Fstoppers Original Articles

Half-frame cameras are seeing a burst in popularity. Here are six compelling reasons to add one to your arsenal.

We are bombarded with videos and articles talking about the latest and greatest gear. No wonder we, as photographers, start to think we need new or better gear to improve our photography. But instead of buying gear, start practicing these five things to really improve your landscape photography.

The romance of a beach wedding is undeniable, but so are the obstacles photographers face. Whether it’s harsh lighting, strong winds, or unexpected crowds, mastering beach wedding photography requires skill and adaptability.

Over the years, I’ve come to realize that creating a strong image isn’t about following a rigid compositional formula but about finding harmony in the interplay of light, composition, subject, and intent that blends both technical precision and emotional connection. These elements, when thoughtfully considered, can transform an ordinary scene into something outstanding. In this article, I’ll share the criteria that I believe define a strong image, based on insights gained through years of trial, error, and reflection.

On February 14, 2025, YouTube celebrates its 20th anniversary—a milestone that invites deep reflection on how a single website, originally conceived as a platform for sharing simple video clips, evolved into a global cultural powerhouse. Over two tumultuous decades, YouTube has transformed media hierarchies, empowered ordinary individuals to become creators, and reshaped public discourse on a myriad of social, political, and cultural issues.

Social media has transformed photography—launching careers, shaping trends, and fueling creativity. The question must be asked: Are photographers shaping their vision, or is the algorithm shaping it for them?

You’ve been a photographer for many years, and you’re curious about making videos. After all, your camera likely has some amazing video capabilities. But moving to video is daunting; there’s so much more involved than still photography. Here are a few thoughts to help you get started.

Have you ever wanted to create a photo book showcasing your own photography? Turning your images into a professionally finished photo book can be an impactful way to contain and present your work. This article explores options to self-publish your photography in the format of a professional-quality photo book.

There’s nothing quite like the solitude of my darkroom at dawn, the hum of my enlarger in the background, and the image slowly appearing on paper in my hands. For me, photography is more than capturing a moment—it’s a meditative journey into light, shadow, and form.

These opinions might ruffle feathers, but they're rooted in years of shooting, testing, and loving cameras of all shapes and sizes. From color science to craftsmanship, lens lore to mirrorless revolutions – nothing is off-limits. Disagree? Good. Fight me.

Given that finding a Fuji X100VI is ultra rare and the Leica Q3 is reserved only for those with very deep pockets, surely there’s a gap in the market. None of the big three manufacturers seems interested, but why not?

There is a hidden force that can elevate your photography massively. I know about it because, after 35 years in photography, I stumbled upon it accidentally. And I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

After 38 years of making a living in photography—either behind the camera or directing other photographers—I’ve come to the conclusion that, for many, it might be best to keep photography as a hobby. It’s something I’ve been thinking about of late because photography in recent years has been elevated to such a glamorous career choice. Now it seems everyone wants to be a pro photographer and turn their hobby into a career. So allow me to share a few thoughts about this.

As a landscape photographer based in Ireland, I've come to realize that capturing a compelling image is about more than just pointing a camera at a beautiful scene. It's about understanding the subtle nuances of light, atmosphere, and the rhythms of our natural world. It’s about feeling the crispness of the air in autumn or the gentle warmth of a summer evening.

“What made you come to Imaging USA?” the videographer asked me on the bustling expo floor, with the mic placed on my lapel. I raced back in my mind to a few months ago when I declined Imaging USA’s invitation. I’m just so swamped; I don’t have time. I fast-forwarded under pressure to what made me change my decision. I realized that I didn’t have time not to come to Imaging USA. Let me explain.

There are many opinions and pieces of guidance imparted to new photographers. Many show up regularly, like how you should “make” photos rather than “take” them. Some of this advice is helpful, while other pieces might crush your creativity. Following the advice to avoid one common technique may unintentionally stunt your growth without you even realizing it.

Is it okay to love something and then hate it once you find out that it was generated by AI? Absolutely.

We always want more time, but where do we find it? Many of us could start by analyzing and adjusting our editing workflows. By doing so, we will see the time we are looking for. Here are five tips I’ve used to gain more time and allow me to shoot more.

Photography is a marathon, not a sprint, and each person's journey is unique. Although your path may evolve, photographers' stages can be similar.

As my hometown of Los Angeles continues to combat historic fires, my thoughts have once again been drawn to the age-old question posed by artists throughout time: What is the role of artists in times of strife?

Picture this: rays of sunlight streaming through the pristine waters of an ancient cenote, forming a mesmerizing light display found nowhere else on Earth. Or a golden-hued petrified waterfall at sunrise, untouched by crowds. This is a side of Mexico rarely seen—far removed from the iconic shots of Chichén Itzá or the bustling shores of Cancún.

I recently had the chance to get a personalized tour of Ajani Charles' solo hip-hop photography show being hosted at Toronto's City Centre Airport. Charles' exhibit is the result of a lifelong passion that has turned into a massive personal and professional adventure: Project T-Dot. I thought I was going to get a straightforward gallery tour from one of Canon Canada's Ambassadors, but I walked away with a whole lot more. Due to its popularity, the exhibit has just been extended to July 24, 2025.

Japan is one of the hottest travel destinations right now, with visitor numbers exploding since borders reopened in late 2022 following the pandemic.

