Is More Gear Making You Less Creative?
When you begin your journey into photography, you feel gated by how small your arsenal of equipment is, despite the elders of the craft telling you it doesn't matter. But, is there a negative correlation between creativity and the amount of gear owned? For me, I suspect there might be.
The Camera Settings To Keep in Mind When Capturing Crisp Movement in Studio
Here are some helpful tips on camera settings that you should use to capture crisp movement in the studio. I made a detailed video, but here is a breakdown of the settings you need to understand to keep your images sharp.
Don't Overlook the Usefulness of Your Viewfinder
It seems like a strange thing to say, but many people actually prefer to shoot using their rear LCDs. On the other hand, viewfinders have a lot of advantages over their rear screen counterparts, and if you do not use yours, it is worth reconsidering it, and this great video tutorial will show you many of the benefits you can get from a viewfinder.
Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (January 2023): Monica Lazăr
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.
How Good Is The 2001 Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS Lens in 2023?
The fleet of lenses I use is old. Actually old to the point where I am genuinely surprised how it still works. Nonetheless, the old Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS is still a good choice for many photographers. Here is why I will be holding onto my copy of this excellent lens.
7 Mistakes That Can Derail Your Photography Business
Running a photography business is a challenging thing that requires a wide range of skills that go well beyond your ability to work with a camera. Whether you are new to running a photo business or a seasoned professional, this excellent video tutorial will show you seven common mistakes that can derail your business and how to fix them or avoid them altogether in the first place.
A Review of the Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens
100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lenses have long been popular among sports, bird, and wildlife photographers for offering a very useful focal length range in tandem with maximum apertures that balance performance, bulk, and price. For Fujifilm shooters, there is the XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
A Beginner's Guide to Softbox Shapes and Sizes
Along with the umbrella, the softbox is one of the most affordable, versatile, and important light modifiers. Thus, every photographer who is learning to work with artificial light should spend some working with softboxes and learning how to use them to their full potential. This fantastic video tutorial will show you everything you need to know about them, including shape, size, rendering, and more.
See How an Advanced Modern Lens Is Made
Modern camera lenses are small marvels, absolutely packed with technology and intricate, precise machinery. Rarely do we get a chance to look inside them, however. This neat video takes you inside one of Fujifilm's manufacturing plants to see how they put together one of their newest and most advanced lenses, the XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR.
A Common Photography Trap to Avoid
Pursuing photography in the modern world, whether as an amateur or professional, is a tricky and complex thing full of many pitfalls that can derail your development and success as a creative. This great video essay discusses one of the most common traps photographers fall into, how to recognize it, and what you can do to avoid it or break out of it.
Can AI Copy Your Images? Hear It From a Lawyer
A class action lawsuit has been filed in rhe US against Stability AI and other AI art generators. If they are infringing copyright laws, could it bring an end to AI-generated art? What are the real issues? A lawyer explains in this eye-opening video.
Enlightening, Inspiring, and Offensive: Imaging USA 2023
I woke up enlightened, inspired, and in slight disbelief. I had been elevated by Simon Bailey, instructed by Lindsay Adler, photographed by Mark Mann, and chatted up by Peter Hurley. I had watched artificial intelligence write, cull, and edit; and I partied the night away with over 10,000 photographers. Was this every photographer's fantasy dream played out in my sleep? No, it was my first trip to Imaging USA. In this article, I will recount my favorite notes and highlights from Imaging USA. Alas, it's not all glam: I'll also share about the closing keynote which left the crowd shocked. Let's review my first trip to Imaging USA.
Earning Money From Photography Is Steep Yet Brilliant Mountain To Climb
You are a professional photographer as soon as you sell a print or get any money for your photography. Excelling at that requires taking on tasks and responsibilities, some of which apply to amateur photographers too. However, there's much more to it than many people imagine.
No, AI Will Not Kill Professional Photography: Here Is Why
In recent months, AI has become one of the most widely discussed topics. A lot of creatives, not only photographers, are saying that AI will kill professional photography. However, this cannot be further from the truth. Here is why.
Why Are We so Obsessed With Sharp Photos?
For some photographers, sharpness isn’t that important — and this realization can be liberating.
5 Rules I Live By as a Professional Photographer
As someone who makes 100% of their income by taking pictures, I understand how uncertain, and perhaps unstable, this career is. Spending thousands on gear is easier than ever, and with such a low entry point, everyone wants to be a photographer. It is not easy, and here are some rules I have come up with to survive in this industry.
Check Out These Electric Wheels for Camera Carts
Sometimes, we all need some help up a hill, and this is just the ticket.
13 Must-Know Lightroom Cheat Codes if You Want to Improve Your Editing
Lightroom is beginning to give Photoshop a run for its money as a standalone editing tool. Here, learn 13 essential Lightroom cheat codes you must know if you want your post-production skills to improve.
