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.

Improve Your Waterfall Shots Now With These 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. 

Adding the Orton Effect In-Camera With Double Exposure

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. 

Be Curious With Your Landscape Photography

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. 

Two Weeks With the Leica M11-D and I’m Ready to Hand Over $9,000

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. 

Six Items I Take On Every Corporate Headshot Shoot (Other Than My Camera!)

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.

The Key to Tack-Sharp Photography

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.

Ditch the Algorithm: Why Substack Is Perfect for Photographers

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. 

Why ChatGPT Is My Secret Weapon for Lightroom Edits

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? 

Mastering the Art of Publishing Your Photo Book

Photobooks are still strong in a digital world where nothing seems tangible, especially photographs. Whether you publish through a traditional publisher or self-publish, a photobook is a great way to take your photography to the next level and print your work. 

Sustaining Your Growth After a Photography Workshop

The impact of a photography workshop doesn’t end with the last official event. If you continue to engage with the lessons and inspiration you gained during your time there, you can allow them to shape your photographic journey in meaningful and lasting ways. 

The Craziest Locations Photographers Have Risked It All to Capture

Photography is an art form that often demands more than creativity; it requires courage, perseverance, and sometimes a willingness to take life-altering risks. Over the years, some photographers, including even myself, have ventured into jaw-dropping locations to capture images that defy both logic and limits.

Fundamentals on Achieving Better Composition for Your Images

Oftentimes, when we talk about creating better images in photography, the conversation begins with compositional rules such as the rule of thirds, the golden ratio, leading lines, and so on. These guidelines serve as a good benchmark for discussion and a way to introduce structure to what can otherwise feel like an abstract concept.  

Making the Most of Your Photography Workshop Experience

Attending a photography workshop is about more than simply showing up with your camera. It’s up to you to maximize the experience and ensure it’s valuable for you. 

In the last article of this series, we explored how to prepare for a workshop. Here, we’ll look at what it’s like to be on one.

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. 

Composition Tweaks to Boost Your Landscape Photography

Composition is one of the most crucial elements in photography. It’s what gives your images balance, depth, and impact. Even the most stunning landscape can look flat and uninspiring without good composition. In this article, I will go into the fundamentals of composition and explore how I use different techniques to create visually captivating landscape photos.