Category: Photography

dPS 12 Days of Holiday Deals: Save up to 95% on Some Great Photography Training and Tools

The post dPS 12 Days of Holiday Deals: Save up to 95% on Some Great Photography Training and Tools appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darren Rowse.

In 24 hours the first of our 12 Days of Holiday Deals begins!

This is when you’ll score HUGE savings on our most popular products and MASSIVE discounts with some very special dPS partners so that you have the best resources to reach your photography goals for 2020.

It works just as you’d expect. Over 12 days, we’ll announce a brand new deal every 24 hours.

To get notified of each deal just add your email address below.

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Each day you’ll receive an email from us with a special offer from us or a partner.

Many of our deals are offering 50% to 95% off the normal price.

We’ll also share the deals on our Facebook page, but the best way (so you don’t miss a thing), is to sign up for the emails above.

On signing up you’ll also get a special free downloadable gift from dPS – our mini-guide and checklist for photographing the holidays.

Our annual 12 day Holiday promotion is the most anticipated event on the dPS calendar. It starts in less than 24 hours and is always lots of fun. We hope you’ll join us.

We can’t wait to unveil the first deal with you…

Again – to get the deals via email just sign up below.

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The post dPS 12 Days of Holiday Deals: Save up to 95% on Some Great Photography Training and Tools appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darren Rowse.

Digital Photography School

December 11, 2019
10 Great Gifts for Food Photographers Under $50

The post 10 Great Gifts for Food Photographers Under $ 50 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darina Kopcok.

The festive season is fast upon us. Do you have a food blogger or photographer in your life but are stuck on a gift that won’t break the bank? Luckily, food photography is one genre where prop lust is never-ending. You can buy helpful and attractive gifts for food photographers that they will love – many under $ 50 bucks.

Here are 10 ideas for gifts for food photographers that are sure to please.

Linen napkins

Every food photographer has an arsenal of napkins in their collection, so they can be ready to create any mood in their images. Napkins and other textiles go a long way in creating a visual story, and the wrong choice can make an image feel a bit off.

This is where linen saves the day. Not only does its natural and fine texture go with virtually any setting, but it also drapes well, which can’t be said about a lot of other fabrics.

If you’ve ever tried to make a napkin look effortlessly placed, you’ll know why propping napkins is the bane of every food photographer’s existence. Linen makes this job a lot easier.

It also photographs well, because you don’t get the significant color shifts you can have when taking pictures with other fabrics.

There are a lot of great sources to buy linen online, but you can also head to a popular home retailer and pick up a few for a reasonable price. Places like Crate & Barrel sell them individually, so you don’t have to buy a pack of four, which will likely be three more than are really needed. Choose neutral colors like grey, cream, or light and navy blue.

French cutting boards

Whether vintage or new, there is something about a French cutting board that adds a bit of pizzaz to an image.

Food photography is all about using layers to create interest. Placing a dish on a cutting board is a great way to style an image or add a bit of context to a scene.

French cutting boards make great gifts for food photographers but they can be expensive. However, many stores like Homesense carry them at very reasonable prices.

French Cutting Board

Cake stands

Every food photographer needs a couple of cake stands. A neutral color and on the smaller side is best.

Cake stands are useful for showing off a beautiful cake, of course, but they can also be used to prop other sweets, like stacks of cookies or even an arrangement of fruit.

A cake stand adds height and can be a prop that improves a composition without competing with the food.

To make the cake stand extra useful look for one with a detachable base.

Glass Cake Stand

Vinyl backdrops

Vinyl backdrops created specifically for food and still life photographers have become more and more popular with photographers in recent years, as an alternative to heavy and expensive custom-made backdrops.

The selection of manufacturers selling vinyl backdrops used to be fairly poor, but now there are some new companies selling high-quality backdrops in beautiful designs.

The backdrops offered by Captured by Lucy are under $ 50 USD in 2×3 feet, and come in a variety of colors and designs that work great for food photography. They lie flat as soon as you unroll them.

Vinyl backdrops are great for containing spills or working with ice and drips.

If you want to get a bit more bang for your buck, you can try the backdrops and Ink & Elm. The quality is decent and the price more affordable, which means you can purchase a few for your budget.

Vinyl Backdrops

Vardagen IKEA glasses

One of the biggest challenges in propping food photography is the size of glassware these days. It’s way too big.

Scale is a very important aspect of food photography composition. In addition, objects can appear a lot larger to the camera than they actually are. You can really notice this when you shoot a scene from overhead because it flattens the depth.

