This week I share my thoughts on the Sony a9 iii. We talk about what it's amazing at and who it might be for and I give you my unsolicited perspective after spending a few weeks with it. 0:00 - Intro 1:05 - Sony Still Camera Ecosystem 1:40 - a7 Series 2:25 - a1 Series 3:05 - a7R Series 5:00 - a9 series 6:15 - Review of the a9 iii 13:00 - The downside to the a9 iii 13:58 - Who is this camera for?

This week I had some fun making my sunglasses into a preset. It was designed for Nikon Zf street photography but it works well with Sony cameras too. No conditions, free download below if you’re interested. Download the Warm Shades preset here: https://www.matthewraifman.com/warmshades

I've seen a lot of questions about how the new Viltrox E to Z adapter performs. I recently got one for use with my Nikon Zf and the Sigma i series 65mm f/2 lens. Today, we test the new adapter with all my Sony e mount lenses. 0:00 - Introduction 1:20 - Nikon Z 40mm f/2 1:38 - Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM 2:08 - Sigma 65mm f/2 2:28 - Samyang 135mm f/1.8 3:06 - Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 (E mount) 3:40 - Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro 3:58 - Sony 600mm f/4 GM 4:15 - Sony 600mm f/4 GM Animal Eye Detect 4:35 - Summary of the tests 5:34 - The one flaw…

I've been using the Sony 600mm f/4 GM with the Sony A7RV for the past few months and today I offer some first impressions on how it is performing as part of a photo walk through a Northern California marsh. We find herons, egrets, marsh wrens, a northern harrier, and blackbirds.

Hi friends 👋 I’m Matt. I’m a 40 year old wildlife and nature photographer and this is how I spend my Saturday nights. Stop doomscrolling, take a breath, and spend a minute listening to two Great Horned Owls call to each other as the sun goes down in Northern California. And turn your sound on!

This week I share my tripod and tripod head set up that I use for both wildlife and landscape photography. It's highly versatile and I'm pretty thrilled with its performance over the past year. Happy to share with you all. Leofoto VH-30 Two-Way Panoramic Tele Lens Head: https://amzn.to/43mjVAo IFOOTAGE Gazelle TC7 Carbon Camera Tripod Tripod: https://amzn.to/4bzd8FJ IFOOTAGE Cobra 3 Monopod: https://amzn.to/4h3LYIl

This week I review a lens I've been using for the better part of the past year: the Tamron 50-400mm. It's a lens worth considering as a do-it-all landscape, wildlife, macro option. These massive zooms have come a long way since the DSLR days and I have been presently surprised.

This week, I am testing the new Iniu Cougar P63 100W 25000mAh powerbank compared to its stated specs and against my trust 74 Wh Iniu of yesteryear. Does the Cougar hold as much power as it says it should? How fast can it charge from 0 to 100%? How quickly will it charge a laptop? Let's look at the data. If you're interested, check out these referral links for 10% off the purchase. Amazon USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DBHC9F8B?maas=maas_adg_212DEE6DE49D4C09D229151B305DE2DA_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DBHC4FF3?maas=maas_adg_128EB4DBC80E13A4DF2B9FF5719EDDAD_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas Internationally: https://iniushop.com/products/iniu-p63-e1-power-bank-smallest-100w-25000mah?utm_source=KOL&utm_medium=KOL&utm_source_platform=MatthewRaifman

This week, I share a number of images I’ve made with the Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 lens and talk through why I was interested in this lens as a wildlife and nature photographer and why it’s fun to use for street photography.

In this walk and talk, I just share my real thoughts about the Sony A1 vs the Nikon Z8 and other cameras I've used in the field.

This week, I had the Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM and Sony a1 on loan from Sony to try out and I share my thoughts on this combo for bird photography and whether one might be in the future for my kit.

This week, we discuss the Nikon Z 600mm f/6.3 PF lens for wildlife photography. Where does this lens excel and where does it fall short?

Snow Bunting in the Bay Area. These little guys shouldn’t be here, they are arctic birds. But this one lost his way and is living the good life near Hayward. I made a little video.

All shot with Nikon Z8 and 600pf.

