So I had in mind when photographing the Tetons and the Snake River at sunrise that a split grad ND filter might be handy. I brought my Cokin set, which I had purchased many years ago and used before I became a professional photographer. However, I found I was able to do more at higher quality with digital ND filters. In my early days I probably didn't realize that the ND filters reduced the sharpness of the image because I never liked my images enough to call them professiona

The wait is over. Here is my newest image of the Grand Tetons and Snake River. While no image can compare to Ansel Adams' famous...

This is also the perfect place to use a spot meter. I used the Sekonic L-758DR to spot meter off of the brink of the falls and open up 2.8 stops, plus polarizer compensation, to open the highlight and capture the full range of values in the scene. I can also use the light meter to meter the shadows and check the dynamic range of the scene to be sure it falls within the camera's range. It might be to your surprise that even most scenes like this, with such bright highlights, a

When photographing some of the most iconic landscapes this July in the Tetons, I was excited with what I was able to achieve and the...

Learn how to photograph fireworks with confidence using simple manual camera settings. This beginner-friendly guide covers gear, focus, exposure, and practical tips for capturing sharp, colorful fireworks photos every time.

The real difference between professional and hobbyist photographers isn’t gear, talent, or luck. It’s how they think, plan, and work with light.

Professional photography secrets aren’t hidden in gear or settings. They’re found in how photographers understand light and take responsibility for results.

I've often thought about why photographers such as Dave Black choose to put four $500 Speedlights on one stick instead of just paying...

This is for the point and shooters out there. Whether you're wondering why your pictures don't look like the pros', what big cameras are...

Getting better bird closeups is one of the goals of most amateur wildlife photographers. The temptation is to believe you need monster...

Cameras are advancing so rapidly, you're now able to get clean images at ISOs that a couple of decades ago would've been considered...

Every year, photography contests invite hundreds of images. And every year, photographers quietly wonder the same thing: “What are the judges really looking for?” As a judge for the Edgar G. Mueller Photo Contest, I can’t tell you what a winning photograph will look like—and that’s exactly the point. Winning images aren’t predictable. But the process  behind judging them is far more consistent than most people realize. This article isn’t about formulas or tricks. It’s about h

Every camera setting is subjective, including white balance. Some of the top wedding photographers use auto white balance. Some do custom...

Taking great images, being a photographer, becomes easier with practice, like doing visual pushups. The more practiced you are, the more...

I've seen fantastic places, but no other experience has been like photographing Hawaii, a world of vibrant color, people and landscapes....

How to change layer thumbnail size in Adobe Photoshop CS6. I provide Photoshop and Lightroom demonstrations for photographers and...

The Internet offers a lot of misinformation when it comes to buying and selling Adobe software used. Articles tell you it's neither legal...

Recently I went out and finally got some local textures I wanted for use as possible digital backgrounds. I live in Horicon and there are...

In this snowy woods is a nice example of how color and texture can be found in a fairly monochromatic scene. This is a snow-covered...

When I met George Lepp, Canon Explorer of Light, many years ago at a seminar, one of the questions I had then as an amateur was how to create a sun star effect. The answer was pretty straightforward, but I've added some tips. The kicker in the snow scene image is the sun star. To create an effect like this, start with a lens with a wide angle lens like 24 mm or shorter. The longer the lens, the less impact the effect will have. Start with the aperture fully closed, which