photography tips

Article: Position of Light—AdoramaTV.Digital Photography 1 on 1

Adorama TV presents Digital Photography 1 on 1 with Mark Wallace.

Article: Motion Filled Imagery—AdoramaTV.You Keep Shooting

Here's a quick lesson on how to "drag the shutter" when shooting with flash for creative results!

Article: The "Tricycle Terror" Shoot.A Web Photo School presentation

Check out Los Angeles photographer Brian McCarty's techniques as he creates....THE TRICYCLE TERROR!

Article: Photographer Doug Gordon, Part I—AdoramaTV.reDefine with Tamara Lackey

In this episode of reDefine, we sat down with Doug Gordon, shock value master, and recent recipient of a UN Leadership Award.

Article: Using Flash for Contrast—AdoramaTV.You Keep Shooting

AdoramaTV Presents You Keep Shooting with Bryan Peterson.

Article: Print Sizes—AdoramaTV.Digital Photography 1 on 1

AdoramaTV Presents Digital Photography One on One. In this week's episode Mark discusses image resolution and file size.

Article: Polarizing Filter: You Keep Shooting -- Adorama TV.

AdoramaTV Presents You Keep Shooting with Bryan Peterson.

Article: Seamless Paper for Studio Photography—AdoramaTV.Digital Photography 1 on 1

What is seamless paper and how do you use it? Learn how here!

Article: Color, Contrast and Composition—AdoramaTV. You Keep Shooting

AdoramaTV Presents You Keep Shooting with Bryan Peterson.

Article: Working with Models—AdoramaTV.Digital Photography 1 on 1

AdoramaTV Presents Digital Photography One on One.

Article: Foreground Flash—AdoramaTV.You Keep Shooting

Bryan Peterson shows how to use a foreground fill flash to even out the lighting in your outdoor shots.

Article: Water Droplets—AdoramaTV.Digital Photography 1 on 1

AdoramaTV Presents Digital Photography One on One.

Article: Recreating 1920's Portrait Lighting.A digital riff on a classic look

In this lesson, commercial photographer Mark Rockwood walks us through his portrait-making process and discusses his approach to modern and classic lighting techniques.

Article: Book Cover Shoot, Part 2: Set Lighting and Design—AdoramaTV.Digital Photography 1 on 1

In this week's episode, part two of a special 2-part series, Mark shows you how to design and light a set for use in a photoshoot.

Article: Portrait Photographer Sue Bryce—AdoramaTV.reDefine with Tamara Lackey

In this episode of reDefine, we caught up with the very talented Sue Bryce, Australia's Portrait Photographer of the Year.

Article: Wedding Photographer: Ryan Brenizer—AdoramaTV.How'd They Do That?

Adorama Photography TV presents "How'd They Do That?" featuring wedding photographer and visual storyteller, Ryan Brenizer.

Article: Book Cover Photoshoot: Part 1: Building a Set—AdoramaTV.Digital Photography 1 on 1

In this week's episode, part one of a special 2-part series, Mark shows you how to plan and build a set for use in a photoshoot

Article: Accent Magenta Skies—AdoramaTV .You Keep Shooting

How do you get your sunsets to look more dramatic? The secret is a specific kind of fluorescent filter!

Article: Clean Composition—AdoramaTV.You Keep Shooting

Bryan shows us the difference between a macro shot and a GOOD macro shot. Watch as he uses a wider aperture to clean his compostion.

Article: Background Variety—AdoramaTV.You Keep Shooting

This week, join Bryan in a junk yard to learn about creating a variety of backgrounds using a macro lens.

Article: Man of Steel—Shooting on Location.A Web Photo School presentation

Learn how to set up a four lighting setup and arrange a two-person portrait on location.

Article: Creative Still Life Photography—AdoramaTV.Digital Photography 1 on 1

Mark Wallace shows us an indoor photography project for those cold winter months—creating interesting still life photos in water!

Article: Advertising and Editorial Photographer, Scott Witter-AdoramaTV.How'd They Do That?

Adorama Photography TV presents "How'd They Do That?" featuring advertising and editorial photographer Scott Witter.

Article: Shooting with a Snoot—AdoramaTV .You Keep Shooting

AdoramaTV Presents You Keep Shooting with Bryan Peterson.

Article: Art Streiber, Part 1—AdoramaTV.reDefine with Tamara Lackey

On today's episode of reDefine we talk to iconic portrait artist, Art Streiber.

Article: Lens Flare Sci-Fi Poster—AdoramaTV.Digital Photography 1 on 1

In this episode Mark Wallace walks us through the entire process of shooting and editing a science fiction movie poster.

Article: Exploring Lighting Options With Indoor Portraits.

Take your portraits to the next level by harnessing natural light, as described in this simple guide.

Article: Wedding Photographer Jasmine Star—AdoramaTV.reDefine with Tamara Lackey

In this episode of reDefine, we talked with celebrated wedding photographer Jasmine Star, recently selected as one of the top 10 wedding photographers in the world by American Photo Magazine.

