Techniques and How-Tos

Article: PhotoZAP 16: The Shadow Of Your Smile.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“The lighting draws my attention right to her nose.”—Jack Howard

Article: PhotoZAP 15: Lost in a Fog.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“The fisherman was placed dead center, and the image lacks punch.”—Mason Resnick

Article: PhotoZAP 14: HDR Overload.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“I feel like I’m looking at a psychodelic interpretation of this scene…it’s too much!”—Mason Resnick

Article: PhotoZAP 13: A Whole Lot of Sole.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“This photo is strange and unsettling, and at the same time it is peaceful and familiar.”—Jack Howard

Article: PhotoZAP 12: Wedding Belle Blues.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“This image...expresses, visually, the opposite of what I think a wedding photo should say: The bride is isolated, lost in an oversized space. Has she been abandoned at the altar?”—Mason Resnick

Article: PhotoZAP 11: On The Road Again.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“Re-shooting on an overcast day would take care of the washed-out colors at the end of the road.” —Mason Resnick

Article: PhotoZAP 10: Flower Power.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“The vibrant blooms of the azaleas fill most of the picture, especially in the foreground, and overwhelm her face.”—Monica Cipnic

Article: Product Test: Sony Alpha A230.Can this small, lightweight starter DSLR deliver big camera results?

Minolta’s demise as a camera maker brought Sony into the serious digital camera fold. Nearly five years have passed. Let’s see how Sony’s doing by looking at their current entry-level DSLR, the A230.

Article: PhotoZAP 9: A Grave Situation.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“For a humor shot, this one is dead-on.”—Jack Howard

Article: PhotoZAP 8: Tilt Shift.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“This shot simply doesn't jazz me at all.”—Jack Howard

Article: The most important Prosumer DSLRs right now.Our short list, updated for holiday buying season 2009.

If you're a pro shooter looking at lower-cost options or a hobbyist with ambitions to go pro, these cameras straddle the fence and offer durability, fine image quality and cutting-edge new tech. Here are the most significant ones currently on the market.

Article: PhotoZAP 7: Game Changer.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“Most of us 'see' an image, but often feel the need to explain what it was that we were going after in the picture. If that's the case, we need to do a better job.”—Monica Cipnic

Article: User Report: onOne Software Mask Pro 4.1.Photoshop Selection and Masking Made Easy

Selecting parts of an image in Photoshop is one of the most important skills you can develop. Whether you are going to replace an area or use the selection to limit any adjustments, learning how to make clean selections is key.

Article: PhotoZAP 6: The Look.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“I would have pulled back the blanket/towel from covering his left eye.”—Monica Cipnic

Article: Call for submissions: PhotoZAP.Our panel of critics praises and pans your photos

Think you’ve got the photographic chops? Ready to take some constructive criticism from a trio of photo experts who will pull no punches? Jump into the fire and send us your near-perfect shots!

Article: The Best Portable Storage Right Now!.A place to keep your valuable images and videos

With high-end DSLRs producing 15-25MP images and HD videos, those 16GB memory cards that seemed like overkill are filling up fast. What to do? Get portable storage! (Updated for 2009 Holiday Buying Season)

Article: PhotoZAP 5: Bogged Down.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“The [HDR] tone map process yearns for, searches for, and emphasizes contrast, even when it is slight or negligible, as is in the case with the nasty banding areas in the sky.” —Jack Howard

Article: How to photograph football games.Capture peak gridiron action

Each autumn, the air becomes crisp and the sound of marching bands and cookouts fills the air, and it means football.

Article: Buying Guide: The best mid-range DSLRs right now.DSLRs for enthusiasts. UPDATED FOR 2009 HOLIDAY BUYING SEASON!

Picture-taking tools for serious photographers who have outgrown their starter DSLRs...or want a capable back-up for their pro rig.

Article: Cropping your photographs.Add spice to scrapbook and photo album designs. Here are some amply-illustrated ideas.

When it comes to those typical rectangular photographs, change can be a good thing. Ovals, squares, extreme rectangles can all bring an accent and creativity to how you present your pictures.

Article: PhotoZAP 4: Go, Speed Racer.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“I’d have shot this so the yellow-and-blue line was a more pronounced diagonal, because diagonal lines are visually more active.”—Mason Resnick

Article: Designing your scrapbook pages.Now the fun begins

The goal of scrapbooking is to make pages that are appealing to anyone who picks up the album, even if they don’t know the people pictured in the photographs. The other goal is to make each page tell a visual story. Let's get started!

