Lighting How To

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Jim Zuckerman  |  Jun 20, 2014

One of the first techniques I learned in photography was to use long exposures at night to blur traffic lights. I liked it decades ago, and I still enjoy seeing artful streaks of light superimposed over an urban environment. You never know exactly what the resulting images will look like, and that’s part of the fun. When the background happens to striking, like the Walt Disney Theater in Los Angeles, California (#1), the combination of abstract lights and architecture makes a winning photograph.

Ron Leach  |  Sep 03, 2024

This comprehensive tutorial from the Photographic Eye YouTube channel is for those of you whose images lack the drama and impact that's required for an outstanding shot. You'll learn how to employ shadows, silhouettes and interesting shapes to transform photo in a very compelling way.

Ron Leach  |  Dec 27, 2017

One of the many joys of photography is travelling to unfamiliar locations and capturing images of unique scenes you can’t find at home. But what if you arrive at a location amidst poor weather conditions, or at the wrong time of day with nothing but “bad light”? 

Ron Leach  |  Feb 21, 2018

If you’re stuck in a rut and need a few fresh ideas, this quick tutorial is for you. In just four minutes you’ll see how to make a big splash with your images by shooting creative photographs of water.

Ron Leach  |  Jul 13, 2017

Portrait lighting can be an art form in and of itself. But in the quick tutorial below you’ll learn how to create dramatic portraits using nothing more than two basic off-camera speedlights and some simple adjustments.

Ron Leach  |  Dec 08, 2022

Have you ever tried your hand at b&w landscape photography, expecting dramatic images, only to be disappointed by the results? If so, you’re not alone.

Ron Leach  |  May 19, 2023

Have you ever wondered how to shoot dynamic photos with soft silky water, cotton-like clouds moving across the sky, or light trails emanating from cars cruising down the road at night? If so, the comprehensive guide in the video below is all you need for getting the job done.

Ron Leach  |  Aug 04, 2023

It's not uncommon for photographers to pick a specific exposure mode and think of it as a set-it-and forget-it choice for all the images they shoot. This practice is often the result if failing to fully understand the finer points of how a camera's light meter works.http://www.shutterbug.com/content/contrast-most-underrated-tool-landscape-nature-photography-video

Ron Leach  |  Feb 25, 2025

Most beginning photographers are taught to shoot will the sun at their back and avoid composing scenes with the sun behind their subject. While that technique is super easy, it often results in photos that could best be described as snapshots.

Ron Leach  |  Jun 26, 2023

Ask any landscape photographer to name two filters they can't live without, and the answer is likely to be a polarizer and a neutral density (ND) filter. The video below concentrates on the former, explaining how this affordable tool can really add impact to just about any image you shoot outdoors.

Ron Leach  |  Nov 30, 2023

It seems like every time we post a tutorial about the use of external flash we receive a bunch of comments from photographers who insist on shooting with available light—despite the fact that this approach doesn't always deliver the best possible results in certain situations.

Ron Leach  |  Sep 11, 2023

We've all been told to avoid shooting on bright sunny days or when the sun is high in the sky because contrasty light is the enemy of great photos. While there's some truth to this rule, harsh conditions also present opportunities for capturing great images.

Ron Leach  |  Nov 21, 2022

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.

Ron Leach  |  Nov 28, 2022

If your outdoor photographs often have blown-out highlights, crushed shadows, or a combination of both, our guess is that you’re not using exposure bracketing to perfect exposure when shooting in difficult lighting conditions. The tutorial below quickly explains how it’s done.

Ron Leach  |  Apr 12, 2023

Hot spots and highlight blowouts are the bane of portrait photographers and others. They can occur with images shot in the studio under artificial illumination, as well as those captured with natural light outdoors. Fortunately there’s a simple and effective Photoshop fix, as you’ll see in the quick tutorial below.

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