Fstoppers Original Articles
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.
Capturing the Magic: A Guide to Photographing Christmas Lights for New Photographers
As the holiday season approaches, the towns and neighborhoods in my neck of rural Utah light up with the magical glow of Christmas lights, presenting a wonderful opportunity to capture dynamic scenes that are heavy on holiday vibes.
Reblum: The Secret to Natural, High-Quality Portrait Retouching
Retouching is the one thing that takes time and is generally the most extensive part of any photo shoot for any portrait photographer. If we had more time, we could focus on doing what we love: creating more photographs, but retouching can take that time away. What if I told you that there is software that produces natural results, is easy to use, and saves time? Well, there is—it's Reblum.
Perfect Light Every Time? A Photographer’s Secret Weapon
We’ve all been there: a stunning landscape, but the weather forecast was wrong again. Traditional weather forecasts are simply not designed for photographers. But there is a new tool that changes the game.
How Familiarity Breeds Stunning Photos
In this article, I share one of the most important things you can do to take better landscape and cityscape photos.
Can Canon and Nikon Landscape Photographers Avoid This Focusing Issue?
There’s a significant focusing problem that many Canon and Nikon DSLRs and some mirrorless users face. However, it’s not the end of the world; there is a workaround that can help you get the shot.
Clash of the APS-C Third-Party f/2.8 Standard Zooms: Sigma Versus Tamron
With modern zoom lenses for mirrorless cameras getting better and better each year, more people lean towards their utility, and this is especially common in all-purpose APS-C lenses like Sigma’s 18-50 f/2.8 and Tamron’s 17-70 f/2.8—but which of the two is better?
Aiarty Image Matting Removes Any Background Precisely with AI
In today's fast-paced world of AI and digital photography, tools like Aiarty Image Matting are transforming workflows for photographers. Designed for creators and businesses, it uses advanced AI to deliver precise background removal, even for challenging images. As a professional photographer, I find background removal essential in most of my commercial work, and sometimes dealing with a complex subject can be frustrating.
The Perfect Christmas Gift? Choosing Your First Half-Frame Camera
A half-frame film camera could be the perfect Christmas gift. Make the right choice with this handy guide.
Photography Is a Luxury: AI Is for People Who Can’t Afford It
Photographers and videographers should probably be concerned about the scary "boogeymachine" that is AI. It's very likely that in the next decade, many photo and video jobs will be replaced by AI, and this will inevitably change the photo and video industry.
How I Used Flash and White Balance for a Portrait Session on Location
When shooting portraits on location, you are dependent on the ambient light—unless you bring your own lights. I decided to use flash to overpower the ambient light. This approach allowed for more variation during this portrait session. Let me explain how.
Mastering Shutter Speed for Stunning Seascape Photography
Seascape photography offers a unique blend of challenges and opportunities, with the ocean providing dynamic, challenging, and ever-changing scenes. Over the years, I have learned and practiced how different shutter speeds can dramatically alter the mood and feel of your images. Here’s what I’ve learned and some actionable tips to elevate your seascape photography.
An Essential Street and Travel Photography Skill To Learn: Zone Focusing
Zone focusing is an essential skill to learn, particularly for street, travel, and documentary photography. Even the latest autofocus technology on new expensive cameras can’t beat this method of getting photos quickly and in perfect focus.
Safeguarding Your Money and Business During the Holiday Season: A Comprehensive Guide to Protecting Yourself
Throughout November and December, demand for portrait sessions, product photography, event coverage, and gift-giving surges, presenting photographers with both opportunities and vulnerabilities. Increased business volume, higher-value transactions, and a need for rapid turnaround create conditions ripe for specific types of threats. These threats often come from external malicious actors who exploit holiday chaos.
Why I Choose the Nikon Z9 Over the Z8 for Video
I read a quote recently that stated, “Buying a Z8 over a Z9 is a no-brainer.” Er, excuse me, may I add my two cents? Or maybe I should say, allow me to weigh in (you’ll get that pun later)…
Dealing With Photography Gear Failure in the Field
If you have been a photographer long enough, you have had a piece of photography gear fail you in the field. Maybe it is a lens that stops focusing, a camera shutter that breaks, or a tripod leg that gets loose—any number of things can potentially impact an outing. Are you prepared for this?
Why I Still Prefer the Optical Viewfinder Over the Electronic Viewfinder
In an era where electronic viewfinders have dominated most mirrorless cameras, it may seem old-fashioned to still use a DSLR camera with an optical viewfinder. Yet, as someone who has spent more than a decade behind the lens, constantly switching between mirrorless and DSLR, I still find myself drawn to the simplicity and authenticity of the optical viewfinder.
Visual Weight: Why Do So Many Photographers Overlook Its Importance?
