A long time ago, I picked up my first Leica, a beater of an M4 that had been collecting dust and mold at the bottom of an old leather camera bag in a retired photographer's closet. With it came a number of oddities: close-up adapters, table tripods, and the like. But perhaps most interestingly, it came with an old Leica MC light meter.

When I think of timelapse photography there are many things that come to mind, however, there is one person who in particular comes to mind and that is the one and only Michael Shainblum. In this video, he not only shares his approach, tips, and techniques but graces us with some incredible footage to cement the idea of just how incredible timelapses can be.

If you purchase memory cards or USB flash drives online, there is a growing risk that they might be counterfeit. Here's how you can test the authenticity of your storage devices in a matter of a few clicks.

Flying with camera gear can be intimidating. Airports, security checks, will you get your bag on the plane or will someone try to make you check it, and more sources of stress. I have some tips that have helped make the experience easier for me.

Becoming a confident and consistently good photographer is a complex and long journey with plenty of stops along the way. If you find yourself at the start of that journey, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced professional discussing some common mistakes that tend to hold back budding photographers and how to get yourself back on the right track.

The year was 2000: the Y2K bug had turned out to be a flop, a man purchased $200 million in Ansel Adams negatives for $45 at a garage sale, and Canon released their first DSLR, the D30, a camera that would go on to have a significant impact on the photography industry. What was the D30 like? This neat video review takes a look at the camera.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max sits at the top of Apple's popular line of smartphones, offering a wide range of powerful tools and capabilities for photo and video creators alike, making it a compelling option for many users. This excellent video review takes a look at the phone and how its most advanced features perform in the workflow of a professional creative.

Film photography has enjoyed a notable resurgence in recent years, offering users a chance to take part in a different approach to the craft and enjoy a more tactile and nostalgic process. Just like digital, though, there are some common pitfalls that can derail the quality of your images. This excellent video tutorial discusses five such pitfalls and what you can do to improve the quality of your film photos.

The Fstoppers community is brimming with creative vision and talent. Every day, we comb through your work, looking for images to feature as the Photo of the Day or simply to admire your creativity and technical prowess. In 2023, we're featuring a new photographer every month, whose portfolio represents both stellar photographic achievement and a high level of involvement within the Fstoppers community.

Viltrox has quickly grown into a respected manufacturer of lenses that offer good results at extremely competitive prices, and at $158, the AF 20mm f/2.8 is no exception to that trend. With a small footprint and a versatile focal length, can this lens deliver professional-level results despite its rock-bottom price? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Architectural photography is a challenging and rewarding genre that requires a lot of technical know-how and specialized skills. If you are interested in architectural photography and ready to grow, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced architectural photographer sharing in-depth knowledge about everything you need to know to create stunning images.

Wedding videography is a fun and challenging genre that will keep you on your toes and give you an opportunity to capture one of the happiest day's of a couple's lives. And while the footage you capture is obviously important, what you do with it in post-processing is just as important. This helpful video tutorial will show you five easy and effective effects you can apply to your footage to make your final product more compelling and exciting.

One of the subtlest and yet most important skills an accomplished photographer has is the ability to look at a scene, no matter how ordinary, and find a way to portray it that captures the viewer's eye and imagination. How does one go about actually doing that? This great video follows one photographer discussing the process.

A good portrait lens with a wide aperture is often worth its weight in gold for many photographers, but unfortunately, many such lenses actually cost about their weight in gold as well. That makes the Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8S DA DSM, which offers a 75mm equivalent focal length and costs $129, a breath of fresh air. Can it keep up with more expensive options? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect in usage.

Is the Ricoh GR III the perfect compact camera for street and travel photography? Based on my time with the camera this year, I’d say yes. Having made the switch from the Fujifilm X100V to the Ricoh GR III I took the camera on a 3 week trip to Japan. It quickly became my most used camera - shooting with it was an absolute joy.

Are you a chronic over-packer? Do you lug bags full of gear everywhere you go, just in case you need that rarely used accessory? While preparation is, of course, a good thing, there is a such thing as taking it too far. Packing lighter than you think you need to can actually be a good thing, and this great video essay discusses why.

