Every beginner wants to look professional behind the camera, and camera manufacturers are more than happy to profit from that. Let's go through five popular accessories and pieces of gear that people often buy because the gear makes them feel more professional rather than because it actually improves their photos. We'll tell you when this gear actually makes sense — and when it's just an unnecessary, premature expense.

The Sigma 35/1.2 DG II Art is the second generation of Sigma’s fastest 35mm lens for mirrorless cameras. Compared to its predecessor, it’s significantly lighter and more compact. After several thousand photos from five different weddings, I’ll share how the lens performs in terms of sharpness, bokeh, autofocus, and real-world handling—and whether this expensive, specialized lens is worth choosing over a lighter and more affordable f/1.4 alternative.

I’ll show you how to find the best viewing locations, how to safely protect your eyes and camera, and how to set up your equipment for stunning photos or time-lapse footage. Also, since the Perseid meteor shower peaks on the same night, it’s worth planning a photography session that lasts from sunset well into the night.

In this article, I show you how to achieve maximum sharpness and when a shallow depth of field can become a powerful creative tool.

When does black and white photography work better than color? When does it weaken an image? And how can you get the most out of it during both shooting and editing?

Your photo includes too much of its surroundings, the main subject is centered, or there are distracting objects around the edges of the frame. Often, a single adjustment is all it takes to make a photo look much better. See how you can crop your photos in Zoner Studio to improve them in just one minute.  

In this article, I show you how to capture fire safely, choose the right camera settings, and get the most out of each shot.

We’ve selected seven destinations that no photographer should miss—from Tuscany to the mountains of Montenegro and Croatia’s Adriatic coast. Along the way, I share tips on photographing architecture, landscapes, and authentic rural life.

In this article, I also give tips on when it’s worth intentionally breaking the rules and when other approaches, such as the rule of fifths, or simply trusting your instincts, can give even stronger results.

In this article, I show you how to photograph cities, landscapes, and portraits during the blue hour—and how to make the most of this brief window of opportunity.