#camera tips

The Ultimate Guide to 15 Types of Photography

Ever feel stuck in a creative rut? Or maybe you're just starting your photography journey and don't know where to focus?

I've put together a huge resource to help! My new blog post breaks down 15 different types of photography, from classic genres to more specialized styles.

Whether you're into capturing the world's most epic landscapes, the vibrant energy of a city street, or the intricate details of a macro shot, there's a style here for you.

Some of the genres we cover:

📸 Landscape Photography

🏙️ Street Photography

🦋 Macro Photography

✨ Portrait Photography

🌟 And so much more!

I've included tips, inspiration, and some of my favorite photographers in each category.

Check out the full guide on my blog!

Beginner Guide to Camera Filters: UV, ND, and Polarizing Filters

Camera filters are simple accessories that attach to the front of a lens. They may look small, but they can change the way your photos look and help protect your gear. For beginners, the most common filters to understand are UV filters, ND filters, and polarizing filters. Each one has a different purpose, and knowing when to use them can improve your photography workflow.

A UV filter is often used mainly for lens protection. In the past, UV filters helped reduce ultraviolet haze in film photography, but modern digital cameras are less affected by UV light. Today, many photographers use UV filters as a protective layer on the front of the lens. It can help protect the glass from dust, fingerprints, light scratches, and small bumps.

Some photographers prefer not to use UV filters because they want the cleanest possible image quality. Others like the extra protection, especially when shooting outdoors, traveling, or working in dusty environments. If you choose a UV filter, pick a good-quality one. A poor-quality filter may reduce sharpness, create glare, or add unwanted reflections.

An ND filter, or neutral density filter, is used to reduce the amount of light entering the lens. Think of it like sunglasses for your camera. ND filters are useful when you want to use slower shutter speeds or wider apertures in bright conditions.

For example, if you are photographing waterfalls, rivers, or ocean waves, an ND filter lets you use a slow shutter speed to create smooth motion blur in the water. Without the filter, the photo may become too bright. ND filters are also helpful for video because they allow you to keep a natural shutter speed while shooting in daylight.

ND filters come in different strengths. A lighter ND filter blocks a small amount of light, while a stronger ND filter blocks much more. Some filters are fixed, meaning they always block the same amount of light. Others are variable ND filters, which let you adjust the strength by rotating the filter. Variable ND filters are popular for video creators because they are flexible and easy to use.

A polarizing filter is another very useful option. It can reduce reflections and improve color contrast. This is especially helpful when photographing water, glass, leaves, skies, cars, and shiny surfaces. A polarizer can make blue skies look deeper and clouds stand out more clearly. It can also reduce glare on water so you can see more detail beneath the surface.

Polarizing filters work best when the light is coming from certain angles. You rotate the filter to control the effect. Sometimes the change is subtle, and sometimes it is very noticeable. When shooting landscapes, a polarizer can make outdoor photos look cleaner and richer, especially on bright sunny days.

However, polarizers are not always ideal. They reduce the amount of light entering the lens, so you may need a slower shutter speed, wider aperture, or higher ISO. They can also create uneven darkening in very wide-angle sky photos. Like other filters, quality matters. A cheap polarizer may cause color shifts or softness.

Before buying any filter, check the filter thread size of your lens. This is usually written on the front or side of the lens and measured in millimeters, such as 49mm, 67mm, 72mm, or 82mm. A filter must match the size of your lens, unless you use step-up rings.

Step-up rings can help you use one larger filter on multiple smaller lenses. For example, if you own lenses with different filter sizes, you can buy one large filter and use adapter rings. This can save money if you plan to use filters often.

It is also important to keep filters clean. Dust, fingerprints, and smudges on a filter can affect your image. Use a microfiber cloth, air blower, or proper lens cleaning tool. Avoid wiping the filter with rough fabric because it may scratch the surface.

Beginners do not need to buy every type of filter immediately. A good UV filter may be useful for protection. A polarizing filter is great for landscapes, travel, and outdoor photography. An ND filter is helpful if you want to experiment with long exposures or shoot video in bright light.

The best filter depends on what you shoot. If you travel often, a polarizer can improve outdoor images. If you shoot video, a variable ND filter may be more useful. If you simply want protection for your lens, a UV filter may be enough.

Camera filters are small accessories, but they can give you more creative control. Once you understand what each filter does, you can choose the right one for your lens, your shooting style, and the photos or videos you want to create.