Is there a difference between a photograph and a picture? In my mind, yes! A picture is a snapshot documenting a person, place, thing, or moment without intention. A photograph is created with intention, process, and technique.

Using unique lenses can add artistic flair to your shots, and the TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 Swirly Bokeh lens is one of those options, offering a distinctive, swirling bokeh effect. This lens, designed for full frame mirrorless cameras, doesn’t prioritize sharpness but instead provides an out-of-focus background with a swirling, almost dreamlike quality that can add depth and style to certain images.

Negative space involves large areas of emptiness that direct attention to the focal point of an image, creating a sense of simplicity and depth. This technique can add balance to a composition, enhance its mood, and simplify otherwise cluttered scenes. It’s especially effective in high-contrast environments where shadows and light can be used to sculpt the frame.

Remember the smell of film rolls and the feel of manual focus?

Photographing forests isn’t always straightforward. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the dense trees, tangled branches, and layers of textures that can make it difficult to find a clear shot. The forest can seem chaotic, but with a few simple techniques, you can transform a seemingly complex scene into a captivating photograph.

Choosing a photography workflow isn’t about following a set formula. Each step you take—from picking up the camera to final editing—is part of a sequence that can shift depending on your style, subject, and even personal preferences. There’s no “correct” way to approach it, so flexibility is key.

Modern lenses are perfectly sharp and crisp. But perfection is overrated and can be rather boring. I have a solution to add some character back into my photography and videos.

When shooting landscapes after sunset, colors often fade, leaving your image looking a little flat and lifeless. But with the right editing techniques, you can bring back some of that warm, vibrant glow, creating a visually compelling result.

Foggy mornings and moody atmospheres can add a surreal quality to your landscape shots, but capturing the perfect image isn’t always easy. Sometimes, you have to keep returning to the same spot, waiting for the right conditions. And when you’re determined to get that postcard-worthy shot, persistence becomes just as important as your technical skills.

Shift lenses, or tilt-shift lenses, are pretty rare across all brands and seem to be quite an engineering challenge. Most of us thought that their ability to zoom was impossible, but Laowa seems to have proven otherwise.

When it’s cloudy, you might think it’s the worst time to take portraits. The light is often flat, and contrast is missing, but those clouds are actually providing you with a soft, even light that’s ideal for bringing out natural skin tones. This approach can open up new creative possibilities when you learn how to make the most of that natural light.

Social media can be a double-edged sword, especially when it comes to sharing your creative work. Posting your photos online may help build an audience and gain exposure, but the impact on creativity and mental well-being can be surprisingly negative. Lately, some creatives are rethinking their approach to social media, looking for alternatives that don’t rely on addictive algorithms or compromise ownership of their work.

Access to photography has never been greater, yet now the risk of the family archive dying out has never been more of an issue. This article explains why the digital age has put the family archive in danger, and what we, as photographers, can do about this.

Creating your own DIY lens for photography can be both simple and surprisingly effective. With just a few materials—some drainage pipe, magnifying glasses, and a little ingenuity—you can build a lens that opens up new creative possibilities. The idea here isn’t about high-end equipment but rather about experimenting, learning, and having fun with a setup that’s low-cost and custom-made.

Using masking techniques in Adobe Lightroom, you can guide the viewer’s eye and create a dynamic feel that makes a photo stand out. This tutorial dives into how to enhance depth and contrast in your images, transforming a flat-looking shot into one that feels alive and immersive.

For me, there are two heavy hitters in the AI retouching market: Evoto and Retouch4me. But is one better than the other?

Medium format cameras offer an elevated experience for those who want more detail and depth in their images, yet they’ve traditionally been seen as impractical or overly expensive. Fujifilm's GFX100S II challenges this idea by bringing impressive quality in a compact, user-friendly format, but lenses are still pricey. What if you could adapt more affordable full frame options?

Buying large lots of camera gear is like a treasure hunt for anyone who loves photography. With the right approach, you might discover rare, valuable, or simply interesting pieces that add character to your collection.

If you're in the market for a new macro lens for your Sony E or Nikon Z mount, you're definitely going to want to check out the new Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III VXD. I recently had the pleasure of testing this lens to review for you all, and I have to say, in price, quality, and features, it is spot on. Let's dive into it, and I'll share why.

Dodging and burning can transform an image, but traditional tools aren’t always the best route. Instead, using curves adjustment layers in Photoshop lets you refine highlights and shadows with control and flexibility, bringing out depth in your images. Here's how.

Scams targeting freelance photographers are becoming more elaborate, sometimes making even the savviest professionals vulnerable. This story, shared firsthand by someone who narrowly avoided being caught in this scheme, exposes just how easily these scams can ensnare even experienced photographers.

If you’re from Southeast Asia or have been meaning to visit Bangkok, March might be a good time to see all the latest innovations from your favorite camera, accessory, and software brands.

Natural light is one of the most important elements in landscape photography. It shapes the landscape, creates mood, and brings depth to a scene. However, natural light is also highly unpredictable and can either enhance or ruin your shot. For landscape photographers, understanding and ultimately mastering light is crucial, but it comes with several challenges. In this article, I want to explore the complexities of working with natural light and how you can overcome these challenges to improve your landscape photography.

