A Perfect Argument Raging in Photography for 200 Years
Do you want perfect photos? If so, then maybe you are barking up the wrong tree. In your quest for perfection, you are losing an essential element from your images.
Do you want perfect photos? If so, then maybe you are barking up the wrong tree. In your quest for perfection, you are losing an essential element from your images.
Landscape photography often takes at least a bit of editing to produce a completed image, and as such, you will usually be doing some kind of editing work on the sky. Lightroom's newest version has a wide range of useful tools for doing this, and this excellent video tutorial will show you some of the options for selecting and adjusting a sky and the pros and cons of each.
Lightroom is a more powerful and nuanced application than we sometimes give it credit for, and there are some useful features that are easy to overlook. This awesome video tutorial will show you five hidden features in Lightroom that can make your work life a lot easier and more efficient and even improve the quality of your images.
Wet plate collodion is a photographic process that dates back to the mid-1800s. It involves using antiquated equipment and processes, including toxic chemicals and is difficult to master. So, why would a modern-day successful commercial photographer be interested in pursuing this? And what insights could his journey provide?
Once you get wider than 20mm, you generally do not encounter apertures wider than f/2.0, save for a few rare circumstances. One such option is the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM, which positions itself as a fantastic creative tool for a wide variety of uses, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
While many photographers have probably stitched together a handful of images to create a panorama, this scientist has taken things to a whole other level by using a staggering 8,439 pictures.
The camera industry is quite the well-oiled PR machine, with short update cycles that get photographers drooling over new gear every few months and a lot of hype drummed up over the latest and greatest camera or lens — some deserved and some not so much. This great video essay discusses five things camera companies will not tell you, and it is well worth giving it a listen.
With the release of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8, I thought it would be a good time to take a look at the current list of options for photographers of all types.
Shooting the night sky, whether by itself or as part of a landscape, can be a magical thing. The problem is that with such low levels of ambient light, any manmade sources can quickly overwhelm the stars and ruin the frame. So, how do you deal with light pollution? This helpful video tutorial will give you some useful tips on how to avoid or mitigate it and come away with more desirable images.
Every photographer starting out with artificial light should work exclusively with a single strobe until they are comfortable with the basics of lighting, but once you feel like you are ready to move on to more advanced setups, the first step, of course, is to add a second light, which opens up a wide range of creative possibilities. This fantastic video tutorial will show you three different ways to use that second light for portrait work to expand your creative palette.
When I first heard of this Sony 16-35mm f/4 lens with power zoom, I looked at it as a gimmick feature. But after actually getting to use the lens, I think people are really going to love this lens.
Continuous, LED lights have become stronger and more affordable over the past decade, to the point where they're challenging a lot of strobes. The new Amaran LED might just top them all, however.
Portrait lighting is about a lot more than simply creating a technically balanced image of your subject; it is your chance to exercise your creativity and show off your subject in a compelling and interesting fashion. If you would like to improve your own portrait photography, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you how one photographer lit and shot a set of portraits using several lights and modifiers.
Nikon has really started to step it up in the professional mirrorless realm lately, and the new NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens is particularly emblematic of that, offering professional-level performance and image quality in an extremely portable design, all at a frankly insanely low price. This great video takes a first look at the new lens and what you can expect from it in real-world usage.
Have you noticed the bigotry towards women in the photographic industry? It's there and I feel partly to blame. But some camera manufacturers and big photography businesses are the worst offenders.
Whether you want to do it professionally, donate your talents to a shelter, or just want to create some nice memories of your favorite pup or kitty, pet photography can be a tremendously fun and rewarding thing to do. No matter why you are doing it, this excellent video tutorial featuring an experienced pet photographer will give you five great tips that are sure to help you get better results.
Knowing how to light, pose, and shoot a good portrait is only half of what it takes to produce a compelling final image; you also need to know how to retouch in a tasteful and balanced yet creative manner. If you want to improve your portrait retouching, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will walk you through an entire edit using a variety of advanced techniques and features all in Photoshop.
One of the biggest questions that photographers face is how to find clients and make a living from the craft. There is money to be made with photography, especially if you find a good contract. Here is one such opportunity that will allow you to make money with your photography.
You've probably never used a circular fisheye lens properly, which is to say in the manner it was designed. It's okay, almost no one has.
Kyle Hart has been making photo/video products we love for over a decade now. We love our Rhino Slider, but it's never been big enough for long dolly moves. The Rhino Dolly is here to change that.
The lens is probably the most important piece of gear any photographer will carry, having a tremendous impact on the technical and creative qualities of your images. If you are new to photography and wondering what you need to know about lenses, check out this fantastic video tutorial by an Australian Geographic photographer that will teach both their standard properties and the fundamentals of their usage.
Today, Nikon introduced a new lens that should have wildlife enthusiasts very excited.
Camera carts can be an expensive tool on set, and Inovativ are at the top of the bunch. Hopefully, these ideas can get more out of your cart for less.
At Fstoppers we love having our readership contribute articles to the site. There is a dedicated link on our contact page that makes it easy to send in your pitch. Your suggestion is sent to all of the Fstoppers writers and this gives you many opportunities for someone to find your pitch interesting and have it be published on the site.
Apple's M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, and M1 Ultra chips have blown the doors off the industry by providing highly powerful performance with equally impressive efficiency to match. The Max and Ultra chips sit at the top of the line, but the Ultra chip is only available in the desktop Mac Studio. So, should you opt for the Studio and its top-level power or the versatility of a MacBook Pro with the M1 Max chip? This excellent video comparison will help you decide.
