This summer, it’s nearly certain that people will be heading to the great outdoors. As we look for ways to escape the heat and pandemic woes in crowded cities, many of us will turn to national parks and other public lands for respite. And, plenty will bring their cameras (or, at least, smartphones)

A blurry, out-of-focus background is often seen as a sign of a professional or high-quality portrait. While it’s certainly a bit of a simplistic take, it’s undeniable that portraits with a sharp subject and a soft, creamy background are popular, and a look that many photographers want to create. Her

Southern California-based photographer Elizabeth Messina is something of a legend. With her beloved Contax 645 and Fujifilm GFX100s, she has photographed for the likes of Tori Spelling, Claire Pettibone, and Brooke Shields—and that’s just to name a few. But no matter who or what is in front of her c

If you’ve ever tried to snap photos of fireworks with your phone, you probably weren’t very happy with the results. Thankfully, with a bit of care and the right tools, you can get much better images.  Use the right lens While it’s tempting to zoom in when you’re taking photos of things like firework

In an age saturated with selfies, the art of the self-portrait can feel diluted at best, and an indulgence of vanity at worst. But for Florida-based creative Chinelle Rojas, it’s been an avenue for accepting her identity and celebrating who she is. Her self-portrait series, My Black Self, is a way t

Rankin has photographed many of the big names in fashion, music, and society. Known for his portraits of Kate Moss, David Bowie, and Queen Elizabeth II, he is also at the head of a creative agency with dozens of employees. When lockdown hit in March 2020, and Rankin could no longer work in his studi

Bright sunlight is notoriously unforgiving. Exposure can swing from glaring over‑exposure to deep shadows, and harsh contrast can make a photo look unbalanced. With a solid strategy, however, even the most intense daylight can be harnessed to produce vivid, professional images. Embrace it High‑contr

Bruce Dorn’s big break in the photo industry was utterly unexpected. He’d submitted some work to a college competition run by Conde Nast, ended up winning, and before he knew it, he was working as a guest art director for the company.  “Prior to winning that contest, I was working in a gas station,”

This post on waterfowl photography has been updated. It was originally published on December 17, 2008. You don’t need to trek into the wild to create incredible waterfowl photography. City parks and wildlife sanctuaries are ideal for photographing ducks, geese, and swans. Not only are they easily r

Put down the pricey telephoto lens, heres how to capture outstanding bird photos using just your smartphone and a spotting scope. By Marissa Wu | Published Jul 14, 2022 3:12 PM EDT Tyler Greenly SHARE

Earlier in the summer, a dazzling planetary alignment took place, showcasing Mercury, Venus, the Moon, Mars, and Saturn across the night sky. According to Sky & Telescope, the last time this happened was in 2004, and if you missed it, you’ll need patience. The next alignment won’t take place unt

So, you’re packing your bags—and your camera—for a little summer vacation. It’s only natural that you’ll want to document your trip, but, what’s the point of taking pictures at popular destinations when millions of others are, too? PopPhoto chatted with award-winning travel photographer Susan Portn

It’s nearly a no-brainer to pack your camera when you’re headed on vacation. Normally, the question is only, do you bring film or digital, or both? But some destinations are more welcoming to photographers than others. In Egypt, for instance, snapping street photos without a permit could land you in

“I haven’t shot digital photography in over a decade probably,” Jean Andre Antoine admits. The Harlem native is taking our phone call from the “office,” which for this street photographer means Prince Street between Broadway and Crosby in New York City’s lower Manhattan. Antoine posts himself up in

Many types of creative possibilities are available when photographing cars. You’re proud of your’s and what you may have done to it. But there are good ways and bad to show others the apples and oranges of your eyes. Follow our advice and you’ll be shooting better car photos in no time. Car photogra

Any creative art, not just photography, if its approached deeply, can bring you into greater contact with yourself. By Kirk McElhearn | Published Aug 8, 2022 9:45 PM EDT Tulips, Cape Cod, MA. © David Ulrich SHARE

This post has been updated. It was originally published on July 23, 2019. A well-curated photo bookshelf can be an excellent source of inspiration when it comes to your own photo projects. Cracking open a nicely bound photography book focuses the eye in ways that just can’t be duplicated when scroll

In photography, knowing when to put the camera away is a valuable skill. Really dark situations are particularly difficult: without supplemental lighting, you can crank up the ISO to boost the camera’s light sensitivity, but that risks introducing too much distracting digital noise in the shot. Well

Bugs can be pretty beautiful if you get in close enough. By Dan Richards | Updated Aug 2, 2022 8:16 PM EDT Cuckoo Wasp. John Hallmén shot this preserved specimen in the studio using a full-frame camera and a Mitutoyo microscope objective with a m

Learn how to capture a burst of color in the night. By Jeff Wignall | Published Oct 7, 2019 4:32 PM EDT Jeff Wignall shot with a tripod-mounted Nikon F5, 55mm f/2.8 Nikkor; 1/10 sec at f/8, on Kodak Ekta-chrome 100. Jeff Wignall SHARE