Canon is one of the best known names in photography and in digital cameras. If you are buying a digital camera, what Canon accessories do you need to consider?

The advantage of purchasing a DSLR is that you can begin using it immediately. However, there’s a wide range of accessories available to help harness the camera’s potential.

These include a variety of lenses, lens filters, tripods and many more. With so much variety, where does someone who just purchased their camera start?

This guide will help get you started with a few basic additions to your collection.

Telephoto zoom lens

Many owners will need a longer lens that what the camera came with. Typically, the lens bundles you get with many Canon cameras stop at 55mm, so it makes sense to get a longer lens.

Choose something that works with APS-C-based bodies such as the EOS Rebel T7i / EOS 800D and EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D, and a camera lens which provides a focal range of 88-400mm. That’s adaptable enough for basic portraits to zooming in on things far away.

Wide-angle zoom lens

Canon EF 17-40 Ultra Wide Zoom

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Particularly if you enjoy landscape and nature photography, you may discover that you aren’t able to get everything you want into the photo with just the basic kit lens. A wide-angle, or ‘fisheye’ lens is very handy in this case.

A wide angle lense with a 17-40 mm focal length is very versatile and will allow you to capture a wide variety of shots like landscapes, lake and ocean shots, and even some indoor shots. Realtors often use this lens to make a space appear much bigger than it is!

Flashgun

Your Canon has built-in flash, which works well for short-range lighting, but it won’t accomplish anything beyond that. It’s helpful to have a separate flashgun (or ‘Speedlite’, which is the Canon model).

A flashgun is more powerful than flashes that are built in and you can tilt and swivel the head. You can take a flashgun off mount, and fire it separately. This works when it picks up on other flashes.

It can also activate them with radio/remote trigger. Flashguns provide plenty of opportunity for creativity in your shots.

Protective filters

Photoshop and digital filtering has not replaced physical lens filters. Some of the best are the basic Skylight or UV filter, like Hoya’s HMC UV filter.

These filters are clear, and have no effect on the image, however but it offers protection for your lens from UV rays and damage. Having a filter can protect your lens from damage, resulting in a repair or replacement.

Creative filters

Making sure you balance the exposure is tricky. You can try to recreate detail in editing software after the fact, but you’ll get better results with a filter that is standard neutral density (ND).

Tripods

Tripods are often used by landscape photographers and those who are shooting low light images. However, they are useful for photographers taking other kinds of shots, as well.

The greatest advantage is using smaller apertures and slower shutter speeds. This way, you don’t have to rely on the steadiness of your hands.

This also means you can frame up your shots and get the settings just right. Don’t spend a lot on the tripod, but be sure to buy something of quality, which is durable and provides stability. 

If you splurge on a quality tripod, make sure it’s one that is high-quality enough to last awhile. A carbon fiber or an aluminum-bodied one provides excellent stability.

Check out our roundup of tripods for heavy lenses if you frequently shoot landscapes.

Tripod head

The inexpensive tripods typically come with a built-in tripod head, or sometimes, they have the head included separately. Some photographers prefer a separate one, as there are advantages to this.

You’ll get more control out of a tripod that with a three-way pan-and-tilt head and those are great for close-ups.

Ball-head tripods are easy to use and are quick to adjust. The downside is they can be less sturdy. Good for general use with smaller lenses.

A pan head tripod provides a solid platform and allows for precise adjustment. The downside is they are more bulky than ball head tripods, and can take longer to adjust. They are good for landscape photography where stability is important.

Cleaning supplies

You need to keep your Canon DSLR clean, but it’s not something you’ll want to spend a lot of money on when you’re a new photographer. But it’s important.

A clean lens is vital for keeping your gear in good working condition. You should regularly clean your gear, to avoid damage to the lens, and having dust particles, hair, grease, and dirt appearing on your photos. 

There are several low-cost cleaning kits you can get, but many have stuff you’ll never use. The basics are enough, so include things like lens cleaner, brushes, wipes, and a good cleaning cloth that won’t damage your lens in your camera bag.

Memory Card

Most cameras function on SDHC and SDXC memory cards and there’s a wide range of these available, but finding the right one can be confusing. This is especially true if you’re buying one for the first time.

Memory cards differ in capacity and are based on the number of images and videos they can store, as well as the processing speed.

All you really need is one you can rely on and that is cost effective, that will be compatible if you upgrade the camera at some point.

Camera bag

If you’ve got a small DSLR camera and a base lens like your kit DSLR, a bag may not seem important, but it’s a sensible way to protect your gear in transport, protecting it from the elements.

As your collection of lenses and Canon accessories grows, you’ll find that you need a good bag to keep it all together and be mobile. Camera backpacks are a convenient way to carry heavy gear over long distances or uneven terrain, like nature hikes.

The disadvantage is that you have to take it all the way off in order to access your gear.  If you enjoy spontaneous nature shots (think birds that take off quickly), this may not work for you.

Shoulder camera bags give easy access, but the weight is unevenly distributed to one shoulder, so it gets uncomfortable with heavy gear over long distances.

There are also ‘sling’ style bags available which combine the ease of a backpack with the expediency of a shoulder bag. Choose a camera bag that will fit your needs, based on the weight of your gear, and the type of photography you do.

Photos are a big part of our everyday life and it’s easier than ever to take a professional quality image with cameras just about anyone can afford.

Quality photography has permeated our professional and business lives and it’s more important than ever before to take photos that attract your target audience.

Wouldn’t it be easier to shoot great photos if you also had a photography camera settings cheat sheet?

Many people are investing in DSLR cameras, but there are a lot of people out there that don’t know how to use them.

Even if they’ve figured out the basics and can use their cameras in auto mode, they are missing out on a lot of the opportunities their cameras are providing, especially different settings for specific areas like real estate photography, night photography, or street photography.

Learning more than the basics means you’ll make the most of your DSLR camera and get the result you want from your images, whether you specialize in wildlife photography or portrait photography.

