Macro photography offers a unique way to explore the small world around us—often while traveling no further than the backyard. So if you have a lonely close-up lens lurking in the back of a cabinet, and are unsure about the necessary techniques, look no further than the beginners guide below.

Instructor Trey is an expert are capturing tiny subjects that often go unnoticed, and he’s sympathetic to the plight of new photographers who find the genre confusing. He summarizes today’s episode like this: “I’m going to explain some tips and concepts to consider and provide you with a better understanding of macro photography and its challenges.”

Trey covers a wide range of topics from where to find the “best bugs” to composition and focusing. There’s also a description of the most appropriate camera settings to use and the equipment he recommends. The only problem you may have after watching this 12-minute primer is that macro photography is so much fun that it’s difficult to stop.

This behind-the-scenes lesson does more than bring you up to speed on the necessary tips, tools, and techniques because Trey illustrates his advice with images that are both beautiful inspirational. So take a close look, dust off your macro lens, and get out there and create some close-up magic of your own.

Once you’re done watching, head over to the Xx7trey YouTube channel where there and many how-to videos to be found for macro photographers of all skill levels.

And on a related note, don’t miss the tutorial we featured earlier with another accomplished pro who explains how combining your camera’s Shutter Priority and ISO modes can be a gamechanger for when shooting photographs with movement.

Canon compiled ultimate gear lists for five categories of content creators, and they make a compelling 3-minute read. While Canon calls them “kits,” they’re actually detailed recommendations with logical rationale for each ingredient.

The collections are not available in bundled (kit) form and do not have a special price reduction when purchased together. This is why we can’t call them “kits” in the way camera retailers package products.

For the sake of full transparency, we hereby report that nearly every word after this paragraph was written by Canon (or their agency) and provided to us by Gabriella Belzer, a public relations professional who clearly has a knack for persuasive language. Shutterbug never cuts and pastes entire press releases, but we made a partial exception in this case because the information herein provides a perspective and depth of subject knowledge we think you’ll enjoy.

The top 5 content creator styles they identify are: Vanlife Vloggers, Social Media Chefs, GRWM creators, Action Junkies and Aesthetic Home Cleaners. Canon claims these kits deliver pro-quality results tailored to each vibe.

Canon’s Ultimate Camera Kits for Top 5 Creators

1. Vanlife Vlogger: Epic Shots on the Open Road
Capture the journey with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II kit, built for rugged adventures and stunning visuals.
Camera: EOS R6 Mark II – Weather-resistant, vari-angle LCD, and EVF for any-light shooting.
Wide Lens: RF14-35mm F4 L IS USM – Sweeping landscapes in crisp detail.
Standard Lens: RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM – Versatile for vlogs or campfire scenes.
Telephoto Lens: RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM – Compact zoom for distant subjects.
Accessory: HG-100TBR Tripod Grip with BR-E1 Remote – Perfect for solo setups.
Why It’s Fire: Shake-free 4K video and compact L-series lenses make every bumpy road look cinematic.

2. Social Media Chef: Mouthwatering Visuals
Whip up drool-worthy content with the Canon EOS R5 Mark II kit, designed for vibrant colors and livestream flair.
Camera: EOS R5 Mark II – 45MP sensor for rich food textures and colors.
Wide Lens: RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM – Bright for overhead kitchen shots.
Standard Lens: RF28-70mm F2.8 IS STM – Flexible for vlogs and medium shots.
Macro Lens: RF100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM – Close-ups of garnishes or plating.
Accessory: Canon Live Switcher Mobile App (subscription) – Multi-angle livestreams.
Why It’s Fire: High-res detail and bright f/2.8 lenses capture every sizzle, with the Live Switcher app leveling up streams.

