We often tend to seek out striking subjects elsewhere, while hidden gems are right under our noses just waiting to be discovered. This week, while spending time with photographer Petr Jan Juračka, I had the once-in-a-lifetime chance to hold a massive vertebra from the largest Triceratops skeleton ever found. The very next day, I headed out into the streets of Prague to capture sample images for our upcoming Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 review. It’s always interesting to be a tourist in your own city, trying to see familiar scenes with fresh eyes. And while I was having these experiences, the photography world continued along – here’s what it brought us this week.
The camera world has become saturated with third-party gear in the past few years, and there’s no exception with tripods. Compared to more traditional big-name brands, some of these third-party tripods are fairly inexpensive – including carbon fiber models. But how do they perform? Today, I’ll review one of them in the hopes of answering that question: the K&F Concept 60″ C225C0 Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod.
Is there really such thing as a truly “bad photo?” Most of us who are committed to evolving our skills would reply in the affirmative. But instructor Peter Forsgard insists that “bad photographs are good” because practice and a thoughtful evaluation of disappointing images have the power to unlock your creative potential.
Forsgard is a notable Finnish pro based in Helsinki whose step-by-step tutorials serves a variety of important purposes, from improving composition, keeping up-to-date on the latest imaging trends, and discovering seasonal photography tips throughout the year. This 10-minute episode will inspire you to revisit your photos that missed the mark and learn from the errors of your ways.
Here’s the essence of Forsgard’s interesting perspective: “I explore the unconventional approach of finding inspiration in the unlikeliest places—our own bad photography. It’s the secret to breaking free from your creative rut and unleashing your inner artist.” So get ready to transform your previous failures into money shots that make you proud.
Forsgard insists that whether you’re a novice or more experienced shooter this video will challenge your perception of what makes a good photo, encourage you to embrace imperfection, and think outside the box. He begins by sharing how he defines a bad image: “I mean those photos you capture before you actually get a keeper and between other successful shots.”
He then turns his attention to five reasons why these so-called failures are actually super important for accelerating your growth. Forsgard’s first point involves the concept of “muscle memory,” a term we often hear with regard to athletes. You’ll see how this notion is equally applicable to photographers as you experiment with different camera settings and unfamiliar techniques.
Forsgard explains that just as an athlete needs to rebuild confidence after being sidelined with an injury, so do photographers after a period of inactivity or a few failed photos. In other words, every image you make, good or bad, has the restorative value of speeding up your reflexes, choosing the best settings, and quickly finding pleasing compositions.
The bottom line is that repeated practice and time spent evaluating your work will not only improve your observation skills, but enhance your photographic vision, prepare you for unexpected conditions, and help significantly boost your batting average.
And speaking of teaching old dogs new tricks, be sure to watch an earlier tutorial we featured with another notable pro who demonstrates how to use Adobe’s Amazing new AI-based Adaptive Color Profile to simplify the editing process for better images with a single click.
Today’s tutorial from nature photographer Jan Wegener falls into the category of “I wished I had known about all this sooner.” But now is better than never—especially when you can take advantages of the mistakes made early on by an accomplished pro so you don’t make them yourself.
Wegener is longtime Australia-based pro specializing in nature imagery who says, “I love helping others in their quest to capture and edit stunning bird photos and find the right gear for the job.” As always, the recommendations in this video are appropriate for just about any subjects in the field.
Our takeaway from this norm-challenging episode is pretty simple: Don’t believe everything you’ve heard in the past—at least until you spend 15 minutes hearing what Wegener has to say. It’s all about being more circumspect about common notions that may compromise the photographic process and the quality of every image you make.
Wegener begins by demonstrating why the Auto White Balance setting can be a counterproductive choice, and why he typically turns it off on his cameras. His reason is this: “Cameras can be confused by everchanging light that is sometimes cool and other times very warm. Hence, “If we use Auto White Balance we may end up with photos that look nothing like what we saw through the viewfinder and make the editing process very difficult.”
He also explains why setting White Balance manually and shooting in Manual Exposure mode is often a great combination for achieving optimum control and photos that are easy to process. Wegener reveals that once he made the switch from always using Aperture Priority he became “a better and more conscious photographer.” And you can do the same by following his advice.
Wegener continues his assault on conventional wisdom with other myth-busting notions like “low is not the way to go,” the value of editing tweaks, and the idea that you can’t get close enough. You’ll also learn why he discounts the value of camouflage gear and other things you may do that are of questionable value.
And speaking of switching up your settings and techniques, don’t miss an earlier tutorial we shared from another accomplished pro who demonstrates a handful of mistakes made by inexperienced nature and wildlife photographers and how you can capture more compelling images by avoiding them from now on.
