If you’re looking for a simple editing tool that will give your images exactly the look you envision, the tutorial below is for you. In less than five minutes you’ll learn how to use Lightroom’s Tone Curve to brighten or darken the tones of an images and create a variety of moods.

The video below is from our friends at the Photo Fitness Academy, a great source of Photoshop and Lightroom tutorials designed to help refine your workflow and achieve more compelling images—using methods that are fast and repeatable.

David Buck is a Canadian pro and an adept instructor who bases his photo-editing tips on “a lifetime of experience.” Despite the fact that this episode is super simple, and is only five minutes in length, Buck says that by following his advice you’ll achieve a more professional look with every image you edit.

Buck calls The Tone Curve “Lightroom’s best secret tool,” because, despite it’s power, many photographers fail to take advantage of everything it can do. In simple terms, the Tone Curve is a contrast adjustment tool. Or as Buck says, “It manages the lights, darks, highlights and shadows to deliver quick results that are either realistic in appearance or impart a special effect.

Buck explains why this tool is sigificantly more powerful than just using Lightroom’s contrast slider. The short answer is that it’s far more versatile for achieving precise results.

As you’ll see, this tool is best used near the end of the editing process, and Buck reveals a secret feature that will enable you to simply point and click to adjust the tonal range necessary for the specific look you’re after—all with just the touch of a button.

If this sounds too good to be true, we think you’ll quickly change your mind after watching Buck’s step-by-step demonstration.

After watching the video be sure to visit Buck’s instructional YouTube channel where you’ll find more easy editing tips and tricks.

We suggest you also check out a tutorial we posted earlier from another processing expert, explaining how to use Lightroom’s Color Calibration Tools.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and a beautiful portrait of your partner makes a meaningful gift. If she wants to showcase her figure for more intimate shots, that’s not difficult to do.

In the quick tutorial below from the Boudoir Guild, an instructional site for photographers of all skills levels, you’ll learn a few simple tips for shooting boudoir images that make you and your model proud. While this episode has a Valentine’s Day theme, the techniques discussed can be used all year long.

California-based Mike Lloyd began his career as a fashion photographer, eventually narrowing his focus to boudoir. He has a portfolio full of sensuous imagery and is known for his professional approach that starts with respect for his models. In other words, he’s not a creepy guy with a camera.

Even if you’ve never tried shooting boudoir, Lloyd’s three simple tips with get you up to speed, just in time for Valentine’ Day. He insists that by following his advice, you’ll “make the best freaking boudoir photos you could possibly give to your partner.”

These basic techniques don’t require special gear or the purchase of fancy attire. In fact, Lloyd says you’ll likely find a perfect outfit inside your model’s closet. He further explains that the best choice is the one that you’re subject feels comfortable wearing.So let her pick it out.

This may sound a bit strange, until you watch the video, but Lloyd says it’s possible you might find something for your model to wear within your own wardrobe. Examples include a shirt she really likes that you frequently wear on date night, or even a favorite sports jersey. With proper posing these items can make a really sensuous shot.

The lesson concludes with Lloyd’s favorite tip, which is to use “props that most photographers don’t think of.” By this is means avoiding trite and boring items, like bedroom sex toys or a feather boa, and finding something unique that fits the mood. He has a few helpful suggestions to get you started.

You can find just about everything you need for pursuing boudoir photography on Lloyd’s popular YouTube channel, so take a look and subscribe.

We also suggest you check out an earlier tutorial from Lloyd, with 10 flattering boudoir poses for models of all sizes and shapes.

The SnapGrip Creator Kit from ShiftCam lets you hold your smartphone like a camera, charges the battery, lights up the scene and provides a stable tabletop support. It’s very well made and practically attaches itself.

The smartphone has made its bones as a snapshot shooter, and in the hands of talented creators has evolved into a serious photographic tool. Resolution, color balance and sharpness are no longer the problems they once were, but there’s still one major flaw: their shape.

The SnapGrip from ShiftCam fixes the issue by providing a comfortable camera-like grip, complete with Bluetooth-enabled shutter release button. The grip is a 3200mAh battery that recharges your phone via MagSafe. It weighs about 4.5 ounces (127g) and has a clean-looking matte finish. Set up on its end, the SnapGrip becomes an ad hoc smartphone stand, perfect for Zoom connections. The SnapGrip is the core of a complete system. The engineering and design are outstanding.

The SnapGrip Creator Kit includes the SnapGrip and adds three additional, useful accessories. The gem here is the SnapLight, a mini-ring light that attaches to the SnapGrip magnetically. The SnapLight has a built-in rechargeable battery and can be flipped 180° to match shooting position. It also has a mirror in its center but it’s too small for proper selfie framing.

The other items included in the SnapGrip Creator Kit are the SnapPod and a protective fitted case. The SnapPod is another clever design. It can be attached to the included three-legged base and deployed as a tabletop tripod, or it can support the SnapLight and used separated from the smartphone.

Compatibility
ShiftCam boldly states that the SnapGrip is compatible with all smartphones. For non-MagSafe phones, they include an adhesive Magnetic Sticker.

Conclusion
This is a very impressive product that is very well devised. It’s truly a versatile, modular system that’s easy to snap together and completely intuitive to use. The SnapGrip with built-in battery is worth the price of admission, and when you add the SnapLight you have a very useful tool.

Clearly the SnapGrip Creator Kit works best with late-model iPhones that have MagSafe compatibility. I’m not sure how well it works on other smartphones. Personally, I’m reluctant to glue anything to an electronic device because the adhesive usually either works too well or not well enough. I didn’t try it so I’m expressing this anecdotally.

Price and Availability
You can order your ShiftCam SnapGrip Creator Kit directly from ShiftCam. Regular price is $149 and there are five color variations to choose from. Alternatively, you can visit the ShiftCam Store at amazon.com.

If you step yourself up to the SnapGrip Creator Kit Plus you receive everything in the Creator Kit and a SnapShoe and ProMic. Even higher up the product ladder, the SnapGrip Creator Kit Max includes all of the above plus a TravelPod Pro. Visit ShiftCam’s website for pricing and other details regarding the Plus and Max kits.

—Jon Sienkiewicz

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