3. GRWM (Get Ready With Me): Flawless Makeup & Fashion
Slay tutorials and outfit transitions with the compact Canon PowerShot V1 kit, perfect for beauty creators.
Camera: PowerShot V1 – 1-inch sensor with skin-smoothing effects for pro-quality video.
Accessory: HG-100TBR Tripod Grip with BR-E1 Remote – Hands-free filming made easy.
Why It’s Fire: Scene Intelligent Auto and fast autofocus deliver stunning indoor results without gear hassle.

4. Action Junkie: Heart-Pounding Stunts*
Catch every thrill with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II kit, built for speed and durability.
Camera: EOS R6 Mark II – High-speed bursts and 4K 120fps for epic slow-mo.
Wide Lens: RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM – Dynamic wide shots.
Standard Lens: RF28-70mm F2.8 IS STM – Versatile for action vlogs.
Telephoto Lens: RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM – Sharp for far-off shots.
Accessories: Speedlite ST-E10, Multiple Speedlite EL-5 – Compact, weather-resistant lighting.
Why It’s Fire: Tough build and bright f/2.8 lenses keep stunts vibrant in any condition.

*Remember: Safety First. Be a Content Creator, not a Casualty.

5. Aesthetic Home Cleaning: Sparkling Spaces
Show off spotless vibes with the lightweight Canon EOS R50 kit, perfect for effortless vlogging.
Camera: EOS R50 – Compact with beginner-friendly controls for crisp content.
Wide Lens: RF-S10-18mm – Captures full rooms in tight spaces.
Standard Lens: RF-S18-150mm – Versatile for vlogs and details.
Accessory: HG-100TBR Tripod Grip with BR-E1 Remote – Easy handheld or hands-free.
Why It’s Fire: Lightweight and wide-angle lenses make filming bright, sharp indoor content a breeze.

So ends Canon’s narration. What do you think? There’s no guarantee that any of this gear will make you a more popular content creator, be we can say with conviction that you won’t be able to blame the equipment if you don’t.

BTW, Canon sells refurbished merchandise on their website. Score the gear you want at a price lower than street.

Want to stay on top of the latest in Content Creation? Join the Shutterbug Community!
Sign up for an account—it’s easy and FREE. Subscribe to our FREE newsletter (find the sign-up form on our homepage) and bookmark Shutterbug as a Favorite on your browser.

Visit our Gallery section and spend five minutes or less uploading your best shots once a week. You might even become a Shutterbug Photo of the Day photographer!

In the Galleries, you’ll see the incredible work of thousands of photographers from around the world. We encourage you to add your own images to our ever-growing collection. It’s an excellent platform to connect with other photographers and share your knowledge and passion for photography.

(If you’re worried that submitting images to the Photo of the Day gallery might be complicated, it’s not. Check out these short 1-2-3 directions.)

—Jon Sienkiewicz

Canon compiled ultimate gear lists for five categories of content creators, and they make a compelling 3-minute read. While Canon calls them “kits,” they’re actually detailed recommendations with logical rationale for each ingredient.

The collections are not available in bundled (kit) form and do not have a special price reduction when purchased together. This is why we can’t call them “kits” in the way camera retailers package products.

For the sake of full transparency, we hereby report that nearly every word after this paragraph was written by Canon (or their agency) and provided to us by Gabriella Belzer, a public relations professional who clearly has a knack for persuasive language. Shutterbug never cuts and pastes entire press releases, but we made a partial exception in this case because the information herein provides a perspective and depth of subject knowledge we think you’ll enjoy.

The top 5 content creator styles they identify are: Vanlife Vloggers, Social Media Chefs, GRWM creators, Action Junkies and Aesthetic Home Cleaners. Canon claims these kits deliver pro-quality results tailored to each vibe.

Canon’s Ultimate Camera Kits for Top 5 Creators

1. Vanlife Vlogger: Epic Shots on the Open Road
Capture the journey with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II kit, built for rugged adventures and stunning visuals.
Camera: EOS R6 Mark II – Weather-resistant, vari-angle LCD, and EVF for any-light shooting.
Wide Lens: RF14-35mm F4 L IS USM – Sweeping landscapes in crisp detail.
Standard Lens: RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM – Versatile for vlogs or campfire scenes.
Telephoto Lens: RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM – Compact zoom for distant subjects.
Accessory: HG-100TBR Tripod Grip with BR-E1 Remote – Perfect for solo setups.
Why It’s Fire: Shake-free 4K video and compact L-series lenses make every bumpy road look cinematic.

