Let’s face it: Unless you’re a pro on assignment with the time and resources to scout out great locations, it's often necessary to shoot under less-than-ideal conditions. But in this four-minute video from photographer Manny Ortiz, you’ll learn how to make the best of a bad situation.

We’re really not trying to be mean here, but seriously folks, if you’re still making the five beginner mistakes in the video below it’s time to clean up your act. Fortunately, travel photographer Joe Allam not only illustrates the photo errors that bug him most, but he demonstrates how to do things right.

The photo reflector is an affordable, easy-to-use device that can make a big difference in your images by diffusing harsh light and filling in shadows. In the video below, photographer Aaron Nace demonstrates why he says “every photographer should have at least one reflector in his arsenal.”

Most experienced nature photographers will tell you that great light is the key to spectacular landscape photographs. But when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate, it’s time to turn to compositional devices like the powerful “S Curve” if you don’t want to come home empty-handed.