エピソード

  • Talking with Pete Ramsden - Techniques for Photographing in Challenging Conditions, Advice on Light Painting, Capturing the Northern Lights and More
    2026/09/01
    In this episode of The Wild Photographer, Court sits down with fellow photographer, naturalist and expedition leader Pete Ramsden for a wide-ranging conversation about what it actually takes to make great photographs in some of the more challenging environments on the planet.They start in the rainforests of Borneo, where heat, humidity, and surprisingly low light can be challenging for both photographers and their gear. Pete shares some of the systems he has developed over years of guiding, including using silica gel and dry bags to fight moisture, acclimating cameras before heading outside, keeping lens cloths dry, and taking advantage of modern image stabilization to shoot at shutter speeds that would have seemed impossible not long ago. From there, the conversation moves north to the Arctic, with a deep dive into light painting and northern lights photography, including focusing in near-total darkness, composing around the aurora and experimenting with long exposures.Court and Pete also get into the bigger picture of photography today. What does it mean to actually be "successful" as a photographer? How important is social media? How should photographers approach editing, culling thousands of images and traveling with increasingly complicated camera kits? Pete shares his Lightroom workflow, favorite travel tricks, current Sony setup and the one piece of gear that has become an unexpected game changer in the field.Links & Resources MentionedPete RamsdenPete Ramsden's Nat Hab bio, photography and upcoming tripsNat Hab Borneo Wildlife Photo ExpeditionLight PaintingLight Painting BrushesLight Painting Brushes Starter KitsLuminosify Choobs light-painting tubesTravel & Camera Carrying GearPelican 1535 Air Carry-On CaseCotton Carrier G3 Camera HarnessPeak Design Capture Camera ClipPete's Camera GearSony Alpha 7R VSony Alpha 7 VSony FE 200–600mm f/5.6–6.3 G OSSSony FE 70–200mm f/2.8 GM OSS IISony FE 14mm f/1.8 GMSony 2x TeleconverterSigma 24–70mm f/2.8 DG DN II ArtGear Court MentionsCanon RF100–300mm f/2.8 L IS USMCourt's WebsitesCheck out my photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.comSign up for my photo and conservation blog at www.courtwhelan.comFollow me on YouTube (@courtwhelan) for more photography tipsView my camera kit and recommended camera gearSponsors and Promo Codes:MPB.com - Buy, Sell, or Trade Camera GearArtStorefronts.com - Mention this podcast for free photo website designBayPhoto.com - 25% off your first order (code: TWP25) ArtHelper.com - a photo community to learn, share and be inspiredArthelper.Ai - Smart tools to promo and showcase your art.LensRentals.com - WildPhoto15 for 15% off
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    1 時間 28 分
  • A Deep Dive into Memory Cards: Speed, Maintenance, Formatting and More
    2026/08/18
    Memory cards might be one of the least exciting things in your camera bag…right up until one fails, or a camera buffer "locks up" in the middle of an incredible wildlife moment, or you find your card simply isn't fast enough.In this episode, Court does a deep dive into how memory cards actually work, what all those increasingly cryptic symbols on the front mean, and—more importantly—how to choose the right card for the way you photograph. The episode covers SD vs. CFexpress, read speed vs. write speed, UHS-I vs. UHS-II, V30/V60/V90 ratings, card capacity, camera buffers, dual-card setups, formatting, backups, field care, and a whole lot more.At the end of the day, the best memory card is the one a photographer almost never has to think about. Court's advice is to choose something that matches the camera and the way it's being used, build a solid backup and formatting routine around it, take care of it in the field, and then get back to worrying about the much more interesting stuff happening on the other side of the lens.A Quick Memory Card Cheat SheetGeneral photography / landscapes / casual travel:A good-quality SD card is usually plenty. If the camera supports UHS-II, it's worth considering, but there isn't necessarily a need for the fastest card available.Wildlife, birds, and action:Write speed becomes much more important. When shooting large RAW files at 15, 20, or 30+ frames per second, a slow card can become a bottleneck very quickly.High-resolution cameras:The bigger the files and the faster they're being captured, the more card speed matters.Video:Pay particular attention to sustained write speed. This is where V30, V60, and V90 ratings become important. Photographers should always check their camera's requirements for the specific video mode they're using.CFexpress:If a camera supports it and you're routinely shooting large RAW bursts, high-frame-rate wildlife, 4K/8K video, or RAW video, CFexpress can be a major performance upgrade.Capacity:For many still photographers, Court thinks 128GB–256GB is a great sweet spot. High-megapixel wildlife shooters and hybrid photo/video shooters may be happier around 256GB–512GB, while serious video shooters can very quickly find themselves looking at 1TB or more.Court's 10-Point Memory Card ChecklistBuy the right card for the camera. Compatibility comes first.Prioritize write speed for shooting and read speed for transferring files.Pay attention to sustained write speed for video. Look at ratings such as V30, V60, and V90 and check what the camera requires.Don't bargain-hunt too aggressively. Buy good cards from reputable brands and trustworthy retailers.Use a real memory-card case. Loose cards rattling around in the bottom of a camera bag are asking for trouble.Have a system for full vs. empty cards. Face-up/face-down, separate cases, labels—whatever works. Just make it obvious.Format cards in the camera only after the photos are safely backed up.Import → Backup → Verify → FormatDon't remove cards while they're being accessed. Give the camera