2. Social Media Chef: Mouthwatering Visuals
Whip up drool-worthy content with the Canon EOS R5 Mark II kit, designed for vibrant colors and livestream flair.
Camera: EOS R5 Mark II – 45MP sensor for rich food textures and colors.
Wide Lens: RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM – Bright for overhead kitchen shots.
Standard Lens: RF28-70mm F2.8 IS STM – Flexible for vlogs and medium shots.
Macro Lens: RF100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM – Close-ups of garnishes or plating.
Accessory: Canon Live Switcher Mobile App (subscription) – Multi-angle livestreams.
Why It’s Fire: High-res detail and bright f/2.8 lenses capture every sizzle, with the Live Switcher app leveling up streams.

3. GRWM (Get Ready With Me): Flawless Makeup & Fashion
Slay tutorials and outfit transitions with the compact Canon PowerShot V1 kit, perfect for beauty creators.
Camera: PowerShot V1 – 1-inch sensor with skin-smoothing effects for pro-quality video.
Accessory: HG-100TBR Tripod Grip with BR-E1 Remote – Hands-free filming made easy.
Why It’s Fire: Scene Intelligent Auto and fast autofocus deliver stunning indoor results without gear hassle.

4. Action Junkie: Heart-Pounding Stunts*
Catch every thrill with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II kit, built for speed and durability.
Camera: EOS R6 Mark II – High-speed bursts and 4K 120fps for epic slow-mo.
Wide Lens: RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM – Dynamic wide shots.
Standard Lens: RF28-70mm F2.8 IS STM – Versatile for action vlogs.
Telephoto Lens: RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM – Sharp for far-off shots.
Accessories: Speedlite ST-E10, Multiple Speedlite EL-5 – Compact, weather-resistant lighting.
Why It’s Fire: Tough build and bright f/2.8 lenses keep stunts vibrant in any condition.

*Remember: Safety First. Be a Content Creator, not a Casualty.

5. Aesthetic Home Cleaning: Sparkling Spaces
Show off spotless vibes with the lightweight Canon EOS R50 kit, perfect for effortless vlogging.
Camera: EOS R50 – Compact with beginner-friendly controls for crisp content.
Wide Lens: RF-S10-18mm – Captures full rooms in tight spaces.
Standard Lens: RF-S18-150mm – Versatile for vlogs and details.
Accessory: HG-100TBR Tripod Grip with BR-E1 Remote – Easy handheld or hands-free.
Why It’s Fire: Lightweight and wide-angle lenses make filming bright, sharp indoor content a breeze.

So ends Canon’s narration. What do you think? There’s no guarantee that any of this gear will make you a more popular content creator, be we can say with conviction that you won’t be able to blame the equipment if you don’t.

BTW, Canon sells refurbished merchandise on their website. Score the gear you want at a price lower than street.

Want to stay on top of the latest in Content Creation? Join the Shutterbug Community!
Sign up for an account—it’s easy and FREE. Subscribe to our FREE newsletter (find the sign-up form on our homepage) and bookmark Shutterbug as a Favorite on your browser.

Visit our Gallery section and spend five minutes or less uploading your best shots once a week. You might even become a Shutterbug Photo of the Day photographer!

In the Galleries, you’ll see the incredible work of thousands of photographers from around the world. We encourage you to add your own images to our ever-growing collection. It’s an excellent platform to connect with other photographers and share your knowledge and passion for photography.

(If you’re worried that submitting images to the Photo of the Day gallery might be complicated, it’s not. Check out these short 1-2-3 directions.)

