Outdoor Photography How To

Outdoor photographers spend a lot of time chasing “great light” as they strive to make the best photos possible. But according to one trusted pro, “There’s no such thing as bad light.”

OK, listen up: Todays topic is “bokeh balls” and we don’t want any off-color comments! So what exactly are bokeh balls, and how to they affect your images? Simply put, they are spherical out-of-focus highlights that add interest and impact to all sorts of photos.

Spring and summer usually come to mind when most photographers think about shooting macro and close-up photos, when budding flowers, insects and other creepy-crawlies are just about everywhere you look. But if you’ve already stashed your macro lens for the year, you may have second thoughts after watching the video below.

There are numerous “rules” of photography and some are meant to be broken—including a few of the most familiar. But as you’ll see in the eye-opening video below from a trusted pro, you can avoid sabotaging images by using an oft-ignored trick.

Last week we featured the first of a two-part beginners guide to nature and wildlife photography from expert Janine Krayer—a photographer and instructor who spends much of her time teaching workshops and photographing exotic animals in the wilds of Africa.

OK, listen up. If you’re rolling your eyes because “real photographers use real cameras,” we have two suggestions for you to consider: Either replace your five-year-old phone or watch the tutorial below. Then, if you’re still not convinced, go ahead and ridicule mobile photography all you want.

We’ve all been taught to avoid shooting in direct sunlight whenever possible, to avoid blown-out highlights, harsh contrast, washed-out colors, unflattering shadows, and models with squinty eyes. In the shooting and editing tutorial below, you’ll earn how to meet these challenges and achieve beautiful photos.