This New Tabletop Game Looks Like D&D for Photographers

I love photography, and I have more than a passing interest in tabletop games. You can only imagine my excitement when I heard there was a tabletop game being developed which lets you play as a wildlife photographer trying to get the best shots!

Running a Photography Business With a Chronic Illness

If you've ever experienced a flare or diagnosis of a chronic illness while being self-employed, you'll understand the overwhelm of navigating your health and your business interests. It can be hard to focus on rest and recovery when you're fearful about the longevity of your business and the cash flow you need to live.

3 Straightforward Portrait Lighting Setups Using Only One Speedlight

Artificial lighting enables new creative opportunities and versatility that simply would not be possible otherwise, and it is a skill every portrait photographer should consider learning. Speedlights are an affordable and straightforward tool for learning artificial lighting, and this fantastic video tutorial will show you three basic portrait setups you can create with just a single speedlight.

How to Create Your Own Golden Hour

For years, photographers have understood that creating the best photograph possible means shooting in the best possible light. For natural light shooters, the best light often comes at a time known as the golden hour. This occurs when the sun is setting and the angle of the sun to the earth causes the light to travel through clouds and air pollution creating soft, diffused light. The color of this light is warm and the look is beautiful on all skin tones.

We Review the HEX Ranger Sling XL

The new HEX Ranger Sling XL bridges the gap between a large backpack and a traditional sling, combining elements of both for photographers who want to travel light without leaving almost everything at home.

Three Big Things Really Holding Back Your Photography

The foundation of success in anything you do is understanding what you should be doing and what you most certainly should not be doing. Are you guilty of these three issues holding your photography back?

Are You a ‘Fanny Pack Photgrapher'?

Under the category of so-ridiculous-that-I'm-not-sure-it's-real-but-kind-of-a-cool idea is a video that chronicles the life of a "fanny pack photographer."

A Common Mistake Photographers Make

No matter the genre you shoot, the world we live in often demands content churned out at a breakneck pace, and our attention spans are accordingly attuned to that speed. That can be a mistake that stops us from bringing home our best images. This excellent video essay discusses the importance of slowing down (quite a bit) and why it can bring you better photos.

Is This the Best Lens Available Today?

We are living in an age of incredible lenses that offer combinations of versatility, performance, and image quality that were unimaginable even just a decade ago. One lens makes a strong case for the best combination of those aforementioned factors, however, and it is from a manufacturer you might not expect.

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (August 2022): Jessica Macrow

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 2022, 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.

What Is the Difference Between a Speedlight and a Strobe?

If you are new to artificial lighting, the array of terminology and equipment can be a bit overwhelming at first. One of the most important distinctions is that between a speedlight and a strobe. Though the terms are sometimes used somewhat interchangeably, they are fundamentally different devices with distinct purposes. This great video tutorial will show you the difference between the two and what each is used for.

Helpful Advice for Better Landscape Photo Compositions

Composition is a particularly tricky aspect of landscape photography, especially since you have no control over the placement of the elements in the scene. If composition is something you struggle with, check out this awesome video tutorial that features an experienced landscape photographer offering some great advice sure to help you improve your photos.

The End of Professional Photography

Every year, I've had to hear about how a new technology was going to kill the photography industry. I ignored it all, until now.

Is This the Best Fujifilm Lens Ever Made?

Fujifilm has made some excellent cameras and glass to adorn them with, but one photographer claims that this lens is the cream of the crop. So, is he right or is there something better that can be found in Fujifilm's extensive line-up?

How Much Editing Technique Does a Landscape Photographer Need?

Modern landscape photography often uses quite a wide range of post-processing techniques, almost to the point that it can be overwhelming knowing which to employ for a photo or to learn the full gamut employed by many photographers. Do you really need to invest all that time and effort into learning and using all those techniques? This great video makes a case that less is more when it comes to editing landscape images.

I Tried Newborn Photography and Quickly Realized How Hard It Is!

Having seen many beautiful images of newborns in the past, when I recently became a father for the first time I was keen to get some images of my newborn daughter. Unfortunately, the photographers I wanted to use had no availability, so I thought I'd try it myself. It was an interesting experience.

Four Steps to Creating Better Natural Light Portrait Compositions

Natural light portraiture is a great way to stay versatile and able to move through a variety of locations and poses quickly without having to deal with the logistics and interruption to your creative workflow presented by lugging around a bunch of lights and modifiers. However, because you can’t control the light, you need to consider your compositions a bit differently. This excellent video tutorial will show you a four-step process for creating better natural light portrait compositions.

Can This Respected Vintage Lens Hold Up to Modern Standards?

