Fstoppers Originals

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.

Is the L Mount Going to Be the Future of Lens Mounts?

The L Mount was first introduced by Leica in 2014. It was developed as a new lens mount standard designed to unify full frame and APS-C mirrorless systems. What began as a proprietary mount for Leica cameras evolved into something much more significant with the formation of the L Mount Alliance in 2018.

The Overlooked Skill That Can Strengthen Your Photography

Share a photo in an online community, and you’ll likely receive all kinds of feedback. Some will offer praise; others will point out flaws. But there’s one skill many photographers overlook—one that could hold the key to making your work stronger. 

The Ultimate 35mm Fast Prime Lens For Travel Photography? | Laowa f/0.95

I’ve spent a lot of time pondering the best prime lens to use in recent years, as I’ve wanted to keep my gear to a minimum. Not so much to save on bulk or weight when taking it on a trip somewhere, but more to simplify my photography. I like just having one or two prime lenses. It forces me to work a little harder and look a little harder for compositions.

Only Photograph the Things You Love

I have wondered what it is that makes one photograph effective and another just a big yawn. Why is it that one photographer can make a photograph of an object and everyone's jaw drops to the floor, and another can make almost exactly the same photograph and no one is impressed—except the photographer’s mother, knowing being impressed is part of a mother's job description?  

5 Must-Visit Photography Spots in Morocco

If you love photographing vast landscapes, ancient cities, and magnificent architecture, you'll enjoy a visit to Morocco. In this article, I show you five of the best photo spots in the country. 

I've visited Morocco five times in the past six years and traveled through its south many times. Of the places I've visited so far, five stand out.

Does Lightroom’s AI Image Processing Work on Night Photography Too?

Adobe's new Adaptive Color Profile uses AI to analyze an image, adjusting color, tone, and contrast of raw images. Unlike presets, Adaptive Color Profile is not a "one size fits all." How would it work with night photography images, which are notoriously difficult for AI to interpret? 

You Said It: Why Sensor Size Isn’t the Whole Story

What matters more—sensor size or how a camera fits into your real-world workflow? Recent comments from our Fstoppers community made me curious to delve into how typical photographers feel, and it revealed a lot more than just APS-C vs. full frame preferences. 

We Review the SanDisk 6 TB G-DRIVE ArmorATD: Wallet-Friendly and Rugged

In the world of content creation, data is king, and losing it is a nightmare scenario, especially when you’re out in the field. While portable SSDs offer blistering speeds, their cost per terabyte can still sting, particularly when you need to store hefty raw files and uncompressed videos.

Landscape Photography: Focusing on Story Instead of Light

Do you find you have limited time to head out to do landscape photography? I do, and the times I am able to carve out a few hours, when I get to my chosen location, the light is terrible. And disappointment quickly sets in, because I wanted to create a beautiful image. So now, I’ve changed my approach to landscape photography and focus on looking for a story to tell instead. 

How Can You Boost Your Photographic Creativity

There were 1.8 trillion photographs shot last year. Most are just a simple record of something that happened, while others are elevated beyond that by becoming art. Here is how you can lift your photography beyond the mundane. 

Ten Questions With Dixie Dixon

Dixie Dixon, the international fashion, lifestyle, and advertising photographer, is known for the glamorous images she creates for elite brands such as Disney, Virgin, and People magazine. She answered our Ten Questions, telling us what gear she can’t do without, what inspires her, and why Vaseline is indispensable. 

Hey Photographers, Sell Your Old Crap Already!

If you’ve ever stubbed your toe on a pile of outdated camera gear, you know the sting of clinging to equipment you never use. It’s like hoarding pizza boxes after the slices are gone—pointless and a bit embarrassing.   Dust Bunnies and Gear Piles—A Love Story You Never Wanted

We’ve all been there.

SEO for Photographers Who Hate SEO (But Hate Being Invisible More) Part 3

If you’ve been following along, you’ve probably started noticing something funny: SEO isn’t actually about being clever. It’s never been about outsmarting the search engines—it’s about being clear. You’ve started naming and uploading your images with intention. You’ve updated your homepage to say what you actually do.

Summer Street Photography: Best Gear, Tips, and Ideas

For landscape photography, summer is a curse. Harsh, bright light and blue skies give some photographers nightmares. They stay inside and read Fstoppers articles. Probably. No one really knows—they keep so quiet. Maybe they should read this article, because summer just so happens to be a fabulous time of year to grab a camera and wander into town for a spot of street photography. 

DuoBoards: A Very Useful Food Photography Accessory

The number of times I’ve been called to a restaurant, hotel, or food manufacturer to photograph food on location, with only tired-looking tables or bar tops to work with, I can’t count on two hands. Or fresh white linen with nasty big creases. I think that’s even worse. Luckily, V-Flat World has the answer with DuoBoards. 

Editing vs. Reality: How Far is Too Far in Landscape Photography?

One of the most debated topics in landscape photography is the role of editing. While some photographers firmly believe that an image should reflect the reality of the scene, others see post-processing as a critical creative tool that allows them to express their unique vision. The central question becomes: where do we draw the line between enhancement and deception? 

A Look at the 100 Years of Leica Celebration in New York City

I love attending any free photography-centered event that offers refreshments and shooting opportunities. Most of these events go all out to provide a unique shooting experience, complete with everything from balloons to dancing bears.

Landscape Photography: Saleable Art Versus Worthless Pretty Pictures

Landscape photography has become boring. How many more photos do I have to scroll through on social media of the same old locations? Those must-have photos of the red houses in Hamnøy, Lofoten; the waterfall at Kirkjufellsfoss, Iceland; the lone tree at Buttermere in the Lake District. It’s like looking through a schoolboy’s stamp collection.

Why Following Wedding Photography Trends Might Be Hurting Your Career

Have you ever felt torn between staying true to your creative vision and jumping on the latest wedding photography trend? As a wedding photographer, it’s a dilemma I face daily. With the market constantly shifting—especially in a destination like Tuscany—it’s tempting to follow the trend of the moment.