So I'm thinking of buying a sigma 50-500mm (the one with image stabilisation) today and it will only set me back 250$ and it's in pretty good shape. Good deal?

How do you prevent over exposure or excessive clipping when you shoot under direct sunlight? Do you put on a neutral density filter or do I have to wait for cloud cover or for sunset? I heard that only cinematography used neutral density filters. What do Photographers use to minimise clipping or overexposure then?

I believe not everyone is living with photography for sure and what I am wondering is in the photography intensive group like this subreddit, how many of you get a proper training on exposure, lighting, composition, etc. If you get or not how much confidence do you have on yourself? Do you also regret buying more and more gear without spending proper time, money on education?

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Add a comment here to promote your stuff. Feel free to drop links to your recent YouTube videos, podcasts, photobooks, or whatever else it is you’ve created.

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Hi! I'm relatively new in my photography business and was wondering what those more experienced than me use to send clients contracts? I'm wanting a general contract and a media/model release contract. I know of honeybook and etc. but I don't really have the funds to put into that kind of thing at the moment. Thanks!

This posting contains stuff which you might find strange or unsettling. I joined as volunteer worker here in Germany for something similar to Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. Since almost a year now, I take photos of stillborns. Having no car I can reach maternity hospitals within the city only, using my bike, so I take don’t take too many rides. So far, I did twelve sessions.

We work free of charge. We have some expenses which we pay ourselves. This type of photography is 100% free for the parents. When a parent wants to tip me, I refuse.

You never know what to expect. Often times, the parents are still there in the hospital, but sometimes they already left and you take photos of the fetus, or even smaller child without much or without any guidance. It can also happen the child was delivered like a normal baby but then did not survive and the parents hold their baby when you take pics. They were informed before that their child had no chance but they were hopeful nonetheless. Until the cruel moment their child went to the stars.

Sometimes I get watery eyes during a session but I am still functional. I bring sufficient hardware, meaning f/1.4 lenses (except for the macro which is slower) and can hold the camera steadily, knowing a couple of postures and angles which usually work. Like that macros of a hand, the feet, or an ear which usually are liked. I try to get photos where the child looks peaceful as if just asleep. Even if it is an abortion. I am not there to ask personal questions, I did not came to discuss my views about trisomy 21. I came because a stillborn photographer was requested.

In post, I usually reduce color saturation. If there is skin peeling or other issues, I sometimes reduce the visibility of that in post. Trying to reduce shock value without having the photos lying. Sometimes I remove distracting background objects because the subject should be the child. I try to use blankets to cover background stuff before releasing the shutter so that content-changing edits in post are hopefully not necessary. In one case, the mother went into shock after delivery. Later I learned she made it, but that was not clear when I arrived, seeing the worried father, holding his dead, very small child. I went into full robot mode, took the photos. Remember his distracted face and how his brain was functional at a basic level only. As always, I explained my intentions how I would take photos.

When the images are ready, I send the pics via USB sticks and also put some black-and-white prints into the package, in an envelope so the parents can decide when, or even if they want to have a look. My work after the photo shooting always takes more time than the shooting itself. During that photo shooting, I have to be all-there of course, all lights on, focussed. Can edit a photo later but cannot retake a photo.

It is not guaranteed that my photos will actually be looked at. In one or two cases I am not sure if my package got opened or ever will be. I don’t stay in touch with the family because I am not a grief counselor. Just a photographer.

In few cases, much of the family is there, like the parents, the daughter, an aunt and and a granny. In those cases, I get photos which are … beautiful. In some sense. They all look at the small family member which did not make it. That pain, but the family members smile. It also happens that later in post, when processing the photos, I see the tears on the face of the parents which I did not notice during the session. It feels strange to intrude at the darkest hours of a family which had a miscarriage. But, a photographer was requested.

It can get tense when I continue to take photos and the parents looking at their dead child begin to realize the good-bye will be soon. They want to have their final moments with their child without a stranger present. That is okay. It happened that a small sibling is present not understanding what is going on, but feeling the grief of the parents. The innocent, loving look. In other cases, the situation is more complex.

It can be also more … how do I say it. I was asked, as the parents already left, if I can take photos here in the storage room. I asked for a nicer environment and then got it, was led to an empty labor ward. Put rubber gloves on, unscrew the lid of the box where they kept it in cold water. What I saw in there, was not nice. A deformed fetus with further unsightly features. No name, no gender assigned. That was a tough one. I struggled to get any usable photo, later discussed it with a much more experienced photographer working for the organization many years already. Then selected a handful of photos, some of them digitally beautified but only so much. And then the parents speak a language I don’t understand. Used Google translate for text communication but asked a friend which is a native speaker to translate the cover letter for the photo package I sent.