As a food photographer, you don’t want your props dwarfing the star of the show – the food.

Vardegen glasses from IKEA are the perfect size for food photography. The ridges make the glass less reflective, which makes them easier to photograph, but they are translucent enough to look attractive in photos.

Vinyl Backdrops

Pallares Solsona carbon steel knife

Look at the foodie posts on Instagram, and you will invariably come across a carbon steel knife with a rounded wooden handle. This style of knife has become ubiquitous in the food photography world. It adds such a nice touch to a food scene without distracting from the major elements. It looks great with other modern or vintage props.

Several manufacturers make this kind of carbon steel knife. Pallares Solsona is one brand that can be bought through many sources online for a reasonable price.

Tether Tools tethering cable

A key to capturing great food photos is to work tethered in Lightroom. This is where you hook up your camera to your computer via a USB cable so you can see a larger and more accurate rendition of your photo on the screen than you can get on your camera’s LCD screen.

This cable is called a USB 2.0 to Mini B. Tether Tools is the brand most trusted and used by pro photographers everywhere.

When searching for this type of cable, it’s important to purchase one that has gold tips, so they don’t get corroded easily.

Acacia Wood salad servers

We said that scale is an important factor in food photography. Salad servers that are small enough can be difficult to find. You don’t want them hogging up your frame and detracting from your beautiful salad.

Amazon offers some lovely acacia wood servers with your choice of gold or white handle that is small enough for food photography and looks attractive with a variety of foods and props.

Also, the wood is not too orange, which is a color that tends not to translate very nicely in photos when it comes to props.

Pinch bowls

Can a food photographer ever have enough pinch bowls? The short answer is no. Most of us tend to have a large inventory of these in a variety of materials and colors.

Because they’re so small and perfect for displaying ingredients and seasonings, they add context to a food story and help create balanced compositions without overpowering the main subject.

Look for pinch bowls in ceramic, glass, wood or marble. Neutral colors work best, but sometimes patterned pinch bowls can look great if they are used with care. You can find pinch bowls everywhere, but the white rustic pinch bowls form Nom Living in the UK are crazy popular with food photographers and Instagrammers everywhere. They will make the perfect gift for a food photographer.

The Food Stylist’s Handbook

Every food photographer needs at least one resource on food styling at their fingertips. Even food photographers who work with a food stylist need to know how food behaves in front of the camera and be familiar with the tips and tricks that make food look its best.

Photographers who take on commissioned projects often have to do their own food styling, as do those who submit to stock sites.

The Food Stylist’s Handbook by Denise Vivaldo and Cindie Flannigan is an indispensable resource and a great gift for a food photographer. It not only shows you how to style specific food for the camera, but it also gives you the information on the tools you need and how to build a styling kit – something every food photographer or blogger needs.

Conclusion

Hopefully, these gifts for food photographers will solve the problem of what to buy for a special someone in your life. And, just remember, you can’t go wrong with classic props in neutral colors, and textures like linen, marble, and natural wood.

Do you have other gift ideas for food photographers that you’d like to share? Please do so in the comments section!

The post 10 Great Gifts for Food Photographers Under $ 50 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darina Kopcok.

Digital Photography School

December 11, 2019
10 Great Pieces of Camera Equipment for the New Year
The post 10 Great Pieces of Camera Equipment for the New Year appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Bond.

The equipment you use in photography can do much for the types of photos you create. The purchase of an additional lens can unlock new areas of photography for you that were otherwise not an option. There are lots of pieces of equipment you can buy for photography beyond the camera body and lens. In this article, you will learn how to accessorize your equipment. Interested in that? Read on and discover ten great pieces of camera equipment you could buy to boost your creativity!

LED light stick

There are many items you can use for light painting. A simple flashlight, your smartphone, or a glow stick, to name just a few.

A few years ago a new product entered the market though, and it’s changed the game. There are two companies you can look towards if you want to get hold of an LED light stick yourself. The choice of the product then is the pixelstick and the magilight.

These are both LED light sticks, and each product has its good and bad points. The bottom line is they both allow you to program light patterns that then transmit through a series of LED lights. They allow you absolute control of the light painting, and therefore give you maximum creativity!

An LED light stick can be a lot of fun to use.

A glass ball for camera equipment?

Yes, that’s right! Those who have read articles written by me for digital photography school will know I often use a crystal ball for my photography. The product has been rebranded in recent years, and in photography circles, it’s now known as the lensball.

