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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

Do You Need Two Card Slots in Your Camera?
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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
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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?
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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
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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?
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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
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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?
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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?
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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
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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
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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.

10 Important Keyboard Shortcuts for Working More Efficiently in Lightroom
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Many photographers find themselves spending hours in Lightroom performing many of the same tasks over and over, and as such, taking the time to make your workflow as efficient as possible will pay off in the long run. This excellent video tutorial features 10 of the most useful keyboard shortcuts in Lightroom to help you complete your edits more quickly.

What Cameras and Lenses Will We See in 2023?
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2022 has been quite the year for the industry, with a variety of impressive cameras and lenses making their way to the market. 2023 looks like it will be another exciting year, with a lot to come from all the big players in the industry. This great video essay discusses what we can expect from the likes of Canon, Nikon, Sony, and more.

How to Get Great Landscape Photos Even in Bad Light and Weather
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One of the most challenging aspects of landscape photography is that we have no control over the light or the conditions. And while bad light and weather can be frustrating to experience, you should not let them stop you from making photos. This excellent video tutorial will show you how to create compelling landscape images even when the light and weather are not cooperating.

A Review of the Samyang AF 135mm f/1.8 FE Lens
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Samyang has long had a reputation for producing sharp and highly affordable manual focus lenses, but in recent years, they have expanded into autofocus options while still keeping them at highly competitive prices. One of their most impressive lenses is the AF 135mm f/1.8 FE, which combines a useful portrait focal length with a very wide maximum aperture. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

3 Helpful Tips to Improve Your Forest Photography
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As a sub-genre of landscape photography, forest work shares a lot of similarities with its larger parent genre, but there are some distinct differences one must be aware of to create the best possible shots. If you would like to improve your forest imagery, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you three helpful tips sure to improve your work.