Photography Education

Whether you just picked up your first camera or you've been shooting for years and hit a plateau, there's always more to learn. This section is where Fstoppers publishes educational content aimed at genuinely improving your photography — not just gear tips, but the foundational understanding of light, composition, and visual thinking that makes the difference between a competent photographer and a compelling one.

Three Mistakes to Avoid When You First Start Taking on Photo Clients

Starting your own photography business is both an exciting and scary time, and of course, you'll want to make sure you have the best business practices in place to ensure that your clients are happy and you're bringing in money. This great video will detail three mistakes to avoid with clients. 

The Ultimate Guide for Not Buying a New Camera

I'm sure every one of us has spent at least a four-figure amount in gear that was supposed to make our images and videos better, but in the end, it didn't. Here are a few tips that could save you a few thousand dollars. 

A Beginner's Guide to Long Exposure Photography: When and How to Do It

Long exposures are something almost every photographer tries at some point, and they can be a fun way to create images that the naked eye would never be able to see. This great video will discuss some motivations for shooting long exposure images and how to do it. 

What's the Deal With Professional Photographer Associations?

Have you heard of ASMP before? If not, you could be missing out on a valuable resource that can have a huge impact on your career as a photographer. But, with all the fantastic resources on the Internet these days, are professional organizations worth it anymore? Yes, and here's why. 

How to Avoid Having to Check Your Camera Gear When Flying

Few sentences strike fear into the heart of a photographer like "you're going to have to check that bag." This helpful video will explain how you can avoid having to check your expensive and fragile photography equipment. 

How to Light for an Eye-catching, Cinematic Look in Black and White

Some of the most iconic films and scenes in history were shot in black and white, often because of a very deliberate intention. This awesome video will walk you through the unique aspects and considerations you should take into account when you're lighting a black and white scene of your own. 

Get Inspired by Brian Rodgers Jr. and Learn More About Product Photography

If you are an avid Fstoppers reader, you probably already know Brian Rodgers Jr. If not, he’s definitely a photographer you follow. His work is stunning and his approach to still life photography very inspiring. If you don’t believe me, this podcast will probably convince you. 

How to Upload a High Quality Video to Instagram

Uploading videos to Instagram is quite easy, but retaining the image quality is another story. In this video, Daniel Schiffer shows you a couple of tricks to help you out and avoid getting your footage overly compressed. 

Three Helpful Ways to Find and Use the Layer You Need in Photoshop

Layers are one of the most fundamental parts of Photoshop, and they're crucial to even the simplest of edits. However, as you take on increasingly complex post-processing tasks, the number of layers you're using can skyrocket, and this helpful video will show you how to quickly find the one you need at any given moment. 

Here Are Seven Common Mistakes Beginner Photographers Make

When you're first starting out in photography, the number of things you have to keep track of to create compelling, technically sound images can feel a bit overwhelming. This great video will show you seven common mistakes beginner photographers make and how to avoid them. 

Here Are 10 Location Ideas for Your Next Photoshoot

Sometimes, it's more fun and interesting to stop shooting every portrait at f/1.4 and instead find locations that complement or juxtapose with your subject to create more compelling photos. This helpful video will give you 10 location ideas that should be accessible for just about everyone. 

Five Helpful Ways to Improve Your Landscape Photography

Landscape photography can be both a fun and frustrating genre, as you get lots of creative freedom to represent the subject however you'd like, but there are also lots of variables outside your control. This great video will show you five tips to improve your landscape work through simplification. 

Five Helpful Tips for Better Photos When Posing Dancers and Performers

Every model is trained is posing, but dancers take it a step in a different direction with their ability to contort, control, and push their bodies in spectacular ways. This great video will show you five tips for getting better photos when you're working with dancers. 

Improve Your Photos by Looking at All of Them, Not Just the Keepers

We tend to devote most of the attention we pay toward our own photography to our portfolio shots; after all, those are the images that we show off to the world, that carry our brand, and that instill pride from our accomplishments. However, we can learn just as much (if not more) from the images that didn't make the cut. 

Reasons You Aren't Landing Photography Gigs: Part Two

Last week’s article introduced my take on the reasons photographers and videographers lose prospective clients. I focused on two common pricing errors plus the importance of a human connection, and this week, I’m examining three other important reasons. 