This is a great piece of camera equipment, that’s relatively inexpensive. How many camera lenses have you bought for less than fifty dollars? That’s what this product represents – it’s like an external lens optic that you can place almost anywhere within your scene.

Are you looking to buy a lensball? You can do that from lens ball, or refractique. These are rival companies that offer a similar package, they’re more expensive than some others on amazon but come with better quality glass and other items that make the package better-suited for photographers.

A glass ball works just like an external lens, or put simply, a lensball.

Tripod

This item might just be the most creative item you’ll ever buy for your photography.

Other items you can buy will give you an extra option in your photography, a tripod, on the other hand, opens up a host of new ways for you to photograph.

Take a look at some of the photography techniques that need, or benefit from, having a tripod. Now it’s worth investing in a good tripod, one that’s sturdy enough that it doesn’t move during the exposure. If you’re traveling and want something smaller and less heavy, then the Gorillapod or a carbon fiber, lightweight tripod from K&F Concepts might be for you. See a reviews on the Gorillapod here and the K&F Concepts tripod here).
- Light painting – The use of products such as an LED light stick for creating interesting light patterns in your photo requires a tripod because it’s a long exposure.
- Long exposure – Lots of creative landscape photos use long exposure. This could be to flatten seawater, create silky white water at a waterfall, or to produce traffic light trails in a cityscape image.
- Digital blending – While it’s possible to take a set of bracketed images with your camera handheld, it’s much better to use a tripod. Digital blending works best with a set of bracketed images of different exposure values.
- Cloning – Set up your tripod and clone yourself or an inanimate object across the scene your camera is recording.
- Infra-red – Unless you convert your camera to infra-red, you’ll need to use a filter for this form of photography. That will mean a long exposure.
- Self-portraits – The next step up from the handheld selfie. Get your camera set up on a tripod, and properly place yourself within the scene!
Use a tripod and take multiple photos to clone yourself!

Filter set

Now, of course, this is more than one item! However, they’re so small, that for this article, I’ll treat them as one piece of camera equipment.

It could be said that in the days of post-processing the need for a bag of filters is not there anymore. You want to get your image as correct in-camera as you can, though, so having a handy set of filters to facilitate this is always good.

These are some of the filters you should consider.
- Circular polarizing filter – A must for any outdoor photographer. Use a circular polarizing filter to increase the vibrancy of your scene, and to intensify or reduce reflections.
- Graduated neutral density filter – Great for landscape photography, where you want to balance light in the foreground against light in the sky.
- Neutral density filter – The weaker ND filters are often used with strobes to allow the use of higher apertures, while still keeping within the flash’s sync speed for shutter speed. The stronger ND filters allow you to practice long exposure photography during the day. This one by K&F Concepts is an adjustable 2-32 ND filer in one.
- Infra-red filter – A fun niche area of landscape photography is infra-red. Using a filter allows you to take this type of photo without adapting your camera.
- Colored filters – These can be used to add color to your sunsets, produce sepia photos, or to enhance your black and white photos.
- UV filters – UV filters are essentially clear glass that absorbs the ultraviolet (UV) rays. While they can reduce the effect of haze, they’re mainly lens protection.
There are some filter sets available such as those by NISI.

Drone

The bird’s eye view provided by a drone is a great angle.

A drone is the ultimate new toy for any photographer!

The sky literally is the limit! The bird’s eye perspective you’ll be able to achieve will be unique.

Take care to learn how to fly these before attempting the more ambitious photos. This costs a lot of money if you lose it through the battery running out or losing its signal.

You’ll also find an increasing number of countries tightening up the certificates you need to fly them. In addition to this, you need to know where the no-fly zones are. These are typically around airports, but other sensitive locations can also restrict drone flights.

Which is the best drone out there? It’s really hard to look past the DJI Mavic drones; they’re very portable, which is a huge plus. Read some reviews on DJI’s drones here.

Reflector disc

Another small and inexpensive item that can add to your photography is a reflector disc.

You can use this to reflect sunlight onto your subject, or in conjunction with a strobe set up. These reflectors fold up into a small space in your bag, but then open up into a larger disc for maximum reflective effect.

They come in different sizes, and you can get rectangular or circular shaped discs. In addition to that, you can get silver, gold or white as a reflective surface that will make your subject warmer or cooler from the reflected light.

Rogue flashbender

There are quite a number of lighting modifiers you can use with a flash, the Rogue Flashbender Kit makes the list here for its versatility compared with other products.

The concept is fairly simple.

