Fstoppers Original Articles

With the plethora of new camera features that manufacturers have rolled out in recent years, it begs the question, “How much more do we actually need?"

Live music photography is an area that intrigues many, yet few really find a breakthrough. We recently spoke with Kevin Kerr, who swapped his Silicon Valley profession for a career in live music photography. Find out what is in his gear bag and what goes into a great live music photograph.

It’s no secret that photographers from various genres are experiencing a decline in bookings. The ease of using a smartphone and the quality that anyone can get from those devices have reduced the need to hire a professional for small and even mid-level shoots. Wedding photography is a genre where people are accustomed to hiring professional photographers, and the smartphone has had a lesser impact here.

Retouching has long been a time-consuming process that not many of us photographers enjoy. Yet, it is inevitable to have to retouch your photos. Fortunately, PortraitPro 24 is introducing more advanced features and capabilities that have further cemented the software’s reputation as a must-have tool for portrait photographers. Read on to find out why.

Using a telephoto lens is one of the most powerful tools for capturing landscape photography. It enables you to explore perspectives far beyond what classic wide-angle shots can achieve, allowing for creative and compelling compositions. However, using a telephoto lens can be tricky, especially if you’re just getting started. In this article, I share my top seven mistakes to avoid when using a telephoto lens, along with some technical advice and creative tips to enhance your photography.

As a professional photographer, you must face all sorts of obstacles. But the highest hurdles tend to be those you put in your own way.

Being an artist means keeping an open mind to all possibilities. But sometimes, limiting your scope can lead to a world of opportunities.

There are seven common traps that many photographers fall into that rarely get spoken of. Does your work fall into any of these? Here’s how to spot them and escape their clutches.

For adventure photographers, having reliable internet access in remote locations is a game-changer. Lukas Mann, an adventure photographer based in Vancouver, shared his experiences on how NETGEAR has significantly improved his workflow and client satisfaction. Here's a detailed look at how the NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 Pro mobile hotspot is transforming the way outdoor photographers operate.

Are your handheld landscape photography photos never quite sharp? Do you struggle with what camera settings to use once you start trying to handhold the camera for your photos? I have five tips to help maximize your success with handheld landscape photography.

Cameras these days are so customizable that sometimes it's hard to even know where to start. So, after a lot of time and effort, here is how I have my camera set up to photograph weddings.

For those who specialize in real estate photography, it is common to say this genre of photography is fraught with its own unique set of challenges, from dealing with challenging lighting conditions such as balancing interior and exterior light to time constraints to low budget and short turnover time. In the competitive world of real estate, it is almost non-negotiable for photographers to produce high-quality images to help properties look their best through the help of post-processing. While mastering these post-processing techniques has proven to significantly improve the outlook of the deliverables and also overcome the shortcomings of on-location shoots, they often take years to learn and master. Thankfully, the advancements in AI photo editing tools are making these hurdles easier to overcome and helping you gain a competitive edge in this tough market. In this article, we will explore the common challenges faced in real estate photography and how AI photo editors can help address them efficiently in editing real estate photography.

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.

There are many ways to make a photo appealing. Light, composition, and depth of field are the obvious ones. Post-processing is also part of this procedure, regardless of whether it's done in-camera or on a computer. Don’t forget cropping, which is an important part of the process.

A good-looking photo is the result of a relatively long process. It starts with choosing the right composition, focal length, and the use of light and shadow. It often doesn’t end there, especially if you are using the raw file format. Well-thought-out processing transforms the raw sensor data...

The bee photo is a summer rite of passage that any new (or old) photographer needs to take. It's not really officially summer until you get that photo, so here are some basic tips to get started photographing these colorful creatures.

I hadn’t considered the possibility of using an external monitor with my camera, but when Neewer gave me the chance to try their touchscreen field monitor, I wondered whether it would meet a particular need of mine. Now that I have tried it, it is something I am adding to my kit bag. Here’s why.

When you think about controlling the depth of field, the aperture may instantly come to mind. In its simplest form, this would be correct. However, other factors are at play regarding depth of field. Knowing these different factors will help you understand and control your depth of field.

In the never-ending struggle to get your work seen by the right people that can help advance your career, contests and competitions are one of the most accessible. But, after all is said and done, are they worth it?

Making a living as a photojournalist isn't what it used to be. But making a living is still possible.

Telling a story is more than taking pretty images. Here are five tips from photojournalist Natalie Keyssar that will help you build a better story.

Ask any photographer what lens you should purchase for landscape photography, and the answer is almost always a wide angle. But let's challenge this conventional wisdom. Is there a strong case for using telephoto lenses in landscape photography?

There’s no question that photographs from this week's Republican National Convention, merely days after an assassination attempt on former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump, are going to define the narrative of this tumultuous time in U.S. history. There’s also no question about who overwhelmingly seems to dominate the photojournalism field based on this photo that I've linked to below: white men.

Canon has had us all on pins and needles, enjoying the last few days of our padded savings account and anxiously waiting for their announcement of the new EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II. The anticipated specs have finally come, and we are here to tell you all about it.