This week, I share what I've been up to over the first three amazing weeks of October in Northern California. There was the aurora, a comet, the supermoon rise, and even a trip to Big Sur and Monterey. Absolutely amazing experiences piled into one month. Hope you enjoy the shots.

Captured on Sony A7RV and Samyang 135mm f/1.8 #sonya7rv #timelapse #sanfrancisco #moonrise #moon #goldengatebridge

This week I share my favorite recipe for Ricoh GR. I use this for my everyday carry shots and I am loving what I’m getting straight out of camera. Hope you enjoy #ricohgriii #ricohgriiix #filmsimulation

This week, we walk through printing with the Canon Prograf 300 13" by 19" A3+ printer. I walk through soft proofing, printer settings in Canon's Professional Print & Layout software, and paper choice for landscape and wildlife prints. Hoping this is helpful for those out there considering this printer or generally interested in printing their work. www.matthewraifman.com @matthewraifman

This week I bring you up to date on what’s been going on in my life as well as share some of my recent photography of the Supermoon, San Francisco, and the Marin headlands. I also got a new camera, the Fujifilm GFX 100s. Thanks for being here.

Today, I review the under $100 AstrHori 50mm f/2 manual focus lens on the 61 mp Sony A7RV. A test of what happens when you put the cheapest full frame 50mm lens on the most demanding full frame sensor. We talk about why this is even worth considering with some surprisingly good results.

This week I am getting about 15 prints ready to display and I'm mounting them to gatorboard. I walk through how I mount the prints and plan to hang them. Hope you find it useful! Gatorboard: https://foamboards.com/products/3-16-white-self-adhesive-gator-board-pre-cut-sizes White gloves (not the best...): https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/19993-REG/General_Brand_Lintless_Cotton_White_Gloves.html Hangers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095PXT3JH?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details AC foam for spacer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V6QDZMM?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Wildlife photography is challenging enough just working around the aniamls! This week, I share how I philosophically approach how to get sharp and properly exposed wildlife images with as little adjustment in the field as possible.

0:47 - Handling 5:30 - Build Quality 6:34 - Sharpness 8:34 - Bokeh 10:14 - Image Stabilization 13:30 - Using with the Sony A7RV This week I review the Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS on Sony e mount and share my thoughts from using it in the field for the past two weeks.

If you’re interested, check out the Jumper Backpack here ($169): https://brevite.co/MatthewRaifman This week I review the Brevite Jumper backpack. I was surprised how much I liked this bag because it doesn’t fit the mold of a camera bag for me but it’s very lightweight and even fits a wildlife kit.

Today I dig into a question that I've been wondering about: is it better to crop into the 400mm f/4.5 or use a teleconverter? I share some examples of photos using both combinations and then share some test charts to be a be more clinical about the comparison. Hope it's helpful to you too!

0:00 - Intro 1:32 - The Concept 5:02 - Build Quality 8:40 - Functionality 11:28 - Image Quality 15:54 - Video 17:00 - Conclusion Today, I review the Sandmarc 6x telephoto lens for iphone. It takes your 1x or 3x/5x telephoto lens to extremes offering a potential wildlife and landscape photography solution for iphone.

This week I review the NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 lens from a few weeks of use in the field with sports, portrait, and event photography. The images are excellent and it performs wonderfully on the Z8. It's a bargain compared to the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8

In the field, you might encounter birds and animals on a given day. Being able to switch between animal and bird subject detection with just one button tap is essential sometimes for nailing the shot. Today I share how I have configured my Nikon Z8 to switch AF subject detection modes by just pressing the joystick. Hope it is helpful!

Whenever there is a Wildlife Day, I like to spend the time in nature documenting and photographing wild animals. To recognize National Wildlife Day in the U.S., I went out to Point Reyes to photograph the Tule Elk that once neared extinction. On the way, I stopped by a favorite spot and found a beautiful female bobcat. We had a moment. Hope you enjoy! All captured on the DJI pocket 3 and Nikon Z8 with the 400mm f/4.5 lens.

