7 Important Aspects of Becoming a Successful Photographer

Becoming a successful photographer has always been a difficult thing to do, and it is only going to become harder in the future. Still, it can be a very rewarding career. If you are interested in becoming a professional, this helpful video from a seasoned photographer details seven things you need to do to increase your chances of finding success.

A Review of the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens

The 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is the workhorse of choice for quite a few photographers, but most such lenses come at a hefty price for the quality and consistent performance demanded by professionals. The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art offers an alternative to its higher-priced competitors. Is it right for you? This great video review will answer that for you.

Up Your Landscape Game With Mountain Photography

If you have tried mountain photography before, you know that it is addictive. If you have not given it a go, this video is a great place to start. It walks you through the production from conception and execution of the idea through editing.

Process Versus Results: Which Is More Important to You?

Some photographers love the meditative process of film photography: it's tactile, immersive, and for some, evocative. However, there are those among us who put this traditional practice on a pedestal, claiming that it is the only true form of photography. But as long you get the image that you want, does the process really matter?

Is Canon Going to Make an APS-C Mirrorless Camera with an RF Mount?

With Nikon’s recent launch of the Z 50, speculation has continued regarding Canon’s plans for its APS-C sensor cameras. What to do to cater for all of those 7D Mark II shooters awaiting an upgrade is something of a dilemma, and a new rumor has sparked a fresh helping of speculation.

The Importance of the Investment Menu for 'In-Person Sales'

If you are running a luxury photography studio but have not starting using in-person sales (IPS) you may be leaving money on the table. The investment menu is key to having a fluid sales session. But did you know the importance of where you place the collections on the menu?

Photographers, Not Everything is Relative

We live in a day and age where the phrase "Everything is relative" is the final word for many conversations and a basis for conclusions. This kind of mentality can lead to disastrous results.

Shutterstock Calls Out Lady Gaga After She Uses Watermarked Stock Image in a Post Complaining About Music Piracy

Lady Gaga has been mocked by Shutterstock for using a stock photo without permission, which included their watermark emblazoned across it. The singer posted the two images in a tweet about fans pirating her new music, which leaked onto the internet last week. “We like artists to be paid for their work too. Here’s a link to the photographer’s work where you can license these quality images,” tweeted Shutterstock.

The Nikon Z 6 Might Be the Most Underrated Camera for Video: Full Frame Raw Video

For many of us, a Sony mirrorless camera was the default option if you wanted to shoot high quality full frame video. Sony first offered this feature in the a7R II and I bought into that system too. More recently however, it seems Nikon are taking a shot at offering high quality video features; but is anyone taking notice?

A 360 Camera Buyer's Guide for 2020

While some 360 cameras such as the Insta360 One X and GoPro Max 360 have become household names in the budding immersive photo/video market, there are plenty out there to choose from, most though from brands you’ve never heard of. YouTuber Ben Claremont cuts through the noise and takes a look at what some of the best options are in early 2020.

What to Choose for Video Editing in 2020: Mac or PC?

Apple introduced the new 16” Macbook Pro recently, while other brands announced new models under the Nvidia RTX Studio line. While Apple and other Windows laptops share similarities in specs, they might give different results in video editing applications.

How to Change the Mood of a Photo Using Lighting

Lighting is about more than simply providing proper illumination that shows your subject off in a good way. With proper control of it, you can evoke certain moods or emotions that can go beyond simply illuminating your photo and create a more complete experience for the viewer. This great video demonstrates how this is done by showing two vastly different moods made using creative lighting.

How to Use Frequency Separation in Photoshop

Photoshop has many powerful features for retouching photos, with one of the most impressive being frequency separation. However, this technique requires a very careful touch to achieve proper results. This great video will show you everything need to know to use it for retouching photos.

Kobe Bryant, Photography, and the Meaning of Work

As often is the case, the aftermath of tragedy has drawn my attention away from the cool gadgets and techniques of the photographic profession and caused my mind to drift back to the why. Allow me a moment to indulge a larger question.

Three Quick Reasons Why You Should Use the Modeling Light on Your Strobes

The vast majority of studio strobes have modeling lights built in, which most of us think of as being useful for showing how the shadows are going to fall when we take a shot, but they are useful for more than just that. This quick and helpful video will give you three reasons why you should always use the modeling lights on your strobes.

The Simple Secret of Creating Dramatic Landscape Photos

The difference between a mediocre edit and a superb edit is sometimes subtle. This subtle difference can often be just a matter of applying a minor dodge and burn, vignette, or other editing technique that gently finesses the image into a masterpiece.

