It’s surprising how infrequently some photographer’s clean the sensor in their cameras, all the while aiming for the best image quality possible. Dirty sensors cause a variety of problems, not the least of which are ugly dusts spots and other artifacts on every image you shoot.

Not only does sensor dust make your camera sad, but when combined with moisture it can lead to some really tenacious dirt. So suspend reality for a moment, imagine that you’re a sensitive electrical component, and then do what’s suggested in the important video below.

Instructor Christian Irmler is an Austrian pro and his begins this episode with an incredulous chuckle: “Photographers really exist who shoot outdoors, change their lenses out in the field, and NEVER clean their sensors.” And this is despite the fact dirt gets more and more resistant over time.

Irmler explains the importance of regular sensor maintenance and reveals a safe and simple hack that makes this process super easy.  And for those of you who have ignored this simple task for weeks, month, or even years, he demonstrates what you should do immediately or sooner. So watch it and get the job done.

It’s important to understand whether small specks on a photo result from sensor contamination, or they’re simply due to some dust on the front element on you camera lens (or filter). Irmler explains how to make this determination so that you don’t needlessly clean the sensor.

Irmler pulls out the simple and affordable maintenance tools he uses to keep filters, lenses and sensors functioning like new, and how to avoid image-killing dirt in the first place before it even becomes a problem.

You’ll learn the best way to swap lenses in the field, and why understanding the direction of the wind is the first thing you should consider. Other tips include leaning over the camera as you make the switch. Another key consideration is when and how a sensor can be contaminated even when you’re not changing lenses.

So please pay close attention to this video and clean up your act—regularly and with conviction. Your camera and photographs will thank you. Irmler’s instructional YouTube channel is full of shooting tips, gear recommendations and more, so do yourself a favor and check it out.

Then take a look on the important camera tutorial we featured earlier from another pro who explains how to verify the shutter count of your cameras and why this information really matters.

Let’s say your weekend plans include a casual hike with the family, photography isn’t part of the itinerary, and your “real” gear will be resting at home. But as nature would have it you stumble upon a beautiful scene that begs to be photographed, so you reach for your iPhone and quickly make a few shots before your kids scream “you promised keep that thing in your pocket.”

Today’s tutorial provides several helpful techniques for doing a much better job the next time around. The five minute lesson comes from the iPhone Photography School whose motto is that you don’t need expensive cameras or heavy gear to capture jaw-dropping photographs—with no more burred shots or disappointing missed opportunities.

The unnamed instructor puts it like this, “Whether you’re shooting sunsets, portraits, everyday moments, or landscapes, you’ll never see your photos the same way again.” Today’s episode concentrates on the latter and reveals powerful composition tips, camera settings, and a key iPhone feature for getting the job done with success.

The form factor of a phone munch different (some would say awkward) than what you’re used to with a mirrorless camera or DSLR and can have an impact on how we frame up our shots. So keep this in mind as the instructor provides several effective composition tips that he illustrates with spectacular iPhone photos that would make any of us proud.

Suggestions include the importance of changing your vantage point, experimenting with perspective, and varying camera angles to suite the specific scene at hand. Not only will this affect how your subject is lit by the sun, but you’ll see how a simple shit to the left, right, up, or down will often provide a big boost.

The instructor says that “the iPhone’s 1X setting typically provides the best view for capturing expansive vistas. With the camera configured according, he demonstrates how his first composition gains it’s power by taking advantage of a strong vertical line formed by the compelling, slanted peaks,

The discussion continues with a thoughtful discussion of the iPhone’s Panorama mode, describing the quick process of using it to advantage for capturing almost effortless ultra-wide images that really grab attention. Tips include dealing with movement and aligning mages to perfection.

There’s much more to learn, so grab your phone and experiment with these powerful tips as they’re explained. Then head out over the weekend and see what you’re able to create.

And for some more universal outdoor photography tips check out the recent tutorial we featured with a notable expert who demonstrates how to capture stunning urban landscape photographs when shooting after dark.

Landscape photographers are known for chasing some of nature’s grandest scenes. Towering mountains, panoramic seascapes, grand views of the Milky Way – all photos with a massive scale. But there’s another side of landscape photography, just as full of potential but often overlooked. It’s called the intimate landscape.

This is the favorite season of many experienced outdoor photographers because of the gorgeous colors that paint the landscape no matter where you live. Yet, it can be challenging to replicate the stunning autumn tones you witness in the field—especially when shooting in flat light.

Today’s Lightroom tutorial from the PHLOG Photography YouTube channel demonstrates how to get the job done in Lightroom while achieving a natural looking transformation with a straightforward technique that’s appropriate for users of all skill levels. As always, there’s a link beneath the video for downloading the sample Raw file to you can follow along in real time.

Instructor Christian Mohrle is a highly acclaimed landscape photographer who also knows his way around the computer, specifically when using Lightroom. This 22-minute episode describes everything you need to know for giving fall photos their due.

Those who’ve followed Mohrle in the past now that his edits adhere to a specific hierarchy, beginning with basic global adjustments, followed by selective enhancements using masks, and then finishing the job with color grading and any sharpening that’s required.

The preliminary adjustments begin by changing the profile from Adobe Color to Adobe Standard which provides more control over Contrast later on the in the process. Next Mohrle increases overall exposure, shadows, whites, and blacks, while dropping the Highlights. He then modifies White Balance for a warmer look, boosts Texture, and drops Clarity and Dehaze to introduce a subtle glow effect.

Now it’s time for the meat of the method; namely, introducing a few simple masks to selectively enhance colors in various portions of the scene. Mohrle walks you through every step of the way for making the necessary adjustments,

All that’s left is are a few color-grading tweaks and the aforementioned careful sharpening. Now the image faithfully captures the full splendor of fall! There’s much more to learn about shooting and editing landscape photos on the PHLOG Photography YouTube channel, so be sure that you take a look.

And don’t miss the helpful tutorial we featured with another post-processing expert who demonstrates a straightforward method for increasing depth and dimension in landscape photographs with four pro shooting and post-processing techniques,