It is easy to get caught up in the remarkable performance and image quality of modern lenses, but the past century has given us hundreds of fantastic lenses full of character, and if you can find the right one, you can discover an entirely new creative world while spending far, far less than you would on a new option. The Pentax Asahi Super Takumar 55mm f/2 is one such lens, and this great video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can get from it on a modern body.

Do You Need Image Stabilization?

One of the greatest innovations by modern camera and lens manufacturers is image stabilization, which helps to compensate for our natural tendency to slightly shake when holding an object. Like any such feature, though, it is not free, and lenses and cameras with stabilization tend to cost more. So, do you actually need it? If you are new to photography and wondering, check out this great video that will teach you what you need to know.

Can This Ultra-Cheap f/1.4 Lens Take Worthwhile Images?

TTArtisan makes some very affordable lenses, and at $118, the 17mm f/1.4 is no different. Offering a wide focal length paired with a maximum aperture and available for a wide variety of APS-C mounts, it looks like a potentially useful budget option for a wide range of shooters. If you are interested in such a lens, check out this great video review that takes a look at the 17mm f/1.4 and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Live-Stream and Switch Between Six Cameras With the Yolobox Pro

I was sent this live production system that doesn’t require anything else to get you streaming six feeds of live camera action to your social video platforms, all at the same time. It’s an encoder, switcher, recorder, and monitor, all in one. You can even insert a SIM card to stream over your mobile network if your destination doesn't have a stable internet connection.

Six Surefire Tips for Better Compositions

Spectacular light and a unique subject alone don't make a great photo. A good composition that ties the two together is also required. In this article, I give you six tips on improving your photo compositions and dealing with different light and subject matter.

The Bokeh Powerhouse: A Review of the Sony 135mm f/1.8 Lens

85mm lenses are the traditional focal length of choice for portraiture, but on the other hand, they are certainly not the only option. 135mm lenses have long been a popular alternative, and there are some high-quality choices out there, such as the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens, its performance and image quality, and what makes it unique among other high-end portraiture options.

Could an Instant Camera Make You a Better Photographer?

There’s something about the analog process that will slow down your photography, making you more thoughtful about image creation. What if you take it one step further and push yourself with an instant camera? Could it make you a better photographer?

Is CineStill 400D Film the New Natura?

Is CineStiil’s new 400D a replacement for Fujifilm’s legendary Natura 1600 film? Many devotees of Fujifilm’s high-speed color negative film would find this an absurd proposition, but bear with me.

Did You Own This Classic Camera?

With specifications and features that look quite pedestrian by today’s standards, the Canon 5D Classic might not seem like it deserves much attention nowadays, but it was a revolutionary camera for its time and well worth a second look in 2022. This fun video takes a look at the famous camera and gives 10 reasons why it was such an important body.

A Review of the Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 Lens

Viltrox has developed a reputation for creating very affordable lenses that still offer very good performance and image quality. One of their newest options is the Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4, which offers Sony, Fujifilm, and Nikon mirrorless APS-C shooters a nice combination of an ultra-wide focal length and a very wide maximum aperture. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Can This Adapter Turn Manual Focus Lenses Into Autofocus Ones?

If you asked many photographers what magical device they would love to have, an adapter that turns manual focus lenses into autofocus ones would probably be near the top of many lists. For Sony shooters, there is the Techart PRO Version II, which allows Leica M lenses to autofocus on E mount mirrorless cameras, and this awesome video review takes a look at the adapter and the sort of performance you can expect from it in real-world usage.

The Essentials of Off-Camera Flash: Gear and Tips

If you are new to the world of artificial lighting, it can sometimes feel like trying to learn a foreign language. It is really worth taking the time to learn it, though, as it will open up creative opportunities that simply are not possible otherwise and make you a far more versatile photographer. This excellent video tutorial will show you essential off-camera flash gear and some helpful basic tips to get you off and running.

Why Should You Change Your Camera Brand?

Investing in a camera system is a costly business. Once you are tied to a particular brand, you seem stuck with it. Changing is a big decision, but there can be good reasons both to and to not swap systems.

5 Helpful Dog Photography Tips From The Dogist

Dog photography can be a tremendously fun and rewarding genre, but it also takes a fair amount more skill than it might seem on the surface. Whether it is something you would like to make money from or you are simply trying to capture some nice memories of your own pups, check out this great video tutorial that features an experienced dog photographer sharing five useful tips to improve your work.

We Review the Nanuk 935 Hard Case

Why would you get a hard case instead of a backpack? This review of the Nanuk 935 Hard Case will make you think differently about how you store and get your gear from point A to point B. There are other hard cases out there, but this one has a lid organizer, which in my opinion, sets it apart.

We Review the Profoto Connect Pro: Should You Upgrade or Not?

