Is a $2,300 50mm Lens Worth It?

Canon makes some wildly good and wildly expensive lenses, including the RF 50mm f/1.2L USM, which offers amazing results but also costs north of $2,000. Do you really need to spend that much? This useful video will help you decide.

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Congratulations to the Winners!

Congratulations to our three winners above!

First place Wescott Lighting Kit: Teemu Andreas

Second place DxO Software Bundle: Chip Weiner

Third place Fstoppers Tutorial: Janos Lakatos

To claim your prize, please message Lee Morris through the Fstoppers Community.

A Year With the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM Review

The 35mm focal length is a staple for many photographers, offering a versatile perspective suitable for various scenarios, from landscapes to portraits. This great video review takes a look at one of the best options out there.

DIY Color Backdrop Product Photography

It seems that the genre of product photography is booming right now. I come across hiring ads for product and e-commerce photographers all the time. With e-commerce being such a big market, or at least where I live, there is a lot of need for product photographers. I learned the basics of photographing products many years ago, and it has come in handy several times.

Discovering Zoner Photo Studio X Pro's New and Attractive Functionality

Since HDR has been used (wrongly) so much in the past, it's a good time to make people aware of the changes happening in the industry. Zoner Photo Studio X Pro's latest update includes its new True HDR process. This comprehensive software has much to offer, not least an end to overblown HDR photos.

Five Essential Tips for Protecting Your Camera in the Rain

Embracing inclement weather, such as rain, can help add interest to your landscape photographs. Rain can add richness to colors, atmospheric mist, or even dark, moody clouds for grand scenes. But how do you protect your camera gear in these conditions? Here are five tips to help keep your camera safe.

The Real Cost of Owning a Photography Studio: More Than Just Money

As a photographer, you've likely dreamed of having your own dedicated studio space. It's easy to imagine the creative freedom and professional image that comes with a studio, but the reality involves much more than just taking pictures. Understanding the full scope of owning or renting a studio is crucial before taking the plunge.

How Todd Hido Creates His Landscape Photographs

I recently was introduced to photographer Todd Hido in Jason Momoa’s docuseries on HBO. Momoa has a real affinity for Todd. I wish I had a fan like that; if you watch the show, you will see what I mean.
5 Lightroom Mistakes to Avoid

Editing is just as important as capturing the image, but there are many places where things can go wrong. This awesome video tutorial discusses five common mistakes people make in Lightroom and how to fix them.

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Your Moment of Film Photography Zen: Wandering the Mojave Desert With a Leica M6

Whether you’re shooting for fun or for work, in the rush of modern life it can be all too easy to lose sight of the joy of photography. In this short, meditative interlude with no words, there’s plenty of inspiration to be found in just watching another photographer enjoying their own photography.

Expanding Your Engagement Services with Hybrid Photography and Videography

Staying competitive and offering unique services is crucial for success. One increasingly popular trend is hybrid shooting, which involves capturing both photos and videos during a single session. This approach allows photographers to cater to the growing demand for video content while maximizing their time and resources.

The Power of Familiarity in Photography

In landscape photography, there is a powerful reason why it's important to have a go-to location, which cannot be overstated. While the attraction of venturing into new and potentially uncharted territory may be strong, there also exists meaningful value in revisiting familiar spots time and again. This article will delve deeper into the significance of returning to familiar locations and how it can enhance your photographic skills and artistic expression.

Peak Design and Roam Media Core Launch Sports Photography Scholarship

Have you ever flipped through an REI catalog with a twinge of despair, or gazed with more questions than answers at the DICK’s Sporting Goods billboard? Perhaps you’ve wondered who shot those jobs and how they got the contract? Standing in the camping section, you suddenly realize why the 20-year-old employee is looking at you oddly. You have been staring at the billboard for who knows how long in a state of perplexed despair. Articles that line your LinkedIn feed extol the value of “networking,” but who to network with and how to gain access to these gatekeepers didn't come attached. You want a shot, but you don’t seem to be able to get your hands on that opportunity. If that description hits home, and if you are a female, you want to read on about the Peak Design & The Roam Collective Photography Scholarship.

Choosing Between Color and Black and White Photography

The decision of whether to shoot in color or black and white is a fundamental one, impacting the mood, tone, and overall message of an image. It's a choice that goes beyond mere aesthetics, leveraging the very essence of how we perceive and interpret the world around us.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Levitating Photos

The ability to make objects appear as if they are defying gravity is a captivating skill that can help you capture attention. This technique, often employed in product and still life photography, adds a touch of magic and intrigue to your images, leaving viewers wondering how you achieved such a feat.

The Leica Q3 Has a Special Power That You Might Not Have Heard About

Even a lot of the people who purchased the new Leica Q3 might not be aware of a feature this camera has that can greatly expand your creative possibilities for using flash. Within the Q3’s beautiful magnesium alloy body lies a secret hidden in plain sight.

The Art of Landscape Photography From Start To Finish

Are you wondering what makes some landscape photographers' photos stand out more than others? It all begins with how you make the photograph in the field, but it doesn't stop there. Understanding the editing process helps carry the vision through to the final photograph.

We Review the HP Sprocket 3x4: In a Class of Its Own

The title of this article makes it seem like I'm heaping some sort of superlative description upon what is, more or less, a typical Zink-based printer that doesn't require ink or cartridges. And when it comes to this, the $129 HP Sprocket 3x4 Instant Photo Printer, I am. Well, more or less.