When visiting a new location, the excitement and expectation of capturing something epic are always at the forefront of a photographer’s mind. However, beyond the thrill of the shot lies a deeper responsibility—protecting the places we photograph.

A few months ago, I started processing all my raw photos with a new Lightroom plugin. It led to a significant increase in image quality, as I show in this article.

Landscape photography thrives on flexibility and spontaneity. The ever-changing nature of light and weather requires us to adapt quickly, abandon rigid plans, and let the natural elements guide our shots. This fluid approach often leads to the most captivating and memorable images, showcasing the dynamic connection of light, land, and sky. Here’s why being fluid in your landscape photography is essential, along with some practical tips to help you embrace this mindset.

Island Darkroom presents CEARNS, an exhibition featuring the work of award-winning Isle of Lewis photographer Deljeem Rai. This event marks Deljeem Rai's first solo exhibition and his debut showcase on his home island.

Across the vast millennia of human existence, the total solar eclipse remains the most spectacular and celebrated of astronomical phenomena. As the blue sky dimmed, I suddenly decided to shoot the 2024 solar eclipse on black and white film using my trusty Hasselblad 500 C/M.

The countdown to the Olympic Games is on, and the world shifts focus to the multi-sport event which takes place in Paris this summer. From athletics to equestrian to diving, we explore the best and most versatile lenses for sports photography and crown the best camera body and lens combination for the job.

In today's rapidly evolving media landscape, video content has undeniably surged in popularity, reshaping how we consume information and entertainment from the internet. According to a report from Q2 2023, video content already reaches 92.3% of internet users worldwide and continues to grow significantly. This statistic highlights the growing dominance of video in our digital age. But does this trend mean that video is inherently better than photography? Let’s explore the differences between these two mediums and their impact on viewers.

The Canon EOS 60D was much derided on its release in 2010 for "dumbing down" the venerable xxD lineup compared to its predecessor, the semi-pro 50D.

Not all photos are created equal. Some are objectively better than others. However, the photos themselves may not necessarily be bad; it may just be that the image is badly exposed or the white balance is off. Fixing bad images quickly can be a hassle for some, but it is a piece of cake for Aftershoot. Read on to find out how to fix your bad images quickly.

Willie Nelson has played the same Martin N-20 nylon-string acoustic guitar since 1969. Serial number 242830. The instrument is an eternal flame of creative freedom, one of a kind and beautiful — just like Willie.

Being a photographer for more than a decade, this is probably the shortest love story I have with camera gear, pushing the definition of a love-hate relationship to the next level.

With the announcement of the new Nikon Z6III last week, it inspired me to have a little fun thought experiment as the Nikon lineup of mirrorless cameras continues to take shape.

In landscape photography, there's often a misconception that success is measured by the number of great shots captured in a single outing. However, this mindset can be limiting and lead to burnout for many. Sometimes, the true reward comes from capturing just one exceptional shot. Focusing on quality over quantity not only enhances your craft but also deepens your connection with the landscape. Here’s why and how to embrace this approach.

Do we really need to spend thousands of dollars just to get good photographs? Can you become a good photographer with an old and cheap camera?

The use of AI offers the ability to create almost lifelike images. This has nothing to do with photography. However, AI can also be used for removing unwanted parts of a photo. Is this feature making us lazy, taking less care while photographing? After all, we can easily fix it in post.

Once, photographers converted their precious raw files into DNG files, which promised to be future-proof. There might be another reason: there is a DNG file format with lossy compression. Could this be future-proof and save disk space at the same time?

Embarking on the journey of crafting a portrait as a non-portrait photographer can be daunting, often accompanied by feelings of anxiety and low confidence. However, creating a photograph need not be an overwhelming task. With a few simple pointers, you can step into the realm of portrait photography with a newfound sense of capability and confidence.

Today, let’s talk about life as an artist. Not the Instagram rose-tinted glasses version of reality, but the real thing.

Photographers will face many challenges on their journey. Finding a photography mentor can drastically change the trip from being overwhelmed to having confidence.

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.

As a seasoned studio strobe shooter, I put the Zhiyun Molus B Series LED lights through their paces. Transitioning from my usual larger, heavier strobe studio lights, could these be powerful enough for my needs?

Finding the creativity and inspiration to succeed as a premier fashion and editorial photographer is hard enough, keeping it up for more than three decades is a completely different story altogether. Rankin's new show at 180 Studios is a retrospective of Rankin's first decade of work at Dazed and Confused, one of photography's most influential magazines.

Popular music is getting worse, isn’t it? The reason why has an impact on your photography too.

Photographing live music can be an amazing experience once you embrace the idea that you have no control over any of the elements in your frame. So how do you create great pictures when you have limited angles to shoot from, terrible lighting, and no control over what your subject will do next?

Not every idea is golden, and not all camera systems are destined to become legends. Digital photography has always grown by leaps and stumbles.

When you think of photography, you think of a solo pursuit. We find ourselves mostly alone when creating photographs and advancing our craft. However, consider the inspiring and motivating personal growth opportunities a photography community can provide.