Fashion Forward: Wedding Photography Trends in 2025

As the wedding industry continues to evolve, so too does the art of wedding photography. From paparazzi style to classic portraits and true colors, top photographers share their key insights on trends shaping wedding photography in the upcoming year.

Mastering the 50mm Lens: Why Your Shots Feel Off

Have you ever come back from a shoot using your 50mm lens, only to find the images feeling slightly off, but you can't pinpoint exactly why? Understanding how to use this popular lens correctly can drastically improve your photography results.

Why Photography Is Struggling Right Now

Fewer people are engaging with photo content, and many who once pursued it seriously are struggling to maintain the same level of enthusiasm. Economic factors, shifting social media trends, and technological changes all play a role in why photography is in a slump.

An iPhone Accessory To Improve Your Photography Experience: PolarPro LiteChaser Pro 16 Slim

Since Apple's iPhone 16 was launched with the ability to shoot 4K 120 fps video with Dolby Vision, improved stabilization, and a new 48 MP ultra wide camera, iPhones have become more popular among content creators. At the very least, an iPhone is a great vlogging camera. So, of course, with all the great tech comes a hefty price tag. Well, that beautiful titanium phone needs protection.

Olympus 75mm f/1.8: A Portrait Lens That Delivers

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm f/1.8 Lens is one of those rare lenses that can make a real difference in how portraits look. Its focal length and optical quality bring natural proportions, smooth backgrounds, and sharp details, making it a favorite for portrait photographers using Micro Four Thirds cameras.

Leave No Trace: How to Be an Ethical Nature Photographer

After nearly 20 years of traveling and photographing the outdoors—both as an enthusiast and a professional—I’ve noticed a frustrating trend: people leaving behind their crap (both literal and figurative) and showing little regard for the environment.

Embracing Imperfections: Why Noise in Photos Is Your Friend

Noise in images is often seen as something photographers should avoid, but intentionally embracing it can lead to more compelling and expressive photographs. Understanding when and why to let noise into your work can shift how you create.

Images Taken on an Older Camera
Critique the Community

Images Taken on an Older Camera

Enter Your Best Photos!

Welcome to the March 2025 Critique the Community Contest!  For this month's contest we want to see your best images taken with an older camera you've owned.

This contest has ended.
Why AI Isn’t Always the Answer for Photo Edits

Getting natural-looking results when expanding your images can be frustrating, especially when relying solely on new AI tools. Knowing alternative methods can often yield far better outcomes.

How to Build a Simple, Affordable Home Photography Studio

Having a photography studio at home doesn't mean investing in tons of gear or a big space. It's about making the most of what you have and learning to create professional-quality photos with limited resources.

Practical Truths About Selling Photography Prints

Selling prints seems straightforward, but it's tougher than you expect. It's more than snapping good photos and hanging them in an online shop; it's a careful blend of understanding your customer and knowing what makes a print sell.

Robert Doisneau: The Street Photographer Documenting Life’s Other Side

Paris has long been a city associated with romance, art, and everyday wonder. Few have captured its essence as beautifully as Robert Doisneau—the "poet with a camera." His images of bustling streets, playful children, and fleeting moments of love continue to define the soul of post-war France. In a world increasingly obsessed with high-stakes visual storytelling, Doisneau’s work reminds us that beauty is often found in the ordinary.

Montana Lawmakers Consider Criminalizing Sexually Explicit AI Deepfakes

Montana lawmakers are examining a proposal that would criminalize the creation and distribution of sexually explicit deepfakes generated by artificial intelligence. The measure targets content that portrays individuals in explicit scenarios without their consent, aiming to curb a practice that many believe has serious personal and societal repercussions.

Creative Portrait Techniques Using Beauty Dishes and Gels

A beauty dish offers ways to elevate portrait photography through dramatic and defined illumination. Mastering this modifier unlocks fresh creative options, particularly if you've typically relied on softer lighting.

The Power of Failure and Mistakes in Landscape Photography

As a landscape photographer, I've often found that some of my most valuable lessons come from moments of failure. Over the years, I’ve encountered countless setbacks—blurry images, blown highlights, and misjudged lighting conditions. While these moments can be frustrating, they’ve ultimately shaped my skills and perspective.

Understanding Photography Through Music

Music and photography share deeper connections than you might first imagine. Understanding these subtle ties can shift the way you approach composition, framing, and storytelling through your photographs.

How to Master Manual Mode Without Overthinking It

You’re probably making manual mode harder than it needs to be. Many people struggle with exposure settings, unsure of how to balance aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. The key isn’t memorizing numbers—it’s understanding how these choices interact in real-time.

The Best Camera Settings Are a Myth: What Actually Matters in Photography

Camera settings can be a distraction. Many people fixate on the perfect aperture, shutter speed, or ISO, thinking they hold the key to great images. They don’t. What truly matters is understanding your subject and how you want to capture it. No universal setting will guarantee a compelling photo.

West Virginia Advances Bill Requiring Disclaimers on AI-Altered Election Images

West Virginia lawmakers have advanced a bill that would require clear disclaimers on images altered by artificial intelligence when used in connection with elections. The new measure comes amid growing concern about how manipulated images can influence public opinion during critical electoral periods. Lawmakers stress that the goal is to safeguard the integrity of election-related content by ensuring that any AI modifications are clearly noted.

Simple Steps to Better Portrait Edits in Lightroom

Editing portraits is about more than adjusting sliders—it's understanding how subtle choices shape your final image. Getting comfortable with Lightroom can make your portraits look more intentional and polished.