Even those users who have taken some time to figure things out by taking a DSLR course or reading their camera manual find they are not ready to use the advanced features on their camera once they are in the field. They don’t have confidence in their knowledge and skills or they can’t get things right on the first pass, so they opt to change back to auto mode.

Here’s what will help these situations for people who want to apply the lessons they learn about their DSLR cameras: a cheat sheet.

A camera settings cheat sheet helps you remember what to do when you need it most: when you’re photographing you’re favorite things! You can refer to the cheat sheet and figure out what to do and when to do it without having to recall all the information you saw when you read your manual or watched a video or took a lesson.

Shooting Modes Camera Settings Cheat Sheet

DSLR cameras provide a lot of options for shooting modes. Here’s what you should know:

Aperture Priority Mode

The aperture meters the scene and ensures correct shutter speed for a properly exposed image. You use it so you can control what’s in focus in front of and behind the photo’s subject. You can also use it to control the amount of the scene you’re getting in focus. The depth of field gets larger as you select a smaller aperture.

Shutter Priority Mode

This mode allows you to adjust shutter speed and the camera ensures you get a properly exposed image. It’s the shutter mode you should use when you’re shooting something in motion.

Manual Mode

This mode allows you to set both the aperture and shutter speed. This gives you full control over the exposure of the picture. It also allows you to do some creative effects with the exposure to create artistic images.

B Mode

B or bulb mode is for capturing images at night, fireworks, and anything that requires a slower shutter speed lot of light for a properly exposed image.

Focal Lengths Camera Settings Cheat Sheet

Focal length is used to determine how the camera records a scene.

Short focal lengths include the widest view of the scene. A wide-angle lens has a short focal length and is available from 12mm to 35mm. Long focal lengths magnify a scene and capture small parts of it.

How do you know which focal length to you? Check this out:

• Wide Angle (24 to 35mm): Large buildings, large groups of people, landscapes
• 50 mm: Buildings and people
• Medium Telephoto (85-100mm): Portraits
• Long Telephoto (150mm): Detailed photos, wildlife photography
• Macro: Close-up photography

What should you do after you’ve taken photos?

DSLR cameras take digital photos. You won’t have a roll of film and you need a place to store your photos until you print them or upload them to your computer. You also need to remove photos from your camera every so often or your camera’s memory fills up and you won’t be able to take any more photos without a new memory card.

Going step-by-step through this list after you’ve completed a photo session means your camera will be ready for the next shoot.

Download the Images

Once that’s complete, name each image with keywords that make it easy to find them later. You may also want to organize them into a file according to date, subject, or client name if you’re a professional. This makes it easier to find them later, especially after you’ve accumulated a lot of photos.

Make a Backup of the Images

Once you finished shooting, make a back up of your image files. If you do this right away, you never need to worry about losing images. This is especially important if you’re a professional photographer.

Shooting someone’s wedding photos only to have a problem with your computer after you’ve erased them from your memory card and you have no backup images of the once-in-a-lifetime moments. An external hard drive is all you need to back up images.

3. Reformat the memory card. You should do this on your camera, not on your computer. The camera has the correct algorithm for formatting the cards properly.

4. Next, you’ll want to:

• Set the ISO to its lowest setting
• Set White Balance to Auto
• Set Exposure Compensation to 0
• Set the on-camera flash to OFF
• Set the camera metering to Evaluative

5. Recharge all of your camera batteries.

6. Disable auto-exposure bracketing.

7. Clean the body of your camera with a soft cloth. It should be dry or slightly damp. This next to the last step is especially important if you’ve been at or near the beach where your camera was exposed to salty air.

8. Clean the lens(es) of your camera. A lens cleaning kit makes this easier and ensures your lens stays clean and gives you the best pictures.

Having a post-shoot routine protects your camera and extends its life. Following each step might seem as if it takes some time but once you get used to it you’ll move through it fairly quickly. You’ll be glad you did when your camera is all set to take out on the next shoot.

A DSLR camera is a great tool if you want to seriously pursue photography as a hobby or as a career. But if you’re used to using other types of cameras, your DSLR might seem overwhelming at first.

Even if you are comfortable using your camera in the most basic way, there are likely features you’re missing out on or ways you aren’t making the most of your camera. Learning how to use a DSLR camera takes time and practice, but you’ll be glad you made the effort as your photos continue to improve.

Explaining the terminology associated with DSLR photography and what the buttons and settings on the camera do can help you get the most out of your camera.

It doesn’t matter how much experience you have – both a novice and someone experienced can benefit from a review of how to use a DSLR camera.

The information below is explained so an owner of a brand new DSLR camera can understand it but more experienced photographers can also use it to brush up on their skills and camera proficiency.

No matter what type of digital camera you have, they all work in the same basic way. They collect light; it gets focused by the lens, and then it’s captured by a digital sensor. The sensor saves light information and gives an image file that you can view and edit.

DSLR cameras work in this way, but they have a mirror and prism system that sends light to the viewfinder. The mirror flips up in the camera so that light passes into the sensor which records the image you’re trying to capture. This is one of the few ways DSLR cameras differ from other digital cameras.

Controls on Your DSLR Camera

DSLR cameras have a lot of dials and buttons and they can overwhelm new camera owners. A lot of DSLR owners give up and go back to their automatic cameras or just use the basic function of their DSLR.

The good news is that auto mode works great on a DSL camera most of the time, but you’re missing out on so much of what the camera can do if you only use the auto settings.

It’s also important to realize that it will take some time to learn things your camera can do. You don’t need to be an expert right away, and it’s alright to make some mistakes along the way. Getting to know your camera little by little is a great strategy is if learning everything all in one go is too much.

Also, keep in mind that, while all DSLR cameras are different, most of them have the same basic features. Besides knowing these basics, it’s also a good idea to read through your camera’s owner’s manual.

Now that you know where to begin, let’s look at the buttons and settings:

Mode Dial

Begin by locating the mode dial. This tells your camera how much control you want over the settings. It’s a rotating dial that switches between manual and automatic. In between those modes, you can also switch between P mode and A or AV mode.

