With cameras getting bigger and better HD video recording and burst shooting features all the time, some of them need the write speeds the current generations of SD cards provide. So here’s a roundup of the fastest SD cards available.
Reviews & Tips
The Off-Camera Flash Handbook, by Vanessa Joy | Book Review
Starting out with off-camera flash can be intimidating. This book aims to make it much less scary.
Zoom Range of the Sony 70-200mm ƒ/2.8 Lens | Practical Examples
Here are some practical examples of the zoom range of the Sony FE 70-200mm ƒ/2.8 GM OSS zoom lens on a Sony Alpha full-frame mirrorless camera.
Batch Scanning Slides with the PowerSlideX Slide Scanner
The Pacific Image PowerSlideX is designed to automatically scan batches of up to 50 slides at once. After using it, here’s my take.
Scanning Old Slides & Film with the Wolverine F2D Titan Film to Digital Scanner
The Wolverine F2D Titan Film to Digital Converter is a dedicated slide and film scanner. It’s small, simple to use, and relatively inexpensive. Here’s how it works in practice.
Scanning Old Slides and Films with the Kodak Mini Digital Film & Slide Scanner
Have some old family photos you’d like to scan? If they’re slides or negatives, a basic film scanner can be a great option, whether you want to share the old photos on social media or preserve the photos in a printed photobook. I’ve been trying out one of the simplest, cheapest, and smallest options, the Kodak Mini Digital Film Scanner. Here’s how it works.
Compressing RAW files with Rawsie | Hands-on Review
There are only a few options for compressing RAW image files. Rawsie is a new app that uses sophisticated algorithms to drastically reduce the size of those thousands of RAW files taking up space on your hard drives.
Canon R5 Mirrorless Camera Sample Images
Here’s a collection of sample photos I’ve taken with the Canon R5 mirrorless camera to give a sense of how it performs in everyday shooting conditions.
Zhiyun SMOOTH-XS Smartphone Gimbal and Stand Review
Jerky video footage isn’t fun for anyone. The Zhiyun SMOOTH-XS is a smartphone gimbal that smooths out video footage, provides convenient external controls, and also works as a stand for selfie shots.
Nikon D3500 Sample Photos
Here are some sample photos I’ve taken with a Nikon D3500 to give a sense of how it performs in real-world shooting conditions.
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Zoom Lens Sample Images
Here are some sample images I’ve taken with the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM zoom lens, a versatile zoom for Canon EOS R series mirrorless cameras.
GoPro Tips
How to Join GoPro Videos with Wondershare UniConverter
GoPros save their video files in 4GB segments. Here’s how to join them back together using Wondershare UniConverter. Includes 4K HEVC video files.
Remote for the GoPro HERO9 Black – The Remote Review
There’s a new remote for the GoPro HERO9 Black. It’s called The Remote. Here’s what it does and how it works.
GoPro HERO9 Black Battery Recommendations
A rundown of the GoPro HERO9 Black batteries, chargers, and compatibility options.
GoPro HERO9 Black vs HERO8 Black
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how the GoPro HERO9 Black compares to the HERO8 Black.
How to Switch Between NTSC and PAL on the GoPro HERO9 Black
If you need to switch between NTSC and PAL video shooting modes on the HERO9 Black, it’s not quite as obvious how to do that as it could be. Here’s how to do it.
How to Change the Video Compression Codec on the GoPro HERO9 Black
The GoPro HERO9 Black has two video codecs available for recording video. Both of these produce files with an .mp4 extension. The difference is in how the video is compressed and encoded.
Protune Options of the GoPro HERO9 Black
Here are master lists of the Protune options available when shooting video and photos with the HERO9 Black.
GoPro HERO9 Black SD Card Recommendations
Not all SD cards will work well in the GoPro HERO9 Black. Here are some practical recommendations for which microSD cards are fast enough to keep up with the high-bitrate 100Mbps video recording and burst photo modes.
GoPro HERO9 Black Video Modes
GoPro has released their latest and greatest flagship action cam, the HERO9 Black. Here’s a rundown of the features and modes available when shooting video with it.
Taking Photos with the GoPro HERO9 Black
Here’s a rundown of the features and modes of the GoPro HERO9 Black for taking photos.
Travel Photography
A Beautiful Underground Oasis at Cenote Dzitnup
Cenote Xkeken, near Valladolid, is one of the prettiest of the 3,000 or so underground cenotes scattered across Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula.
People & Places
The View from Mexico City’s 44th Floor
The open-air observation deck on the 44th floor of the Torre Latinoamericana offers spectacular views out over Mexico City.
The Town that Defied God and the Government
If God and the government had their way, Antigua wouldn’t exist. But it’s a good thing it does. With charming Spanish colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and a vibrant cultural life, it’s a wonderful place to visit.
Istanbul’s Grand “New” Mosque
In Istanbul, new is relative. The New Mosque might be newer than the Blue Mosque or Hagia Sophia, but having been completed in 1665 it is historic in its own right. And it’s also stunningly beautiful.
Mexico’s Cultural Treasures
Mexico City’s impressive National Museum of Anthropology showcases the region’s endlessly rich and diverse pre-Columbian cultural heritage.
Cathedral of Saints Michael & Gudula
Most churches count their blessings to have one patron saint. This one has two.
Oo Hmin Thone Sel Pagoda
Oo Hmin Thone Sel Pagoda is an explosion of color, with almost 50 statues of the Buddha looking out from a cave-like crescent from a hilltop in Sagaing.
Climbing Kilimanjaro
We’ve made it to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. 19,341 feet. We’re on top of Africa, far above the clouds. And though we’re right next to the equator, it’s very, very cold and there are thick ice glaciers.
A New Home for Phra Bang
From its fearsome gold naga guarding the main stairs, its incredibly lavish gold and red interior, and multi-tiered roof, the Haw Pha Bang at Luang Prabang’s Royal Palace looks ancient. But it’s not.
Lightroom Tips
Best Lightroom Tutorials & Lightroom Classes for Online Learning
Whether you’re new to Lightroom or looking to dive deeper, here are some of the best places to find Lightroom tutorials, classes, and courses.
How to Filter by Image Orientation of Landscape, Portrait, or Square
If you need to filter out just the portrait (vertical), landscape (horizontal), or square images, you can use the Aspect Ratio filter criteria.
How to Change the Background Color of Single Images in Lightroom Classic
You can change the color of the space behind single images in Lightroom. That can be simply a matter of preference or used as a visualization tool
Can Aurora HDR 2019 Salvage Otherwise Unusable Photos?
HDR is traditionally all about the drama. But it doesn’t have to be all about overly saturated and uber dramatic images. The tone-mapping tools built into apps like Photomatix and Aurora HDR 2019 can be useful for making otherwise blah photos more interesting and perhaps salvaging them as keepers.
How to Change the Thumbnail Image for a Video in Lightroom
Changing the thumbnail image, or poster frame, used for videos in Lightroom can be a handy way to provide a more useful visual reference point when you’re trying to find the video you’re after. Here’s how to do it.
How to Trim Videos in Lightroom
Lightroom doesn’t have much in the way of editing tools when working with video files, but it does have the ability to trim the beginning or end of video clips.
How to Customize the Color Labels in Lightroom
Color labels are one of several useful workflow tools in Lightroom. And if you want to customize what text label is paired with which color, you can. Here’s how.
How to Switch between Landscape and Portrait Orientations When Cropping Images
Lightroom has a super quick way to switch between landscape and portrait orientations with the crop tool. Here’s how to do it.
