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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

Is Vero the Best Alternative to Instagram?

Many photographers have become increasingly disillusioned by Instagram. Where once there was an app that placed top priority on sharing images, making it an invaluable tool for networking and connecting with potential clients, there is now a feed stuffed with videos, ads, and, of course, the dreaded algorithm. This has left many photographers looking for an alternative, with one of the current frontrunners being Vero. Is it worth investing time and effort in it? This photographer used it for 30 days to answer that question.

7 Tips for Creating Stronger, More Straightforward Landscape Photos

One of the trickiest parts of landscape photography is that unlike most other genres, you get no control over the arrangement of the elements in the scene, which can make composition a particularly tricky aspect. A common problem is an overly busy frame. What can you do to create simpler, more compelling photos? This excellent video tutorial will show you seven helpful tips to put you on the right track.

What You Need to Know About Negative Fill

When you are creating a lighting setup for a portrait, you probably approach it from the standpoint of adding lights and modifiers until you get the result you want. However, while adding light is, of course, important, it is also crucial to know where to take it away. This is where the idea of negative fill comes in. However, negative fill can sometimes be misunderstood. This great video tutorial will show you how negative fill really works and how to use it for your portrait work.

More Interesting Canon Lenses Emerge

Canon's RF lens lineup has been filling up rapidly with both standard choices and more extreme designs, but there are still some notable absences, particularly in the supertelephoto range. That will surely change eventually, and it seems we're on the way to that, as multiple patents have emerged with some innovative and versatile designs.

A Beginner's Guide to Printing Photos

In the digital age, many of us go years without ever printing our photos, which is a real shame, because no matter how sharp the screen, there really is no substitute for the tactile impression of holding a physical representation of your work in your hands. If you are new to printing your work and wondering what you need to know, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you everything it takes to get up and running.

A Portable and Effective Minimalist Flash Kit

Learning how to work with artificial light will make you a far more versatile photographer and enable creative opportunities that simply would not be possible otherwise. However, there are a couple of ways to approach building a lighting kit, and if you plan to be on the go quite a bit, you should carefully consider the size, weight, and power requirements of your equipment. This excellent video tutorial will show you a portable, versatile, and effective minimalist flash setup.

A Review of the Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G Lens

50mm lenses are some of the most popular and versatile options out there, able to tackle a wide range of scenarios with ease. They are available at prices ranging from below $100 to well over $2,000. At $598, the Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G sits in the middle of all that. So, does it offer premium image quality and performance for that mid-range price? This excellent video review takes a look at the 50mm f/2.5 to answer that question.

A Review of the Versatile Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM Lens

With the release of cameras like the EOS R7 and EOS R10, Canon has shown they are interested in developing APS-C mirrorless cameras alongside their full frame mirrorless line. In tandem with that, we have seen the introduction of RF-S lenses specifically designed for the APS-C format. This excellent video review takes a look at one such lens, the Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM, and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Is YouTube Going to Start Charging Users to Watch Videos in 4K?

Up until now, YouTube users could enjoy all the video features of the site so long as they were willing to sit through ads. That might change soon, as some users have reported that 4K video resolution has been removed as an option unless they pay for the $12 per month Premium subscription.

How Do You Critique Your Own Photos?

One of the toughest parts of being a photographer is learning how to be objective about your own work. It is not fun to be brutally honest about photos you have invested a lot of time and effort in, but if you want to grow as a creative and put your best foot forward professionally, it is something you have to master. This excellent video tutorial features an experienced landscape photographer discuss how to go about critiquing your work.

Three Powerful Natural Light Portrait Scenarios

There is sometimes the misconception that natural light only offers one look, but it can be a lot more versatile than you might think. If you know how to read the light, you can create a wide variety of looks suitable for many different applications. This excellent video tutorial will show you three different natural light scenarios, how to find them, and how to use them for shooting photos.

A Beginner's Guide to Camera Settings

No matter what you shoot, perhaps nothing is more important than mastering the three fundamental camera settings: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. If you are new to photography and looking to learn the fundamentals, check out this awesome video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know about using the three exposure parameters to create technically correct images and to begin to explore your creative voice with a camera.

Another New Canon Mirrorless Camera Emerges

2022 has been a busy year for Canon, with multiple cameras and lenses released, but it is not over yet. It appears Canon has one more camera in store before the end of the year.

Composition and Editing Techniques for Showcasing Your Subject

Part of the challenge of environmental portrait photography is giving your subject the context around them to make the image compelling, but still bringing the viewer's eye to them first and foremost. There are many ways to emphasize your subject, and this excellent video tutorial will show you how to do it using two of the most powerful methods: composition and post-processing.

Why Photographers Struggle to Find Their Style

We work a lot on learning how to create good images, but most of that work focuses on a single photo at a time. But the mark of a successful photographer is a readily identifiable style that unifies all their work as one. So, why do so many photographers struggle to develop a style? This excellent video dives into the topic and offers some helpful advice along the way.

Learn How This Wedding Portrait Was Lit, Shot, and Edited

When it comes to working with artificial lighting, there is sometimes the misconception that professional images require multiple sources, all of which are big, heavy, and expensive. That is not always the case, though. In fact, you can create professional-level shots with just a single speedlight, and this excellent video tutorial will take you through the entire process, from setting up the shot through post-processing.

The Qualities of a Successful Landscape Photographer

Every genre comes with its own unique challenges, and landscape photography is no different. Beyond all the skills one must have, there are certain personal qualities that set you up for success, and this awesome video tutorial discusses what they are and how they can help you realize your potential.

When You Love Prime Lenses, but Choose Zooms

Zoom lenses have come a long way in the last decade, but primes still hold the advantage in maximum aperture, portability, and often, image quality. All this is why a lot of photographers steadfastly stick with bags of prime lenses instead of just a zoom or two. So, why would a prime enthusiast use zoom lenses? This great video essay features an experienced photographer discussing the issue.

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (September 2022): Hanny Honeymoon

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 2022, 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.

Is This the Ultimate Landscape Lens?

There are a lot of ways to approach landscape photography, but when you are thinking about what gear to take, it is worth considering the fact that you will often have to hike several miles with a bag of cameras and lenses on your back. So, should you reconsider what is in your bag? This excellent video essay discusses why a more unusual lens choice might be the best for your landscape photography.