Critique the Community Your Best Portraits

Congratulations to the Winners!

We just wrapped up our Critique the Community contest for the month of April, and with over 800 submissions, we had some amazing photos to choose from.  I want to thank everyone who entered and give a big congratulations to our winners below.  

Head over to the next Critique the Community Contest running now until May 30th and enter your best "modern" photograph from any genre of photography.  

 

SEO for Photographers Who Hate SEO (But Hate Being Invisible More): Part 2

By now, you’ve started making peace with the idea that your gorgeous photography isn’t enough on its own. You’ve added a clear intro to your homepage. You’ve started naming your images like an adult. You’ve even braved the back end of your site to fiddle with some alt text. That’s huge—give yourself a high five. Now let’s crank it up a notch.

Active Contests
Modern Photos
Critique the Community

Modern Photos

Justify Your Gear, Show Us Your Best Modern Photographs

You've spent thousands on photography equipment. Justify your purchase by showing us your recent images that were made possible with modern gear and cutting-edge features.

Submission Deadline:
May 30th 2025 - 1:00am
Understand Your Camera’s Metering Modes Easily

Understanding camera metering modes is essential if you want consistent results and greater creative control over your photography. Metering affects how your camera interprets lighting in a scene, influencing your exposure settings and the overall look of your photos.

Creative Techniques for Capturing Ethereal Flower Photos

Bluebells offer photographers a challenging yet rewarding opportunity to create delicate and dreamy images. Capturing their soft, ethereal beauty often requires specialized techniques and careful handling.

Essential Gear Every Beginner Needs for Macro Photography

When you're starting macro photography, knowing what gear actually makes a difference is the fastest way to getting impressive shots. It's not about buying everything, but choosing exactly what matters to capture the small details you're after.

Pixel Perfect or Problematic? The Best AI Noise Reduction Software

Pushing your camera's ISO is often a necessary evil in photography. Whether capturing the ambiance of a dimly lit wedding reception, the sprawl of the Milky Way, or the split-second action of wildlife, higher ISOs let you get the shot. The trade-off, however, is digital noise—that grainy, color-speckled texture that can obscure fine details and degrade the overall quality of your images. There are now several contenders vying for a spot in your noise reduction workflow, but which one truly delivers the cleanest results without introducing new problems?

Why Aperture Priority Could Improve Your Photography

When you're out shooting, deciding between camera modes can shape your entire photographic experience. Many believe manual mode is the hallmark of a skilled photographer, but choosing differently can significantly improve your workflow and your results.

Sony's Game-Changing 50-150mm f/2 GM Lens Reviewed

Sony's latest lens, the FE 50-150mm f/2 GM, offers an intriguing combination of speed, flexibility, and high-end optical performance. With its unusual zoom range and bright maximum aperture, this lens could fill a significant gap in your kit, especially if you often shoot events or portraits.

Canon’s RF 15-35mm vs RF 16-28mm STM: Worth the Big Price Difference?

If you're debating between Canon’s RF 15-35mm f/2.8L and the newer RF 16-28mm f/2.8 IS STM, understanding the actual performance differences can save you money and hassle. Lens choice isn't just about price—it's about matching your shooting needs to practical differences in performance and handling.

Advanced Masking Techniques for Striking Landscapes

Lightroom’s color range mask is a powerful tool for making selective edits that bring your photos to life. Understanding how to precisely target colors can significantly improve your editing skills, giving your images depth and nuance.

Photoshop’s New Dynamic Text: Design Easier and Faster

Photoshop recently released a new beta feature called dynamic text, which automatically adjusts your text formatting and size in real time. Text-handling in Photoshop has always been tedious and required careful adjustments, but it just became significantly easier.

Freewell Pro Reader: A Fast, Versatile Reader With Bonus Storage

Freewell aims to simplify the modern card storage conundrum with their Pro Reader, a device that promises not only high-speed reading of multiple formats but also integrated storage for cards when you're out in the field. I've been testing one out to see how it fits into a creator's workflow.

A Year of Shooting in Only Black and White

Photographing exclusively in black and white for an extended period can fundamentally shift the way you approach image-making. It pushes you beyond habitual techniques, challenging you to see and create photographs differently.

Essential Wedding Photos You Can't Afford to Miss

Capturing the right moments during a wedding day can make or break your confidence and the satisfaction of your clients. Knowing exactly which shots matter most helps you stay organized and ensures you're covering all the critical moments effectively.