—Jon Sienkiewicz

Canon compiled ultimate gear lists for five categories of content creators, and they make a compelling 3-minute read. While Canon calls them “kits,” they’re actually detailed recommendations with logical rationale for each ingredient.

The collections are not available in bundled (kit) form and do not have a special price reduction when purchased together. This is why we can’t call them “kits” in the way camera retailers package products.

For the sake of full transparency, we hereby report that nearly every word after this paragraph was written by Canon (or their agency) and provided to us by Gabriella Belzer, a public relations professional who clearly has a knack for persuasive language. Shutterbug never cuts and pastes entire press releases, but we made a partial exception in this case because the information herein provides a perspective and depth of subject knowledge we think you’ll enjoy.

The top 5 content creator styles they identify are: Vanlife Vloggers, Social Media Chefs, GRWM creators, Action Junkies and Aesthetic Home Cleaners. Canon claims these kits deliver pro-quality results tailored to each vibe.

Canon’s Ultimate Camera Kits for Top 5 Creators

1. Vanlife Vlogger: Epic Shots on the Open Road
Capture the journey with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II kit, built for rugged adventures and stunning visuals.
Camera: EOS R6 Mark II – Weather-resistant, vari-angle LCD, and EVF for any-light shooting.
Wide Lens: RF14-35mm F4 L IS USM – Sweeping landscapes in crisp detail.
Standard Lens: RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM – Versatile for vlogs or campfire scenes.
Telephoto Lens: RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM – Compact zoom for distant subjects.
Accessory: HG-100TBR Tripod Grip with BR-E1 Remote – Perfect for solo setups.
Why It’s Fire: Shake-free 4K video and compact L-series lenses make every bumpy road look cinematic.

2. Social Media Chef: Mouthwatering Visuals
Whip up drool-worthy content with the Canon EOS R5 Mark II kit, designed for vibrant colors and livestream flair.
Camera: EOS R5 Mark II – 45MP sensor for rich food textures and colors.
Wide Lens: RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM – Bright for overhead kitchen shots.
Standard Lens: RF28-70mm F2.8 IS STM – Flexible for vlogs and medium shots.
Macro Lens: RF100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM – Close-ups of garnishes or plating.
Accessory: Canon Live Switcher Mobile App (subscription) – Multi-angle livestreams.
Why It’s Fire: High-res detail and bright f/2.8 lenses capture every sizzle, with the Live Switcher app leveling up streams.

3. GRWM (Get Ready With Me): Flawless Makeup & Fashion
Slay tutorials and outfit transitions with the compact Canon PowerShot V1 kit, perfect for beauty creators.
Camera: PowerShot V1 – 1-inch sensor with skin-smoothing effects for pro-quality video.
Accessory: HG-100TBR Tripod Grip with BR-E1 Remote – Hands-free filming made easy.
Why It’s Fire: Scene Intelligent Auto and fast autofocus deliver stunning indoor results without gear hassle.

4. Action Junkie: Heart-Pounding Stunts*
Catch every thrill with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II kit, built for speed and durability.
Camera: EOS R6 Mark II – High-speed bursts and 4K 120fps for epic slow-mo.
Wide Lens: RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM – Dynamic wide shots.
Standard Lens: RF28-70mm F2.8 IS STM – Versatile for action vlogs.
Telephoto Lens: RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM – Sharp for far-off shots.
Accessories: Speedlite ST-E10, Multiple Speedlite EL-5 – Compact, weather-resistant lighting.
Why It’s Fire: Tough build and bright f/2.8 lenses keep stunts vibrant in any condition.

*Remember: Safety First. Be a Content Creator, not a Casualty.

5. Aesthetic Home Cleaning: Sparkling Spaces
Show off spotless vibes with the lightweight Canon EOS R50 kit, perfect for effortless vlogging.
Camera: EOS R50 – Compact with beginner-friendly controls for crisp content.
Wide Lens: RF-S10-18mm – Captures full rooms in tight spaces.
Standard Lens: RF-S18-150mm – Versatile for vlogs and details.
Accessory: HG-100TBR Tripod Grip with BR-E1 Remote – Easy handheld or hands-free.
Why It’s Fire: Lightweight and wide-angle lenses make filming bright, sharp indoor content a breeze.