or computer a few seconds to finish its work.Retire suspicious cards. Court's philosophy is simple: if a card starts giving errors, transfer problems, or anything else that makes him nervous, it doesn't come on an important trip.Remember that a memory card is temporary storage—not an archive. Build a proper backup workflow for both the trip and when you get home.Products & Resources MentionedProGrade Digital CFexpress Type B + SDXC Dual-Slot Card ReaderCourt mentions ProGrade readers as a fast and reliable option for working with CFexpress and SD cards.https://shop.progradedigital.com/collections/sd-readers/products/dual-slot-cfexpress-type-b-sdxc-readerSD Association Memory Card FormatterThe official SD Association formatting utility mentioned in the episode.https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/Memory Card Brands MentionedCourt mentions several established memory-card manufacturers in the episode. He doesn't recommend one specific card model for everyone because the right choice depends heavily on camera compatibility, burst rate, video settings, and card-slot type.SanDisk Memory Cardshttps://www.sandisk.com/products/memory-cardsSony Memory Cardshttps://electronics.sony.com/imaging/imaging-accessories/memory-cards-storageLexar Memory Cardshttps://americas.lexar.com/product-category/memory-cards/ProGrade Digital Memory Cardshttps://shop.progradedigital.com/collections/memory-cardsKingston Memory Cardshttps://www.kingston.com/en/memory-cardsB&H Photo — Memory CardsOne of the reputable retailers Court mentions for purchasing cards.https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Memory-Cards/ci/1097/N/4093113320Court's WebsitesCheck out my photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.comSign up for my photo and conservation blog at www.courtwhelan.comFollow me on YouTube (@courtwhelan) for more photography tipsView my camera kit and recommended camera gearSponsors and Promo Codes:MPB.com - Buy, Sell, or ...
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    52 分
  • Talking with Shem Compion: Making Memorable Wildlife Photographs on Safari and Beyond
    2026/08/04
    When it comes to African wildlife photography, Shem Compion has done just about everything. He is an award-winning photographer, naturalist, author, and pioneering hide builder who has spent more than 25 years exploring and photographing the wild landscapes of Africa. He is also a professional photo guide where he helps photographers experience Africa with the timing, access and creative guidance needed to come home with something truly special.In this episode, Shem and I dig into what separates a technically good wildlife photograph from one that stops people in their tracks. For Shem, much of it comes down to combining emotion with narrative. A photograph should make the viewer feel something, but it should also tell us where the animal lives, what it is doing and why that particular moment matters.We also explore the enormous value of photographic guides, the temptation to photograph every animal you encounter on safari and why harsh midday light is rarely your friend. Shem shares the fascinating story behind the underground photography hides at Mashatu Game Reserve, including the new overnight hide that functions almost like a wildlife photography studio, complete with controlled lighting, beds and, crucially, a coffee machine.From there, our conversation expands into visual storytelling, conservation photography, building a lasting body of work and organizing your image library so you can actually find those photographs 15 years from now. Shem also walks us through his current Nikon kit, his relatively light-handed approach to editing and the advice he wishes he could give his younger self: take more photographs, especially of the people, experiences and behind-the-scenes moments that make a journey memorable.Links and Resources MentionedLearn More About Shem...Shem Images — Shem’s photography, books, portfolio and backgroundShem Images on InstagramC4 Photo Safaris — Shem’s specialist African photography safari companyThe Rift: Scar of Africa — Shem’s long-form photography project documenting Africa’s Great Rift ValleyPurchase The RiftPhotography Hides and Safari ExperiencesPhotoMashatu — Photographic experiences at Mashatu Game ReserveMashatu’s Underground and Overnight Hides — Information about the ground-level Matebole Hide and Lala Limpopo Sleep-Out HideC4 Photo Safaris at MashatuConservation PhotographyWildscreen ARK — Wildscreen’s nature education and visual storytelling platformThe ARKive Legacy — The original conservation image library referenced during the conversation. ARKive went offline in 2019, but its collection of more than 100,000 wildlife images and videos remains preserved by Wildscreen.Photo Books, Organization and EditingShutterfly Photo Books — One option for turning a personal photography project into a printed bookAdobe Lightroom and PhotoshopPhoto Mechanic — Photo-management software mentioned while discussing digital asset workflowsNik Collection and Silver Efex — The black-and-white editing software Shem uses for selected fine-art imagesShem’s Primary Camera KitNikon Z8NIKKOR Z 180–600mm f/5.6–6.3 VRNIKKOR Z 24–120mm f/4 SNIKKOR Z 70–180mm f/2.8Court's WebsitesCheck out my photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.comSign up for my photo and conservation blog at www.courtwhelan.comFollow me on YouTube (@courtwhelan) for more photography tipsView my camera kit and recommended camera gearSponsors and Promo Codes:MPB.com - Buy, Sell, or Trade Camera GearArtStorefronts.com - Mention this podcast for free photo website designBayPhoto.com - 25% off your first order (code: TWP25) ArtHelper.com - a photo community to learn, share and be inspiredArthelper.Ai - Smart tools to promo and showcase your art.LensRentals.com - WildPhoto15 for 15% off
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    1 時間 11 分
  • Snapshot Episode: A Quick Guide to Ultra-Wide Angle Lenses
    2026/07/28

