Hard and soft light are a constant topic of discussion in photography. Yet despite how often they’re talked about, there’s still a lot of confusion around them. You’ll often hear that one type of light is “right” and the other is “wrong.” In this article, we’ll look at how hard and soft light really differ and how to use each one in practice. We’ll also debunk a few common myths along the way.  

Car light trails are one of the most popular subjects for long exposure photography. They can transform an ordinary road into a dynamic image filled with lines and movement. In this article, we explore where and when to photograph cars, how to work with composition and shooting height, and how to simplify the shooting process using the right camera settings. Finally, we look at tips for post-processing using photo editing software. 

Every photo lives and dies by light. You can have the perfect lens, the perfect expression, and the perfect pose, but if the light doesn’t match your intent, the photo will never have depth or atmosphere. In this article, we don’t discuss the quantity or quality of light, but rather its direction. And in portraits, where it falls on the face.  

An external flash is a practical tool that many photographers buy early in their photography journey. It helps in situations where even the best lenses fall short and can save your shot when lighting conditions are poor. Let’s look at common uses for external flash and the best ways to set it up.  

Taking photos in the city on a bright day? Learn how to work with hard and soft light, find the best backgrounds, and master photography even in harsh midday sun.

Learn how to set up your camera for landscape photography. Master f-numbers, ISO, RAW, and exposure settings to capture sharp, perfectly exposed shots.

Fast-moving subjects mean different things to different people. Some people think of sports, others flying birds, a race car, or an airplane. But they all have one thing in common—everything takes place in a fraction of a second and the photographer has to be ready. Besides quick reflexes, the right camera settings also play a key role. Let’s take a look at what to focus on when shooting fast-moving subjects. 

Learn what lens focal length is, how zoom works, and when to use a wide-angle, portrait, or telephoto lens.

Everyone has advice for you when you start taking photos. What “looks good,” what “gets likes,” or what you “have to do” to be successful. But following the crowd isn’t always the best way forward. Sometimes it’s more important to tune out the noise and trust your own direction. Here are five reasons why ignoring advice might be the best advice you ever get.  

Do you have a camera with a basic lens (like an 18–55 mm), love taking portraits, but still can’t seem to get that beautiful blurry background you see in other portraits? Let’s be honest—a portrait with a nicely blurred background just looks more professional than one where everything is in sharp focus. Don’t worry, you don’t need to rush out and buy an expensive lens. To start with, you can work with the gear you already have.