Professional Photographers Shouldn't Always Use Manual Mode

There tends to be a belief that professional photographers should only ever shoot in manual mode, as if surrendering any exposure decisions to the camera indicates a weakness in abilities. However, that simply is not the case. This great video discusses the myth of professionals always using manual mode.

A Wide Variety of Simple and Helpful Photography Tips

Creating a successful image takes the confluence of good technique, creativity, and a wide range of other factors, all of which one needs to achieve the best possible result. This fantastic video shares a ton of great advice on topics ranging from composition all the way through to post-processing.

How to Get Skylum Luminar 3 for Free

If you're looking to try out Skylum Luminar, or just want to own your editing software outright, check out this promotion! By signing up for Skylum's mailing list, you can get a full copy of their editing software, Skylum Luminar, for free.

What Can You Do When You Encounter a Creative Block?

One particularly difficult aspect of being a professional photographer that does not get discussed enough is what one does when they encounter the inevitable creative block. This excellent video discusses what you can do to overcome a creative block.

Images Taken During Quarantine
Critique the Community

Images Taken During Quarantine

Submit Your Best Image Taken During Quarantine

Today we are going to try something different. Instead of critiquing some of your best images, we are asking photographers to submit only images they have created during their quarantined time from this coronavirus pandemic.

This contest has ended.

Critique the Community Photos of Joy

Congratulations to the Winners!

Congratulations to Tyler Schwab for submitting the highest rated image and to William Kane as the random lucky winner of this week's Critique the Community. Please message Lee Morris after you head over to the Fstoppers Store to pick out your free tutorial.

How to Change Eye Color Using Lightroom

Not all of us were born with our preferred eye color, and given that we can't change genetics, you will sometimes have clients who want to change their eye color. It is a pretty straightforward process, and this excellent video tutorial will show you how you can do it without even having to leave Lightroom.

The Incredible Work of Molly Baber

Molly Baber is a multi-disciplinary visual artist and fashion photographer creating conceptual works that evoke blood, death, and feminine power, as well as a subconscious fantasy through ritual, divination, and mythology.

The Gear Trap Is a Problem, but Cheap Equipment Can Also Limit You

Most of us are familiar with "the gear trap," the fine line that's crossed when a shooter makes a top priority of continually researching and purchasing newer and better camera equipment. This can be a dangerous money pit. But there are times when your gear must be upgraded, lest you suffer the technical shortcomings of outdated or inadequate equipment.

Rules Will Kill Your Photography Creativity: Part One

Here is a fact: You will not find your creativity by following a rule, regardless of how many people believe it. In this series of articles, I aim to put this right. I’m on a mission to change how photography composition is taught — forever.

Which New Camera Will Canon Announce on April 20?

Canon has announced that it will be hosting an online press conference on April 20 in order to present some new products. Will the much-anticipated EOS R5 officially be launched?

Sigma Says It Will Start Making Smaller Lenses

In a refreshingly candid and open interview with DPReview, Sigma’s Chief Executive Officer, Kazuto Yamaki, has given an insight into how the Japanese lens and camera manufacturer is performing, and revealed some of its plans for the future.

How to Build Your Own Studio Cyclorama

If you work in fashion or commercial projects, you probably have used or seen a cyclorama before. If you've looked into getting one professionally built for your own space, you know a cyclorama can cost several thousand dollars and doesn't always fit in everyone's budget. If you have decided to build your own, here's some great information to help you start.

The Best Very Cheap Camera You Can Buy in 2020

Whether you want a great doorway into photography that has a low financial entry point, or back-up camera you're not scared to put at risk, this could be the camera for you!

8 Things Photographers Must Do to Lower Their Expenses During the Coronavirus

Many photographers are scared right now and with good reason. The Coronavirus is causing an unprecedented financial crisis, which we'll probably feel the repercussions of for many years to come. While you may feel pretty helpless right now, there are still things you can do to give yourself the best possible chance of surviving all this.

Photographer Uses His Drone as a Safe Way to Take Portraits of Locals in Quarantine

Strict laws around social distancing has meant an abrupt halt to most photographers’ shooting schedules. One creative wedding photographer, however, is finding a resourceful way to continue taking portraits while documenting lockdown: he’s using his drone to take pictures of his neighbors and their families.

Why One Photograper Teaches Photography for Better Mental Health

Billions of people around the world are self-isolating to slow the spread of Coronavirus. However, it's not just our physical wellbeing at risk, but also our mental health. Stu McKenzie has pioneered a new project to help veterans with PTSD, which could also help those suffering from anxiety and depression during the quarantine.

5 Essentials for Long-Exposure Landscape Photography

Doing long exposures is the most fundamental trick up a landscape photographer's sleeve. But for effective use of its visual effects, there are a few essential steps that one must follow.