Some first impressions on the Nikon Z8 Firmware 2.0, being a dad while the family is sick, and the aftermath of the atmospheric rivers in California. Shot on the Pocket 3.

Every year, thousands of ladybugs make their way to hills above coastal California to spend the winter. No one knows quite why or how they know to go there.

Hi all: today I offer some first impressions of the Nikon z8 and z 400mm f/4.5 lens with and without the 1.4x teleconverter. This is a compromise lens, but I think it's worth it. I offer some impressions about how the Nikon z8 performs compared to the Canon R5 as well. Thanks for watching.

This week I share the autofocus and button configuration settings I use on the Fujifilm X-S20 camera for wildlife and bird photography. I've been running this configuration for a while now and wanted to share with you all. My goal was a set-up that worked for both perched birds and bird in flight without having to change the custom mode dial or any settings in camera. In the field, there isn't time for that kind of thing. I think these settings might be useful for the X-T5, X-H2, X-H2S and other cameras using the newest processor from Fuji.

In this travel vlog, I share my recent whirlwind 24 hour trip to Yosemite National Park. While the trip was short, it was packed with photography from sunset to sunrise, fall foliage, infrared black and white, moody fog, hail, and rain. I shot the Canon R5 and the Fujifilm x-S20 cameras on this trip. Here's a link to Reggie's awesome Portra film recipe for Fujifilm cameras that I mention in the video: https://reggiebphotography.com/blog/the-most-versatile-fujifilm-x-trans-iv-film-simulation-recipe-reggies-portra

This week I took out the Canon R5 and RF 14-35 f/4 lens to shoot some midday infrared photography with a Hoya R72 filter in Northern California. I talk through some of the ins and outs of composition and exposure, which sharing some images with you. Hope you enjoy!

Something a bit different. A little movie about what it feels like to be a dad (now two times); the need to recharge to be a better father, to be the dad I want to be.

I've been using the Fujifilm X-S20 camera for the past month so today I share the five things I love and five things I hate about the camera. Hope you enjoy! 0:00 (Introduction) 0:23 (why/why not you should listen to me) 2:18 (Pro: form factor) 4:10 (Pro: that 26mp sensor) 6:30 (Pro: new battery) 7:15 (Pro: punches above its class) 8:42 (Con: limited custom modes) 9:58 (Con: those missing dials) 11:15 (Con: the EVF) 12:42 (Con: joysticks + buttons) 13:45 (Con: no weather sealing/sensor protection) 14:52 (What I didn't mention) 16:35 (Summary)

Autumn is such a beautiful time of year to explore New England. There is so much to photograph and so much to experience. But, over-edited fall foliage photos are a pet peeve of mine. Today, I walk through how I would edit in Adobe Lightroom a shot I took in the White Mountains of New Hampshire a few years ago. I talk through exposure, HSL sliders, and the application of masks to bring out the natural color rather than manufacture it. It's all art and to each their own, but this is a video for those of you out there who want to let nature shine. =)

Today, I explore my newest bag, the Peak Design Sling 10L version 2 and what it can carry. Will it fit the RF 100-500? And perhaps an additional lens? How about a laptop? This bag has become my favorite around town bag with good reason.

I've been searching for the ideal, mid-range priced, low-light telephoto lens for the Canon RF system to supplement my RF 100-500 f/4.5-7.1 IS lens. I found a reasonably price Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II lens and this week I compare the two in a controlled environment to see which one is sharper. Can the EF 400 mm f/4 DO augment the RF 100-500? I test on both the Canon R5 and the R7, as well as with and without the 1.4x TC III.

This week, I had an amazing experience of photographing a Great Horned Owl in Northern California. I share a video and photos from the evening, walk through my settings and how I approached photographing an owl in darkness, and finish with a discussion as to how I think about exposure in these situations and why the big telephoto lenses help.

Today I talk though how I compare the Nikon z8 to the Canon r5 and whether I’ll be switching to Nikon. And despite being at a point where I can rebuild any kit, I’m sticking with Canon.

There's no event I look forward to more every year than the Boston Marathon. It's the most inspirational, unifying, and supportive event from the runners to the spectators to the volunteers. This week I just wanted to share a few of my favorite shots from the 127th Boston Marathon.

