Sorry to spoil your afternoon with what one imaging expert calls a “huge” problem for those who process photos in Lightroom. But don’t despair because you’ll learn about this dilemma and how to fix it in barely five minutes.

Anthony Morganti is a widely acclaimed image-editing impresario who says that if you’ve never encountered a problem with Lightroom’s frequently used Healing tools there’s a good chance you will—unless you follow the simple advice he provides in this very quick episode.

As Morganti explains, the issue under discussion today occurs when using masking in tandem with any of Lightroom’s Healing tools. He demonstrates the problem with an unedited Raw file and then explains how to avoid it so you can cross this one off your list.

The episode begins with few a very simple edits in Lightroom’s Basic tab. Morganti opens up the shadows, brings in the highlights, finds a white point and black point, and adds a bit of texture, vibrance and clarity. So far so good.

But watch what happens after Morganti uses a simple mask to enhance the sky. These adjustments go according to plan, until he goes to Lightroom’s Healing tools panel and attempts to remove one of the small birds in the sky.

Now things get a bit dicey and it doesn’t matter which Healing tool you use, whether it’s the Content Aware brush, the Heal brush, or the Clone brush. He uses the Clone brush to illustrate the problem. Once he removes the bird, a visible outline remains. As you’ll see, the same thing occurs when Morganti uses the other two tools to get the job done.

Try it, you won’t like it. Even changing Opacity and Feathering doesn’t solve the problem. The good news is that this is the end of the bad news, as the last three minutes of the video demonstrate a quick and foolproof method to avoid ever encountering this dilemma.

You can find a wealth of editing tips and tricks like this one by paying a visit to Morganti’s popular YouTube channel, so do that as soon as you have time.

And check out last’s month’s tutorial, explaining how to use a “forgotten” Lightroom tool to banish ugly sensor spots.

Like many photographers using APS-C cameras you may be thinking about “moving up” to a full-frame model, while sifting through all the pros and cons before pulling the trigger. There’s a long list of variables to consider, including one that may not have to your attention.

Most of the comparisons between crop sensor and full-frame cameras concentrate on image-quality benefits, higher resolution, and a greater freedom to crop images when necessary. Other frequently discussed concerns include the impact of full-frame sensors when using wide and telephoto lenses, and the typical greater size, weight and cost.

There’s also the fact that most of the lenses you own (other than older glass from the days of 35mm) are likely incompatible with a full frame model—meaning a sizable investment in new glass beyond the cost of an upgraded camera.

There’s an additional factor that’s often overlooked; namely, the impact of sensor size on aperture performance. The tutorial below will end any confusion you may have on this issue in barely 10 minutes.

Photographer Booray Perry is also an adept instructor, posting unique tutorials on shooting techniques and interesting discussions about photo technology. He also includes a bit of humor in his lessons, so they’re also fun to watch. As you’ll see, this video was provoked by a message from a fan—questioning the use of APS-C cameras for shooting in low light.

Perry’s somewhat controversial (and tongue-in-cheek response: “How dare you sir? “Putting a full-frame lens on a camera with an APS-C sensor is like using a teleconverter, reducing the light reaching the sensor by 1.5 or 1.6. This turns your f/4 lens into something like f/6.”

His explanation is that a lot of the light passing through the lens is spilling off the unused edges of the smaller sensor. “Hence, the crop.” This is just the beginning of what is a very interesting discussion, that we’re sure will raise a lot of eyebrows. But keep an open mind, watch until the end, and then see what you think.

There’s a variety of helpful (and entertaining) advice on Perry’s instructional YouTube channel, so be sure to take a look.

And don’t miss the earlier tutorial we posted from another pro who discusses the dichotomy between how many megapixels you really need vs. how much resolution you want.

If you’ve been aching to switch from your bulky DSLR or underpowered compact to a mirrorless camera system but lack the dough to make it go, we have a solution for you. Get a trade in quote from MPB. MPB’s online appraisals are free and fast, and their assortment of used equipment is simply amazing.

