A lot of us like to keep up with the latest gear, and there is certainly nothing inherently wrong with that; after all, cameras are rather nifty gadgets. But it is important to not confuse enthusiasm for gear with gear being a shortcut to improving as a photographer. This great video essay discusses the topic and offers some good motivation for enjoying what you have.
The Canon EOS R5 has been widely lauded for its highly impressive feature set. However, its sibling, the EOS R6, comes with a lot of those same impressive features and is much more affordable than the EOS R5. This excellent video review takes a look at the camera from a wedding photographer's perspective and the kind of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Tired of your nature photos looking drab and dreary? Well, thanks to the power of Lightroom Mobile, you can now breathe new life into your images on the go thanks to its comprehensive toolset.
One of them spent decades making decisions with the intention of fitting into community norms, creating stability. The other threw caution to the wind and jumped into a world of creativity with both feet before really understanding what life and responsibility were all about. Both Fin DAC and Mick Rock have ended up in the same place, near the top of their chosen artistic fields — inspirations for anyone following in their footsteps. What's even better, they're collaborating on a new show.
Not too long ago, any Sony shooter wanting an f/2.8 standard zoom would have only a single option. Thanks to Sigma and Tamron, there are now three more to choose from. Which of these more affordable options is the best?
Fuji's medium format system has proven wildly popular, and as the company has expanded the lineup, they have released some quite impressive lenses. The GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR is one of those lenses, and this great video review takes a look at it and how it performs in practice.
The beloved Leica Q2 has been launched as a limited edition design with elegant black and gold features in a true and iconic Hollywood style.
It's the battle of the best of the best from two titans of the photography industry. No, I'm not talking about Sony versus Canon. I'm talking about the Canon EOS R5 versus an iPhone 12 Pro Max, and the results are surprising, to say the least.
Ask 10 different photographers how they save their images, and you will get several different answers. Which format is best for you and why?
Is your tripod not giving you access to the heights you need? Check out this Gitzo GT5563GS Giant review.
The Canon R5 has received a great deal of coverage since its release. Of course, much of the initial content detailed specifications and initial impressions. The real test comes after you've used the camera for a while.
The Nikon FE is the perfect blend of a lightweight construction that still feels sturdy and has perfect functionality with my favorite camera feature: aperture priority mode. I never thought I’d find a 35mm camera that I’d use more than my F100 or F2, but here we are.
After multiple attempts to capture sunrise or sunset and not getting the conditions I wanted, I decided I was going to take photos no matter what the conditions were, forcing myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself to be a better photographer.
What are the obscure items that you carry with you on the day of shooting a wedding that make the day run smoother or make your results that little bit more pro? Here are five things you might not have thought of that could make a big difference.
At this point, it's fair to say that all of us have felt a touch of cabin fever over the past year, and with lockdowns/restrictions still in place all over the world, it's all the more important to keep the mind and body active, not least of all, the creative mind. This video has a few nice ideas for you to try with some basic gear.
Times have really changed for 360 shooters. When the cameras first came out, there was no ecosystem of products to make shooting easier. In 2021, that's definitely not the case, and YouTuber and 360 shooter Ben Claremont looks at some of the gear that will make life in 360 a little bit easier.
Whether amateur or professional, there are certain common mistakes that we all make at one point or another. This excellent video tutorial discusses seven common mistakes photographers make and how to either avoid them or fix them.
We spend a ton of time talking about how to light subjects not only to bring out their features in a flattering way, but to also convey a certain mood or message. But just as important as where you place light is where you do not. This excellent video essay shows you the importance of shadows and how they are used to add depth and meaning to photos and videos.
When it comes to portraits, one of the most important decisions you can make is the choice of modifier. This great video will show you three common modifiers (softbox, parabolic umbrella, and umbrella) along with a lot of helpful example photos to show you how they will render your subject.
Smartphones have more and more powerful cameras and tech behind them as the years roll on, opening opportunities for shoots with just your phone.
Post-production on images is a deep and varied process with no one way to do any task. So what are the most important tools and in which order should you use them?
The Fujifilm GFX 100S is one heck of a camera, taking the company's highly respected GFX 100 medium format mirrorless camera and cutting both its size and price nearly in half. This great video review takes a look at the camera's image quality and autofocus performance, as well as having some fun by adapting some full frame lenses to it.
There’s not a lot to separate these two cameras, but this overview from Gerald Undone makes a good argument for anyone wondering whether the brand new Sony FX3 is worth the extra cash over the near-identical a7S III.
Kodak Aerochrome III Infrared Film 1443 was discontinued more than a decade ago, and it now changes hands on eBay for more than $100 for a single roll. If you were to head out with one of these few remaining canisters loaded into your camera, what would you shoot?
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 2021, 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.
A lot of professional photographers will tell you over and over about the importance of taking on personal projects. Even if you are only a hobbyist, they are a fantastic way to build your skills, expand your creativity, and become a more confident photographer. This fantastic video essay discusses why you should consider picking up a photography project.
