I’m always trying to connect with my kids through shared interests. Video games have been an easy one. Mani-pedis, not so much. They’re at the age now where I can make an honest go at real photography, though.

The misconception that professional photography necessitates always shooting in manual mode is a common hurdle for beginners. This video addresses this myth, explaining why mastering other camera modes is equally important for photographers at any skill level and why those other modes are actually the better choice much of the time. Understanding these modes can significantly ease the learning journey and make you a better photographer.

As a photographer, understanding and navigating through various creative cycles is essential. This video delves into a topic every photographer, regardless of their experience level, will encounter at some point. Its relevance extends beyond photography, encompassing all artistic pursuits, offering insights and strategies for dealing with different phases of creativity.

As we bid farewell to another year and welcome the possibilities of a new chapter, photographers around the world are gearing up for fresh challenges and adventures. In this article, we'll explore six New Year's resolutions tailored for photographers seeking to elevate their practice in 2023.

A behind-the-scenes look at a breathtaking natural light beach photoshoot: join Irene Rudnyk and model Donna as they capture the essence of sunlit beauty on the shores of Virginia Key in Miami. Get ready for a journey of creativity and inspiration.

Is your art good? Is it mediocre? Is it expected? Are you surprising yourself? Have you seen growth in your craft, or are you simply doing the same thing? Are you proud of your body of work in 2023? As artists, sometimes, we get so busy in art-making that we don’t take the time to evaluate our art. I’ve crafted these 10 questions as an evaluation tool for you to pause in the process of art-making and to congratulate yourself, correct yourself, and direct yourself.

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.

Canon's recent patent application presents an intriguing development for APS-C sensors. The patent outlines a series of fixed-length zoom lenses that particularly advantageous for video applications.

The year 2023 has been pivotal for the world of photography, marked by significant technological advancements and shifting trends. This year was only about new camera and lens releases, but also about the broader implications developments had on the art and practice of photography.

Each year, camera and lens manufacturers battle it out to see who can come up with the worst name for a product. This year, one company stepped forward to take the prize by a country mile.

There is always the risk of getting the photographer’s equivalent of writer’s block. You might discover that your photos are the same as what you shot before and you need a change. Here are some ways to inspire and motivate you including a photography challenge to get your creativity flowing.

The quest for a sustainable work-life balance and creative evolution is a journey many photographers (and others) aspire to. This pursuit is not just about capturing stunning visuals; it's about achieving a lifestyle that harmonizes passion and livelihood. This interesting video shares the inspiring story of a photographer who relocated from London to Bali, seeking not only to diversify their portfolio but also to establish economic independence as a remote creative professional.

Canon has released a huge range of impressive and expensive lenses, but not every creative can afford or wants such lenses. That's why it's great news to see the company exploring more affordable full frame lenses, as detailed in some new designs.

The photography landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, particularly in the field of lens technology. As we approach 2024, two key trends have become increasingly evident: the emergence of revolutionary lens designs and the rise of high-quality, affordable lenses. This pivotal shift is reshaping the choices available to both professional photographers and enthusiasts, setting the stage for what could be a landmark year in photographic equipment.

In a world saturated with photographic subjects, it's a challenge focusing on the most important. Learning to see the potential in everything around us and distilling it into compelling images is one of the most important journeys for any budding photographer. The advice from a seasoned photographer that "painting is the art of addition, while photography is the art of subtraction" underscores the concept, and this great video tutorial will show you how to go about implementing it.

Focal length choice is a fundamental aspect of photographic composition, profoundly impacting the narrative and aesthetic quality of images. This intricate topic holds immense importance for photographers of all levels, as it dictates the visual perspective and storytelling approach in their work. This great video provides a deep dive into the subject, offering helpful insights sure to help you improve.

I've recently heard this statement confidently asserted, mostly by non-photographers, when talking about lighting. I briefly mentioned that it's a little more complicated than that without delving into a whole lesson on light and how it works, but it did leave me pondering the statement longer.

In the dynamic world of commercial photography, staying current and adaptable is crucial for success, especially in 2024. The industry has undergone significant changes since 2020, evolving rapidly and becoming almost unrecognizable. This video delves into the essential strategies that commercial photographers must adopt to stay relevant and avoid being left behind in this fast-paced environment.