So ends Canon’s narration. What do you think? There’s no guarantee that any of this gear will make you a more popular content creator, be we can say with conviction that you won’t be able to blame the equipment if you don’t.

BTW, Canon sells refurbished merchandise on their website. Score the gear you want at a price lower than street.

Want to stay on top of the latest in Content Creation? Join the Shutterbug Community!
Sign up for an account—it’s easy and FREE. Subscribe to our FREE newsletter (find the sign-up form on our homepage) and bookmark Shutterbug as a Favorite on your browser.

Visit our Gallery section and spend five minutes or less uploading your best shots once a week. You might even become a Shutterbug Photo of the Day photographer!

In the Galleries, you’ll see the incredible work of thousands of photographers from around the world. We encourage you to add your own images to our ever-growing collection. It’s an excellent platform to connect with other photographers and share your knowledge and passion for photography.

(If you’re worried that submitting images to the Photo of the Day gallery might be complicated, it’s not. Check out these short 1-2-3 directions.)

—Jon Sienkiewicz

The Shutter Priority mode, often labeled “S” or “TV” on your exposure dial, provides you with full control over this key setting while the camera automatically adjusts aperture to arrive at accurate light. Today’s video below from the Hamed Photography YouTube channel adds an interesting twist that makes this approach to exposure even more useful than you thought.

When paired with Auto ISO, the combination becomes a powerful, semi-automatic exposure tool that allows you to freeze motion, capture the peak of action, and adapt quickly to ever-changing illumination—without wasting time messing around with other camera settings.

Hamed explains the simple technique like this: “It’s especially helpful in fast-paced situations like sports, street, wildlife, and event photography where both speed and exposure accuracy really matter.” In other words, just set the desired shutter speed and your camera will handle the rest.

Hamed presents an overview of the individual benefits of both Shutter Priority mode and your camera’s Auto ISO setting. Then you’ll learn how using these options in tandem can provide significantly greater results—especially if you include the pro tricks he recommends.

In basic terms shutter priority controls motion blur—with a fast shutter freezing movement and slower speeds doing the opposite. But here’s the rub: “Unless lighting is constant, accurate exposures can become really tricky.”

ISO, on the other hand, determines your sensor’s sensitivity to light, and in manual or semi-automatic modes ISO adjustments help maintain the correct exposure IF shutter speed or aperture are fixed—and that a really important “if”  to keep in mind.

Here’s how Hamed summarizes the power of combining shutter priority with Auto ISO: It works great for beginners, provides enhanced speed and flexibility, and is very responsive in variable light. And all this frees you up to spend more time concentrating on creative composition.

Hamed walks you through how all this works, and then he concludes the video with several foolproof pro tips for making the most of this transformational technique. Be sure to check out the other how-to videos on his popular YouTube channel.

And on a related note, don’t miss the tutorial we featured earlier with an award-winning Australian pro who demonstrates five wildlife photography fundamentals that will significantly increase your odds of success.

Most modern mirrorless cameras and DSLRs offer at least one dedicated button for creating custom settings that facilitate the type of images you shoot most, and even some advanced compacts offer this powerful oft-ignored feature. In the next 10 minutes you’ll learn why and how to simplify your life by creating custom settings that match your personal needs.

If, like most of us, you’re missed an amazing, fleeting opportunity while fiddling with camera settings, this must-see tutorial from Mark Denney will quickly solve your woes. He’s a globally popular landscape shooter with over 300K avid subscribers to his instructional YouTube channel, so when Denney speaks it’s wise to pay attention.

Denney kicks off the quick episode like this: “I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit and in this video I’ll show you how assigning just one custom button can completely change how fast you shoot.” It’s a simple tweak that made a dramatic difference in his workflow, and it can do the same for you.

