It’s happened to many of us: you want to capture the cozy mood of a candlelit apartment in the evening, but your camera’s automatic mode brightens the image and ruins the atmosphere. Or maybe you’re trying to photograph children playing, but a slow shutter speed leaves you with a blurry shot. This is where manual mode comes in.  

Are you looking to buy your first camera but feeling overwhelmed by all the options? In this article, I help you choose a camera that’s right for beginners. You’ll learn what to focus on, what to ignore, and how not to get lost in the sea of acronyms and technical jargon. Whether you want to shoot family snapshots, wildlife, or artistic portraits, I’ll help you find the right beginner camera that fits your needs.  

Do you want to try macro photography and capture fascinating close-ups of flowers, insects, and plants? You don’t need to spend a fortune on pricey gear! Learn how to use everyday camera equipment, light, and a few creative tricks to get stunning macro shots of nature and discover the magic of close-ups in your garden, the woods, or a meadow.  

When you think of animal photography, most people imagine dogs, wildlife, exotic animals, or even deer at the forest’s edge. But what about cows, goats, or chickens? Farm animal photography, whether in the countryside or at an animal sanctuary, may not be your first choice, but portraits from these places can be surprisingly captivating.  

The city is a photographer’s playground. Everywhere you turn, there are new corners, scenes, or details just waiting to be discovered. The stories you witness are sometimes fleeting, so you have to be on your toes. Get inspired with these places and learn what to look for when photographing in the city.

Juggling is a combination of sport, dance, and art. It requires practice, patience, extreme concentration, creativity, and good fitness. Portraying a juggler’s performance in a way that captures the viewers’ attention in a photo is a challenge. Are you ready to give it a try?

Shorter days have one definite advantage for photographers: an abundance of time for exterior photoshoots in the dark. Dark alleyways, brick walls lit by streetlamps, reflections of light on a river’s surface, or the elongated shadow of a black cat crossing your path. This type of atmosphere and abundance of time make for the perfect conditions for low key photography in the moody, cinematic style of Film Noir. Take a look at how it’s done...if you dare. 

Kevin Bruseby is a 17 year old Swedish photographer and also one of Zoner Photo Studio's ambassadors. His Instagram profile is filled with images that have captured the attention of a solid crowd. His interest in Meteorology has brought him the relationship with his camera and hunting for shots (but not only) in the fog and mist is his favorite within his native land. What else has Kevin told us about? Find out in our latest interview here.

There are countless ways to play with your camera even when you’re stuck at home—and have a lot of fun with your kids at the same time. One of them is to reach into your stocks of action figures that never grow old. If you yourself have grown old enough to feel ashamed at carefree play with them on your carpet, now you have a unique chance to dive back into your play as a photographer. So take your camera, call your children over, and get playing!

Zdeňka Vrátná focuses on a rather untraditional genre—cosplay photography. That means primarily costumes based on fantasy, sci-fi, or post-apocalyptic stories. We asked her she how she got into photography and what parts of it she enjoys. And she also revealed some of her tried and tested photography tricks and shared some of her experience. Read our engaging interview, browse her fantastic photos, and get to know this likable, talented photographer.