Canon Just Filed a Patent for a Brand New Cripple Hammer

Details are emerging of a new patent just filed by Canon that could revolutionize one of its most exciting products: the Cripple Hammer. Brace yourselves, because the plans for this updated version look crazy.

Is Every Portrait Photograph a Lie?

Truth, at best, is always an unstable concept, especially when combined with the medium of photography. This fascinating short video from Jamie Windsor takes one of the most famous portraits ever taken, reveals its deception, and explores the implications.

How Can We Adapt to the Current Reality?

The coronavirus pandemic has fundamentally altered the world and caused serious disruptions for creatives in all industries. This excellent video features an experienced professional discussing how we can adapt to this new landscape.

How to Create Your Own Presets in Lightroom

One of the best ways to increase your efficiency in Lightroom (particularly if you frequently work with large batches of the same sort of images) is to create your own presets. This helpful video will show you how to create your own presets in Lightroom.

How to Take a Great Cutlery Shot With Just One Light

Given how intricate and tricky product photography can be, you might think that you need complex multi-light setups to produce a professional shot. And while those certainly have their uses, you might be surprised by how much you can accomplish with just one light. This great video tutorial will show you how to light and edit a professional cutlery shot with a single light.

How You Can Take Great Studio Portraits With No Modifiers at All

It is rare that a photographer will shoot studio portraits using a bare flash, but that does not mean you can't do it. In fact, you might be surprised by how you can accomplish with a bare flash, and the skills you will learn in practicing this will come in handy in a wide variety of situations outside the studio.

8 Fun and Creative Ways to Use Your Drone Indoors

Drones are usually reserved for outdoor work only, but with a smaller device, the right environment, and some careful piloting (or just handholding), you can create some really unique photos and works. This great video will show you eight different ideas for working with a drone indoors.

The EOS RP: Can Canon's Budget Mirrorless Camera Match the Demands of Wildlife Photographers?

When it comes to the kind of camera a wildlife photographer might choose, Canon's EOS RP is probably pretty far down the list. Nonetheless, with a sub-$1,000 price and the ability to take both Canon's new RF lenses and the existing library of EF lenses, it could be a great option for a lot of photographers on a budget. This excellent video will show you what you can expect when shooting with the EOS RP in the wilderness.

Gear to Get Your Game Face on for Client Videoconferences

We all live in Zoom right now. With the global pandemic, chances are your client meetings aren’t happening in person anymore. But while your photography gigs may have temporarily dried up, you still have to put your game face on, even if it’s via videoconference. Here’s some gear to help you do that.

CamRanger Helps Medical Community During Covid-19 Pandemic

With so much depressing news about Covid-19 circulating these days, any good news is much welcomed. The other day, I was greeted by some needed good news when I opened my email. I’m a firm believer that humanity is more good than bad, though sometimes, it is hard to keep the faith. CamRanger helped to re-enforce my belief. CamRanger is stepping up to help the medical community protect themselves from infection by Covid-19. Yes, a company that produces remote controls for your camera is fighting Covid-19.

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (March 2020): Mikkel Beiter

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 2020, 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.

Round-Tripping With Capture One: A Workaround Trick

Capture One is a great tool for processing raw files, but it lacks one key feature found in Adobe's Camera Raw: the ability to export files as Smart Objects. While that feature seems a way off, there is a cool workaround hack that lets you come close.

Photography YouTuber Shares First Photo Assignment to Subscribers

How are you keeping your creative juices flowing during the quarantine? Are you finding yourself in an endless loop of switching between social media apps, convincing yourself to do work, only to be left in front of the fridge for unnecessary snacking? Keep your skills sharp with some photography challenges! Ted Forbes of The Art of Photography posed the first part of many photography challenges to his 600k+ subscribers during the quarantine.

Why You Should Embrace 'Boring' Light More Often

You might think that the best landscape images are made with dramatic, hard light that casts arcing shadows across the land. And while that can certainly make for great images, you might be surprised to learn why flat, "boring" light can actually be a landscape photographer's best friend.

7 Helpful Landscape Photography Tips

Landscape photography takes the confluence of technique, creativity, planning, and often, a bit of luck to create a successful final image, and as such, it helps to be as knowledgeable and prepared as possible before you ever take a shot. This great video will give you seven helpful tips to improve your landscape photography.

I Switched Back to the a7R III

A couple of weeks ago I turned in my Sony a7R IV and went back to the previous generation a7R III.

How to Use Split Toning in Your Images

Split toning is a great and relatively quick way to create a unique look in your images. This excellent video tutorial will show you how split toning works and give you some great tips for using it on your own photos.

Quarantined Photographer Shoots via FaceTime

While many photographers are using the lockdown to brush up on their skills or work on personal projects, this Condé Nast photographer found a creative alternative to producing full-fledged photoshoots with models.