There’s one sure way to take your photography to the next level: Shoot images with a totally different look from those you’ve captured in the past. You can do this by switching up the subject matter, trying a different technique, or composing images from an unusual vantage point—either high or low.

The video below demonstrates another way to capture images that will stand out from the crowd—by using negative space to capture minimalist photos with a sense of mystery and drama. This tutorial comes to us from the Photography Course YouTube channel—a pioneer in free online photography training and education.

Instructor Taya Iv demonstrates how easy it is to use this powerful technique in less than five minutes. She discusses camera settings, composition and more. By following her advice you’ll able to direct a viewer’s eye to exactly where you want it to go, and give you photos a compelling sense of “atmosphere” or emotion.

Iv says, “This is a very simple approach, but it can have a very big impact on your work.” She notes that this style is similar to shooting images for book covers, except that you’re not constrained to a vertical orientation and you don’t have to worry about type placement or other graphic elements.

This technique works great whether you’re shooting indoors or outside, and the lesson is illustrated with a number of powerful photos to give you a some inspiration. As you’ll see, the first step is finding an interesting subject in an isolated space. This can be a beach scene with a lonely shell or starfish in the sand, an empty field with a featureless sky, or just about anything else that grabs your fancy.

She explains that a few minor distracting elements or textures behind your subject won’t spoil the effect, as long as you use the widest lens aperture available to minimize depth of field. She demonstrates a number of other ways to get the job done, including what she refers to as “flat lay photography.”

This technique is also very effective for shooting indoor portraits against a bright window that’s covered with a semi-transparent curtain. Ivy has a few other tricks up her sleeve, so take a close look and start visualizing things differently today.

This video is episode #25 of the “52-Week Project” that’s full of other interesting techniques, and we encourage you to click on this link and explore.

Be sure to check out a tutorial we posted in a similar vein to this one, explaining a simple method for capturing unique nature and wildlife photos.

Dynamic Range is an important concept that most photographers claim to understand. But ask for an explanation of exactly how it works, and you may receive a blank stare. The quick tutorial below from the popular Booray Explains series covers everything to know about how Dynamic Range affects your photos.

This concept is particularly important when shooting high contrast outdoor scenes with a wide range of tones from bright highlights to deep shadows. That’s because, in basic terms, Dynamic Range refers to a camera’s ability to capture everything from pure black to the brightest whites.

Some cameras offer significantly more Dynamic Range than others, which is why this variable should be one of the specs you review closely before buying a new model. And regardless of the camera you use, Dynamic Range affects both the settings you choose and how you edit your work,

Instructor Booray Perry is very popular among Shutterbug readers for his ability to make seemingly complicated issues easy to understand. He also infuses his lessons with some funny stuff—making them fun to watch.

To put things in perspective, Perry says “the human eye has 21-24 stops of Dynamic Range, while a high-end camera may only have 15.” These numbers make it easy to understand why what you see through the viewfinder may look dramatically different than the image you shot. 

Perry describes Dynamic Range like this: “It’s the number of different shades of brightness that your eye or a camera’s sensor can detect,” and he includes a simple graphic illustrating this point. Even more interesting is Perry’s answer to this rhetorical question: “If the human eye can detect 24 levels of brightness, but your camera can only detect and display 15, what happens to the missing levels?”

Now that he has your attention, Perry moves on to practical matters. He describes why Dynamic Range really matters, and how to deal with difficult lighting with whatever camera you have.

There’s are many more quick explainers on Perry’s YouTube channel, along with the occasional joke, so pay a visit and subscribe if you haven’t already done so.

You may also want to watch the tutorial we posted from Perry last month, explaining the concept of bokeh and how to use it for attention-grabbing photos.

Fujifilm just announced the introduction of the INSTAX MINI 12, worthy successor to the well-liked MINI 11, and Shutterbug was allowed to run a sample through its paces several days prior to the launch. Consistent with instant photography’s shoot-and-share mindset, the MINI 12 is a fun, easy-to-use camera that we expect to be well received.

