What if an experienced pro told you that one simple shooting technique can instantly improve every image you capture in the great outdoors? This may sound implausible, at least until you watch the following video from the Gary W YouTube channel.

Gary is an eclectic shooter whose portfolio spans a variety of popular genres, and he doubles down on his enticing claim: “This very simple trick doesn’t require any special camera or lens to perform and can be use with different kinds of subjects from landscape photography to portraiture, street photography, and travel photography.”

So what is this magic formula for “transforming a boring shot into a masterpiece? According to Gary, all that’s necessary is to “add a carefully considered foreground” whenever you compose a scene. This oft-ignore solution is particularly helpful for capturing a viewer’s attention when shooting with wide-angle lenses.

At first glance this strategic advice may sound easier said than done, but it simply involves a change in mindset and how you view the world around you. Gary illustrates his tips with a variety of inspirational examples to help you understand how easy this is to do.

Once you carefully consider the possibilities you’ll discover numerous elements that can be used to boost foreground impact, and Gary’s examples include impressive rock formations, colorful plants, interesting trees, man-made structures, and even people within the scene that help tell a story.

Taking this approach is a great way to add interesting depth and dimension to a photo because of the “layering effect” it creates. You’ll also see how properly placed foreground subjects will add balance to a shot, particularly if it complements the rest of the scene.

In other words, if the photo feels heavy on one side, an intriguing foreground object on the opposite side of the frame will balance out the shot for a much more cohesive effect. Sometimes a strong foreground element will add a sense of scale to what lays beyond, while in other instances it can be used as a framing device to accentuate your main subject.

The foregoing is just a glimpse into what you’ll learn in this context-changing episode, and you’ll find yourself taking advantage of Gary’s suggestions whenever you’re shooting in the field. Gary’s instructional YouTube channel is well worth a visit for anyone who makes images outdoors.

We also suggest watching a tutorial we featured recently with another successful pro who explains why it’s “essential” to choose the most appropriate ISO setting for every photograph you shoot. Put simply: ISO is not a set-it-and-forget-it proposition.

Shooting great outdoor photographs in perfect light is often quite simple, enabling us to capture impressive images that require a minimum of post processing. Unfortunately, things get far more challenging under less favorable conditions as you’ll see in this quick tutorial from the Photography with Rich YouTube channel.

Rich is an experienced pro, specializing in practical no-nonsense nature and wildlife photography videos describing straightforward techniques that photographers of skill levels can use to capture enchanting images that really grab attention.

This episode is all about dealing with low light, whether that means shooting on overcast days, in the shade, or when the sun is about to drop below the horizon. Rich puts it like this: “I believe that great low light photography comes down to one single factor, and that is getting the correct shutter speed.”

In less than five minutes Rich explains the settings he recommends for different situations, as well as a few pro techniques for making the task far less difficult when light just isn’t right. He demonstrates his approach in the context of wildlife imagery, but the tricks you’ll learn will prove equally valuable for all types of outdoor photography in in dim situations.

Most of you know that a fast shutter speed is important for freezing action, like birds in flight or a twitchy squirrel in the example Rich provides. But as the shutter speed increases, the amount of light entering your camera decreases accordingly. In short, the challenge is this: “How fast a shutter speed can we get away with while correctly exposing a shot­.”

Another key consideration is that image noise rears its ugly head if we bump up ISO beyond reasonable limits to offset the fast shutter speed we choose based upon the aperture setting employed.

Rich runs you through all of the parameters beginning with the behavior of your subject; namely, are you photographing a static scene like a bird resting on a branch or is your subject in motion? Whether you’re shooting hand-held or with the camera atop a tripod also factors into the equation.

If you follow Rich’s advice you’ll understand everything necessary to “easily to nail the shot every time.” The Photography with Rich YouTube channel is a valuable resource for anyone who shoots in the field. So be sure to pay a visit and explore everything that’s available.

And on a related note, don’t miss the tutorial we featured recently with another accomplished pro who provides a straightforward primer that explains everything you need to know for jumping into the enhancing world of low key photography with simple gear.

Along with the a1 II announced earlier today, Sony also released a new FE 28-70mm f/2 GM lens! Although there are already a few 28-70mm lenses for Sony E mount, such as the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary, this will be the first with a very bright f/2 constant aperture. It follows in the footsteps of Canon who already has the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM, although it improves the concept in a few ways. Being a Sony GM lens, we can expect the highest quality from this new optic. What does this lens have to offer?

Newly appointed President and CEO of HSMAI, Brian Hicks, will be attending the HSMAI 7th Commercial Strategy Conference Middle East in Dubai