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In this article, I’ll go over a common question beginners have when they start photography: How can I get closer-up photos of my subjects? I recently saw a comment from someone who just got their first camera. They were excited but realized the lens they received couldn’t capture things up close. So, let’s break down what that means and how to address it.  Check out the related video for examples of lens reproduction ratio.  Understanding Reproduction Ratio One of the key specifications to look at when figuring out how close you can get to your subject is the lens's reproduction ratio, also known as magnification ratio. This is typically represented as 1:1 (or 1x) for life-size magnification, while a ratio like 1:2 or 0.5x indicates less magnification. Both formats represent the same concept.  Part of the comment I had seen. For example, if you want to capture close-up details of a subject, you need to consider the reproduction ratio of the lens you're using. Kit Lenses...

Let's take a look at these unique devices from LLANO Power called the 2-n-1 TurboCell, a combination camera battery charger and USB power bank. I have two of these chargers, one for the Sony NP-FW50 battery and one for the NP-FZ100. They sent me these units to test and make videos based on my collaboration terms. The gist is that they had no say in the content I produce and were not allowed to preview anything before release.  Check out the full video on YouTube for detailed information and testing.  What’s in the Box Both demo units came with a USB-C cable, paper manual, and bag. The FZ100 included two batteries in the kit with their branding.  What was sent to me. Design and Build The TurboCell has a soft-touch exterior, which gives it a decent grip. There’s a battery compartment on top where you can pop in your camera batteries. The device uses spring-loaded locks to keep the batteries in place. The door needs to be fully closed for the batteries to make contact. The ...

Here's a quick Tip for Nikon Users: Easy Firmware Updates with NX Studio. In this article I go over the process of finding firmware updates for your Nikon camera as well as lenses.  Check out the related YouTube video for a visual step by step overview and other talk.  If you’re not already using NX Studio , which is available for anyone who owns a Nikon camera, you should check it out. One of its helpful features is the ability to easily find updates related to firmware. Don’t forget that lenses also have firmware, not just cameras! So, it's a good idea to check if you have the latest version.  The NX Studio website page. For example, I noticed recently that both the 40mm F2 and 28mm F2.8 lenses had firmware updates. With NX Studio, it’s pretty straightforward. It’s functional, and in my experience, it works well for this. Here’s how you do it: The firmware list in NX Studio. Here's the main process in the current version of NX Studio:  Go into the "Help" menu a...

ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2025 brings a lot of new and refined features for photographers and content creators. I’ve used this program for quite a few years with my first video being on version 2018 . For this version, Acdsee's marketing firm provided a code to the application based on my usual collaboration terms where the company had no say in what is covered and can't preview anything I produce regarding it before release.  Acdsee's website. I created a long form video going over various aspect of the application. There's a lot covered I won't mention here.  New Features in 2025 Acdsee has a webpage that lists new features of whatever version is current. Check that out for more information. The program has had AI Keywords and face detection for a while now. This can be a useful feature, but if you're using an older computer, like mine that has an Intel i7-6700 CPU, you can easily disable these resource-heavy processes using the new Activity Manager.  The ...

Let's talk about the good, the bad, and everything in between when using a phone for photography. Specifically, this is about my experience at the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Wisconsin. I was primarily using my phone, but I also had access to a Sony a7R V, an impressive full-frame camera.  Let’s get into the benefits and drawbacks of using a smartphone for photography, especially in a scenario like this one.  Check out the related video with visual examples and more information! I've also got a video where I feature the Sony a7R V camera at the same event.  The Good: Phone Photography Benefits The size of bag I tend to bring with to an event like this. Using a backpack instead would mean a very sweaty back and more to carry... First off, having a phone with you means you’ve got a camera in your pocket. It’s easy and convenient, especially since most of us use our phones for communication anyway. No need to carry around extra electronics if you don’t want to. I personall...