10 Indispensable Tips for Getting a Killer Headshot

If part of your business is capturing headshots, then this is for you. Even if you're thinking of adding it to your portfolio, it's worth checking these essential tips and tricks as, if you're a commercial photographer, you can up your customer's average spend by offering this essential service.

Is the Sony a7R V the Best Hybrid Camera Available?

Now in its fifth generation, the Sony a7R series has earned a reputation for offering a wide range of impressive features paired with the highest-resolution sensor available in a full frame camera, making it the workhorse of choice for a lot of photographers and filmmakers. Is it the best hybrid camera on the market right now? This excellent video review takes a look.

Where Photographers Should Post Their Photos Online

We're now into 2023, and the Internet still feels a little like the Wild West when it comes to content sharing. There's so many places to share your work with the world. With lots of criticism of popular content sharing platforms, where should you be posting in 2023?

How to Retouch a Portrait in Lightroom Without Photoshop

High-end retouching is normally done in Photoshop, so can similar edits be achieved in Lightroom without ever leaving the software? The following tutorial is based upon the tips and techniques provided in lesson 19 of Mastering Adobe Lightroom by Pye Jirsa and is only part of the 49 lessons available in the tutorial.

Should You Upgrade to the Canon R6 Mark II?

With the January sales looming and every company likely offering discounts on new and existing cameras and kit, is it worth considering a new camera body? Is it worth upgrading from your existing equipment to a newer model or even switching from DSLR to mirrorless?

Best Architectural Photography Lens: Canon 24mm Tilt-Shift Versus Laowa 20mm Shift Lens

Architectural photography can be described as one of the more technical kinds of photography. Photo compositions generally need to have a more structured aesthetic. Vertical lines need to be straight, and the best way to ensure this is by using a tilt-shift lens. The question is: which lens is best for architectural photography?

We Review the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens

As part of Sigma’s Contemporary lens line, the 56mm f/1.4 DC DN is designed to offer exceptional image quality and performance all in a small, convenient package. With a 35mm equivalent of 84mm, this lens is great for portraiture, street photography, pet photography, travel work, and any low-light shooting situations.

Panasonic Announces Incredible Lumix S5II and S5IIX

Panasonic's LUMIX cameras have been a quiet but profound success in photography. Now, the company has announced the sequel to the beloved mirrorless and it has one improvement that caused quite the stir.

How to Make Your Photography Thrive

Photography is a lifelong commitment. There is always something new to learn, an interesting subject to photograph, and a skill to improve. How do you avoid stagnating? This great video discusses the topic and how one photographer keeps himself motivated to continually evolve and grow as a creative.

Look Inside a 150-Year-Old Camera

It's very easy to find information online about new cameras, news, rumors, reviews, and which camera you should be using right now. But there's far less information to be found about older cameras. Like many photographers, I find it interesting to look at the origins of photography and how far the science and technology in cameras has come in a relatively short period of time.

Canon Looks to Make 2023 the Year of APS-C

When Canon got serious about mirrorless camera and lenses, they put all their attention into developing full frame options. Of course, many users prefer APS-C cameras for their lower prices, smaller form factor, and extra reach. It looks like those users will be happy in 2023, with more APS-C cameras and lenses on the way.

Dealing With Imposter Syndrome as a Photographer

Impostor Syndrome can be an insidious thing: you work hard at your craft and develop a strong creative voice, and yet, despite all that effort and experience, you feel as if you do not know what you are doing and your work is not worthwhile. Why do so many photographers experience Impostor Syndrome, and what can they do about it? This excellent video features an experienced creative discussing his experience with the issue and how he tackles it.

Photo Projects You Should Consider for 2023

A new year brings thoughts of new beginnings and new opportunities. Resolutions are common this time of year. You undoubtedly have plans to join a gym this year, but why not also make a goal of working on a new photo project? There are several projects you might consider undertaking in 2023, ranging from those that require you to create something original each day to those that will be successful with a less frequent contribution on your part.

On the Increasing Number of Photography Subscriptions

Around 2010, I upgraded computers and was very disappointed that I’d lost my CD of Photoshop. I was even more disappointed when I went to the store and remembered how expensive it was. Begrudgingly, I did re-purchase Photoshop.

How Does the Canon EOS R6 Mark II Compare to the EOS R7?