Many articles about composition highlight compositional tools like the Rule of Thirds or the Golden Section. However, the essential concept of visual weight is often overlooked and unknown to many photographers.
Mirrorless Is Now the Epicenter of the Photography World and This Is the Little Camera That Started It All
In 16 short years, mirrorless cameras have gone from being the new kid on the block to the new normal, now accounting for about 90% of all sales of interchangeable-lens digital cameras. The compact Panasonic Lumix G1 was the very first mirrorless camera, and it changed the photography world forever.
Did Adobe Steal Your Photos to Train Their AI? We Asked Them in Person.
This past year, Adobe rolled out a terms-of-use update that shook the creative community. The way this update was worded made it appear as though you were giving them complete rights to your artwork just by using their services in any way. Users were rightfully scared, and the pitchforks came out. There have been some updates to the situation, and I recently went to Adobe MAX to speak with them directly.
How To Use Timecode Across Multiple Mirrorless Cameras and Audio Devices
Today, I’ll share a quick look at my simple solution to a sometimes convoluted process.
5 Must-Have Everyday-Carry Accessories for Photographers
Whether going out for a shoot or for personal business, there are tools and accessories that fit a photographer’s lifestyle seamlessly. Here are some EDC accessories that we can recommend.
The Lesson Ireland Taught Me about Landscape Photography
In September, I visited Ireland for two weeks to explore County Donegal. During that time, Ireland taught me an essential lesson about landscape photography I want to share with you.
Where Is The Best Focus Point in a Landscape Photo?
Focusing in landscape photography is often trickier than you might think. As with many things, there are more ways than one to achieve the desired result. The best way is also determined by personal preferences. This guide will help you make the best choice.
Will AI Help You Become More Creative?
We all want to improve our photography and create amazing images, right? We want to become more creative. Should we use technology to help us? Can it help us? I have some thoughts.
28mm vs 35mm: Which Focal Length Is Best for Street and Travel Photography?
Which focal length is best for street and travel photography: 28mm or 35mm? If you've been thinking about buying a compact camera but you're not sure if 28mm or 35mm suits your style better, hopefully, this article will help.
Why I Photograph 'Dangerous' Animals
Sharks, crocodiles, snakes—these are my favorite photography subjects. I am constantly asked why.
The Use of Vintage Lenses Can Stimulate Creativity
Photography is not just a method to document the world around us—it is also a means of expressing creativity. Achieving this creative expression, however, can be more challenging than expected. Perhaps the use of vintage lenses can stimulate the creativity of the photographer.
Be Efficient, Buy Used
We, as photographers, are very often gear geeks. There’s no shame in it. We drool over the latest and greatest the camera industry has to offer and dream of owning the ultimate gear setup that will, of course, undoubtedly help us ascend to new heights of photography. But we truly do not need to.
Three Decades of Lomo: We Interview The Lomography Founders
I went to meet the founders of Lomography, Sally Bibawy and Matthias Fiegl, on an unseasonably warm Halloween morning in Brooklyn. For three decades, this unicorn of a company has maintained an unwavering commitment to analog long before analog’s recent renaissance, and I was eager to uncover what has fueled their commitment, what currently drives them, and how it might shape Lomography’s future.
Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (November 2024): Vicky Papas Vergara
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.
Education, Software, and Gear at Big Discounts
Ready to turn your passion into profit? This Black Friday, take your photography to the next level with The Well-Rounded Photograper, our most comprehensive tutorial that features eight top instructors teaching eight genres, all for only $49. Plus, take a look at some other incredible deals happening between now and Cyber Monday.
Beyond the Rule of Thirds: The Photographer’s Love-Hate Relationship With Composition
The relationship photographers have with composition is a complicated one. There’s much more to it than many people imagine, and it isn’t entirely subjective.
2024 Black Friday Deals for Photographers
Over the next week the best brands in the industry are offering their best prices of the year. Whether you're in the market for new gear, a faster workflow, or want to study a new skill, there's a way to save money on what you need.
The Future of Streaming: Meet OBSBOT Tail Air
In the post-apocalyptic post-COVID world, video conferencing and streaming have become bigger than ever. The smart features of the OBSBOT Tail Air camera make it far more than just a simple camera with video capability. It has features that you will find in high-end remote cameras. It's small, high quality, and made for everything from large concerts to live interviews.
Editing Ideas For Midday Landscape Photography
Rumor has it landscape photography on bright sunny days with blue skies is not a good idea. I would disagree. Here are a few ideas for editing photos shot in the midday sun that might just inspire you to go out and shoot more in bright conditions.