In this video, we look at the economics behind the used camera market including major resellers MPB, KEH, and eBay. What is the difference between what they will buy your gear for and what they sell it for? What does this say about the cost of scamming in the marketplace. I share some day that I've collected from my own experience selling used camera gear.

This week I walk through how I process images from straight out of camera to the finished product using FastRAWViewer, DxO Pure RAW 2, and Lightroom and Photoshop. This is a question I get a lot so I thought I'd share it with you. There are a lot of programs out there that one could use too, so I include a few alternatives that you might also consider. Let me know what you do too!

One week before opening day at Fenway Park, the stadium is alive with preparation and anticipation. Banners are hung, windows washed, and vendor stocking supplies. Come along on a brief relaxing photowalk on the streets of Fenway. All shots with the Fuji XT-30 and XF 27mm f/2.8 lens. It's my new-to-me pocketable street camera combo. I went during lunchtime on a cloudy day so the light was unforgiving. Shot all photos in black and white using the Dramatic Monochrome recipe from Fuji X Weekly to make the most of the light: https://fujixweekly.com/2020/02/11/my-fujifilm-x-t30-dramatic-monochrome-film-simulation-recipe/ Instagram: @snappy_streets https://www.instagram.com/snappy_streets/ and @matthewraifman https://www.instagram.com/matthewraifman/

0:00 - Intro 0:35 - Choose an immersive environment 0:58 - Walk, don’t sit 1:46 - Greenspace 2:40 - No distractions 3:27 - Wander 3:52 - Don’t critique 4:33 - Minimize gear 5:15 - Can phones work? This week, we follow up on last week's overview of mindful photograph with seven tips for successful mindful photography from my experience in the field with nature, wildlife, and street photography. How can we make photography as healthy and healthful as possible?

0:00 - Intro 0:25 - Personal story 4:22 - What is mindfulness meditation? 4:50 - What does this have to do with photography? 5:50 - Academic evidence 7:41 - What types of photography are mindful? 8:30 - Threats to mindful photography 10:00 - Concluding thoughts This week, we talk about mindful meditation. Is photography mindful in itself? Are all forms of photography healthy? How can wildlife, nature, and street photography help improve our mental and physical health?

This week, we're diving into two techniques for selectively blurring out the backgrounds of your images in Lightroom and Photoshop. Even when you don't have narrow depth of field, you can use these techniques to enhance bokeh. Don't overdue it though. There's no substitute for fast glass, but these AI-based simple techniques can get you most of the way there.

We talk through the shutter options on the Canon R7 and the sacrifices ones makes to get the sharpest shots possible while not spending a fortune. The R7 is a very sharp camera but it takes some counterintuitive choices.

0:00 - Introduction 0:35 - Conflicts of Interest 1:45 - Choosing a test RAW photo 3:22 - Using DxO PureRAW 2 5:55 - Using Topaz DeNoise 8:45 - Quick comparison of image outputs in Lightroom 9:40 - Adjusting denoise output files for exposure and white balance 12:22 - Comparing like images for denoising and sharpening 13:05 - DxO PureRAW results 14:44 - Topaz DeNoise results 17:12 - Comparing best DxO and PureRAW settings 23:05 - CaptureOne rendering of CR3 files 25:00 - Final Thoughts We dive into some of the best ways to denoise RAW files from the Canon R7. We compare DxO PureRAW 2, Topaz Denoise, Capture One, and Lightroom in how they render CR3 files and how they perform at removing high ISO noise. I talk through what I use and even do some white balance-ing to adjust for color differences between the outputs.

Today, we're talking about the Canon EOS R7 and the EF 300mm f/2.8 mark ii lens combination. I call this my baby 500mm f/4 because with a crop body, the effective focal length and depth of field is that of a 480mm f/4.5 lens. It's tack sharp and let's in a ton of light at f/2.8 without weighing a ton! I discuss using 1.4x and 2x teleconverters and share my thoughts on why you might want to consider this combo particularly for birding and wildlife photography.

