Articles by Sean McCormack | Digital Camera World

Sean McCormack is a commercial, and editorial photographer, book author, and regular contributor to Digital Camera magazine based in Galway, Ireland. He has extensive experience with Lightroom, dating back to its original beta version, and has tried out just about every plugin and preset available. His latest book is Essential Development 3: 25 Tips for Lightroom Classic’s Develop Module.

Articles by: Sean McCormack

Limiting your choices as a photographer is a brilliant way to improve your craft

By Sean McCormack published 13 November 24

opinion Sean McCormack shows you five simple exercises to limit the variables and help you become a better photographer

Does copying other people's photos count as theft or inspiration?

By Sean McCormack published 5 November 24

opinion As AI complicates muddies the waters, Sean wonders if it is best for photographers to steal it all, but make something new

There's only one person you need to be better than as a photographer…

By Sean McCormack published 2 November 24

opinion Taking better pictures than you took in the past is more important than comparing yourself to famous photographers

You don’t need another camera

By Sean McCormack published 27 October 24

opinion You've got enough megapixels already, and your gear acquisition syndrome must stop!

What's the hardest thing to do in photography?

By Sean McCormack published 6 October 24

opinion Sean McCormack discusses the effort and decisions that we all have to make as photographers

Photographic prints laid out over a table

Photos aren’t photos until you print them

By Sean McCormack published 29 September 24

opinion Make more of your memories, and keep them safe, says Sean McCormack, by making more hard copy prints

Don’t touch the model and other hard truths of being a pro photographer

By Sean McCormack published 17 September 24

opinion 7 essential tips to remember when using models for your photography

"You’re cheating if you can’t get it right in camera"

By Sean McCormack published 11 September 24

opinion Sean McCormack locks horns with the photography purists

The top technique for great portrait photography isn’t what you think

By Sean McCormack published 4 August 24

opinion Lighting, lenses, and location are worth nothing in portrait photography if you don't have the secret ingredient

No, you don’t need to get on a plane to take great travel photos!

By Sean McCormack published 1 August 24

opinion Shoot like a tourist close to home

Social media is ruining photography – but my solution is to ignore the likes

By Sean McCormack published 29 July 24

opinion Instagram is no longer the promotional tool it was to photographers – so you need to think of it differently

5 things I wish I knew about cameras as an absolute beginner

By Sean McCormack published 28 July 24

opinion Simple steps for shooting success with a real camera

You can look like an expert portrait photographer using just one light

By Sean McCormack published 24 July 24

opinion Six simple, but stunning, ways to light a headshot like a pro

Photoshop plugin used for retouching portrait of woman

Think you don't need plugins for photo editing? I think you're probably wrong

By Sean McCormack published 2 June 24

opinion Photoshop and Lightroom plugins can save you time - and make you more creative

Fujifilm X100VI camera on a wooden surface

I can’t believe I actually bought this camera

By Sean McCormack published 29 May 24

opinion I have enough cameras already, but an unexpected conversation made me put my name down for this one

The biggest secret to pro photography success will surprise you

By Sean McCormack published 27 May 24

opinion Sean McCormack reveals the one thing you really need to make it as a pro photographer

Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 and 56mm f/1.2 lenses on a wooden surface

These two lenses could do 90% of your photographic work

By Sean McCormack published 25 May 24

opinion My favorite two lenses are not from the obvious trinity of zooms that most professional photographers use

I've used 100s of Lightroom & Photoshop plugins, but I fell in love with Boris

By Sean McCormack published 24 May 24

opinion This Plugin will change your editing forever

Header image for Sean McCormack opinion piece

Photographers… Stop doing this to your skin!

By Sean McCormack published 19 April 24

opinion There is a right and a wrong way to minimize skin blemishes in portrait photography

A raw steak on a wooden board - Header image for Sean McCormack opinion piece on shooting in Raw

You don’t always have to shoot Raw as a photographer, but you probably should

By Sean McCormack published 15 April 24

opinion As a professional photographer, I sometimes shoot in JPEG – but it is only in very specific, controlled situations

I switched camera systems, and this is the lens that really surprised me

By Sean McCormack published 11 April 24

opinion Pro photographer Sean McCormack discovers that faster is not always better

Header image for Sean McCormack opinion piece about the three things that make you look like an amateur photographer

These three things make you look like an amateur photographer

By Sean McCormack published 7 April 24

opinion Avoid these pitfalls and your photos will immediately look more professional (and less upsetting to me!)

This is why I hate being a photographer…

By Sean McCormack published 6 April 24

opinion … and it is not just one reason either!

25 premium Lightroom presets and plugins: A product shot for Contrastly

25 premium Lightroom presets and plugins for serious photographers

By Sean McCormack last updated 6 July 21

FEATURE These are the best paid-for presets and plugins for Lightroom you can get right now to achieve professional results

Lightroom series part 32: How to develop your own style in Lightroom

By Sean McCormack published 6 May 20

Editing Go beyond cleaning up and photo correction as you discover how to add a distinctive look to every shot you take

Sean McCormack

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