Outdoor Photography How To

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Ron Leach  |  Jan 30, 2020

Most photographers know that “Golden Hour”—the time right after sunrise or just before sunset—can be the best time to shoot. And that often holds true when photographing landscapes, portraits, and just about anything else. Despite the beautiful soft reddish light at prime time, a quick edit in Lightroom can often turn a good image into a great one.

Ron Leach  |  May 19, 2022

All photographers strive for maximum photo quality, no matter what type of images they shoot. One way to achieve optimum results is to use the lowest ISO setting that conditions permit.

Shutterbug Staff  |  Oct 08, 2018

Lucy Martin is one of our favorite YouTube-based educators for Photoshop and Lightroom tutorials. (Other than, of course, Shutterbug’s own Scott Kelby.) In the below video, Martin offers her tips on editing one of the most common types of photos we see shared on Facebook, Instagram and other social media sits: sunset photos.

Ron Leach  |  Jul 02, 2020

Thoughtful composition is essential for the creation of great landscape images, and many photographers are under the impression that a well-framed photo is solely accomplished in the camera. But as you’ll see in the video below, “Composition doesn’t end in the field,” and there’s a lot you can do in post processing to “massively improve your photos.”

Ron Leach  |  Jul 06, 2017

It’s time to get prepared for next month’s once-in-a-lifetime photographic opportunity when those of us in the U.S. will be treated to the first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse since 1918. 

Ron Leach  |  Jul 28, 2020

Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past month, you’ve probably heard a lot about Comet Neowise and viewed some beautiful images online. And if you haven’t photographed the comet yourself, the following tutorial provides some great tips to get you started.

Ron Leach  |  Jan 25, 2018

One of the most powerful yet frequently overlooked tools for outdoor portrait photography is an inexpensive, manual flash. This simple accessory is great for filling in shadows, compensating for backlit scenes, and adding extra punch to your images.

Ron Leach  |  Aug 03, 2021

There are numerous ways to convert color images to b&w, and some work better than others depending upon the type of photo on hand. The tutorial below is designed for landscape imagery, and provides a foolproof method for achieving striking contrast-rich photographs.

Ron Leach  |  Dec 15, 2017

Photographers inexperienced at portraiture often shy away from the task, with the mistaken notion that it requires specialized skill and sophisticated equipment to capture beautiful images. In the video below, a top pro refutes that myth by demonstrating how to make striking portraits outdoors under available light with a minimum of gear.

Ron Leach  |  Feb 05, 2018

A good wide-angle lens is an indispensable tool for anyone serious about nature photography. But owning the right glass is only half the battle: If you want to make epic landscape photos, you have to know how to use the lens properly.

Ron Leach  |  Apr 21, 2017

Photographers in the U.S. are in for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity on August 21st when we’ll experience a total eclipse of the sun viewable from coast to coast. The last time this rare event occurred was back in 1918.

Ron Leach  |  Mar 22, 2018

Wildlife photographers often travel far and wide to capture photographs of birds in exotic locations. But in this quick tutorial you’ll see how to shoot impressive photos of our featured friends, right in your own backyard.

Ron Leach  |  Mar 16, 2018

It may not seem like it to those living on the East Coast, but the weather is beginning to warm up, and pretty soon some folks will be swapping overcoats for bikinis. This tutorial will help you get prepared for photographing your favorite bathing beauty, with several helpful tips for shooting beach portraits with natural light.

Ron Leach  |  Oct 30, 2017

Natural looking outdoor portraits can be difficult to make, especially under harsh lighting conditions. Using flash can help you meet this challenge, but only if you employ the proper technique. 

Ron Leach  |  Nov 09, 2017

One challenge when shooting outdoors on a bright day is achieving an exposure long enough to create a dreamy look when photographing water, clouds, and other slowly moving subjects. In this tutorial, you’ll learn why one pro says, “A 10X neutral density (ND) filter is the perfect tool for extending exposure time and creating amazing photos.”

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