Photo Skills

Capture beautiful nightscapes without investing in a new camera with these expert tips on how to photograph starry skies, meteor showers, the Milky Way, and beyond.

Great photography is more accessible than ever, thanks to affordable camera tech. But you still need the know-how to use it. Pro adventure photographer Adam Barker offers these pointers for getting started.

Nail a once-in-a-lifetime shot with these tips from professional photographer Lucas Gilman.

Improve your photos, learn new techniques, and master the art of outdoor photography.

A professional shares tips on how to take your snaps to the next level.

Check out jsrashkin's author page.

Master exposing these high-constrast scenes to capture the outdoors at its best.

Rocks that look like sculptures deserve photos that look like art.

Show off your friends’ alpine accomplishments with shots that capture the full glory of a trip to the mountains.

Learn to produce cascade shots that do justice to the real thing.

Taking great nature photos is hard. These apps can help.

Practice at home, zoom in, and follow these other simple rules to score an intimate shot that captures an animal’s character.

Are your photos legal? Do you need a permit? We talked to lawyers and rangers to get the real scoop on national park photography rules.

Stephen Matera spent 20 years dialing the cameras, lenses, and accessories he brings backpacking. We got him to open his pack and tell us what’s inside. Plus: His favorite gear, biggest mistakes, and more.

The best camera is the one you have with you. Shoot better photos by learning to use your phone's full capabilities.

Professional photographer Dan Holz shares his hard-won tips on how to protect your camera while backpacking any weather, even without a waterproof camera.

Professional outdoor photographer Ben Herndon shares his hard-won tips on building a career as an adventure photographer. Plus: His biggest mistakes, favorite gear, and more.

Under a blanket of white, even familiar views can turn otherworldly. Here’s how to bring that fleeting beauty home.

It looks sci-fi, but this optical phenomenon is entirely earthly, and yours to capture—if you’re ready for it.

Let the sunlight stream in so your campmates look the way they feel: alive, refreshed, and free.

In an excerpt from the new book The Art of Adventure, BACKPACKER's photo editor reflects on the magic of outdoor images—and the best ones that can never be printed.

You know that feeling: the hush and sway of a forest towering stories above you. Now bring it home.

Summer's blooms can last forever - if you know how to capture them.

What’s better than a perfect alpine sunset? Seeing it doubled. Here’s how to nab the shot.

We received so many great photo for our January 2012 Readers' Choice photo contest that we just had to share the runners-up.

Browse the finalists in November's Reader Photo Contest.

Want to improve your photography skills? Take this one-question poll to tell us what kind of interactive webinar you'd be interested in.

Sand and dust in your digital camera can ruin those once-in a lifetime shots. Here's how to eliminate them from SLR or Micro 4/3rds cameras.

All cameras, whether SLRs or point & shoots, need maintenance. Here's how to clean your baby and get it ready for the next big sunset.

The wilderness is often a wet and gritty place. Fortunately, cameras are tougher than we think, but careless handling can trash them. Here's how to stack the odds in their favor.

Our readers send so many lovely pictures it's hard to pick a winner. These are the ones we loved but didn't pick for publication in the October 2010 issue.

Enhance a photo's color without Photoshop by employing tinted filters.

Enter our 2011 "Your Best Shot" photo contest for a chance to win a Crumpler camera pack.

Learn how to enhance your photos using several photo software programs including Photoshop and Lightroom.

These readers had their cameras out and ready to capture the perfect moment.