Just so you’re not confused, this is the second tutorial of the day from two German landscape pros with the same first name. This one is from Christian Mohrle of the PHLOG Photography YouTube channel—not Christian Irmler who is responsible for the earlier discussion on using different aspect ratios for more effective landscape photos.

As most Shutterbug readers already know, Mohrle is particularly adept at presenting editing tips for images with a unique look so they stand out from the crowd. Today’s episode demonstrates how to give images a soft, dreamy glow with few straightforward steps in Photoshop.

If you want to follow along as Mohrle explains the process, make sure to download his Raw file via the link in the description beneath the video. This technique works equally well whether you’re using Photoshop’s Camera Raw editor or Lightroom.

This interesting method makes use of “Negative Clarity and Negative Dehaze” to create the inviting effect. Like always, Mohrle begin with a few basic global adjustments to prepare the image for the selective adjustments that follow. The first step is changing the profile from Adobe Color to Adobe Standard to slightly lessen Contrast.

Mohrle then expands the Basic panel and modifies White Balance for warmer tones, further reduces Contrast, brings up the blacks, and drops the highlights. He also drops shadows just a notch. At this point he’s says, “The image looks quite good, and we now can make use of Negative Clarity and Negative Dehaze for a very, very dreamy, glowing effect.” As you’ll see, this reduces details in the image.

Now it’s time to open the Masking panel and get to work on a few selective adjustments. Mohrle is primarily interested in the foreground, and he employs a linear gradient for the simple adjustments. He brings up Contrast to make shadows slightly deeper, and increases whites to introduce more brightness to the brightness parts of the foreground.

Mohrle then adds a second liner gradient to the very bottom of the shot to further refine the results. The goal here is to restore details to this portion of the photo for a sharper look. He does this by restoring some of the Clarity he took away during the initial steps of the edit.

At this point the transformation is almost complete. All that remains is simple, color grading and careful dodging of the highlights. We think you’ll be impressed after comparing Mohrle’s before/after images.

There are many more helpful tips on editing outdoor photographs on Mohrle’s instructional YouTube channel, so be sure to take a look. We also recommend watching the tutorial we posted recently from another accomplished pro, explaining the best way to shoot landscape photos with an ultra-wide lens.

The concept of “aspect ratio” is a basic consideration regarding composition that can have a significant impact on how images are perceived. And there’s far more to this than you may realize.

Some photographers think all that’s involved is a decision to frame a scene in either a vertical or horizontal orientation. But as you’ll see in the tutorial below, there’s much more that factors into the equation. One is creative cropping, and another is whether to modify the native aspect ratio of the camera you use—which varies from one model to another.

German landscape pro Christian Irmler makes the emphatic claim that a thoughtful use of aspect ratio can make the difference between a world-class image and one that’s “just plain rubbish.” And while he explains this concept in terms of landscape photography, it’s equally important with just about every image you shoot.

The emphasis in this episode is the impact of aspect ratio on the viewer’s experience. He begins with the oft-ignored fact that different camera sensors lead to different aspect ratios. Full-frame and APS-C models, for example, typically have a 2:3 ratio, while the aspect ratio of micro four thirds cameras is 3:4.

The point here is that you’re not stuck with these default formats because they can usually be modified in the settings menu to render a scene in the most effective manner possible. Irmler demonstrates why “it doesn’t make sense to always use the aspect ratio given by the camera when crafting an image”—especially when the format be changed with a single click.

In other words, the aspect ratio you choose—especially when shooting landscapes—should be based upon what elements in a scene are important to include, and other elements you wish to exclude from the composition.

Thoughtful cropping is another way to adjust the framing if you don’t feel an image image you captured is as effective as possible after viewing it on the computer. Irmler has some important tips for doing it right. He also explains that most lenses are sharpest in the center, with a drop-off in quality at the edges of the frame.

That’s why Irmler prefers to crop a bit off both sides of an image when appropriate, rather that do more extensive cropping on just one side. He has several other great tips too.

