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Alex Cooke
Cleveland, OH

Articles written by Alex Cooke

Is This the Ultimate Walkaround Camera?

Exploring a familiar location with fresh eyes is one of the best ways to discover something new about your photography. It pushes your creativity by forcing you to find new perspectives in places you think you already know.

Why Waiting a Week for Photos Made Them More Precious

The most valuable photographs you've ever taken weren't the ones you saw immediately on your camera's LCD screen. They were the ones you had to wait for—sometimes a week, sometimes longer—wondering if that perfect moment you thought you captured actually materialized on film. This isn't nostalgia talking; it's psychology, and understanding it reveals something profound about how we value images in an age where we take more photos in a day than our grandparents took in a year.

Why Blue Hour Will Transform Your Landscape Photos

Blue hour photography transforms ordinary landscapes into ethereal masterpieces that capture viewers' attention like few other techniques can. You're missing out on some of the most compelling shots of your career if you're packing up your gear when the sun disappears behind the horizon.

5 Lightroom Classic Tools That Will Cut Your Editing Time in Half

Your Lightroom Classic workflow could be moving twice as fast with the right tools, but many people never discover the features that eliminate hours of tedious editing work. These AI-powered shortcuts and advanced masking techniques can transform how you approach photo editing by automating the repetitive tasks that slow you down.

5 Portrait Editing Tricks That Actually Work

Editing can make or break a portrait, yet most people focus on the wrong details when trying to improve their work. The difference between amateur and professional-looking portraits often comes down to a handful of specific techniques that direct the viewer's attention exactly where you want it.

The Hidden Key to Photography Success

Here's a truth that many photographers would rather ignore: what separates thriving professionals from those who merely own expensive gear isn't mastery of f-stops and shutter speeds.

Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8: A True Prime Killer for Crop Sensors

A lens that can replace a bag full of primes, while still being lighter and smaller than its predecessor, is not something you see every day. The Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art lens pushes APS-C systems into territory that used to be reserved for much more expensive gear.

10 Things You Didn't Know Your Canon Camera Can Do

You're probably not using about 100% of your camera's capabilities. Canon has quietly embedded a treasure trove of advanced features that could revolutionize your photography—features so specialized, most photographers never discover them.

Smaller, Lighter, Sharper? A Review of the Kase 85mm f/1.4 Lens

If you're considering adding a portrait lens to your kit, finding the right balance between quality, performance, and price isn't always easy. Third-party lens makers are rapidly improving, giving you impressive options that won't drain your wallet.

Ultimate All-Rounder? Testing the OM SYSTEM 12-100mm f/4 Lens

When you're choosing a lens for your camera, versatility matters: being able to handle different kinds of photography keeps things simple, making trips and shoots more enjoyable. A perfect all-arounder for Micro Four Thirds users might seem elusive, but this video tests one contender that's well worth your attention.

The Overlooked Resource That Actually Improves Your Photography

Here's a radical thought: the most underutilized piece of equipment in your camera bag isn't that expensive filter you never remember to use or the flash modifier gathering dust on your shelf. It's something else that came with your camera and that you probably tossed aside.

Can Viltrox's New 35mm f/1.2 Lens Rival High-End Sony Lenses?

The Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB FE lens is attracting attention for its unique specs and a price that challenges traditional expectations. With few direct rivals, this lens might reshape how you think about premium lenses for Sony full frame cameras.

5 Camera Brands That Died Because They Couldn't Adapt

The photography industry witnessed one of business history's most dramatic upheavals during the digital revolution. Companies that dominated film photography for generations found themselves unprepared for fundamental changes in how images were captured, processed, and shared. This transformation claimed several iconic brands, each offering distinct lessons about navigating technological disruption.

Sigma’s New 16-300mm Lens: Ultimate Versatility?

Sigma recently released the new 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary lens, designed to tackle everything from wide angle landscapes to distant sports action with one lens. It could simplify your kit, but is the convenience worth the potential compromise in image quality?

Tamron’s New 16-30mm G2 Lens: Worth the Extra Money?

The Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 lens has just landed, and it's worth your attention if you’re serious about your gear. Ultra-wide angle lenses can transform your landscape, architecture, and astrophotography, but not every lens gets it right, though this one might.