This week, after a trip to the dentist!, I explore the new Lightroom masking features released in Lightroom v12.0, including background mask and content-aware erase. I used the opportunity to reimagine an image of a catbird that I took and discarded a while ago to create a new image that I'm happy with. These tools are particularly useful for isolating the subject and selectively editing. I think background mask and object mask will both be extremely useful going forward. The content-aware erase underperforms content aware fill in Photoshop still (not sure why) so I'd recommend still using Photoshop to remove items if needed. I'm sure Lightroom with be updated in the future though to improve this feature. All in all, nice update that continues to improve Lightroom. Check it out!

This week, I talk about my experience shooting with the Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x macro lens. This tiny beast is a reasonably priced, extreme macro lens that can also focus to infinity making it an interesting piece of kit to add to a mirrorless system. I talk through my personal choice of why I went with this fully manual lens over the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 Macro and how I weighed the options. And a lot of it comes down to weigh! This is an unsolicited and uncompensated review. I bought the lens with my own clams and received nothing in exchange. Let me know if you have questions and happy shooting!

Extension tubes are a cheap and easy way to transform one of your lenses into a macro lens with astonishing results. Here is some info and tips: - extension tubes are cheap removable hollow tubes that change the way your lens focuses - they increase the magnification of your lens - they have the biggest effect on wider lenses (this shot was at 35mm focal length) - so use them on a wide angle lens with the highest native magnification (RF 14-35 f/4 has 0.38x magnification at 35mm without a tube) - they create razor thin depth of field so spray and pray and hope for a focused shot OR... - try focus stacking for sharper shots over more of the frame (this is a 12 shot stack) all handheld but with high ISO - have fun!

In this video, I talk though the Instagram Reels Play Bonus program, Instagram's effort to monetize reel views to pay creators. I use data I collected from my own payout to estimate the equation that Instagram uses to determine how much folks should be paid for reel views. It shows that the biggest bang for the buck is in the initial views and, for me personally, that means that after a certain point it doesn't make sense trying to get views. Hope this is helpful for folks! Don't forget to follow me on Instagram: @matthewraifman. ;-)

In this week's video I share my standard editing process for black and white infrared images from straight out of camera to the finished product. I use a Hoya R72 720nm filter to filter most visible light, but this creates fairly noisy shot at relatively high ISO. I process my images in DxO Pure Raw2 to create a noiseless RAW file and then process them simply in Lightroom for black and white images (my preference). For false color images, I channel swap in Photoshop using a quick and easy method. There are some drawbacks to shooting IR with a filter that I touch on, but overall this is a quick and easy and relatively inexpensive way to explore IR photography with a typical mirrorless camera set up. Hope you enjoy! Let me know what your approach is. AND if you know how to address the vignetting issue, please reach out! NOTE: if you do not have a Lightroom infrared temperature profile set up already then please check out Rob Shea's excellent materials for creating one. This is necessary if you want to do colorized IR images; not for black and white. https://blog.robsheaphotography.com/2019/10/19/creating-infrared-custom-profile-lightroom-photoshop.html

This past week, I got back on the trail and hiked Mount Moosilauke in White Mountains National Forest, NH. I talk through some of my thoughts on why I haven’t hiked since the winter and what I’ve learned about work/life balance. Before the hike is interrupted by some extreme weather, I take a couple landscape shots of the beautiful layers of white mountains. I book it down to my car just before a monsoon strikes. Hope you enjoy the vlog!

In this video, I test out a pair of Meike Extension Tubes ($40) and explore why type of lens to put them on to maximize magnification and how to calculate the additional magnification provided by the tubes. I demonstrate the difference using a Canon R5, RF100-500, and RF 24-105mm f/4. Thanks for watching! Meike Extension tubes: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1502602-REG/meike_mk_rf_af1_for_canon_mirrorless.html

In this week's video, I go on a nature walk at the Massachusetts Audubon Wellfleet Wildlife Sanctuary on Cape Cod and talk a little bit about what role these nature walks play in my life as a new dad and photographer. Hope you come along for a relax stroll and a photographer's musings.