Here Are 25 Terms Every Photographer Should Know

If you're new to photography, you were probably recently excited to start learning how to create gorgeous images when you were suddenly blindsided by a veritable bevy of technical terms. This great video will introduce you to 25 terms you should know and give helpful explanations for each of them. 

Talent Is Overrated: Here's How to Become a Better Photographer

Talent can be a strange and nebulous thing, and we often ascribe it way too much importance, which can in turn be a serious roadblock to growing as a creative. This great video examines the idea of talent and why you shouldn't be so worried about it. 

Talking Ethics: When It's Time to Put Your Camera or Phone Away

At least here in the U.S., having a camera means that under the First Amendment, you can pretty much photograph whatever you want, whenever you want, as long as you're in a public place where there's no reasonable expectation of privacy. Of course, being able to do something doesn't always mean you should do it.  

Using the Solitude of Photography to Escape Modern Life

Photography can be a really solitary pursuit, especially in some genres that require you to venture into the wilderness by yourself, sometimes for days. This great video examines why that feeling of being alone may actually be a good thing. 

Some Super Helpful Tips for Creating Better Landscape Photos

Landscape photography is a unique genre full of all sorts of quirks and pathways to success. Whether you're new to it or a seasoned pro, this helpful video will run through a multitude of tips to improve your photos and make the experience more enjoyable. 

The Story of Why Kodak Went From Photography Giant to Bankrupt

It really wasn't that long ago that Kodak was as ubiquitous in photography as the camera itself, and yet, nowadays, the company is sadly a shell of its former self. This great video examines just what happened to bring the former titan to its knees.  

How to Change the Color of Objects Using Lightroom

If you think of a task like changing the color of an object, you probably automatically default to using Photoshop to accomplish it. It turns out that with a little ingenuity, however, Lightroom can handle it quite easily, as this great tutorial will show you how to do. 

Shooting Portraits With a Smoke Machine

Smoke is a great way to add atmosphere to your studio shots, but smoke can be a problem too if not planned properly as it fills up the studio and obstructs visibility. In this video, Gavin Hoey shares some nice tips on making your next smoke filled shoot go smooth and better. 

Want Better Photos? Get to Know Your Camera Sensor

No, I'm not saying to take your camera sensor out for a nice dinner and talk about its hopes and dreams. Rather, getting to know the unique strengths, weaknesses, and quirks of your individual camera sensor can do a lot to help ensure you get the results you want in your photos. 

Negative People Shouldn't Exist in the Artist's Universe

If you've ever put anything creative on the Internet, I'm sure you've dealt with people needlessly tearing it to shreds for one reason or another. Here's why those people shouldn't even be a part of your universe. 

Create Cinematic Cosplay Photos in Seven Steps

Taking inspiration from cinema can lead to evocative images that also strike a nostalgic chord with movie lovers. Take full advantage of that power to create cinematic photographs that will charm viewers. 

How Shooting for Free Can Be Beneficial to Your Business

Countless photographers and videographers keep saying working for free is the worst enemy of our industry. Aviv Vana, the founder of CineSummit, takes another approach to free work and bet it can actually double your work income if you keep one crucial detail in mind. 

Five Different Looks Using a Single Black Hat

How far can you get with a single prop inside a small studio set up? The possibilities are limitless and it starts with your imagination. Getting the most from a single prop is both challenging and exciting. It is a great way to improve your portrait photography. In this case, Gavin Hoey uses a basic black sun hat as the prop and brings out five different looks.  

How to Paint Light Using Radial Filters in Lightroom

Sometimes you might not have time to take every photo you’re editing into Photoshop but you still need to make significant changes to make an image look great. This tip can make your photos stand out without spending a lot of extra time in your editing suite.  

Is It Worth Becoming a Professional Photographer?

You've worked on your technique, your artistic vision is strong. It seems like the natural next step is to become a professional photographer. However, the path isn't all that clear or obvious, and there's a lot you should consider before you make the leap. 

Two Tips to Make Interesting Photos From Uninteresting Scenes

Sometimes, there isn’t a whole lot to a photo: nothing’s moving, or it’s a scene without a strong subject. How do you — the photographer — make it interesting? Here are two tips to make that uninteresting photo just a bit more lively. 

Eight Helpful Tips for Better Dog Photography

Everyone loves pictures of those cute pups, but they can be a bit difficult to get when you're dealing with all that energy. This great video will show you eight tips for getting better photos of dogs.