A couple of years ago, I got a chance to review the Profoto B2 flash with the AirTTL trigger. Although I loved the flash, I had some doubts about the trigger. Now, there is the new Profoto Connect Pro trigger. Is it worth the upgrade?

Can This Sub-$200 85mm Lens Produce Professional Images?

An 85mm lens with a wide maximum aperture is one of the most popular options on the market, particularly useful for portrait and wedding photographers who want a flattering focal length and narrow depth of field. That being said, such lenses can cost well north of $2,000. This is what makes the Meike 85mm f/1.8 so compelling, with a sub-$200 price tag that still includes autofocus. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Learn How to Retouch Portraits in Photoshop With This Excellent Tutorial

Knowing how to light, pose, and compose a portrait is only half the battle. To create a successful final image, you also need to have strong editing technique. If you would like to learn how to properly edit a portrait, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will guide you through the entire process, including frequency separation, dodging and burning, and color grading.

Does Art Have a Place in the World of Commercial Photography: Toni Meneguzzo's Diptych

The OED defines "diptych" as a pair of thematically linked paintings, photographs, sculptures, etc. For Toni Meneguzzo, in light of his show, Diptych, opening at 29 Arts in Progress Gallery in Milan, the word seems to mean something much broader. Meneguzzo's Diptych is an invitation to engage with his newest work side by side with his growing legacy, perhaps as a challenge for the viewer to consider where art and commerce overlap.

Helpful Tips for Better Dance Photography

Dancers are incredibly athletic artists, and as such, they can make for wonderful portrait subjects. There are some specific techniques and considerations you should be aware of if you want to get the best possible photos, however. This excellent video tutorial will show you a range of helpful tips for working with dancers to get the most creative and compelling results possible.

Instagram and Facebook Threaten to Leave Europe

Facebook and Instagram continue with their threats to leave the EU. This is because data transfer agreements between the US and EU have been made invalid. Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, requires the ability to transfer data back to the US in order to offer its services. Without this ability, Meta may not be able to operate fully in the EU.

Stream Vertical Video to Instagram and TikTok With the YoloLiv Instream

Yololiv specializes in producing all-in-one devices that allow you to stream, record, and monitor video. The majority of its devices focus on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch. Recently, the company announced its latest product, the YoloLiv Instream. This device allows you to record, monitor and stream directly to Instagram and TikTok with vertical video.

What We Can Learn From Street Photography?

Street photography is a genre that requires both a lot of savvy and technique but also a fair dose of patience. Even if you do not do street work, there are a lot of lessons to be learned from the genre that can be applied across pretty much all photographic pursuits. This excellent video essay discusses those lessons and how to use them to improve your own images.

This "Dogist" Has Photographed Over 50,000 Dogs

Elias Weiss Friedman, better known as The Dogist, has photographed over 50,000 dogs in his career, and as such, he has learned a thing or two along the way. If you are a lover of dogs and photography, check out this fantastic video interview with The Dogist, in which he reveals why he prefers photographing dogs over people and offers a lot of fun insight into his work.

Our First Look at Luminar Neo Noiseless AI

I've had a preview release of the Noiseless AI extension that will be offered for Luminar Neo users on August 30. It's not quite finished it terms of GUI, but basic functionality is there. My copy only runs under Rosetta on my Mac Studio, but at release, it will be Apple Silicon Native.

How to Create Eye-Catching Window Light With Only One Speedlight

Even to the non-photographer, the look of light through a window is quite recognizable, and as such, it is an excellent way to give your portraits an elegant and timeless look. Of course, we do not always have the ability to just use a window with natural sunlight streaming through, and as such, knowing how to create it in studio is a useful skill. Thankfully, it is not that difficult, nor does it require a lot of equipment. This excellent video tutorial will show you how to do it with just a single speedlight.

Can This $69 Lens Produce Worthwhile Images?

Most of the time, a worthwhile lens is going to cost you at least several hundred dollars, if not somewhere in the thousands. So, the prospect of a $69 lens is certainly intriguing. Can it produce worthwhile images, though? This excellent video review takes a look at the TTArtisan 50mm f/2 and the kind of performance and image quality you can expect from it in real-world usage.

Mentorship and the Illusion of Originality: An Interview With Portrait Master Ivan Weiss

I had the fortune to sit down recently with London-based photographer Ivan Weiss, whom I consider one of the great portrait artists of our time. Weiss’ unique body of work has been featured by Canon UK, Affinity Photo, Vogue, BBC, and Forbes, among others, and he also leads the Portrait Track in Peter Hurley’s Headshot Crew, where he mentors other photographers. Our conversation focused on the illusion of originality in art, mentorship, and why you need to “stay on the bus” in order to reach your full potential.