P mode is short for Program Automatic mode. It’s an alternative auto mode and gives you control over exposure compensation, white balance, and ISO.

A or AV mode is Aperture Priority mode. This mode is halfway between automatic and manual. You can set the aperture to control the depth of field but the camera still sets the shutter speed and judges the light.

You’ll gain control over ISO, white balance, and exposure compensation. This mode works great for landscape photographers.

The last option between automatic and manual is S, T, or Tv mode. It’s also called Shutter Priority mode and is like A or AV mode, but you get to set the shutter speed while the camera sets the aperture based on the light. It allows you to control movement in the shot.

Selecting the shooting mode to get the correct exposure for the scene an important foundation for getting great shots.

Exposure Compensation

Most cameras have exposure compensation. This allows you to quickly make an image darker or brighter by increasing or decreasing exposure compensation.

You can access it via a dial or button or the camera’s menu, depending on the specific camera you’re working with. It’s a quick method for adjusting the overall brightness of an image without having gone into full manual mode.

Control Wheel for Shutter and Aperture

Those shooting in aperture or shutter priority use the control wheel to adjust the aperture or shutter speed.

In aperture priority mode, the wheel increases and decreases aperture setting.

In shutter priority mode, it increases and decreases shutter speed. In full manual mode, you need to adjust both. Each camera’s wheel or wheels are different, so review your manual to determine specifically how yours operates.

Focus Mode

Focus allows you to increase the sharpness or blurriness of your image. There is a range of focus modes on most DSLR cameras, and the one you choose is based on what you’re photographing.

Focus Ring

The focus ring is on your camera’s lens. If you’re in manual focus mode, you use this to help you achieve focus. It’s also possible to override autofocus with your focus ring if you want to do so.

Focal Length Ring

Also on the lens is the camera’s zoom feature. Changing the focal length zooms into or pulls back from an image.

ISO Button

This button allows you to make the camera’s sensor more sensitive to light. It makes the image brighter or darker and can also make it grainier. It’s the last setting you increase.

In most cases, stay at a range between ISO 100 and ISO 400, but if this results in too dark an image, you can increase or decrease ISO.

Metering Mode

Metering is the way your camera measures light in the scene. You alter it via the metering mode to make sure the subject of your image has the correct exposure. Evaluative or matrix metering, which is the default mode, usually works fine.

Now that you understand all the settings your DSLR may offer, it’s time to go out and create some great shots.

Vlogging is one of the best ways to gain traction and build a community on YouTube. Viewers love seeing into another person’s everyday life and enjoying mundane tasks like cleaning, shopping, and organizing.

But in order to lure viewers to your channel with these simple videos, you need a great camera.

How do you find a good camera for YouTube vlogging?

What You Should Know about Vlogging

Before you begin shopping for a good camera for YouTube, it’s important to understand the vlogging process.

Vloggers record their daily lives. They show what they do throughout the day and highlight activities like preparing meals, practicing their morning routines, shopping, showing the items they purchase in hauls, cleaning and organizing their homes, and sharing special events with their families and friends.

Others record videos related to their business to build up an audience for their goods or services.

Think about what you do on a daily basis and for fun and then imagine recording it. The videos are posted, often with minimal editing but this isn’t always the case, and they range from about 10 minutes to 60 minutes in length.

To create a vlog that people enjoy watching, you need a video camera that produces high-quality video and that is small and light enough to carry with you wherever you go.

The quality is sometimes less than a camera you’d use to produce a sit-down “studio” type video, but many compact and lightweight vlogging cameras today offer great quality.

Originally, many vloggers simply used the video camera on their phones to record vlogs. Many still do, and some who’ve made a career of vlogging even use their phones in a pinch.

But if you really want to excel and grow your YouTube following, you must invest in a good camera.

How to Choose the Best Vlogging Camera

There are a few things you’ll want to consider before you settle on what vlog camera you want to invest in.

First, consider your budget. Cameras come in a wide range of prices, so you want to set a budget and try to stick within that budget. You can get a good camera for YouTube regardless of how much you want to spend, so don’t assume you need to shell out thousands of dollars for the right YouTube camera.

Next, you’ll want to assess the following of each of the cameras in your price range:

• Video quality
• Storage
• Sound quality
• Ease of use
• Design

It might help to create a list where you post each of the cameras in your price range and then rank them based on what you learn from research about each of these factors.

Now that you have an idea for how to shop for a vlogging camera and you know what you’re looking for in this type of camera, here are our top 7 picks for a good camera for YouTube:

Canon PowerShot SX730

Click image to view at Amazon.

This camera is one of the most affordable options on the market that has a flip screen. Flip screens work great for vloggers because they are able to see the video they are creating as they create it.

It also has a 40X optical zoom and offers continuous shooting at nearly six frames per second. It also has built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth.

The drawback of this camera for a YouTube blogger is that you can’t shoot in in 4k, only HD. There’s also no viewfinder or electronic level and no touch-sensitive LCD. But we think it’s great for vloggers who need a high-power zoom, such as someone vlogging crafting or cooking.

Check the price of the PowerShot SX730 at Amazon.

GoPro HERO 7

Click image to view at Amazon.

This camera is for the most active vloggers. It has time warp video capture, great control features, and smooth video stabilization.

The only drawback of this camera is that you aren’t able to livestream in 4k, which is something most people who are new to vlogging aren’t that concerned about. If you are planning to create videos that feature outdoor adventures or sports activities, this is a fantastic option.

Panasonic GH5

Click image to view at Amazon.

This is one of the most durable vlogging cameras out there. It offers a 4k mirrorless camera, Venus engine processor, and is dust-, splash-, and freeze-proof to negative 10 degrees F. We’d say it’s a fantastic camera for outdoor vlogging thanks to these features.

It also offers 4k smooth quality video, advanced panning control, and no recording duration limit.