Article: Organizing Your Workspace.A place to put—and do—your stuff

For scrapbooking...and for so many other ventures...an organized workspace is the key to happiness and creativity. Here's the story of Studio E, and how you can create your space.

Article: Buying Guide: The best system compact digital cameras right now.These little cameras are loaded with DSLR-like features. UPDATED 2009 GIFT-BUYING SEASON!

These small cameras have big camera ambitions...and some even deliver DSLR quality images! All take away any excuse to leave your camera home.

Article: The Wild, Wonderful World of Embellishments.Bring beauty, texture, and excitement to your scrapbook pages

Welcome to the most fun part of scrapbooking. Here's a look at some of the most popular kinds of decorative embellishments that you can use to jazz up your scrapbook.

Article: PhotoZAP 3: Water Color.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“It's a really cute snapshot in the best sense of that word—it'll never win the Pulitzer, but that's totally OK.”—Jack Howard

Article: Scrapbooking supplies.What material you'll need to get started

Are you ready to take your photographs out of retirement and start scrapbooking? Good! Let’s look at the supplies you’ll need.

Article: Welcome to Scrapbooking.The focus, now, is on the photographs

Scrapbooking has evolved from a quaint craft into photo albums on steroids. Here’s how to get started.

Article: PhotoZAP 1: Flash Blindness.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“This photo is an example of too much strobe, too much reliance on equipment over aesthetics.”
— Monica Cipnic

Article: PhotoZAP 2: Red All Over.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“This scene cries out to be studied, walked around, and shot at different angles and distances.”
—Mason Resnick

Article: Product Review: Sigma 150-500mm f/5.6-6.3 lens.Does this super tele-zoom have what it takes to win on the gridiron?

A professional sports photographer takes this $1,000 lens on assignment to a football game to see if can capture the action.

Article: Field Test: Panasonic Lumix G Vario 7-14mm f/4 lens.Micro Four Thirds ultrawide is ultra-cool

Will photographers pony up more than a grand for this jewel of a lens? We put it through its paces.

Article: Field Test: Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm f/4-5.8 ASPH lens.New Micro Four Thirds kit lens covers a wide range

If you’re buying your first Micro Four Thirds camera, this may be the first lens you’ll use. Can it deliver quality images throughout its full 10x range?

Article: Product Review: X-Rite ColorMunki.Accurate and Easy Color Management

After spending money on a quality monitor and an inkjet printer, how do you know if you're getting the best color reproduction possible? If you don't edit your images on a calibrated monitor, you can't possibly guarantee accurate color.

Article: A Faux Lensbaby Effect.Faking it in Adobe Photoshop

The dramatic, unique look generated by Lensbaby lenses can be created—sort of—with Photoshop. Here's how to do it.

Article: Off-color remarks: Fix the Pix, Episode 14.What to do when the color in your photos has an unnatural tint

Are your pictures coming out too blue or orange? It's time to learn how to set your White Balance.

Article: Don’t overuse your zoom lens: Fix The Pix, Episode 13.Superzooms are very tempting, but there's a downside

At the longest focal length, zoom lenses on compact cameras produce darker images, especially when shooting with your flash.

Article: Don't let far flash foible leave your subject in the dark: Fix the Pix, Episode 12.Your flash has limits. Here's one of them, and how to work around it.

Have you ever shot pictures of a ballgame or a concert at a stadium or arena—or just across a room—and were disappointed to see...not much of anything?

Article: Did you shake your camera while in night portrait mode? Fix the Pix, Episode 11.Get that flash but blurred effect under control

What to do when a mode designed to save people pictures in low light ruins them instead.

Article: Undo unflattering flash with a simple setting: Fix the Pix, Episode 10.No more deer in the headlights

Avoid on-camera flash as much as possible. But when there's insufficient light to get a decent shot without it, here's a simple way to get more flattering people pictures with it.

Article: Avoid uneven portrait lighting under trees: Fix the Pix, Episode 9.Why great portraits aren’t made in the uneven shade

While taking pictures in open shade is generally a good thing, there’s an exception to this rule when you’re under the shade of a big, leafy tree and the sun light peaks through here and there.

Article: "Why is my nose so big?" Fix the Pix, Episode 8.Avoid the fun-house mirror look

You've followed my advice and are shooting frame-filling portraits with your compact digital camera. But did you remember to zoom, or did you leave your lens at its widest setting? Here's the one time you shouldn't zoom with your feet!

Article: Fill the frame when shooting a portrait: Fix the Pix, Episode 7.Are you ready for your close-up?