Before baby monitors and viral livestreams, a glitchy black-and-white camera pointed at an empty coffee pot ignited an internet revolution. This is the surprising tale of how a thirst for caffeine birthed the world’s very first webcam.

A few years ago, a friend of mine, a symphony maestro, was walking with me through my studio/gallery and remarked that I should compose a book, the title of which would be “The Known, the Unknown, and the Transcendent.” Tom was a true intellectual, a visionary who never allowed a conversation to descend into petty differences and discussions about equipment, etc. It was always about the art, beauty, and ideas.

With the announcement of a new streamlined version of the Blackmagic URSA 12K LF camera for less than half the price of the kit version, Blackmagic Design has once again proven itself to be a company in touch with its customers' needs.

Just starting your photography or filmmaking journey and unsure how to spend your limited funds on limitless gear options? Today, I’ll offer eight simple steps to hopefully help you get the best bang for your buck.

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.

If you are reading articles on Fstoppers, it’s a sure sign that you want to improve your photography. You have the potential to become fabulous, and there are proven steps you can take to help you on that journey.

When starting with photography, you'll find many tips and techniques to understand, from the basics of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO to composition and lighting. However, today, we will focus on five techniques worth checking out when you embark on your first landscape photography trip.

Under the umbrella of wedding photography stands an approach to documenting weddings known as wedding photojournalism. While part of the wedding genre, wedding photojournalism leans more into its photojournalism roots, offering a more "hands-off" approach to capturing the moments of the wedding day.

We have all been there as landscape photographers: the alarm goes off, we hear rain or wind blowing against our windows, we glance at the clock, and go back to bed. But by doing so, you may miss out on unique photography opportunities! Don’t let poor weather keep you inside.

The Mere Exposure Effect is a principle first proposed back in the 1960s. It’s an important consideration for any photographer who wants to produce either popular images or push the boundaries and appeal to a smaller, more discerning audience. Your stylistic choice will impact the broadness of your photos’ appeal.

We’re no Michelangelo, and I mean, we're photographers, not sculptors. Photographers have a tough job with our medium; we work with a 2D medium. Creating depth in our images can be challenging, but we can create depth with these five tips.

Waterfall photography is often described as one of the most mesmerizing forms of landscape photography. The challenge of capturing the motion of flowing water, along with the contrast of the surrounding still landscape, can create some stunning visual effects. The use of specific camera settings, lenses, and filters plays a huge role in the final result.

Today, I’d like to take you along on a little thought experiment. If I were to get into a magical de-aging machine and be placed in a position to restart my career all over again in 2025, which camera might I choose to take me into battle?

The Orton effect brings a dreamy appearance to an image. This effect, named after photographer Michael Orton, is nearly always added in post-processing. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to add this effect in-camera? This can be accomplished with a double exposure.

Hold on to your pocketbooks, photographers and creatives! HoneyBook’s latest price hike has everyone scrambling to recalculate their budgets. Starting February 4, the cost of HoneyBook’s Starter plan is set to increase by a whopping 89%!

Are you curious about your landscape photography? Or are you just looking for scenic views, composing a picture, and moving on? Being curious about your landscape photography can help you better understand the subject you are photographing and the world around it. Be curious.

Since the inception of digital photography, every camera marketed to consumers has had a large LCD screen. Without this screen, it is not possible to set preferences for basic camera operation, nor can you verify that you are capturing images at the correct exposure. Without a rear screen, you can’t confirm that the camera has captured an image when you press the shutter button.

It’s easy to feel nervous about the logistics of a corporate team shoot—what will the space be like? How do you light each person consistently? The reality is that the lighting in an office can be harsh and unflattering—overhead strip lighting is no one’s friend! And space can be really tight. So, I always bring some extra lighting in case we can’t use window light and some compact equipment. Versatile and portable kit is handy here, so I leave my large lights at home and pack light.

About four months ago, I downgraded my phone. I went from what would be considered a more photography-oriented phone, the iPhone 14 Pro, to the less photo-feature-rich iPhone 13 Mini. I don’t miss the photography pieces of the phone at all, and I’ll bet you won’t either.

Fact: Depth of field will remain constant across all formats and focal lengths as long as the aperture and the image size remain the same. There are several factors that determine how sharp, or not sharp, an image may be. One of those is depth of field, and another is the movement of the subject matter that occurs while the shutter is open. Here, I will discuss depth of field.

In an era dominated by social media algorithms and fleeting engagement, photographers often struggle to reach audiences in any meaningful way. With established social media platforms at saturation point, it’s become harder to reach the people who follow you, let alone new audiences.

Professional photographers devote themselves to capturing once-in-a-lifetime moments, visualizing concepts for commercial campaigns, and solidifying narratives that clients want to preserve or convey. However, in the hustle of meeting deadlines and the relentless pursuit of aesthetic innovation, many photographers neglect the realm closest to them: their own personal lives, families, and close friends. The tragedy lies in the missed moments—fleeting childhood phases, subtle changes in loved ones, quiet personal milestones—that deserve the same careful attention and expert composition as any commercial assignment.

I have always been a person who works smarter, not harder. Now that AI is everywhere, I’ve started to see where I can benefit from its use. This made me think: Can I leverage ChatGPT and ask it to help me create adjustment settings for Lightroom based on an idea?

No camera is perfect, but for me, the Sony a9 III is pretty close. Unfortunately, there is one problem that's holding this camera back.