As great as this camera is, there are still a few things it could improve on. For example, the Bluetooth capability is outdated and over time the features haven’t improved all that much with each new iteration of the camera. It’s an ideal photography camera, but it’s still great for active, outdoor vlogging.

Canon VIXIA HF G40

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This camera boasts a lot of space and can save you if you are someone who isn’t backing up data as often as possible. It has two SD card slots, which means you can use to cards simultaneously, doubling the memory.

It also has high-battery capacity which is great for vloggers because you are out and about so much and recording so much footage. It doesn’t have the best autofocus, but we still think it’s a great camera for those who are just getting started with vlogging.

Sony DSC-RX100 MkIII

Click image to view at Amazon.

This is a great value camera for YouTube vlogging and offers a tiltable LCD screen and a pop-up viewfinder. You aren’t going to find a better camera at this price point.

Panasonic Lumix G7KS

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This camera was designed with vloggers in mind. It offers 4k video capture and a high-resolution viewfinder.

It’s also incredibly easy to use.

The wi-fi function is complicated, but we still think it’s a top-notch camera for both new and experienced vloggers.

Check the price of the Lumix G7KS at Amazon.

Sony Alpha a6400

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This camera is great for capture details. It features a tiltable LCD screen and creates clear, crisp images. It also has a Real-Time Eye Auto Focus feature that is great for vloggers.

There’s no built-in image stabilization, so if you’re replacing a camera that had it you’ll need to adjust until you get used to not having the feature.

There you have it.

Our list of seven great vlogging cameras to get you started or up your game on YouTube.

Learning to take great photos is about more than just learning to use your camera, although that’s an important part of it. If you want to improve your skills and learn the photography tricks of the masters, read on to find out our 20 easy tips:

1. Activate Aperture Priority Mode or “A” Setting

This helps you get professional-looking portrait shots even if the background isn’t focused. Using the “A” setting helps you control the depth of field. Keep in mind lower number settings actually offer wider apertures, decreasing the depth of field in a shot. The lower your setting the blurrier your background but the more focused your subject.

2. Use a Blend of Natural and Artificial Light When Shooting Night Shots

This tip is especially helpful if you are shooting cityscapes. Getting a great photo with the best lighting is also about timing. Using a spot meter reading helps you determine when natural light is at its peak and how to adjust artificial light to enhance the overall effect.

3. Utilize the Best Apps

Professional photographers have done just fine for years without apps, but now that there are tools available that can help you improve your photos, you might as well put them to work for you.

Apps are available to help you adjust and enhance your pictures, even if you are using your phone to take these pics. You might not get the same effect you would with a professional quality camera, but you’ll learn new photography tricks and be able to make the most of your phone’s camera feature.

4. Consider Using Burst Mode

You’ve probably experienced burst mode as a mistake, but you can actually use it intentionally and end up with some great shots. They are taken in quick succession and out of all the pics, one is likely to be a masterpiece.

5. Panorama Tricks

This is another trick for your phone’s camera. You can squeeze your subject into the frame more than once if you use a panorama shooting setting and are willing to run a little bit to make it into each of the photos your camera is snapping.

6. Alter the Direction and Angle of Your Panorama Shots

You can change the panning direction by tapping the arrow. This means it’s possible to get vertical panoramas, as well as the standard horizontal ones.

7. Photograph Jumpers

Ever wanted to take a picture of someone jumping but you weren’t sure how to capture the shot? Get low beneath your subject and use burst mode to capture each millisecond of the jump.

8. Take the Best Sunrise and Sunset Photos

Using an app that helps you find the best location and evaluate the position of the sun and moon means you’ll get the best possible pics at dawn and dusk.

9. Ignore Your Viewfinder

If you want the best candid shots, don’t pay any attention to your viewfinder. This is one of the easiest photography tricks you’ll ever use. You’ll want to snap a lot more shots when doing this, but you’ll save time and probably capture a ton of moments you never expected to.

10. Macro Filters are Your Friend

If a macro lens is out of your budget, a cheap macro filter can help you achieve the effect you want instead.

11. Golden Hour Backlit Photos are Optimal

If you know anything at all about photography, you know about Golden Hour. Use it to your advantage. You’ll get a soft, warm glow by using this diffused light from behind your subject.

12. Create a Relaxed Atmosphere for Candid Shot

If people are your subject and you want relaxed, candid photos, make sure you are exercising your conversational muscle. Get subjects talking and maybe even laughing to get the best results.

This is a trick that works especially well when photographing little kids, but it’s incredibly helpful with adults, too.

13. Take Overexposed Photos in Low Light Settings

Using the exposure compensation features on your camera allows you to overexpose the photo and get a better end result. Most DSLR’s allow negative three to positive three stops in third increments, so experiment and see what you can get.

14. Use an Exposure Reading from the Sky for a Great Silhouette Photo

Place your subject in front of your light source and turn off the flash on your camera. Set it to spot metering and point it toward the brightest part of the sky, but away from the direct sunlight. Then take an exposure reading. The picture you take based on the reading will be a perfectly lighted silhouette.

15. Photograph the Moon like a Pro

If you want a great pic of the moon or pictures set to moonlight, use the bulb mode on your camera. It’ll give you the longest exposure possible and improve your photos taken in mostly darkness.

16. Slow the Camera’s Shutter Speed and Use Neutral Density Filters for a “Dreamy” Effect

Using an ND filter gives you greater control of the image. You’re able to capture faster moving subjects and have the end result be calm and silky. This trick is great for photographing moving clouds or flowing water.

17. Reduce Shutter Speed and Pan to Give a Sense of Motion

If you are taking photos with the subject in motion, a low shutter speed – about two steps lower than needed – with panning will give you the effect you want.

18. Treat Your Equipment as You Would Anything You Love

You don’t need a lot of expensive equipment to take great photos. But whatever you do invest in, make sure you treat it with care.

19. Use Aperture Priority and Deep Depth of Field for Dramatic Architecture Photos

Shooting buildings? If you don’t have a tripod, set your camera to Aperture Priority and choose a smaller aperture. This gives you a deeper depth of field and makes the final picture of a building sharp.