Many photographers do not want to spend top dollar for high-level bodies, but still need and appreciate advanced features like fast burst rates and powerful autofocus. For Canon shooters, two options that fit that bill are the EOS R6 Mark II and EOS R7. Which is right for you, though? This interesting video discusses the two in the context of a demanding genre, bird photography.

Sony a7R V: Is It the Best Alpha Yet?

The a7R V is the first AI-based camera from Sony. It has a dedicated AI processing chip, deep-learning algorithms, human pose detection, 8 stops of IBIS, and 61 megapixels of resolution. But is it really the best Alpha ever?

The Good and Bad of Canon Cameras

Canon cameras are some of the most popular out there, but just like every other brand, they are not perfect. How do they compare to other options? This excellent video discusses the good and bad of Canon cameras.

52Frames Weekly Photo Challenge: Improve Your Photography One Week at a Time

Make 2023 a year of creative breakthrough. We all know the key to getting better is consistency. Doing something over and over again will eventually make you better at anything. 52Frames is a photography community that encourages you to improve by prioritizing consistency over perfection: a photo every week for a year. Photography, like any other skill, requires practice. It’s like going to the gym: you need a training plan, with clear goals and ways to achieve them.

Create Killer Landscape Images Using Only Your Mobile Phone and Tablet

This is an essential watch if you love taking photos with your phone but aren't sure whether you can get a great image or not. In this video, Glyn Dewis shows how mobile photography is possible for everyone using Adobe's Lightroom and Photoshop Mobile software.

Can You Shoot a Wedding on a Medium Format Camera?

Medium format cameras mostly live in studios, where the controlled lighting and less demanding autofocus and burst rates allow them to shine. What happens if you take them out of that environment and put them in the hands of a wedding photographer? This great video shows the results.

5 Things I Would Tell My Younger Photographer Self

While so many resources about both the technical and logistical sides of photography can be found in books and video tutorials, there are things that only time can teach. Here are some of the things I’d love to whisper to my younger self that might be of help to others as well.

Are You Using This Lightroom Tool in Your Workflow?

Color range masks are nothing new within Lightroom. However, they have become increasingly powerful the last couple of years, and you absolutely should be utilizing them in your work.

Is This the Ultimate Portrait Lens?

The fight for making the best premium portrait lens normally comes down to a few properties: a short telephoto focal length, a wide aperture, stellar sharpness (even wide open), and great bokeh. This lens offers all four of those things, often in spades. Is it the ultimate option for portrait photographers? This excellent video review takes a look.

A Review of the New Viltrox AF 75mm f/1.2 XF Lens

When it comes to lenses that punch above their weight, Viltrox is quickly becoming one of the photography world's favorite manufacturers, releasing many ultra-affordable lenses that offer decent or even good performance and image quality despite those rock-bottom prices. Their latest offering, the AF 75mm f/1.2 XF, offers Fujifilm users an ultra-wide aperture paired with a useful focal length. This great video review takes a look at the new lens and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in use.

Sony Versus Canon: An AI Encounter

With AI being all the rage lately, I thought I would test run a plot generator story of Canon versus Sony. I put in some spicy adjectives and plotted the main storyline: the photographers cross paths at the Imagining USA Nikon booth, and I let AI write a plot that will have you both roaring with laughter and fuming with offense. Grab your popcorn, and enjoy a good laugh.

How to Create Legacy With Your Photos: Talking With Gian Paolo Barbieri

Along with only a few other luminaries of his generation, Gian Paolo Barbieri helped to create the foundations of modern fashion photography. By pushing fashion photography beyond fashion commerce, the depth of Barbieri’s images forces us to consider them as art as much as commerce. I had the chance to ask Barbieri a few questions about being a pioneer in his field and what it takes to create a legacy.

A Review of the Fujifilm X-T5 Mirrorless Camera

The new Fujifilm X-T5 mirrorless camera offers some of the company's most advanced features and capabilities, all in the popular and beloved X-T style body. This excellent video review takes a look at the camera and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

The Power of Smart Collections in Lightroom

Lightroom has a wide variety of tools for organizing and finding your images, and one of the most useful features is Smart Collections. If you have not yet taken advantage of Smart Collections, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you what they are and how to take advantage of them for organizing your photos.

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (December 2022): Boris Martinez Castillo

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 2022, 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.

10 Useful Editing Techniques in Lightroom

Many people think of Lightroom as a place for cataloging their photos and doing some light edits and Photoshop as the destination for serious post-processing, but in recent iterations, Lightroom has come a long way in its capabilities. You can now do quite a lot in the application, and this excellent video tutorial will show you 10 such techniques to take your edits furthers.

