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Photo of the Day
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A Simple Hack to Get Better at Photography: Stay Local

We’ve all been there: you find a bit of extra cash and think, “This is going toward a photography trip to a bucket-list location!” And so, the planning begins. Iceland, Lofoten, Patagonia, the Rockies—if your list is as long as mine, the destinations are endless. But what if I told you there’s another way?

A Game-Changing Bit of Kit for Your Outdoor Photography

Have you ever had one of those bits of kit that you never thought you'd need, but once you got one, you couldn’t imagine going without it? That’s exactly what happened with this heated fleece jacket—a game-changer for anyone who spends long hours outdoors capturing stunning landscapes or waiting patiently for wildlife shots.

Active Contests
Your Best Portraits
Critique the Community

Your Best Portraits

Enter and Win $1200 in Aftershoot Prizes

Welcome to the April 2025 Critique the Community Contest!  For this month's contest we want to make it super simple and inclusive by asking for your best portrait images. They can be full length, headshots, single person, multiple people, natural light or lit in the studio.

Submission Deadline:
April 30th 2025 - 11:45pm
Patience and Deliberateness in Death Valley

Death Valley is a vast expanse of landscape with varying terrains throughout the park. As a visitor, it is easy to find yourself rushing from place to place to take it all in and capture it in images. Is that the best way to photograph it? Or is being slow, patient, and deliberate a better approach?

How to Capture Dreamy Photos

Creating photos with a dreamy feel doesn't have to mean chasing perfect conditions or investing in expensive gear. Instead, knowing how to use your camera and the environment can transform your images from flat and uninspired to genuinely captivating.

Budget Brilliance: Reviewing the Viltrox AF 50mm f/2

The 50mm lens is usually the first prime lens many buy. It's popular for a reason—it gives a natural view that's perfect for everyday shooting without the extremes of wide angle or telephoto. Here's a look at an extremely affordable option.

Dramatic Lighting for Black-and-White Portraits

Black-and-white portraits can emphasize textures, shadows, and depth. Mastering this style will set your work apart, offering striking visuals that command attention.

Embrace the Everyday: Why Your Life is Worth Photographing

Your ordinary life isn't boring—it's exactly what you should be photographing. Your daily routine, your familiar surroundings, all of it deserves attention because no one else experiences the world exactly as you do.

Mastering Color: A Photographer’s Guide

Mastering color can elevate your images from average to exceptional. Color adds complexity, emotion, and visual depth to your work, making it critical to grasp if you're serious about improving your photography.

5 Lessons I Learned Shooting Fine Art Photography for the First Time

Fine art photography has always intrigued me. The minimalism, the dreamlike compositions, and the sense of artistic control over an image are all elements that I deeply admire. Inspired by the likes of Gary Gough and other fine art photographers, I finally took my first steps into this style of photography—though not without some apprehension.

M4 Macbook Air Vs Microsoft Surface Laptop Is Embarrassing

Apple's latest M4 MacBook Air is here and I put it head to head against Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 7th Edition. Both laptops are exactly $1,000 and have almost identical specs, but one of them is better in almost every way.

The Canon EOS R50 V: A Compact Video Powerhouse

The Canon EOS R50 V is the company's first camera in a new series geared specifically toward video creators. It builds upon the popular still-focused R50, but with key design changes and enhancements tailored directly for video use, making it a practical choice if you're stepping into more serious filmmaking without a steep budget.

Why I’m Not Going Back to Patagonia as a Photographer

Patagonia has long been a dream destination for photographers—dramatic peaks, vast landscapes, and the raw beauty of nature. I had high hopes of capturing my own version of this rugged terrain, expecting to find inspiration in the remote landscapes and the challenge of shooting in unpredictable weather. After finally making the journey, I left feeling uninspired, frustrated, and disappointed. And honestly? I have no desire to go back. Here’s why.

It's the Light Stupid (Part One)

Every photo you’ve ever taken is just a record of one thing: light. It’s the invisible brush that paints every image, and if you don’t understand it, you’re not really photographing.

Overlooked Hidden Gems in the Milky Way

While most photographers chase the Milky Way's dazzling core, there's a quieter, overlooked region that holds its own celestial magic. In this video, Jeroen ventures to the darkest skies of the Netherlands to reveal why this hidden galactic treasure deserves your attention.

The Canon EOS R10: Still the Ideal Beginner’s Camera?

Choosing your first camera matters—it shapes your learning curve and affects the quality of your early work. In 2025, the Canon EOS R10 remains a solid entry point, balancing ease-of-use with versatility in genres like sports, wildlife, family portraits, and weddings.

Is the Sony a7R V Still Relevant?

