Lightroom is the most popular one-stop image management and image processing app, but it’s not the only option. Here are some apps worth looking at if you’re after an alternative to Lightroom.
Reviews & Tips
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.
How to Download Nikon D3500 Photos & Videos to a Computer
Here’s a rundown of how to download photos and videos from a Nikon D3500 to your computer.
Examples of the Zoom Range of the Canon 24-105mm F4 IS USM Zoom Lens
Here are some practical examples of the zoom range of the Canon 24-105mm ƒ/4 IS USM lens, a kit lens option with the Canon R5 mirrorless camera.
RAVPower PD Pioneer 65W 4-Port Desktop Charger (RP-PC136) | Review
The RAVPower PD Pioneer 65W 4-Port Desktop Charger (RP-PC136) offers a handy combination of tiny size and powerful and fast charging via PD USB-C and iSmart ports.
VAVA 12-in-1 Dual 4K Docking Station
The VAVA 12-in-1 Dual 4K Docking Station adds a lot of extra flexibility to your laptop, especially with dual HDMI outputs and an integrated SD and microSD card reader.
USB and AC Charging on the Go: RAVPower RP-PB055 30000mAh 100W 3-Port Power House
The RAVPower 30000mAh 100W 3-Port Power House is a portable power outlet, with a large battery and even an AC port. So you can charge USB devices on the go as well as mobile devices that only charge via AC.
GoPro Tips
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.
Hands-on Review of the AKASO Brave 7 LE
The AKASO Brave 7 LE is the latest 4K action cam that’s a lower-priced alternative to GoPro and DJI cameras. Here’s my hands-on review.
Travel Photography
Climbing Kilimanjaro: Tips, Gear Recommendations, and What to Expect
Tips and gear recommendations if you’re going to climb Kilimanjaro for the first time. Includes suggestions for choosing a guide, mountain etiquette, and what to expect.
People & Places
The Colors of Antarctica
When you think of Antarctica, you probably think of lots of white and blue. I was surprised to find that it’s a lot more colorful than that.
Montreal’s Notre Dame Basilica
The interior of Old Montreal’s Notre Dame Basilica has to rank it as one of the most stunning churches or cathedrals in North America.
The Citadel in the Imperial City of Hue
Inside the Citadel walls was once lavish and opulent, with ornate gardens and intricate pagodas. But the Vietnam War was not kind to the Imperial City. Large parts of it are now nothing more than rubble.
The Chicken Buses of Central America
Central America is where American school buses go to retire. In the balmy tropical climes of places like Guatemala and Honduras, they’re given a new, colorful lease on life.
Ushuaia, The World’s Most Southern City
Ushuaia claims the title of the world’s southernmost city. These days its main industry is tourism, serving as a gateway to Antarctica. But the town also has charms of its own.
Fireworks in Chichicastenango
Guatemalans sure love their fireworks. And Chichicastenango, in the Guatemalan highlands, is not a place that considers fireworks only night-time entertainment.
Cathedral of Saints Michael & Gudula
Most churches count their blessings to have one patron saint. This one has two.
Guatemala City’s Zona 1
Guatemala City isn’t a popular tourist destination, in large part because of the scourge of violent crime, but there are some things worth seeing in this otherwise crowded and poverty-stricken city.
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.
