Luck
Critique the Community

Luck

Show Us Your 'Luckiest' Photo

Sometimes every aspect of a photograph is meticulously planned, but most of the time, at least a portion of the final image was created by luck. For this next critique, we want to see the "luckiest" photo you've ever taken. 

This contest has ended.
How to Photograph the Milky Way in 5 Simple Steps

Learn how to photograph the Milky Way galaxy by choosing the correct equipment, using the right camera settings, and planning ahead with precision to avoid disappointment. You can also use these tips to photograph other astrophotography shots such as meteor showers.

Instagram Reels: A Quick Tutorial To Get You Creating

Instagram has introduced Reels, which is similar to TikTok and Snapchat, and you can basically edit videos all within Instagram. The app also now has a Reels feed, which is similar to Facebook videos and TikTok with one video playing after the next.

New Standard iMac May Beat Out the Pro Models for Video Editors

There's always been a certain appeal to the space-gray iMac Pro over your run-of-the-mill iMac, and of course it went beyond the looks. The machine is a flat out beast, both in price and performance. But time goes on, and it's finally happened: You can configure a standard mid-2020 27" iMac that's capable of outgunning the iMac and Mac Pro in video editing for less money.

Don't Overlook the Power of a Long Lens in Landscape Photography

No doubt, when most of us think about landscape photography, we think about using wide angle lenses to capture a lot of a scene in one shot. However, long lenses can be quite useful for landscape work as well, and this great video explores why you should consider using one for your own photos.

A Review of the Canon EOS R6 Camera for Stills Photography

The Canon EOS R5 has been making lots of waves for its array of top-shelf features, but the EOS R6 is also a solid performer with a great feature set for a wide range of photographers. This helpful video review takes a look at the camera from a stills photography perspective and what you can expect from it in practice.

Seven Tips for Shooting Street Photography With Your Smartphone

As the well-worn adage says, the best camera is the one that you have with you. Your smartphone is probably always in your pocket, and while phones tend not to lend themselves well ergonomically to documentary-style photography, they can be a useful tool. This short video tells you how to make the most of the camera that’s almost always immediately on hand.

Sony Kando: A Free Virtual Event That You Won't Want to Miss

Sony Kando is an event that mixes experience, community, and education in order to create a world-class event like no other. But due to COVID, they are taking it virtual and giving it to you for free. And you don't want to miss this opportunity.

Has Sigma Finally Given up on Producing Oversized Lenses?

Not so long ago, I was known as "noodle arms" by some of the editors at Fstoppers. This is because I complained about how heavy and huge Sigma lenses were when compared to alternatives. I discussed how although Sigma lenses were brilliant, they were a little impractical. With the latest 85mm announced by Sigma, it seems this might a thing of the past.

Creating Winning Photos: 3 Steps to Optimize Your Images With Photoshop

There’s more to creating a good photo than just moving the sliders. A huge part of wowing your viewers can come down to just a few settings that many forget. Before you export or save your next image, make sure you check out these options for the best results.

Using the NPF Rule for Photographing Night Skies

If you look into the night sky long enough, you will see the stars move. Because it is dark at night, you will need a longer shutter speed to capture the beauty of the stars and constellations. But don’t expose too long, or they will turn into trails.

How to Get The YouTube Video Look in Just 7 Easy Steps

Have you ever thought about starting a YouTube channel and needed to build a set to film your videos on? In this video, take some advice from the experts and learn how to craft the perfect YouTube video setup.

How Good Are Canon's New 600mm and 800mm Lenses?

Canon's new RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lenses are quite unique, and they offer an affordable chance for photographers to check out extreme focal lengths. If you are interested in them, check out this excellent review.

Should You Buy the New Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Instead of the Sony GM Version?

Last week, Sigma announced their brand new 85mm f/1.4 lens for Sony full-frame cameras. Its predecessor was already something of a hit, but is this updated version better choice over Sony’s own FE 85mm f/1.4 GM, which costs an extra $600? Spoiler alert: one is definitely better than the other.

7 Common Landscape Photography Mistakes

Landscape photography has a lot of potential pitfalls to it, and it takes the confluence of a variety of techniques and creative ideas to make a successful image. This great video details seven common mistakes landscape photographers commonly make and how you can avoid and/or fix them.

Learn How to Use Focus Stacking for Sharper Images

Landscape photographers often want to maximize their depth of field to get everything from front to back entirely in focus and sharp. If you want maximum sharpness, employing focus stacking can be the key, and this great video will show you how it works.

This Is the Best Camera for Beginner Photographers

The latest cameras announced by Canon and Sony are some of the best they have produced. These are professional cameras with high-end features and price tags to match. What if, however, you're just starting out in the industry and in need of a professional-grade camera but don't yet have the budget?

The Best Focal Length for Headshots: From 24mm to 1,200mm

Headshots should be simple, direct, and effective, with a clear view of the subject, but also a simple but professional backdrop. So, which focal length lens should you use, and how does it affect the final image?

Do You Need In-Body Image Stabilization?

Nikon announced their production of full frame mirrorless cameras in 2018 and has since offered a wide variety of quality bodies and glass in this arena of camera gear. And for non-pro enthusiasts, their recent Z 5 mirrorless bodyboasts a slew of alluring selling points.

How to Selectively Expand the Background of Your Photo

Who hasn't had a photo that you wanted to print or post, but it wasn't quite the proportion that you needed? Even if you're not a Photoshop guru, Photoshop's Content-Aware Scale feature can help stretch a photo to fit perfectly without disturbing your subject.

How to Effectively Remove Logos and Branding From Surfaces in Photoshop

Logos and branding on products in photographs can be unnecessary distractions, or depending on how an image is being used, their visibility could possibly be infringing on a brand's copyright. Avoid these situations by learning how to remove them using Photoshop.

The 15 Best NEOWISE Comet Photos We Could Find

A few weeks ago, I read some news about the rare NEOWISE Comet passing by Earth and being large and clear enough to see with your naked eye. I got up, went outside, and looked up to a bunch of cloud cover. Luckily for me and all of you, we can always hit up Instagram and Facebook for great photos other photographers captured.

How to Make Your Own Low-Budget YouTube Studio

If you have ever said to yourself that making a YouTube video looks easy, you aren't wrong. If you want it to look good, though, there are some steps you should take to ensure your video is up to par and pleasing to the viewer.

5 Quick Tips for Photographing Sand Dunes With Michael Shainblum

Michael Shainblum creates some breathtaking landscape work and is kind enough to share his knowledge with those looking to up their game. Watch this video for some helpful tips on capturing one of his favorite subjects, the challenging yet beautiful sand dunes.

Bird Photographers: Avoid These Rookie Mistakes

Getting started in bird photography is a path of making many, many mistakes before finding out what works and what doesn’t. Here are a few valuable tips to save you time from learning the hard way.

Sony a7S III Versus Canon R5: Which Camera Footage Looks Better?

Videographers should be feeling pretty spoiled at the moment with the camera announcements we've had in the last few months. Two of the most exciting will split the population, but in a side-by-side comparison, which looks better to you?

5 Advanced Techniques for Making Eyes Sparkle

The eyes in a portrait often make or break the whole image, so when you're retouching them, it's worth going the extra mile. Here are some advanced techniques for making sure the eyes in your images pop.

Is the New Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens Even Better Than the Original?

The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art was one of the most hotly anticipated lenses in recent years, and now, we have an updated version specifically for mirrorless cameras that is both smaller and with lots of improvements. This great video review shows what you can expect from it in practice.