Why the Best Photos Are Often the Ones You Didn’t Plan For

We’ve all been there: You plan the "perfect shoot." You check the weather (a million times). You pack your gear with the precision of a surgeon preparing for an operation. And then... the universe shrugs and says, "Ah, you know what, not today."

Unlocking Insights From a Decade of Your Lightroom Data

Sitting with a Lightroom catalog that contains over 360,000 photos taken across a decade offers more than nostalgia—it presents a chance to analyze your photography habits. Understanding patterns in your shooting style can significantly enhance your photographic decisions.

Creative Ways to Use a 35mm Lens for Better Photos

Using the right focal length is essential, and the 35mm lens has always been especially popular for its balanced framing and natural look. Understanding how to effectively compose your shots with this lens can significantly improve your photos by capturing scenes authentically and creatively.

Why Every Photographer Needs a Solo Trip Right Now

Have you ever felt your photography takes a backseat when you're with others? I booked a solo overseas trip to reconnect with my photographic passion without the constraint of expectations or fitting in with the needs of others. This article might be the push you need to go on your own solo journey of discovery.

Which Neewer Panel Light Would You Choose?

Neewer has released two new panel lights. Perfect for video and great for photography too, these powerful yet affordable arrays have slightly different functions and open up a host of creative possibilities. If you were seeking this kind of lighting, which would you choose?

Essential Apps to Improve Your Landscape Photography

Arriving at a photography location unprepared is frustrating, especially when the light or weather refuses to cooperate. Thankfully, several apps can significantly improve your planning, making the most of any location.

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (April 2025): Eden Antho

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.

Did Trump Photoshop Gang Tattoos Onto A Photo?

On April 18th, Trump showed a doctored picture of Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s knuckle's with "MS-13" tattooed on them. At the time I thought this story was greatly exaggerated, but today, an interview with Trump came out that changed everything.

Subtle Techniques to Perfect Your Images with Radial Filters

Radial filters can dramatically enhance your images, creating soft, natural effects that subtly draw attention or gently shift the mood. This tool allows you to shape viewer perception without resorting to heavy-handed editing techniques.

What Canon Might Bring Next: Real Conversations From the Source

Anthony Gugliotta had the opportunity to sit down with Canon's development team to suggest improvements and discuss the future of their cameras and lenses. These insights hint at possible upgrades and changes you might see soon in Canon’s equipment.

Effective Ways to Refocus Your Photography and Reach Your Goals

Improving your photography isn't just about technical skills—it's about clearing away distractions and reconnecting with your passion. Understanding what genuinely inspires your creativity is vital for growth and authenticity in your work.

How to Master Portraits Using Only Two Lenses

Your camera gear doesn't define how good you are at taking portraits, but the lenses you pick do matter—a lot. Choosing the right lenses affects your flexibility and helps shape your distinct style as a portrait photographer.

Retouch4Me Just Got a Whole Lot Better

A few years ago, I first heard about the retouching software Retouch4Me when one of our readers asked me to review it for the Fstoppers Youtube Channel. I immediately fell in love with the software and added it to my workflow. This year, they have added some features we have all been waiting for, so let's look at what is new with this powerful skin retouching software.

Infrared Photography: How to Reveal Hidden Landscapes

Infrared photography lets you see landscapes through an entirely new perspective, capturing scenes invisible to your naked eye. It allows you to transform ordinary scenes into visually striking images that reveal hidden contrasts and textures.

Stop Believing These Common Photography Myths

Many beliefs about photography hold you back more than you realize. Breaking free from common myths can unlock creativity, making photography more enjoyable and your images more compelling.

Why Your Travel Photos Feel Bland (and How to Fix Them)

Travel photography is at a crossroads, struggling between authenticity and uniformity. Smartphones, AI-generated images, and overtourism are transforming what it means to photograph places and cultures.

10 Lesser-Known Things Every New Photographer Needs to Learn

Your entry into photography might feel like a massive ocean of techniques, gear choices, and social media comparisons. Most people talk about shutter speed, aperture, ISO, composition, and basic post-processing. Those topics matter, but they don’t reveal the quieter corners of the craft.

Discover Why OM System Could Be Your Next Camera

Choosing the right camera system can significantly impact your photography experience and results. Understanding what different systems offer beyond the standard choices like Canon, Nikon, and Sony can help you find a setup tailored exactly to your needs.