There will be no more clumsily stacked mugs, chips or kitchen cupboard mess with this clever Amazon hack

Floral photography is a fun and accessible genre this time of year because there are beautiful blooms just about everywhere you look—at a local park or nature center, and even in the comfort of your own backyard. Best yet, you don’t need fancy equipment or advanced skills.

The challenge, of course, is capturing the essence of these colorful subjects with high-quality images that are far more inviting than mere snapshots. In this tutorial from the Andy H YouTube channel you’ll learn a few tricks that really deliver the goods whether you’re a beginner, an amateur, or even a pro with a different specialty.

Andy is a long-time nature photographer based in the UK with a portfolio full of compelling imagery. His goal for this episode is to help you shoot stunning flower photos that appear as though they were captured by a pro in the studio. All that’s required, apart from his expert advice, is a camera and lens, along with a couple very basic accessories.

This lesson is surprisingly comprehensive for a six-minute video, covering a variety of topics that include shooting techniques, leveraging the light, appropriate camera settings, and very helpful tips on composition. You’ll also see how simple, everyday equipment is all you really need. There’s a list of Andy’s preferred gear in the description beneath the video.

Andy employs varied techniques for different kinds of flowers, and his list of accessories is about as short and affordable as can be. He carries a couple sheets of small flexible plastic, one black and one white, to use as backgrounds, although paper cards will do just fine. He demonstrates how the position of these “backing sheets,” and their angle relative to the sun and the subject, will have a big impact on your results.

Another simple and very helpful piece of kit is the pocket-sized headlamp that Andy has in his bag in place of a more expensive and complicated flash. As you’ll see, this proves very valuable in dim conditions or when you simply want to “kiss” a flower with a bit of artificial illumination—even on bright days.

The only other “accessory” that comes into play is a water bottle that you likely already carry in the field. You may be surprised by the added impact that results from sprinkling a few water droplets on the petals of a bloom. So take a look at how Andy quickly combines these techniques and tools to create the spectacular shots that he displays as the lesson concludes.

Andy’s YouTube channel features a wide range of instructional videos on landscape photos, macro, and other outdoor subjects, so do yourself a favor and take a close look.

We also recommend watching the tutorial we posted earlier with a unique style of nature and wildlife photography from another pro who likes to keep things simple.

What if a post-processing expert revealed a single revision to your Photoshop workflow that would significantly improve every photo you edit? That should grab your attention in a hurry. And here’s the bonus (there’s another one below): This technique only takes five minutes to explain and it’s easy enough for users of all skill levels.

So what’s the second bonus? You’ll be able to download a free Photoshop plugin from instructor Steve Arnold and start using it today to simplify your edits. Arnold is a pro with this generous goal: “I want to help photographers level-up their Photoshop skills and create images to be proud of.” In today’s quick episode he does this in spades.

Arnold says his straightforward approach “changes everything by injecting every photo with more wow factor than ever before.” He begins by explaining the concept behind his strategy and then demonstrates how to put it into practice with a variety of commonly used Photoshop tools.

The prelude goes like this: One of the biggest problems this technique fixes is the use of inaccurate adjustments that lead to sloppy and amateurish results. The example he offers is an iconic painting of a Yosemite Valley scene by famed Albert Bierstadt. Arnold’s point is that “Bierstadt didn’t take a massive brush and cover the canvas with loads of paint in one giant brush stroke.” Rather he carefully and precisely painted exactly what he wanted to see exactly where he wanted to see it.”

The analogy is pretty clear: Making heavy-handed or sweeping adjustments is how many photographers edit their photos when dealing with brightness, contrast, saturation, sharpness, exposure, and other important variables. A better approach (and the key to Arnold’s technique) is to treat our photos like artists treat their paintings by making small, focused adjustments—often in a specific sequence.

With this subtle and targeted approach in mind, Arnold then demonstrates practical implications with several familiar Photoshop tools as he walks you through the steps he uses to enhance a few photos while avoiding overcooked results. Be subtle and be happy

We suggest taking a look at Arnold’s YouTube channel after watching the video for more important lessons like this one.

And don’t miss the tutorial we posted from another image-editing expert who explains a one-click solution for resolving a “big problem” with Photoshop’s Magic Wand tool that may result in unsightly selections.

As the world’s 20th largest city, with over 12.4 million people, Brazil’s São Paulo is dominated by concrete, factories, and human habitation. In such a metropolis, green space feels all the more precious. Perhaps no green space here is better-known than the beautiful and serene Jardim Botânico, or Botanic Gardens.