You attach the flashbender to your flash, and then use the white surface to bounce light onto your subject. The flashbender panel itself can be manipulated into various shapes, giving you the following options.
- Bounce the light – The primary use of the flashbender is to aim the flash upwards, so you can bounce light off its white surface. This softens the light, giving you nicer light on your subject.
- A softbox – Through buying an additional translucent panel that can be attached to the flashbender, you can soften the light even more.
- A snoot – Shape the flashbender into a cylinder and wrap it around your flash to convert it into a snoot, now that’s versatility.
The full kit can give you even more options, such as using color gels to alter the color-tone of light.

Smartphone apps

While not physical pieces of gear, they’re just as important for the modern photographer. The information they can give you on-the-go is vital. There are many apps out there. Some are specifically about photography, while others are very helpful to photographers like weather apps.
- Photographer’s ephemeris – Knowing where the sun is in relation to your main subject is very important. Get this planned ahead with the Photographer’s Ephemeris.
- Snapseed – A nice app for editing your photos on the go.
- Photoshop express – Everyone knows Photoshop, and with this app, you can edit your photos on a smartphone or tablet.
- Windy – This is the best app out there for knowing weather conditions on the ground, and ahead of time.
- Photopills – Like the ephemeris, Photopills gives you all the information you need to know on the celestial bodies in the sky. This also comes with information about the Milkyway, making it essential for astrophotography.
- Camera+ 2 – The leading app for using your phone as a camera.
Lightbox

A lightbox is essential for any still life photography.

You’ll need some form of lighting to get the best results, with off-camera flash working best.

This piece of camera equipment will allow you to get the best product photos. You can also do some food photography with it. The aim of this is to get even light throughout your photo, with no strong shadows. It does this by bouncing light around the white surfaces that surround the box.

Product photography with a lightbox is better.

Business cards

Having a set of business cards that you can use to build up your contacts is just as important as any other gear you might have as a photographer.

There is nothing like those face-to-face meetings with people to gain potential business, whether that’s being hired or selling prints. These can be inexpensive, or you can go for the more designer business cards.
- Moo – These are the best quality cards you can get. You can get your photos printed on the back, and each one can be a different photo. That means when someone takes your card, they’ll also be taking a look at a portfolio of your work!
- Print shop – A cheaper option is to head to your local print shop. A lot of these will create a design for you, and may even print one of your photos on the back of the card.
Business cards made by Moo are of top quality.

Which camera equipment is for you?

There are many items you can buy for your photography.

Which item is for you?

Perhaps you’ll focus more on buying the right lens for your photography style. However, there are other items you can buy that will give your photography a creative boost.

Have you ever tried any of the items on this list, or are you tempted to buy one? As always at digital photography school, we love to see your comments in the comments section, together with any images you have.

The post 10 Great Pieces of Camera Equipment for the New Year appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Bond.

Digital Photography School
December 10, 2019
How to Avoid This Travel Photography Mistake: Taking Snapshots

The post How to Avoid This Travel Photography Mistake: Taking Snapshots appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.

When I teach travel photography workshops, I am always quick to encourage people not to rely on interesting subjects. An interesting subject does not always make a good photo. A good photographer does. So, in this article, you’ll learn to avoid just taking snapshots.

© Kevin Landwer-Johan

Travel snapshots

Taking snapshots when you travel is so easy. You find yourself in different, stimulating environments. They’re packed with exotic, compelling subjects provoking you to squeeze a quick photo as you rush by. Thinking the impressive subject is enough to create an appealing photograph is a mistake.

Pay attention to lighting, timing, and exposure. Taking snapshots without this care rarely hold anyone’s interest. You might find the most fascinating subject and not do it justice due to a lack of attention or time given to it.

Also, be careful of misconceptions about camera equipment. There are two main ones I notice.

‘I have a professional camera, so I take professional photographs’.

Just as a good subject does not make the photograph, nor does a good camera. A good photographer makes good photographs. Don’t rely on your camera to be creative. It cannot be. It is smart, that’s for sure. The artificial intelligence in modern cameras is phenomenal, but they are not creative. You are.

© Kevin Landwer-Johan

‘I only have my phone or compact camera so I can’t take good enough photos’.

You don’t need to stick to taking snapshots with a compact camera or phone. Don’t limit your creative expression because of the equipment you use. Sure, there are limitations with that kind of camera. You can still creatively capture interesting subjects when you put your mind to it.

Take your time

Slow down a little and think about how to make whatever it is that’s interesting into a great photo. Don’t rely on the subject alone. Every place you go, from Thailand to Turkey, you’ll find compelling subjects.