5 Reasons Why Photographers Like Sony Cameras

When it comes to choice of camera, we have more options than ever, each with an array of powerful and useful features. Sony offers some of the most capable cameras on the market. This video takes a look at Sony's offerings and discusses five reasons why they are worth shooting with.

Make Your Own Post-Processing Presets Instead of Buying Presets

Adding a finishing touch to your photos can be done in many ways. You can do it yourself, or buy presets online and uses the look someone else has made for you and many others. You can also make your own preset from unique post-processing in your favorite editing software.

Another Canon Camera Is on the Way

Canon has continued to plow full speed ahead with their mirrorless camera and lens development. It looks like they have no intention of slowing down either, with a new camera coming in February.

5 Helpful Tips for Better Wildlife Photos

Wildlife photography is a challenging but rewarding genre that requires a lot of solid technique and specialized knowledge in order to create compelling images. If you are new to the genre and looking to improve, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will give you five helpful tips sure to put you on the right track to better wildlife shots.

Shooting Weddings With the Fujifilm X-T5

I don't hide that I'm a Fujifilm fanboy. My last article described how it's the perfect system for me. I purchased two Fujifilm XT-5 camera bodies the day they were released and used them at weddings just a few days later.

Can the Fujifilm X-T5 Keep Up With Popular Full Frame Options?

Fujifilm X-T5 and X-H2 were major steps forward for the company, offering a brand new high-resolution sensor in tandem with a range of advanced features that help them compete with a variety of full frame cameras. This excellent video review takes a look at the X-T5 and how it compares with the Sony a7 IV and Canon EOS R6 Mark II.

Important Lessons About Being a Professional Photographer

Becoming a professional photographer takes a lot more than simply being good with a camera and having creative vision. In fact, a lot of talented photographers languish as professionals because they are not prepared for the demands that come along with tying your income to your images. This excellent video tutorial features an experienced photographer discussing some of the important lessons budding professionals need to learn.

Breathe New Life Into Pictures Taken With Old or Low-Resolution Cameras

Many professional photographers are certain to have images that were taken on outdated cameras or taken on low-resolution sensors. But what happens if you want to print these images large or bring them up to current camera technology standards? Well, Luminar Neo might just be the answer for you.

5 Things That Will Improve Your Wedding Photography Business

Wedding photography is a challenging and competitive genre, and it takes a lot of steady work and commitment to build a successful business. This excellent video tutorial features an experienced wedding photographer discussing five helpful tips that will improve your own wedding photography business.

3 Creative and Effective One-light Portrait Photography Setups

When it comes to portrait photography, you might think that you need complex multi-light setups in order to create professional images, and while these certainly have their place, you might be surprised by how much you can accomplish with just a single light. This excellent video tutorial will show you three creative and effective one-light setups for portrait photography.

A Review of the Impressive New Viltrox AF 75mm f/1.2 XF Lens

Viltrox has established themselves as a manufacturer of lenses priced at extremely competitive levels, and despite those low costs, many of their options keep pace with much more expensive offerings. Their latest lens, the AF 75mm f/1.2 XF, offers Fujifilm shooters a nice portrait focal length paired with an extremely wide maximum aperture, all at a very affordable price. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

A Review of the Venus Optics Laowa 19mm f/2.8 Zero-D Lens

Fujifilm's GFX series of mirrorless cameras have made medium format more affordable and accessible than ever, but lenses for the GF mount remain fairly expensive. That is why, at $999, the Venus Optics Laowa 19mm f/2.8 Zero-D is a particularly intriguing option, especially when paired with its extra-wide focal length and maximum aperture. This excellent video review takes a look at the new lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

This Forgotten Canon Lens Provides Professional Results for Just $300

Canon's L series lenses are legendary, known for rugged construction, reliable performance, and class-leading image quality. With all that comes high prices, however. Nonetheless, the L series has been around for over 30 years, and that means there are some gems from past years that cost a fraction of what the most current models do. This great video review takes a look at one such lens, the EF 20-35mm f/2.8L.

Why Mistakes Are Such an Important Part of the Photography Process

When you are new to photography, it can feel like professionals know exactly what they want and how to achieve it, but that is how social media can be quite misleading. The truth is that professionals make mistakes all the time; in fact, they embrace them. This excellent video tutorial will take you behind the scenes of a photographer's portrait lighting process and show you how mistakes can lead you to a great final image.