The Power of Luminosity Masks in Lightroom

One of the most useful tools for taking greater control of your edits is the luminosity mask, and it can also save you a ton of time. If you have not seen them in action before or are not sure how they are used, check out this great video tutorial that will show you why so many photographers love them.

5 Things Non-Photographers Should Stop Asking Photographers

If you are a photographer in any capacity, chances are you deal with the same repetitive questions and comments from non-photographers when your photography comes up in discussions. It gets old, and despite it usually being well-meaning, I wish people would stop asking these five things.

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens

A good macro lens is one of the most versatile out there, offering you a window into the extraordinary world of the small all around us and doubling as a sharp portrait or all-around lens, depending on the focal length. One such lens is the Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Macro, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Never Shot With a Model Before? Here's How You Should Start

Working with models can open up a plethora of new creative outlets and professional opportunities for any photographer. But, the first shoot with a model can seem like a daunting task for some. This video aims to get you comfortable with choosing and communicating with any experienced model.

10 Must-Have Apps for Filmmakers

There is often talk about how great smartphone cameras are now — and I'm one of the people saying it — but with modern apps, they are so much more than their camera for photographers. Here are 10 apps that can improve and aid your videography.

ColorChecker Passport 2 Versus SpyderCheckr 48: Which Is the Best?

Over the last few years, I have regularly recommended the ColorChecker Passport. Colors are extremely important and the passport helps prevent issues that can come up with many digital camera sensors. Recently, I have been testing the Datacolor Spyderchekr and I wanted to see which of the two was the better option.

A Review of the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens

A 24-70mm f/2.8 is a bread and butter lens for a lot of photographers and videographers, covering a lot of the most commonly needed focal lengths and offering a wide maximum aperture to handle low-light situations. They can be rather expensive, however. Sigma's 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is significantly more affordable than most first-party options, and this excellent video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

A Review of the Versatile Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens

Professional-quality supertelephoto zoom lenses have exploded onto the market in the last few years, and one of the most versatile and impressive options out there is the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM. This fantastic video review takes a look at the lens and the kind of performance and image quality you can expect from it in real-world usage.

Instead of Praising Nikon, We Should Be Asking Why the Industry Has Been So Slow To Replace GPS With GNSS

The recent press about an upcoming Nikon camera — denoted the "N2014" — highlighted a government registration filing that suggests it will be "equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)." This has been a positive media development for Nikon as, if correct, it would make them the first camera manufacturer to integrate GNSS into one of their products. Is the camera industry being disingenuous by their slow adoption of existing technologies?

5 Helpful Tips for Editing Portraits in Lightroom

When it comes to editing portraits, you probably think of working in Photoshop over Lightroom, but you can often complete a retouch in Lightroom, particularly if you are working on something like a large batch of headshots that only need light retouching. This awesome video tutorial will give you five helpful tips for editing portraits in Lightroom to get the best results.

How to Create a YouTube Lighting Setup on a Budget

As many of us have been confined to our own homes, there has been a sharp rise in people looking for other revenue streams attainable from their own house. Here is how to create a budget lighting setup to make your YouTube videos look more professional.

Pacific Northwest Escape Mission 5: Mount Baker and Picture Lake

Sometimes, you don’t have to stray too far to find what you’re looking for. After traveling the coast and sharing our journey with you, our Pacific Northwest Escape has come to an end with a stop in our own backyard, where Mother Nature’s beauty is on full display.

Shooting Polaroids On The Gold Coast With Lucy Lumen

I was super excited to see a new YouTube channel launch recently that is not only dedicated to film photography, but is produced just down the road from me on Australia’s stunning Gold Coast. I was even more excited when I saw there was a video about shooting Polaroids.

2x Macro at Half the Price: Fstoppers Reviews Laowa’s 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens

If you’re looking to get into macro photography, the first party lens options can seem too expensive for a lens with a more niche use, particularly on the latest Z and R mounts. Laowa, however, has a very promising 100mm lens that even exceeds those other 100mm options in one notable way. hould it be the lens you choose when shooting up close?

Why One Photographer Left a Large Camera Company's Ambassador Program

Becoming a camera brand ambassador is the dream of a lot of photographers, representing a certain echelon of professional status and of course, meaning you get to use a lot of expensive top-end gear without having to pay for the privilege. However, this photographer made it into the ambassador program of a major brand and then decided to leave it, and this enlightening video features him discussing why he made the decision.

The Key to Finding Success in Landscape Photography

Landscape photography can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be a rather frustrating genre, since unlike most others, you do not get control over the light or a large portion of the scene. So, how do you ensure you find success no matter what nature gives you when you head out with your camera? This great video essay discusses what to do.

How Good Is the Unique Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM Lens?

Canon has really found a new gear with the RF mount when it comes to lenses, releasing some mightily impressive options that push the boundaries of optical design and offer photographers unique creative opportunities. One of those lenses is the RF 28-70mm f/2L USM, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it.

Aputure Launches LS 600x Pro: An Incredibly Powerful Continuous LED

Aputure has made a name for itself for creating some of the best lighting on the market, all without putting the price out of reach of many photographers and videographers. Now they have launched their newest LS-range lamp head with staggering maximum power.

