Search results for: outdoors buying guide
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by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
A gift guide for something everyone already gets (for free) in the box with their new camera? Yes! Almost every camera on the market today comes with its own camera strap. For the most part, those camera straps are pretty solid. But, hear me out, aftermarket camera straps are a fantastic upgrade to your or a loved one’s camera.
Need more convincing?
Best Reasons to Ditch the OEM Strap
As serviceable and perfectly fine as the strap
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Family portraits are a great way to capture a moment in your family’s history. You may find yourself wanting to capture family photos every few years or so, more often when the little ones are, well, little. Maybe you’re looking for a way to take matters into your own hands, or maybe you’ve been taking your own family photos for years and have found yourself being asked to take photos of friends, family members, or even paying clients.
Family portraits can be a lot of fun to shoot. Maybe you’ve been taking photos of your kids and want to
by Oussmane Fall · Posted
Struggling with a fixed camera that can't capture every angle? Tired of shaky zooms or disruptive camera adjustments during your production sessions? PTZ cameras (pan-tilt-zoom) are the solution. Whether you're streaming a place of worship, teaching a virtual class, or broadcasting a medical demo, PTZ cameras are the game changers. They're flexible, user-friendly, and can make your production seamless and very concise. But with tons of options out there, where do you start? Let's break it down with a guide that's as relatable as it is pro, so
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Winter brings with it some of the best photographic opportunities imaginable. As the temperatures begin to drop, our approach to photography changes a bit. Cooler weather brings with it snow, stunningly colorful evening skies, wintering birds, and an assortment of beautiful weather conditions. Some of the best photographic opportunities present themselves in these unfortunately cold times. That being said, if we prep ourselves and our gear appropriately, we can capture stunning images.
Before You Head Out
First, some safety precautions. Cold
by Steven Esposito · Posted
2025 was a great year for consumer tech, though some of it may have flown under your radar. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the game-changing gear you might have missed. From productivity-boosting laptops to workflow-enhancing peripherals, here are some of our favorite devices.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC
Finding a compact yet capable laptop can be challenging, but the Microsoft Surface Laptop
by Steven Esposito · Posted
Right now we are in the middle of a huge transitional period in the world of computers. Resting well within the respite of hardware and software refreshes. On one level, Microsoft ended its support for Windows 10, meaning that users may have to either upgrade to Windows 11 or fully replace their aging systems. On another, we have a ton of hardware releasing at the perfect time, which is just before the holiday season really kicks off! If you are looking for an upgrade for any reason, you came to the right place at the right time. Let’s look at
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Typically confined to the northernmost latitudes of our planet, the northern lights—or "aurora borealis"—are a natural spectacle many dream of seeing. Recently, it may seem like auroras are occurring more often and are visibly farther south than ever before. Maybe you've already seen one or even photographed one with your phone.
While rare, exceptionally powerful auroras have been seen with the naked eye as far south as Alabama. These are uncommon, but in mid-latitude states, visible auroras are a bit more frequent. Last summer, I found myself
by Luke Rollins · Posted
While 2025 continued many of the photo industry's developments (emphasis on hybrid developments, splashes of niche camera releases, sequels to established camera series), it also formalized the compact digicam trend that had emerged on social media in recent years, with several companies releasing (or re-releasing) point-and-shoot cameras. As the floor for image quality continues to rise, and with yesteryear's flagship features trickling down to today's mid-market offerings, manufacturers are distinguishing themselves through body design,
by Luke Rollins · Posted
It's been a strong year for the L-Mount Alliance, who recently announced the addition of their tenth member Viltrox to bring a credible low-cost manufacturer into the fold for the future. The three pillars of the group—Leica, Sigma, and Panasonic—each had distinctive years in 2025, further entrenching in their proven lanes to build out an ecosystem that, as of the
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Anyone who has dabbled in pet photography knows that it can be a rewarding yet challenging experience. While pets are considered to be part of the family, they’re still animals who walk to the beat of their own drum and do things at their own pace. Even the best listeners can be easily distracted or have trouble sitting still for more than two seconds. If you’re considering trying your hand at photographing our fuzzy friends, we’ve put together this helpful guide for you. In this guide, we’re going to cover the essentials for those with a
by Steven Esposito · Posted
When it comes to the gear computer professionals use, there are a ton of different tools they swear by—many of which you might not have heard of. With that in mind, today we'll be looking at the underrated tools pros swear by and how those tools can help improve and enhance your workflow.
Xcellon Pro Hub 10
I like to start out with a few devices like hubs! They are great for all sorts of scenarios like trying to expand the
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Photography is, by definition, the capture of light on a light sensitive surface. Exactly what kind of light this is in reference to is up to you as the photographer. When we think of lighting for photography we may immediately conjure up images of on-camera speedlights or big studio lights with soft boxes atop towering light stands.
While these lights can give us control over our scene in a variety of lighting conditions, they're not the only way we can light our images. Natural and ambient lighting can be harnessed to dramatic effect, if we
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
As the holiday season fast approaches, you may find yourself looking for the perfect gift for the photographer in your life. With all the gear on the market, finding the right gift can seem overwhelming, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular gift items for both digital and film shooters.
35mm Film and Beyond
Film is back and there are plenty of vibrant stocks to choose from. You can never go wrong with
by Steven Esposito · Posted
This holiday season, if you’re shopping for a remote content creator, look for travel-friendly gear that allow creators to express their creativity without weighing them down. If you’re not sure what gear fits that bill, fear not. We’ve put together a list of some of the best equipment for mobile content creators.
DJI is known for a wide range of devices—from drones to mics and more. Their reputation for creating amazing devices for users on the go is unprecedented. Those who love to record and film on their smartphone will find the
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
For macro photographers, having the right gear is essential. Magnification and lighting are key, but you don’t necessarily need the biggest, priciest macro lenses out there to get close-up shots. If you’re a macro photographer yourself or buying a gift for one, we have some excellent recommendations for every budget.
Gifts Under $50
1. Close-up macro filters (like this Macro Lens