Composite photos, which are defined as two or more images blended together to create a final image, makes the process of compositing sound quite simplistic, but the truth is that it’s far from easy. The following tips will make creating your own composite image much more straightforward.
Photography Blog: Knowledge & Inspiration For Photographers
Become a Fashion Photographer: Top Tips and Creative Ideas
Fashion photos are a popular genre of photography, but for those starting out it can seem daunting — where do you source outfits, how do you pose your model, how do you get the best lighting? To help you get started I’ve put together this guide to answer some of the most commonly asked fashion photography questions, including how do you become a fashion photographer and what equipment is best for fashion photos. I’ve also provided top tips, some fashion photography lighting setup examples as well as some set ideas.
Pushing the Boundaries of Photography: Advice from Hasselblad Master Ben Thomas
Since moving to Melbourne, Australia, photographer Ben Thomas has been using his camera as a tool to explore and deconstruct urban spaces, a journey that, most recently, saw him named a 2018 Hasselblad Master. We caught up with Ben ahead of his live talk show to find out more about his work, his style and why it’s important to push boundaries.
March 2019 ‘Motion’ Competition Winners
‘Motion’ was the theme for our March 2019 competition and we were excited to once again give away some great prizes to our members. First prize up for grabs was a Manfrotto 057 Carbon Fiber Tripod while second and third place winners received a Lee Filters The Super Stopper and Lee Filters Filter Foundation Kit respectively.
Top Product Photography Tips
When people ask me about product photography, the most common questions I get asked are things like “What is the best camera for product photography?” Or “Which is the best lens for product photography?”. The reality is that the most important thing you can have isn’t the top camera or most expensive lens — it’s a good understanding of light.
3D Modeling for Photographers
3D modeling and CGI are incredibly relevant to photography nowadays and many photographers are questioning whether it’s worth their time to learn this new skill. I’ve put together a basic guide to getting started with CGI and how it can be used hand in hand with photography.
Light Meters and Why I Don’t Use Them
My stance on light meters is one that can often spark fierce debate, and you’ll quickly notice that I never use a light meter when shooting. I’m not saying you can’t use them, I’m only here to explain why for me they are a waste of money and can negatively affect creativity.
December 2018 ‘Red’ Photography Competition Winners
With the big prize of a Canon 5D Mark IV up for grabs, the competition was fierce for our December competition. As the theme was ‘Red’, it was quite open to interpretation, which meant there really was a wide variety of images to choose from. It was great to see the creativity of our members really coming out.
Ocean Pollution Awareness Campaign
As a keen diver, based on the island of Guernsey, ocean pollution is a subject I feel very strongly about. So when I was approached by a local charity to create eye catching photographs for an awareness campaign, I was eager to help. The Karl Taylor Photography team dedicated a weeks’ worth of time to the project, conceptualising and creating images that were made using thousands of pieces of litter collected from just 2km of the coastline over the past month.
How to Focus Stack in Photoshop
I’ve had a lot of members asking me what focus stacking is, when to use it and how to focus stack images in Photoshop. Here you’ll find the answers to all those questions and learn how, using Photoshop, you can get the whole of your image sharp in just a few simple steps.
Jewellery Photography: Top Tips for How to Photograph Jewellery
Whether it’s diamond rings or gemstone necklaces, jewellery photography is notoriously difficult, but there are a few useful techniques you can try that will make the process so much easier.
Behind the Scenes: Making the Manfrotto ProLight Reloader Air-55 Commercial
When Manfrotto approached me to film a commercial for their new Pro Light Reloader Air-55 camera bag, although I was excited, I knew it would be a big and challenging project.
October 2018 ‘Macro’ Photography Competition Winners
View the October 2018 ‘Macro’ Photography Competition winners on Karl Taylor Education. For our October competition we were transported into the close up world of Macro photography. Prizes included a Lee Filters Foundation Kit, a Lee Filters Big Stopper and a Lee Filters Long Exposure Kit.
Tim Flach and Karl Taylor Photography Workshop: A Visual Journey
Animal and fine art photographer Tim Flach will be joining Karl Taylor for a unique photography workshop. They’ll be exploring the science behind our visual system and revealing how you can take your photography to a whole new level.