Something iconic needs to be treated with more imagination because everyone photographs it. To capture a photo of a monk in Chiang Mai or the Istiklal tram in Istanbul, you need to think outside the box. Everyone who’s been there has snapshots of these subjects.

Take your time when you find something engaging to photograph. Think about the lighting. Consider the best angle to photograph it from. Check out the background and make sure it’s relevant. Look at it for a while and ask yourself why you want to take a photo of it.

© Kevin Landwer-Johan

Don’t take only one photo

The first composition you make will not always be the best. Often it will be the most clichéd. The one everyone else takes.

Experiment with different angles and lens focal lengths. Make horizontal and vertical compositions. Try a dutch angle or two.

Always think about filling your frame. What’s within the edges of your viewfinder or monitor? Is everything you can see relevant and supporting your main subject? If not, do something about it. Change your angle, aperture or lens. Or wait. Sometimes you have to pause for people or traffic to move out of the background space. This will help your subject will stand out.

© Kevin Landwer-Johan

Be in control of your camera

Relying on an auto exposure mode and averaged metering gives you predictable results. Your camera is programmed to make even exposures. It’s not going to choose to expose for the highlights and let what’s in the shadows fall into blackness. Nor is it going to selectively slow down your shutter speed and purposefully allow motion blur to happen. You have to do these things.

© Kevin Landwer-Johan

Knowing your camera and how to control it will help you intuitively see when you can incorporate creative techniques. This will diversify the photographs you take. If you’re happy to use your camera like a point-and-shoot, then snapshots will fill your travel photo albums.

Taking your camera off the auto settings can force you to slow down (until you become more familiar with it). You can then think about all aspects of picture-taking at a more relaxed pace. Great photos are rarely quick.

Even most of the best street and travel photos are not taken on the spur of the moment. They are planned. They are preconceived. They are anticipated before the action happens, or the light becomes perfect.

When you do see something amazing happening and must react quickly, flick your camera back to auto. Take a few photos, and then, if you still have time, pop it back onto manual mode. Now you can get creative with your aperture and shutter speed.

© Kevin Landwer-Johan

Take a travel photography workshop rather than a tour

Many people use their camera predominantly when they travel. People have more time to take photos of interesting subjects when they travel. The problem is remembering all those settings. How can you get the most out of your equipment when you seldom use it?

Taking a travel photography workshop at the start of your vacation or journey will kickstart your creative process. You can learn to be more confident with your camera when you have a better understanding of how it works.

Picking up your camera and being stressed because you’re uncertain if it’s going to do what you want is not fun. A good tutor will walk you through the essentials of using your camera and build your confidence to do so.

A workshop will also give you hands-on experience on location. You’ll learn how to see the most interesting subjects and what to do with them. On a photo tour, all you usually get is a guide showing you interesting things to point your camera at. A workshop will equip you to take great photos wherever you go because you’ll learn how to use your camera in a multitude of different situations.

© Pansa Landwer-Johan

Avoid photographic clichés

It’s not difficult to avoid photographic clichés when you stop and think about it – even with iconic subjects. Slow down and enjoy the moment. Create a beautiful memory of it by thoughtfully composing your photos instead of taking snapshots.

Diversify your research. Don’t rely on Instagram to show you where the best photo opportunities are to be found. These are the places everyone will go and take the same boring pictures.

Think outside the box. Infuse your photos with creativity by looking for alternatives. Even if your subject is iconic, make it fresh and new in the way you choose to photograph it.

Do you have any other tips on how to avoid taking snapshots when doing travel photography? Do you have any stories to share? Please do so in the comments section.

The post How to Avoid This Travel Photography Mistake: Taking Snapshots appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.

Digital Photography School

December 10, 2019
Important Things to Consider When Photographing Winter Scenes
The post Important Things to Consider When Photographing Winter Scenes appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jeremy Flint.

Winter is a great season for photography and a magical time of year to be outdoors. Photographing winter scenes can be an exciting opportunity to capture some unique and wonderful images, particularly when a familiar scene is covered in a blanket of snow and takes on an entirely different perspective. Here are some considerations on how to photograph winter scenes:

1. Make the most of winter’s longer dusks and dawns

In spite of the colder temperatures, one of the joys of winter is that the sun tends to linger longer at dusk and dawn. It also remains lower in the sky throughout the day, providing great light.

