10 Crucial Lighting Mistakes Beginner Filmmakers Make

While there are a lot of differences between video and photography, one fundamental truth remains: your lighting makes or breaks your creations. And just like photography, there are some common lighting mistakes that new filmmakers tend to make. This excellent video tutorial will show you 10 such mistakes and what you can do to fix them or avoid them in the first place.

How a Photographer Runs His Business

Running a successful photography business that brings in sufficient income takes a lot more than simply being good with a camera and knowing how to light a shot. This excellent video tutorial features an experienced professional discussing how he runs his business and offering some helpful insight.

We Review the Rotolight PRO NEO 3 and PRO AEOS 2

When the Rotolight package was delivered to my doorstep, I was apprehensively excited. I was apprehensive because light is everything in photography, and LED lights are notorious for disappointing me. But I was not disappointed. To say I had to rip myself away from playing with it in the studio to type up my review would not be an exaggeration. This light is prodigious.

Improvised Cinematic B-Roll With Available Lighting

Cinematic footage is a great way to showcase a product and add a level of professionalism to your video work. However, it can be daunting to know where to start, and the options can get expensive. If you want simple and effective ways to up your video b-Roll game without breaking the bank, look no further than this accessible tutorial.

5 Things I Look for in a Cinema Camera

The definition of a “cinema camera” seems to be ever evolving. So what are some of the things that set them apart from mirrorless?

A Review of the Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens

24mm lenses with wide apertures are some of the most versatile out there, offering a reasonably wide (though not overly so) focal length in tandem with a lot of light-gathering and subject-isolating power. The Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM takes that versatility and adds in macro capabilities and image stabilization, making it quite the intriguing option. 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.

Using AI to Restore Old Photos Actually Works

It's absolutely mind-blowing how much artificial intelligence has come to play a central role in photography. There's the presence of it in everyday usage in smartphones, with things like portrait mode and night sight, but now, even more powerful tools are available to desktop retouchers. Just check out how it works on this 70-year-old photo.

Is a Beauty Dish or Octabox Better for Portraits?

Beauty dishes and octaboxes are two of the most common lighting modifiers out there, with almost every portrait studio in existence owning at least one of the two, if not both. They are not identical, though, and each renders your subject in a unique way, which is why it is important to understand the differences so you can pick the proper one for your style and clients' needs. This great video tutorial will show you a deep look at the two options, how they differ, and which is appropriate for different situations.

Protect Your Photography Business

In the midst of cancel culture, it's easy to make a misstep as a photographer. Sometimes, a seemingly harmless act could tarnish your reputation. I created this video because following these actions helped me, and I hope that it also serves you.

Is This the Ultimate Wedding Photography Lens?

Wedding photography generally requires at least two and often several lenses to get through the entire day, and as such, any lens that can take the place of a few offers a significant increase in convenience. The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD is one such lens, and with its tremendous focal length range and wide aperture, it looks like a potentially fantastic option for wedding photographers. This great video takes you through a wedding day with the lens to show you how versatile it is.

YouTube Reverses Course on Making Users Pay for 4K

Recently, some YouTube users started reporting that their ability to watch 4K videos was hidden behind a premium subscription, leading to outcry. Thankfully, that experiment has been walked back.

Why I Used to Hate Making Wedding Albums

Before I created Fstoppers, I was a full-time wedding photographer. Over that time, I designed a handful of wedding albums as both show albums and as client albums. To be honest, I never really enjoyed the album-making process. Now, the tables have turned, and for my wife's first year anniversary gift, I decided to make an album with images from my own wedding. How will my wife respond, and will I enjoy the process? Let's find out!

6 Important Lessons Learned From Shooting With Long Lenses

Shooting with long telephotos lenses is an entirely different experience that requires some specialized techniques and considerations. If you are new to working with those extra-long focal lengths and looking for some helpful advice to ensure you get the best possible shots, check out this fantastic video tutorial that discusses six important lessons.

Here’s Why You’re Not Getting Paying Clients

There's a part inside us all that wishes we were getting paid or paid more for our photography work. However, it's often the case that there are some perfectly logical reasons why we're not. Here are some great examples of why you're not getting paid clients.

A Review of the Do-it-All Canon RF-S 18-150mm F/3.5-6.3 IS STM Lens

Cameras like the EOS R7 and EOS R10 have shown that Canon is serious about APS-C mirrorless cameras in addition to their quickly growing full frame line. As such, the company has begun to create RF-S lenses specifically made for those smaller sensors, with one such lens being the RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM, which covers a huge range of focal lengths for a wide variety of needs. This excellent video review takes a look at the new lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Incredible Greenland Photo Battle Between a Wide Angle and Telephoto Lens

Iceland may be the standard dream destination for many photographers, but have you thought about Greenland? It is absolutely stunning, and after seeing this, I challenge you to disagree. But if you go there to shoot the icebergs, the rugged mountains, and the turquoise waters, should you use a wide angle lens or a telephoto lens?