    Ultra-wide angle lenses may not take the majority of the photographs on a typical trip, but the images they produce can be some of the most immersive, useful and memorable. They are fantastic for astrophotography, Northern Lights, travel assignments, interiors and those experiential photographs that place the viewer right in the middle of the action.

    In this episode, Court explores what qualifies as an ultra-wide angle lens, how crop-sensor conversions affect focal length, and why wider is not always better. He also compares prime and zoom lenses, explains the tradeoff between maximum aperture and field of view, and shares why approximately 20mm has become his personal sweet spot for many nighttime and travel-photography situations.

    Court's Websites

    • Check out my photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.com
    • Sign up for my photo and conservation blog at www.courtwhelan.com
    • Follow me on YouTube (@courtwhelan) for more photography tips
    • View my camera kit and recommended camera gear

    Sponsors and Promo Codes:

    • MPB.com - Buy, Sell, or Trade Camera Gear
    • ArtStorefronts.com - Mention this podcast for free photo website design
    • BayPhoto.com - 25% off your first order (code: TWP25)
    • ArtHelper.com - a photo community to learn, share and be inspired
    • Arthelper.Ai - Smart tools to promo and showcase your art.
    • LensRentals.com - WildPhoto15 for 15% off


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    17 分
  • All About Camera Sensors: Understand them and Improve your Photography
    2026/07/20

    In this episode of The Wild Photographer, Court takes a deep dive into one of the most important but often misunderstood parts of your camera: the digital sensor.

    While camera sensors can sound technical at first, understanding how they work has a very real impact on the photos you make in the field. From ISO and noise to dynamic range, RAW files, megapixels, sensor size, rolling shutter, and even sensor dust, this episode breaks down the core concepts with practical advice in a photographer-friendly way.

