How to Easily Aggregate Photographs With SmugMug's Guest Uploading

Looking for an easy way to collect and share photographs with others? Whether you're centralizing image assets for an organization, a public event, a family reunion, or a social gathering among friends, check out this quick how-to using a built-in and highly underrated feature of SmugMug.

Underworld Evolution CGI

If you have ever watched an action movie or fantasy movie, you have probably heard people taking about how anything can be done with CGI. But how many times have you stopped to consider what was actually real and what was computer graphics? In today's movies, the line between reality and computer animation is more blurred than ever and that's why I enjoyed watching this short film about the movie Underworld Evolution. It's always crazy to me to see how creative camera angles and complex stunt rigging can be combined with computer graphics to produce these shots we are so used to seeing on the big screen.

Underworld Evolution - Behind The Scenes from Jeff Castelluccio on Vimeo.

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (February 2024): Herbert A. Franke

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 2023, 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.

'Jockey': Sunrises and Sunsets, Horse Racing Without Horses, and Docu-Style Storytelling

Clint Bentley’s new film, Jockey, is an intense character study that contrasts the ending of a veteran jockey’s career with the ascendance of a younger jockey. Under the watchful eye of director of photographer Adolpho Veloso, the filmmakers use some exciting photography and lighting techniques to complement the strong script and award-winning acting.

February Photo Contest Is Almost Over

It's the end of the month which means it's almost time to judge the monthly Fstoppers Forum photo contest. The response for this month has been really great and I can't wait to see who wins it and takes home some new gear. The final submissions will be valid until Midnight (EST) on March 1st so be sure to submit now rather than later. As we do every month, the winner of the contest gets to pick the next theme and Frank has chosen "Birth". This month's winner will also win a custom image and website link on the Fstoppers rotating banner above and also a Photoflex Octodome Extra Small Kit which is our goto soft light for location shooting. As always, our contests are judged by the winner of the previous month's contest so you have to impress Jan winner Frank Lin and not anyone on the Fstoppers Staff. Have fun submitting to the February Fstoppers Forum Contest and good luck to everyone!
Contest Entry: Amber Williams Shoots Infrared

This is going to be a busy week for FS. The contest submissions are starting to pour in because the deadline is only 6 days away. We are going to try to bring you at least one professional BTSV and at one contest submission every day. For her contest submission, Amber Williams teaches us about infrared photography (something I knew nothing about). Amber did a fantastic job of keeping the video interesting and informational. I'm just excited that there are some some cute female Fstoppers out there. Show Amber some love in the comment box below. <
The Bugatti Glamour 2009 Backstage

Our website is finally working again as the traffic from the iPhone video slows down. We are going to get back to releasing 1 BTS video every day. Friday night we had an Fstoppers get together in NYC and it was a big hit. About 22 photographers showed up including Tkae Mendez. Tkae just sent this great BTS video over to me. Enjoy...
Why I Love a Wood Box for Prints

In the digital age of photography, the imaging process has almost become effortless. Professional photographers can struggle to stand out in the crowded market. Although creating outstanding images is crucial to succeed in this craft of photography, photographers should take into consideration the final step of delivering those printed images.

America's Finest Art Has One Month Left at the Whitney

The Whitney Biennial only happens every two years, yet it is perhaps the most prominent and fundamental celebration of American contemporary art in the world. Featuring works from over 100 American artists, this rarer-than-a-lunar-eclipse event is a must-see if you're in NYC -- and it ends May 25th. Don't think fine art can help your photography? Think again...

Happy Holidays from Fstoppers!

We are all at home visiting our families right now but we just wanted to wish all of our readers and fans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday! We're going on almost three years strong now and are so lucky to have such a strong group of creative people that continue to support what we're doing. You can look forward to not only to the release of the most thorough Wedding DVD you'll ever watch, but more FS originals (it's about time, right?).

Adobe Announces Adobe Content Authenticity App

With the rise in popularity of AI-generated images and AI-generated modifications of photographs, there has been an increased desire for transparency regarding whether AI was used wholly, or even in part, in creating an image. To aid in making this determination, Adobe is expanding the capabilities of its Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) by announcing the creation of a web-based tool called Adobe Content Authenticity.

Droid X Travels Across America In 5 Minutes

Awhile back we featured a popular video by Jeff Calbom in his Walk Across America commercial. Smithje77 recently traveled from Washington to Maine in 7 days. He was creative enough to take photographs every 90 seconds with his Droid X and piece them together in this fun video. The video is no where near as complicated as Jeff's version but it's still fun to see how much the landscape changes across North America. This reminds me of the time my family drove from Alaska to Maryland and down to Alabama back when I was a kid. I'd love to see someone create another video like this but travel through some more extreme terrain like the Rockies or the Arizona desert. Always remember, just because you only have a camera phone doesn't mean you have an excuse not to be creative!
Take $765 Dollars Off Of The Nikon D7000 Bundle, Plus Great Deals On Canon And Impact Gear

Check out this massive discount on the Nikon D7000 bundled with the Nikon 18-200mm DX VR II and a ton of extras including a free Nikon 50mm f/1.8! You'll even get free overnight shipping through January 5th! Also, Impact is offering $85 dollars off its 3 pack of 7' Parabolic Umbrellas and the Canon EOS Rebel T3 with an 18-55mm IS II Lens is only $399.00!