In many cases however parents do want to see their stillborn, and take photos themselves. They still request a photographer and I think it is a good idea. We can’t help with the grief but have experience taking photos in this situation. Macro close-ups can be touching when you see those details, the toes, fingers, fingernails and such.

After a session, I am exhausted. Needing unhealthy food, but it is not as bad as you think, because days later when I get the the small package with the USB stick and selected prints to the postal service, my work is done. Not so much for the parents. Or the nurses in the hospital. Unending patience, friendliness, unyielding availability.

I had someone hit me up on my photography page for print sales, which was great, but that turned into him instead offering 1.5 Ethereum for 8 of my pictures to be used as NFTs. That's a hefty chunk of change, but I'm also (obviously) extremely skeptical. Feels like some kind of scam... but I wanted to come here and ask the people. Have any photographers actually had luck with a deal like this?

I'm an aspiring photographer from a small town and I want to know ways to become more known for more business. Any tips or tricks?

Okay, confession time: I’ve got some pretty top-tier camera gear. Like, Canon R6, top tier lenses, even a vintage 1950s Rolleiflex 2.8. I’ve schlepped it all over the world—beaches in Costa Rica, trips through Tuscany, and everything in between. But last year, on a month-long adventure through Europe (Rome, Tuscany, Belgium, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro—you get the idea), I decided to leave all the fancy stuff at home and shoot everything on my iPhone 14.

Why? Because sometimes, simplicity wins. There’s no setting up shots, swapping lenses, or fiddling with settings while your travel buddy (who isn’t into photography) sighs impatiently in the background. The iPhone is just so… easy. Quick to whip out, lightning-fast to capture, and honestly, the photos are pretty darn good! Apple put like billions into developing this camera and software, right?

Don’t get me wrong—I love my “real” cameras, and I’m not afraid to risk breaking them in the field. They get used. But when you’re constantly on the go, there’s something liberating about just snapping and moving.

So, does anyone else do this? You’ve got the gear, but you keep reaching for your phone? Let’s hear your stories! Do you feel guilty about it, or are you fully embracing the minimalist camera life? 😊

I am also taking down each person's name, which are tied to the photos in my organization system, but there are legal limitations for this specific scenario where i can't take people's emails and send them photos myself without a lot of legal stuff being handled first by the person that hires me, so that is out of the question.

I need a way for me to host these somewhere that people can retrieve them for their own photos, but not for anyone else's (just saying it can't be found by name, because the higher ups don't want anyone to be able to pull up anyone else's photos just by knowing their name).

Is there a decent software/service that has a setup that allows for something like this?

thanks

Hey everyone! Is anyone else here deep into the nitty-gritty of print quality—like full-on Pixel Peeping obsessed? If so, I’d love to hear your findings and recommendations for photo book services that truly stand out.

Years ago, I attended a book show for Modernist Cuisine hosted by the author, Nathan Myhrvold. This guy is not only a genius but also an epic photographer. He talked about how he chose the print method for his book and how it outshined everything else available. I don’t remember the exact details, but I was blown away by his passion and dedication to quality. His photography is next level—one shot I vividly remember was a BBQ sliced in half to reveal a cross-section of a burger cooking. Don’t even ask me how he pulled that off, but it was incredible.

Fast forward to my own photo book journey. I’ve been using Blurb for years and really like it for casual coffee table books. The price is fine, and the photo-printed hardcovers are stunning—crisp and beautiful, something I’m genuinely proud to display. But once you open the pages? Some prints feel soft or blurry, lacking that sharpness and vibrancy I’m after.

Now, I’m ready to step up my game to something archival-quality. I want a book that’s not just a flip-through but something I can pass down for generations. I’ve heard of alternatives like Artifact Uprising, ProDPI, and a handful of others—all claiming to be amazing. But what’s the crème de la crème for photo books?

If you’ve gone down the rabbit hole of print quality or have experience with premium services, I’d love to hear your recommendations! Let’s compare notes. 😊

Context here is that every once in a while I come across an amazing photo on social media that a photographer posts. Sometimes I think, "Wow, I'd love to have that as my desktop background." But that would require having actual file of some kind (.png or something that is more accessible to end-users) to have it look crisp and at an applicable resolution. What is the etiquette for inquiring about such a request to a photographer, either through asking if the photo is for sale or free for an individual user to enjoy in such a manner? I am not sure how something like this would go. I am asking the community here with the friendliest of intentions!

How do you do the thing with the instagram slides correctly?