Along with shutter speed and ISO, aperture is one of the three most fundamental parameters that every photographer needs to have an absolute mastery of. This fantastic video tutorial will show you everything you need to know about how aperture works and how to use it for your photos in just two minutes.
Flashguns and strobe lights aren't just for capturing perfectly exposed subjects, they can be valuable as creative assets too.
Of all the accessories that come with photography, your camera strap is probably not one you think about very often (if at all). However, with several pounds hanging off your neck for often hours at a time, it is something you should give a bit of consideration, and there are more options than you might have realized. This great video will show you a variety of straps, what they are useful for, and how they can improve your comfort.
With the rise of social media, photography trends are more prominent than ever. Should you follow them or just photograph what you want? This great video essay discusses the balance between the two.
Converting a photo to black and white is about more than simply pulling all the color out of it; it is a chance to make an entirely new image. This fantastic video tutorial will show you how to convert a photo to black and white in Photoshop and turn it into a dramatic, eye-catching piece.
The traditional route for startups to bring great product ideas to market was to fund them directly or find willing venture capitalists to invest. The advent of crowd platforms such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo have dramatically changed the product funding landscape, and this is as true for photography as elsewhere. So, should you buy products from the likes of Kickstarter?
Photography is a passion and a hobby for many and a career for a few. But to truly succeed in this competitive industry, does love for photography stand you in good stead, does it make little difference, or does it work against you?
While most of us own multiple lenses suited for different purposes, sometimes, whether for convenience or necessity, we want one lens that can handle all possible situations. For Sony shooters, there is the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD, and this excellent video review takes a look at what you can expect from it in practice.
A wide-aperture 50mm lens is one of the most commonly owned and versatile options, useful for a wide variety of situations. This great video review compares two options for Sony shooters, the Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA and the Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA.
It is always better to get a narrow depth of field in camera, but sometimes, you end up with a background you would prefer to be blurrier to bring more focus onto your subject. For those cases, you can blur the background using Photoshop, and this helpful video tutorial will show you how it is done.
A 70-200mm f/2.8 lens is one of the most versatile and popular options out there, but not everyone needs that f/2.8 aperture or wants to spend that kind of money. A 70-200mm f/4 lens offers the same versatility in a smaller and more affordable package, making it a great alternative for a lot of different photographers and filmmakers. This great video review takes a look at Canon's mirrorless option, the RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens.
There are times where you just don't have enough space, time, or material to cover your entire scene with an infinite backdrop. One workaround that you can do is to use as much as you have, and then extend it across the rest of the image in Photoshop.
Using smoke has been a staple in photography and cinematography for some time, and to great effect. Here is a tutorial on how to create a spiral look to the smoke for an awesome result.
There is probably no other genre where light is at more of a premium than astrophotography, where ultra-wide apertures, high ISOs, and specialized equipment are the name of the game. This fascinating video shows what two professional astrophotographers were able to accomplish when limited to a very slow kit lens for their work.
Traditionally, professional zoom lenses have filled the role of convenience, while primes have taken on more specific needs and creative pursuits. However, in recent years, we have seen some more extreme zoom lens designs that have approached the capabilities and image quality levels of primes, and this great video review takes a look at one of the most impressive of the bunch.
Rawtherapee and Darktable are two advanced editing programs for photographers. The best part is they are free. But which one suits you? Here, you’ll find out.
While smartphone manufacturers seem intent on making smartphone gimbals redundant, there are a number of excellent products on the market, and the AOCHUAN Smart XR from PERGEAR offers stiff competition given its aggressive pricing.
If you study the work of professional portrait photographers, you will probably notice a lot of them use rather complex multi-light setups, but you will also find plenty of fantastic images created with only a single light. This fantastic video tutorial will show you how to create eye-catching portraits using no more than a single light.
Lights and modifiers for them can quickly add up in cost, but one of the most useful lighting tools a studio can have is surprisingly cheap and low-tech. This excellent video tutorial will show you why v-flats are so useful and how to incorporate them into your own work.
The Sony a1 is here, and it brings with it what is quite possibly the most impressive set of specs we have ever seen on a camera. Do those impressive numbers and features pan out in practice? This great video review takes a look at 10 good and not so great parts of the Sony a1.
It can be easy to get caught up in the stresses that come with photography or life itself and to forget that photography is actually good for you. It is important to remind yourself every once in a while that photography is supposed to be an enjoyable thing that can do a lot of good for your overall happiness. This fantastic video does just that.
Capturing the moon has been something photographers have tried since it was possible to do. However, it's trickier than most people think, particularly to capture real contrast and detail.
B-roll can feel a bit like a means to an end; a way of linking shots because you have to, but it's an art in itself. Here is a useful comparison of what a beginner might do and what a professional might do when they need the same b-roll.
Sigma recently announced the 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens, which is billed as the lightest and smallest f/2.8 standard zoom lens available for mirrorless systems. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the kind of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
