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.

Uncomfortable
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.

3 Ways To Fix Mixed Lighting in Your Photos

If you're a wedding or event photographer, chances are, you've encountered mixed lighting situations. Though mixed lighting can be used creatively, there are times when it just isn't ideal. Today, I'll be walking through several examples of mixed lighting conditions with solutions on how you can work around it on location or fix it in post-production.

7 Lightroom Tips Every New Photographer Should Know

For most photographers, Lightroom is the place where they will start their photos and often where they will finish them. If you are new to photography, you might be surprised by just how much you can do with Lightroom without ever touching Photoshop. This helpful video tutorial will give you seven tips to ensure you are getting the most out of the program and creating high-quality edits.

How a Professional Landscape Photographer Creates an Image From Capture Through Editing

Landscape photography is a challenging genre that takes the confluence of a lot of techniques, creative ideas, and more to bring an image to fruition, but it is quite rewarding when you see the finished photo. This awesome video tutorial will show you how a professional landscape photographer shoots an image, from choosing the right focal length all the way through the edit.

I’m Tired of Gender Inequality and Sexism in the Photography Industry. Are You?

I think that it’s often difficult for people to understand or see the real struggles that female and nonbinary creatives face in the photography industry. If you’ve been keeping up with current news, Canon has faced some criticism recently. They aren't the first and won't be the last to make a huge diversity misstep.

Can You Spot Fake Bokeh?

Small, affordable cameras with small sensors and small lenses are doomed to produce images with deep depth of field, but what if you could add shallow depth of field in post?

A Review of the Sony a7R IVA Mirrorless Camera

The Sony a7R IVA was a quiet upgrade to the a7R IV, and though most of the changes it brought were relatively minor, it still offers the highly impressive performance of the original a7R IV along with a few extra refinements. This awesome video review takes a look at the camera and the kind of performance and image quality you can expect from it.

Fstoppers Reviews the Zhiyun Smooth-Q3: The Best Smartphone Gimbal To Date

The capabilities of smartphones when it comes to photography and videography have improved to a degree where they are legitimately useful tools for professionals and enthusiasts alike. I got my hands on Zhiyun's Smooth-Q3 to put it through its paces, and the results surprised me.

Helpful Tips for Selling Prints Online

Selling prints can be a fantastic way to create a bit of passive income from your photography, but with so many images and photographers out there, it can be difficult to get a bit of traction to start generating sales. This helpful video discusses a photographer's experience selling prints online and some of the things he has done to increase his sales.

Why You Shouldn't Give Up When Landscape Conditions Aren't Quite Right

Persistence is a quality that can pay off in many areas of life, and photography is no different. Sometimes, in landscape photography, you do not get the sort of light or conditions you were hoping for, but that does not mean you should pack in the gear and go home. This excellent video shows you the kind of pleasant surprises that can await you when you stick around.

DIY or Not: That’s the Question

If you want to buy some items for your photography, prices are often high. It feels like the manufacturer has increased the price just because it is for photography. Sometimes, it is possible to make that item yourself. But is the DIY solution just as good?

Restoring and Photographing With a Large Format Bokeh Monster

Look at any photography discussion board or Facebook page, and you’ll quickly run into members obsessed with bokeh, or the quality of out-of-focus elements in a photograph. If you are in the bokeh-obsessed stage of photography, then large format wet plate photography is absolutely for you.