Do you notice annoying dust spots on every photo you shoot, causing you to waste time cleaning things up during post processing? If so, a dirty sensor is the most likely culprit and this step-by-step guide will show you how to prevent sensor dust in the first place—and exactly what to do when it inevitably occurs.

Instructor John Peltier kicks off today’s important episode like this: “Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced photographer, this guide walks you through everything you need to know for keeping your camera’s sensor spotless and your photos looking their best.” He’s an experienced freelance travel and documentary photographer, and the methods he describes are both safe and easy to accomplish.

In barely 10 minutes Peltier explains why sensor cleaning is such an essential task, the best practices for changing lenses in the field, when to use a camera’s built-in sensor-cleaning feature, and how to use an affordable sensor-cleaning kit for spotless results. He also provides links to the necessary supplies in the description beneath the video.

Peltier takes you through what he calls “the escalation of steps—starting with prevention—because nobody wants to deal with a dirty sensor.” Proper lens-changing procedures are particularly important when shooting outdoors, especially in wet and dusty conditions. These preventative measures are especially necessary when shooting with a mirrorless camera because “the sensor is exposed to the environment every time a lens is removed.”

Another recommendation is to periodically examine the rear element of a lens and use a pocket air blower to remove any contaminants that could otherwise enter the camera and land on the sensor. Most modern camera’s include built-in sensor cleaning capabilities that shake dust off a sensor until more thorough maintenance procedures are required, and Peltier describes exactly how this works.

The reminder of the lesson is devoted to doing the dirty deed yourself, and Peltier walks you through getting the job done with confidence. You’re learn how to employ an air blaster, a sensor-cleaning swab kit, and a simple sensor-cleaning brush to accomplish this important task with precision. Just follow Peltier straightforward  advice and then utilize the preventive measures he recommends for keeping things pristine as long as possible.

There’s much more to learn on Peltier’s informative YouTube channel, so take a look and subscribe.

Whether you’re just getting started or a more experienced shooter, the tutorial below will change how to approach photography by explaining what types of lens filters are appropriate for your style of imagery and demonstrating how to use them. Dollar-for-dollar these simple accessories are perhaps the most valuable you can find, so pay close attention and then add a few filters to your kit.

Today’s eye-opening beginners guide come to us from the folks at Camera Zone, a popular YouTube channel created by professional photographers and enthusiasts  who produce how-to videos on a wide range of topics from gear reviews, post-processing tips, and in-depth buying advice.

Today’s nine-minute episode falls into the latter category by taking a deep dive into all the essentials of filters and explaining why they’re so popular among seasoned outdoor photographers. Bottom line: if your colors look flat, reflections are distracting, or light seems unmanageable, these affordable add-ons can quickly save the day.

Our unnamed instructor puts it like this: “Filters modify the light before it hits the camera sensor, resulting in effects that are sometimes impossible to achieve with post processing alone.” In fact, filters not only improve image quality, but they’ll also protect your expensive lenses from scratches, dust, water, and other environmental hazards.

First up are the economical UV filters that serve three basic purposes—namely, reducing ultraviolet light, eliminating atmospheric haze, and protecting the front element of a lens. Just remember that, as with all filters, quality is crucially important. So don’t try to save a few bucks by threading a “bargain” filter on a good lens.

Have you ever wondered how some landscape photographers make pale skies appear richer or water surfaces glare free? That’s the work of a polarizing filter that enables you to modify the effect—stronger or weaker—simply by rotating it’s front ring. In simple terms, Polarizers are valued for their ability to reduce reflections on lakes or when shooting through windows.

They also enhance color saturation and provide a vivid look to lush greenery, flowers, and inanimate objects. There are a few considerations to keep in mind, like your position relative to the angle of the sun and the possibility of deadening a photo or making it appear unrealistic by rotating a polarizer to the max.

As the lesson proceeds you’ll gain insight onto other popular filters and how to use them under various conditions you confront in the field. Then pay a visit to the Camera Zone YouTube channel for more transformative videos on gear and techniques.

And speaking of lenses, don’t’ miss the tutorial we featured earlier with another expert who demystifies the concept of focal length and explains why there’s much more to it that just magnification.