Article: Stroboscopic Flash—AdoramaTV.Digital Photography 1 on 1

In this episode Mark Wallace shows us how to use the stroboscopic feature on a speedlight.

Article: Using ND Filters with Strobes or Sunlight—AdoramaTV .Digital Photography 1 on 1

Join Mark as he uses ND filters with strobes, both in the studio and on location, to create dramatic portraits.

Article: Diffused Light—AdoramaTV .You Keep Shooting

This week, join Bryan in New York's Central Park on a bright sunny day to learn about diffused light.

Article: Creative Exposure and Interesting POV—AdoramaTV.You Keep Shooting

This week, join Bryan with his students in Provence to learn about creative exposure while lying in a ditch.

Article: Location Assignment: Firehouse Portraits.A Web Photo School presentation

In this lesson, New York photographer Ian Spanier walks you through his prep work and setup while demonstrating how he handled the inevitable roadblocks that always seem to pop up while shooting on location.

Article: Chase Jarvis Part 2: reDefine -- Adorama TV.

This episode of reDefine is the second part of our interview with photographer and director Chase Jarvis, conducted in his Seattle studio.

Article: Deserted Freeway: Digital Photography -- Adorama TV.

AdoramaTV Presents Digital Photography One on One.

Article: Using a Reflector for Portraits—Adorama TV .You Keep Shooting

AdoramaTV Presents You Keep Shooting with Bryan Peterson.

Article: TRVL iPad Magazine—AdoramaTV.iPad Photography App Review

Adorama Photography TV presents TRVL iPad Magazine.

Article: The Untour with Khara and Emir Plicanic—AdoramaTV.How'd They Do That?

Adorama Photography TV presents "How'd They Do That?" featuring professional photographer Khara Plicanic and her husband Emir Plicanic, co-founders of The Untour.

Article: Focus Basics—AdoramaTV .Digital Photography 1 on 1

AdoramaTV Presents Digital Photography One on One.

Article: Talking Trash—AdoramaTV.You Keep Shooting

AdoramaTV Presents You Keep Shooting with Bryan Peterson.

Article: Chase Jarvis—AdoramaTV .reDefine with Tamara Lackey

This episode is part one of our two part interview with photographer and director Chase Jarvis. Tamara met with him in his sleek Seattle studio.

Article: Using the ColorChecker Passport—Adorama TV .Digital Photography 1 on 1

AdoramaTV Presents Digital Photography One on One. In this week's episode Mark answers a question regarding color calibration and correction.

Article: Creative Portrait Composition—Adorama TV.You Keep Shooting

Adorama Photography TV presents tips for creative portrait composition: Ep 108: You Keep Shooting.

Article: Rick Sammon's Light It—AdoramaTV .iPad Photography App

Adorama Photography TV presents Rick Sammon's Light It for the iPad.

Article: Matthew Jordan Smith—AdoramaTV.reDefine with Tamara Lackey

In this week's reDefine, Tamara Lackey interviews celebrity fashion photographer Matthew Jordan Smith.

Article: ZAP the ZAPPERS 5: Falling for IR .Here's another ZAP the ZAPPERS shot by Jack Howard.

Go ahead, give Jack your honest opinion about this IR+visible spectrum shot taken with the Sigma SD15 with its IR Cut filter removed!

Article: PhotoZAP 69: Twitter Feed.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

"You can almost feel the warmth of the Mexican sun. And therein lies my only beef: The bright sun is causing highlights on the blossoms and the bird’s back that are a bit too bright for my taste"—Ingrid Spangler

Article: PhotoZAP 67: Up To Something.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

"The moment is cute, the skintones are right where they are, and it is a commendable exposure for a single speedlite bounced off the ceiling, but I am bothered by the dinginess of the seamless." —Jack Howard

Article: PhotoZAP 66: Like A Surgeon.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

"The image strikes me as a technically very good but still generic stock photograph of a surgeon."—Ingrid Spangler

Article: PhotoZAP 65: Spontaneous Glamour.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

"The eyes are fascinating and the first impression is that of a formal Hollywood close-up. But the devil’s in the details"—Mason Resnick

Article: PhotoZAP 64: Hilltop Village.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“The range of tonalities is reminiscent of the kind of result one might get on film using the Zone System.”—Mason Resnick

Article: PhotoZAP 63: Whodunit?.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

"The lighting, the overall texture of this image, the framing, all just works perfectly for me. This could be a book cover.—Jack Howard

Article: PhotoZAP 61: Off The Wall.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

"This shot serves to prove that gear isn't everything, what matters more is the story that's told in the frame."—Ingrid Spangler

Article: ZAP the ZAPPERS 1: Toeing the Line.Love it? Hate it? Somewhere in between? Here's your chance to ZAP the ZAPPER!