The trouble with people pictures is most photographers don't get close enough. Look at the difference a more intimate approach can make!

Article: Beware distracting backgrounds: Fix the Pix, Episode 6."Hey, what's with that tree growing out of my head?"

When taking photos of your friends and loved ones with your digital camera, pay attention to what’s going on behind them. Otherwise, unintentional hilarity might ensue.

Article: Do your photos have too much space overhead? Fix the Pix! Episode 5.An easy fix for a common compositional boo-boo

When photographing people, don't waste half the frame with stuff that isn't important. If you can fold the picture in half and not lose anything you won't miss, it's time to change your shooting habits.

Article: Is the background brighter than the foreground? Fix the Pix, Episode 4.How to avoid shadowy figures

Your subject is sitting by the window and you can see her face perfectly, but your digital camera can't. Here's why, and how to fix the problem.

Article: No more camera motion blur: Fix the Pix, Episode 3.What to do when there’s a whole lotta shakin goin' on

One of the most common picture-taking mistakes is camera shake. But it's easier than ever to avoid.

Article: Farewell, fuzzy faces forever: Fix the Pix, Episode 2.How to easily avoid a common focusing foible

If are using an older autofocus camera, there may be times when focus "misses" your subject's face, and instead the background is in sharp focus while the person or people you're photographing are blurred.

Article: Lighten deep shadows on faces in bright sunlight: Fix The Pix, Episode 1.The sun is up, the sky is blue, it’s beautiful…but your subject looks like a raccoon!

When part of a face is thrown into deep shadow by bright overhead sunlight, the results are not flattering. Here's how to get better photos with your digital camera in the mid-day sun.

Article: Troubleshooting your digital point-and-shoot camera.What to do when your camera craps out

There you are, on the vacation of a lifetime with an incredible view before you and BOOM, your camera decides to have an attitude problem. Here are ten common digital camera breakdowns and how you should handle them.

Article: FIX THE PIX!.Here are 14 of the most common picture-taking mistakes snapshooters make, and how to fix them

Turning faulty snapshots into great photographs, believe it or not, doesn't take much. Mostly, it's about being aware of what your photographing, framing and exposing it right, and using the right lens. With today's compact digital cameras, that's easier than ever to accomplish.

Article: eBay auction product photography tips.Shooting to sell? Better photos may lead to higher bids.

Do you sell stuff via Internet auction web sites such as eBay? Studies show that products get more bids and sell for higher closing prices when they’re photographed well.

Article: Don’t overdo Photoshop!.What’s a sure way to kill a photograph? Going wild with Photoshop “fixes”

Hello. My name is Derek and I’ve been a Photoshopaholic since…

Article: 3D Photography Grows Up.Get out your red-cyan glasses: We show you how to create 3D images in Adobe Photoshop

Remember reading comic books or going to the movies and donning those odd-looking cardboard eyeglasses with translucent red over one eye and cyan over the other so you could see the images in eye-popping stereo? You can create Anaglyph 3-D photos digitally!

Article: How to shoot stunning aerial photos.Get a natural high as you and your creativity take flight

Airplanes provide some unique photo opportunities. You can get some wonderful shots from the air, and at airshows and airports (with permission) you can shoot airplanes on the ground and in flight. Here’s how you can maximize your chances of success.

Article: Wiggle 3D: How To Make Animated 3D Images.Play with your brain’s depth perception using animated GIFs

Put a funky new spin on stereoscopic digital photography, and have a ball with Wiggle 3D.

Article: How to Build a Two-Camera Rig for Wiggle 3D.Create 3D images with this do-it-yourself two-camera rig

When the action is moving and you ant to catch it in 3D, a single camera won't do. Here's how to create a support for two cameras that you can shoot simultaneously for 3D action photography!

Article: How to read a histogram.The key to understanding exposure

Low key? High key? Learn how to read histograms and you’ll understand how to manipulate them until you get the kind of digital image you want.

Article: Five things I’ve learned about photography.40 years of picture-taking experience, boiled down

I’ve been doing photography since the late 60s, when I was 10 years old. I’ve learned a few things and they have little to do with f/stops, shutter speeds, or the latest gizmo. Here are five things to think about and discuss.

Article: Which digital printer is best for you?.Print your photos to share or display

Do you bring your printer everywhere and share your photos, or do you need a reliable workhorse for your studio or home? Here’s an overview of the five key printer printer categories, and one or two representative models.

