Joel Sartore

From dogs and snakes to ducks and zoo animals, discover the secrets of interesting animal photography-the kind that stands out from the boring pet pictures we've all seen before. As you'll learn, the most important aspects of great animal photography are repeated access and plenty of time and patience.

Take a trip to a beautiful Nebraska Sandhills ranch and watch Professor Sartore overcome visual chaos to capture the drama and action of a day of cattle round ups and branding. Harsh light and fast-moving action challenge you to be at the top of your game.

Reflectivity in photography, when used the right way, can transform the annoyances of reflections and glares into powerful ways to add a splash of brilliance to dark scenes and create layered images. What are the ways you can make reflections work for you instead of against you? Find out here.

Still lifes don't have to be boring. Here, learn how to add layers of intrigue and dynamism to indoor and outdoor still lifes by changing your perspective, shooting through objects, adjusting your depth of field, and other old-fashioned photography principles.

Everyone loves to take photographs of farmers' markets, with all their colorful bounty of fruits, vegetables, and other tasty treats. But they can actually be quite challenging if you want to go beyond the obvious. Visit a Nebraska market on a summer day and learn how to deal with a variety of obstacles, from crowds to high contrasts between light and shade.

If you're a recreational photographer, chances are you'll be called upon to shoot a family social event or get-together. By photographing the goings-on at a summer solstice party, you'll cultivate the skills you need to record special days and capture delightful memories-all while enjoying the party as well.

Great photography doesn't have to end when the sun sets. Overcome your worries about night photography and sharpen your skills at working with (and capturing) moonlight, starlight, and even urban lights. Professor Sartore walks you through some night scenarios you may never have thought could yield such compelling photographs.

The big lights of studio-lit photography, and the setups involved, don't have to be so intimidating. First, explore the two basic types of light that studio photographers use. Then, take the studio lights outside and experiment with studio lights plus ambient light-and even turn daytime into night.