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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

9 Things to Think About Before Buying Your First Video Camera

Buying your first camera is certainly an exciting time, but it is also a significant investment and one that should be considered very carefully before you pull out your credit card. If you are thinking about purchasing your first video camera and need a bit of advice on how to go about it, this excellent video tutorial will give you nine tips to help ensure you do not experience any buyer's remorse down the road.

Comparing Flash to LED Lights for Portrait Photography

When it comes to lighting for portrait photography, flash has long been the tool of choice. However, in recent years, constant lights have made some significant advancements, and with the advantages they offer, they can be a compelling alternative to traditional strobes. If you are wondering which is right for your work, check out this great video that details some of the differences between them as well as the pros and cons of each.

A Look at the Remarkably Versatile Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD Lens

Tamron's 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD lens, on paper, looks to be one of the most impressive and versatile lenses ever made, offering a focal length range that can cover a huge range of scenarios paired with an unusually wide maximum aperture, allowing it to potentially replace several lenses in your bag. How does it hold up in practice, though? This thorough video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.

How to Sell Yourself as a Photographer

Of course, it is crucial to continuously work on building your skills with a camera and expanding your creative palette, but to be successful professionally as a photographer, you have to be able to sell yourself to clients and to convince them to place their trust in your vision and capabilities. That is something a lot of us struggle with. If you need a little help with it, this great video tutorial will get you started in the right direction.

5 Portrait Lighting Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Lighting for portraits is a nuanced and tricky thing to learn, and it can be easy to make some mistakes along the way. If you are new to working with artificial lighting and looking to improve, check out this great video tutorial that features an experienced photographer discussing five common lighting mistakes portrait photographers make and how to fix them or avoid them entirely.

How to Clean Up Backgrounds in Photoshop

When you are working in the studio or on a slow-paced shoot, you generally have pretty good control of the background. However, in a lot of situations, you will not have control over the background or the time to fix it. Fortunately, it is not overly difficult or time-consuming to get rid of most background distractions, and this fantastic video tutorial will show you a few ways to do so using Photoshop.

How to Choose Your First Camera

Buying your first camera is one of the most exciting and important things you will do on the road to becoming a photographer, but with so many options out there, it might be a little overwhelming to try to choose the right one for you. If you are wondering where to start, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know to make the right decision.

A Review of the Sony a7 IV Mirrorless Camera for Video

The highly anticipated Sony a7 IV is finally here, and the company's do-it-all camera brings with it a variety of new features and improvements in its fourth iteration that make it a compelling option. This great video review takes a look at the camera from a video perspective and shows off the kind of performance and quality you can expect from it in use.

Is This the Most Versatile Lens You Can Own?

It used to be that lens design was generally a tradeoff between convenience and excelling at a specialized purpose. However, in recent years, we have seen some absolutely remarkable lenses that upend the traditional defining factors that characterize prime and zoom lenses. One such lens is Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

More Info on the Canon EOS R1 Flagship Mirrorless Camera Emerges

With all the excitement about the Nikon Z 9 and how it compares to cameras like the Canon EOS R3 and Sony a1, it can be easy to forget that Canon actually still has another high-level camera coming, the flagship EOS R1. A bit more info has emerged on the camera, including an expected release date.

How to Freeze Motion With Flash Photography

When it comes to freezing motion, shutter speed is normally the parameter of choice. However, if you are shooting in the studio and you have full control of the light, using flash can actually be the better choice. This excellent video tutorial will show you how to freeze motion using flash.

How Two Photographers Sold $47,000 of Stock Photos

While very few photographers make a full-time living shooting stock photography, it can be a decent way to supplement your main work and provide some additional financial security by diversifying your income streams. This excellent video goes in depth to show you how two photographers sold $47,000 of their photos on stock services.

A Review of the Versatile Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM Lens

A wide angle zoom lens is one of the most versatile out there, useful for a wide variety of scenarios in both photo and video work. For those who do not need the extra-wide aperture of an f/2.8 lens, an f/4 version can save a lot of bulk and money. Canon's RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM lens features a wider focal length than most such zooms and adds image stabilization, and this great video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Are You Willing to Be Uncomfortable for Better Landscape Photos?

No one likes being cold and wet, but being out in the elements is part of the package when it comes to landscape photography, and sometimes, the weather is just not that great. So, should you pack it in and head home when the rain starts to fall and the wind starts to blow? Absolutely not! This excellent video discusses why being willing to stick it out can pay off with great images.

Why You Should Consider Adding Video to Your Services

There is no doubt that the demand for video is steadily increasing, but many of us who have shot exclusively stills for a long time may be reluctant to learn another process and add it to our list of services. If you have been considering expanding your capabilities to include video, this excellent video essay discusses why it could be a great choice for your bottom line.

Should You Use Teleconverters Instead of Longer Lenses or Cropping?

Long telephoto lenses can be some of the most expensive out there, and when you need multiple focal lengths, the cost can quickly become prohibitive. Teleconverters offer a way to get more reach from lenses you already own, but they also come with drawbacks you should be aware of. This excellent, in-depth video discusses teleconverters, their pros and cons, and when they are appropriate to use.

How to Shoot Clean Glassware on a Black Background With Only Speedlights

Photographing glassware is especially challenging, as controlling the reflections can be particularly difficult. Even if it is not something you normally do, it is fantastic lighting practice, and this excellent video tutorial will show you how to photograph clean glassware on a black background with only speedlights.

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (October 2021): Alan Brown

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 2021, 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 Good Is the Retro Nikon Z fc Mirrorless Camera?

Nikon's Z fc mirrorless camera sees the company make a throwback to their film cameras of yesteryear, dropping some of their most modern technology in a body that looks like it stepped out of the 1980s. The camera offers a small and lightweight design and affordable price in tandem with its unique design, making it an interesting option for a variety of applications, and this excellent video review takes a look at the image quality and performance you can expect from it.