Article: How to get vivid reds with good detail in your digital photos.Photoshop Tutorial: Reds that rock

Learn to tame a problem that plagues color in digital images. Get fine-detailed, vivid, saturated reds, oranges, and yellows by following these Adobe Photoshop tips and tricks.

Article: What’s New In Camera Bags Part V.Carry gear in style: 100 in 100/Day 100

Last but not least: Crumpler’s untraditional 8- and 5-Million Dollar Homes (yes, they’re camera bags) and Tenba’s traditional shoulder bag for professional photographers.

Article: What’s New In Camera Bags Part IV.Carry gear in style: 100 in 100/Day 99

A lived-in-look Domke satchel, and two innovative backpacks from newcomer Clik Elite.

Article: Assembling A Small Location Lighting Kit .Wireless flash makes it easy to set up a studio on the go

How to put together a complete location/studio lighting kit that will fit in a carry-on bag

Article: What’s New In Camera Bags Part III.Carry gear in style: 100 in 100/Day 98

Pelican’s tough 1510 case, Lowepro’s easy-access Fastpack 100 and rolling carry-on case.

Article: How to fake a glass polarizer filter effect digitally.Create a Fauxlarizer in Photoshop or Lightroom

It won't reduce reflections, but you can deepen blue skies--just like a polarizer does--in your favorite image editing program.

Article: What’s New In Camera Bags Part II.What’s New In Camera Bags Part II

A Tamrac sling packa Skooba checkthrough bag, and a Domke F2 Backpack.

Article: What’s New In Camera Bags? Part I.Carry your gear in style: 100 in 100/Day 96

A delectable selection of ingenious solutions for carrying and protecting your precious photographic equipment.

Article: User Report: Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC lens.Heavy Hitter

A superwide zoom lens joins a very small club with its constant f/3.5 aperture. Can it deliver the kind of sharp images that justify the cost and extra weight?

Article: Is the Olympus E-P1 interchangeable-lens compact digital camera street smart?.We push the envelope with a Street Photography Stress Test/100 in 100, Day 94

We rarely see the kind of buzz that led up to the launch of the Olympus E-P1.

Article: What’s a “Street Photography Stress Test,” and why should you care?.A real-world way to push the latest cameras to their limits; 100 in 100/IV, Day 93

The fast-paced, chaotic streets of New York City are the ideal place to quickly find out if a camera is up to street photography...and therefore, just about anything.

Article: How to use a Lensbaby.Dreamy toy-camera photos with SLR control: 100 in 100, day 92

Quaint imperfection? Fuzzy focus? Funky blur? It's in there! Learn how to enhance your creativity and increase the fun factor in your photography with these innovative, unique lenses.

Article: Guided Tour: Canon Rebel T1i .Take the tour and master the camera: 100 in 100/IV Day 91

A feature-by-feature look at Canon's first consumer-level DSLR to offer HD Video.

Article: Product Profile: Flipbac angle viewfinder.100 in 100/IV Day 89: A digital hip shot helper

Shoot on the sly with this sneaky 180-degree mirror finder; all you need is a camera with a 3-inch LCD

Article: Product Profile: Delkin Pop-Up Shade.100 in 100/IV Day 88: Protect your camera’s rear flank

Protect your high-end DSLR’s LCD screen with a pop-up shade and clear cover.

Article: Product Profile: Kaiser digiShield.100 in 100/IV, Day 87: Glare prevention

This shield saves you from eyestrain and lets you see the picture more clearly when trying to view live or preview images on your digital camera LCD monitor in bright sunlight.

Article: Product Profile: Hoodman Screen Loupe.Better previews of images on your LCD: 100 in 100/IV Day 86

Check your focus and composition without eyestrain—direct sunlight be damned!

Article: 100 in 100: The most important System Compact Cameras right now.100 Photographic Tips in 100 Days, Part III: Day 53

Which key System Compact digital cameras are game changer that might influence features on future models—or help you make your next buying decision?

Article: Product Profile: Sanho HyperDrive ColorSPACE UDMA .It’s image storage and backup, but not as we know it: 100 in 100/IV, day 85

Meet the flexible, souped-up image storage unit that boldly goes where no portable hard drive has gone before.

Article: Product Spotlight: Epson P-7000.Best image quality in its class: 100 in 100/IV, Day 84

The 4-inch LCD displays 16.7 million colors, but is that enough to convince you to part with some big bucks?

Article: Product Profile: Wolverine ESP Multi-Media Player.100 in 100/IV, day 83: A multitalented device

It’s a photo storage unit! It’s a audio/video recorder and playback unit! It’s a radio! Yes, all this and more!

