If you're like most outdoor photographers you often shoot in dirty environments in which dust can enter your camera and wreak havoc on the sensor, especially on windy days. And every time you switch lenses the odds of contamination will increase.

Whether you're photographing wildflowers and plants in the forest, or shooting these colorful subjects in your backyard, we have some simple tips and techniques for getting the job done. With this straightforward advice you can also capture beautiful photos at a nearby park or nursery.

In case you're unfamiliar with Photoshop's Smart Filters, here's the deal: These are simply normal Photoshop filters that have been applied to a Smart Object. They provide additional versatility during post processing, and you'll learn everything necessary to put these tools to work in the quick tutorial below.

ISO is a basic camera setting with a big impact on the photos you shoot when it comes to exposure, image quality, and other important variables. Unfortunately the simple concept is misunderstood and often results in images that don't meet expectations.

On average, used gear from MPB costs a third less than new. MPB's dynamic pricing engine ensures the right price for all items. Offering abundant inventory, great customer service and a condition rating system that's easy to understand, MPB is the right place to find the modern mirrorless camera you've been craving.

It can be discouraging for many photographers to see their well-healed counterparts shooting with a camera-lens combo that runs far beyond five figures. But one pro says you really shouldn't feel bad that you can't afford expensive gear, because it's possible to capture great images with bargain cameras and lenses if you know a few tricks.

Smart photographers do a lot of research and scrutinize a variety of specs before investing in a new camera. And that's a good thing because we all want to make an informed purchasing decision so the camera we buy best suits our specific needs.

Vanguard, one of our favorite photo accessory manufacturers, has a slug of new stuff you should know about. Why do we favor Vanguard? In addition to their impeccable high quality, Vanguard creates and supervises the concept, design, manufacturing, distribution, marketing and sales of every product they sell—unlike many other camera gear wholesalers. This means the price you pay at your local photo retailer or when you order directly from Vanguard tends to be below market—saving you money and delivering greater value. And we're all in when it comes to getting more for your money.

According to one of our trusted pros the new Select Object feature in Lightroom "is a powerful and amazing way to create refined selection masks" and it's a straightforward technique that everyone should understand. By watching the nine-minute tutorial below you'll know exactly how it works.

Most photographers, even beginners, know that capturing images of birds in flight (BIF) requires high shutter speeds and frame rates. But these settings are just the basics, and if you want to shoot truly amazing photos the video below from The Bird Photography Show is just what you need.