Creating a plain white background for a product shot or e-commerce shoot sounds simple, and when you know how it is! Whether you’re shooting packshot photography for an e-commerce website or are looking to refine your technique for commercial photography projects, I’m going to explain the important considerations and necessary equipment…
Photography Blog: Knowledge & Inspiration For Photographers
Hasselblad Webinar – Interview With Karl Taylor
Karl will be interviewed by Hasselblad in live webinar on Wednesday 16th September. He will be talking about his career and inspirations and sharing some of his favourite images. The event is free to join and you can sign up on Hasselblad’s website.
How to get started with product photography
Product photography is one of the most lucrative genres of photography, but it often requires a good selection of equipment and a thorough understanding of light. By the end of this article you’ll know exactly what you need to get started as a successful product photographer, what equipment you’ll need, what critical skills will come in handy, and much more. …
Photography Brief #3 – Blueberry Muffins
Blueberry muffins photography brief For our third ‘Working to a brief’ challenge, members have been tasked with creating a breakfast scene image of an arrangement of blueberry muffins. To take part in this challenge, please read the guidelines below and submit your image before 13:00 BST / 08:00 EDT on Wednesday 23rd September 2020. All the details you need to complete the …
Case study: Natural light product photography
Case study: Photographing products with no lights In the past, I’ve proved that you don’t need lots of equipment to get good results and I demonstrated this again for our recent ‘Working to a brief challenge’ when I shot a product shot of a wine bottle using only natural light. When you apply the knowledge of light, you can achieve …
July 2020 ‘Tasty’ Competition Winners
Our food photography classes have proven highly popular with our members, so for this competition we decided to see what members would come up with for the topic of ‘Tasty’. Not necessarily restricted to food photography, we looked forward to seeing the creative submissions sent in. Motivated by the chance to win a broncolor Siros lighting kit, we received hundreds …
Why image quality is not just about megapixels
When it comes to image quality, there is a big misconception that if you want better quality, you need more megapixels. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) it isn’t that straightforward. Over the years camera manufacturers have dedicated much of their efforts to improve the number of megapixels in their latest models. At the start of …
Mistakes to avoid when using studio lighting
I’ve been a photography educator for more than 12 years now, so I’ve seen pretty much everything when it comes to common mistakes relating to first-time studio lighting users. From relying on a light meter to shying away from understanding the physics of light, here are nine mistakes you should try to avoid when using studio flash or strobe lighting.
Photography Brief #2 – Wine Bottle
For our second ‘Working to a photography brief’ challenge, Karl has provided members with a new photography brief to execute. To take part in this challenge, please read the guidelines below and submit your image before 13:00 BST / 08:00 EDT on Wednesday 22nd July 2020. All the details you need to complete the brief can be found below, as …
A guide to understanding studio lighting
When it comes to photography lighting, the move from natural light to studio flash is a definite step-up, but there’s no disputing the extra creative freedom it allows. Understanding the basics of studio flash lighting will help ensure a smooth transition; the same way understanding fundamentals like aperture, shutter speed and exposure will help you switch from Auto to Manual …
How to light & photograph cars
Car photography is notoriously difficult and often requires some high-level professional equipment. In the video above I talk you through a recent car photoshoot and TV commercial we did in the studio using our new custom-built ceiling rig. Ceiling rigs, or floating panels, are commonly used in car photography as they help make an already challenging task much easier. I’ve …
Members Picture Critique – Still Life Photography
Composition tips and techniques NOTE: Submissions will close Monday 22nd June at 12:00 BST / 07:00 EDT. How to improve your still life photography If still life photography is a genre you’ve tried or would like to try, then make sure to join us on 23rd June to learn more about what makes a strong still life image and how …
Karl Taylor Education member wins Sony World Photography Award
When the World Photography Association announced the 10 category winners for the 2020 Sony World Photography Awards Open competition, Karl Taylor Education member Jorge Reynal did not expect his name to be placed alongside those of some of the greatest photographers in the world. But that is exactly what happened. Jorge’s striking and symbolic image of a dead fish in …
8 Tips to help you run a successful photography business
Understandably many people are worried about their businesses at this time. It’s a difficult period for many businesses and, of course, there is a lot of uncertainty. If you have your own business, some of your questions and concerns may revolve around “Do I have enough financial security to get through this?” “Will my clients be financially sound on the …
Photography Brief #1 – Cider Advert
