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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

The Photographer's Comprehensive Safety Guide to Navigating Deals, Discounts, and Used Offerings This Season
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The frenetic final months of the year tempt photographers with screaming deals on cameras, lenses, software, supports, accessories, and more. However, the most tempting bargains also invite increased perils around online fraud, box damage, counterfeit risks, and problematic used gear. As eager shoppers hungry for savings paired with prudent consumers, here is how to diligently navigate both established retailers along with secondary marketplaces to avoid financial headaches and make well-informed purchases.

What Was the Best Lens of 2023?
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2023 has been one of wildest and most exciting years in recent memory when it comes to lenses. If you missed out on some of it, check out this awesome video that discusses the best releases of the year.

Selfie-Related Deaths Are Now a 'Public Health Problem'
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A sobering new global report sheds light on the rising death toll of people pursuing risky selfies in popular outdoor destinations across continents. Over 300 casualties occurred in barely a decade - cementing the practice as a legitimate public safety crisis requiring urgent solutions.

How Good Is the Affordable Viltrox AF 20mm f/2.8 Lens?
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Viltrox has quickly grown from a relatively unknown company to a highly respected manufacturer known for creating some of the most affordable lenses out there — lenses that still offer very good performance a lot of the time. At less than $200, the AF 20mm f/2.8 continues that tradition. But can it deliver the results expected of a modern lens? This great video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Terry Richardson Named in Another Sexual Assault Lawsuit
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As New York's landmark Adult Survivors Act nears expiration, former model and actress Caron Bernstein has stepped forward to accuse celebrity photographer Terry Richardson of sexual assault. Filed before the Thanksgiving deadline, Bernstein's lawsuit alleges Richardson exploited a 2003 photo shoot proposal to coerce her into unwanted oral sex acts.

A Look at the Remarkable New Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera
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The Sony a9 III is arguably the most important camera release of the last several years, and on paper, it looks incredibly capable. How does it hold up in practice, though? This excellent video takes a look at what you can expect.

Unlock Your Unique Creative Voice: Pro Photographer Shares Path to Becoming Recognizable
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What transforms an average photographer into one able to land high-paying campaigns? Surprisingly, it has little to do with fancy gear or technical skills. In this great video essay, an experienced pro photographer and educator argues that developing a distinct creative voice and specialty is the key ingredient propelling artistic greats to the top tiers of success.

Important Things to Do When You Purchase a Camera
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Getting a new camera can be an exciting experience. With so many buttons and menu options, it's easy to feel overwhelmed trying to set everything up perfectly right out of the box. In this helpful video, an experienced photographer provides her top five tips for getting started with a new camera.

This Is One of the Most Legendary Lenses Ever Made
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The Canon EF 200mm f/1.8L USM is an extraordinary telephoto lens from decades past that remains a modern classic. Despite its 35-year-old optical formula, its spectacular performance on high-resolution sensors, rich history, and mythical reputation in the Canon ecosystem still make it relevant for knowledgeable enthusiasts today. Check out what it can do.

The Joy of Vintage Lenses
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In the relentless pursuit of pixel-peeping perfection, it's easy for photographers to get caught up chasing the latest ultra-sharp lenses engineered to neutral precision. While these impressive modern optics have their place, an increasing number of photographers are finding magic in the flaws and imperfections of vintage glass.

This Ultra-Cheap f/0.95 Lens Is a Surprise Dream
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Wide-aperture 50mm lenses are some of the most popular out there, with their versatility making them at home in a huge range of genres and applications. For APS-C shooters, the Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95 offers that classic combination at an extremely affordable price, and it surprises with some impressive results. This great video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

A Review of the Versatile Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR Lens
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Many photographers seek a versatile "do-it-all" zoom lens to use for the variety of shooting scenarios they face, keeping it mounted to their camera at all times. This type of lens tends to offer a useful zoom range as well as a moderately fast aperture around f/2.8 or f/4. For Fujifilm shooters looking for this kind of walkaround optic, this helpful video review examines the XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it practice.

The Story Behind One of the Most Iconic Photos in History
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It has been 60 years since the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, and the event remains etched in America's national memory. In this fascinating video, CBS News revisits that fateful day in Dallas through the eyes of photographer Bob Jackson, who was assigned to cover JFK's visit for the Dallas Times Herald and who won a Pulitzer Prize for his work related to the event.

A Review of the Nikon Zf Mirrorless Camera
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Retro camera designs can stir nostalgia, but when investing in high-end gear, photographers need more than appearance. Functionality, versatility, and innovation must also be of a high level. So, does Nikon's Zf mirrorless camera deliver substantive performance to match its throwback aesthetic? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect.

Know Your Ceiling: A Crucial Pricing Technique
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One of the most difficult yet critical questions for aspiring photography pros is: how do you set your prices the right way? While many have methods based on costs, time, or arbitrary tiers, this great video tutorial outlines a market-driven approach rooted in financial sustainability.

The Story Behind the Photo Everyone Knows
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It is a photo almost everyone knows, but do you know the story of where the iconic Windows XP wallpaper, "Bliss," came from? This fantastic video takes a deep dive into the story behind what is arguably the world's most-seen image.

How to Create This Dramatic Hard Light Portrait
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While many photographers shy away from hard light, thinking it is unflattering, portraits can benefit from judicious application of hard shadows and contrast. This excellent video tutorial will show you how to use hard light to create a dramatic and dynamic portrait.