How to Use Photoshop: Common Retouching Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
We caught up with professional retoucher Viktor Fejes to find out some of the common mistakes he sees in Photoshop and how to avoid them.
Viktor Fejes: Life as a Professional Retouch Artist
Viktor Fejes took the first steps towards a career as a retoucher at the age of eight years old, but it wasn’t until years later that he realized that’s where life would take him. Read more about his career as a professional retoucher ahead oh his live shows on Karl Taylor Education here.
How to Retouch Like a Professional: The Secret to Efficient Photo Editing
We caught up with professional retoucher Viktor Fejes ahead of his live shows on Karl Taylor Education to find out how you can optimize your retouching workflow and retouch like a professional, and his answers might surprise you.
Portrait Photography: How to Take Better Business Portraits
As a commercial photographer business portraits are still a regular feature in my calendar. Here I’ve outlined the key elements to ensure you’re able to successfully tackle a business shoot, including lighting setups, posing your subject and recommended camera settings and lenses.
Daria Belikova: All in the Name of Beauty
Daria Belikova on Karl Taylor Education | See what rising fashion star Daria Belikova had to say about her career, inspiration and unique style ahead of her live interview on Karl Taylor Education.
Macro Photography: Tips for Taking Better Macro Pictures
Macro photography is a popular genre of photography that can yield some fascinating results. I’ve put together a complete guide to help you get started and quickly improve your macro photography.
The Best Photography Books of All Time
Over the years I’ve built up quite a collection of photography books and as many of you have asked what my favorites are, I thought I’d put together a list of my favorite inspirational and educational photography books.
Lighting Modifiers: Softboxes
Softboxes are popular modifiers that are well suited to many genres of photography. Here I explain the advantages, disadvantages and effects of softboxes as well as offer some alternatives.
How to Set Up a Small Photography Studio
Shooting in a small studio can be challenging, but it isn’t impossible. There are a number of things you can do to make working in limited space easier and more effective, which is what I recently showed when I set up a small studio for a friend’s business.
Lighting Modifiers: The Beauty Dish
The beauty dish is often a popular lighting modifier among fashion and beauty photographers because of its versatility and unique light. In my next live show I’ll show you exactly what you can achieve with it and demonstrate how you can modify it even further.
Photographing Products with LEDs and Display Screens
From iPhones to kettles, self-illuminating dials, LCD screens or LED lights are key components of many products nowadays and while many photographers find it difficult, it’s actually quite simple. For our next live show I’ll be showing you how to photograph a voice recorder that has both self-illuminating illuminating buttons and a LCD screen.
Medium Format vs Full-Frame: Testing the Hasselblad H6D-100c and Nikon D850
I was recently asked by Hasselblad to make a series of videos, several of which were a comparison between the medium-format Hasselblad H6D-100c and the best 35mm full-frame camera on the market at the time — the Nikon D850.
Portrait Photographer Tom Oldham: “It’s a Great Gig”
Tom Oldham started out photographing dance music 26 years ago after he bid farewell to a job in men’s retail. He set out with a simple hope — for “something a great deal less boring than standing in a shop”.
5 Portrait Photography Tips from Tom Oldham
Tom Oldham is an award winning photographer with 26-years of experience and soon he’ll be sitting down with Karl in studio for another exciting live show, where he’ll be discussing the highs, the lows and what it takes to crack it in the industry.
Studio Photography: Finding the Right Studio
For many photographers there comes a point when you think about opening your own studio. It’s a daunting step forward, and one that requires careful consideration. If you’re thinking about opening your own studio, whether it be buying or renting, there are a few important things to think about…
June 2018 ‘Fast’ Photography Competition Winners
Here are the winners of our ‘Fast’ photography competition. Our members had the chance to win the first prize of a Siros Lighting kit as well as second prize – a LEE Filters Little Stopper – and third prize – a LEE Filters Filter Foundation Kit.
David Lund: From Designer to Photographer
From diamonds to fishing rods, fashion to steel, professional liquids photographer David Lund’s nine-year career has been a rollercoaster journey. A Hasselblad demonstration at Falmouth Art College almost 10 years ago proved to be the turning point for David…
How to Take Better Photos: Simple Tips
As a professional photographer and educator people often ask me how they can improve their photographs so I’ve put together some simple photography tips you can use to improve your photos.