You're Not Talented, and That's a Good Thing

It doesn't matter what you do, if you do it well, you will be called talented; people will attribute your good work to a natural ability that you almost definitely do not have. But, not having a built-in talent is a good thing.

Free Workshop This Weekend: #BeAlpha Live Online

Every year, Sony hosts a number of free online educational platforms. For me, these have quickly become events I don't want to miss. And the next one is this weekend on August 15th.

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Critique the Community

Uncomfortable

Submit Your Best "Uncomfortable" Photo

It's time for another Critique the Community and this time I'm asking you to push the envelope a little bit. For this critique, I'm asking you to post your most controversial, unsettling, or "uncomfortable" photos. 

This contest has ended.
5 Things a Photographer Wishes He Had Learned Earlier in His Career

Photography is about growth, and there are many times I wish that I could tell my younger self a few things about photography. While I'd start out by saying "You're not as good as you think you are," there are a few more practical tips in this video from Gear Focus.

A Review of the New Elinchrom ONE Battery-Powered Monolight

The new Elinchrom ONE is the company's latest monolight, offering a rechargeable battery that makes it portable and versatile whether you are working in the studio or on location. This great video review takes a look at the light and the sort of performance you can expect from it in real-world usage.

Break Some Rules, Create Unique Photos! 

Photography rules are among some of the most frequently disputed ones. Of course, there is a reason for their existence. Our eyes find it more logical to look at a scene that follows the rule of thirds. Color theory dictates that red and blue are colors that contrast really well. Every tutorial on gels will prove this right.

DJI Mini SE Now Available in the U.S. for Under $300

Here's a high-quality but low-price entry-level drone from DJI, the Mini SE. Originally, DJI said the drone wouldn't come to the U.S. or Europe, but today, it's hit the databases of major retailers like B&H Photo.

The Rarely Discussed Reason To Shoot Raw

There are endless articles and videos discussing the pros and cons of shooting in raw versus shooting in JPEG. I’ve long been a proponent of raw for the editing capabilities, but what's more important than file sizes and editing? Longevity.

9 Overhyped Things in the Current Photography Industry

There is a lot of hype in the camera industry, whether over the latest and greatest gear, presets, shortcuts to great images, or something else. Some of it is justified (depending on your perspective), but some of it is nothing more than empty hype. So, what is worth listening to? This interesting video essay discusses nine things one photographer believes are overhyped right now.

Apple Plans To Scan All Your Images and Report People to the Police?

Apple has announced this week that it is going to start rolling out new child safety features. These features are coming later this year in updates to iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, and macOS Monterey. Apple says that this program is ambitious and protecting children is an important responsibility.

A Great System for Better Posing and Directing Models

There's no doubt about it, even if you have the best camera and lens, the correct settings, a good location, and a great model, a poorly thought out pose can ruin the image. Here is a tip for ensuring you pose your subject in a way that has you taking great images.

9 Stupid Reasons to Buy a New Camera

There are a million reasons to buy a new camera. Some are more valid than others. In this article, I take a look at some of the silliest rationales for buying new cameras.

An Advanced Three-Light Portrait Setup With V-Flats and Gels

Once you have mastered the fundamentals of light and how it behaves, you can start exploring more advanced multi-light setups that allow you make more creative and personal images. If you are ready to level up your portrait lighting, check out this awesome video tutorial that will show you an advanced three-light setup using both v-flats and gels.

This Lens Is Incredibly Portable and Versatile and Only Costs $199

Good lenses are rarely affordable; a high-quality professional lens almost always costs thousands of dollars. However, the Tamron 24mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M 1:2 costs just $199 and offers impressive performance and versatility, especially for its price. Is this the next lens for you? Check out this great video review to find out.

9 Free Tools To Produce Your Next Photo Shoot

Eventually, as we progress in our commercial photography careers, we will become a part of sizable shoots with producers attached. Your first shoot with an experienced producer will feel like flying first class for the first time; you will never want to go back.

Pacific Northwest Escape Mission 4: San Francisco

Over the last year and a half, we’ve all realized the importance of connections. And as the world grapples with how to connect at a time when we’ve become increasingly isolated, there’s nothing better than finding symbols of hope in the real world.

Which Supertelephoto Mirrorless Zoom Lens Is Right for You?

The camera world is absolutely awash in supertelephoto zoom lenses right now, and there are plenty of options out there with varying capabilities and price points. This excellent video comparison takes a look at two of the best options, the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports and the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS.

Nikon Increases Earnings But Loses Ground

Nikon recently posted its first quarter financial report which shows improved sales but still leaves many questions unanswered about its post-COVID recovery. Is it making or — indeed — losing ground to its competitors?

A Start To Finish Tutorial for Creating Amazing Day To Night Time-Lapses

Time-lapses are a right of passage for photographers, but they're an incredibly deep area. While a basic time-lapse is fairly straightforward and achievable with just a modern camera, more complex, cinematic productions require some know-how in both camera setup and post-production.

How Good Is the New Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens?

Sigma's latest lens is the 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports, bringing with it a useful focal length range suitable for anything from sports to wildlife at a decently affordable price. This awesome video review takes a look at the lens and the kind of image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.