One of the most toxic feelings that a photographer (or human being) is to feel envy. Apparently envy is a trait that is deeply embedded in us, even as babies. But why is it that we feel envy, what are we envious about, and what can we do about it? Evolutionary reasons for envy/jealousy Evolutionary reasons for envy/jealousy First of all, realize that it is totally normal to feel envy (wishing you were in someone else’s spot) and also jealousy (fearing that someone else is going to take your spot)....

Wikipedia has recently launched a pretty interesting contest. Wiki Loves Monuments invites you to take photos of historic sites and upload them to Wikimedia Commons. In return, you can get a $500 prize if you win, and there are consolation prizes for nine other photographers, too. Wiki Loves Monuments is directed towards photographers from all over the world. Its goal is to document and preserve historic sites, both on Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects....

A group of ten world-renowned wildlife photographers have teamed up with animal activists PETA to send a letter to Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MOD). The letter requests that the Queen’s Guard no longer use real black bearskins in their uniform, particularly in the ceremonial helmets. The letter states that “the only way bears should be shot is through a lens”, and asks Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace to change to using sustainable faux fur for the uniform instead....

Regardless of whether you call them lav, lavalier or lapel mics, they are wonderful things. Often used for interviews, spoken pieces to camera, and for when you can’t get a shotgun boomed overhead. What makes them great is that they can be so easily hidden from the camera’s view. You can hide them in clothes, under hair, on set pieces, and all kinds of places to keep them off camera but pick up quality audio....

There must be at least 3 million different ways to mount an overhead camera rig. Seriously just look at how many we’ve already covered here on DIYP. But there’s always room for more, especially when they set things up a little differently. And even more so when they’re designed for much larger sets than those we might typically be used to. And in this video from commercial photographer Tony Roslund, we see just how to build one for that larger set using a couple of light stands, a few clamps and a pole....