural world and the human-made world. You can even create them yourself by arranging similar items symmetrically. Photographing patterns capture the viewer’s attention and make a powerful focal point, whether you intend it or not. Used wisely, they add meaning to your visual story and enhance the message you want to convey. Left unsupervised, …
How to Achieve the Best Background for Nature Photography
Nature is an endless source of subjects for photography, is always available, and has many stories to tell. You have plenty of reasons to choose nature photography. However, it isn’t easy to take pictures in a natural environment where weather conditions can change in a moment, and distracting objects can enter the frame when you least expect it. You can’t …
Staying Authentic In a Digital Overload
Authenticity is defined as the quality of being authentic and genuine. The big question is, how does that translate to photography? What’s more, how does authenticity play a role in a world of digital overload? As we scroll through social media feeds, we are often astounded by the bold, punchy, and seemingly powerful images. In fact, these tend to make …
4 Tips for Editing Winter Landscape Photographs
Winter landscapes reveal one of the unseen faces of the world: the shapes of the hills and mountains, the lines of leafless trees and rivers, the fractal-like geometry of snowflakes, and the gritty texture of the ground. They are full of stories, moods, and feelings. At the same time, it’s straightforward to go too far and lose the connection with …
Aperture or Shutter Speed Priority Mode
If you want to make the best of your digital camera, you need to learn all its functionalities. DSLR cameras can work in Auto mode (the camera automatically choose settings based on lighting conditions), Manual mode (you choose all the settings), Aperture priority mode (you select the aperture and let the camera adjust the other settings to provide the correct …
How to Photograph Rainbows
Unless you live in Hawaii or other places where rainbows appear frequently, you probably are thrilled when you see a rainbow or get a chance to photograph rainbows. Everyone stops for a moment to admire the beauty of nature and… take a picture. Unfortunately, rainbows are hard to get not only in nature but also on camera. Because you’re in …
Capture the Holidays Spirit in Your Photographs
Holidays are great opportunities to practice photography. First, you have plenty of exciting subjects nearby. Then, you benefit from a unique atmosphere, family reunions, colorful outfits, and delicious food. Holidays bring together textures, colors, and patterns. Moreover, they reveal feelings and emotions and provide endless stories for you to photograph. And we are not talking just about Christmas lights. Any …
5 Tips for Better Food Photography Compositions
Food photography is a trendy genre. There are plenty of food photos on social media, culinary blogs, and lifestyle magazines. Stock photo libraries also provide a wide variety of photographs of food. But are they as diverse and unique as you might think? Probably not. The truth is that many of them are taken from the same angles (e.g., above …