Exclusive articles and expert opinions written by Fstoppers’ talented team of creative professionals. Here we cover everything from the latest photographic techniques to advice on running a successful photography business, to first hand accounts of working in the photography industry.
Using a NAS for editing has a lot of benefits but might not be as simple as it sounds. Here are the things you need to know and consider.
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.
There’s an unspoken rule in the creative industry: follow up, but don’t expect a reply. What used to be a rare frustration has now become the norm—emails left unanswered, proposals ignored, relationships that once felt solid suddenly vanishing into the ether. The rise of ghosting, a term originally coined for dating culture, has now taken hold in the business world, and creatives are feeling the brunt of it.<--break->
Long exposure photography is one of the most effective ways to convey movement in a still image. Whether it’s the soft blur of flowing water, the streaking motion of clouds, or the hypnotic trails of city lights, long exposure transforms scenes into something beyond what the human eye can perceive.
Anyone who has dedicated themselves to photography long enough has felt the harsh undercurrents that run beneath the romantic facade: the self-doubt, the exhaustion, the unrelenting demands of an audience always hungry for more. We’re told to love what we do, but the unspoken caveat is that genuine commitment to photography—as with any passion—demands sacrifice, endurance, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.
You're set to capture something amazing with your camera, but where should you begin? Without a clear process, it's easy to rush, overlook details, or end up with photos that miss the mark. Let’s outline a simple, repeatable approach to help you slow down, capture more, and make each shot count.
Photographic artist Reuben Wu operates his camera like a key to hidden realities. We uncover the story behind Wu's latest project Thin Places, shot with Fujifilm’s new GFX100RF, and learn about the wider practice of an artist who transcends between motion and stillness.
I enjoy environmental portraits more than anything else because it’s something you can do anywhere, indoors or outdoors, across many genres of photography. The obvious opportunities arise with travel and street photography. So what exactly is an environmental portrait compared to a normal portrait? And where do you start?
Technology has come a long way over the last ten years, and it makes photography easier. There are features beyond the basic exposure settings that every interchangeable lens or bridge camera should have and others that should be consigned to the bin. Here are some considerations to avoid disappointment.
Photography is often misunderstood as merely a way to document reality, but in truth, it is an art form as complex and expressive as painting or sculpture. For me, photography is not just a technical process—it is a creative pursuit that requires both artistic vision and craftsmanship.
Most photographers are taught early on that soft light is the go-to for portraits, and hard light should be avoided whenever possible. But the truth is, the “best” lighting for a photo always depends on what the photographer wants to create.
Continuing its streak of bringing unique and affordable new glass options to the filmmaking community, Laowa is launching an all-new set of lenses with a very specific skill set.
In landscape photography, inspiration can come from many sources. Over the years, I’ve found that studying the work of other photographers—whether through social media, books, or in-person interactions—has been invaluable in refining my own style. But rather than passively consuming images, I approach them critically, dissecting what makes an image stand out and how I can apply similar principles in my own way.
In this article, I share an important concept I've learned through photographing more than 30 countries.
VND filters don’t work the same way as typical ND filters, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be used for photography and long exposure. Let’s take a deep dive into how they work and how you can use them.
A camera that went viral on social media and attracted the attention of influencers and casual users became an overnight success for Fuji. But is the Fuji X100VI still a camera for serious photographers? Or, the bigger question, has it just become the camera to look like a photographer?
If you’re a photographer selling your services or your work, either full-time or even as a side hustle, there’s an active scam going around right now that you definitely need to be aware of. The good news is that it’s easy to protect yourself against it if you know how it works.
The best part about creating personal projects is the opportunity to grow in a pressure-free environment. I just finished shooting such a project with a couple of friends, and the lessons I learned at “play” turned out to be the kind I’ll be sure to use in my work.
I still remember the moment I got the email—an opportunity to shoot for a major brand. I was excited, but it was the result of years of refining my craft, building a portfolio, and putting myself out there—mostly for free work or exchanges. Breaking into travel photography is no easy feat, but if you approach it the right way, landing that first major brand gig is absolutely possible.
You’ve booked the trip, packed your gear, and mapped out every perfect shot—but what if the best photos are the ones you never planned for? The magic of a photo trip isn’t just in the locations; it’s in the unexpected moments, the wrong turns, and the stories that unfold when you stop chasing perfection. Before you overstuff your itinerary and your camera bag, here’s what you should do (and avoid) to make your next photo trip unforgettable.