20. Practice

It seems obvious, but the greatest trick to improving your photography skills is to practice them. All of the great photographers weren’t born that way. They had a great eye naturally, yes, but they also took time to learn their craft. You can too.

Photoshop and Lightroom are similar photo editing programs. Adobe makes both and they allow you to editdigital images. But what do you need to know about the differences?

Photoshop vs Lightroom: How to Know Which is Right for You

The simplest answer to whether choose Photoshop or Lightroom is “it depends.”

Each has its advantages and is beneficial in various circumstances. Knowing the pros and cons of each and applying that information to the specifics of which you are working makes it easier to choose the right photo editing program.

What are the differences between the Photoshop and Lightroom?

Features and Benefits of Photoshop

Photoshop is one of the best-known photo editing programs. Adobe created the application and it set the standard for photo editing software.

Originally, it was a simple program and as they made advancements, it expanded and became more functional. Nowadays, Photoshop is popular with graphic designers, photographers, animators, and publishers.

Adobe Photoshop offers a wide variety of options. It’s a pixel-level editor, so you’re able to work with each pixel and alter your images. You can get up close and personal with every little dot of color that makes up your digital image.

Features and Benefits of Lightroom

Photo Editing

Lightroom is also a photo editor from Adobe. It offers many of the same features as Photoshop but it is specifically designed for photographers. Most professional photographers find it includes all the tools they need for their work.

Workflow

Lightroom also offers more than Photoshop or other photo editors available. With Lightroom workflow, you can organize, import, manage, and find images.

It’s not just an editing tool; it’s a photo management tool. You can run a significant portion of a photography business using the software.

Non-destructive Editing

It’s also a “non-destructive” editing program. Photoshop is not. What this means is you don’t have to save your work at every step when you’re editing with Lightroom.

It features no save function, and it automatically saves all edits in a Lightroom catalog, so you can go back and see the changes you’ve made and work from your original or any step in the editing process.

The Workflow of Lightroom

There are varying opinions on this but many professional photographers and those who are familiar with both Lightroom and Photoshop believe that Lightroom offers a better workflow. Lightroom offers users the ability to:

• Create collections
• Move multiple images or files on your hard drive
• Add keywords
• Print books
• Create slideshows
• Share your photos directly to Facebook

It’s also possible to copy or sync an edit to multiple shots at the same time. You can also create presets and apply them to common settings across a group of photos.

Best of all, it’s easy to do and many people believe it’s much easier to use than Adobe Photoshop. This is a huge time saver, especially for photographers who shoot a certain type of event, like a wedding, or a certain style of photo, like a portrait.

Lightroom vs. Photoshop: How to Choose

Choosing between Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom is about determining the needs of your project. If you do a certain type of project more than another, you can steer your choice toward the software most suitable for the majority of your work.

With Lightroom, you’re able to do most of what you can do in Photoshop. You aren’t sacrificing anything, you’re just determining how much photo management you need with editing.

So, for example, if you shoot mainly raw photos, Lightroom is likely your best option. It excels at editing raw photos on its own, whereas with Photoshop, you’ll need Adobe Camera Raw. Lightroom also allows you to organize all of the digital photos as you import them.

Lightroom offers plenty of basic photo editing options including:

• Cropping
• Exposure
• White balance
• Tonal curves
• Histogram adjustments
• Black and white conversion
• Red-eye correction
• Spot removal
• Local adjustments
• Gradients
• Sharpening
• Lens profile correction
• Noise reduction
• Saturation
• Vibrancy

Anyone familiar with working with Adobe Camera Raw can make the transition to the Lightroom photo editor without much effort.

In fact, Lightroom is easier to use and is great for beginning photographers since Photoshop is known for its steep learning curve.

Does Lightroom Make Adobe Photoshop Obsolete?

Though it might seem as if there is no need for Photoshop now that Lightroom exists, that isn’t necessarily the case. The best time to use Photoshop is when you can’t use Lightroom since there are situations where Photoshop is better.

Most of it comes down to the type of photo editing you are doing. Sometimes, there will be situations where Photoshop is suitable and for other cases, there is rarely if ever a reason to use Photoshop.

When to use Photoshop vs Lightroom

Specifically, Photoshop outperforms Lightroom with the following:

• Advanced Retouching allows for pixel-level control or the ability to alter a person’s image.
• Composites, where you are slicing and dicing multiple images into one.
• Panoramas, if you need to stitch multiple photos to create a single panoramic view.
• HDR, when you want to blend images and work with shadows and highlights from multiple exposures.
• Advanced healing, which includes actions such as removing blemishes, whitening teeth, removing small objects, etc.

Lightroom can also do some of these things. Photoshop just does them much better.

Making Your Selection

So what happens if you understand what Lightroom and Photoshop can and cannot do and you still aren’t sure which will be the best investment for you?

The fact is there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to Photoshop vs. Lightroom. One isn’t necessarily better than the other.

Many photographers use both regularly and combine them for a set of comprehensive editing tools.

In most cases, Lightroom is a better option for beginners. You can start there with the intention of adding Photoshop later once you’ve mastered Lightroom and identified where it’s reached its limits in your workflow. But for many, Lightroom is enough.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lightroom and Photoshop

Which is better for a beginner photographer Photoshop or Lightroom?

Lightroom is easier to learn. It’s great for organizing your photos as well as simple editing like correcting issues with lighting or color. Photoshop is more powerful, but has a steeper learning curve.

What are the things Lightroom can do that Photoshop cannot?

Lightroom is a photography workflow tool which also has image editing capabilities. It has the ability to import and manage image files, add metadata, handle backups, in addition to simple editing. Photoshop is primarily a powerful photo editor.

Is editing on Photoshop harder than Lightroom?

Generally, Lightroom is easier to use for photo editing that Photoshop, since it offers simpler adjustments. Photoshop is much more powerful, therefore there are more advanced features to learn.

There are so many types of photography categories. Unless you are a professional photographer or serious hobbyist who has studied photography a great deal, you probably don’t even realize how many categories there are.