While maintaining the core features of the INSTAX MINI 11, the MINI 12, priced at MSRP $79.95, adds useful new features including parallax correction capabilities that enhance composition accuracy when shooting closeups, automatic flash control and a convenient multi-function twist lens.

Fujifilm’s INSTAX website boldly reads, “don’t just take, give.” Their brand philosophy suggests that INSTAX photos are something of a mucilage that bonds humans together. Who can argue against that? Fujifilm sells millions and millions of INSTAX cameras annually worldwide. And they say it’s “Because we know an INSTAX photo isn’t something you take, it’s something you give.”

Still, in a world where digital photography is practically free after the initial camera purchase and seemingly everyone has a smartphone capable of mimicking a digital camera, instant cameras that require the ongoing purchase of consumable film packs and produce comparatively small images are something of a head-scratcher. That said, there’s no arguing with success. Fujifilm created a market niche by thoroughly understanding the primary audience for this product line and building attractive merchandise ideally suited to capture it.

INSTAX UP! Smartphone App
Perhaps of greater long-term significance, Fujifilm collaterally announced the launch of its free INSTAX UP! smartphone app. Aiming, perhaps, for the best of both the analog and digital worlds, INSTAX UP! empowers users to scan, import, organize and share digitized images of the hardcopy prints produced by any INSTAX camera or printer. It also allows users to import photos from earlier INSTAX apps, including INSTAX MINI LINK and the INSTAX LINK WIDE apps.

INSTAX MINI 12: Who is it for?
Want to be the life of the party or spread instant joy among a group of your friends? Snap candid INSTAX shots and bring smiles to some faces as you share the prints. While we have no hard data to back our speculation, our intuition informs us that INSTAX cameras are aimed toward younger users who appreciate the immediate—and tangible—gratification that a digital camera cannot deliver.

Camera Build & Handling
Although modestly priced and primarily plastic, the Fujifilm INSTAX MINI 12 is sturdy and appears to be quite durable. Shaped to enforce vertical portrait orientation, the MINI 12 features a forward-facing selfie mirror and an easy-to-reach shutter release button.

It’s a bit too large, perhaps, for the hands of a six-year-old, but its dimensions are suitable for most users.

Camera Features & Performance
Twist the lens, turn it on. Point and shoot, and hear the quite motor magically fabricate your image. Twist a bit further and enter the Closeup Mode. There’s a center aiming circle that aids with composition, and a built-in flash for dim situations or secondary fill.

Image Quality
For veteran (and most novice) digital camera users, the prints shade toward being under-saturated and a bit low in contrast.  But up against comparable instant print cameras, the quality is in line.

Conclusion
The Fujifilm INSTAX 12 is a fun little camera. There is a clear sense of anticipation when the motor whirrs and the print is ejected, and even more while waiting for it to reach full development.

Cost per print could be an issue. We found 100 exposure bulk packs of INSTAX MINI film at Walmart for $62. That was a better price than we found on Amazon, where typical cost averaged around $40 for 50 shots. According to our admittedly limited research, cost-per-shot is between 62¢ and 80¢ depending on how and where you buy supplies.

The images are small (it’s a MINI after all) and not tack-sharp. You would not be happy using this camera to memorialize your child’s high school graduation. But then again, that’s not its purpose. It is a shoot-and-share camera, and in that role it absolutely rocks.

Scorecard:

Pros

• Great design and color variations

• Easy to use for people of all ages

• Attractive features for a very modest price

• INSTAX UP! smartphone app is exciting addition

Cons

• Cost per shot is high

• Images are not tack-sharp and lack color saturation

Pricing and Availability
The Fujifilm INSTAX MINI 12 instant camera will be available in Blossom Pink, Mint Green, Clay White, Lilac Purple, and Pastel Blue. Expect to see them all at retail around mid-March 2023. MSRP is $79.95.

For more information and some cool videos, check out Fujifilm’s INSTAX website.

—Jon Sienkiewicz