For landscape photographers, the choice of camera is one that can have a significant impact on their workflow and the images they can create. The recent surge in the popularity of Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera systems, once thought to be too small a sensor for the genre, now presents an intriguing option for landscape photography enthusiasts.

Having been a Profoto user for most of my career, I have experienced pretty much everything they have to offer. I have bought a substantial amount of Profoto equipment myself and use it as my daily driver. Being a huge investment, I wondered if it was worth it. Well, here are my results.

Viltrox is rapidly gaining popularity in the photography industry as a maker of lenses that deliver exceptional value. Known for producing highly affordable lenses with satisfactory to even impressive performance and image quality, their prices are surprisingly low. The AF 75mm f/1.2, providing APS-C enthusiasts with an ultra-wide aperture and a practical focal length. This informative video review explores the capabilities of the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Embracing minimalism can offer a fresh perspective on composition and storytelling. For photographers, understanding the power of minimalism is not just about capturing less; it's about conveying more with simplicity and directness. This approach to photography is challenging, but it can be a game-changer in an artist's journey, offering a lens to view the world differently and to distill its essence into a single, impactful frame.

There are a couple of composition rules for photography that often work great for landscape images. These rules are used for placing a subject in the best possible location in the frame. It can be difficult to find a clear subject, though. I believe Gestalt Theory can help in this regard.

Choosing the right Apple laptop for 4K video editing can be a daunting task, especially with the multitude of options available. If you are wondering which model is right for your needs and budget, check out this helpful video guide that will show you three different options.

A photographer is taking legal action against a small church in South Carolina for allegedly using his photograph without consent.

Every year, I compare the newest iPhone to my daily professional camera and always receive feedback that after compression and scaling, you lose too much detail to be able to tell the difference. So, this year, I've taken the next step by having the images professionally printed on metal and asking random strangers if they can guess which photo was taken with a phone.

The last few years have seen remarkably fast progress in camera technology, and 2023 was no different. What was your favorite camera of the year?

Photography is an ever-evolving art form, with technological advancements continuously reshaping how we capture and edit images in tandem with our own growth in skills and taste. Revisiting old photographs with today’s advanced editing tools offers a unique opportunity to breathe new life into past works. This practice is not only a testament to the growth of a photographer's skills but also a fascinating exploration of how modern tools can enhance images that were once considered finished and revitalize your portfolio without ever having to pull your camera out of the bag.

Much to the dismay of OM System camera owners, other camera brand users have been buying up all the OM System EE-1 Dot sights and the stocks have disappeared. Don’t tell anyone, but they are available again for now. Canon, Nikon, and Sony readers, please ignore this article about how useful they are.

The decision to upgrade camera gear, especially within high-end brands like Leica, is significant. The shift from the Leica M10 to the M11, for instance, represents not just a financial investment but also a commitment to a specific photographic approach and style. Here's why one photographer thought the upgrade was worth it.

Viltrox has rapidly established itself as a reputable creator of lenses, combining commendable performance with affordability. At a mere $158, their AF 20mm f/2.8 continues this pattern of providing quality at a cost that undercuts many competitors. With its compact size and a focal length that fits a variety of scenarios, the question arises: does this economically priced lens have the capability to produce professional-grade imagery? This insightful video review delves into its real-world performance and the kind of image quality this lens can achieve.

When it comes to landscape photography, few other genres offer both the rewards and disappointments it can bring. However, we should avoid the easy route of annoyance and instead get excited about our landscape photography, and here's why! I understand the struggle – the elusive perfect composition, the uncooperative weather. It's easy to become frustrated, annoyed, and perhaps even consider giving up. But before you dismiss the excitement, I have something to share that might just change your perspective!

Understanding why a photographer remains loyal to a particular system, like the Micro Four Thirds, can offer valuable insights into the nuances of photographic equipment, and in an age dominated by APS-C, full frame, and even medium format, the perspective of a micro four thirds user can be particularly good to hear.

Large format is a unique process that requires a lot of specialized technique and expensive gear, but the results are unlike anything you've seen before. This awesome video takes you behind the scenes to show you the process and images.