Are You Investing Enough In Your Photography?

Photography, like any artistic pursuit, needs to be cultivated. You have to invest in it. And while cameras, lenses, and accessories are often the focus of photographic investment, what can really elevate your craft is putting more of yourself into your work.

Introverted? Simple Steps for Confident Street Photography

Street photography can feel intimidating if you're naturally introverted or shy around strangers. Overcoming that initial fear matters, because without it, you might miss capturing compelling moments that happen right in front of you.

Historic Planetary Alignment: Photographer Captures All Eight Planets in Rare Panorama

Josh Dury, a photographer based in Somerset, UK, recently captured a panoramic image showing all eight planets—including Earth—in a single frame. He took the photograph on February 22, 2025, during an uncommon astronomical event called the "planetary parade," an occurrence when all eight planets align on one side of the Sun.

The L-Mount Alliance Is Growing

At the 2025 CP+ show in Japan, Kaoru Mokunaka, Chief Leica Camera Representative for Japan, confirmed that the L-Mount Alliance is actively seeking to expand its membership.

Why a 365 Challenge Might Be Hurting Your Photography Instead of Helping It

I have considered doing a 365 photography challenge in the past but have refrained from putting myself under that much meaningless pressure. The idea of taking a photo every day for a year sounds like it could help build consistency, but in reality, it often leads to uninspired shooting, creative burnout, and a portfolio full of forgettable images. Instead of improving your craft, you end up taking photos just for the sake of it—grabbing a quick shot of coffee, a random leaf, or whatever happens to be nearby—just to keep up with the challenge.

Essential Photo Editing Steps for Lightroom Users

Photo editing can seem complicated, with endless techniques and software tools competing for your attention. Yet, at its core, successful editing comes down to mastering foundational skills that simplify your process and elevate your results.

The Exposure Advice That Transformed My Photography

Photography can be simplified down to the art of capturing light, and we all learn to capture that light correctly for perfect exposure. But what if that is actually hurting our creativity and work? This advice changed how I take photos.

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (February 2025): Maria Sustelo

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 2025, 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.

Influencers Are Using Expensive Medium Format Cameras, But You Don't Need One!

YouTube is a great place to learn about photography. You can discover how to do something, research gear, and get inspiration. However, the problem with most photography content is that it’s structured around selling you stuff you don’t need. The latest example—a huge example—is the idea that you might need a 100-megapixel medium format camera.

Hidden AI Tools for Real Estate Photo Editing

When we think of AI editing tools, it’s easy to get caught up in flashy features like Generative Fill or the Remove Tool. But did you know there’s a whole world of lesser-known AI-powered tools in Photoshop and Lightroom?

My Field Review of the KEKS KF01 Flash

Photography gear is constantly evolving, redefining what it means to be “professional.” Once, carrying massive DSLRs and powerful flashes was the mark of a serious photographer—now, smaller, more efficient setups are taking over.

Why Technical Skills Won’t Make You a Great Photographer

Mastering the technical side of photography is easy. Learning how to expose an image, use lighting, and compose a shot is all just mechanics. You can study the inverse square law, diffraction, and the rule of thirds, but none of that will make you stand out. The difference between a technically proficient photographer and a great one is not something you can learn from a tutorial.

DXO PureRAW 5 Adds Local Adjustments, Expanded Performance

I have to say that on many days, I find myself using a DxO product—most frequently, their PureRAW software, which looks at my image metadata in my RAW files and gives me a near-perfect image, correcting my sensor/lens combination, sharpening, and removing imperfections like vignettes and ringing. DxO has more than 100,000 camera/lens combinations covering almost any gear. Even both my DJI drones are covered by DxO.

Thinking of Turning Pro? You’ll Get The Worst Advice on YouTube

There are three pieces of really bad “pro advice” that have cropped up more than once on YouTube channels. We need to talk about this to help you avoid wasting time and losing money unnecessarily if you’re thinking about making a living from your camera.

Sony Announces 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Super Telephoto Zoom Lens

Sony has announced the 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS, its longest full frame E-mount lens to date. Designed for birding, wildlife, and sports photography, the lens extends Sony’s mirrorless telephoto capabilities beyond the previous 600mm limit, reaching up to 800mm. It is also compatible with Sony’s 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, pushing its range up to 1,600mm.

A Complete Image Editing Workflow: Start to Finish

If you’ve ever wanted to dive deep into the entire process of editing a photo—from raw files to final stylization—this video is a must-watch. It’s a thorough tutorial that walks you through every step, and trust me, it’s packed with insights.

Sony Announces 16mm f/1.8 G Full Frame Prime Lens

Sony has introduced the 16mm f/1.8 G, an ultra-wide full frame E-mount prime lens designed for both photographers and videographers. The lens offers a combination of compact size, high-resolution optics, fast autofocus, and a bright f/1.8 aperture, making it well-suited for landscape, architectural, and astrophotography applications.

Why and How to Make the Leap From Lightroom to DxO Photolab 8

Switching from Lightroom to another digital asset management and development tool can be daunting for photographers. There are very good reasons to, and DxO PhotoLab 8 is one of the most compelling options. Here’s why and how a Sony Ambassador made the switch.

Flat Light Isn’t Boring—It’s Powerful

Flat, gray skies might seem uninspiring, but they offer a unique advantage. Instead of working around harsh shadows and strong highlights, you control the final image. The light is soft and even, allowing for more creative flexibility, especially in black and white photography.