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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

5 Helpful Composition Tips for Beginner Landscape Photographers

Composition is something a lot of newer landscape photographers struggle with, particularly since it cannot be as easily codified as something like the right camera settings. If you are learning landscape photography and you want to improve your compositions, check out this excellent video tutorial that will give you five tips that are sure to set you on the right path.

Four Weeks With the New Leica M11 Camera

The Leica M11 has arrived, and it has taken several impressive steps forward that establish it as a modern, professional camera while still providing the classic Leica experience the company's users look for. If you have been considering the camera, this excellent video review discusses one photographer's experience with it after four weeks.

How to Always Enjoy Landscape Photography

Landscape photography is a unique genre in that you do not have control over the light and conditions, and even if you do your best to plan for the right scenario, you are not guaranteed to get it. So, how do you accept the conditions you are given and still enjoy the experience even when things are not going your way? This excellent video features an experienced landscape photographer discussing how to get the most out of every trip.

What Photography Trends Are You Sick Of?

Photography sits at the intersection of technology and art, and as such, it is susceptible to twice as many trends than otherwise, many of which are annoying or even damaging. Here are five trends one photographer is sick of seeing.

Thoughts on the New OM System OM-1 Mirrorless Camera

Olympus (or OM System) is back, and it has made some impressive steps forward with the new OM-1 mirrorless camera that re-establish it as a competitive camera manufacturer. No camera is perfect, of course, and this great video discusses where OM System should invest time and money next to continue to reassert the brand.

Sigma Lenses Finally Arrive for Fujifilm Cameras: A First Look

Fujifilm users have reason to smile today, as they will no longer be left out of the Sigma lens party. The company has announced their first three lenses for the Fujifilm X mount, and all three are impressively affordable. This great video review takes a first look at the new lenses and the sort of performance and image quality you will be able to expect from them.

How to Take Handheld Panoramic Photos

Panoramic photos can be stunning to look at, but they can also take a fair bit of technical expertise and preparation to get right. If you are out and about, it may be cumbersome and annoying to set up a tripod and go through the process. This helpful video tutorial will show you how to instead shoot panoramic photos handheld.

Can Nikon's Latest Lens Keep Up With the Demands of High-Resolution Photos and Video?

400mm f/2.8 lenses are one of the standard pieces of gear for professional sports and wildlife photographers, and given their extreme designs, they often contain some of the best technology and features a company can offer. The new Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens is no stranger to that trend, and this great video review takes a look at if it can keep up with the demands of 45-megapixel images and 8K video.

What's in a Professional Wedding Photographer's Bag?

Wedding photographers often have to wear several distinct hats over the course of a day, and as such, they need a wide variety of gear in their bags to be sure they have all situations covered. If you are wondering what all it takes to pull off a full day of shooting, check out this great video that takes you through a professional wedding photographer's gear bag.

This Great Video Shows How Little You Need to Create Excellent Portraits

It is certainly true that a lot of professional portrait photographers use a wide variety of lighting equipment to achieve the looks they want, and while there is a good reason for having all that gear at one's disposal, it is important to remember what you can create with the bare minimum and a good understanding of how light behaves. This excellent video tutorial will show you how you can create dramatic portraits using nothing more than the light coming through the door of a garage.

How to Compose Successful Photos Using a Wide Angle Lens

A wide angle lens is one of the most useful tools a photographer can have in their bag, but they can be deceptively difficult to create compelling images with. If you struggle with your wide angle lens and want to improve your photos, check out this great video tutorial that will give you some helpful tips to send you on your way.

Your Camera Is Probably Better Than You

Camera technology has advanced at a breakneck pace, particularly in the last few years, as a bit of an arms race has emerged between the various manufacturers competing for the mirrorless space. It can be easy to get caught up in all that hype, but at the end of the day, it is important to remember that your camera is probably better than you.

Should You Spend a Little Extra for This 50mm Lens?

50mm lenses can cost anywhere from under $100 to well over $2,000, with options filling out that range at just about every price point. While those sub-$100 lenses are fantastic learning tools, eventually, you will probably want to upgrade to a higher-quality option. The Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.8 lens seems to hit the sweet spot between quality and price, and this great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

A Look at Sigma's Compact Portrait Lens, the 90mm f/2.8 Contemporary

A premium portrait lens with a wide aperture around f/1.4 often commands a high price, usually somewhere around $2,000. And while that wide aperture can be a fun and useful creative tool, you do not always need it to create great portraits. If you want to save money and don't want to carry around a bulky f/1.4 lens, check out this great review of the affordable and lightweight Sigma 90mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens.

Are You Taking Enough Risks in Your Photography?

Learning photography is a challenging thing, requiring you to bring together various technical skills and creative vision simultaneously to make successful images. As such, when you dial it all in, it can be easy to stay in that routine and never evolve your work. That might be the time to ask yourself if you are taking risks in your work, as this great video discusses.

7 Mistakes for Wedding Photographers to Avoid

Wedding photography is a challenging genre that takes a wide range of skills, and it can be easy to make a mistake that derails things. If you are working on improving your skills, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced wedding photographer discussing seven common mistakes and how to fix them or avoid them entirely.

A Common Mistake Landscape Photographers Make With Wide Angle Lenses

Landscape photography is a challenging genre, and the tool of choice is often a wide angle lens. Wide angle lenses can be particularly tricky to work with, however. This excellent video tutorial will show you a common mistake landscape photographers make with wide angle lenses and how to correct it and improve your images.

More Extreme Canon Lenses Are Likely on the Way Soon

Canon has had their foot on the gas ever since the release of the EOS R5 and RF 28-70mm f/2L USM lens. It looks like they have no intention of slowing down, with two mightily impressive lenses likely on the way soon.

Can You Do Wildlife Photography on a Budget?

When it comes to serious wildlife photography, it generally takes some of the most advanced equipment out there to get the best possible shots, as you will often be dealing with situations with low light and a faraway subject, requiring fast shutter speeds, quick burst rates, great autofocus, and lenses with long focal lengths and large apertures. However, such equipment is often extremely expensive. So, what can you accomplish with low-end budget gear? This great video takes a look.