For this week's video, I offer an unbiased, unpaid look at whether DxO PureRAW 2 or Topaz DeNoise AI is better at removing noise from a bird photo shot at ISO 12,800 on the Canon R5. My typical workflow for Canon R5 RAW images is to process it first in a 3rd party app for denoising and then process the denoised image in Adobe Lightroom and/or Photoshop. I like this more because I like editing a clean image from the start. Both DxO and Topaz do a great job, but there are differences between the two and I explore those in the video. If you're interested in do your same tests, I'd recommend you download the trial versions of both and do your own comparison. Hope this is helpful and please let me know in the comments what you think about these denoising applications and what you use!

In this week's video, I share two big updates and talk through some of my first impressions of the experience of transitioning from the Nikon d850 to the Canon R5 mirrorless system. I also offer some thoughts on where I have seen the biggest improvement comparing the two systems and share a few shots I've taken with the Canon R5 + Canon RF 100-500 f/4.5-7.1 combo. I apologize for the close crop. I'm still figuring out this YouTube thing and filming myself but we can all agree that's way too much Matt in the frame.

On a recent kid-free morning, I spent some quite time with my camera and lenses to finally take some time to properly calibrate the auto focus using the Nikon AF fine tune option in my d850. In this video, I walk through my process, share the dramatic results using some test images, and talk through the merits of in-camera autofocus adjustments compared to lens-based micro adjustments available on some Sigma and Tamron lenses. My hope is that you'll try our autofocus tuning because it can make a big difference and improve the sharpness of your photos. It's also very easy to turn on and off, so there's no risk! Print off this lens calibration chart to do this at home: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/EIA_Resolution_Chart_1956.svg/2560px-EIA_Resolution_Chart_1956.svg.png

In this week's video, I venture to Cannon Mountain and Lonesome Lake in the Franconia Notch area of the White Mountains in New Hampshire to talk about my top five reasons why hiking in the winter is better than hiking in the summer. I also talk through my standard clothing kit for staying warm in the notoriously cold and windy White Mountains and how to get the best traction on slick snowpack. Come along as we do one of my favorite loop hikes in the Whites that comes packed with an alpine lake, 4,000 footer, and even a ski lift. For those interested, here's a link to the microspikes I discuss in the video: https://www.rei.com/product/890608/kahtoola-microspikes-traction-system

I'm really excited to share with you my review of the Shimoda Explorer V2 35L camera bag. I've taken this bag to the beach in search of snowy owls, to the White Mountains, and all around Boston by bike. In this review, I talk through why it's comfortable - especially what's so unique about the Shimoda harness - as well as how it compares to a hiking backpack and the Atlas Pack Athlete V1. What design features a like and some I don't. Pockets. Materials. And what I think about the company in general. I've been looking forward to sharing my impressions with you for a while now so please enjoy and let me know what your questions are. I apologize for the soft focus in the first half and the podcast at the very end.

In this week’s video, I offer some thoughts and spending time on Cape Cod in the off season, give an update of where I’ve been over the past two weeks (hint: it hasn’t been fun!), and share some seascape photos including a monitor blur shot (intentional camera motion) that I quite like. Hope you enjoy!

In this week's episode, I take you from start to finish through my bird photography editing process for a recent photo I took of a juvenile red-tailed hawk. I go through my Lightroom edits including the new subject masking feature, how I removed a stick with Photoshop content aware fill to simplify the frame, and how one can use Topaz DeNoise AI to process a relatively high noise ISO 3200 image. Hope you enjoy! I had a great time making this!

In this week’s video, I talk through what makes a camera backpack comfortable and what to look for when buying a camera backpack using my favorite REI hiking backpack as an example. Then I evaluate the Atlas Athlete hiking camera backpack based on my experience living with it for the past couple months and using it for landscape photography.

This week, I head up to one of my favorite spots for wildlife photography: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island, about an hour north of Boston, MA. I ended up spending more time exploring the landscapes and seascapes than I did photographing birds because it’s a shoulder season, but what the day lacked in wildlife subjects, it made up for in pondering what photography means to me. Come along as take a photo walk on this coastal barrier island in New England.