If you can brave the elements and venture outside to capture these magical moments during the winter, you are more likely to have a productive shoot and be rewarded for your efforts. One advantage of photographing at dusk and dawn in the winter is that sunrise is much later than in the summer, and sunset is earlier.

Winter landscape, Oxfordshire

2. Find contrast

When photographing winter scenes such as snow, there are usually displays of strong contrast between subjects and colors that can make for striking images. For example, the whiteness of snow stands out really well against the darkness of a tree silhouette and combines beautifully with a colorful sun.

Alternatively, warm winter skies work really well with the cooler tones of snow. Look to find and photograph these types of contrast in your images, and the results will be more visually stunning.

Oxfordshire, England

3. Shoot bright and colorful scenes

Make the most of the winter light and shoot brightly-lit scenes. The bright white snow adds a certain beauty to a winter scene and can make a dull subject more interesting. A great time to shoot colorful winter scenes is when the sun is shining.

Yosemite, USA

Seek out colorful vistas that may include an animal, a tree, people, a house, a building, or even a snowman. Capture their warm colors in the glowing light. You may find you will need to overexpose a touch if your pictures are coming out slightly dark to make your images slightly lighter.

Iceland

4. Bring plenty of batteries

Batteries tend to lose power and run out faster in colder weather, especially when photographing winter scenes.

Be sure to fully charge them before you set off to maximize your shooting time and keep spares in a warm place, such as an inner pocket.

5. Keep warm

One of the most important challenges with photographing winter scenes is keeping warm. It is amazing how quickly your body temperature can fall when standing still photographing in the cold.

Wear layers to keep the heat in (thermal and wool base layers work really well). Wrap up warm with gloves and a hat and consider hand (heat) warmers. These are great for heating your hands after they have exposed them to the elements, especially if you have to remove your gloves to navigate the camera buttons when taking photos.

There are winter gloves designed specifically for photographers. The thumb and forefinger flip back so you can keep your hands warm while photographing. Consider investing in a pair if you will be in snow and cold a lot.

Also, bring snacks and water to stay energized and hydrated.

6. How to photograph snow:

Snow brightens the landscape and makes everything outdoors look amazing. However, photographing snow does come with its challenges. Here are some useful tips worth considering when photographing snow:
- Setting White Balance to “Cloudy White Balance” or setting your Kelvins to the warmer spectrum will help to make up for the bluish-tinge snow gets. This is particularly evident on overcast or cloudy days when you may get a blue cast to the snow in your images.
Iceland
- Overexpose when shooting snow so that the snow is white rather than “grey”.
Snow can trick your camera meter into underexposing when using your camera’s automatic metering system.

In order to achieve the correct exposure, you will need to compensate for this by adding positive exposure compensation (overexposure) of 1 to 2 stops. The raised exposure value (EV) will help the snow to appear whiter rather than a dull grey. Then your images will be more accurate and a better representation of the snow-covered scene that you see as a result of this.

This applies whether you are capturing falling snow or after it has settled on the ground.

Also, consider using a polarizer filter – this can cut glare and reflections off the snow when it is sunny. It can also help you to see through streams of water better because it cuts through the reflections on top of the water.

Yellowstone, USA

Conclusion

Winter can be a brilliant season for photography, whether you are capturing photos close to home or at more distant exotic locations. Don’t be deterred by the challenges faced when photographing winter scenes. Get out there and have some fun with your camera this winter, and use these tips to capture some great photos you can be proud of.

Share your winter images with us below and any further tips you may have.

The post Important Things to Consider When Photographing Winter Scenes appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jeremy Flint.

Digital Photography School
December 8, 2019
Photoshop Adjustment Layers Explained and How to Use Them (Part 2)

The post Photoshop Adjustment Layers Explained and How to Use Them (Part 2) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Nisha Ramroop.

Part 1 of How to Use Photoshop Adjustment Layers introduced you to the first eight of the adjustment layer type editing tools, which allow you to work non-destructively. Here, we continue to look at some of the other tools available as Adjustment Layers.

1. Photo Filter

Did you know that there are colored filters that you place in front of your camera lens that alter the color temperature and balance of your final image? Well, the Photo Filter adjustment layer adds a color filter to your image similar to this.

There are many preset photo filters in Photoshop, but the most common are those that make your image warm or cool. You can further tweak each preset to your liking. For instance, you can change the density of the effect easily using the Density slider. There is also the Preserve Luminosity box to check so that the applied filter does not darken your image.

You can also choose an exact color that you would like to overlay as a filter by clicking on “color” and chosing from the color menu or by using the eyedropper tool to chose a color from your image.