Lightroom has grown from a cataloging application with basic editing capabilities to an advancing post-processing program capable of tackling a huge range of creative needs. If you are new to using Lightroom and feeling like the full gamut of features is a bit daunting, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced pro showing you 59 Lightroom terms and tools you will need to know in order to get around the program.

There are some timeless, popular landscape photography locations that countless photographers visit every year. And while those places are certainly popular for a reason, the downside is that it can be quite difficult to create unique images that stand out from the thousands of others from the same spot. So, how do you go about rising above the crowd? This excellent video tutorial features an experienced landscape photographer discussing the issue.

Lightroom has undergone some major transformation in recent years and has grown into a far more powerful editing platform, making it quite convenient for anyone who also uses the program to catalog their images and who doesn't want to round-trip between other applications. One of its newest features is Point Color, which revamps how the program approaches editing colors by offering far more control. This fantastic video tutorial will show you what Point Color is and how to use it in your own images.

Retro-styled cameras, one simply an aesthetic attraction, have grown wildly in popularity, with companies like Fujifilm demonstrating that mechanical controls can be highly functional and even preferable to digital options. Canon may be the next company to jump on the train.

In the ever-expanding landscape of social media, where voices echo and opinions clash, trolls have become an unfortunate reality. These internet provocateurs thrive on negative attention, seeking to disrupt, demean, and derail meaningful discussions. However, instead of getting caught in their web of negativity, there are compelling reasons why ignoring social media trolls is not only wise but also empowering. In this article, let's explore why rising above the noise and refusing to engage with trolls can lead to a healthier, more positive online experience.

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens has been turning heads for offering some of the most impressive results from a portrait lens in quite a few years, making it worth a look from portrait and wedding photographers. How good are the results? This fantastic video review takes a look at the sort of performance you can expect from it in practice.

Lightroom and Photoshop have taken some massive steps forward with regards to their masking capabilities in the last few iterations, and if you have not taken the time to dive into all the new features yet, you are definitely missing out. This fantastic video tutorial takes a look at some of the best new capabilities and offers a range of tips to help you get the most out of them, making your workflow both easier and more efficient.

Making a time-lapse video is a blend of photography and videography. While the outcome can be stunning, the process requires preparation and can pose certain challenges. In this article, I will walk you through my workflow and offer a glimpse of some real-life examples I've created.

Portrait photography is a challenging genre, but within it are numerous creative paths and rewarding adventures if you are willing to put in the time to learn and grow. This fantastic video tutorial offers beginners four helpful tips that will help you tackle your first shoot.

The 70-200mm f/2.8 lens is the workhorse of choice for a huge range of creatives and applications, offering a wide maximum aperture in tandem with a very versatile focal length range. Nonetheless, such lenses can often be very expensive, which is what makes the Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8, which costs $1,250, an intriguing option for any photographer looking for an affordable alternative. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Landscape photography can be a bit of a start and stop genre, with hours of waiting punctuated by fleeting moments of opportunity. That can lead to some difficult decisions about how to maximize your chances of coming home with worthwhile shots. This great video follows an experienced landscape photographer as he grapples with such decisions and discusses how he moves forward.

Printing your photos can be a tremendously rewarding exercise, but it is also an expensive venture, and as such, mistakes can quickly add up in cost. If you are new to printing your image, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced photographer sharing a range of useful advice to help ensure you get the best possible results.

Having a reliable portable tripod is always great for those just-in-case moments. With hundreds of options on the market, let’s take a look at why this particular tabletop tripod just might be one of the most convenient options around.

There has been a lot of frustration and uncertainty in the photography world regarding artificial intelligence, but it also has a lot of potential as a legitimate tool for photographers to expand their creative capabilities and make their workflows more efficient. This awesome video tutorial will show you how one photographer is using AI to generate impressive backgrounds for his portraiture work, including how to customize and seamlessly blend them for convincing final images.