Having the right camera equipment is key to enjoying photography. That doesn’t mean you always need to use the latest and greatest; it means that you need the gear that’s most suitable for the kind of photography you enjoy most. Attempting to shoot action sports or wildlife with the standard kit zoom that came with your camera, for example, is bound to leave you frustrated and dissatisfied. It’s a bit like an accomplished chef tying to prepare a banquet while armed with only a skillet.

There’s another situation that’s nearly as bad: unused gear taking up space in your equipment closet. Many photo enthusiasts own gear that they seldom use. If you have a  fisheye or macro lens, for instance, that you use just a few times a year, you maybe be better off if you trade it in for something you will use. Like they say, the only thing worse than not using the photo gear you have is not having the photo gear you want to use.

Make your dream of owning a new camera system a reality. When it’s time to trade or sell, many photo and video storytellers turn to MPB. MPB is the online platform to buy, sell or trade used photo and video gear. With a client base of more than 300,000 customers worldwide, a 5-star rating on Trustpilot and turnover of more than 300,000 pieces of used camera gear per year, MPB makes selling or trading your gear safe, simple and fast.

Out with the Old, in with the New
When you decide to change systems or shake up the equipment bag, you have several decisions to make. If your kneejerk reaction to moving out your seldom-used camera gear is posting it at an online auction site, think again. Online auctions tilt the table in favor of the buyer, not the seller. And the final sale price is an unknown. Plus you need to ship your camera stuff to a stranger who could be an honest person like you or could be a thieving monster incarnate.

Sell or trade with MPB and those risks totally disappear. MPB provides online appraisals so you know both sides of the equation from the beginning. MPB is a highly reputable business enterprise with thousands of customers worldwide. Incidentally, the average value received by MPB customers when selling gear is $900. Last but not least, MPB pays for the shipment of your trade in or sale item and after inspection immediately deposits your payment directly to your bank account. No hassle and no red tape.

Browse MPB’s extensive inventory of used gear. The assortment changes daily, so check in often. Right now you can choose from more than one hundred Sony Alpha cameras, for example, including full-frame mirrorless Sony Alpha 7 models, APS-C DSLRs and the Alpha compact series.

Or if you’ve always wanted to experience the rapture of the legendary colors produced by Fujifilm cameras, make a selection from an array of XT-4, X-H1 and X-100 series plus many other models.

You’ll find Canon and Nikon mirrorless cameras at MPB, too. For example, you can step up to a Nikon Z fc body for as little as $694 (products available at the time this is written, but don’t wait — the inventory changes constantly).

Thoroughly Inspected and Warrantied for 6 Months
You can rest assured when you buy a used product from MPB. Every traded in item is inspected carefully by trained technicians. Every used camera body or lens includes a 6-month warranty. When you browse through MPB’s extensive inventory, the item pictured in the listing is the exact item you receive, because every item is individually photographed, and the accurate condition is noted.

Dealing with MPB is as Easy as 1-2-3

1. Instant Quote
Visit MPB’s website for an online appraisal. It’s free and fast. Simply enter the model name and condition of the product you’re selling and indicate whether there’s another item you’d like to buy in exchange. Even if you’re not trading or selling, MPB is a great place to make your next purchase.

2. Free Shipping
Here’s another way you save. MPB pays for shipping when you send your gear in to verify the condition and consummate the deal. You can change your mind right until the last second, too.

3. Receive Payment
No waiting and no excuses. You get your money fast when you sell to MPB. As soon as MPB receives your gear, they check the items, confirm the quote and send the money to your bank account. Payment is quick and secure.

Open a free MPB account to unlock faster checkout, manage your transactions online and get more relevant content. The MPB website is a wealth of product information, pertinent interviews, podcasts, competitions, gear guides, how-to tips, videos and other items of interest to photo and video storytellers.

