Recent Nature Articles

A Simple Hack to Get Better at Photography: Stay Local

We’ve all been there: you find a bit of extra cash and think, “This is going toward a photography trip to a bucket-list location!” And so, the planning begins. Iceland, Lofoten, Patagonia, the Rockies—if your list is as long as mine, the destinations are endless. But what if I told you there’s another way?

What Nature Taught Me About Photography—and Life

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.

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.

The Photographer Working at the Edge of the World

In one of the most inhospitable regions of the world, where life exists on a knife’s edge, Ragnar Axelsson has spent four decades photographing the beauty of its frozen landscapes and, more recently, the impact of climate change on the lives of the hardy people who call this frozen wilderness home.

American Primeval: Behind the Scenes of Netflix' Epic Western Saga

Every movie set has a unit still photographer who is there to capture all the action, both on camera and off. From critical moments in the film’s narrative arc to the flurry of orchestrated activity behind the scenes, this photographer has a front-row seat to the magic of motion picture making.
A Landscape Photographer's Advice: Learn to See the Beauty All Around You

Places of emptiness and desolation might not immediately demand the attention of the photographer, but they have a haunting beauty that is all too easy to overlook. For one landscape photographer, the quiet magic of these neglected spaces has often been the source of his inspiration.

This New Netflix Series Is a Visual Feast and an Inspiration for Photographers

With the convergence of film and television production technology and the willingness of streaming services to fund their own major projects, cinematic epics are now being made for the small screen as well. Blurring the line between movies and TV, this new Netflix series is visually stunning.
The Known, The Unknown, and the Transcendent

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.

A Green Modular Outdoor Backpack: We Review the Lowepro Photosport X 45L

To make a great camera bag for photographers on outdoor adventures, this solution from Lowepro is not entirely a camera bag but a hiking backpack with seamless compatibility with modular camera inserts. This new sub-variant of the Lowepro Photosport backpacks is clearly for serious adventurers.

How to Prepare for a Photography Workshop

A photography workshop provides an immersive opportunity to dedicate an extended time to your photography. But before embarking on the journey, you’ll want to prepare yourself so that you make the most of the experience.

Think in 3D to Improve Your Photography

If you approach the scene you are photographing thinking in 2D, you may have difficulty transforming your image from just a snapshot to something visually interesting and intentional. Learning to think in 3D will help you approach scenes more dynamically and create more compelling images.

Conquer the Cold: Shoot Stunning Photos in Winter Weather

For many, the snow is starting to fly, and the temperature is dropping. That isn’t a reason to put your camera into hibernation for the winter and dust off the dust in the spring. Winter can be a great time to create a few new photographs while keeping yourself and your gear protected. Here are five tips for keeping your camera gear safe and yourself warm!

The Viltrox 16mm f/1.8: A Budget Ultra-Wide with Pro Performance?

When it comes to lenses, photographers who hear "ultra-wide" and "fast apertures" are usually bracing for an equally impressive price tag. The Viltrox 16mm f/1.8, however, seeks to deliver excellent optical quality and unique lens features at a reasonable price—in this review, I’ll see if Viltrox can execute a truly great ultra-wide prime.

Don't Fall for the Lies That 'Real' Photographers Want to Tell You

The best thing about the internet is that there are so many sources of photography education out there. The worst thing about the internet is... that there are so many sources of photography education out there. So how do you sort facts from lies told so often that they’ve acquired the status of fact?

Is It Wrong to Edit Your Landscape Photos?

You crest the brow of a hill to behold a magnificent landscape, but as you’re framing it in your camera’s viewfinder, you realize that this stunning scene is intersected by ugly power lines. Is editing them out later in Photoshop an option you would consider, or one that feels somehow dishonest?

We Tested the World's Brightest Full Frame Zoom: The Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art

Firsts are always an exciting thing. Now, world’s first? That's another category in and of itself. At Fstoppers, we had the pleasure of testing Sigma's brand new 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art lens for Sony E mount. A behemoth of specs in a tiny package. So, of course, we had to take it somewhere epic—and what better place than the lush, dark, and moody ancient forests of central Pennsylvania?