New categories are developing every day, too, as technology changes and our lives evolve.

It’s also important to realize that photography categories aren’t just the different things we take photos of. Different categories require different levels of specialization.

For instance, lighting is always important when snapping a photo but it differs completely from category to category.

Black and white photographers use lighting differently than macro photographers and they use it differently than travel photographers and so on.

What are some different photography categories, and what should you know about each?

Wedding Photography

One of the most popular categories of professional photography is wedding photography. Why? Because people want the highest quality photos of one of the most important events in their lives.

Wedding photographers typically shoot in either a traditional or photo journalistic style. They might also offer photography sessions for engagements, wedding rehearsals, wedding brunches, day-after, or trash the dress.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife photography is another category. It can be an adventurous type of photography, though not always, and tend to require a lot of patience.

Time-Lapse Photography

Time-lapse photography is a method of capturing images in a series of frames. It’s the same scene captured with fluctuations and can be replayed like a short video.

You’ll see time-lapse photography used with subjects like celestial bodies, growth, and decay of organic matter or when erecting a home or other building.

Travel Photography

Travel photography is used to photograph a specific place. Photographers try to capture what’s special about a destination, be it the culture, the people, the architecture, or something else.

The images captured with travel photography can be used for personal, commercial, or editorial purposes.

Black and White Photography

This is a style of photography loved by many. It focuses on the image without the interference of color. Photos can be taken in black and white or they can be edited to black and white afterward.

Originally, all photos were black and white and then tinted to different tones. Black and white photos tend to have a timeless, classic feel.

Commercial and Business Photography

Business and commercial photography are used in a professional environment. Business photos are those used to market or promote a business.

It might be headshots of executives or photos of a team at work. Commercial photography, on the other hand, promotes products or services. It might be featured in catalogs, brochures, advertisements, or other marketing materials.

It might also incorporate other photography categories, such as fashion, food, or product photography.

Candid Photography

Candid photos are photos taken in the moment. They are appropriate in many situations and are a great way to capture an event.

Drone Photography

Drone photography is one of the newer categories of photography but it’s a variation of aerial photography. This just means the photograph is being taken from overhead.

Now that drones can be used, it’s possible to get aerial drone photographs from angles and areas that were previously not an option.

Editorial Photography

Editorial photographs are often used in magazines and newspapers though it does arise in other situations. This style of photography is intended to tell a story and often used in media.

Event Photography

In addition to wedding photography, there are other events that people want to capture. Event photography can include parties, dances, award ceremonies, concerts, or any other type of gathering.

Photos can be personal or they can be used for marketing or commercial purposes.

Family Photography

Family photography is used to capture pictures of families. It can utilize a variety of different styles of photography, but is most often known for portraiture. Portraits capture a person or group of people and use lighting and the surroundings of the photo to highlight the people in the picture.

Though portrait style is common in this category, sometimes family photos are candid and might be taken at family gatherings.

Newborn and child photography is one of the most popular types of family photography. This is because so many parents want to capture the early days, weeks, and years of their children’s lives.

Landscape Photography

Landscape photography is intended to capture the magic and beauty of the great outdoors. It focuses on natural surroundings and highlights mountains, bodies of water, land masses, skyscapes, and other natural features. It can be used for a variety of purposes and has a great deal of artistic flexibility for the photographer.

Lifestyle Photography

Lifestyle photography is one of the photography categories that captures people in real-life situations. It tells a story, like editorial photography, but is more casual than a traditional editorial photograph.

It might also incorporate aspects of other types of photography, such as fashion or food photography.

Macro Photography

Macro photography captures objects close up. Often these are small objects made to appear larger than life in the photos.

Many macro photographers focus on the natural world and take pictures of flowers or insects. This category requires a special lens and uses lighting and depth of field to produce interesting photos.

Pet Photography

Similar to family photography, this category of photography focuses on pets as subjects. Most are portraits of beloved family pets and might incorporate props or other styles of photography to make the photos interesting and fun.

Photojournalism

Photojournalism is used to tell a story with photos. Instead of telling the story with words, the story is told with pictures. It most often appears in magazines and newspapers and is one of the most impactful categories of photography in existence.

Real Estate Photography

Real estate photography, as you might guess, is photos of homes, rental property, and other real estate used to promote or sell the real estate. It can include both interior and exterior photos and uses light and camera settings to enhance the look of a space.

Use this article as inspiration for choosing your photography niche.

How To Capture Beautiful Moments that Delight Your Wedding Clients

When most people think of wedding photography, they think of the candid and posed shots taken throughout the day of the wedding. But this isn’t the only type of wedding photographer there is.

Wedding portraiture is a great style for capturing the special details and most beautiful aspects of a wedding. Understanding the fundamentals of photography and capturing great wedding portraits ensures a wedding album is well-rounded and that the happy couple will love the end result.

What you need know about the fundamentals of photography for wedding portraits?

Portraits are often one of the best-loved and most challenging types of photos for photographers to take. This is true even for the most experienced professional photographers.

Portraiture can be tricky and knowing a few of the tricks in advance ensures you get the best possible pics on a couple’s big day.

Focus on the Eyes of Your Subject

One of the first techniques you’ll want to master is working with eyes. Getting the eyes of your subject into perfect focus is the key to great portrait photography, especially when you are taking traditional portraits. This should be the first skill you practice because it’s the one that if you miss, it will ruin the entire picture.

You could have a photograph in which every aspect is blurry and out of focus, but if the eyes are perfect, people will love the photograph.

To make sure your subject’s eyes are in focus, you must consider depth of field. Blurring the background of the picture helps to bring the eyes into focus, so you’ll want to shoot at a wider aperture.

You can experiment and see what works best, but as far as the fundamentals of photography go, this is where you want to begin.

Master the Backgrounds

You have plenty of options when shooting wedding portraits and choosing your backgrounds. The thing that some photographers forget is how important the backgrounds are in portraiture.