Building a Photography Business: Essential First Steps

Establishing a successful photography business requires more than just taking beautiful pictures. It demands careful planning, organization, and efficient workflows to attract clients, deliver exceptional service, and ultimately, thrive in a competitive market.

Adding Depth and Drama to Landscape Photos: A Lightroom Tutorial

Landscape photography often aims to capture the vastness and beauty of natural scenes. However, achieving depth and dimension in these photos can be challenging, especially when dealing with flat lighting or a lack of contrast. Fortunately, post-processing tools like Lightroom offer powerful techniques to enhance your landscape images and bring them to life.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Color Correction in Lightroom

We often encounter challenging lighting situations that can affect the color and overall look of our images. Whether it's dealing with harsh sunlight, mixed lighting, or simply wanting to enhance the colors in a scene, understanding color correction techniques is essential. This helpful video tutorial will show you how to tackle the issue in Lightroom.

Common Photography Career Mistakes

Building a successful photography career requires more than just technical skills and a good eye. It also involves making smart decisions about your finances, time, and overall well-being. Learning from the mistakes of others can save you valuable resources and help you navigate the challenges of the industry.

Why It's Important to Challenge Ourselves in Photography

As a landscape photographer, the chase to capture stunning images of breathtaking scenes is a continuous journey. Yet, in the middle of this mission for the perfect shot, lies a crucial aspect often overlooked—the necessity of challenging ourselves and getting out of our comfort zone. In this article, let’s dive into why pushing our boundaries and embracing discomfort is vital in the journey of landscape photography.

Why Hollywood Chooses High-End Cinema Cameras

In the professional world, achieving exceptional image quality is paramount. While budget-friendly cinema cameras boast impressive specifications, Hollywood consistently opts for high-end options like the ARRI Alexa 35. This raises the question: why is there such a significant investment in these top-tier cameras?

Building Your Photography Brand on Instagram

In the age of digital portfolios and online presence, photographers need to go beyond stunning visuals to truly connect with their audience and secure bookings. Building a strong social media strategy, particularly on Instagram, is crucial to showcase your work, establish your brand, and attract potential clients.

A Review of the Affordable DJI Mini 4K

The new DJI Mini 4K offers a very affordable and portable entry into the world of drone photography and filmmaking. Can it match your needs? This excellent video takes a look at what to expect.

Is the Sony a7C II the Ultimate Travel Camera? 

Choosing the right camera forwork on the go can be a daunting task, as you need a versatile tool that balances image quality, portability, and performance. The Sony a7C II is a strong contender, offering a compelling blend of features that cater to photographers on the move.

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (April 2024): Cheryl Lalonde

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 2023, 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.

The Fujifilm X100VI: A Powerful Upgrade With a Familiar Feel 

For those seeking a blend of portability, performance, and a unique shooting experience, the Fuji X100 series has long been a popular choice. With the release of the X100VI, Fuji has taken this beloved camera to new heights, offering significant improvements while retaining the charm that has charmed photographers for years.

Essential Skills for Bridging the Gap Between Photography and Videography

In today's landscape, the demand for video content has skyrocketed, creating new opportunities for photographers. The ability to capture motion and tell stories through video is no longer just a desirable skill, but rather an essential one for photographers looking to expand their services and reach.

A Guide to Lightroom Cloud Settings

As photographers, we understand the importance of efficient and effective photo editing workflows. Adobe Lightroom Cloud offers a powerful platform for managing and editing images, but navigating its features can sometimes feel overwhelming, which is why this helpful video is worth a watch.

Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Essential Tips for Photographers

The life of a professional photographer is often romanticized, but the reality is that it can be a demanding and stressful career path. From the pressure to constantly create to the financial instability that often comes with freelance work, there are many challenges that photographers face. However, there are also ways to find happiness and success in this field.

Essential Maintenance Tips for /keeping Your Printer Happy

Maintaining your printer is crucial for ensuring optimal performance and longevity. Neglecting regular upkeep can lead to issues like dust buildup, ink clogs, and paper jams, ultimately affecting print quality and potentially shortening the lifespan of your printer.

Travel Photography of Korea With Compact Prime Lenses

Travel photography is one of the most enjoyable genres of the craft, and counterintuitively, it can sometimes be improved by limiting the amount of equipment you take with, particularly lenses.

Landscape Photography Tips for Mastering Clear Sky Days

Landscape photographers often seek out specific weather conditions, such as dramatic storms or vibrant sunsets, to create impactful images. However, clear sky days, often considered less ideal due to the lack of dramatic light and clouds, can also offer unique opportunities for capturing stunning landscapes. By understanding how to work with the available light and compose effectively, you can create fantastic images.

Is This Photography Trend Overrated?

The shutter drag/slow shutter trend has found its way into any niche in photography but particularly amongst wedding photography. But is the trend a clever use of camera techniques to add a different feeling or is it overrated?

The Insane Prices Some Photographers Command

Understanding the pricing landscape in photography can be a daunting task for both emerging and seasoned photographers. The vast range of prices, from a simple potato image fetching millions to a seasoned professional receiving a few hundred dollars for a day's work, can leave many scratching their heads.