9 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Bought My First "Serious" Camera
I bought a Canon 7D because it had a bigger number than the 6D, more autofocus points, and a faster burst rate. I thought I was buying the better camera.
What I did not understand was that the 6D's larger sensor would have given me cleaner high-ISO performance, shallower depth of field, and better dynamic range, all things that mattered far more for the portraits and low-light work I actually wanted to shoot. The 7D was excellent. But I bought it for the wrong reasons. If I could go back and sit down with myself the week before that purchase, here is what I would say.
Sharpness Is the New Beige
We finally reached a weird point in photography where sharpness isn't even a goal anymore; it's given. Modern lenses are so good that "tack sharp" is basically a factory setting. And yet, scroll any comment section, and you would think sharpness is a whole sport. Not light. Not timing. Not mood. Just crazy sharp.
10 Lightroom Secrets That Will Change How You Edit Photos
Lightroom has more depth than most people ever tap into, and after 15 years of using it, Serge Ramelli has a clear sense of which techniques actually move the needle. These aren't beginner tips about sliders; several of them involve AI-powered masking tricks and a dodge-and-burn workflow that can fundamentally change the way a finished image looks.
Does Black and White Photography Actually Look More Artistic Than Color?
Choosing between black and white and color is one of the oldest arguments in photography, and most takes on it stay shallow. This video doesn't claim to settle the debate, but it does offer a genuinely useful framework for thinking about when and why each choice works.
One Year With the GFX 100RF: Two Repairs, Mixed Autofocus, and Still Worth It?
The Fujifilm GFX 100RF launched to a divided audience. Some people couldn't get past the f/4 lens. Others saw a 102-megapixel medium format camera in a compact body and immediately understood what Fujifilm was going for.
The Camera Gear Beginners Keep Buying That They'll Regret
Buying the wrong camera gear early on is one of the fastest ways to waste money in photography. Five specific categories trip up beginners more than almost anything else, and most of them are things you'd never think to question.
My Not-So-New Travel Camera: The Original Fujifilm X-T30
At now 6 years old, is this compact retro camera still usable for photographers in today's day and age? We are of course talking about the original Fujifilm X-T30, which has become in fact my new favorite travel camera.
10 Things That Go Wrong During a Client Consultation and How to Redirect Each One
The consultation is supposed to be the easy part. The client reaches out, you meet (in person, by phone, or over video), you discuss what they want, you explain what you offer, and you both walk away aligned on the vision, the scope, and the price. That is the theory. In practice, the consultation is where every mismatched expectation, unrealistic budget, and conflicting creative vision reveals itself, and your ability to navigate those reveals determines whether the conversation ends with a booking or a polite "I'll think about it" that means no.
AI Branding Tool ZAWA Tested
When it comes to branding, there are a number of elements that need to be considered. It needs to speak about your business while also evoking something in the viewer. It doesn't necessarily need to clearly explain what you do.
Take Apple, for example. It's an apple, yet they don't sell apples. McDonald's is represented by the golden arches, but they sell burgers and fries. MKBHD is a tech reviewer, but the brand itself says nothing about tech.
So what is it that actually works when it comes to a brand? It's something I've been asking myself for a while.
Ulanzi D200X and Dial Review: Can They Improve Your Editing Workflow?
Most editing tools promise to speed up your workflow. Very few actually change how you work. After testing the Ulanzi D200X and Dial in real-world use, I wanted to see if either could genuinely reduce time at the desk or if they just add another layer to the process.
As a photographer and videographer, I spend more time at my desk than I would like to admit. A large part of running a photography business happens away from the camera. Editing, file management, emails, and planning all take time, so having a setup that supports workflow, efficiency, and comfort matters.
The 'Monster House' Effect: How to Find Narrative in Ordinary Ruins
There's a stretch of Highway 69 outside Muskogee that I've driven enough times to stop noticing it. You know the kind of road I mean — your brain goes into cruise control, the scenery becomes background noise, and you're just trying to get where you're going without getting stuck behind a log truck doing 42 in a 65.
And then one day, something snaps you out of it.
The Practical Effects Behind Labyrinth, Aliens, Die Hard, and Titanic Are More Insane Than You Think
Practical effects from the '80s and '90s were built on real constraints, and those constraints forced some of the most inventive filmmaking ever put on screen. The results hold up decades later precisely because the crews had no easy way out.
The Canon EOS R6 Mark III vs. Sony a7 V: Real-World Performance Tested Side by Side
Choosing between the Canon EOS R6 Mark III and the Sony a7 V at the same price point is genuinely difficult, and the spec sheets don't tell the whole story. Both cameras launched within a month of each other in late 2025, making a direct comparison not just useful but necessary before you hand over that kind of money.
This Photographer Says The Fujifilm X100VI Is Too Cheap
Compact cameras have exploded in popularity over the past few years, and the Fujifilm X100VI sits at the center of that conversation. It's one of the most talked-about point-and-shoots on the market right now, and the hype has pushed used prices close to retail.
Full Frame vs. APS-C: The Size Advantage Isn't What You Think
The full frame vs. APS-C debate has been running for years, and most people land in the same place: full frame is better, APS-C is smaller, end of story. But that conclusion skips over some real nuance that changes how you should think about both systems.
Photographing a Fashion Campaign at Sarakineco Beach
I just wrapped up a fashion campaign shoot at Sarakiniko Beach in Milos, Greece. Here is how it went, what I learned from the experience, and how we approached getting the shots.
Discover Leica’s New Flagship Store in Chicago and the Limited Edition M11-P Chicago Edition 17
The world's most renowned and respected camera brand, Leica, has announced a new flagship store in Chicago, Illinois, opening on April 30, 2026. Located in Chicago's Gold Coast, one of the city's most culturally rich architectural districts, the new store draws on the city's creative spirit, offering photographers a dynamic space with rotating gallery exhibitions, workshops through the Leica Akademie, connections with fellow photographers, and Leica's latest innovations in technology. The Michigan Ave.
The Concept Comes First: Building a Photograph From an Idea, Not a Scene
Most photographers start with a subject or theme. Conceptual photographers start with a question. What does isolation feel like? Not, where can I shoot next? Entering the world of conceptual photography is a beast of its own. It comes with its own challenges and rewards. My biggest question was, how do I start?
We Review the Huawei Mate 80 Pro in Search of a True-to-Color Smartphone Camera System
From the naming convention, the Mate series flagship smartphone has always been Huawei's way of showing off what they can really do, and it has been three years since Huawei launched the Mate series globally. This time around with the Huawei Mate 80 Pro, everything revolves around a rather bold slogan: "See It True."
"Fix It in Post" Is Costing You Money: A Mathematical Case for Getting It Right in Camera
You are standing on location. The light is good, the client looks great, and you are in the zone. Then you notice it: an orange traffic cone lurking at the edge of the frame. Your assistant is nowhere to be found. The client is already in position. You could pause everything, walk over, and drag the cone out of shot. Or you could keep the momentum going and mutter those five dangerous words to yourself: "I'll fix it in post."