Making the transition from hobbyist to professional takes a lot more than simply being good with a camera, and it is important to enter it with the right idea of what to prioritize. This great video essay features an experienced commercial photographer discussing some important topic, particularly the balance of technical and creative as a professional, and how to thread the needle to maximize your chances of finding success.

Despite what social media may tell you, there is no such thing as a magic path to success. But what are some concrete steps you can take to reach your goal of becoming a successful artist?

The world is absolutely overflowing with 85mm lens options, and you can find lenses from anywhere from a few hundred dollars to well over $2,000. You might think that there is a strict correlation between price and quality, but there are a few hidden gems out there that can offer fantastic images at very affordable prices. One such option is the Yongnuo 85mm f/1.8S DF DSM, and this excellent video review takes a look at everything you can expect from it in usage.

Do you have a spare $20,000 laying around that you are just itching to drop on a new piece of gear? For that price, you can take home your own copy of the Canon RF 1200mm f/8 L IS USM, which offers some of the most extreme capabilities of any lens on the market. This fun video takes a look at just what you can accomplish with a lens that costs the price of a car.

Fujifilm's GFX line of medium format cameras and lenses have quickly expanded to become impressively versatile, capable of tackling applications traditionally reserved for full frame and smaller formats. The GF 55mm f/1.7R WR continues that trend by offerings an unusually wide maximum aperture along with a neutral and flexible focal length, making it an attractive option for many different uses. How does it hold up in real-world usage? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect.

On their second anniversary, from today, the OM Digital Solutions Corporation is celebrating the successful launch of the OM SYSTEM brand with a series of events celebrating that milestone with the beauty of nature. That includes a chance to win an $18,000 voyage around Iceland.

Compact, packs a punch, and relatively cheap. The GX9 is one of the many cameras recently discontinued by Panasonic which has undoubtedly found a well-deserved following. The manufacturer has been unfortunately turning away from smaller cameras, and that is a damn shame. The GX9 is a perfect proof.

Most people hear of blue skies in the forecast and get excited for nice weather, but for landscape photographers, it can cause a groan, as it means monotonous compositions that are difficult to work with. Nonetheless, that does not mean you need to pack up your camera and head home, as it is still possible to make great shots, even with those boring skies. This great video tutorial will show you how to do just that.

Producing compelling photos can be a somewhat nebulous thing, but composition goes a long way in helping you capture the attention of your viewer. While composition is something one can spend a lifetime studying, one of the simplest but most powerful principles is to simplify the frame to draw more attention to your subject. This fantastic video tutorial will show you several effective ways to do that.

The perfect travel camera bag does not exist. However, having modular options definitely brings us much closer as long as we make the right choices in planning how we carry our gear when we travel.

Viltrox has gained a lot of respect in the last few years for their ability to create quality lenses at prices that significantly undercut those of comparable options. An example of such a lens is the PRO Series AF 27mm f/1.2 Pro, which gives users a 40mm equivalent focal length combined with a particularly wide maximum aperture, making it an intriguing lens for a wide variety of creatives and applications. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Pricing is something many photographers struggle with. While things like camera settings can be quantified and are, thus, easier to learn in a way, pricing can be a nebulous and tricky thing to nail down. So, when it comes to selling prints, how do you set your prices? This helpful video tutorial features an experienced photographer sharing some useful advice sure to put you on the right track.

It takes a lot of skill and experience to light a portrait of a single person, but lighting groups can be an entirely different challenge. Nonetheless, depending what you shoot, you may be called upon to photograph groups. When that happens, you will want to be ready to transition quickly. This great video tutorial will show you an effective and straightforward approach for producing quality group photos.

Crime docs, true crime, crime fiction, they all hold something of a collective fascination. Watching Donald Trump's recent Fulton County mugshot become one of the most circulated photographs of all time raises the question: why are so many of us fascinated by mugshots? As photographers, is there something in these rigidly photographed images that captures our attention?

In an era where technological advancements have revolutionized the way we capture and manipulate images, the question of the histogram's relevance in today's photography is a pertinent one.