Big Firmware Update For Fujifilm X-Pro1 Coming

Since its launch in early 2012, Fujifilm has received customer feedback regarding the X-Pro1's performance. Fujifilm has listened carefully to these comments. By installing the new firmware, consumers will see a significant improvement in Auto Focus speed, manual focus and processing/writing speeds. Read on to learn about the updates included and link where to find it when it comes available on September 18, 2012.

Fujifilm Announces the XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II Lens

Fujifilm has introduced the FUJINON XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II, an updated version of the popular XF 16-55mm lens first launched in 2015. The second-generation lens offers improved optical performance, faster autofocus, and a more compact, lighter design, making it an attractive option for photographers who require versatility and durability.

In-Camera Face Replacement, Just Around the Corner?

Camera/video tech is becoming ever more sophisticated to the point where we now have cameras that can recognize and track faces. So, how long will it be before we start seeing cameras that can completely change a person's face in-camera? Never going to happen you say? Tell that to Arturo Castro and Kyle McDonald.

Stand Out Photo Workshops Are Coming - Learn From Industry Leaders

If you hadn't heard of it before, the Stand Out! Photographic Forums is a huge photography industry event (taking place in New York City, Toronto, and Los Angeles) loaded with affordable workshops taught by some of the biggest and most successful names in the industry. You can learn directly from legends like Mark Seliger, Pratik Naik, and Michael Muller. Phase One was even nice enough to ask me to come and teach classes on digital teching and shoot pre-production. You should read below to learn more about all of the classes and offerings.

The Next Generation of Fstoppers

This week we are featuring a few standout BTS videos created by our readers for the Fstoppers Behind the Scenes Contest ending this Saturday. If you want to see all of the submissions jump on over to the forum and see how the competition is shaping up. In the meantime, you have to check out what Parker Smith and his [jr]high school friends created for the contest. While the photography itself is nothing ground breaking, seeing young photographers like Luke and Trent work with other teenagers is nothing short of inspiring. It just goes to show what a little initiative and some creativity can do.

BTS - Poolside Photo Shoot from Parker Smith on Vimeo.

ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2023 in Use: A Step-by-Step Workflow

A lot has changed from the previous version of ACDSee. It has new tools and powerful AI features. If you are looking for Digital Asset Management, developing, and editing tool, the ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2023 may meet your needs. Here's a workflow introducing you to and guiding you through the main features of this dynamic software.

Maximizing Your Potential: A Guide for Building Value and Setting Competitive Prices

As a photographer, understanding your place in the market is essential to the success of your business. Whether you are just starting out or are an established photographer, it's important to have a clear understanding of your competition, your preferred target audience, and demand for the photography services you offer.

Wow Your Clients With This Beautiful Fine Art Album

Have you ever wondered what could separate your photography business from the competition, especially in crowded markets like engagement, wedding, and newborn photography? The Fine Art Album from Zno could be your unique selling point to make your business stand out.

Michael Muller Photographs Speedo

I guess this has become Speedo Week on Fstoppers! I recently discovered the photography of Michael Muller and must have spent a good hour on his website checking out all sorts of amazing photography! He has recently been working with Speedo for their summer catalog, and the production that goes into these shoots is insane. Click the post for a second video showcasing some BTS material from this shoot and be sure to check out Michael's website for all sorts of inspiring photography. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhy6g8Ewpac<
Free Educational Event: Sony Creative Space 2021

It's rare to have a free educational event. It's even rarer to have such an event with big-name educators such as Chris Burkard, Scott Robert Lim, and Brooke Shaden. But the Sony Creative Space 2021 is doing just that plus so much more.

How To Light A Land Rover By Tim Wallace

I just ran across this quick BTS of a Land Rover photoshoot. The video itself isn't that impressive but the photography sure is. It's really interesting to see how Tim Wallace determined his lighting. First he focused on the ambient light for the background and then after he had that locked in he added 3 strobes to fill in the car but keep the sky dark. >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDq8O5ia4Mk<
Win Free Admission To The Fstoppers Photography Workshops In The Bahamas

Just a few hours and/or days left on these! The first ever Fstoppers Workshops taking place in the Bahamas May 28th - June 1st is quickly approaching. Our crazy Atlantis Hotel Discount Room Rate is expiring on the April 22nd , and all of the instructors are each running a social media contest for those of you wishing to attend. Collectively there are over 15 free spots in a variety of workshops. To enter, simply check out the full post