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.
Latest
Nikon D800 High ISO Sample Images
This is a collection of sample images I’ve taken at high ISOs with the Nikon D800 to give a sense of how it performs in low-light situations.
Nikon D850 Video Modes & Features
Here’s a rundown of the video modes and features of the Nikon D850 camera. The camera’s strengths are in stills photography, but it still has capable video features.
Zoom Range of the Nikon AF-S 8-15mm Fisheye Lens
The zoom range of this lens isn’t your typical closer-and-further-away views. Here are some practical examples.
How to Format Memory Cards in a Nikon D850
The Nikon D850 has two methods for formatting the memory cards. One is obvious. The other is less obvious but is also quicker.
How to Import Existing Custom Silver Efex Presets into Nik Collection 4
The new Nik Collection 4 suite updates Silver Efex Pro 2 to Silver Efex Pro 3, and there’s a bunch of new controls and features. But it doesn’t migrate your old custom presets automatically. Here’s how to do it manually.
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Prime Lens Sample Images
Here’s a collection of sample images that I’ve shot with the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art lens for Nikon DSLRs.
What Type of Memory Cards Does the Sony A1 Take?
The new Sony a1 (Alpha 1) high-end mirrorless camera takes both CFexpress A and SD cards. Here’s a rundown of what works and what doesn’t.
Sony a1 High-ISO Sill Images Performance | Sample Images
Here’s a collection of sample images of photos I’ve taken with the Sony a1 at high ISOs.
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.
Reviews
Sony a1 Sample Images
Here are some sample images I’ve taken with the Sony a1, Sony’s latest and greatest full-frame mirrorless camera.
Sony FE 20mm ƒ/1.8 G Wide-Angle Prime Lens Sample Images
Here’s a selection of photos I’ve taken with the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G wide-angle prime lens on a Sony Alpha camera to give a sense of how it performs in real-world shooting.
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Zoom Lens Sample Images
I’ve recently been out shooting with the Sony FE 70-200mm GM OSS zoom lens. Here are some photos I’ve taken with it.
Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Prime Lens Sample Images – Flower & Garden Macro Photos
Here are some practical examples of using the Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS lens with some spring flower and garden photography.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What Type of Memory Cards Does the Nikon D850 Take?
There is a little trick to what kind of memory cards the Nikon D850 takes, and that’s because of a tweak that Nikon made with a firmware update a few years after the camera was released.
BetterPhoto Basics: The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Taking Photos Like the Pros, by Jim Miotke
This is my review of BetterPhoto Basics: The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Taking Photos Like the Pros, by Jim Miotke.
Hasselblad & the Moon Landing, by Deborah Ireland | Book Review
This small but fascinating book was put together to commemorate the central role Hasselblad cameras played in capturing the moon landing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nikon Z7 Mirrorless Camera Sample Images
Here’s a collection of full-size sample images I’ve shot with the Nikon Z7 full-frame mirrorless camera.
How to Connect a Nikon D5600 as a Webcam for Zoom Calls or Live Video Streaming
It is possible to use a Nikon D5600 as a webcam or for real-time capture to a computer. But it’s not quite as simple as just plugging your camera in with a USB cable. Here’s a guide on how to do it and what you’ll need to make it work.
How to Use a Nikon D3500 as a Webcam for Live Video Streaming
It is possible to use a Nikon D3500 as a webcam or for real-time capture to a computer. But you’ll have to manually reset the Live View every 30 minutes. And it’s not quite as simple as just plugging your camera in with a USB cable.
How to Recover Photos & Videos from a Memory Card with Disk Drill
Here’s a rundown of how to use Disk Drill to scan and recover photos and videos that have been accidentally deleted from your memory card.
Shooting in Sh*tty Light, by Lindsay Adler & Erik Valind | Book Review
This book will be of use to portrait, family, fashion, engagement, and wedding photographers shooting on location.
How to Find and Update a Nikon Z7’s Firmware Version
Keeping your camera’s firmware up-to-date gives you the benefit of the latest bug fixes and features. Here’s how to check the firmware version and update the firmware on the Nikon Z7.
Best Books on Macro Photography
I’ve been reviewing a bunch of books on macro photography. Here are my favorites so far.
Understanding Close-Up Photography, by Bryan Peterson | Book Review
This book is a great choice for amateur and enthusiast photographers looking to open up new photographic possibilities by getting in close.
The Garden Photography Workshop, by Andrea Jones | Book Review
Take a masterclass in garden photography as you tag along with a professional garden photographer as she works through the challenges and rewards while shooting a selection of beautiful gardens.
Close Up Photography in Nature, by John and Barbara Gerlach | Book Review
A comprehensive instructional book on techniques and technicalities of capturing photos of flowers and insects you might find in your garden.
Macro Photography for Gardeners and Nature Lovers, by Alan Detrick | Book Review
A review of Macro Photography for Gardeners and Nature Lovers: The Essential Guide to Digital Techniques, by Alan L. Detrick.
Best Online Photography Courses
Whether you’re looking to brush up, dive deeper, or learn a new photographic skill, here’s a roundup of some of the best online courses for photographers.
Photographing Flowers, by Harold Davis | Book Review
A review of the book Photographing Flowers: Exploring Macro Worlds, by Harold Davis.
How to Customize the Control Ring on the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S Zoom Lens
A guide to customizing the behavior of the control ring on the Nikon Z 24-70mm ƒ/4 S zoom lens.
Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S Zoom Lens Sample Images
Here’s a collection of photos I’ve taken recently with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S zoom lens. All of these were shot on a Nikon Z7 body.
Practical Examples of the Zoom Range of the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S Lens
Here are some practical examples of the zoom range of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, with side-by-side examples shot at 24mm and 70mm.
How to Use Step-Up & Step-Down Rings for Screw-in Lens Filters
If you don’t have a screw-in filter that’s the right size for your lens, step-up and step-down rings work as size adapters.
How to Remove a Lens Filter That’s Stuck
If you can’t get your lens filter off because it’s stuck, here are some things to try.
Quick Guide to Using Hugin Panorama Stitching Software
Here’s a quick guide to using the free Hugin panorama stitching software to create a basic high-resolution panorama from a sequence of individual images.
RAVPower 10,000mAh Power Bank
The RAVPower RP-PB186 10,000mAh powerbank packs a lot of battery juice and fast charging in to a small size.
The Basics of Screw-in Filters for Camera Lenses
Here’s a quick rundown on using some of the most common types of screw-in filters and considerations when using them.
How to Make Custom YouTube Thumbnails with Canva
A guide to creating custom YouTube thumbnails for your videos using Canva’s free account.
YouTube Thumbnail Size Guide
A up-to-date guide to the best YouTube thumbnail size, how to enable and upload custom thumbnails, and best practices.
RAVPower 20,000 Battery Pack
The RAVPower PD Pioneer 20000mAh 18W 3-Port Power Bank offers high power output for rapid charging via USB-C and a more precise percentage-based status indicator.
Nikon D3500 Questions & Answers
The answers to some common questions I’ve gotten from readers about the Nikon D3500 DSLR camera.
Review of the Ricoh GW-4 21mm Wide-Angle Conversion Lens for Ricoh GR III
Ricoh has made available a dedicated wide-angle conversion lens for the Ricoh GR III. It takes the standard 28mm lens to a wider 21mm. Here’s how it works and what it does in real-world terms.
