Contrast is a powerful photographic tool that helps to draw viewer's attention to the subject. In black-and-white photography, tonal contrast refers to the different in tones of the image: from white to grey to black. In colour photography, contrasting colours are used to make the subject stand out. And in the larger sense, contrast is any striking difference that gives added emphasis to the subject. Let's have a look at some examples of how contrast can be effectively used in photography in a variety of ways.

As travel photographers, we are always in search of new and exciting places to go to and to photograph, whereas the area where we live often does not seem as inspiring. Have you ever said to yourself: "I've been to that place so many times, I know it by heart, so what else can I photograph there?" If yes, then it's time to go there again and look at it with new eyes. Let's look at how to make the most out of familiar places and how to improve your photography by going back to the same spots over and over again.

Every city has its secrets: hundreds of years of history unfold in front of you as you scout the streets in search of the best images. Knowing the background of a building in front of you may fuel a great deal of inspiration and help you compose a stronger image with a story. One of the ways to get to know the location better is to take a walking tour with an experienced local guide. You may find, however, that during such a guided walking tour there is not enough time for a proper photographic exploration as the group moves quickly from one location to another. Not all is lost though. Here are 9 tips on how to make the most of a guided tour and get some great architecture photos along the way.

While most of travel photography is usually about documenting the people you meet and the things you see along the way, or the events that happen to you and around you, there is a way to cross the line and to turn your documentary travel photographs into fine art. How to do it? Think abstract! Learning to see shapes, patterns and colours through your camera lens is not only good training for your creative eye, but also lots of fun!

In previous posts, we discussed various composition rules and ideas that can be used as a good starting point for an aspiring photographer. Once you master these rules and your eye is set to easily recognize various composition ideas through the camera lens, you may also realize that these "rules" are only guidelines and can also be broken. This is where the fun begins! Let's have a look at some examples of how to break the rules and unleash your creativity!

In the previous article we discussed various composition rules and ideas to help you gain more confidence in photography. Knowing how to use the many technical features of a camera is one thing, developing your photographer's eye to actually recognize a good composition is another, and dare I say, is more important. Since there are more ways of composing a stronger image than fits in one article, here are some more ideas for a good starting point in your photographic explorations.

Have you ever asked yourself what makes a travel photo stunning? Everyone has their own reaction and sense of aesthetics, however several key ingredients need to come together to create a great image: interesting subject, emotional impact, correctly selected camera settings and strong composition. Speaking of the latter, there is no single way to compose an image. Depending on your subject and the story you want to tell, different composition rules may be applied. Of course, rules are also meant to be broken. Here, we offer a variety of ideas for composing well-balanced images with more impact, and in a future post we will talk about breaking all the rules.

White balance is a photography setting that many photographers have heard of but rarely use. Yet it is a simple and helpful tool not only to make your colour images look better, but also to give them an additional creative sparkle. As you might have already guessed, we are talking not about brightness or darkness of your photos, but about colours. We prepared this short guide to help you better understand white balance on your digital camera, and to use it in your photography for stunning results...

The plane has landed and you find yourself in a new place – a new city, a new country or maybe even a new continent. Your camera is charged and ready, lenses are wiped clean and you set off in search of amazing images. How to get inspired and to make the most out of a destination you have never visited before? Here are 4 tips on finding your own photographic Muse in a new city.

Are you a fair weather photographer only? Many might frown at the idea of taking their camera out when the weather turns wet. In a recent article we offered various solutions for protecting your camera from the rain. Now that you know how to keep your equipment dry, it is a good time to talk about some creative possibilities that the rain offers for your photography. Here are 5 ideas on how to use rainy days to your advantage and produce some great images.

Photography is a great means of storytelling. Just as a writer speaks using words, a photographer speaks through his images. A photographic story can be anything from a complex social narrative to a simple emotion. It does not need to be complicated, but has to send a message and invite curiosity. As Steve McCurry puts it, a powerful image is the confluence of several key elements, such as composition, design and emotion, in a pristine moment that reveals a deeper truth. Here are 7 steps to help you transform your images into good photographic stories...

Once you get comfortable with aperture, shutter speed and ISO and basic composition rules, you may want to venture into more experimenting, for example by using filters in your photography. There is a big choice of photographic filters for sale: neutral density filters, polarizing and gradual filters, cooling and warming filters, among many others. However, there is no need to rush to the store right away, as there are plenty of natural filters around us that can be creatively used to enhance your photos...