    Court explains the sensor as a light-gathering tool—the digital equivalent of film—and uses the helpful analogy of tiny “light buckets” to explain exposure, blown highlights, low-light performance, and why getting more real light to your sensor is often the key to better image quality.

    Whether you’re photographing a jaguar at dusk, a polar bear on snow, birds in flight, or a sunrise landscape, understanding your sensor helps you make better decisions in the field. This episode is all about turning the technical side of photography into practical knowledge you can actually use.

    Expect to Learn:

    • What a digital camera sensor actually does
    • The difference between photosites and pixels
    • Why high ISO creates noise—and why ISO is not the enemy
    • How sensor size affects low-light performance and dynamic range
    • When more megapixels help, and when they can create trade-offs
    • Why protecting highlights matters so much in digital photography
    • How RAW files preserve more of what your sensor captures
    • How cameras interpret color
    • Why a properly exposed high ISO image can beat an underexposed low ISO image
    • What ISO invariance and dual gain sensors mean in practical terms
    • When to use mechanical vs. electronic shutter
    • How rolling shutter can affect wildlife and action photography
    • What BSI and stacked sensors mean for modern camera performance
    • Why phone cameras are impressive—but still different from larger-sensor cameras
    • How to prevent and manage sensor dust in the field

    Key Takeaways:

    Your camera sensor is not just a spec on a camera brochure. It is the heart of your digital camera and the thing that determines how your camera receives light. Once you understand how your sensor works, you can expose more intentionally, choose ISO more confidently, protect important highlights, shoot RAW when quality matters, and make better creative decisions in the field.

    Court's Websites

    • Check out my photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.com
    • Sign up for my photo and conservation blog at www.courtwhelan.com
    • Follow me on YouTube (@courtwhelan) for more photography tips
    • View my camera kit and recommended camera gear

    Sponsors and Promo Codes:

    • MPB.com - Buy, Sell, or Trade Camera Gear
    • ArtStorefronts.com - Mention this podcast for free photo website design
    • BayPhoto.com - 25% off your first order (code: TWP25)
    • ArtHelper.com - a photo community to learn, share and be inspired
    • Arthelper.Ai - Smart tools to promo and showcase your art.
    • LensRentals.com - WildPhoto15 for 15% off