In the past, backgrounds were always plain. But there is no need for this to be the case anymore. Be creative. Indoors you can use colors, textures, and other things that apply to the wedding. Outdoors your options are even more endless.

Consider the Focal Length when Shooting

It’s important to be aware of the effect of focal length on your subject when shooting wedding portraiture. Most photographers use lenses between 50 mm and 85 mm, but they aren’t your only option.

Try different focal lengths to experiment with the effects and see what works the best for you. Your goal is to get as little distortion as possible and make sure the foreground and backgrounds aren’t compressed.

Wide angled lenses can create fun effects, but not everyone wants avant-garde when it comes to their wedding photos.

Make Sure Your Light is Soft

Soft shadows are the effect you are going for with portraiture. The last thing you want is harsh shadows on a bride’s face when shooting her portrait. This goes for natural or artificial lighting.

The best way to get ideal lighting is to shoot in softer lighting conditions, which tends to be outdoors in the morning or afternoon. If you are shooting these photos on the day of the wedding, you might need to be flexible so you can accommodate the perfect lighting and the events of the wedding day.

Softer lighting creates softer shadows, especially on the face. Even if you are taking portraits indoors, try your best to use natural lighting by positioning the subject near a window.

If you don’t have enough natural lighting, you can increase the ISO to make up for it. It’s also possible to use a reflector to get the effect you want.

Remember, you have a little more time to work with portrait photography than you do with a lot of the rest of the shots on the wedding day.

You’re able to stage a perfect portrait shot using fundamentals of photography, unlike when you are trying to capture a fleeting moment of the big day. This gives you a lot more control of the outcome.

Flash or No Flash?

You’re also going to need to figure out whether you’ll be using artificial lighting.

In many weddings, you’ll use a combination of natural and artificial lighting depending on what you’re shooting and where that event is taking place.

For example, the getting ready photos early in the day are more likely to require flash than the shots at the outdoor ceremony or reception.

Photographers who shoot regularly tend to shy away from flash because it results in such harsh light and shadows. But there are occasions in which you’ll have no choice but to use flash.

If you must do so, make sure you are diffusing the harsh lighting. Use a card to bounce the light so it’s less direct or create a diffuser box to accomplish the same thing.

It’s not ideal for shooting a wedding, but you can usually pull it off with no photography assistant when you’re dealing with portrait photographs.

The goal is to avoid harsh lighting as much as possible, no matter what approach you take or what tools you use.

Following the Rules

If you’ve spent any time at all studying photography and taking pictures as a hobby or professionally, you’ve heard the rules. Many people have even studied the rules and know them like the back of their hands.

Conventional portrait taking rules can be helpful, especially when you are new to photography or new to this style. But just because there are rules doesn’t mean you must follow them at all times.

The goal is to make sure you get the pictures that you are most comfortable with and that the wedding couple love. If this means breaking the rules of portrait photography, so be it.

Ultimately, you want everyone happy with the final product on their wedding day and this often means breaking the so-called rules of portrait taking.

If you’ve decided it’s time to launch a photography business or you’ve been dabbling in professional photography but you haven’t taken the leap into opening a photo studio, now might be the time.

But in order to turn your beloved hobby into a lucrative business, you’ll need the right photography studio equipment. You don’t need a lot and it doesn’t need to be top-of-the-line. There are plenty of budget-friendly options that are basic items you’ll need to get started.

Here’s our definitive list of photography studio equipment you’ll need to get started and maintain a photography business:

Backdrops

One of your first investments should be backdrops. If you aren’t shooting outside, you can’t rely on the natural world to serve as a decent backdrop for your photos. The goal when you are shooting in a studio is to use a backdrop that creates a clean and consistent image.

Having a collection of a few backdrops gives you variety and ensues you’ll have the right set up for each photo. They can be basic, but you should a few options.

The simplest backdrops include materials you can get at a hardware or art supply or craft store.

For example, consider backdrops made from:

• Canvas
• Seamless paper
• Muslin fabric
• Cotton (including bedsheets)

Peruse your local craft and sewing store for a wide variety of fabrics that can serve as backdrops. The items listed above are a great starting point, but they aren’t your only options.

Below are the pros and cons of each material listed above:

• Muslin: Doesn’t wrinkle easily, is a neutral in color, comes in a wide range of sizes and shades, is inexpensive and easy to find, portable
• Canvas: Durable, high-quality, customizable, portable
• Seamless paper: Inexpensive, clean, crisp, flat, variety of colors
• Cotton: Similar to canvas and muslin, inexpensive, easy to find light tones and shades, sturdy

Backdrop Stands

Now that you have a variety of backdrops, you’ll need to invest in a support system. Even with a photography assistant, you don’t want to need to hold up your backdrop while shooting.

Some photography studios are large enough to set up permanent backdrops. Some have both. If you have a wall you can use as a backdrop, that’s permanent and then you move other backdrop options in front of the wall as needed.

The important thing is to have a system in place that allows you to easily swap out different backdrops without worrying about it being time consuming or sagging or falling during the photo shoot.

It’s also important to remember that while there are plenty of ways to improvise a backdrop, you’ll want to create as professional a setting as possible.

If necessary, build or invest in a solid structure for your studio space that is reliable and doesn’t look as if you’ve just taped up your backdrop a few minutes before the photo shoot.

Something as simple as clips on the wall for hanging a muslin or cotton sheet is enough to give a professional appearance.

Lighting Equipment

Chances are when you decided to set up your photography studio, lighting was the type of equipment you gravitated to. Most photographers think “New studio… I need studio lighting.” This is true, of course, but it’s not the only thing you need.

It’s also easy to get carried away with investing in studio lighting, and while it’s great to have options, not many newer photographers have a lot of money to spend on all sorts of lighting.

The good news is that’s okay. There are plenty of ways to get great studio lighting without spending an arm and a leg or crowding your studio with too much photography studio equipment.