Trade in Tips: How to Maximize Value
1. Confirm that item is in good working order. Check out the main functions like shutter actuation, diaphragm operation, self-timer, and so on. For DSLR and mirrorless cameras, remove the lens and examine the sensor for scratches or spots. Lenses—look carefully into both ends to detect haze, mold fibers or scratches. This advice applies when buying used gear, too, BTW.

Spend a diligent moment carefully cleaning the exterior of the camera or lens. Use a soft microfiber cloth and remove dust and fingerprints from the LCD and all glass surfaces. Use a new, short-bristled paint brush to whisk dirt and grime from crevices and in-between areas. Do NOT clean the sensor or anything inside the camera—that’s a job for experts.

2. Locate and check all original accessories and original box, if possible, especially when selling items like exposure meters and flash units that use special accessories that may no longer be available. Absolutely, positively, definitely find the battery charger if there is one. When selling a camera body, attach the body cap to protect the sensor during shipping.

3. Be objective in your examination and appraisal. If the camera or lens has sentimental value, either set the emotions aside or don’t sell it. Be like the realtor who said, “My house is my home until I decide to sell it—then it becomes a wooden box.”

MPB uses five condition ratings. They check over your gear to confirm its actual condition, so don’t worry if you’re not sure which one to choose. For help deciding, check out this video.

• Like new – Mint condition, only minor wear • Excellent – minimal signs of wear, otherwise pristine • Good – fair amount of use, but well-kept; may have marks or scratches • Well used – significant use, noticeable signs of wear and tear • Heavily used – significant signs of wear and tear, primary functions still work.

4. Call out and disclose scratches and dings – which will be discovered anyway. A dent in the pentaprism doesn’t make a camera worthless or useless, but it does reduce the resale value. Put yourself in the other guy’s place—pretend that you are the buyer who wants to make sure everything is good.

5. After completing all of the above, wrap the equipment in bubble wrap (enough layers to ensure good protection) and place it in a sturdy box filled with foam chips. MPB will pay for insured shipment of the package.

Find Out What Your Trade in is Worth
Move your photography in a new direction today by visiting MPB and requesting a free, no risk online appraisal. Sell or trade in the system you’re tired of and start shooting with the gear you really want.

—Shutterbug Staff

Noise in digital photos can seriously degrade image quality, especially when shooting with budget gear, in much the same way grain is annoying in film photography. There are several editing techniques for cleaning up noisy shots, but today’s topic is banishing these ugly artifacts as much as possible in the camera.

As you might suspect, modern high-end cameras do a much better job of handling noise than their older counterparts or the budget models available today. That’s because of improved senor technology and significantly greater high ISO capabilities for shooting in low light or with long lenses.

Photographer Waseh Ahmad specializes in photo tutorials that work wonders with all kinds of cameras—from expensive pro models to those that are a fraction of the cost. The in-camera noise reduction methods discussed in the episode below are targeted at photographers on a budget.  Ahmad covers a lot of ground in less than 10 minutes and he discusses the misconception that simply lowering ISO is all that’s necessary for solving the problem. In fact, during a brief explanation of how and why noise occurs you’ll learn what else can responsible for this common problem.

As Ahmad explains, three are three primary culprits when noise appears in an image: 1) noise from light (or more specifically the lack there of); 2) sensor noise that occurs even before an ISO setting is chosen; and 3) Noise from the camera sensor once your selected ISO is applied.

He discusses how an understanding “signal-to-noise ratio” is a key component of resolving the problem. Here he says, “Increasing ISO just amplifies the signal” unless you make other adjustments, in much he same way that cranking of the volume on a cheap radio degrades sound quality.

With the foregoing as an introduction, Ahmad then walks you through a variety of key camera settings for improving image quality by getting noise under control. He also provides a few shooting tips and tricks that really help.

There’s much more to learn on Ahmad’s YouTube channel, whether you shoot photos with a phone, entry-level camera, or full-fledged pro mirrorless or DSLR model.

And while you’re thinking about image quality, check out the earlier tutorial we posted explaining a fast Photoshop fix for photos with soft, pixelated edges.