Ron Leach

All photographers strive to attain fast and precise focus no matter what type of images they make and achieving that goal can be a challenge when shooting handheld under challenging lighting conditions. Today's tutorial from pro Mark Denney reveals his secrets for getting the job done.

The first thing most landscape photographers do upon arriving on location is open their bag and mount a favorite wide-angle lens on their camera. But using the right lens doesn't guarantee great results unless you understand the "essential" techniques for getting the job done.

Gerrit Vyn is a Portland-based wildlife photographer with a deep commitment to conservation, and he pursues his passion by making intimate photographs of the animals that share our fragile planet. While Vyn has photographed a myriad of species, his images of birds are particularly compelling.

Wildlife photography provides a number of unique challenges, not the least of which is locating the subjects you intend to shoot. One often has to deal with difficult light, whether it’s midday sun, deep shadows, or impending darkness when some species are most active.