You can find more helpful shooting advice on Irmler’s instructional YouTube channel, and in an earlier tutorial we posted with a simple guide to everything you need you know for making eye-popping photographs with long exposures.

The biggest buzz this month was definitely caused by the introduction of the Nikon Z8. Earlier this weekend, the Photography Life team got our hands on two copies of this long-awaited camera. I’m guessing that as I’m writing this Photography News, Spencer is hiking somewhere in the mountains around Denver to share his experience with the Z8 for landscape photography. Meanwhile, I took advantage of the Nikon Z8’s more compact size (compared to the Z9) and carried it with me for the start of the climbing season in northern Czech Republic. More Z8 photos, including Spencer’s and my observations, will follow soon.

Using a hard shell case to protect sensitive camera gear has its advantages—until you try to carry it for a few miles over rough terrain. So professional photographer Laurens Parsons, founder of RucPac, invented the Hardcase Strap system that effectively turns your hard-sided case into a backpack. This is just one of the many useful and innovative products in the RucPac photo accessory stable.

Not yet a household name in the US, RucPac first appeared on our radar back in 2015 when we were doing a story about cold weather accessories. Lo and behold, it’s 2023 and we’re still using the RucPac gloves we bought eight years ago.

RucPac Pro Hardcase Strap for any Hardcase
Call it a Backpack Harness if you will, RucPac Pro Hardcase Strap effectively converts almost any hardcase into a backpack. It’s compatible with many models from Pelican, Peli, SKB, Nanuk, Seahorse, HPRC, Max, B+W, Explorer, Vanguard, Rimowa, Away and Zarges.

Standard RucPac Hardcase Strap
The Standard RucPac Hardcase Strap is for wheeled hard cases.

Because a shell-type case itself is hard, and would otherwise be rough on your back, the Hardcase Straps have abundant padding in the shoulder area and straps where the weight is distributed. Even when the strap system is in attached to a case, you can access the contents and roll the wheels. Also, the strap attaches and detaches quickly and can be stored easily inside the case.  

This video on YouTube tells the story best.

The RucPac Pro Hardcase Strap ($149) and Standard Hardcase Strap ($99) can be ordered from RucPac.

RucPac Focus, Tech & Halo Professional Headlamps
Three styles of high-quality, impact and weather-resistant headlamps from RucPac, the Focus model has a maximum output of 1000 lumens and features a focusable beam. It runs on 4 AA-size batteries for 6 to 24 hours depending on use. It tips the scale at 200 grams (7 ounces).

The RucPac Tech model headlamp delivers 300 lumens and includes a red light to preserve night vision. It operates on 3 AAA-size batteries and weighs just 100 grams (3.5 ounces).

The light-weight Halo pushes out 200 lumens and weights but 50 grams (1.8 ounces). If you ever have to change a tire in the dark, you’ll be very happy you keep a Halo in your car.

Focus costs $99. The Tech headlamp sells for $49. Halo headlamp is $39. All can be ordered from RucPac.

RucPac Professional Tech & Extreme Tech Gloves
Perfect for photographers (including smartphone photographers) RucPac gloves are designed for operating tech equipment. They are touchscreen compatible and communicate sensory feedback. Both versions feature rubberized palms for better gripping and weather resistance.

The Extreme Tech gloves are mittens that open to expose gloved or bare fingers. You can wear Professional Tech Gloves inside Extreme Tech Gloves for extra cold weather protection.

Available in three sizes (see website for measurements), RucPac Professional Tech Gloves cost $39 and are available on Amazon. RucPac Extreme Tech Gloves are $59 and can be ordered from Amazon. You can also order directly from RucPac.

Worldwide shipping from RucPac is free. Note that RucPac uses PayPal’s secure payment system to handle orders (you do not need a PayPal account) and PayPal’s currency exchange rate for international orders. RucPac is headquartered in Wiltshire, UK.

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