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    49 分
  • UV Filters Explained: Worth It, Overrated, or Essential Lens Protection?
    2026/07/14
    UV filters are one of those deceptively simple pieces of camera gear that somehow manage to spark wildly passionate opinions.Some photographers swear by them. Others won’t let them anywhere near their expensive glass. And somewhere in the middle are a whole lot of people wondering, “Wait… do I actually need one of these things?”In this episode of The Wild Photographer, we’re taking a practical, field-tested look at UV filters: what they are, why they exist, why they mattered more in the film era, and why many photographers still use them today even though digital cameras don’t really need UV filtration in the same way.The big shift is this: for most modern photographers, UV filters are no longer about filtering UV light. They’re about protection.A good UV filter acts like a clear, protective layer in front of your lens. It can help shield your front element from scratches, smudges, dust, rain, mud, salt spray, and the occasional “oops, that branch was closer than I thought” moment. And for photographers who travel, guide, shoot in rough conditions, or frequently clean their gear in the field, that extra layer can provide a lot of peace of mind.But there are trade-offs. Cheap filters can potentially degrade image quality, stacking filters can cause issues like vignetting or optical weirdness, and if you’re using extremely high-end prime lenses, there’s a very reasonable argument that you may not want to place a lower-quality piece of glass in front of a truly elite lens.So this episode is less about declaring UV filters “good” or “bad,” and more about understanding when they make sense, when they don’t, and how to shop for one if you decide to use them.UV Filter Product Links MentionedHere are the UV filter brands and shopping resources mentioned in the episode:PolarPro QuartzLine UV Filters — a higher-end UV filter option with quartz glass, anti-reflection coatings, scratch protection, and no exposure adjustment needed.Hoya UV Filters at B&H Photo — Hoya offers a wide range of UV and protective filters, including multi-coated and higher-end HD options.Hoya HD3 UV Filter — a premium Hoya UV filter with nano multicoating, scratch resistance, water and oil repellency, and no exposure change.B+W UV-Haze MRC MASTER Filter — a high-quality UV protection filter with MRC nano coating and low reflective qualities.B+W Clear Protection Filter — a clear protective filter option designed to protect against dust, fingerprints, splashing water, and other field hazards.B&H Photo Protective and UV Filters — a useful place to compare UV, haze, and protective filters by size, brand, price, and coating type.Lensrentals — a place where photographers can research or rent gear, including filters depending on availability.Final TakeawayUV filters are not magic. They will not transform your photos, make your colors explode, or really much of anything when it comes to look.But a good UV filter can protect your lens, make cleaning easier, reduce stress in rugged field conditions, and help preserve resale value. For most lenses, especially everyday travel, wildlife, and landscape lenses, I think they’re a very smart investment.The key is to buy a good one. Look for reputable brands, multi-coated glass, and a price point that matches the quality of the lens you’re protecting.And when you’re stacking filters, working with ultra-premium glass, or chasing the absolute highest optical quality possible, that may be the time to take the UV filter off and let the lens do its thing.Court's WebsitesCheck out my photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.comSign up for my photo and conservation blog at www.courtwhelan.comFollow me on YouTube (@courtwhelan) for more photography tipsView my camera kit and recommended camera gearSponsors and Promo Codes:MPB.com - Buy, Sell, or Trade Camera GearArtStorefronts.com - Mention this podcast for free photo website designBayPhoto.com - 25% off your first order (code: TWP25) ArtHelper.com - a photo community to learn, share and be inspiredArthelper.Ai - Smart tools to promo and showcase your art.LensRentals.com - WildPhoto15 for 15% off
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    15 分
  • Wildlife Photography 102 and 103: Advanced Methods for Pro-Level Results
    2026/07/07
    There’s a big difference between taking a photo of wildlife and making a wildlife photograph.That’s really the heart of this episode. In Wildlife Photography 102 and 103, we move beyond the basics and into the field-tested techniques that help transform a good wildlife sighting into a more captivating, artful, professional-looking image.This isn’t about needing the fanciest camera or the biggest lens. It’s about learning how to stack the deck in your favor, first with Technique... choosing your angle, understanding light, reading behavior, waiting for the moment, managing your background, and dialing in the right settings so that when the magic happens, you’re ready for it. And, why the best wildlife photographers are often the ones who watch first and shoot second.Then we shift into the Settings side of the equation: why shooting in RAW is such a game changer, why I love manual mode with Auto ISO, how to think about shutter speed for calm wildlife versus true action, and when to use burst mode or pre-record features to capture moments that happen faster than your brain can react.The overall goal? To move past the “field guide shot” and create wildlife images that feel more alive, more intentional, and more memorable.In This EpisodeWe cover:How to avoid the classic “field guide shot”Why low angles create more intimate and aesthetic wildlife imagesHow telephoto lenses can help lower your effective shooting angleHow background separation creates that pro-level wildlife portrait lookWhy distance between the animal and background matters so muchHow to choose backgrounds based on color, texture, pattern, and