PHLEARN Magazine

Photographer and cinematographer Lester Platt walks us through a portrait shoot with men’s fashion blogger and stylist, Denny Balmaceda. Lester explains the creative inspiration behind the shoot and how he perfectly captured the freedom in the model’s actions.

Histograms provide valuable information that can go a long way to streamlining your workflow as a photographer. Here’s what you need to know about what to look for in the details of your camera’s histogram and how you can use the info to get the perfect exposure every time.

Spanish photographer Alfredo Oliva tells us how he was inspired by the works of realist painter Edward Hopper and used it to capture this photo. “Woman in the Window” is Oliva’s own version of a beautifully sad, lonely woman.

While long exposures happen to be heavily used among photographers who specialize in landscapes, this method can actually serve a wide variety of creative purposes, and knowing how, when, and why to take one can be a powerful asset to any photographer.

Unlike most professions, photography starts easy and gets harder the more you care about doing it right. It can be a frustrating process, but here’s how to avoid the most common mistakes photographers make and a few tips on how to rise above them.

You’ve bought the equipment and mastered the basics. You’re confident, passionate and ready to go… or are you? Here’s what every newbie needs to know when it’s time to start digging deeper.

Marcus Soriano tells stories of American cities through his lens. In a series on San Francisco, Marcus was inspired by this neon-lit window sign of a fortune teller and a poem he wrote about telling a palm reader of the doubts he faces as an artist.

Which photo aspect ratio to use, shown on one picture at 3:2, 4:3, 16:9, 1:1 and 4:5, with a table of what cameras, prints, Instagram, YouTube and phone screens expect.

Motivated by an urge to experiment and create emotional images, fine art photographer Pauline Goyard tells us how she combined three self-portraits to create one conceptual image.

While on a road trip around the western states and Canada, outdoor photographer Stephen Shelesky made the mandatory stop for any traveler at Banff National Park. Breathtaking sights expected, he was still surprised to come across this pristine scene.