Welcome To Tanelorn: Must-See Digital Photography Websites

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Must-See Digital Photography Websites

By Dave Johnson, PCWorld Feb 6, 2012 9:06 AM

We all have our favorite websites for those subjects that are near and dear to our hearts. There are sites I visit for tips on playing drums, for example, as well as improving my fiction writing. But what of digital photography? Obviously, you already read Digital Focus. And while you're here at PCWorld, you might also check out the monthly Hot Pic photo contest slideshow and check in on the latest camera reviews. But what's going on elsewhere on the Internet, you ask? Great question. Follow along while I take you on a tour of some of my favorite online resources.

Digital Photography Review

If you're shopping for a digital camera, there is no question that Digital Photography Review, known more commonly just as dpreview.com should be on the list of sites you visit. No other site is quite as thorough in its analysis of cameras, and it has just about the most complete library of reviews you'll find anywhere--for both cameras and lenses.

Digital Photography School

Digital Photography School has a lot of useful information, like tips and tutorials, recommendations about camera equipment, and photos and content shared by other readers.

Photoshop Disasters

Sort of like Cake Wrecks and Awkward Family Photos, two other favorites of mine, Photoshop Disasters is a hilarious collection of photos from around the world that include ludicrous photo editing errors--like people with extra limbs, objects that mysteriously float in space, and more. It's always good for a laugh.

National Geographic

After you spend a little time looking at the worst photos on the Web, be sure to check out some of the best. National Geographic's Photography section is a welcome pit stop for me once a week or so. The site has gorgeous images from around the world, with galleries, desktop background downloads, and a Photo of the Day that's updated, well, daily.

Photojojo

I love Photojojo! This quirky little site is chock full of photo projects and tips unlike anything you'll find elsewhere on the Internet. Click over to the Newsletter tab to find advice on subjects as diverse as improving your Facebook Timeline to making DIY photo wrapping paper to turning photos into works of art by doodling on the prints. Photojojo also sells a line of clever gadgets, like an inexpensive ring flash, an iPhone mount for your SLR lens, and a thermos shaped like a camera lens.

Photography Magazines

Finally, I should point out that there are a slew of digital camera and photography magazines out there, and many of them have excellent Web sites. Not sure which ones to browse? Here are my top picks:

Digital Photo Pro

Outdoor Photographer

PDN (Photo District News)

Popular Photography

Shutterbug Magazine

Hot Pic of the Week

Get published, get famous! Each week, we select our favorite reader-submitted photo based on creativity, originality, and technique.

Here's how to enter: Send us your photograph in JPEG format, at a resolution no higher than 800 by 600 pixels. Entries at higher resolutions will be immediately disqualified. If necessary, use an image editing program to reduce the file size of your image before e-mailing it to us. Include the title of your photo along with a short description and how you photographed it. Don't forget to send your name, e-mail address, and postal address. Before entering, please read the full description of the contest rules and regulations.

This week's Hot Pic: "Alien Beeing" by Brian Sierfeld, Wayne, New Jersey

Brian says: "I enjoy shooting close-ups of insects. Recently, I noticed that the flowers that line my driveway host a large number of bees. I shot this with a Cannon T3 with the ISO cranked up to 1600 to freeze the action with a shutter speed of 1/2000 second."

This week's runner-up: "Nesting" by Jayashree Balasubramanian, Horicon, Wisconsin

Jayashree shot this photo with a Canon 50D.

To see last month's winners, visit our January Hot Pics slide show. Visit the Hot Pics Flickr gallery to browse past winners.

Have a digital photo question? E-mail me your comments, questions, and suggestions about the newsletter itself. And be sure to sign up to have Digital Focus e-mailed to you each week.