As you’ll see, custom camera settings are particularly valuable in situations when there’s very little time to react, like photographing fast-moving wildlife or during rapidly changing weather conditions. Denney insists that once you get aboard you’ll never shoot without custom settings again.

The good news is that Denney describes how the process works for just about any camera you own, whether it’s a Fuji, Canon, Sony, or Nikon, and it’s pretty much the same with other brands too. Keep in mind that Denney’s favorite custom camera settings may differ from those that make the most sense for you, but his clear illustrations demonstrate how easy it is to configure things properly for your specific genre and style of photography.

Give this a try over the weekend and you can thank us later. There are many more helpful tips and techniques on Denney’s YouTube channel, especially if landscape photography is your thing.

And speaking of in-camera outdoor photography techniques, be sure you didn’t miss the tutorial we featured yesterday with a notable Danish landscape specialist who demonstrates how how easy it is to capture breathtaking Blue Hour photographs.

Most modern mirrorless cameras and DSLRs offer at least one dedicated button for creating custom settings that facilitate the type of images you shoot most, and even some advanced compacts offer this powerful oft-ignored feature. In the next 10 minutes you’ll learn why and how to simplify your life by creating custom settings that match your personal needs.

If, like most of us, you’re missed an amazing, fleeting opportunity while fiddling with camera settings, this must-see tutorial from Mark Denney will quickly solve your woes. He’s a globally popular landscape shooter with over 300K avid subscribers to his instructional YouTube channel, so when Denney speaks it’s wise to pay attention.

Denney kicks off the quick episode like this: “I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit and in this video I’ll show you how assigning just one custom button can completely change how fast you shoot.” It’s a simple tweak that made a dramatic difference in his workflow, and it can do the same for you.

As you’ll see, custom camera settings are particularly valuable in situations when there’s very little time to react, like photographing fast-moving wildlife or during rapidly changing weather conditions. Denney insists that once you get aboard you’ll never shoot without custom settings again.

The good news is that Denney describes how the process works for just about any camera you own, whether it’s a Fuji, Canon, Sony, or Nikon, and it’s pretty much the same with other brands too. Keep in mind that Denney’s favorite custom camera settings may differ from those that make the most sense for you, but his clear illustrations demonstrate how easy it is to configure things properly for your specific genre and style of photography.

Give this a try over the weekend and you can thank us later. There are many more helpful tips and techniques on Denney’s YouTube channel, especially if landscape photography is your thing.

And speaking of in-camera outdoor photography techniques, be sure you didn’t miss the tutorial we featured yesterday with a notable Danish landscape specialist who demonstrates how how easy it is to capture breathtaking Blue Hour photographs.

Most modern mirrorless cameras and DSLRs offer at least one dedicated button for creating custom settings that facilitate the type of images you shoot most, and even some advanced compacts offer this powerful oft-ignored feature. In the next 10 minutes you’ll learn why and how to simplify your life by creating custom settings that match your personal needs.

If, like most of us, you’re missed an amazing, fleeting opportunity while fiddling with camera settings, this must-see tutorial from Mark Denney will quickly solve your woes. He’s a globally popular landscape shooter with over 300K avid subscribers to his instructional YouTube channel, so when Denney speaks it’s wise to pay attention.

Denney kicks off the quick episode like this: “I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit and in this video I’ll show you how assigning just one custom button can completely change how fast you shoot.” It’s a simple tweak that made a dramatic difference in his workflow, and it can do the same for you.

As you’ll see, custom camera settings are particularly valuable in situations when there’s very little time to react, like photographing fast-moving wildlife or during rapidly changing weather conditions. Denney insists that once you get aboard you’ll never shoot without custom settings again.

The good news is that Denney describes how the process works for just about any camera you own, whether it’s a Fuji, Canon, Sony, or Nikon, and it’s pretty much the same with other brands too. Keep in mind that Denney’s favorite custom camera settings may differ from those that make the most sense for you, but his clear illustrations demonstrate how easy it is to configure things properly for your specific genre and style of photography.