How to Get Sharp Landscape Photos
Almost every genre places a high priority on sharp images, but sharpness is of a particular importance in landscape photography. So, what can you do to ensure that your landscape photos are as sharp as possible? This helpful video tutorial features an experienced landscape photographer sharing a lot of helpful advice to make your landscape shots pin-sharp.
A Beginner's Guide to Editing Black and White Photos in Lightroom
Creating a successful black and white image is about a lot more than simply pulling out all the saturation from a color image. If you are new to editing and wondering how to create black and white photos that really capture the eye, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know to create a stunning black and white shot in Lightroom.
Why One Landscape Photographer Has Shot With Nikon for Two Decades
Nikon cameras and lenses do not always grab headlines for the extremes of design that the likes of Canon and Sony do, but they are the tool of choice for many professionals for many reasons. This interesting video essay features an experienced landscape photographer discussing why he has stuck with the brand for two decades for his work.
Photography TikTok Is Horrible
I had to make a TikTok account for this. I’ve been adamant about not doing so for the longest time. However, this is something worth talking about and sometimes even dangerous. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the world of horrible photography TikToks.
A Review of the New Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens
Sigma's new 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports lens is potentially one of the most versatile lenses on the market right now, covering a massive focal length range that should be appealing to bird, sports, and wildlife photographers. Can it still offer the kind of image quality and performance we have come to expect from Sigma despite that extreme design? This excellent video review takes a look at everything you can expect from the lens.
10 Fundamental Facts You Need to Know Before You Turn Pro
Thinking about turning your hobby into a jobby? What are the essential points you will need to consider when taking your hard-earned savings and convincing your better half that this will be the new, next chapter in your life? With over 15 years as a professional photographer and more than 25 years being self-employed, here’s what you need to know to make your dream a reality.
Is a Zoom or Prime Lens Better for Low-light Bird Photography?
Bird photography is a challenging genre that often requires extremes of gear, particularly when it comes to lenses, where you often need very long focal lengths and wide apertures in order to reach the birds and keep your shutter speed fast enough to freeze them. So, is the versatility of a zoom lens better, or should you opt for the wider aperture of a prime? This great video features an experienced bird photographer discussing the pros and cons of each.
British Government Catches Benefits Fraudsters Thanks to Bad Photoshop
The UK Department for Work and Pensions has shared a series of photos that show benefits fraudsters caught in the act thanks to their poor Photoshop skills.
5 Compact Film Cameras Ricoh Pentax Should Bring Back
On December 20, 2022, Ricoh Imaging made an announcement that few in the photography community saw coming. The owners of the Ricoh and Pentax lines of cameras announced that they are looking at making film cameras again.
The Right Camera for Landscape Photography at Three Different Price Levels
The wonderful thing about landscape photography is that you can do it with anything from the most bare-bones, budget camera to the most expensive and modern options. If you are wondering which camera is right for your needs, check out this excellent video guide that will show you a range of great options for every price point, from under $1,000 to no budget whatsoever.
5 Ways to Get the Film Look From a Digital Camera
Film is enjoying an extended resurgence in popularity at the moment, but many of us do not own a film camera or wish to spend the money that goes into buying and developing film. However, with a bit of technique and know-how, you can get a pretty reasonable approximation using a digital photo. This excellent video tutorial will show you five different ways to do that.
Stop Now: Photographers Are Awfully Toxic
Having been an active member of the photography community for the past few years, I started to notice some toxic traits. In a community this small, how can everyone seem to hate each other this much sometimes? Let’s dive deep and see just how bad it gets here.
6 Annoying Things Photographers Do (Stop Now!)
Having met and talked with quite a few photographers, I have seen that there are a lot of things we do which, to me, a fellow photographer are annoying. Some are innocent enough such as asking for the lighting setup, but others sit on the fence about being illegal.
The Five Best and Worst Things About Being a Wedding Photographer
Wedding photography can be a lucrative genre, but it can also be extremely challenging and taxing, and it certainly is not for everyone. If you are newer to photography and wondering if it is the genre for you, check out this great video essay that features an experienced wedding photographer and friend of Fstoppers discussing the five best and worst aspects of the profession.
A Beginner's Workflow for Retouching Skin in Photoshop
Knowing how to light, pose, and shoot a portrait is only half of what it takes to make a compelling final image. You also need to have strong post-processing skills. If you are new to portrait photography and wondering how to go about editing your images, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you an effective and straightforward workflow for creating polished results using Photoshop.
Composing for Crop: Start With the End
When do you start thinking about cropping? Although it is something most of us usually do in editing software after we’ve taken our photos, I’d suggest thinking about cropping before pressing the shutter.