The Sony a7R V was launched more than two years ago. And in terms of technology, that’s a very long time ago. But I don't think this camera should be overlooked.

Quick and Smart Photo Edits with AI Presets in Lightroom

Artificial intelligence is reshaping photo editing, and Lightroom's latest update brings that power directly to your workflow. Understanding how to leverage these new tools is crucial if you want precise edits without spending hours at the computer.

Mastering Light for Better Photos

One of the most critical elements shaping your images is the quality of light. Understanding this directly impacts how your photography feels, setting apart casual snaps from intentional artistry.

Practical Ways to Level Up Your Photography

Improving in photography is less about mastering complicated camera settings and more about understanding a few practical strategies. Being intentional about timing, composition, and simplicity can dramatically enhance your results without making editing tedious.

Intentional Photography: Fewer Shots, Better Results

Taking fewer, more intentional photographs is a powerful strategy that many photographers overlook. It's not about capturing fewer moments, but instead about being mindful with each press of the shutter.

Build Your Photography Business Without Social Media

If the idea of relying on Instagram, TikTok, or other social media platforms to attract photography clients stresses you out, there is some good news. You can actually build a successful photography business without needing to spend endless hours posting and engaging online.

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (March 2025): Rafal Wegiel

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 2025, 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.

How to Create Authentic Portraits Through Flexible Lighting

Effective portrait lighting isn't about sticking to strict rules or imitating standard setups. Knowing when and why to adjust your lighting approach directly influences your results, making your portraits feel genuine and expressive.

3 Overlooked Skills That Will Improve Your Photos

You're probably convinced your gear is holding your photography back, but what if the real issue is simpler—and far more essential? The problem might be that you're missing three fundamental skills, ones rarely discussed but vital to capturing great images.

Practical Lightroom Tricks for Quick Photo Organization

Organizing and renaming your photos effectively saves you significant time and frustration. Lightroom isn't just about photo editing—it can transform the way you manage your images, helping you locate and name your files quickly, even if you never touch the editing features.

The Silent Treatment: Why Ghosting Is Majorly Hurting Freelancers

There’s an unspoken rule in the creative industry: follow up, but don’t expect a reply. What used to be a rare frustration has now become the norm—emails left unanswered, proposals ignored, relationships that once felt solid suddenly vanishing into the ether. The rise of ghosting, a term originally coined for dating culture, has now taken hold in the business world, and creatives are feeling the brunt of it.<--break->

Practical Shutter Speed Tips for Sharper Images

Understanding shutter speed is essential if you want to control movement in your photography. It directly affects how sharp or blurred moving subjects appear in your images.

Street Photography Tips for Introverts

Street photography is intimidating if you're naturally introverted, but it's entirely manageable once you know how to adapt your style. Interacting with strangers and being highly visible aren't required if you learn to navigate it thoughtfully.

Essential Long Exposure Photography Skills For Landscape Photographers

Long exposure photography is one of the most effective ways to convey movement in a still image. Whether it’s the soft blur of flowing water, the streaking motion of clouds, or the hypnotic trails of city lights, long exposure transforms scenes into something beyond what the human eye can perceive.

10 Hard Truths Every Photographer Needs to Hear

Anyone who has dedicated themselves to photography long enough has felt the harsh undercurrents that run beneath the romantic facade: the self-doubt, the exhaustion, the unrelenting demands of an audience always hungry for more. We’re told to love what we do, but the unspoken caveat is that genuine commitment to photography—as with any passion—demands sacrifice, endurance, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.

Improving Your Photography Through Observation

Taking your camera for a casual walk without any specific plans can shift how you see everyday surroundings. Many photographers underestimate the value of unstructured, spontaneous sessions, but it’s these low-pressure outings that often yield surprising insights and fresh perspectives.

Five Photoshop Tools Every Editor Should Use

Photoshop continues to evolve, introducing tools designed to simplify your editing workflow and enhance the quality of your images. Here's a look at five of the best.

The Nikon COOLPIX P1100: Extreme Zoom Without the Hassle

The Nikon COOLPIX P1100 is Nikon's latest bridge camera, built for photographers who want an extreme zoom range without changing lenses. With a wild focal length range of 24-3000mm, it's worth a look.

Every Great Photographer Does This: Do You?

You're set to capture something amazing with your camera, but where should you begin? Without a clear process, it's easy to rush, overlook details, or end up with photos that miss the mark. Let’s outline a simple, repeatable approach to help you slow down, capture more, and make each shot count.

Secrets to Better Photography

Improving your photography isn't just about mastering the technical aspects; it involves insights gathered from real experiences. Understanding the subtle lessons beyond the basics can dramatically shape your photographic journey.