Warm (oranges) and Cool (Blues) Photo filters applied to the image above

2. Channel Mixer

The Channel Mixer Photoshop Adjustment Layer is another great tool to create stunning black and white and tinted images.

The principle is similar to that used by the Black and White Adjustment Layer. In each of these, you can adjust the displayed grayscale image by changing the tonal values of the color elements of the image.

There are three channels in the RGB view: red, green and blue. Note: The source channel is the one that defaults to 100%. The Channel Mixer, therefore, allows you to combine and mix the best of each channel. It does this by adding (or subtracting) grayscale data from your source channel to another channel.

Also, of note, adding more color to a channel gives you a negative value and vice versa. Hence, at the end of your edit, it is advisable that all your numbers total 100%.

The Channel Mixer also allows you to exaggerate color and make creative color adjustments to your image.

3. Color Lookup

The Color Lookup adjustment layer uses presets to instantly color grade or change the “look” of your image. The presets are called LUTs or lookup tables. Each lookup table contains specific instructions for Photoshop to remap the colors in your image to a different set of colors to create the selected look.

Applying the Late Sunset LUT creates a dramatic finish

When you choose the Color Lookup Adjustment Layer, three options are available to you: 3DLUT File, Abstract and Device Link.

Most of the presets reside under the 3DLUT File option. Of note, 3D (in 3DLUT) refers to Photoshop’s RGB color channels (and not three-dimension).

Late Sunset LUT applied at 60% opacity for a more realistic finish

Furthermore, LUTS are available for download from various websites or you can create your own LUT.

4. Invert

The Invert Photoshop Adjustment Layer is self-explanatory. It inverts the colors and is an easy way to make a negative of your image for an interesting effect.

The first image with colors inverted gives a surreal otherworldly effect

5. Posterize

Looking for a flat, poster-like finish? The Posterize Adjustment Layer gives you that by reducing the number of brightness values available in your image.

You can make an image have as much or as little detail as you like by selecting the number in the levels slider. The higher the number, the more detail your image has. The lower the number, the less detail your image has.

This can come in handy when you want to screenprint your image. You can limit the tones of black and white. This is also true of the Threshold Adjustment Layer.

Posterize Adjustment Layer

6. Threshold

When you select Threshold from your Photoshop Adjustment Layers list, your image changes to black and white. By changing the Threshold Level value, you control the number of pixels that are black or white.

Threshold Adjustment Layer

7. Gradient Map

The Gradient Map lets you map different colors to different tones in your image. The gradient fill, therefore, sets the colors representing both the shadow tones on one end and highlight tones on the other end of the gradient.

Likewise, checking the “Reverse” box swaps around the colors of your gradient. This means that the shadow colors are moved to the highlights end and vice versa.

A good rule of thumb is to keep your shadows dark and your highlights brighter for ease of reference.

Your gradient map also makes available many presets that are adjustable via the gradient editor window. Additionally, you can also define/create your own gradients by changing the slider colors.

8. Selective Color

Use the Selective Color Adjustment Layer to modify specific amounts of a primary color without modifying other primary colors in your image. Check the Absolute box if you want to adjust the color in absolute values.

Example: If you have a pixel that is 50% yellow and you add 10%, you are now at a 60% total. The Relative box is a little more complicated as it would adjust the yellow pixel only by the percentage it contributes to the total. Using the same example, if you add 10% to the yellow slider (with relative checked), it actually adds 50% of the 10%, which brings your total to 55%. Relative, therefore, gives you a more subtle effect.

However, when it comes to this editing tool, the potential is far beyond this simplistic edit technique. You can use it to correct skin tones and for general toning.

While selective color adjustments are similar to hue/saturation adjustments, there are subtle differences. Selective Color allows you to subtract/add color values, whereas Hue/Saturation does not.

The Hue/Saturation adjustment allows you to work with a range of hues that are included with the six color ranges in Selective Color, so there is more control there if you need it.

Conclusion

These basic examples of how to use the Photoshop Adjustment Layers tools merely scratch the surface of their capabilities. Certainly, you will appreciate editing non-destructively, whether you are just starting out or advanced with adjustment layers.

Some of the adjustment layers seem similar, but each has its differences and its pros and cons. Either way, there are many possibilities of playing around with your image, while preserving the original.

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out Part 1 in this series.

Do you use Photoshop Adjustment Layers? If so, which ones do you use and why? Share with us in the comments.

