Workshops & Tours
Evaluating the True Impact of Location Familiarity on Portfolio Quality
A critical look at whether new destinations improve photographs, weighing repeat workshop visits against location...
Michael Brooks
Senior Gear Editor
Michael Brooks conducts comparative evaluations of camera bodies, converted infrared systems, neutral-density filters, tripods, and intervalometers using repeatable field protocols. Educated in journalism and trained in digital imaging labs in Washington, D.C., he emphasizes variance, failure modes, thermal noise, color response, and ergonomics under real shooting constraints rather than manufacturer claims.
Posts by Michael Brooks
Long Exposure
How to Shoot Midday Long Exposures Using a 15-Stop ND Filter
A 15-stop ND filter lets photographers run multi-minute exposures at noon. This guide covers exposure math, light...
HDR Photography
Data-Driven Assessment of Color Shift in 32-Bit HDR Merging Engines
Deborah Sandidge tests how 32-bit HDR merge engines shift color, using checker charts and histograms to tame saturation...
HDR Photography
Pixel-Level Evaluation of De-Ghosting Algorithms During High-Wind HDR Capture
Moving foliage and water ruin HDR brackets. Pixel-level tests of three de-ghosting engines show which software best...
Long Exposure
Creating Abstract Landscapes Through Intentional Camera Movement and ND Filters
Deborah Sandidge presents a field method combining ND filters with intentional camera movement to paint ethereal...
Gear & Tools
Why the Best Workshop Breakthroughs Happen Without a Camera in Hand
Photography workshops deliver lasting advances through critiques, meals, and conversations that occur when cameras are...
Gear & Tools
Creative Photo Editing: Textures, Filters, and Software Techniques
Expert photographers now elevate images by layering textures and applying targeted filters in Photoshop and specialized...
Gear & Tools
Comparing Nikon D810 and D4 sensor performance in low light
A detailed comparison of Nikon D810 and D4 sensor behavior in low light uncovers practical advantages for twilight and...
Long Exposure
Why Embracing Bad Weather Leads to Your Most Memorable Travel Images
Travel photographers often avoid storms and fog, yet these conditions deliver unmatched drama and atmosphere. Deborah...