Can This Popular and Affordable Lens Keep Up With Modern Mirrorless Cameras?
The EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM was long popular with Canon DSLR users for offering a versatile wide angle focal length range in a small body together with great image quality, all at a very affordable price. Now, with Canon developing a line of APS-C RF-S cameras, the 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 is relevant again. Can it keep up with the higher-resolution sensors on modern mirrorless cameras like the EOS R7, though? This excellent video review takes a look at what you can expect.
We Review the BenQ PhotoVue SW321C: Half the Price, Double the Features
As someone that is as deep in the Apple ecosystem as it gets, I will still pick the BenQ PhotoVue SW 321C over both Studio Display and even the ProDisplay XDR. Not only is this monitor objectively better, but also way more affordable. In this article, we will review the BenQ PhotoVue SW321C.
Photographing the World Cup: An Interview With Ammar Hassan
Have you ever seen the camera pan across the photographers during the World Cup and wondered: "How did they get that job? What is that lens they're shooting with?" Well, Fstoppers, I have all the answers for you. I had the privilege to chat with Ammar Hassan, who covered not one, but four World Cup championships, and he was gracious to tell us all about what it's like to photograph the world's most watched sporting event.
A Review of the Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR Lens
For Fujifilm photographers who want the ultimate levels of reach, the XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR offers a full frame equivalent of 229-914mm, making it quite the intriguing choice for sports and wildlife photographers alike. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
I Would Not Be a Photographer if Not for Peter McKinnon
He has played a significant role in making me into the photographer I am now, so much so that I would've quit without getting started if it was not for his content. This is probably true for a lot of "new generation" creators. Yet, there is a lot of debate surrounding him, as well as other creators. The core of this debate is simply that YouTubers are not "real" photographers and should not be listened to. In this article, we will discuss the importance of educators, presenters, and, of course, real photographers.
I Cooked and Shot a Whole Roast Dinner, You Won’t Believe What Happened Next!
I ate it. I ate it with my partner and made soup out of it the next day. Damn, I hate spoilers. Nevertheless here’s the full lowdown on how to orchestrate a simple food shoot when you’re technically meant to be cooking dinner in a pokey kitchen.
Using a Mood Board for Fashion Shoots
In this video, Lindsay Adler walks through her pre-planning, shooting, and post-processing of a themed photo shoot and explains from start to finish how to recreate this image.
Why You Shouldn't Overlook f/4 Lenses
When it comes to zoom lenses, the professional standard is f/2.8, which offers a suitably wide aperture for isolating subjects and working in low-light situations. However, many f/2.8 zooms also have f/4 variants, which are both far cheaper and much more portable. This great video essay discusses why you might want to consider f/4 options for your camera bag.
Canon Patents Another Extreme Lens Design
Ever since the arrival of the RF mount, Canon has shown they are willing to push the boundaries of lens design to new levels. It seems they don't plan to slow down, with two new patents emerging, including one for a 300mm f/2.3 mirror lens with autofocus.
Man Orders $3,000 Sony Camera, Receives Bags of Mysterious White Powder Instead
A photographer who spent $3,000 on a Sony camera was shocked to discover nothing but an empty box and bags of mysterious white powder when it was delivered.
Tips for Shooting Winter Wedding Photography
The wedding season typically runs in the summer months in most countries. However, winter wedding photos can look magical if done right. I spoke to Finnish photographer Lauri Hytti about his experiences and tips on how to master shooting the perfect snowy scene.
Which of These Versatile Supertelephoto Lenses Is Best?
We are lucky to have a huge range of quality supertelephoto zoom lenses to choose from nowadays — so many, in fact, that it can be difficult to know which is right for you. This excellent video review takes a look at three of the best options: the Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports, Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports, and the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS.
Hacks You Can Use to Boost Productivity Today
One of the funniest jokes about being a freelancer goes as follows: I did not want to work 9-5, so I quit my job and became a freelancer, and now, I work 24/7. While it sounds funny, it is largely true. Most freelancers work way more than people in regular jobs. But, there is a way to have a freelance job while working normal hours. The secret is staying productive. Here is how I do it.
The Biggest Myth About Commercial Photography
There is a common myth about commercial photography: it is a genre just like landscape, macro, and product. However, this could not be further from the truth. As someone who thought so, I spent too much time creating “commercial” work. What I should’ve done instead is this.
Two Straightforward One-light Portrait Setups
When it comes to creating compelling, professional-level portraits, it can be easy to think that you need a complex, multi-light setup in order to get worthwhile results. And while two or three lights can certainly give you more versatility, you can absolutely create compelling results with just one light. This excellent video tutorial will show you two effective and straightforward one-light setups for portraits.