The post Photoshop Adjustment Layers Explained and How to Use Them (Part 2) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Nisha Ramroop.

Digital Photography School

December 8, 2019
Are Camera Tripods Universal?

A tripod is an essential part of every shutterbug’s gear. It is used by every type of photographer, hobbyist, or professional, no matter what they specialize in. When you start looking out for a tripod, you’ll notice that there are thousands of tripods available from different brands and different price points. Which brings us to the topic of this post—are Continue Reading

The post Are Camera Tripods Universal? appeared first on Photodoto.

Photodoto

December 8, 2019
Tips for Posing Models (videos)
The post Tips for Posing Models (videos) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

If you are interested in portrait photography, one of the hard parts (after learning your lighting and camera skills) is knowing how to pose your models. Particularly, if they aren’t professional models.

When you are taking portraits of men and women, their poses can be quite different because their bodies have different shapes and bend in slightly different ways. A pose that looks great for a guy, may look totally wrong for a girl and vice-versa.

So, to help you on your way to achieving better portraits by getting better poses from your models, I have compiled some videos for you to take a look at.

If, however, you don’t like to watch videos, you can grab yourself the dPS e-books, Portraits: Striking The Pose or 67 Portrait Poses (Printable).

Alternatively, see the list of articles you can read on posing models down below the videos.

Tips for posing men in portrait photography

This video is by photographer, Anita Sadowska.

This video is by photographer, Julia Trotti.

This video is from the perspective of a model agency, DLM Model Lifestyle, giving posing tips.

Tips for posing women in portrait photography

This video is by CreativeLive, featuring photographer, Lindsay Adler. These tips are for photographing people in a seated position.

?

This video by AtchatChannel Ubonratchathani, gives 60 model poses in 1 minute.

You may also like:
- 8 Posing Guides to Inspire Your Portraiture
- Posing Guide: 21 Sample Poses to Get You Started with Photographing Women – Part I
- Posing Guide for Photographing Women: 7 Poses to Get You 21 Different Photos
- Tips for Posing People in Outdoor Portraits
- How to do Gentle Posing: A Collection of Prompts to Get You Started
- Tips for Posing Muscular Female Body Types
- Portrait Tips for Posing Women
- Beginner Tips for Posing People with Confidence
The post Tips for Posing Models (videos) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

Digital Photography School
December 7, 2019
15 Global Photography Events You Should Participate In

Meeting experienced and amateur photographers from around the world gives you the opportunity to expand your skill set, whilst getting inspiration for your future projects. A great way to do this is by participating in photography events and competitions. Fortunately, there are countless photography events around the world for you to choose from. If you’re new to the photography scene, Continue Reading

The post 15 Global Photography Events You Should Participate In appeared first on Photodoto.

Photodoto

December 7, 2019
Weekly Photography Challenge – Lamps

The post Weekly Photography Challenge – Lamps appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

This week’s photography challenge topic is LAMPS!

Ant Rozetsky

Lamps can be beautifully designed, and they can add lovely ambient light to your photos.

Whatever form they take, we’d love you to go out and capture their many looks and feels in this week’s challenge!

They can be color, or black and white. They can be a small part of a wider composition or you can focus in on their fine details. They can add light to a portrait, or a still life scene, or an interior architectural scene, or they can be street lamps in a landscape – the decision is yours!

So, check out these inspiring pics, have fun, and I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

Michelle Houghton

Roberto Lopez

Suhyeon Choi

Check out some of the articles below that give you tips on this week’s challenge.

Tips for Shooting LAMPS

3 Tips for Photographing Mixed Lighting in Interiors

Stealing Light – Using Street Lights for Portraits

4 Tips to Help People Photographers Shoot Interior Spaces

3 Easy Tips for Photographing Details in a Scene

Shooting Details to Tell a Visual Story

Architecture: Photographing Exterior Details

Tips for Getting Started with Still Life Photography

Simply upload your shot into the comment field (look for the little camera icon in the Disqus comments section) and they’ll get embedded for us all to see or if you’d prefer, upload them to your favorite photo-sharing site and leave the link to them. Show me your best images in this week’s challenge.

Share in the dPS Facebook Group

You can also share your images in the dPS Facebook group as the challenge is posted there each week as well.

If you tag your photos on Flickr, Instagram, Twitter or other sites – tag them as #DPSlamps to help others find them. Linking back to this page might also help others know what you’re doing so that they can share in the fun.

The post Weekly Photography Challenge – Lamps appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

Digital Photography School

December 7, 2019