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.

Why the Best Travel Photos Aren’t on Your Itinerary

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.

Liene PixCut S1 Review: A New Way To Print and Share Your Images?

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.

The Secret Sauce for Perfect Seascape Photography

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. 

There's More to Shutter Speed Than You Might Expect

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. 

Why Putting Off Buying Your Camera Gear Might Be a Bad Idea

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.

 

Has Photography Sold Its Soul?

Is it just me, or has there been a seismic shift in how people consume landscape photography—and even how they approach it? 

For years, the fundamentals of photography have remained unchanged. There’s only so much that can be said about settings and camera gear. The real value lies in how to compose an image, and that applies across all photography genres.

Why Every Photographer Should Consider Licensing Their Work

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. 

Introduction

Licensing allows photographers to sell usage rights to their images, providing a steady stream of passive income.

Why Photography Is The Only Hobby You’ll Ever Need

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? 

Retouch Skin Like a Top Pro (And Get Paid Like One)

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. 

Granted, it’s not the right tool for every project, and yes, it takes time, but if you want unimpeachable quality, this dinosaur of techniques is still the way to go.

You (Probably) Don’t Need Lenses of the Best Possible Quality

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.

 

When Does a Photograph Stop Being a Photograph?

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? 

Uncovering California’s Quiet Beauty with Lukas Felzmann’s Across Ground

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.

If in Doubt, Crop It Out

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. 

5 Cameras That Get a Medium Format User Excited

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. 

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. 

Leave No Trace: How to Be an Ethical Nature Photographer

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. 

Using the Sony a9 III for a Whole Wedding Season

How has the Sonya9 III fared during an entire wedding season? I share my thoughts after extended use.  

It’s been just over one year since the Sony a9 III debuted. Does the camera still live up to the hype, and how has it fared, in my opinion, as my primary wedding camera?

The Power of Failure and Mistakes in Landscape Photography

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.  

Are You Investing Enough In Your Photography?

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.