Colorize Black and White Photos: Workflow and Limits
By Matteo Martignago, founder of Artistic Hive. Colorization adds an interpretation of color to a monochrome image; it does not recover a uniquely knowable original color from brightness alone. A natural-looking result can still give a person the wrong clothing, skin or eye color. Keep the original and label reconstructed color clearly. Choose by the […]
The Art of Black and White Film Photography: Capturing Timeless Beauty
Black and white film photography is a classic and revered art form that continues captivating photographers and enthusiasts worldwide. While digital photography offers convenience and instant results, the allure of black & white film lies in its ability to create evocative and timeless images. In this article, we will explore the magic of black and […]
Lightroom Mobile Guide: How to Edit Photos on Your Phone
Lightroom for mobile is quickly becoming the go-to photo editing app for many photographers. With its intuitive interface and powerful tools, it allows users to make quick and easy adjustments to their photos in a matter of seconds. By Matteo Martignago, cinematographer and colorist. Updated November 2026. I grade images for a living, which is […]
Color Theory for Photographers: A Practical Guide
By Matteo Martignago, founder of Artistic Hive. Use color to organize the frame: choose a dominant area, a supporting color and a deliberate accent. A color wheel can help you compare relationships, but no hue guarantees a particular emotion. Lighting, subject, culture, neighboring colors and the story change how a palette reads. Quick exercise · […]
Butterfly Lighting: Setup, Diagrams and Shadow Control
By Matteo Martignago, founder of Artistic Hive. Butterfly lighting places the key near the face’s horizontal centerline and above it, creating a small downward nose shadow. It is also commonly called Paramount lighting. Separate the two axes: moving the light to the side changes the pattern differently from raising it. The useful starting question is […]
Split Lighting: How to Set It Up and When to Use It
By Matteo Martignago, cinematographer and colorist. Updated July 2026. Some links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Artistic Hive earns from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. What is split lighting? Split lighting is a portrait lighting pattern in which a single key light sits about 90 degrees to the side […]
Rim Lighting: Placement, Separation and Troubleshooting
By Matteo Martignago, founder of Artistic Hive. Rim light is light that catches a subject’s edge and helps separate it from the background. It often comes from behind and to the side. The source position, subject shape and camera viewpoint determine whether you see a narrow edge, a broad highlight or unwanted flare. Backlighting describes […]
How to Photograph Snowflakes: The Ultimate Guide
Winter is a time for magic. The snowflakes that fall from the sky are delicate, beautiful and can create stunning photos if captured correctly. If you want to learn how to photograph snowflakes, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we will give you a step-by-step guide on everything you need to […]
Dog Photography: Calm Portraits, Action and Animal Comfort
By Matteo Martignago, founder of Artistic Hive. Start dog photography with the dog’s comfort, then choose settings for either a calm portrait or movement. A familiar location, a cooperative owner and a clear background usually matter more than a bag of props. Never force an interaction to obtain a photograph. Prepare a comfortable session Ask […]
Night Street Photography: Settings for People, Neon and Motion
By Matteo Martignago, founder of Artistic Hive. For night street photography, first decide what must stay sharp. A moving pedestrian needs a different shutter speed from a still storefront on a tripod. Set that constraint before trying to lower ISO, then adjust aperture and sensitivity for the available light. Choose settings by scene Scene Starting […]