Article: Product Profile: Digital Foci Photo Safe II .Stow your shots, save some bucks: 100 in 100/IV, day 82

At under $160, this 250GB portable hard drive unit is a great bargain. Is it a good, inexpensive way to back up your photos and videos on the road?

Article: Product Profile: Jobo Giga Vu Pro Evolution.120GB in your camera bag: 100 in 100/IV, Day 81

Designed with the pro photographer in mind, the Jobo Giga Vu Pro Evolution has earned a well-deserved reputation as a durable location storage device. Here’s why.

Article: USB Mics for Voice-Overs and Podcasts.100 in 100/IV, Day 80: Microphones for HD videos from DSLRs: The Exciting Conclusion

Sometimes, you need to finish your video by adding sounds in the studio. These mics put ‘em right in your computer

Article: All About Off-Camera (remote) Mics.100 in 100/IV, Day 79: Even more sound advice for your HD vids!

Got a big enough budget to equip a crew? We lower the boom on microphones that your audio engineer aims at your subject.

Article: Choosing a Camera-Mounted Microphone.100 in 100, Day 78: More sound advice for HD videos with DSLRs

Turn your camera into a self-contained HD sound machine by attaching a mic to the hot shoe. Which type is best?

Article: Choosing a Lavalier Microphone.100 in 100/IV, Day 77: More sound advice for HD videos with DSLRs

Record your voice from a lapel attachment for better quality using an itty-bitty mic.

Article: Soup up your digital still camera’s HD video sound—Don’t use the built-in mic!.100 in 100/IV, Day 76: Sound advice for HD videos Part I

Invest in a good microphone (or two) so your sound quality does justice to your DSLR’s HD video.

Article: Review: DSLR Camera Remote for iPhone.100 in 100/IV, day 74: Control your Canon DSLR with Your Cell Phone

Is this $10 app for the Apple iPhone a wireless remote shutter release killer? Let’s touch the screen and find out!

Article: Product Spotlight: Matin LCD Screen Protector.100 in 100/IV day 90: A barrier against scratches

Protect you camera’s LCD monitor. It’s amazing how such a small thing can make such a big difference!

Article: Product Review: Fujifilm Instax 200 Instant Film Camera.100 in 100/IV, Day 73 Dare to be different—Go instant analog!

Fujifilm brings its instant camera to the US to fill the void left by Polaroid’s disappearing act. Should you care?

Article: How to shoot heavenly sunrises and sunsets anywhere.Composition Basics: Gifts from the Sky

Follow these helpful picture-taking tips to get the best shots at the beginning and end of the day. If you've seen one sunset photo, you haven't seen 'em all!

Article: Guided Tour: Panasonic G1.100 in 100/IV day 72: Take the tour and master the camera

Dive under the hood of the world's first interchangeable-lens Micro Four Thirds EVF camera and gain expert knowledge of this small wonder.

Article: Amazing multiple fireworks photos...with a little help from Photoshop.100 in 100/IV, Day 71: When the rockets stop, the magic begins

Once you know how to get the best possible fireworks shots, you can work some magic on your computer.

Article: Fireworks photography basics.How to capture the rockets' red glare...and more!

No matter what kind of camera you own or your level of photographic knowledge, you can capture stunning fireworks this 4th of July!

Article: Ultimage Waterproof Camera Round-Up, Part IV.100 in 100/IV, day 69: A serious underwater compact kit

You can take the Epoque EHD-800Ai camera out of its housing for land-lubbers. Enclosed, it’s a serious scuba-cam!

Article: Ultimate Waterproof Camera Round-Up, Part III.100 in 100/IV, day 68: We continue our look at top dunkable picture-takers

Today, Canon, Fujifilm throw two new water-friendly cameras into the pool; will they sink or swim?

Article: Ultimate Waterproof Camera Round-Up, Part II.100 in 100/IV, day 67 We continue our submersible camera round-up

Today we’ll look at the latest Pentax ruggedized compact, plus a new, beachable Panasonic.

Article: The Ultimate Waterproof Compact Camera Round-up, Part I.100 in 100/IV, Day 66: Jump In, The Water’s Fine!

Here’s a selection of cool, compact, submersible cameras designed to ride in and under the waves and withstand the rigors of rugged outdoor use!

Article: Offbeat paper surfaces for your home photo book.100 in 100/IV day 65: Three surfaces for your inkjet printer

Here are three photo-quality inkjet paper surfaces that you can only print for your photo book at home.