Third-party lenses can be a great way to save money on your photography equipment, but what are you giving up when you go with a lesser-known brand?  We discuss the benefits and disadvantages of using third-party lenses, including top brands like Sigma and Tamron.

We discuss photography composition techniques and concepts including the Rule of Thirds, Symmetry, Leading Lines and more.

In this episode of Camera Academy, the boys get into the basics of lighting. In Part 1, we discuss the different types of light sources you can utilize as a photographer, specifically, natural light, continuous artificial lighting and flashes (strobes).

If the color in your photos seems a bit amiss -- a little too red, a little too blue or anywhere in between -- then you might want to learn a bit more about white balance. In this episode, we review the topic of color temperature, how it relates to photography, and the drastic impact it can have on your pictures. As if you didn't have enough to worry about!

In this episode, we talk about RAW and JPEG files... what they are, what benefits each file type provides, when to shoot with each type, and more! If you haven't taken the plunge into RAW yet, this is a great primer on what to expect.

In this episode, we take a closer look at the mysterious technology of image stabilization, from lens-based to in-body, and all the pros and cons (well, mostly pros) that it brings to the party.

P.S. Nick's microphone was having... issues... Sorry. :-/

In this episode (our longest yet), we discuss the wide-ranging subject of focusing, from manual to auto, single-shot to continuous, and the various area modes and extra features that make focusing such a complex topic. Plus, Nick complains about paddle shifters on CVT transmissions for some reason. We don't even remember why.

In this episode of Camera Academy, we talk in depth about Shooting Modes and demystify that little dial with all the letters and weird icons on it. Auto, Manual, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, plus those faces and mountains and flowers that sometimes make an appearance (Scene Modes, of course).

With all the different camera types out there, choosing the right one can be difficult. In this episode, Nick and Nicolai break down DSLRs, mirrorless and point-and-shoots -- definitions, pros and cons, etc. -- to help you make a more informed decision.

No exposure triangle is complete without ISO! In this episode, learn how ISO affects your photos and what practical and creative uses it has, plus enjoy Nick's voice cracking like a middle-schooler on two separate occasions.