Beginner Photography Quick Start Guide
Starting out in photography can seem daunting but this quick start guide contains all you need to know to get the ball rolling. Having this knowledge will ensure that you not only master the basics but have the skills to progress and confidently take creative control of your photography.
The Magic of Parabolic Lighting
As a professional photographer, one of the most common questions I get asked is “If you could have just one lighting modifier, what would you choose?” And my answer is always the same — “The Para 133”.
March 2018 ‘Travel and Culture’ Photography Competition Winners
Here are the winners of our ‘Travel & Culture’ photography competition. Our winners entered some really thought provoking images that we felt fitted the theme of the competition best! The winner receives a Manfrotto 057 Carbon Fiber Tripod.
Top Photographers in the Studio With Karl Taylor
View PostDecember 2017 ‘Moments’ Photography Competition Results
Here are the winners of our ‘Moments’ photography competition. The top prize for our March Competition is a Manfrotto 057 Carbon Fiber 3 Section Geared Tripod worth $839.99!
I Gave Away a Canon 5D Mark IV… and More! [Photography Competition]
In this video I round up our December 2017 “Moments” competition winners plus mention and critique a selection of our top entries.
A Simple 2-Light Portrait Setup
It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to create a high quality professional studio portraits & fashion images. In this video you’ll see a simple portrait & fashion photography lighting setup using softboxes.
Choosing the Right Lighting System
Choosing or even switching studio lighting equipment brands can be a big decision, so I’m going to share the things I considered before switching my own system from Elinchrom to broncolor. Hopefully by sharing this, you’ll understand my decisions and thought process so that you can make the right choice for your own photography.
Phocus 3.0 Can Work for You
You may be wondering why I am bothering to mention this software as most of you don’t use Hasselblad cameras… Phocus 3.0 on Mac, whilst not designed specifically to do so, does offer third party support so you can process RAW files from close to 200 other digital camera RAW formats.
Landscape Photography Using a Standard 50mm Lens
Get more from your standard 50mm lens! Using this lens can often reveal new compositions and force you to think more about your images and composition! If we really strip it down landscape photography can be summarised into just three simple steps.
Hasselblad H6 Test – Compared with the H5 and Sony A7Rii
Rather than rely on manufacturer statistic documentation, I decided to put my existing Hasselblad H5 and a loaned Hasselblad H6 through my own rigorous camera test. To spice things up, I also got my hands on a Sony A7R ii and threw that into the mix too! See how it performed against the more expensive Hasselblads in this technical camera comparison.
Karl Taylor’s Recreation of ‘Dali Atomicus’ on the BBC
The iconic ‘Dali Atomicus’ has been a favourite of mine for as long as I remember. The team and I set out to create our own reproduction, but to do the image justice I wanted to come as close as possible to the original, although without the flying cats as I’m not sure this would go down to well with the BBC One Show audience!
David Lund – Diamond Shoot
Take a look at some of the work by Karl Taylor Education student David Lund for the company “Boehmer et Bassenge”, one of the worlds biggest diamond companies. It was the first time that he had taken on a project that was purely a video commission and during the shoot he filmed over £10 million pounds worth of diamonds!
Making My Squarespace Website More Effective for Potential Customers
There are many website building solutions on the market, most of them operate in a similar way but I choose to use Squarespace for my portfolio website. Making these kinds of navigation and photo gallery updates are easy and there’s no need for a website developer.
Food Photography Course
If learning food photography has been on your list then you don’t want to miss our NEW food photography online course.
Food Photography: Discover the Art of Creating Beautiful Food Photography
We caught up with Moscow-based food photographer and stylist Anna Pustynnikova to ask her a few questions about how she got started, her essential pieces of kit, and what advice she has for new photographers.
Professional Techniques for Red Wine Product Photography
In this short professional photography video tutorial I show you the process I use to capture this lovely bottle of red wine. I show you exactly how I set-up this shot, step by step, and explain all the necessary components in the lighting details.
Alex Wallace Pro Photographer
We caught up with Alex Wallace, a commercial and industrial photographer based in New Zealand, ahead of his appearance on our live show to ask him a few questions about what he carries in a typical kit and how he approaches different subjects and scenes. Here’s what he had to say.