As part of our past ‘Working to A Photography Brief – Challenge’ live show, Karl has provided members with a comprehensive photography brief* to execute. To take part in this challenge, please follow the guidelines below and submit your image before 12:00 BST on 1st June 2020. All submissions will be judged and the winner will receive a Manfrotto 055 …
Working To A Photography Brief Live Show
In this show Karl will be announcing a photography brief for photographers to try. During the show he will provide a visual sketch and written brief outlining a creative concept that members can try to execute as best as possible over the next month. Note: Final images should be submitted before 12:00 BST on 1st June 2020. Karl will then …
April 2020 ‘Black & White’ Competition Winners
‘Black and white’ was a versatile theme that we felt would give our members plenty of opportunity to express their own style and creativity, and we weren’t disappointed! We once again received some fantastic submissions — everything from landscapes to portraits, architecture to animals. The winning images can be seen below, as well as a selection of ‘highly commended’ images …
A professional guide to photographing environmental portraits
Environmental portraits are a great way for photographers to make money as they’re often in high demand by many businesses. While that may sound appealing, environmental portraits are not without their challenges. You’ll find a range of photography classes showing you how to photograph environmental portraits, but I’ve also put together this guide to outline some of the most common …
10 Photography ideas you can do with one light
You don’t always need a lot of equipment to get creative when it comes to photography. Even if you’re stuck at home (as many of us are at the moment), there are plenty of things you can do to test your skills and develop your creativity using just one light. I’ve put together a list of 10 of our most …
Useful subscriptions to help photographers through lockdown
The recent COVID-19 outbreak has left many photographers in difficult situations and as a result, many are having to find new ways to fill their time while carefully considering their expenditure. Low cost monthly subscriptions offer the perfect opportunity to learn new skills, update or create a website or organise your work, without putting too much strain on your finances. …
Why a lack of photography equipment shouldn’t be an excuse
I hear a lot of negativity from photographers claiming not to have enough equipment to get good results. This is particularly relevant to product photography, but as you’ll see from my recent one light challenge product shoot — it is completely untrue. With the right knowledge, you can get top-end, professional-quality results using just one light. Yes, you might be …
What’s new at Karl Taylor Education
With much of the world currently under lockdown, we understand that many of our members may be looking to practice their photography at home and continue their education. To help with this, we’ve introduced some exciting new content, which we announced in our recent live show (you can watch the replay for the show here). These include weekly photography challenges …
Magazine Chat Show – What’s Coming Up At Karl Taylor Education
In this live chat show Karl will be sitting down to discuss what’s coming up at Karl Taylor Education over the coming months, including some exciting new additions. There’s been a lot of uncertainty over the past few weeks, and with many countries going into lockdown and implementing travel restrictions, many of our members may be finding themselves stuck at …
10 Creative photoshoots to do at home
If you’re stuck indoors, there are plenty of ways you can practice photography at home and get creative with just your camera. From natural light portrait photography to simple food photography at home or one light product shoots, I’ve put together a list of 10 creative photoshoot ideas you can try at home. You don’t have to get out to …
Common portrait photography mistakes to avoid
When it comes to photography, knowing what you should be doing is great, but knowing what to avoid can be incredibly useful too. In a recent live critique show, I reviewed portrait images submitted by members, and it soon became clear that there were a few common mistakes that many photographers seem to be making. To help you quickly improve your photography, …
A detailed guide to creative still life photography
One of the best things about still life photography is that you can get creative and test your photography skills using almost anything you have laying around the studio or your house. You also don’t need very much equipment. And if that’s not enough to persuade you, still life images can also be a great way to make money. Still …
Live Members Picture Critique — Animals & Macro Photography
Get professional feedback on your images For this live critique show Karl will be looking at two types of photography — animal and macro. So whether you photograph cats in the studio or cats in the wild, take full portraits of ponies or close up pictures of poodles, make sure to submit your image and join us live on 28th …
Magazine Chat Show — Website Critique
Developing An Online Photography Portfolio After the popularity of the first website critique, Karl will once again be reviewing members online photography portfolios. He will be discussing what makes a good website, how to select your best images and what information you should include. Often the first point of call for potential customers, a photography website is the ideal place …
Live Workshop — One Light Challenge Product Photoshoot
