Too many photographers avoid using flash because of a misconception that this versatile accessory is overly complicated to master, but today’s quick tutorial from Newcastle Photography College will quickly allay these concerns and inspire you give basic flash photography a try. Our unnamed Australian instructor demonstrates why “flash photography opens up so many other possibilities to us as photographers,” and  he provides several inspiring examples to illustrate how. Best yet, it will only take six minutes for you to be convinced. It’s all about understanding why the use of an affordable flash will create eye-catching results that are difficult or impossible to mimic with available light—even when you turn to…

Somewhere out in the vast darkness of cyberspace, millions and millions of precious photographs are wandering aimlessly, homeless and lost forever. Each day, more and more photos join the tens of thousands of socks that were lost in clothes dryers, umbrellas left in restaurants and the car keys that never made it back to the safety of a purse or pocket. Not to mention the zillions of smiling golf balls banished forever somewhere in rough. Your data is not safe, but good work habits, starting with a conscientious backup plan, can make data recoverable. 3-2-1 Backup Plan There’s no surefire strategy to recover lost socks, but you can increase your…

How to become a better photographer: A quick tutorial for beginners, and an “Okay, I already do that…” checklist for intermediate amateurs. Advanced hobbyists, you may want to read this, too, just to see if I covered the highpoints. Always Pack a Camera Sounds trite, but nowadays when so many millions rely on their smartphones for spontaneous snaps, this advice takes on a whole new meaning. I am not an ASAC (Anti-Smartphone-As-Camera) cheerleader, but I can tell you with absolute certainty that the camera built into your mobile phone will never match the overall versatility of a high-quality mirrorless system camera. So if you want to grow out of the…

Most of the nature photography tutorials we post concentrate on gear, camera settings, and other technical aspects because these are absolutely essential when photographing birds and other wildlife subjects. Today’s video from Flying Parrot Photography is an interesting departure because it sets aside the technical stuff and concentrates on creative considerations instead. Our instructor Sonia is an Australian pro who admits to being “obsessed” with photographing our feathered friends, and the tutorials she posts are designed to help you make the most of your time in the field by boosting your confidence is all situations. This six-minute episode presents “five techniques to add to your practice, flex your creative muscles,…