How Zoom Lenses Are Closing the Gap with Primes

The debate over prime and zoom lenses has been going on for years. For a long time, it was simple: prime lenses offered superior image quality, while zoom lenses provided versatility. But technology has changed, and the old rules no longer apply. If you’re choosing between these two types of lenses, there’s more to consider than the traditional trade-offs.

The Use of Vintage Lenses Can Stimulate Creativity

Photography is not just a method to document the world around us—it is also a means of expressing creativity. Achieving this creative expression, however, can be more challenging than expected. Perhaps the use of vintage lenses can stimulate the creativity of the photographer.

Stop Wasting Money on Landscape Photography: 2025 Gear Guide

What if I told you that all you really need to start—or even succeed—at landscape photography is incredibly little? It might be hard to believe, considering the most popular photography content is centered around cameras, lenses, and gear. It can send the wrong message to new photographers: that you need a bunch of expensive things to make great images—you don’t, and I’m going to prove it to you.

Five Lesser-Known Reasons Your Photos Aren’t Sharp

Soft photos are frustrating, especially when everything seems to have been done right. Whether it’s inconsistency or persistent fuzziness, figuring out what’s going wrong can be a challenge.

Be Efficient, Buy Used

We, as photographers, are very often gear geeks. There’s no shame in it. We drool over the latest and greatest the camera industry has to offer and dream of owning the ultimate gear setup that will, of course, undoubtedly help us ascend to new heights of photography. But we truly do not need to.

Making Photoshop Edits Easier With Quick Actions

Photoshop is packed with tools, many of which are tucked away in menus you might never explore. Among them are Quick Actions, a feature that simplifies common edits with just a few clicks. If you’re new to Photoshop or looking for faster ways to improve your workflow, these tools are worth exploring.

A Complete Guide to Lightroom Classic’s Develop Module

By learning how to adjust tone, color, and details systematically, you gain control over your creative process, ensuring each image meets your vision. This tutorial walks through every panel in the Develop Module of Lightroom, offering practical insights for improving your workflow.

Transform Sky Colors Using Simple Lightroom Techniques

Editing skies in landscape photos can be challenging, especially when you want to create a vibrant, natural look. Using Lightroom’s tone curve is an effective way to add depth and color without overcomplicating your workflow.

Three Decades of Lomo: We Interview The Lomography Founders

I went to meet the founders of Lomography, Sally Bibawy and Matthias Fiegl, on an unseasonably warm Halloween morning in Brooklyn. For three decades, this unicorn of a company has maintained an unwavering commitment to analog long before analog’s recent renaissance, and I was eager to uncover what has fueled their commitment, what currently drives them, and how it might shape Lomography’s future.

Tips for Faster and More Accurate Manual Focusing

Using manual focus lenses can feel like a lost art in today’s autofocus-driven world, but they offer unique advantages and opportunities to improve your skills. Whether you're exploring vintage equipment or trying out modern manual options, understanding how to use these lenses effectively can open up creative possibilities.

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (November 2024): Vicky Papas Vergara

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.

Hidden Lightroom Features You Need to Know

Lightroom Classic has plenty of features, but not all of them are obvious. Some of its most helpful tools are hidden behind shortcuts or specific menus, and knowing where to look can make editing faster and more efficient.

A Budget-Friendly Contender in the World of Portrait Primes

The Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4 lens brings an exciting option to the table for anyone interested in fast portrait primes. With its combination of premium features, robust build, and an approachable price tag, it challenges the dominance of established brands without breaking the bank.

The Secret to Photography Mastery

True photography goes beyond basic settings and theory—it’s about mastering your tools so you can focus entirely on the subject, the light, and the story you want to tell.

Affordable Macro Excellence: Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Review

Macro photography opens up a world of detail, from intricate textures to tiny subjects that escape the naked eye. The Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Macro aims to provide stunning image quality for those close-up shots while remaining affordable compared to other options on the market.

Education, Software, and Gear at Big Discounts

Ready to turn your passion into profit? This Black Friday, take your photography to the next level with The Well-Rounded Photograper, our most comprehensive tutorial that features eight top instructors teaching eight genres, all for only $49. Plus, take a look at some other incredible deals happening between now and Cyber Monday.

Advanced Lightroom Tricks to Save Time and Improve Photos

Photo editing doesn’t have to be complicated, even with a program as powerful as Lightroom. With the right techniques, you can make significant improvements to your images while streamlining your workflow.

Why Every Photographer Should Own an Old DSLR

Old DSLRs might seem outdated, but they still have a lot to offer. If you’re just starting out or looking for a way to refresh your photography, picking up one of these affordable, chunky cameras can be a great decision.

2024 Black Friday Deals for Photographers

Over the next week the best brands in the industry are offering their best prices of the year. Whether you're in the market for new gear, a faster workflow, or want to study a new skill, there's a way to save money on what you need.

The Future of Streaming: Meet OBSBOT Tail Air

In the post-apocalyptic post-COVID world, video conferencing and streaming have become bigger than ever. The smart features of the OBSBOT Tail Air camera make it far more than just a simple camera with video capability. It has features that you will find in high-end remote cameras. It's small, high quality, and made for everything from large concerts to live interviews.

Is This the Most Comfortable Backpacking Camera Bag?

When it comes to camera bags for landscape photography, several vital components are needed to ensure they perform as expected. Will this Fernweh 50L bag from WANDRD tick all the necessary boxes? In this review, we will find out!