In this live show Karl will undertake the challenge of a product shoot using only one light, showing it’s not about how much equipment you have, but more about how you use what you do have. Product photography can be a challenging genre of photography, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create professional results with minimal equipment. Often, when thinking …
4 Pieces of advice from professional photographer Rachell Smith
We caught up with portrait and fashion photographer Rachell Smith ahead of her live interview on Karl Taylor Education to find out more about her career, how it all started and what advice she has for aspiring photographers. Rachell’s interest in photography developed from an early age, and was actively encouraged by her parents. “When I was a kid my …
Live talk show with portrait & fashion photographer Rachell Smith
Internationally renowned portrait and fashion photographer Rachell Smith will be joining Karl in the studio for this live talk show, where the pair will be discussing Rachell’s work, her career and all things photography related. The British photographer spent a lot of time with her grandfather, who was a keen amateur photographer, and it was from him that she developed …
Live members picture critique – Portrait photography
NOTE: Due to the high number of submissions received, this critique show will be divided into two parts. How to take better portrait photographs The essence of a good portrait is one that captures the personality of your subject, and while this may sound easy, there are a few things you need to consider (lighting, backgrounds, posing etc). Ahead of …
Lighting Control – The Egg Challenge
To demonstrate lighting control, we challenged Karl to see how many different lighting effects he could create when shooting a simple object. Following on from our recent live chat show, which centred around the topic of ‘Lighting Control’, ‘The Egg Challenge’ will see Karl put these points into practice as he demonstrates how to control light to achieve a number …
December 2019 ‘Architecture’ Competition Winners
We brought the year to a close on a high note with our final competition for 2019. This month our lucky winner walks away with a fantastic broncolor Siros lighting kit valued at $3400! We had a great selection of submissions so it wasn’t an easy decision picking out the very best; in fact we decided to award a joint …
Top 5 photography tips from professional photographers
From interviews with award-winning photographers to exciting photoshoots with flying liquids, our live photography shows are one of the most popular features on Karl Taylor Education. After launching the site just a few years ago, it soon became apparent just how valuable our live photography talk shows in particular were for members. These interviews offer a unique opportunity to learn …
7 Tactics you can use to become a professional photographer
Photography is a popular choice of profession for many, but despite the perception of it being a ‘glamourous’ career, in actual fact it requires a lot of hard work, time and effort. If you ask any professional photographer for advice on how to get started, they will tell you how essential it is that you understand the basics. I’m not …
Live Members Picture Critique — Landscapes & Cityscapes
NOTE: Submissions will close Wednesday 22nd January at 12:00 GMT / 07:00 EST. Simplistic in everything but the results, landscape and cityscape photography is a popular genre of photography for many. Breathtaking views and a chance to explore new places means both amateur and pro photographers alike often shoot landscape and cityscape images from time to time. Requiring very little …
Live Chat Show – Lighting Control
In this live chat show Karl and Ashleigh will discuss the importance of lighting control, reviewing a number of examples and explaining different techniques for controlling light. When it comes to photography, one of the most essential things that helps make a strong, memorable image is light. Light is one of the key factors in creating successful imagery. By controlling …
E-commerce photography in 5 simple steps
E-commerce is a booming industry, and with it, e-commerce photography. Done correctly, e-commerce photography can be a quick and easy way to make money, but there’s a few tricks to getting it right. In two recent ‘How To’ videos that I did with broncolor’s Urs Recher, we showed you an effective setup for shooting e-commerce fashion as well as pack …
How to photograph flying food images
Levitating burgers, suspended salads and exploding tea — the craze of flying food images is taking over the food photography market. But how are these exciting images created? Photographing floating images, whether it be food or any other product, can be difficult. There are a number of challenges you’ll need to overcome, including getting the composition and positioning of your …
Motorbike Photo Shoot
When it comes to photographing motorbikes, there are a number of challenges you can expect to face. Whether you’re working outdoors on location, or in a more controlled studio environment, these steel speedsters are no easy subject. Some of the challenges you may experience include: I demonstrate how to overcome each of these challenges in this live show, explaining my …
Everything you need to know about umbrella lighting
Often one of the first modifiers many photographers work with, umbrellas form the focus for this live workshop, where Karl covers everything you need to know about these popular modifiers. In our ‘Umbrella Lighting’ live show, I took a closer look at these popular modifiers, exploring the science behind them, demonstrating how they work and show you exactly how to …
