Why Demanding Clients Are Best for Your Photography Career
In the early throes of your career, demanding clients with highly specified briefs can seem far more trouble than they are worth. I initially would be far more interested in the clients who offered creative freedom, but looking back, I believe I was wrong to do so. I'll explain why.
Adapting to the Times by Taking a Live Event and Turning It Virtual: Portrait Masters 2020
It’s no secret that 2020 has thrown the world a few curveballs. But while the majority of events are either canceling or postponing, Sue Bryce and her team have hit the ground running in order to keep the Portrait Masters Conference alive and well.
Check Out These Fantastic Single-Take Live Performance Music Videos
SerialBox Presents is a live music project created by Texas photog and all-around creative, Ryan Booth. Serial Box produces music videos that are shot entirely on a few 5Dmk2s with audio tracked into ProTools. There are no overdubs, no cut-ins, and no pick-ups. What you see and hear is one time through, mistakes and all.
Save Time on Retouching so You Can Concentrate on Creation with The Image Salon
Hiring retouchers is something often talked about but I’ve never considered until recently as it has always seemed out of reach. Canadian company, The Image Salon, recently allowed me to try their portrait retouching services and I was excited to give them a whirl!
Can Your Hard Drive Survive a Swim in the Ocean? This G-Drive ev ATC Did
I baby my external hard drives. I always wrap them in bubble wrap when taking them from home to the coffee shop, and I even have a little mini-pelican case for longer trips. I couldn't imagine how bad it would be if it happened to get even a quick salt water splash, let alone get stuck in the sand. In this video, watch what happens when this G-Tech hard drive is thrown right into the surf of the ocean.
[Gear] Fstoppers Holiday Buying Guide
Happy Thanksgiving Fstoppers! I know we all haven't even started carving into our turkeys yet, but I wanted to let you know that I have just completed the Fstoppers 2011 Holiday Buying Guide. I made this guide to help narrow down some of the best ideas for gifts for the photographer or videographer in your life. I also made the guide easy to navigate based on budget by dividing the Guide by price. Don't have a lot to spend? Not to worry. There are plenty of great gifts under $100. Want to melt their face off with a ridiculous and unexpected gift? Check out the over $500 category. I will be updating the Buying Guide frequently all the way up until Christmas as more products go on sale or come to my attention. Also, make sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook to receive quick updates on fire-sale-priced products that won't last long enough to warrant adding them to the Buying Guide. Happy shopping Fstoppers!
Why You Should Never Let Internet Trolls Define the Quality of Your Photography
One of the most toxic poisons to continued inspiration is the sudden belief that your own work is hated by your audience. Online criticism can be a harsh weight on motivation that all photographers must face at one point or another and is something that should almost always be completely ignored.
Pacific Northwest Escape Mission 1: Helicopter Shooting the North Cascades
Just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Space Needle in Seattle, Washington, sits one of America’s most majestic spots — and every photographer’s dream. Often called the American Alps, North Cascades National Park features endless opportunities to capture America in all its striking glory. But before you point and shoot, you need to know where to look.
Patrick And I go to Las Vegas/Shoot In A $15,000 Per Night Penthouse
[Deal] Capture One Pro 6 - 50% Off This Week Only
What Makes a Portrait Resonate With You?
A Cry for a Built In Menu Search!
How well do you know the menu systems of your editing software? There is always that one thing you have to google to find where it is hiding in the menus. Why can't these software makers design a menu search on the menu bar? It would be faster than hunting for that damn liquify tool. Just type it in and let it populate. I have hunted for to long! Would this help your work flow? Am I just that much of a noob? Can these big software companies help us out?
[Pics] Flickr Spotlight – Lonely Trees
Trees are something that we're used to seeing together, in groups, or at least a few feet away from each other. This is why pictures of lonely trees are so magical. It makes you stop for a second and think about the place, and even make your own story for the picture. Check out this set of amazing lonely tree images chosen out of thousands of pictures on Flickr.
