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 providing actionable steps that work every time.

Khan summarizes today’s episode like this: “From mastering gear and outdoor exposure, to understanding the importance of camera settings, we cover it all whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just getting started.” The methods he explains are provided in the context of large bison. Nonetheless, the tips you’ll learnwill work wonders with small subjects like birds and dark inanimate objects as well.

This crucial exposure decision will enable you to faithfully reproduce detail in fur, feathers, tree bark, and the like. Khan’s invaluable insights take less than 10 minutes to explain and are guaranteed to eliminate all exposure guesswork the next time you’re out and about with a camera.

Khan is in the field with a herd of bison moving through the frame, and he’s armed with a long telephoto zoom to avoid approaching these unpredictable beasts too closely. It’s not a particularly bright day, so his initial exposure settings are f/2.8, 1/1,600, at ISO 640. It’s important to keep in mind that he’s shooting hand-held.

Metering a scene accurately with the proper mode is absolutely essential with dark (or bright) subjects and Khan explains the process. Thoughtful composition is also part of the equation, especially for emphasizing the power of large subjects, and the vantage point and camera angle you choose goes a long way to fulfilling this goal.

We’ll leave it up to Khan to answer the question we asked up top and provide both the why and the how. But here’s a clue: “The bison is dark and I want it dark, but the camera is telling me to make it gray because that’s the camera’s job.” Now you got, right?

There’s much more to learn on Khan’s convivial YouTube channel, so be sure to pay a visit and take his advice to heart.

We also recommend watching a tutorial we featured earlier with another accomplished pro who demonstrates why “never shoot into the sun” is a rule you need to ignore if the goal is to capture stunning landscape photographs instead of me-too snapshots.

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 able to get the job done with whatever DSLR or mirrorless camera you own, and Martin provides an easy-to-follow breakdown of all the appropriate settings for achieving accurate exposures. He also reveals the unique interplay between ISO, shutter speed, and aperture for this uncommon style of landscape photography

Just about any wide lens will get the job done and Martin has a few recommendations for optimum results. Martin discusses how to use other must-have equipment like tripods and remote shutter releases that help ensure that your shots are sharp and breathtaking. There are also several quick tips for shooting in Manual mode.

A lot more goes into achieving sharp images of the nighttime sky beyond configuring the camera properly. To that end Martin demonstrates a foolproof focusing technique that he promises will deliver precise results—whether you’re shooting wide-field landscape scenes or deep-sky subjects.

Martin’s guarantee is this: “I’ll share valuable tips and tricks that I’ve learned over the years to overcome common challenges so your next astrophotography adventure is a success.” So jump aboard, get out there this weekend after dark, and photograph the sparkling nighttime sky with your newfound skills. It’s easier than you think.

Then take a trip to Martin’s popular YouTube channel where you’ll find many more instructional videos for all types of outdoor photography.

And be sure not to miss the comprehensive guide mentioned above so you’ll know exactly what to do the next time the Milky Way embelishes the sky.

A breathtaking photograph of a polar bear resting in a field of vibrant wildflowers has won the Nature Photography Contest 2024. Captured by Christopher Paetkau, the award-winning image, titled Polar Bear Amid Fireweed Blooms, encapsulates the beauty and serenity of the Arctic wilderness.

Contest organizers praised the image as a stunning example of nature photography. “With its colors, composition, and underlying message, Christopher Paetkau’s photograph represents the very essence of nature and photography,” the Nature Photography Contest stated. “It serves as a reminder of why we must cherish and protect our planet.”

Paetkau described the moment as “surreal,” recalling the awe-inspiring scene:

“A majestic polar bear wandering through a sea of blazing magenta fireweed. The golden hues of sunrise mixed with the vibrant blooms, creating a breathtaking backdrop as the bear hunted for Arctic Terns among the rocks. After a successful hunt, the bear nestled into the fireweed for rest. This fleeting experience was a powerful reminder of the raw magic and tranquility of the Arctic wilderness.”

Now in its second year, the Nature Photography Contest celebrates extraordinary wildlife and landscape photography from around the world. You can see all the winners of last year’s competition here. Entries for the 2025 competition are now open—find out how to enter here.

Looking for more award-winning wildlife photography? Check out the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards winner—an unforgettable snapshot of a squirrel hilariously stuck in a tree. See the photo here.

Outdoor Photographer will soon relaunch its highly anticipated photo contests, offering photographers the chance to get featured in the magazine and win exciting prizes. Stay tuned for updates—visit our website regularly for contest details and entry information.

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