Don't Let the Wrong ISO Ruin Your Photography

A common misconception in landscape photography is that using the lowest ISO setting always results in the highest quality images. I frequently encounter this question and concern in my YouTube comments. Therefore, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share a video and article discussing the importance of ISO.

Fall Photography Essentials: Techniques for Capturing the Season's Splendor

Cool mornings and beautiful afternoons mean one thing: fall is knocking on our doorstep. Fall is my favorite season for photography as the possibilities are endless, from colorful trees creating reflections in the water to cool, foggy mornings. Capturing the beauty of fall doesn’t have to be hard with a few simple tips and reminders.

SanDisk's New Serious SD Cards for Extreme Outdoor Photographers

My favorite part about writing for Fstoppers is the chance to try out new and interesting camera gear. Recently, I got the opportunity to try the latest SD cards from SanDisk, the Outdoors series cards. Available in both SD and Micro SD, these are some of the latest tech for strong, durable memory cards. Let’s see how they performed in the field.

7 Telephoto Lens Mistakes to Avoid for Better Landscape Photography

Using a telephoto lens is one of the most powerful tools for capturing landscape photography. It enables you to explore perspectives far beyond what classic wide-angle shots can achieve, allowing for creative and compelling compositions. However, using a telephoto lens can be tricky, especially if you’re just getting started. In this article, I share my top seven mistakes to avoid when using a telephoto lens, along with some technical advice and creative tips to enhance your photography.

Conservation Photography in the Rainforest: A Must-See Documentary

In the heart of Ecuador's Chocó rainforest, a mission to save the critically endangered brown-headed spider monkey unfolds. Led by conservation photographer Jonas Paurell, this gripping documentary captures the raw beauty and challenges of rainforest conservation.

How to Get Your Photos Noticed and Appreciated

Like reading a book, watching a movie, or listening to music, when people look at your photos, you probably want them to spend time and appreciate them. In a world where people constantly scroll and instantly forget your photos, are there ways you can have your photos noticed? Let's find out.

Fstoppers Interviews Paige Vincent, Extreme Weather Photographer

The Great Plains offer some of the most extreme and jaw-dropping weather on Earth, and those who venture there with their camera are rewarded with some of the most unique and stunning images possible. We interviewed Paige Vincent, a photographer capturing those phenomena.

Why Your Gear Matters Most for the Ultimate Photography Genre

Bird photography is arguably the most demanding genre. The equipment quality, the photographer's camera skills, and their ability to create a narrative are pushed far beyond any other genre. Here’s what I discovered about cameras, lenses, and bird photography.

Pick Up Your Cameras: Photography Is Good for Your Health

Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, finding avenues for relaxation, exercise, and enjoyment is crucial for maintaining mental and physical well-being. Photography is a practice that can be more than just a hobby or a profession but also a therapeutic tool. This article discusses how photography can add value, peace, and well-being into your life.

Here Comes Another Low-Priced, High-Quality Astrophotography Telescope

It hasn't been long since I reviewed that Dwarf II portable telescope/camera combo. I found it reasonably priced, ($595 with filters, tripod, extra battery and carry bag), easy to use, and something that was going to excite people of all ages who have longed to take good astrophotographs without spending a fortune or having to learn a lot of complicated science and processing skills.

Five Tips for Better Mountain Photos

I've always been fascinated by the mountains and the sweeping views they provide to the ones putting in the work and climbing to the top. For landscape photographers like me, they provide endless photo opportunities and inspiration. In this article, I share five tips to help you make your next mountain trip a success.

Embracing the Magic of Fall: Your Guide to Nailing Fall Landscape Photography

Hey, fellow landscape photography enthusiast! Can you feel that slight chill in the air yet? Yep, fall is right around the corner, and you most likely already know what that means: it's prime time for capturing those breathtaking autumnal landscapes. The vibrant colors and the cozy vibes are a landscape photographer's dream come true. But, before you dash out with your camera, let's chat about how to get prepped for some epic fall photography.

Why You Shouldn’t Always Default to ISO 100

One of the first lessons we learn in photography is to always try to shoot at the lowest ISO possible. In theory, this produces the cleanest images with the least amount of noise and gives us the most room to work with in post-processing, provided you expose the shot correctly. However, shooting at lower ISOs can cause more harm than good, especially when lighting starts to get tricky.