I couldn’t find an example but you know where the photos are connecting even on the next slide over (like half on one slide half on the other)

I can guess how to do it on photoshop but i’d rather not waste my time in case my methods are incorrect

Hej

We have recently found a large amount of slides (mostly cut as singles and put in casings) when emptying FILs apartment. My GF wants to digitize the slides. We asked a few places and the cost was pretty insane (at least where we live)

I did abit research here but most of the scanners mentioned seem to scan the full roll, not slides in casings. And we do not have any good camera to take photos of the slides

For example I saw kodak slide n scan being suggested, but also read it could scratch the slides.

We do not mind doing slides one at a time.

So I am looking for a decently priced scanner to digitize the slides, maybe around 300USDish max 400USD.

Thanks

Shooting a wedding today/tonight. Majority of bride and groom photos will have ample light, however, after ceremony, I will have very limited light resources. (Amaran 60x s, two Viltrox 12w rgb on monopods)

I have a Canon R6 w/28-70mm and 70-200mm, and a Sony A7IV w/24-70mm GM II, Sigma 85mm 1.4.

During the ceremony I intend to use the Canon w/70-200mm so my Sony can capture some video while I stay out of frame, but after that, I need to figure out what combo will be best for a very dark situation. Does Sony or Canon perform better in low light?

I think the Sony with 85mm 1.4 will be my best bet but need some help. These weddings make me nervous as hell.

I have bought and sold a lot of camera gear. I believe sharing some experiences with the community is in order. I invite others to share their experiences in the comments.

KEH: I bought a Richoh GRIIIx from them and immediately took it with me on a long vacation. After coming home and looking at photos on my computer, I saw dust spots. I discovered these spots after the return window closed. I looked at the very first shots I made with the camera. Spots were there. They sold me a camera in with dust on the sensor. This compact camera cannot be cleaned by a consumer. I explained this to someone at KEH and I was told, "sorry, nothing we can do". I simply sold it back to them. But I lost a couple hundred $ on the exchange.

Last week, I bought a Canon G5X Mark II from them. Inspected it when I got it. Dust on the sensor! Visible in any photo shot wide open. This is another compact camera that must be sent for service to clean the sensor. I went through the process to request a refund. It was granted.... 'minus a $25 fee'. I requested they waive this. We shall see.

MPB: Everything I have bought from them has been high quality. Better than described. I have also sold to them and if they find problems that i didn't notice, they lower the quote. They really inspect things. But they inform me before finishing the transaction, allowing me to ask for my gear back. First rate company.

Amazon Renewed: Bought one item. It appeared to be in perfect, brand new condition. Bought two other items that were not up to my standards. They were in good condition, I simply didn't like the cameras. I got a full refund and it was easy to do.

Canon USA Refurbished: Bought two items. Both appeared to be unused and in perfect condition.

https://imgur.com/a/7a6aLbj

So a few weeks ago I made the mistake of drinking hot apple cider and reflexively spit it out and a few drops got onto my r50. Now the front control wheel (one near the shutter button) rotates in a sticky sluggish manner, no doubt due to the sugars that were in the droplets making it bind up. The wheel frees up slightly if I rapidly rotate it back and forth but sticks again after it sits for a few seconds. Otherwise the camera still responds to rotating the wheel and the other controls seem to be unaffected so it can still be used normally with some slight difficulty using the control wheel. I bought it new only few months ago. Normally I am very delicate with electronics but I was in the moment and a lapse in judgment. In hindsight, I should have put it in it's bag first before having any food or drinks. My question is can I clean it somehow with alcohol or electronics cleaner or will I have to pay a heafty price to have it serviced, I'd greatly appreciate any advice or knowledge anyone can share.🙏

tldr: I stupidly got a drop of apple cider on the front control wheel of my R50 and now it's harder to rotate, Can I clean it or am I screwed.

Edit: Its a cannon R10 not r50. I mixed up the names

Asked all of the questions for the wedding and have found out there will be be more children in family photos than expected. Other than getting those shots done first, do you have any tips on posing a large group of children?

Edit: Also should add, it's a blended family, the father has six kids

Hei! I’m looking at options to print larger black and white prints pf my photos (A4-A2), and I’m wondering what options would be the best. What printers have you used for black and white and what has been your experience with them? I’ve understood that an inkjet is way better than laser for photos, and a ink tank printer is way cheaper than a cartridge one.

I'm sure this is a very generic question, but I need it for a very specific purpose. I have a lot of photos of medical symptoms that I need to be able to easily share with doctors. I was told to email their office but it's too many pictures for an email. I know nothing about posting pics online so I thought I'd ask some experts.

I'm hoping for something free or cheap, that you don't need to have an account to view, and is password protected. It would also be really helpful if you could write something as a caption or for a folder to be able to explain symptoms before and after eating something specific, etc.