This week, I headed to Kaaterskill Falls in the Catskill Mountains of New York State. Up before sunrise, I beat the insane weekend crowds and took a short trail to an overlook and then carried on down to the bottom of the waterfall. Along the way, I compare photos with different compositions, try out different exposure times, and explore whether a polarizer makes a difference (it does!). This was my first time taking my new PolarPro 3-stop Neutral Density/Polarizing filter for a ride too. Come along and check out the tallest waterfall in New York State and we'll do some landscape photography along the way. Music: Acoustic Guitar 1 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

In this week’s video, I made two stops to check out peak foliage in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and make landscape photos. The first location is the Fourth Iron Campground and the second is the Frankenstein Trestle. I found true peak autumn leaves at the latter and explored the area near a railroad bridge for photo opportunities. The historic Scenic Conway Railroad train even made an appearance! I ended up taking quite a few shots and having a blast. There’s even a bit of a treat at the end, as I give my review of a freeze-dried backpacking meal. Hope you enjoy!

Do you have a hike that you've done a dozen times, it's super popular, it isn't that challenging, but the views are extraordinary in every season from winter to fall and you keep going back for more? Well, that hike for me is Artists' Bluff in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Come along as I share my favorite hike with you and make some photos on a stormy, mercurial autumn day.

It’s autumn in New England! This week I went on a super quick trip up to Dixville Notch, New Hampshire with the hope of finding some early fall foliage to photograph. Population 12 (not 1,000 as I said in the video), Dixville Notch is about 30 minutes from the border with Canada and one of the first places in the U.S. where the leaves change. I have been dreaming about getting up here and doing the Table Rock hike since I first heard about it years ago as one of the 25 most terrifying hikes in New Hampshire. Come along with me as I hike up to this amazing vantage point and make some landscape photos on a misty fall day.

I've been using the Peak Design Everyday 30L backpack V1 for the last two years. This bag has been all over with me..on flights, car trips, bike rides, and everything in between. I've used it as a camera bag, travel bag, laptop bag, everyday carry, and even to transport my groceries (small batches). Here I review the bag and share my experiences with it; both pros and cons. I also share why I've decided to sell the bag and go with a new bag system. There are a lot of these bags on the market now both new and used, and they’re available at a discount because V2 came out recently. I think there's a lot to like, so if you're interested in a lower cost everyday carry, check this review out.

In landscape (and seascape) photography, sometimes our subject is really far away. This week I explore the ways to get the sharpest photo possible from 4,000 feet away (almost a mile!) from things you can do in camera to your tripod set up. I headed to Gloucester, MA to photograph the Annisquam Lighthouse at blue hour and put these recommendations to use. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewraifman/?hl=en Prints: www.matthewraifman.com

I've been photographing the White Mountains of New Hampshire and other spots around New England for the better part of the past decade. Autumn is just about the best time of year around here. I put together six tips to make sure you have a fall foliage photography filled, fun, relaxing leaf peeping experience in the White Mountains.

While in Acadia National Park, you have to wake up for the sunrise. It's the first part of the America to see the rising sun (because it's the furthest east). In this behind the scenes photography vlog, I wake up at 3:45am, do a brief hike up, and set up to take a sunrise photo of Jordan Pond. Does it work out? Check out the video to find out. Thanks for watching! You can find more photos on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewraifman/ or buy prints at my website: https//www.matthewraifman.com

It's 2021, we're in the midst of a global pandemic, I just turned 37, I have a toddler, I'm doing a PhD, and it's a lot! I'm just a guy trying to keep in all together while navigating life. Photography is my escape; my meditation; my passion. I've decided to start a proper YouTube channel where I'll share my behind the scenes experiences in how I make my photos, from early hikes to catch the sunrise in a National Park to a quick bike ride into Boston to shoot the sunset. I'll share my successes, my failures, photography tips, the never ending search for the perfect bag, and the challenges of doing it all on a moderate budget (like filming your first vlog on an iPhone) and with the demands of a busy life. But most of all I hope to connect with you and the broader YouTube photography community. Thanks for checking out my channel and I hope you follow along. You can find my photos on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/matthewraifman/ or check out my website https://www.matthewraifman.com/