A few things to consider when assembling your studio light collection:

• Color: Studio lights are usually tungsten or florescent and each gives off a different hue
• Direction of light: Do you need it from more than one angle? Overhead? Up lighting?
• Continuous or flash: What triggers the flash?
• Quantity of light required: How much light is needed in your studio space? How much natural light is there?

You have several lighting equipment options, including:

Softbox

Softboxes modify your lighting to make it less harsh by allowing you to control the direction of the light. By diffusing light, you’ll get fewer harsh shadows.

Umbrella Lights

Source: By Alexander Dummer from Pexels

This is the most popular style of lighting because they are easy to use, easy to set up, and portable. They also come in a wide variety of sizes and price ranges. You can choose from shoot-through umbrellas and reflective umbrellas.

Shoot-through umbrellas are like soft boxes and allow you to diffuse the light that’s pointed toward your subject. Soft boxes spread the light and provide soft, photo-friendly lighting.

Reflective umbrellas shoot the light into reflective material and bounce it back toward your subject. They are more challenging for new photographers but make it easier to shoot larger groups. You might eventually consider both options for your photography studio.

Ultimately, it’s up to you how much photography studio equipment you want to invest in. The important thing is to not get lured in by all of the fancy bells and whistles available. Make smart decisions and invest in high-quality items that will last a long time.

Also keep in mind there are some types of equipment you can rent. This isn’t ideal, but it can be a great temporary option for those who are just getting started. This allows you to invest in equipment piece by piece and upgrade as you go.

It also lets you sample certain types of equipment and learn more about what you like and don’t like. That way you’re able to make more educated decisions once you are ready to buy.

Finally, make sure you do your research before investing in any type of equipment. Read reviews, evaluate features, and determine what is best for you – not just want other photographers like the most.

This way you’ll have a photo studio that is custom built to your needs and preferences and you’ll have created an environment that makes you comfortable to work in.

Landscape photography produces some of the most stunning images out there. The best part is that it relies primarily on the beauty of nature of the scene to get it right – there’s no studio to set up or lighting to position before you pull out your camera to take a shot.

Though shooting landscapes features mother nature, there are some tips to utilize to get the best results, capturing stunning photos with little effort.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a professional photographer or a hobbyist, in the right conditions, landscape photography is amazing. We’re going to share eight landscape photography tips to help you capture the best images possible.

1. Don’t Be Afraid to Use a Tripod

You don’t have to take every landscape shot by hand. Buy a portable tripod that you can pull out any time you need it. Shaky hands, different shutter speeds, and the weather can all determine how your photo is going to turn out.

A tripod ensures a stable shot with no movement. When shopping around for a tripod, make sure it’s portable and durable.

Read more about tripods for shooting landscapes.

2. Try Out a Telephoto Lens

It’s common to use a wide-angle lens when capturing landscape photography. This is the traditional choice and you should be using one to get a wider view.

But a wide-angle lens isn’t your only option. It’s time to switch things up and a telephoto lens is perfect.

A telephoto lens is 50mm or longer and gives you an even wider photo than a wide-angle lens.

While a wide-angle lens creates depth, telephoto lenses capture every little detail of the scenery. They make extreme weather conditions stand out more than they already do including lightening or even fog. The lens gets all the extraordinary details of the weather.

If you don’t already own a telephoto lens, you should invest in one for your landscape portraits.

3. Composition is Key

The composition of an image is the way you arrange the elements. Different compositions of the same image can tell two different stories. A different composition is a different perspective.

The “rule of thirds” is one of the most common compositions used in photography and works well for landscapes. It balances the elements in the image.

According to the rule of thirds, you break up the image into thirds horizontally and vertically. In your head, you should see nine equal squares. Your subject should be at an intersection of lines for a balanced scene that’s pleasing to the eye.

You don’t have to always place the subject in the middle. Try putting it off to the right or left. Each gives the image a different look.

To control where the viewer’s eyes go, use lines or patterns when shooting the landscape to lead them to the subject. Some cameras even have a setting that allows you to place the grid on your screen to help you get the perfect shot.

4. Find Depth in Your Shots

Depth is important when it comes to landscape photography. It gives the viewer the sense that they’re in the scene, in the moment, enraptured by the scenery.

To create depth in landscape photography, make sure all elements are in focus. You can do this by choosing a small aperture setting but make sure you don’t go too small, either. It should range from f/11 to f/16.

When your camera is in a small aperture setting, you need to increase your ISO to between 100 and 400. Less light enters the lens the smaller the aperture setting so your ISO can counteract that. It will also prevent the image from becoming grainy.

5. Natural Light is Your Best Friend

Natural light can make or break your image. If the light is low, your photo isn’t going to be vibrant but if you want an image with a darker mood, less light is a plus

The amount of natural light you need depends on the mood you’re hoping to portray, and how you control your exposure. Professional photographers have what’s called the “golden hour”. Dusk and dawn are the best time of day for photographing landscapes.

Keep in mind you don’t want to go out right in the middle of the day when you’re photographing landscapes. You don’t want too much sun because that will cause an awful glare on the scenery. But sunsets and sunrises are a great time to go out.

6. Add Movement to Your Landscape Images

Movement in an image changes the mood or emotion. You can get motion from a stream or even weather as it rages through the landscape.

To capture movement, you need a longer shutter speed and a small aperture setting.

7. Use Water for a Stunning Image

It’s no secret that water in an image is gorgeous. It contrasts against the sky so the blues really shine.

But you can also use water as a mirror. It can reflect the subject of your image so it catches the viewer’s eye right away. It creates a balance.

8. Be Creative with Filters

Don’t be afraid to use filters on your landscape images. The filters help balance light in the photo. You can make adjustment to the light and create a whole different mood for the shot.

A polarizing filter darkens the light, highlighting the blues in the image to contrast them against the white.

A neutral-density (ND) filter ensures that there isn’t too much light in the image. It prevents glares from too much sun.

The Bottom Line

It doesn’t matter if you’re a newbie, you can still take breath-taking landscape photographs. We created this guide of eight landscape photography tips to help you take stunning landscape images.