How Lightroom's Brush Tool Can Help You Make Better Photo Edits

Most people think of Lightroom as the place for organizing their photos and performing light edits and Photoshop as the destination for more intensive work. However, in the last few years, the former has made some major strides that make it a serious editing tool. This great video tutorial will show you how to use a combination of the new masking features and the brush tool for creating more compelling landscape image edits.

How to Take Great Landscape Photos No Matter the Weather

When it comes to landscape photography, we are at the mercy of the elements, and that can be a really frustrating thing, particularly when you have hiked for hours with a bag of gear on your back. So, what can you do when the weather is not great? The truth is that you can create worthwhile photos in any conditions as long as you approach things the right way. This excellent video tutorial will show you how.

How Good Is the Google Pixel 7's 'Unblur' Photo Technology?

We have gotten to the point where smartphones can create professional-quality photos in a wide array of situations. Google's Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro phones offer some of the best cameras available, and one of their most interesting features is "unblur," which promises to use advanced tech to literally remove the blur from things like faces in photos where the shutter speed was too slow or the subject was moving too much. How well does it actually work, though? This awesome video review takes a look at what you can expect.

A Review of the Highly Affordable TTArtisan 50mm f/1.4 Tilt Lens

Tilt lenses are some of the most versatile out there, allowing you to control depth of field independently of aperture, a unique capability that allows for both major technical advantages and highly creative images. However, such lenses tend to be quite expensive, which is what makes the TTArtisan 50mm f/1.4 Tilt lens, which sits at about $200, such an intriguing option. Can it provide decent performance, though? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect.

Why One Photographer Left Canon

Canon has caused a bit of controversy with its stance on third-party lenses, and that has left many users pondering their future relationships with the company. This interesting video features a seasoned Canon user discussing why he has decided to sell his gear.

Hasselblad Explains Why There Are No Video Features in The X2D 100c Camera

Hasselblad recently released its highly anticipated 100-megapixel camera, the X2D 100c. The new camera boasts significant upgrades to the autofocus system, colors, and dynamic range. However, during the announcement, there was no mention of video features. In a recent interview, Hasselblad explains why there are no video features in the new X2D camera.

A Simple Way to Get Far More Stunning Waterfall Shots

Shots of waterfalls can be some of the most soothing and mesmerizing images in photography. If you want to learn some very simple steps anyone can implement to really improve your waterfall photography, take a look inside.

We Review the New Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD Lens for Sony E

Another worthy contender enters the ring. Tamron has just released the 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD. With this lens in my bag, I am freshly back from a whirlwind trip to Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. Check out what I saw and my thoughts on how the lens performed.

Don't Miss This Seamless Object Removal Feature

There are a few reasons why you might want to remove an object from a photograph. Maybe it's distracting from the more important elements of the image, a person in the background who isn't supposed to be there, or a sign that you didn't notice. But what do you do when you want to move (or remove) a significant object from your image's foreground? You might have had to do this in the past, and you know it isn't easy to do well.

What You Need to Know About the Inverse Square Law of Lighting

One of the most crucial things any photographer working with artificial light needs to learn is the inverse square law, which has deep consequences on how light behaves and the look of your images. If you are new to working with artificial light and want to learn the inverse square law, check out this excellent video tutorial that will show you what you need to know.

Try a New Perspective to Improve Your Landscape Photography

Changing your approach and perspective to your landscape photography can produce some stunning results. Looking at the more intimate details and patterns, the textures, and how everything interacts within your scene can really open up a new world for your photography.

We Review the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi

Some months ago, I was excited enough to place a preorder upon hearing of the announcement of Sky-Watcher’s Star Adventurer GTi, the latest in their Star Adventurer series of star trackers. In September, I finally received it and have been checking it out. Let’s see if it has indeed met my expectations.

Learn How This Marilyn Monroe Inspired Nude Portrait Was Lit and Photographed

Few photographic subjects are iconic than Marilyn Monroe, and even today, decades later, images of her capture viewers' eyes and photographers' imaginations. This awesome video tutorial will take you behind the scenes of a fine art nude portrait inspired by Marilyn Monroe and show you how it was lit, photographed, and edited.

