Curves is a very powerful and sometimes misunderstood ingredient for processing photos, and it’s not limited to Photoshop and Lightroom. In fact, just about any image-editing application you use likely includes a Curves tool.
So you capture a photo with perfect exposure, precise focus, and appealing composition—but, unfortunately, the colors are off. Unless you fix that problem, the image simply isn’t a keeper.
As one of our favorite pros insists, “Lightroom’s histogram is one of the most important things to understand in photography.” If you’re new to this powerful tool, the beginners guide below from our friends at The Phlog Photography will get you up to speed in barely eight minutes.
Many photographers prefer shooting portraits outdoors so they can avoid the hassle of supplemental light. The problem, however, is that even the slightest hint of wind can cause flyaway hairs to intrude on a model’s face.
If you’ve decided to take a crack at landscape photography you know there’s a lot to learn for capturing impressive images. That’s why we recently posted a beginners guide with some great tips for shooting outdoors.
There’s no better way to improve your photography than by learning from pros that spent years developing their craft. And that’s why we regularly bring you tutorials from some of the world’s best photographers.
Many photographers strive for images with bright vibrant colors that are saturated to the max. But taking a more subtle approach can deliver beautiful results, with soft pastel colors that stand out from the crowd.
It’s inevitable: Sooner or later you’ll come upon an interesting scene, and the only camera you have on hand is your phone. Sure, it’s possible to make impressive images with the latest phones, but what if the photo you envision requires a long exposure?
One of the great appeals of b&w imagery is that by stripping away color it’s possible to achieve very dramatic photos with high contrast, deep blacks, and properly exposed highlights. If your monochrome images are bland and disappointing, this tutorial is for you.
Landscape photography involves several challenges, not the least of which is arriving at a correct exposure. That’s because nature scenes, especially those shot with a wide-angle lens, may include a very wide range of tones from bright highlights to deep shadows, and skies that often fall somewhere in between.
Have you ever deleted photos by mistake when reviewing images on your camera’s LCD screen? If not, it’s quite possible you’ll do so in the future, and trust us: it’s a mind-numbing experience.
(Editor’s Note: Exploring Light is a monthly Shutterbug column featuring tips, tricks, and photo advice from professional photographers in Canon Explorers of Light education program. This month's column is by Krisanne Johnson, with tips on editing long-term documentary projects).
Even if portraiture isn't your thing, you obviously own a camera. That means sooner or later you’ll be asked to capture the likeness of family and friends. The tutorial below will help you deliver better results with a simple editing technique.
We’ve all been there: You shoot what looks like an outstanding photo, only to open it on the computer and discover a distracting element or two that sort of spoils the shot. We’re firm believers of “fixing it, rather than trashing it,” and that’s exactly what you’ll learn how to do today.
If you consistently capture great images under normal conditions but struggle in low light, the tutorial below is for you—whether you shoot landscapes, wildlife, or other types of outdoor photographs.