Top tips for creating stunning black and white photos
If you’ve ever tried to convert an image to black and white, chances are you’ve ended up with a flat, dull photo with none of the original contrast. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially for photographers who are new to Photoshop. To help you create stunning black and white images, I explain the key things to understand when shooting for …
September 2019 ‘Technology’ Competition Winners
The theme for this month’s competition was ‘Technology’, and, having receiving some great entries, we were excited to announce the winners. The winner this month received Karl’s Long Exposure Filter Kit valued at over $500. Second and third place received a Lee Filters Big Stopper and Karl Taylor Color Effects & Technical Lighting Packs respectively. Congratulations to our winners and …
A closer look at some of Jonathan Knowles’s most iconic work
When leading advertising and still life photographer Jonathan Knowles shot the O2 bubbles, he never imaged the series of 10 images would become quite as iconic as they have. Ahead of his live talk show, we asked Jonathan to tell us a little bit more about this famous series and some of his other work. Settings: (Probably) f32 or f45, …
Live Talk Show with Photographer & Digital Artist Erik Johansson
For many photographers, an image is largely complete when you press the shutter button, but for photographer and digital artist Erik Johansson, that’s just the start of it. Erik, who is self-taught in both photography and Photoshop, has been working as a professional photographer and retoucher for 10 years. Since a young age, Erik has had a keen interest in …
New Live Show: The Magazine Chat Show
Like many bands have a ‘sound’ and clothing brands a certain ‘look’, photographers too should have their own style. It is this that sets their work apart and marks their images as theirs. But how does one go about developing a style? The best place to start is to decide what interests you — what types of photography do you …
How to resize images
After spending hours planning and styling your shot, getting the lighting just right and adding the final touches in post production, the next step is to upload your images to your online portfolio or social media. Part of this process is resizing your images for web. Here I answer the most common questions when it comes to resizing images and …
4 ways to Burn & Dodge in Photoshop
Arguably some of the most valuable tools in Photoshop, burning and dodging refers to darkening or lightening areas of an image. This technique can be used to enhance your imagery by creating three dimensionality and guide the viewer’s eye. This technique, which derives from the days of film and dark room printing, is useful for any genre of photography. As …
Live Talk Show – Product Photographer Jonathan Knowles
Jonathan’s fascination with still imagery started at the age of just eight years old, when he saw Harold Edgerton’s ‘Milk Drop Coronet’ in his school’s science lab. Edgerton’s image of a milk drop hitting a red plate was the first of its kind thanks to his experimentation with flash. His technique, which combined high-tech strobe lighting with camera shutter motors, laid the foundation …
Live Workshop – Legs Eleven
Photographing people can be difficult, with a lot to consider, but photographing legs can be even more difficult. Creating an elegant yet sexy shot of female legs might sound simple but you’d be surprised at just how much there is to consider. In this live show Karl will aim to create two different images while guiding you through important details …
Live Members Critique – Portrait Photography
For this members’ picture critique — a highly popular feature of Karl Taylor Education — Karl will be reviewing portrait images submitted by members. Having recently presented two creative portrait lighting technique live shows (which you can watch here and here), we’re looking forward to seeing your submissions. Karl will offer his perspective and critique on each image, highlighting the …
Top 10 accessories for studio photography
Whether you’re a professional product photographer or still practicing your portrait photography, there are a few photography accessories that are useful to have around the studio. These are my top 10 studio photography accessories that I keep around the studio (plus a bonus one at the end), and many of them are more basic than you might expect! I have …
Photographic backdrops and how to make your own
Choosing the right backdrop is an important part of the photographic process. Photographic backdrops and backgrounds are a key part of any image — they can make or break your photo. Choosing the right backdrop is crucial, but knowing which one is the best can be tricky. To help you make the most of your image, I’ve outlined some key …
Natural light food photography: Tips for photographing food at home
Here I’ve summarised some of the key points covered in our natural light food photography classes, explaining the planning, preparation, equipment, lighting and techniques used for each. For many photographers just starting out, working from home is common practice. You don’t need a lot of equipment or much space to take great photos. What you will need is just a …
Top 10 commonly asked photography questions
Whether you’re a new photographer just starting out or have a few years of experience to your name, chances are you’ll have found yourself asking similar questions. Each month I do a live Q&A on social media and I’ve found that many photographers are asking the same questions time and time again. I answer the 10 most commonly asked photography …