Alex Cooke's picture
Average rating:
3.2 out of 5
3.2
Alex Cooke
Cleveland, OH

Articles written by Alex Cooke

13 Helpful Tips for Taking Better Smartphone Photos

Smartphones have built-in cameras that are more powerful than ever, and most of us have one in our pocket just about everywhere we go. And as the classic saying goes: "the best camera is the one that you have with you." So, what can you do to get the most from your smartphone's camera? This excellent video tutorial features 13 tips sure to help you maximize your results.

Impressive Canon Lens Patents Emerge

Canon has filled out the RF mount lens library at an aggressive pace, with many options that offer impressive performance and push the boundaries of lens design. Nonetheless, there are still some missing lenses. Some new patents have emerged that indicate Canon is working on filling those holes, and they might do so with some fairly extreme designs.

Canon Patents Vibrating Shutter Button

While features like lighted buttons have slowly become a bit more popular in the industry, haptic feedback has been largely ignored, despite being an extremely common feature in other technology. However, that might change eventually, as a Canon patent for a vibrating shutter button has appeared.

The Process of Switching to Medium Format

Cameras like the Fujifilm GFX 100S have revolutionized the paradigm of medium format gear in the last few years, bringing features and capabilities typically reserved for smaller systems and doing so at a price that competes with the upper levels of full frame. This has made medium format a viable alternative for many photographers, particularly landscape, portrait, and wedding shooters. So, what all can you expect from the switch? This great video features one photographer who made the switch discussing his experience.

The Allure of the All-in-One Lens for Landscape Photography

Traditionally, professional photographers have shied away from superzoom lenses, as the sacrifices it took to create such a large focal length range were simply too great to make them viable for their demands. On the other hand, they might be worth a second look, especially if you are a landscape photographer. This great video essay discusses why a superzoom lens can often be the ideal choice.

A Premium Canon Ultra-wide Angle Lens Is on the Way

The Canon RF lens lineup is growing nicely, though there is still a hole at the ultra-wide angle end of the lineup. Thankfully, however, that will likely change soon, with a premium ultra-wide angle lens on the way.

Helpful Tips for Photographing Snowy Landscapes

Many of us are stuck in the middle of winter right now, surrounded by snow, ice, and cold. And while we might want to avoid the cold, if you are willing to bundle up and head outside with your camera, you will often be rewarded with images that range from abstract to ethereal and entrancing. This helpful video tutorial features an experienced landscape photographer sharing three tips sure to improve your winter landscape images.

A Long-term Review of the Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR and XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR Lenses

For Fujifilm photographers, the XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR and XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR offer both a wide angle and a normal focal length in tandem with a wide maximum aperture, making them versatile options for a wide range of genres, including wedding work, street photography, portraiture, and much more. How do they hold up over time? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from them.

A Review of the Fujifilm X-T5 Mirrorless Camera

Fujifilm's latest entry in the X Series, the X-T5, brings with it some of the company's newest and most advanced features and capabilities in its most well-known design. Can it compete with the many powerful full frame options on the market? This excellent video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you will be able to expect from it.

How to Add Pets to Engagement and Couples Portraits

Pets are one of the most important presences in the lives of a lot of couples, and it is only natural that they might want to include them in engagement or couples portraits. Of course, adding a rambunctious dog or the like to the mix can make your job substantially more difficult. So, how do you satisfy the desires of your clients without pulling out your hair? This helpful video tutorial will give you some useful advice.

A Deep Look at the New Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens

The new Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports lens is one of the company's most versatile lenses yet, covering everything from normal to supertelephoto focal lengths and promising to do so with great performance and image quality, making it a potentially fantastic option for sports photography, wildlife work, and more. Can it live up to its potential? This excellent video review takes a look at everything you can expect.

One of the Most Useful and Overlooked Camera Features

Modern cameras are impressively capable machines, full of a range of advanced features and capabilities. One of the most useful features has been around for much longer than mirrorless cameras, though; in fact, it goes back to the film era. This great video tutorial will show you where to find it and how to take advantage of it to make your workflow easier and to help you get more shots.

A Fujifilm Camera and Lens Kit for Wedding Photographers

Fujifilm's mirrorless cameras are highly respected for their design, capabilities, and innovative features, and they have become the system of choice for many wedding photographers. This great video essay features a wedding photographer taking you through the Fujifilm cameras, lenses, and accessories he uses for the big day.

A Review of the Sony a7R V Mirrorless Camera

Sony's a7R series has long been respected for offering extremely high levels of resolution (the highest available in a full frame camera, in fact), along with a range of advanced features that make it the workhorse of choice for a wide range of applications. Now in its fifth generation, the a7R is quite refined and can satisfy the needs of many users. This great video review takes a look at the camera and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

The Good and Bad of Fujifilm Cameras

Fujifilm has established itself as a leader in the photography industry with cameras that have earned devoted fans from all genres. Just like any other company, though, there are good and bad aspects. What are the pros and cons of Fujifilm cameras? This excellent video essay takes a deep look at Fujifilm cameras and how they perform in a competitive world.

10 Ways to Explore Photography as a Beginner

The beauty of photography is that there are so many genres, techniques, styles, and philosophies that there is room for just about everyone to find a niche that suits them. If you are new to photography and wondering how to find your place in it all, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you 10 different ways you can explore your creativity with a camera.

Is This the Best Street Photography Camera?

Ricoh's GR series of compact cameras have long been considered some of the best options for street photography, as they offer a wide angle lens paired with a large sensor for a compact body, making them discreet but powerful. This excellent video review takes a look at the latest version, the GR IIIx, and how it performs for street photography.

5 Great Available Lighting Portrait Scenarios

While every portrait photographer should learn how to work with artificial light, available light is still a fantastic tool for a lot of applications and can be the better choice in a range of situations. Available light can be more versatile than you might suspect, and this excellent video tutorial five different scenarios that make for fantastic portraits.