Give this a try over the weekend and you can thank us later. There are many more helpful tips and techniques on Denney’s YouTube channel, especially if landscape photography is your thing.

And speaking of in-camera outdoor photography techniques, be sure you didn’t miss the tutorial we featured yesterday with a notable Danish landscape specialist who demonstrates how how easy it is to capture breathtaking Blue Hour photographs.

Some styles of photography cry out for specific types of lenses (although we’re strong proponents of experimenting beyond common conventions). Wide focal lengths, for example, are the primary choice of landscape shooters, while very few experienced wildlife photographers would venture out in the field without a long telephoto of 400mm or more.

Portrait photography, indoors or out, is a bit different because there’s a range of useful focal lengths that will get the job done, depending upon the specific look desired and whether or you want to inject a bit of creative distortion into a shot. This tutorial runs you through the most popular options and what to expect.

Instructor Mamad Hormatipour is a photographer, director and educator based in Stockholm whose long list of clients include notable brands like Coca Cola, Ben & Jerrys, and Hitachi Energy. His goal for today’s episode is to “explore the ideal focal length for taking mesmerizing portraits that will leave your audience in awe—so matter if you are just starting out or a more experienced portrait photographer.”

As Mamad says, “from wide-angle lenses to telephoto lenses we’ll cover it all and help you understand what works best for different portrait styles.” In short, this quick episode is a must-see for anyone looking to elevate their portraiture game.

Mamad begins with environmental portraits shot on the street with a beautiful model. He uses various lenses from 24mm to 200mm to capture the same basic setting, thereby illustrating how the appearance of the subject is rendered as focal length changes. Sometimes in a very good way, and other times, well, not so much.

There’s a list in the description beneath the video with the lenses, cameras, and other gear that Mamad prefers, along with links where the items can be purchased. That said, the valuable tips he provides in this video generally apply to whatever equipment you currently own.

There’s much more to learn about portraiture and other popular styles of photography on the Mamad Hormatipour YouTube channel.

Macro photography is another genre where focal length plays an important role. So be sure to watch the recent tutorial we featured that discusses lens choice, compositional tips, and recommended camera settings when closeups are the name of the game.

This comprehensive guide is designed to help you discover the magic of Blue Hour landscape photography and capture the best images possible during this beautiful time of day just before sunrise or shortly after the sun drops below the horizon.

Experienced outdoor photographers love shooting during these fleeting moments when soft shades of violet and blue paints the landscape. Today’s straightforward advice from Mads Peter Iversen will enable you to capture stunning, tranquil scenes as the sky transitions through a variety of cool and moody tones.

Iversen is an acclaimed Danish pro whose popular YouTube channel sets aside gear evaluations in favor of inspirational techniques for landscape shooters of all skill levels who want to infuse their imagery with a bit of artistry and emotion. He says his goal is to create instructional videos that are as timeless as possible.

Iversen covers a lot of ground in the next 12 minutes, beginning with a quick discussion about the differences between civil, nautical and astronomical twilight. Timing is crucially important for this subset of  landscape photography, so it’s important to have a pretty good idea of how long Blue Hour will last wherever you happen to be.

The discussion also provides recommendations for several key camera settings, including exposure setting for arriving at an appropriate compromise between shutter speed, aperture, and ISO as colors quickly fades from the sky. As you’ll see, deft framing skills also play a very important role .

Iversen then takes a deep dive into advanced techniques such as multiple exposures and time blending. He also explains how to use a polarizing filter on your lens to enhance images and accentuate the captivating Blue Hour effects.

Iversen’s popular YouTube channel has almost 250K avid subscribers who appreciate his game-changing landscape photography shooting and post-processing advice.

And speaking of visual storytelling and mood-packed photographs, be sure to watch the recent we posted with a 20-year veteran who explains how she unlocks “color power” in the camera to capture photographs full of emotion and compositional excellence.