We serve up our first ZAP the ZAPPER with this shot of Novak Djokovic squaring up a shot at Day 3 of the 2010 US Open. Do you love this shot, or is there too much to find at fault?

Article: ZAP the ZAPPERS 2: Yellow, Blue, and Bokeh.Here's another chance to serve up a photo critique to regular PhotoZAPPER Jack Howard

Focus your energy on explaining what you think of this shot of a return in mid-flight in this round of ZAP the ZAPPER! Again it's a shot from Jack of Novak Djokovic from Day 3 of the US Open.

Article: ZAP the ZAPPERS 3: Eye on the Ball.We line up another shot by PhotoZAP expert Jack Howard for you to swing away at!

Here's the third of the four shots Jack made at the US Open to launch our ZAP the ZAPPERS feature. What do you think of this one?

Article: ZAP the ZAPPERS 4: Timing Ain't Everything.Will the readers be making a racket over this frame?

How will you ZAP PhotoZAPPER Jack Howard about this mid-serve shot from the US Open? Let us know what you think!

Article: PhotoZAP 60: What’s a Dog to Do?.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

"The intersection of the humpback's tail fluke with the edge of the frame is an unfortunate compositional faux pas."—Jack Howard

Article: PhotoZAP 57: Fight the Darkness.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“The boy's tangled emotional state has been subordinated to the design of an image.”—Joe Gioia

Article: PhotoZAP 56: Meet the Divas.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“I see here a great image within a good one.” —Mark Lent

Article: PhotoZAP 52: Local Color.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

"I'm not crazy about the way the background jewelry vendor's head interferes with the main subject's face."—Jack Howard

Article: PhotoZAP 50: Only have eye for you.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

"The photographer is in the midst of things with an open mind and active eye, and caught this beautiful passing moment."—Joe Gioia

Article: PhotoZAP 48: Oh, yeah?.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

"The subject strikes me as not yet ready for the photographer."—Joe Gioia

Article: PhotoZAP 45: Our biggest fan.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

"Here's an example where all those hard rules that so many live by just don't add up to a gold-medal shot."—Jack Howard

Article: Introducing Adorama TV!.Our own TV series debuts!

Welcome to AdoramaTV, our new, ongoing video series that is all about helping you to make the best still photos and videos. Each week we’ll bring you new videos about photography.

Article: PhotoZAP 41: Veteran’s Gaze.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“I can see this very easily running a few columns wide in a local newspaper.” —Jack Howard

Article: How to photograph basketball games.Make your hoops shots a slam-dunk

Like most things in life, there is good news and bad news when it comes to shooting basketball. First, let’s talk about the good news.

Article: PhotoZAP 35: Tree Hugger.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“Remember, when shooting portraits like this, to simplify.”—Mason Resnick

Article: PhotoZAP 34: Stranger in the Night.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

"I can’t see, from a technical perspective, how the photographer pulled this off as a single shot." —Mason Resnick

Article: PhotoZAP 33: Y-M-C-A!.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

"Shooting in a photojournalistic style is a great and popular approach for wedding photography, but to do it successfully, a photographer needs to remember the lessons of good composition, and moving your location to capture the action." –Monica Cipnic

Article: PhotoZAP 31: Night or Day?.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

"Overall, there's just too much darkness in this frame."—Jack Howard

Article: PhotoZAP 27: The Bokeh Master.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“There are so many terrible photographs of house cats on the web, that it is so refreshing to see a creative, crisp, shot of a fuzzy feline subject!”—Jack Howard

Article: PhotoZAP 24: Red Dawn.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

"The sun—and the flare it produced—add too much drama to what should be a quiet, meditative (if chilly) scene."—Mason Resnick

Article: PhotoZAP 21: Lesson Plan.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“I'm not crazy about all the blown highlights that show clipping in the info palette…or the completely blocked shadows in the curl of hair.”—Jack Howard

Article: PhotoZAP 18: Season in the Sun.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“The photographer captured the loving relationship of the couple, and the woman's direct gaze with the catchlight in her eye reinforces that feeling.” —Monica Cipnic

Article: PhotoZAP 17: On a Pedestal.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“The photographer was so focused on nailing the white balance that he forgot about framing the shot tightly and cleanly.”—Jack Howard

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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Family Photo Basics.Get snap happy!

Often, it's the everyday moments that make up our fondest memories. But capturing the essence of a family can really be a challenge. Can it be done? Read on for some great suggestions!

Article: Adorama Photographs America: The Jersey Shore.Sandy Hook, Point Pleasant and Atlantic City, a study in contrasts

Bruce Springsteen had it right: Take Thunder Road down to the Jersey Shore, and baby you were born to...photograph!

Article: Leave 'Em Laughing.Is something funny going on? Photograph it!

Humor has always been a theme for photographers, be it funny signs, juxtapositions or situations. Look for contrasts, visual non-sequitors, or just moments that make you go, "huh?"

Article: Look Down!.Look down and soon your photography will be looking up

Sometimes the best photographs are lying at your feet.