Download These Raw+JPEG Files From Sony's a1 II Flagship Camera
The arrival of a new flagship from a top camera maker inevitably sparks a debate regarding how much sense it makes to upgrade to the latest model. Camera makers boast of the many improvements their new models offer, but each photographer must determine if those improvements are worth the cost of upgrading. How the manufacturers name their latest offering can sometimes offer clues about the extent of the improvements. In 2021, when Sony introduced their newest flagship under the name a1 rather than some variation of the a7 or a9 moniker, there was an expectation that the a1 would stand apart from the brand’s other mirrorless cameras.
Best Holiday Gift Ideas for the Photographer in Your Life
When that special person on your Christmas list spends their day thinking about flash sync speed, focal length, and the latest “glass,” you may find yourself at a bit of an impasse on what to get them. When you Googled “new Canon lens,” you quickly determined that you didn’t like them that much, but you still want to get them something that makes them feel special. While there is one gift you should never give a photographer, there are countless other choices, from budget-friendly gear to office décor, that will make them feel special. Ready to boost your gift-giving cred? Here are some of my favorite gifts to get that special photographer in your life this holiday season.
Explaining Most of the Things About Canon Log (C-Log) to Get You Started in Filmmaking
Coming from a photography background, venturing into the video realm can feel overwhelming. While I'm confident in most aspects of photography, the learning curve for filmmaking is steep and often more complicated than expected.
In Defense of 'Over-Editing': 3 Reasons I Love It and Reject the Criticism
I woke up with my morning coffee to these thoughts: “Overprocessing images can sometimes compromise the integrity of the image and do more harm than necessary. Here are several reasons why one should refrain from over-editing their images.” I thought to myself, “I need to caffeinate further before finishing this article” and took a big gulp of my coffee.
Why Your Camera’s Picture Profiles Matter More Than You Think
Picture controls, picture styles, and picture profiles are a few of the names they go by, depending on your camera brand. But what are they, and how can they help you create images and make editing easier?
Does Gear Matter? One Pro’s Perspective
Someone on social media stated “A pro would never use a Z50!” If you’re not familiar with Nikon, this is their crop sensor entry-level camera, costing $860. I’ve heard similar statements dozens of times—matter-of-fact assertions about what pros do, usually made by photographers who aren’t actually professionals.
The Best Single Lens for Travel Filmmaking: 24-70mm
I love prime lenses—they’re always my preference—but I had to travel across Spain recently to make a documentary film and was traveling light. I had to pick my lenses carefully, so I chose the 24-70mm as my main lens. I quickly discovered it was the perfect travel lens.
The Next New Compact Film Camera
So many of us photographers seem to have an insatiable appetite for camera gear. For some, it’s G.A.S. (gear acquisition syndrome), while others are honing their photographic experiences into a seemingly futile and almost never-ending quest to trade up to the perfect camera. For a rare few, they have found their gear and are sticking to it.
The Camera Hack You Never Knew You Needed!
Landscape photography, often romanticized as a calm pursuit, is, in reality, a demanding test of patience. Unlike studio photography, where they control the lighting, backdrop, and subject, we landscape photographers must yield to nature’s rhythm. Whether it’s the color at golden hour, a dramatic storm, or a perfectly composed scene, capturing the ideal moment requires unwavering patience.
How White Balance Shifts Affect Our Perception
To fully understand how white balance affects our perception, we must first explore how color shapes our emotional response in photography. Since the dawn of time, we humans have become accustomed to associating certain colors with specific contexts. The ability of humans to read visual cues for signs of danger is likely an instinct as a survival mechanism. For example, brightly colored insects scream danger without having to look into the species.
Building a Composition Without Using Common Composition Rules
One of the most difficult things to accomplish is achieving a great composition. There are many rules and guidelines—enough to make your head spin. Perhaps there’s a better way to create an attractive composition, and that’s by ignoring the rules at first and concentrating on what you want to show.
DIY Theatrical Portraits: Using a Spotlight
I've been seeing spotlights used in shoots everywhere, so I wanted to jump on the trend and put my own twist on a spotlight shoot. Here’s how my creative partner, David, and I created a theatrical portrait session using a spotlight.
The Trials and Tribulations of Experimenting With Infrared Photography
A few months ago, I explored a new photography challenge and invested in an infrared filter for landscape photography. I could've bought an already converted used camera, but after looking at what was available on the used market and specialist conversion services, investing in a filter seemed to be at a more appealing price point and the best of both worlds. After several trials and tribulations, I became hooked on this newly discovered world of infrared photography.
Will Modern Lenses Have an Increased Dependence on Lens Corrections?
I see a growing number of new lenses hitting the market that rely on lens correction. These lenses have some benefits, but are lens manufacturers taking shortcuts with these lens designs? Will we be seeing more and more lenses with this reliance on lens correction in the near future?