Wildlife photography in the rain offers opportunities you won't find in fair weather. The atmospheric mood, unusual animal behaviors, and transformative effect of rain on landscapes can make your images stand out. Beyond the challenges of staying dry, rain brings scenes to life in ways that fair weather simply cannot, adding depth and story to your photos.

With improvements over its predecessor, the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II promises both tack-sharp image quality and smoother autofocus, whether you're photographing people or recording video.

Tripods are an invaluable tool for travel and landscape photography, and there are countless models to choose from. I’ve tested many over the years but found that a specific size and style just fit me best. This review will look at my last year using the Leofoto LS-284CEX and LH-36 head.

Canon has set its sights on a lens many photographers have only dreamed about: a high-speed, mid-range zoom with impeccable optical quality. With their recent patent for the RF 70-150mm f/2L IS USM, Canon appears ready to push boundaries in both image quality and innovation.

Have you ever wanted to charge your camera batteries twice as fast? How about charging two of them from 0 to 100% in two and a half hours? Well, you've heard me say it before, but I love trying out new gear and finding absolute treasures to share with you all. Check out my latest find: the llano Fast Dual Camera Battery Charging Kit.

Sony is preparing for a major announcement this November, promising new additions that could reshape the professional camera market.

In photography, capturing a subject is only half the battle; the real challenge lies in telling a story that draws the viewer in. Your approach to composition and understanding how to frame each element in your shot can make or break that impact, and it’s crucial to get this right to elevate your work from simple pictures to meaningful visual narratives.

It’s that time again when my brain starts to ponder the endless question: What would be my idea of a perfect camera?

Canon's RF 50mm f/1.4 L VCM Lens brings a new layer of versatility, promising exceptional sharpness, impressive low-light performance, and features tailored to both still and video work.

The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z lens promises new features and updated optics that make it a strong contender in the high-end telephoto market. Its robust build, range, and precision make it particularly suited to professionals who demand consistent, high-quality performance across various settings.

Over the years, I’ve accumulated a truly embarrassing amount of film stock. I’ll freely admit that it’s a sickness. If I’m being honest with myself, it likely stems from a fear of missing out on something creative and new and a fear that one day it’s all going to be gone. One day, the last roll from the last batch of the last stock is going to come off the production line, and that’ll be that.

If you’re not drawing in the clients you want, it might be time to look at your portfolio. While a “good” collection of images may seem like a solid start, it often isn’t enough to set you apart in a crowded market.

Shooting a friend or family member’s wedding can seem appealing—it’s a chance to capture an important day for someone close to you. But it’s not without challenges, and taking it on requires a clear understanding of potential complications and the right preparations.

Have you ever struggled to get your image from the foreground to the background in focus? As photographers, especially in the genre of landscapes, the ultimate goal is to achieve sharp focus from the foreground to infinity. Have you struggled with this in the past? You can use hyperfocal distance, double the distance method, and focus stacking techniques to achieve sharp focus from foreground to infinity. While a few of these methods can be challenging, with a little knowledge, they are more accessible than one might think.

The 24-70mm lens has often been labeled as the “boring” option, sandwiched between the extremes of wide angle and telephoto lenses. But this lens, rather than being uninspiring, could be just what you need.

While scouting during the day makes sense, it’s not always necessary—sometimes the best shots come from reacting to the light as it changes. Being in the moment allows you to see how shadows fall on the land and create natural compositions. As the final hour of daylight arrives, it’s an ideal time to find frames that bring out the land’s contours, colors, and textures.

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 2024, 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.

The Fujifilm X-M5 strikes a balance between compact convenience and advanced features, making it ideal for both new users and seasoned photographers looking for a lighter option.

Real estate photography isn't just about having the right gear or knowing how to use it. There are deeper pitfalls that can stall your growth, especially when you're starting. Learning to avoid these mistakes will help you grow your skills and your business.

It is never easy to let go, whether it’s your favorite camera, light, or shoes that are just beyond repair. I’m the worst at letting go and don’t recall the last time I sold a light, if ever. The process seemed tedious and simply unnecessary. However, letting go can be much easier. Here’s the best way to let go of old equipment.

The Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Macro lens is a versatile option for those who need high-quality macro capabilities in an affordable package. This lens is a remake of the original model for DSLRs, bringing updated features and enhanced performance that make it a strong contender.

Nikon, a brand with a long history of quality in photography, continues its growth in the video market today with the development announcement of a new NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ lens with filmmakers in mind.

Landscape photography often calls for highlighting details like clouds, rocks, and foliage to give your photos depth and character. With a few targeted adjustments, you can make those textures and contrasts stand out naturally.

Every couple of years, our network access storage (NAS) gets nearly full of old photoshoots and video projects. Today, I am installing our biggest system yet, and it can hold a whopping 160 TB of data. Oh, and it's also 10 GbE, which allows us to edit video projects directly off the network.