I decided to pull together a list of some of the most popular/favorite articles on my web sites. Also included is a list of some of most asked questions I receive with links to the answers.
Enjoy!
Originally posted December 12, 2016. Most recent update: January 10, 2025.
The Buyer’s Guide Series – Your guide to the best of all things photographic. There are over 70 articles in this series, making it one of the most comprehensive buyer’s guides on the Internet.
Some of my most popular articles are grouped into these photography series.
The National Park Series: Where to Go and When
“How To” Series: Winter Photography
How To Series: Snowy Owl Photography
How To Series: Adventures with Adobe Bridge – Learn all the basics for using Adobe Bridge
People and Events That Changed Me As A Photographer
The Ansel Adams Series – Articles about and inspired by Ansel Adams, including several videos
Series: Channeling My Inner . . . – some of the photographers who inspire me
Series: Favorite Photos by Date
The “Custom White Balance” Series
How To Series: Off-Camera Flash
“How To” Series: Using GPS in Photography
“How To” Series: Photoshop’s Color Tools and Systems
The Mastering Photoshop Series
“How To” Series: Astrophotography with the iOptron SkyTracker
The Great American Eclipse Series (August 21, 2017) – The August 2017 eclipse is over but the sun is still there. You can still do solar photography and this series of articles will show you how.
The Chinese Lens Rip Off Series – Overpriced Camera Phone Lenses
Some of My Most Popular and Favorite Articles
Why and When To Set A Custom White Balance
How To Set A Custom White Balance On Your Digital Camera
Setting a Custom White Balance Will Save You a Lot of Time
It’s All About The Light, Part One
It’s All About the Light, Part Two
It’s All About the Light, Part Three
You Can Create High Quality Digital Images of Analog Prints, Even if You are Traveling
How to Be A Better Wildlife and Nature Photographer
Colorado Fall Color Travel and Photography Guide
Fall Color Photography Guide to Marshall Pass and O’Haver Lake, Colorado
Finding the Peak Fall Colors at the Best Locations
The Best Colors Come From the Best Exposures
How To Test Your Camera’s Color Exposure Latitude
How to Use Your Camera’s Exposure Compensation Scale
How To Get Critical Focus in “Live View” Mode with a Magnified Image
Using the Histogram to Check Studio Flash Exposures
How to See and Photograph the Northern Lights
How To Focus Your Lens at Infinity for Night Photography
Exposure Warning: Turn On The Blinkies
Your Camera Does NOT Capture Reality! – And what to do about it.
Your Camera Loves “Middle Gray” – And Why That is Important
Secrets of Great Color: Set Your Camera to Bland!
ACR and RAW: Two of the Best Things You Can Do For Your Images
How to Save A Sun Flared Image with ACR and a Soft Light Brush
How to Shoot With and Protect Your Camera Gear in Hot Weather
Better Images: Adobe’s Improved “Process Version” for Adobe Camera Raw
What to Do When A Lens Quits Working
Getting Started with High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photography
Giving Yourself Options: HDR Photography
How to Create Realistic HDR Images with Adobe Camera Raw
Colors Your Eyes Can’t See – But Your Camera Can
Depth of Field and Hyperfocal Distance App for iPhones and iPads
How To Set A Custom White Balance on Your Digital Camera
Why and When To Set A Custom White Balance
Frequently Asked Questions – These articles grew out of questions I am asked most often at my workshops and in emails. Each question is linked to the article with the answer.
How do I become a better wildlife and nature photographer?
What is the best way to photograph Christmas lights?
My hard drive crashed. What data-recovery service do you recommend?
What do I do if I lose the photos on my memory card?
How do I use my memory cards to minimize the chances of losing photos?
What are your favorite photo labs?
What Is a Cropped Sensor Camera and What Difference Does it Make?
Why is Adobe Camera Raw so important to get the best quality images? Be sure to check out the links at the end of the article.
How do I create panoramic images using the recent versions of Adobe Camera Raw?
What are the “blinkies” and why should I use them on my camera?
How do I get started with HDR (high dynamic range) photography?
Why shouldn’t I use refilled print cartridges?
Why is “middle gray” such a big deal for my camera meter and what should I do about it?
How do I meter manual flash units if I don’t have an incident flash meter?
Articles that Can Save You Time and Money
Never Use Compressed (Canned) Air to Clean Your Camera – This article could save you $150 – $200.
Protect Your Camera Gear in the Cold and Snow – One simple mistake can ruin your camera and make it unrepairable.
How to Shoot and Protect Your Camera Gear in Hot Weather
How Do You Know If You Have a Fake RØDE VideoMic?
The 3-2-1 Photo and Data Backup Plan – If your hard drive crashes with all your precious photos and you don’t have a backup, it could easily cost $1,000 or more to get them restored by a reliable company. An unreliable company could cost you just as much or more and lose all your photos forever.
The Best Online Backup For Your Photos and Other Important Files
Warning! Fake Memory Cards at Amazon
To minimize the chances of losing photos, read this article: Memory Cards Part 1: The Best Way To Use Memory Cards To Avoid Lost Images
If you have already lost photos, don’t do anything with your memory card until read this article: Memory Cards Part 2: Lost Photos
Don’t Click on That “Urgent Firefox Update” Notice! – This article could save you hours of time cleaning up a computer malware mess.
The “Don’t Get Ripped Off” Series – Overpriced Camera Phone Lenses