Have you ever bought a piece of gear that promised to revolutionize your work or be the exact tool you needed just to find that it was a total dud? We all have those pieces sitting at the bottom of our gear closet that irk us every time they come in view. Alternately, we also all have pieces that have become our indispensable go-to’s that we can’t image shooting without. I asked five photographers to share their best and worst purchases. These juicy gear confessions are sure to land some pieces on your blacklist and others in your B&H cart.

Portland, Oregon: In an unexpectedly candid turn for the new year, local photographer Jack Bennett has resolved to ditch the artistic jargon and admit he's simply "taking pictures." This straightforward declaration is causing quite the stir in a community known for its often grandiloquent descriptions of their craft.

In recent years, Viltrox has earned considerable acclaim for producing high-quality lenses that are more affordable than similar options on the market. A notable example is the PRO Series AF 27mm f/1.2 Pro lens. Offering a 40mm equivalent focal length and an impressively wide aperture, this lens has become a compelling choice for a diverse range of creative professionals and uses. The detailed video review delves into the lens's performance and the quality of images it produces in real-world scenarios.

The Canon EOS R3 was an impressive camera and represented a new camera line for the company, as Canon was abundantly clear that the R3 was not a replacement for a flagship EOS R1. As such, many people wondered if the EOS R3 would be a one-and-done camera meant as a stop-gap until the arrival of the EOS R1 or if Canon would release a second-generation model. It seems the latter is the case, with an EOS R3 Mark II planned for 2025.

The Canon Speedlite EL-1 is a high-performance, professional-grade, weather-resistant flash, designed to meet the demands of the most demanding photographers. It features a powerful guide number of 60m (197 ft) at ISO 100, an insanely fast recycle time of 0.1-0.9 seconds, and up to 335 full-power flashes on a single charge. It also has a built-in LED modeling light for precise lighting control and a heavy-duty construction that will withstand the rigors of professional everyday use.

The journey of recognizing and embracing one's artistic identity is a profound theme that resonates with many photographers and creatives. This notion is beautifully explored in a video project where a filmmaker reflects on the artistic influences of his family, particularly his mother and grandmother, and how these shaped his own creative path. Such narratives are important, as they delve into the deep-seated connections between family, art, and legacy.

The debate over whether expensive gear is essential for high-quality photography is ongoing in the photography community. A professional photographer's experiment with Sony's cheapest interchangeable lens camera for a week of professional work offers insightful perspectives on this topic and serves as a great reminder that you don't always need the latest and greatest.

In the world of sports photography, capturing the perfect moment often comes with its risks, as vividly illustrated during Sunday's NFL game at MetLife Stadium. While the New York Jets and Washington Commanders battled it out on the field, a photographer, engrossed in capturing the intense action, experienced an unexpected hazard of the job.

Receiving a new camera during the holidays is a thrilling experience for any photography enthusiast. To ensure you make the most out of your new gadget, here’s a comprehensive, step-by-step guide of every important action you should take after you unbox that shiny new gadget.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes the respected Galaxy series and expands it with a nice range of new features and improvements, including a 200-megapiexel wide angle camera. With that impressive spec sheet, what kind of performance and image quality can you expect in usage? This excellent video review takes a look.

Photography, a medium that has consistently reinvented itself, now stands at an unprecedented crossroads. Revolutions like AI have led to a profound reevaluation of photography's role and essence. Is photography evolving or diminishing as an art form in this era of rapid technological change?

The essence of photography often gets lost in the complexity of technology and techniques. However, the key to becoming an exceptional photographer might be more straightforward than you think: it's all about simplifying every aspect of your craft. This principle holds the potential to not only streamline your process but also to enhance the quality of your work.

Supertelephoto lenses are tremendously useful, but they can also be quite expensive. If you are willing to sacrifice having a super-wide maximum aperture, Canon's RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM lens offers a lot of the flexibility of a supertelephoto lens without the stratospheric price. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Cyme is now updating its Mac Photo app Peakto to version 1.10, and with it come some impressive speed increases.

I have a love/hate relationship with family vacations. I enjoy going away for a few days with my wife and daughter, but it is not something I am super excited about and looking forward to each day in the months before the trip, the way most people do. Truth be told, I’m happier putting my money into buying a new lens rather than using it to book a plane ticket.