Fstoppers Reviews the Venus Optics Laowa 7.5mm f/2 Lens: A Good Ultra-Wide for MFT Shooters
The Micro Four Thirds system isn’t my go-to system for night sky or astrophotography, but if it’s yours, you can do far worse than photographing that sky with the Venus Optics Laowa 7.5mm f/2 lens for Micro Four Thirds.
Creating Modern Fashion Photography: Gian Paolo Barbieri
As an innovator of fashion photography, Gian Paolo Barbieri's various approaches and techniques helped to shape modern fashion photography.
Thousands Of Dollars Worth Of Gear Carried Through A Waterfall
How Director of Photography, Jeffrey Waldron, Uses Cinematography to Tell a Story While Shooting Hulu's 'Little Fires Everywhere'
Episodic television budgets are on the rise, but more money is never enough. Award-winning cinematographer, Jeffery Waldron, tells how overcoming creative challenges onset can lead to beautiful solutions.
Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (December 2024): Chris Van Riel
The Fstoppers community is brimming with creative vision and talent. Every day, we comb through your work, looking for images to feature as the Photo of the Day or simply to admire your creativity and technical prowess. In 2024, we're featuring a new photographer every month, whose portfolio represents both stellar photographic achievement and a high level of involvement within the Fstoppers community.
Review of the SmallRig VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount Battery
There is a lot of power required for video recordings, often more than a normal camera battery can deliver for an extended period of time. An external battery can be the answer to that problem. I have reviewed the excellent SmallRig VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount battery.
Announcing the Fstoppers 2023 Photographer of the Year and the Winner of a Free Fstoppers Tutorial
The votes are in, and you've helped to choose our Fstoppers Photographer of the Year! We've also randomly selected one reader who voted to receive a free Fstoppers tutorial of their choice!
Combining Strangers' Photos to Create Digital Art
Turns out you don't always need to be an amazing photographer to create photographic art. I came across graphic designer Bashar Hjooj's work on Instagram, where he combines two to three photographs shot by complete strangers to create art full of imagination with his own take.
Instagram Fights Illegal Wildlife Exploitation by Warning Users in App
In many areas, animals are often illegally captured to generate money from tourists who jump at the chance to take a selfie with an exotic species, a practice that is highly dangerous for the animals involved. Instagram is taking action against the practice by providing in-app warnings and education.
What About Photography Hooked You? What Gripped Me Is Unusual
After nearly 15 years of being a photographer — or rather, actively practicing the craft — I had a sudden realization as to what drew me into photography in the first place. It may not be the most common attraction, but I doubt I am alone.
Adorama Charging Station For New York Power Outage
As most of you are aware, the lower section of Manhattan is still without power. Luckily our friends at Adorama have setup a charging station to help juice up your portable electronics. In this video Mark Wallace encourages everyone to spread the word since most of those residents won't be active online. If you own any powerpacks like the Alien Bee Vagabond, if you charge it up you can get multiple charges for your cell phones or laptops.
Fstoppers Answers - What Are Your Photography Related New Years Resolutions?
Each week, we have a segment called "Fstoppers Answers" where we ask our staff various questions from the readers. Last week, we asked “How Did You Approach Your First Agency/Client?”. This week, we get festive and ask what your New Years Resolutions are.
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!
Behind the Scenes With Massive Machinery and Landscapes
Photographing behind the scenes at any large power producing area can be difficult not only to obtain entry but also to capture the massive scale to do the area justice. The areas are normally bustling with workers, smoke from the machines, and dust from the ground. Traveling to these destinations, however, will help show the world just what goes on behind that power that they use daily.
Say I Do to the Right Equipment for Wedding Photography
In scenarios where you don’t get a second chance at capturing that photo, such as a proposal or a first kiss moment, you need trustworthy and high-quality equipment. In this article, we discuss the best equipment and tools for wedding photographers.
This Lens Tells Stories: SmugMug’s New Campaign Sheds Light on the Passion, the “Why,” and Impact of Photographers
SmugMug, known for its photography management and sales platform, is launching a new marketing campaign titled “This Lens.” Aimed at celebrating the power of photographers to change perspectives and the world, “This Lens” aims to tell stories of real-life photographers and their pursuits.