Affordable and Versatile: A Look at the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM Lens

Canon makes some spectacular portrait lenses, but they tend to command equally spectacular prices, and many photographers might not wish to shell out several thousands dollars for one. At $499, that makes the RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM a breath of fresh air, and when you add in the versatility of 1:2 macro capabilities, it looks like a very intriguing option. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

3 Professional Camera and Lens Combos You Can Get for About $1,000

When it comes to professional photography equipment, outfitting your camera bag can become expensive very quickly. Thankfully, though, we have been in the digital era long enough that there is a huge range of used gear available that is still plenty capable for a lot of applications. This great video will show you three great camera and lens combinations that can be had for about $1,000 and that will serve you well for plenty of needs.

7 Steps for Buying a Lens

Perhaps no piece of photographic equipment is more crucial to your work and image quality than the lens you put on your camera, and as such, when it comes time to purchase one, it is something you should consider carefully. If you are ready to purchase your next lens, check out this great video tutorial that will give you seven steps to follow to ensure you get the right lens for your needs and budget.

Skylum Reveals Neo's Next Extension: Supersharp AI

Skylum has revealed another Extension that will soon be added to the Luminar Neo editing platform for Pro plan subscribers and owners of the 2022 Extensions Pack. Five Extensions have already been revealed, and today, another has been announced for next month: Supersharp AI, a tool for sharpening details in an image.

Why You Should Work Dispassionately

Passion: I was raised in a generation that was spoon-fed it three square meals a day. My parents' generation, who were raised by the survivors of World War II, had a more tempered outlook. Then came my generation. We were systematically told we could be anything we wanted. The phrases, "live passionately" and "follow your passion" summoned us out of bed with ardor and launch full force into our dreams. My generation flocks by the millions to Burning Man and Tony Robins' conferences hoping to get another hit of zeal to keep going.

Is There Any Point in Photographing Popular Locations?

There are a lot of popular locations out there, and while they can look enticing, you sometimes get there and realize you are just creating the same images that thousands of photographers before you made. So, is there any point in investing the time, effort, and money to photograph such places? This excellent video features an experienced landscape photographer discussing the topic.

The Viltrox 35mm f/1.8: A Prime Example of High Quality 3rd Party Lenses

At half the price of the Nikon equivalent, how does the Viltrox 35mm f/1.8 AF Lens for Nikon Z fair? Pretty darned good in my opinion. Third-party lenses can be a hit-or-miss affair with a lack of sharpness, and cheap construction, Viltrox, however, is certainly not guilty of that.

Why Thinking of Your Photography Business Competitively Can Hurt You

The professional photography space is crowded, and if you are trying to carve out your spot in it, it can feel like a very competitive pursuit. And while it is true that establishing and maintaining your business can be a very competitive thing, it can actually be detrimental to think of it that way. This excellent video details why that is and what a better approach might be.

A Review of the Nifty New Sony ZV-1F Camera

The Sony ZV-1F is here, and it brings with it a lot of great features in a small package and at an affordable price. This excellent video review takes a look at everything you can expect from the new camera.

Helpful Tips and Advice for Getting the Most From Lightroom Masks

Lightroom's masking features have become quite advanced and powerful in recent iterations, and if you have not checked them out yet, you are really missing out on some impressive features that can make your workflow easier and more efficient and even improve your image quality. This great video tutorial will show you some great tips and techniques to ensure you get the most out of the panel and walk away with realistic but impressive photos.

This 20-Year-Old Camera Will Surprise You

Cameras are constantly improving. Keeping up with the latest model and its arguably better performance can instill a need for a perpetual upgrade and a bad case of G.A.S. Well, I'm here to turn back the clocks and look at a 20-year-old compact digital camera that is a lot more capable than we might give it credit for. Read on to remember, reflect, and be surprised by this forgotten gem.

Here Comes Another Canon Mirrorless Camera

It has now been over two years since Canon first released the EOS R5 and EOS R6 and showed the world they were extremely serious about competing in the professional mirrorless camera space. As such, it is about time for that first generation of cameras to move to their next iterations. It looks as if that will happen relatively soon, as specifications for the EOS R6 Mark II have emerged.

How to Shoot and Edit Portraits in Direct Sunlight

We are often taught that when it comes to portraits, soft light is the most flattering, while hard light, which introduces stark shadows and emphasizes skin texture, is to be avoided. While it is true that softer light is considered more flattering, that does not mean you should never use hard light; in fact, it can be fantastic for the right look and scenario. This excellent video tutorial will show you how to shoot and edit a portrait shot in hard, direct sunlight.

We Review the Amazing Canon EOS R10 Mirrorless Camera

Together with the EOS R7 Canon released the entry-level EOS R10 mirrorless camera. Although I didn’t expect that camera to be special, it turned out to be a surprisingly capable camera. If you want to step into the Canon EOS mirrorless world, you can’t go wrong with this little gem.