Editing Portraits Start to Finish in Lightroom on an iPad

The ability to edit portraits entirely in Lightroom without switching to Photoshop is becoming more common. This is especially true for on-the-go editing on devices like the iPad, which sync seamlessly with Lightroom on desktop.

Is the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM the Ideal Mid-Range Zoom?

The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM lens is a compact, versatile zoom lens designed for Canon's full frame mirrorless cameras. With a constant f/2.8 aperture, it provides better performance in low light, greater subject separation, and a more professional feel than Canon's basic kit lenses. It strikes a balance between portability, performance, and cost, making it an interesting option for those looking to step up their photography game.

Portable Flash Diffusers: What Works and What Doesn’t

Creating flattering light with a portable flash can be tricky, especially when you’re on the move and don’t have room for bulky equipment. Whether you’re shooting at a wedding or just want a low-profile setup, finding the right diffuser to soften light without sacrificing portability is key.

The Ultimate RF Lens Setup for Wedding Photography

Wedding photography demands lenses that balance versatility and artistic flair. Picking the right ones not only simplifies your workflow but also ensures you’re prepared for every moment of the day.

Transforming Snowy Scenes With Composition and Editing

Understanding how to approach dynamic, unpredictable conditions is critical when you're out in the field. That means learning how to adapt and react to weather and light, especially in challenging environments like snow-covered mountains and shadowed forests. These are places where details emerge slowly, requiring careful observation and thoughtful composition.

How to Use High-Speed Sync for Outdoor Portraits

Shooting fall portraits outdoors comes with its challenges, from managing shifting light to balancing the subject against vibrant backgrounds. Using high-speed sync and thoughtful lighting techniques, you can isolate your subject while keeping the rich details of the season intact.

Lighting Tips for Bold Red-on-Red Portraits

By combining a strong theme, careful lighting, and complementary styling, you can produce photographs that are dramatic and memorable. The process involves creativity and precision, but the results can elevate your work to new levels.

Contre-Jour Photography: A Detailed Guide

Contre-jour photography offers a dramatic and challenging way to add depth and impact to your images. This style, which involves backlighting your subject, demands an understanding of lighting, exposure, and post-processing. It’s a versatile technique that works across subjects like landscapes, portraits, and nature.

Mastering Curves Across Platforms: Essential Techniques for Creators

Learning how to use curves is crucial if you want full control over tonal values and color adjustments in your images. Whether you’re editing photos in Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, or even working on video in Premiere or DaVinci Resolve, understanding curves allows you to fine-tune brightness, contrast, and color with precision.

Editing Ideas For Midday Landscape Photography

Rumor has it landscape photography on bright sunny days with blue skies is not a good idea. I would disagree. Here are a few ideas for editing photos shot in the midday sun that might just inspire you to go out and shoot more in bright conditions.

Shooting Modern Film on a 120-Year-Old Camera

The Kodak Brownie No. 2 is more than a vintage collectible—it’s a piece of photographic history. Released in 1901, this camera not only introduced the world to 120 film but also made photography more accessible.

Lighting Techniques for Full-Length and Three-Quarter Portraits

Lighting full-length or three-quarter body shots can be tricky but is essential for creating polished portraits, whether for business or creative use. These setups need to balance even illumination across the subject while preserving depth and natural shadows. Achieving this doesn’t always require expensive equipment, and understanding how to adapt based on your resources can help you create stunning results.

Can You Stay Creative Later in Life?

Creativity often feels elusive, especially as you grow older and life becomes more structured. This video explores the science and experience of staying creative later in life and questions whether breaking into a new field, like photography, is truly possible at any age.

10 Instagram Mistakes to Avoid in 2025

Navigating Instagram’s ever-evolving platform is no small feat, especially if you’re trying to grow your audience or showcase your work. Knowing what’s holding you back is essential for improving your strategy and reaching more people.

Why 40mm Could Be the Perfect Everyday Lens

The 40mm focal length occupies a unique space, sitting neatly between the popular 35mm and 50mm options. It offers a natural field of view that closely resembles how we see the world, making it an appealing choice for a wide range of situations.

Save Time and Create Consistent Edits With Lightroom Presets

Consistency in your photo edits can elevate your work and save time, especially when working with a large number of images. Lightroom presets are a practical way to develop a style and apply it across multiple photos, streamlining your workflow and maintaining your unique visual identity.

The AGO Film Processor Massive Review

Some of the world's greatest ideas arise not from attempting to reinvent the wheel but by finding an easier way to make it roll. The AGO Film Processor from Vintage Visual is one such story.
Advanced Lightroom Masking Made Simple

Lightroom Classic offers tools that can elevate your photo editing significantly, but some of the most powerful features remain underused. One of these tools, intersecting masks, allows you to refine your edits with precision. It’s versatile, easy to use, and adaptable to almost any photography genre, from portraits to landscapes.

How One Light Can Create Three Dramatic Photo Styles

Lighting is the backbone of photography. It determines mood, color, and texture in your images. Without the right lighting, even the best model and location won’t translate into the shot you envision. Learning to control and experiment with light is one of the most impactful ways to elevate your work.

DJI Air 3S or Mavic 3 Pro: Which Drone Is Best for You?

Drones have been a revelation in photography and a staple for many videographers, but with so much selection now on offer, it can be tricky to choose the right one. So, in this video, Peter Lindgren goes through the differences between two of the leading models and which might be the best for you.
Is Turning Your Passion for Photography into a Career the Right Move?

Many of us dream of transforming our hobbies into full-time careers, especially when it comes to something as fulfilling as photography. But making the leap can fundamentally change your relationship with your craft, and it’s worth considering whether the tradeoffs align with your goals.