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Alex Cooke
Cleveland, OH

Articles written by Alex Cooke

Simple Secrets to Beautiful Natural Light Portraits

Natural light portrait photography demands a nuanced understanding of how light interacts with the environment. By learning to read and work with available light, you can transform challenging conditions into opportunities for creating captivating portraits that stand out from the crowd.

Turning Daydreams Into Real Progress

Setting ambitious goals in photography requires more than just dreaming - it demands consistent, deliberate action to transform those aspirations into reality. Whether you're looking to start a wedding photography business or launch a creative project, understanding how to effectively bridge the gap between vision and execution can make all the difference in your success.

Five Practical Ways to Overcome Creative Blocks

Feeling stuck in your photography journey can be frustrating, especially when it's easy to think new gear will solve your problems. Instead of relying on temporary fixes, it’s a good time to rethink your approach and rediscover your creative spark.

Canon EOS R1 vs. Sony a1 II: The Ultimate Autofocus Battle

When it comes to autofocus, today’s flagship cameras are pushing the boundaries of technology. The Canon EOS R1 and Sony a1 II represent the cutting edge of what’s possible, offering advanced tracking systems powered by AI processors. But how do these systems hold up in real-world scenarios?

Mastering Composition for Landscape Photography

Even with the best gear, a stunning location, and perfect light, your photos can still fall flat. The key lies in composition. It’s a skill that evolves over time and one you’ll always have room to improve.

Subtle Lighting Tweaks That Make a Big Difference

Balancing ambient and artificial light is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. Understanding how to control light gives you more flexibility and precision in your work.

You Don’t Need Talent to Become Great

Hard work can often outpace natural talent in photography. The learning curve may seem steep, but dedication to developing skills and creativity can open doors that talent alone won’t.

Lessons from Revisiting Iconic Locations

Photographing a place with a rich history or unique features forces you to approach it with fresh eyes. The struggle to avoid clichés and create something original is what makes these moments so rewarding.

Navigating Growth and Self-Doubt in Street Photography

Street photography can be one of the most challenging genres to master. The unpredictability, combined with the constant pursuit of improvement, creates a dynamic environment where growth feels both exhilarating and exhausting. As your skills develop, your ability to critique your own work sharpens, often revealing gaps between your vision and execution.

Building Better Photography Habits for the New Year

Reflecting on your work and setting intentions for the future can transform the way you approach photography. With a new year comes an opportunity to refine habits, focus your energy, and work toward meaningful progress in your craft.

How to Fix Skin Tones in Photoshop

Correcting challenging skin tones can be one of the most frustrating parts of photo editing. Here's how to get reliable results every time.

Why Some Photos Never Make the Cut

Unseen photo shoots can offer a rare glimpse into the challenges and unpredictability of creating compelling images, shedding light on the realities of managing expectations, conditions, and results.

Creative Uses of White Balance for Better Photos

White balance is a tool for shaping the mood and tone of your image. Whether it’s the chill of a winter morning or the warmth of a glowing sunset, white balance offers control over how your viewers feel when they look at your work.

What Defines an Advanced Photographer?

It’s not just about owning better gear—it’s about developing technical expertise, refining your style, and mastering the intangible qualities that set advanced photographers apart.

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (December 2024): Chris Van Riel

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.

How the 'Wrong' Lens Led to Incredible Photos

Sometimes the best results come from unexpected challenges. A seemingly wrong gear choice at a wedding shoot turned into a lesson in creativity, pushing boundaries and proving the value of adapting to your circumstances.

Lightroom and Photoshop Tips You’ll Use Every Day

Editing your photos is just as important as capturing them. By mastering a few key tools in Lightroom and Photoshop, you can fix imperfections, enhance details, and transform an image into something extraordinary.