layersWhy patience is often the secret ingredient in great wildlife photographyHow to wait for the best moment instead of settling for the obvious oneWhat catch light is and why it brings life into an animal’s eyeWhy shooting to edit can improve your compositionsHow golden hour, clouds, and dramatic weather can elevate your photosWhen spot metering can create more dramatic or unexpected exposuresWhy shooting in RAW is essential for advanced editingWhy manual mode plus Auto ISO is my favorite setup for wildlifeHow to think about shutter speed for different kinds of wildlife behaviorWhen to use motion blur creativelyHow panning can create streaky, dynamic wildlife imagesWhy burst mode is so useful for fleeting behaviorHow pre-record features can help capture pounces, takeoffs, breaches, and other split-second momentsFinal ThoughtsWildlife Photography 102 and 103 is really about becoming more intentional and creating art vs. just documenting what you saw. It’s the shift from “I saw something amazing” to “I made something compelling out of the moment.”That comes from little choices that add up: getting lower, watching the background, waiting for behavior, catching the light in the eye, choosing the right shutter speed, and giving yourself room to edit. None of these techniques require perfection. They just require awareness — and a willingness to slow down, observe, and make decisions before the moment disappears.Court's WebsitesCheck out my photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.comSign up for my photo and conservation blog at www.courtwhelan.comFollow me on YouTube (@courtwhelan) for more photography tipsView my camera kit and recommended camera gearSponsors and Promo Codes:MPB.com - Buy, Sell, or Trade Camera GearArtStorefronts.com - Mention this podcast for free photo website designBayPhoto.com - 25% off your first order (code: TWP25) ArtHelper.com - a photo community to learn, share and be inspiredArthelper.Ai - Smart tools to promo and showcase your art.LensRentals.com - WildPhoto15 for 15% off
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    45 分
  • Shutter Speeds Necessary for Various Types of Wildlife Movement
    2026/06/30
    There are few things more frustrating in wildlife photography than thinking you nailed the moment… only to later realize the animal is just a little bit soft. That is, you didn't freeze the wildlife movement. In this episode of The Wild Photographer, we’re diving into one of the most practical, field-tested topics in wildlife photography: what shutter speeds you actually need to freeze motion.But here’s the important part: not all movement is created equal. A sleeping polar bear, a restless lion, a nursing cub, a walking raccoon (any raccoon photographers out ther?), a sparring bear, a flying bird, and a twitchy little forest bird all require different thinking. And while faster shutter speeds are usually safer, they come with trade-offs: higher ISO, more noise, wider apertures, less depth of field, or the need to lean on de-noise software later.We’ll start by separating two types of movement: camera movement and subject movement. Camera shake can sometimes be handled with the classic “one over focal length” rule, image stabilization, tripods, monopods, or good bracing technique. But subject movement? That’s a whole different beast — sometimes literally.From there, we walk through practical shutter speed ranges for different wildlife scenarios, from resting animals all the way up to fast, frenetic movement like birds in flight, pouncing predators, or fast-twitch action. We also talk about when not to freeze motion, because intentional motion blur can be one of the most creative ways to make your wildlife photography stand out.The goal here isn’t to memorize a rigid formula. It’s to build a mental field guide so that when the action starts, you can make fast, confident decisions — instead of fumbling with settings while the cheetah, bear cub, or twitchy bird does something spectacular and then immediately pretends nothing happened.Here’s the summary list of shutter speeds discussed in the episode:Wildlife Scenarios | Recommended Shutter Speed Range Resting animal / no movement | 1/100 to 1/250 secSlightly restless animal / periodic movement | 1/200 to 1/320 secRestful interaction — nursing cubs, gentle behavior | 1/250 to 1/500 secSteadily moving but calm — slow bear, relaxed walking, gentle movement | 1/320 to 1/600 secPlayful interaction — gorilla baby playing, active family behavior | 1/500 to 1/800 secWalking or trotting mammal | 1/800 to 1/1250 secFast movement — sparring, chasing, rolling, running | 1/1600 to 1/2000 secFrenetic movement — birds in flight, pouncing, twitchy action | 1/1600 to 1/3200 secExtremely fast wings — hummingbirds, insects, wingbeats | 1/4000 to 1/8000 sec may help, but even this may not fully freeze wing motionTwitchy birds on branches | Can range from 1/250 to 1/1600 sec, depending on timingIntentional motion blur | Start around 1/40 sec, then experiment slower Slow-motion blur experiments | Try 1/20, 1/10, 1/8, 1/5, or 1/2 secPanning wildlife | Often around 1/40 to 1/20 secHandheld landscapes | Absolute slow end around 1/50 sec, but often safer at 1/200 to 1/250 secTripod landscapes | Much slower shutter speeds are possible because the subject usually isn’t moving, and tripods take out all hand movement.Court's WebsitesCheck out my photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.comSign up for my photo and conservation blog at www.courtwhelan.comFollow me on YouTube (@courtwhelan) for more photography tipsView my camera kit and recommended camera gearSponsors and Promo Codes:MPB.com - Buy, Sell, or Trade Camera GearArtStorefronts.com - Mention this podcast for free photo website designBayPhoto.com - 25% off your first order (code: TWP25) ArtHelper.com - a photo community to learn, share and be inspiredArthelper.Ai - Smart tools to promo and showcase your art.LensRentals.com - WildPhoto15 for 15% off
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    32 分