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.

You Must Photograph These European Cities

Europe has some of the most beautiful cities and architecture, and I share five of my favorites in this article.

 

You should not focus on modern architecture for the best cityscape photography in Europe. There are some interesting buildings in that style. However, when it comes to contemporary and futuristic cities, Asia and the UAE have more to offer.

The Evolution of an Image

My photographs are hardly ever representative of objective reality, but they are representative of my vision, my artistic interpretation of the scene. In this article, I will talk about why I made a particular photograph, what was done in the camera, and then what I did in the darkroom to realize the finished image—or at least the image as it is right now.

Why Printing Instant Photos at Weddings Can Elevate Your Photography Business

As photographers, we often focus on capturing the perfect shot, editing it meticulously, and delivering polished galleries to our clients. But in the midst of digital workflows and online galleries, there’s one thing that consistently surprises and delights wedding clients: instant prints. 

How Do You Define a Flagship Camera?

In our never-ending search for the perfect camera, we often bandy around a common term to describe the ultimate in performance: flagship. But what really is a “flagship” camera? 

To Zone, or Not to Zone: That May Be the Question

When I began photographing the landscape, the only option was using film, either black and white or color. When using black and white film, most of us used the Zone System or a derivation of it. Even those who cursed it as being too constrictive—it is not—or some kind of voodoo (again, it is not) were using this type of system in some way. 

Leofoto’s MT-04 Mini Tripod: The Best of the Tabletop Tripods?

When even a compact tripod is too large, photographers don’t have many options for supporting their gear outside of tabletop tripods. In that narrow market, the offerings can feel gimmicky or cheap. In contrast, Leofoto’s MT-04 brings their CNC-machined aluminum build quality and feature-rich ball head to the smallest total tripod package I’ve tried.  

Six Steps to More Effective Landscape Photographs

Photographing the landscape can be hard work, at times very hard work. It entails rising well before daylight in most cases and working in sometimes very harsh conditions. Most of the time, you will be out in the woods until well past dark, waiting for just the right moment, which may not come—even after your most valiant efforts.

My Best Photography Advice for 2025

You’ve got your new upgraded camera, maybe a new lens, and Santa delivered a cool new magnetic filter kit. Now you’re all set this year to take sharper photos, faster, without reflections. But is this enough to help you become a better photographer in 2025? Spoiler: No. It may actually make you a worse photographer. 

5 Unusual Ways to Improve Your Photography

As photographers grow more familiar with their gear and solidify their preferred approach, it’s easy to fall into comfortable, well-trodden patterns. We often return to the same focal lengths, shoot the same subjects, rely on the same post-processing techniques, and compose images according to established habits.

5 Cameras You Wish You Got for Christmas

For the past few months, you have been dropping subtle hints to your family about the camera you would love to own, and you have also been dreaming about your first shoots with your much-desired new camera. Christmas morning arrives, and the excitement of opening that box under the tree is palpable.

The Reward of Being an Artist in Residence

I have had the opportunity of working as an Artist in Residence for the National Park Service four times. The last residency was for Buffalo National River in Arkansas.

What This Photographer Is Taking Forward to 2025 and Leaving Behind in 2024

The turn of the new year is the perfect time for reflection and renewal. For photographers, this moment can be used to evaluate the practices that either propel creativity or hold it back. As we step into 2025, I’m taking stock of the ways I work, create, and connect, making conscious decisions about what to carry forward and what to leave behind.

Is Your Photography of Something, or About Something?

I’ve noticed that dramatic photos, full of bright colors from a sunset or a scenic view, get the most likes on social media. People aren’t liking the photographer’s skillful technique; they’re liking what they’re seeing—the colors, the location, etc. Of course, many of these photos are taken by photographers solely because of the colors or the view, with no other reason.

I Did a Weekly Photo Challenge for Every Week of 2024, and It Changed My Life

OK, that sounds a bit dramatic, but hear me out. At the beginning of 2024, I was looking for a community offering a weekly photo assignment, and I came across 52Frames. 

It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. A friend of a friend told me about it. I had lost my photographic mojo. "Try 52Frames," they said. 

5 Things Camera Manufacturers Can and Should Do

In years of covering product announcements and trends for Fstoppers, I’ve observed a camera industry caught between reverence for its storied past and the gravitational pull of an ever-shifting technological landscape. The last decade has introduced mirrorless revolutions, ever-higher resolutions, astonishing autofocus gains, and previously unthinkable low-light capabilities.

The Critical Necessity of Immediate Regulation and Labeling of AI-Generated Media

In the digital age, information flows at speeds and scales that are unprecedented in human history. Social media platforms, digital news outlets, and personal devices collectively serve as both mirrors and engines of cultural discourse. Within this vast ecosystem, a new frontier has emerged: synthetic media or AI-generated media.

The Photos You're Not Supposed to See

In an era when information travels at breakneck speed across vast digital networks, the very act of trying to hide certain data often paradoxically ensures its broader dissemination.

The Top Images from Gurushots "Mostly White" Contest

GuruShots, host of "The World’s Greatest Photo Game,” has released yet another fantastic challenge. Participants were invited to submit their best photos of "Mostly White." The challenge received thousands of entries and millions of votes. Check out the three winners of the challenge as well as hundreds of top rated images below.

The Secret to Being a Memorable Photographer

In an age where visual images flood our daily existence and cameras are embedded into nearly every mobile device, the notion of intentionality is of renewed importance. The instantaneous availability of photographic tools, combined with the unrelenting flow of images shared on social media, can lull photographers into a state of passive capture.