Search Results for: lighting

Person in a red parka stands in icy water with glaciers and icebergs in the distance, arms raised in triumph.

Outdoor photography has a way of blending patience, adventure, and storytelling into a single frame. Calgary-based photographer Kyle Marquardt has built his creative style around capturing the raw beauty of Western Canada, from dramatic landscapes to authentic moments in the outdoors. In this Sony Alpha Universe feature, Kyle shares his perspective behind the lens, the gear that supports his workflow, and how Sony Alpha cameras help him document the environments and experiences that inspire his photography most. Follow Kyle’s work on Instagram:📸 @kylefotos Sticking to one style can be effective because it attracts people who appreciate that particular aesthetic.However, it often confines you to a specific category, making it difficult to explore beyond your usual approach. Personally, I prefer to take photos in bright and sunny conditions, especially during the golden light of early morning and late evening. This lighting works well for the cheerful and dramatic images I enjoy creating. Unfortunately, when the sun isn’t shining, I feel compelled to adopt a more subdued mood in my photography. I was reminded of this during a recent shoot, where the weather was consistently dreary, rainy, and windy, leaving me longing for that golden, crepuscular light. I’m shooting with the Alpha 9 III, which is known for its global shutter, very good stabilization, and its incredible autofocus and tracking capabilities. I set the camera to burst mode at 120 frames per second with a 1/500th of a second shutter speed, fast enough for action but slow enough to show movement with motion blur. With those settings, I had at least 90% of the images sharp and in focus. I’m used to culling a lot of photos because I shoot and record more images than I need, just to be safe. But pre-shooting is a spectacular feature because I can indiscriminately start taking photos of everything that is moving, or about to move, but only save the photos that are actually worth keeping. I likely shot a hundred times more photos than I needed, but because only the best ones got saved to my memory card, I found that when I downloaded my photos, I only had the best sequences and fewer images to cull than usual. Another way to stay organized when shooting in burst mode is to enable display as Group. On Sony cameras, it’s in the menu at:  Playback>Playback Option> Display as Group>On If, for example, I hold down my shutter and take hundreds of photos of one bird, but after I take another group of photos that’s way better. The camera will display each shutter press as 2 photo groups. With one click, I can go back to the first series and “Delete All in This Group” to remove them, keeping only the second burst of photos, which turned out much better. With this trick, fewer photos need to be downloaded, and less time is spent on the computer. For that reason, I would say the A9 III is the action editor’s camera of choice. Editors love having options, and if a photographer were to submit photos shot at a rate only a slow-motion camera could capture, they could pick which fraction of a second has the best action for their purposes. […]

Two gold wedding bands resting on a lacey, pale backdrop with ribbons and greenery in soft focus to convey a wedding theme.

For a lot of photographers, wedding photography begins with a single moment. Maybe it’s the first dance.A nervous smile before the ceremony.A father seeing his daughter in her dress for the first time. And then it happens. That first click… clicks. Suddenly, photography becomes more than just taking pictures. You realize you’re preserving moments people will remember for the rest of their lives. The pressure feels real—but so does the reward. Wedding photography has a way of pulling photographers in quickly. It combines storytelling, portraiture, lighting, fast decision-making, emotion, and […]

Canon EOS R6 camera body with mount exposed, logo above on a dark gradient background (product shot).

The Canon EOS R6 V is built for creators who want full control — 7K 60p RAW, built-in cooling with extended recording time, Canon Log 2 , and full-frame IBIS. The mirrorless camera market has never moved faster—and creators today expect more from their gear than ever before. They want: That’s exactly where the new Canon EOS R6 V steps in. Built for hybrid creators, filmmakers, photographers, and storytellers who constantly move between stills and video, the Canon R6 V combines speed, reliability, and workflow-focused features into one incredibly versatile system. And […]

Street-art mural of a man on the right holding flowers toward a woman walking away on the left, with a large rock-like figure in the foreground and blue graffiti tags in the background.

Street photography is one of the most accessible, challenging, and rewarding styles of photography you can explore. You don’t need a studio. You don’t need elaborate setups. You just need curiosity, timing, and a camera you trust. The beauty of street photography is that it captures life exactly as it happens. Fleeting expressions, dramatic light, interesting people, architecture, weather, movement—it’s all unfolding around you in real time. And for many photographers, this is where the obsession begins. That’s what the Start Here series is all about. Henry’s isn’t just where photographers shop—it’s […]

Macro photo of a honey bee clinging to the edge of a green leaf, collecting pollen with its fuzzy body visible in focus.

Macro photography opens up a completely different world. It’s where tiny details become massive subjects. Textures you’d normally overlook—petals, insects, water droplets—suddenly become the entire story. But capturing that level of detail isn’t just about getting close. It’s about control. Control of light.Control of focus.Control of movement. That’s why building a proper macro setup matters. If you’re getting started—or looking to level up—this guide breaks down the essential tools that help you create sharp, intentional, and professional macro images. Core Stability: Why Your Tripod Matters More Than You Think In macro photography, […]

Sony Alpha Universe content creator Katie Steckly has built a business making content on the go – and she’s crystal clear about the moment many creators reach: the phone is great until it isn’t. When you’re ready to level up quality, flexibility and workflow, a dedicated camera becomes a force multiplier. Below, we unpack Katie’s three core reasons to make the upgrade: Whether you’re vlogging, filming short-form for Reels/TikTok, or producing long-form YouTube videos, moving to an interchangeable lens camera like the new Sony Alpha 7 V, Alpha 6700, ZV-E1 or ZV-E10 II opens creative options your phone […]

There’s something different about a photo that wins. It’s not always the rarest animal, the most expensive gear, or even the most exotic location. More often than not, it’s a combination of intention, execution, and attention to detail that sets a great image apart from the rest. The recent ROM Wildlife Photo Contest showcased exactly that. We’re thrilled to celebrate the winners from across Ontario and the incredible level of talent submitted. From striking wildlife encounters to thoughtful compositions, this year’s contest was a reminder of just how powerful photography can be […]

Vlogging has never been more accessible — and in 2026, beginner-friendly cameras are better than ever. You no longer need a massive budget or complicated setup to create great-looking content. Today’s entry-level vlogging cameras offer excellent video quality, strong autofocus, built-in stabilization, and creator-focused features that make getting started simple. If you’re launching a YouTube channel, posting Reels or TikToks, or documenting travel and everyday life, these are the best beginner cameras for vloggers in 2026 — and why they’re such smart first choices. What Makes a Great Beginner Vlogging Camera? Before […]

The Sony FX3 sits in a rare sweet spot. It delivers true cinema-level image quality, but in a body that feels more like a mirrorless camera than a traditional cinema rig. It’s compact, lightweight, and built for filmmakers who actually move — travel shooters, documentary creators, solo operators, and small teams who need professional results without slowing down. This is a camera designed for the real world, not just controlled sets. Cinema Quality Without the Bulk At its core, the Sony FX3 is a full-frame Cinema Line camera built around Sony’s proven […]

Street photography is a fascinating style of photography that focuses on capturing everyday life. If you’re interested in exploring this style, here are some beginner tips to help you begin your street photography journey, along with suggestions for the best Sony equipment to consider using. Explore street photography with Sony cameras. Get tips on gear, composition and storytelling to capture inspiring urban scenes with ease. 1. Start With The Right Camera + Lens Combo Choosing the right camera and lens can make a significant difference in your street photography experience. […]