Photo How To

If you’ve been around cameras for a while, you’ve probably tried out the back-button focus feature. It’s definitely a cool tool that lets you focus with a button on the rear of your camera, before capturing the shot by hammering the shutter, but is it better than the classic method of half-pressing the shutter to lock in focus?

If the used camera lens you see online is packaged with a leash and a bone, odds are very good that it’s a dog. But in the absence of obvious evidence, how can you tell a bargain from a bagel? It’s impossible to physically examine the merchandise before purchase. And you can’t always trust what you see in the listing photos. However, you can conduct a thorough inspection upon receipt. Here are 10 things to check the minute the used lens is delivered. 

(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 Bob Davis on how collaboration with other photographers can improve creativity).

Most great photographers are also accomplished visual storytellers who understand how to draw viewers into their scene and direct their eyes to the key element in the image. In the video below you’ll learn 10 quick tips for doing exactly that, while making your photographs more impactful.

Rebirth and renewal, new beginnings and love. What is it about spring that brings out our inner romantic, and what does it do to our photography? This is what we asked you to show us when we announced Shutterbug’s Spring “Time of the Season” photography contest back in May. And you delivered in spades!

This photo was made in Raw file format, then enhanced using a Raw processor. Doing so allowed me to get exactly the color, contrast, and richness I wanted. Shooting in Raw is what allowed me to get the most quality out of the image file later.