If you’ve wanted a creative way to easily share snippets of your photography, you might’ve considered making or ordering stickers. Actually making custom stickers and labels requires juggling multiple machines—a more complex process compared to just printing photos at home. Liene aims to change that with the PixCut S1, an all-in-one photo printer and sticker cutter that integrates printing, cutting, and lamination into a single device. But does it live up to the promise? Let's dive into the details.
Seascape photography isn’t just about showing up at the right location with good light—it’s about knowing exactly when to press the shutter. Capturing the ocean in a way that feels dynamic and intentional isn’t just about where you stand—it’s about when you click the shutter and how long you leave it open.
Knowing what shutter speed does is vital for controlling your images. That’s not just how it affects exposure, but changing the shutter speed has a knock-on effect that can dramatically alter the look of a photo. Here’s an explanation and some exercises for you to try.
While trade tariffs may seem appealing to nationalists, in the long term, a trade war will damage the economies of all countries. Here are the main reasons photographers in America and around the world might not welcome them and why you might consider buying camera gear now.
Designing something beautiful is one thing. Designing something that is also beautifully functional is a rarity. Why has it been left to the minnows to show the big boys how it’s done?
Is it just me, or has there been a seismic shift in how people consume landscape photography—and even how they approach it?
Photography is often seen as an active profession—booking clients, traveling to locations, and spending hours editing images. But what if your past work could continue making money long after the shoot? That’s where licensing comes in.
According to a report from Semafor and other media outlets, Patrick Witty, who has worked for National Geographic, The New York Times and Time, amongst others, has been tapped for the job of Chief Photographer, though Witty hasn't replied to queries confirming the role.
I recently read an article that highlights three different types of hobbies you need to live an enriching life. Photography is surely one of the most popular hobbies today, practiced as it is by a huge number of people around the world. So how does photography enrich your life?
People may be scrambling to find the automated AI holy grail of one-touch, realistic, high-end skin retouching, but you can have my dodge and burn technique when you pry it from my cold, dead Wacom tablet.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on my own journey in photography, questioning why progress sometimes feels stagnant. After speaking to a few industry experts, I have come to realize that there’s an awkward stage every creative reaches. A plateau where inspiration seems to dry up, and even slight growth feels like an impossible uphill battle. The more I think about it, the more I realize that this plateau isn’t just about skill or talent but about two fundamental limitations involving effort and money. Both demand deeper commitment, and without that, breaking through the stagnation feels impossible.
Most modern lenses provide astounding image quality. The image is sharp from corner to corner, and any chromatic aberration is kept to a minimum. Flares are suppressed by smartly designed coatings. But you probably don’t need such high-quality lenses for your photography.
Capturing reality was never photography's sole purpose—it always flirted with imagination. But in an age dominated by digital tools and AI, how far can we push photographic art before it stops being photography?
Set aside the rush of daily life to unwind with a photobook that invites you into California’s diverse landscapes. Lukas Felzmann’s Across Ground beckons photographers and art lovers to sit down, silence distractions, and immerse themselves in its poetic exploration of nature and culture. This article offers reasons why you might want to make a peaceful retreat into the pages of this photobook.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes, a few of those words need to be cut. Cropping isn’t just about trimming an image—it’s about sharpening the story you want to tell.
In this article, I will show you one of the most critical skills a landscape photographer must have. It helped me take the title photo and many of the best images in my portfolio.
Medium format is the pinnacle of image quality. You can’t beat the physics of medium format. The price is also hard to beat, but in a bad way. Medium format is notoriously expensive. In this article, we will look at a few cameras that get me, as a medium format user, excited.
If there is one thing I have learned over the many years of photographing nature, it’s that she waits for no one. One of the biggest lessons in nature photography is being out in nature at the right place and the right time.
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.
How has the Sonya9 III fared during an entire wedding season? I share my thoughts after extended use.
We all have that box—tucked away in a closet or buried in the basement—full of camera accessories we once thought were game-changers but turned out to be dead weight. In this article, we’ll cut through the clutter and highlight the five accessories every photographer uses (and a few you can leave in that box where they belong).
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.
Today, I’d like to share a bit about my own photo journey. Whether you are at the very beginning or nearing the end of your own, I’m guessing you’ll find a few similarities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