Adobe Premiere Adds Pro Productions Features

Adobe Premiere Pro is set to receive a major feature set update, focused on professional productions. Built from the ground up “with top filmmakers and Hollywood editorial teams” in mind, these features could change how you work on large or complex projects.

Can You Understand This Baffling Camera Setting?

Do you ever get the feeling that people who make menu settings on cameras and manual instructions to follow are having a laugh at your expense by making things so confusing? Can you explain this Canon menu riddle to me? Because it's baffling me.

Critique the Community Submit Your Best "Action" Photo

Congratulations to the Winners!

Congratulations to the lucky 20 images chosen for this Critique the Community, and congrats to the top rated image by Alexis Cuarezma. This week's random winning submission goes to Chris Manning.  Please contact Lee Morris to claim your free tutorial from the Fstoppers Store.

A Beginner's Guide to Removing Blemishes in Photoshop

If you are photographing people, one of the most fundamental skills you will need is the ability to retouch blemishes. If you are new to the process, this helpful video will show you how to use Photoshop to do it.

Professional Photographers Are Now Offering Cameraphone Courses

The omnipresence of camera phones and their prospect of "replacing" professional cameras has caused an uneasy stir within the photographic community. And now adding to this agitation are a few professionals who are offering photography workshops based on shooting with smartphone cameras.

The Importance of Learning Not to Care as a Creator

One of the biggest aspects of the vast connectedness of the modern world is how easy it is to access a wealth of information and content from millions of creators and educators. But that is not always a good thing, and this great video discusses why you should try to care just a little less and gives you an actionable plan to accomplish that.

Vimeo Is About to Add Some Useful Tools to Their Service Offering

YouTube has become the go-to space for video. We have famous video creators that earn a good living doing so. And then, we have Vimeo, the professionally orientated video-sharing platform that many professionals use to host their projects and productions in the best quality possible online.

Review of the Elinchrom ELM8 After Four Months of Use

Elinchrom focus has mostly been on light shapers and strobes ever since they've existed. However, the ELM8 they released last year may be a hint they are serious about getting into continuous light. After four months of use, here's my opinion on the Elinchrom ELM8.

If Canon Is Releasing Four Full-Frame Cameras This Year, What Should They Be?

There’s been a lot of speculation about what camera Canon would add next to its new range of full-frame mirrorless bodies, and we might be a step closer to seeing what will emerge over the next twelve months. According to rumors, one is pretty certain, but the other two are a little more unexpected.

Why Do Cameras All Have Such Stupid Names?

Sorry, Nikon, but why you ever thought that calling hundreds of different camera models COOLPIX would be a good idea will always confuse me. It's not just Nikon, though; camera names and naming conventions are a car crash of branding and lack of foresight. Why are they all so terrible? And which is the worst?

3 Ways to Master Abstract Photography

Abstract nature and landscape photography is a subgenre in its own right. It is a fascinating approach to nature, where the feeling of the photo is usually more important than the subject.

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Critique the Community "Quirky" Edition

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Scientists Record Incredible Footage of Atoms Bonding

Forget macrophotography. Nanophotography is pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible to record, as scientists have, for the first time, captured incredible footage of previously unseen physical processes.

A First Look at the New Fujifilm X-T200 Camera

The Fujifilm X-T200 is the latest camera body from the company and the newest member of the beloved X Series line of cameras. With some notable features and a very reasonable price, it looks to be like a potential winner for lots of photographers and filmmakers. This great video takes a first look at the camera and what you can expect from it.

Using the New Canon 1D X Mark III to Shoot the NFL Playoffs

The 1D X Mark III is undoubtedly a powerhouse on paper, with specs that are sure to make any photographer drool. But do those specs translate to the sort of real-world performance working pros need? This excellent video discusses how it holds up when put to the test in the challenging environment of the NFL playoffs.

Are Your Photos Interesting Enough?

We all talk about the importance of finding your visual style, but do you really know why you need one? It's more than just being unique; a visual style is key to shooting photos with interest. And it's that interest that keeps people coming back.

Film Isn't Vegan: Why You Should Potentially Reconsider Shooting It if You Care About Animals

Film photography is enjoying a bit of a resurgence at the moment, with many people flocking to it for reasons ranging from the abundance of cheap used equipment, to the enjoyment of the process, or the look of the results. And while film can certainly be both a fun and rewarding way to shoot, it is important to be aware of its downsides as well, one of them being the fact that it is not friendly to animals.