We frequently stress the importance of experimenting with new tools and techniques, because that’s the only way to expand your skills and broaden your portfolio. This quick tutorial with pro Austin James Jackson, is designed to do exactly that by demonstrating four interesting Photoshop effects that anyone can apply to their outdoor images in minutes. Jackson is an up-and-coming star based in Southern Utah who’s always searching for a new and innovative approach to our craft. He posts weekly shooting and editing tutorials that will quickly elevate your game—whether you’re a young pup like him or an old dog like many of us. Setting aside the primary goal of this…

All of us who shoot in color have experienced the disappointment of capturing a unique scene that fails to meet expectations. The video below from the PHLOG Photography YouTube channel explains why some images can be significantly more compelling in b&w, with a basic workflow for making a dramatic transformation. Instructor Christian Mohrle is one the most inspirational landscape photographers in Germany. He’s also a post-processing expert who’s very generous about sharing editing tips that contribute to his success. Be sure to download today’s sample Raw file with a link beneath the video so you can follow along and make the changes yourself as they’re explained. Mohrle’s original image was…

Difficult lighting conditions often result in photographs that bear little resemblance to the magic we witnessed through the viewfinder, and such disappointment often occurs when we fail to faithfully reproduce the spectacular tones of the setting sun. Fortunately, there’s an easy technique for keeping failed images out of the trash, and that’s what you’re about to learn how to do in the next four minutes. Instructor Serge Ramelli is an award-winning French cityscape photographer now working in the U.S. He’s also an author, educator and, post-processing expert as you’ll quickly learn in this in sunset-rehabilitation episode. Prepare to jot down a few notes as his foolproof tips fly by in a…

Regular Shutterbug readers are well-acquainted with extraordinary German Landscape pro Christian Mohrle, not just because of his inspirational images but also for the post-processing tutorials shared on the popular PHLOG photography You Tube channel that’s loaded with helpful how-to tips. This must-see episode describes what Mohrle says is the “insane” potential of Lightroom’s Object Selection masks. Today’s demonstration image is a well-composed shot of a gorgeous mountain scene. However, the dull-gray photo is totally devoid of impact and this is where Mohrle’s “impossible” masks transform it into a keeper with minimal effort. Mohrle insists that in the next 14 minutes “you’ll learn how create complex masks using Lightroom’s Object Selection…

Peak Design’s new Roller Pro Carry-On is a prayer answered for photographers, video content creators, carriers of miscellaneous valuable things and travelers everywhere. Forget everything you know about rolling suitcases—this is an all-new species of luggage that is certain to upend this segment of the camera carry-conveyance market for a long time to come. Peak Design is best known for creating the camera industry’s favorite straps, bags and photo backpacks. I’m openly fond of their products and use them daily for personal and professional applications. With the launch of the new Peak Design Roller Pro Carry-On via Kickstarter, they’ve reimagined nearly every component of the popular rolling bag carry solution…

OK, STOP and answer this question without giving it too much thought: Should you increase or decrease exposure when photographing dark subjects? Are you sure? If not, check out this quick tutorial from Ejaz Khan so you’ll get things right, whether you’re photographing wildlife or other outdoor scenes in which the key subject is darker than normal. Khan began his career in filmmaking before applying his love of drama and storytelling to still photography. He now travels the globe and uses his narrative skills to capture the untamed beauty, energy and movement of wildlife subjects. So he’s the right guy to address the question we posed at the onset by…

Not long ago we featured a comprehensive guide to photographing the Milky Way, with camera settings advice, gear recommendations, post-processing tips, and more. We’re following up on that today with this primer for inexperienced photographers who want to capture awe-inspiring images of starlit skies, even when the Milky Way isn’t visible. Instructor Glenn Martin is a versatile award-winning Australian pro whose eclectic portfolio contains spectacular images of everything from landscapes to wedding photos. He’s been teaching astrophotography to beginners for years, and this 11-minute guide is just what you need, whether this genre is unfamiliar or you just need a quick refresher to brush up on your skills. You’ll be…

Lightroom’s powerful Curves panel offers far more versatility than the limited global adjustments many photographers use to adjust the brightness and contrast of an image and balance out tonal values. These include selective enhancements for targeting and enhancing different areas within a scene. Today’s eye-opening tutorial from Lightroom Color & Editing Mastery demonstrates how to boost the impact of an image by harnessing the power of Lightrooms RGB Curves to create a variety of stylistic effects that will make your images stand out while keeping thing looking natural. The video below is designed for inexperienced users, so instructor Maarten Schrader presents his tips in a straightforward manner that anyone can…

We were all taught early on to always shoot with the sun to our back, and that worked OK for beginners looking for the easiest way to capture a “Kodak moment.” If you’re still following this familiar “rule,” it’s long past time to be more creative, and one effective way to do that is by setting aside what you learned about composition and try shooting towards the sun. This technique is admittedly more challenging than the conventional approach, but the primer below from Wild Light Landscapes demonstrates foolproof techniques for transforming harsh light into breathtaking photos. So click the Play button and learn how to switch things up in the…

The term “hot pixels” describes those annoying artifacts caused by pixels that randomly appear as red, great, blue, or even white dots in an image when an individual pixel is significantly brighter than those in surrounding areas within the frame. This tutorial from the Photo Feaver YouTube channel demonstrates how to easily “scan” and remove them in Lightroom. The problem occurs when a pixel generates more electrical charge or a higher signal than it should. It’s an issue that’s particularly acute when using high ISO settings or when capturing long-exposure photographs and can really spoil on otherwise great shot unless you understand the simple process for cleaning things up. Instructor James is…