Shooting off-camera flash outdoors can be tricky, as you need to contend with the brightness of the sun. This means that the flash can get pretty close, especially if you want to get a really soft light on your subject. What if it is in the frame?
When I was first starting out, I got deeply into conversations about style. What is this thing that will get me hired? How do I get it? Recently, I’ve realized that a photographic style isn’t the be-all and end-all magical thing that many beginner photographers think it is.
Modern cameras are highly impressive, able to tackle just about any challenging situation you can throw at them, even those that just a few years ago would have thrown the best options off their game. As such, it can be easy to rely on that technology a little too much and to forget just how far you can get with good technique and a solid creative foundation. This neat video reminds you of that by showing what you can do with a $25 camera that is almost two decades old.
Using flash for portrait photography is something that scares a lot of photographers, but once you master it, you will wonder how you ever worked without the complete creative and technical control it offers. If you are just starting out and unsure of how to get rolling, check out this fantastically comprehensive video tutorial that covers everything from the different types of flash through to how to use TTL and complex multi-light setups.
85mm lenses with wide apertures are some of the most popular out there, but a high-quality one is often far from affordable. On the other hand, the Rokinon AF 85mm f/1.4 bucks that trend by coming in at over 75% less than the price of the highly respected Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM, making it quite the intriguing alternative. Can it keep up with those top-shelf options, though? This great video review takes a look at its performance and image quality to answer that question.
When it comes to retouching, or more concretely, the removal of unwanted objects from photos, there are a few things you can do to make the editing a lot easier. In this article, I share three questions you can ask yourself in the field before taking your photos. Those questions will help you to get much better starting material for your retouching.
The Curves adjustment panel is probably one of Adobe Photoshop's most frequently used tools, right alongside Levels. But did you know that there is a tried and tested way to quickly get perfectly color-corrected images every single time? Knowing this basic technique will save you hours of time and effort when learning how to color correct your images in Photoshop.
What is new and notable in Sony's new full frame ultra-wide angle lens? Let's take a look at how unique this lens is from similar focal length options.
Seven years ago, I have stopped using photography rules, which massively improved my photography. But there is one rule that makes the difference between an average shot and a masterpiece. And it is something different than you might think.
Rangefinder cameras are a long way from necessary, and yet, they are still popular, particularly because of Leica. What is it about rangefinders that makes them appealing and is this new Pixii camera a good example?
Mirrorless lenses allow you to experience the fun of supertelephoto focal lengths without the often stratospheric prices, but they generally come with a few compromises as well. Nonetheless, depending on your needs and budget, they can be a decent alternative. One such option is the Tokina SZ SUPER TELE 500mm f/8 Reflex, and 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.
The Nikon Z 9 has put Nikon back into competition with Sony and Canon in the upper echelon of the full frame mirrorless market, offering a no-compromises design at a competitive price. When combined with the NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S lens, it offers a highly capable option for anyone needing top-of-the-line performance for things like sports or bird photography, and this excellent video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can except from them.
A lot of new lenses are amazing. Although the quality of the predecessors was already good, the new generations are even better. But with the amazing quality comes a size, weight, and prize. You should ask yourself if these are the lenses you need.
While clear blue skies are often desirable simply for the nice weather they bring, when it comes to landscape photography, they are rather boring and can make it hard to create compelling images. It is not impossible, however; it just takes a bit of adjustment to your technique and creative approach. This fantastic video tutorial will show you some helpful tips for taking great landscape photos even when the sky is totally clear.
There are many characteristics of great movies that you may miss unless you spend the time to really consider all the components. Color is a major factor in any visual medium, but did you know about the 60-30-10 rule?
With plenty of cloud-based storage systems, what makes Internxt any different, and should you trust them with your files?
The age-old question resurfaces: is film better than digital? In this video, the victor is crowned once and for all.
There have been a few digital cameras that have been landmarks in the industry, whether as major technological steps forward or impressive performers. One such groundbreaking camera was the Canon 5D Mark II, and this neat video takes a look at the camera and how you can still use it for great shots even 14 years after it was released.
Video is more prevalent than ever, and along with the expectation of high-quality production and editing, clients expect top-notch audio to match. The Rode Wireless GO II has been a popular choice for some time, but the DJI Mic has recently challenged it and offers some compelling features and smart design choices that make it a great alternative. This excellent video review takes a look at both options to help you choose which is right for your work.
Shooting on location can be a stressful time. So, what are some of the questions I ask myself before heading out into the wild?
Two of the most fundamental and important features in Photoshop are layers and masks, and it is rare you will ever edit an image without using one or both of them. If you are new to Photoshop and want to begin building your knowledge of the application, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you the ins and outs of layers and masks and how to use them to edit your images.
Sigma has finally arrived on the Fujifilm X mount, and it has photographers excited at the prospect of using the company's popular lenses that are well known for providing excellent image quality at impressively competitive prices. One such example is the affordable 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary, and this fantastic video review compares it to the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR to see which provides better performance and image quality.
Lost your photography mojo? It's something that happens to us all and not just once, it's a part of life but let's not get philosophical here, let's just look at a few ways to reinvigorate your photography.
Photography is a high. The magic that some of those first images a photographer takes is difficult to put into words. The joy that comes from image-making hooks you, and often, there is no turning back.
Being a photographer means being able to adapt to any given lighting situation to create images that are remarkable. In this video, Sophia Carey shares some of her insights with a behind-the-scenes look at a night portrait shoot on film.