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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

A Practical Beginner's Guide to Shutter Speed

Along with aperture and ISO, shutter speed is one of the fundamental parameters that allow you to create balanced exposures and take creative control over your photos. If you are new to photography and interested in learning about how to use shutter speed more effectively, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you what you need to know.

Are Leica Cameras Worth the Price?

There is probably no camera brand more polarizing than Leica, with some seeing their cameras as overpriced status symbols and others absolutely swearing by the experience and the image output. So, is it worth it? This great video review takes a look at the new Leica M11 to answer that question.

Which of These Fujifilm Cameras Is Right for You?

The Fujifilm X-T5 and X-H2 mirrorless cameras are two of the newest and most capable options from the company, offering users a wide array of advanced features and capabilities that make them competent in just about any situation you can throw at them. With a lot of similarities between the two cameras, it might be hard to know which is right for your work. This excellent video will help you pick between the two options.

How to Add Contrast When Shooting Portraits on a White Background

The clean, white background portrait style is a classic look that will always be in demand for a wide range of clients and applications. However, it takes a bit of lighting savvy to create a pure white background while retaining crisp contrast and defining shadows on your subject. If you are wondering how to achieve that, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know.

Is the Portable Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM Lens the Best Wide Angle for APS-C Cameras?

Canon's RF lenses have received a lot of acclaim for their high performance and image quality and boundary-pushing designs, but with all those things come high price tags. At $299, the RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is a breath of fresh air, and on an APS-C camera, its 26mm equivalent focal length makes it a potentially interesting option for a variety of needs. This great video review takes a look at the lens on the EOS R7 and if it can provide the performance and image quality you need.

5 Helpful Tips for the Shy Street Photographer

Street photography is an exciting genre that can quickly sharpen your technical and creative skills, but it also is not for the faint of heart. If you are interested in street photography but find yourself a bit shy to tackle it, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced shooter giving five helpful tips for apprehensive photographers.

Do You Need Two Card Slots in Your Camera?

If you are new to photography, you have probably noticed professionals talking about the need for dual card slots a lot, sometimes so much so that they will refuse to buy a camera that only has a single card slot. Why is that so important? Do you really need two card slots? This excellent video features an experienced photographer discussing some of the reasons photographers use two card slots and how they can benefit you.

A Review of the Canon EOS R6 Mark II Mirrorless Camera for Video Work

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II offers a lot of the capabilities of the EOS R5 at a lower price, making it appealing for many filmmakers who do not need capabilities like 8K raw output. This excellent video review takes a look at the EOS R6 Mark II for video work and the sort of quality and performance you can expect from it in use.

Have You Overlooked the Usefulness of a Superzoom Lens?

Photographers often look down on superzoom lenses, viewing them as too much of a compromise in image quality for the convenience they offer. However, they offer more than convenience, and with advances in image quality in recent years, they are much more viable than in the past. This great video essay discusses some of the reasons why you should consider adding one to your kit.

A Review of the Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G Lens

The Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G lens is a portable and remarkably versatile wide angle zoom lens that is also relatively affordable for a professional-level option. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

What Camera Features Do You Want to See in 2023?

Believe it or not, 2023 is just about upon us, and camera technology continues to advance at a breakneck pace. It is an exciting time for gear nerds, but of course, no camera is perfect. If you could pick a feature to add to your camera, what would you choose? This neat video discusses some many of us would like to see in the coming year.

How to Photograph One-Light Pet Portraits

Many of us have pets at home, and what better way to put your photographic skills to use than to create memorable portraits of your furry friends? This great video tutorial will show you how to use one light to create portraits of your pet that capture all their happiness and personality.

Which of These Affordable Lenses Is Right for You?

Samyang has established themselves as a creator of very competitively priced lenses that still offer impressive image quality. After a few years of building out their autofocus lineup, portrait photographers now have the choice between the AF 75mm f/1.8 FE and AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II. So, which is right for your work? This excellent video comparison will help you choose the right one for you.

How Far Has Image Quality Come in the Last Decade?

When it first came out in 2013, the Sony a7R was one of the most powerful and impressive mirrorless cameras ever made, particularly at a time when the technology was still fledgling and finding its footing. Now in its fifth generation, the a7R V is widely regarded as one of the most advanced mirrorless cameras on the market. How far has image quality really come, though? This great video takes a look.

8 Years With Sony Cameras: The Pros and Cons

When they came to the scene with the a7 series, Sony set the camera industry on fire by bringing a range of innovative designs and features and an aggressive upgrade cycle that kept the likes of Canon and Nikon on their toes. After almost a decade on the market with their full frame cameras, the company's gear is now in the hands of countless photographers. So, how do they compare to other major brands after all this time? This great video features an experienced photographer discussing his thoughts after eight years.

A Review of the Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens

Tamron has earned a reputation for producing lenses that make smart compromises to allow them to offer excellent performance and image quality at prices that are significantly more affordable than many first-party lenses. The new 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD is one of their more interesting lenses, offering an unusual focal length range in a small package. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Why Bad Weather Can Make Great Landscape Photos

No one really enjoys being out in heavy rain or other bad weather, and it can certainly be tempting to leave your gear in the bag and avoid heading outside. However, if you are willing to bundle up and brave the elements, you will often be rewarded with moody, compelling images that would not be possible in sunny skies. This great video tutorial will show you how bad weather can lead to great landscape photos.

Should You Use Strobes or Continuous Lights for Your Portrait Photos?

Strobes have long been the choice of artificial lighting for photographers, but in recent years, there have been major advancements in the power and capabilities of constant lights, and some photographers have begun to use them for their work. This excellent video tutorial discusses the pros and cons of each to help you choose the right option for your work.

A Common Mistake Photographers Make With Wide Angle Lenses

Wide angle lenses are highly useful tools that have a place in many genres, but they can also be quite challenging to create compelling images with. This excellent video tutorial features an experienced landscape photographer discussing one of the most common mistakes photographers make with wide angle lenses and how to fix it.

A Review of the Versatile Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens

In 2013, Tamron released the SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD, which became a runaway hit for the company, offering access to extreme focal lengths at a much more affordable price than before. In the decade since, 150-600mm lenses have exploded on the market, with many options available. This excellent video review takes a look at one such option, the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports, and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.