Sorry for the annoying question. It's difficult for me to use a computer for long periods so it's hard to look up all the sites for all their details. Was hoping someone could just share a recommendation if they know of any. Thanks.

I know we’ve all been there saving up for that dream camera, finally buying it, and then realizing it spends more time on the shelf than in your hands. What’s the priciest camera you’ve purchased but barely use?

Was it because of its size, complexity, or just not fitting your needs? Do you regret buying it, or is it still a “just in case” piece of gear?

Need to rant about something in the photography world? Here’s your safe space to be as salty as you want without judgement.

Get it all* off your chest!

^(*Let’s just keep the personal attacks and witch hunts out of it, k?)

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Apologies in advance that I'm not really sure what I'm asking. I am new to all of this and don't fully understand what the data all means.

Tried my hand at post processing today but I don't know how to tell which photos are high enough resolution to print. For example, see the images linked below, if I view this as 1:1 on my computer it seems... okay? Like maybe a bit fuzzy/blurry/IDK?

Shot in RAW+JPEG on a Nikon D5600, 55mm, f/14, 1/800, ISO 800.

RawTherapee says it's PPI 600, 5.46in x 8.19in, 6008x4008

JPEG processed from RAW by me in RawTherapee: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W8TaBhBOJt-dtPGcU7AmooSMsn8nKyxm/view?usp=drive_link

If it is not high res: is there anything I can do to fix that? Or did I shoot my whole trip horribly because they are all about like this! Thank you in advance!

I have a Canon EOS 2000D for 3 years but lately I am really considering photography as a side job I can do. I will start university in March and I thought about using this time to do a course or something.

I am especially interested on shooting couples or families outdoor. Where I live the good weather is only 6 months. While studying, I want to do this as a side job (f.e 2 photoshoots per month).

Now regarding the course that I found: is a really good photographer that does everything from weddings, fashion editorials, families and pregnancies. She told me that she does these courses in a very friendly and flexible way. The course would last 1 week but she told me that if interesting things come up, I am welcome to join her at her work. She has a close relationship with her past students that still write to her about advices and stuff.

She suggested me to start the course on December because now she has a lot of work with these Christmas vibe photoshoot and would be best for me to see as much as I can. The problem is that her work now is only photoshoots in the studio (because of winter and the cold). When I told her that I would be more interested in outdoor shooting she mentioned that we can set something up but didn't sound so convincing tbh.

Outdoor photography comes with unique challenges, like working with natural light, adjusting for changing weather conditions, and composing shots in diverse environments and I am not sure how well she can teach me this.

On one hand, I want to make use of these months on which I am free to learn how to professionally shoot. Later when the university starts I won't have much time to do such thing.

On the other hand, I think that maybe this could still be beneficial as it would teach me on how to interact with people on the sets.

Now I'm asking you professionals: should I find a photographer/course tailored to my style or is it ok to clgo with this one because it would still be useful for me.

I hope I can explain this well.

I’m photographing a mix of boxers, fighters, PTs in a few local gyms so their socials have a higher quality of content. Instead of offering one time shoots I’m hoping to setup a subscription situation where once or twice a month we get a variety of photos/videos for social media.

Problem is I’m not sure what specifics I could be offering and for how much.

I’m trying to find a job title to match this job because surely there’s other out there doing it but I can only think of content creators or social media managers but those titles obviously give me a lot of varying results on search engines.

I’ve been using this app which is partly a gallery partly a community and like it, but I find that it flattens photos when posted to Glass. So on the same screen on my iPhone I can have an absolutely vibrant almost HDR photo, and then when I post it to Glass and look on the same screen, it’s been visibly flattened. Any thoughts anybody? Thanks.

I'm an LLC for my photography but barely do anything with it. Does anyone know if this is for all LLC's

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2015

DSLR 14-200mm focal range. Landscape/cityscape/cultural ... current suggested list ...

• Santa Monica Pier
• Third Street Promenade
• Walt Disney Concert Hall
• Bradbury Building
• Arts District Murals
• Griffith Observatory (Sunset)
• Hollywood Sign (Hike)
• Getty Center
• Union Station
• Venice Canals
• Rodeo Drive
• Mulholland Drive Overlook

Additional?

Bride-to-be in a conundrum. The place we have chosen for our wedding is an overlook that faces South East. So no sunset views, and the overlook is mostly in shadow for the last 2-3 hours of the day. The sun sets around 8:30 PM the day of our wedding, what time should our ceremony be for the best natural lighting for photos? I need to pick a time ASAP, I cannot wait until I've booked and spoken with a photographer. I cannot find any advice online that doesn't just recommend golden hour. Please help!