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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

The First Tools New Photographers Should Learn in Photoshop

Photoshop is quite the behemoth application, and if you are new to working with it, it can be a bit overwhelming knowing where to start. If you are new to working with Photoshop and wondering how to get started, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you the first tools you should learn and how to use them to work on your photos.

How To Handle High-ISO Noise in Post-Processing

In almost every genre, you will encounter situations in which you are using your lens' widest aperture and you can't make your shutter speed any slower, meaning all you can do is raise your ISO. That will introduce noise into your images, but thankfully, modern post-processing software can do quite a lot to correct that, and this excellent video tutorial will show you how to leverage it to do just that.

Who Makes the Best 24-70mm f/2.8 Lens?

24-70mm f/2.8 lenses are the workhorse of choice for a variety of genres, offering a versatile focal length range in tandem with a wide aperture that allows them to tackle a lot of needs with ease. Which one is right for you, though? This great video comparison takes a look at the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM, Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II, Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art, and Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 to help you decide.

A Look at the Affordable and Great Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 Lens

24mm lenses are quite useful, as they offer an attractively wide focal length that is not so extreme that significant wide angle distortion starts to creep in. Premium 24mm lenses can easily run well over $1,000, though. On the other hand, the Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 is quite affordable. Can it keep up with those more expensive options? This excellent video review takes a look at its performance and image quality to answer that question.

The Importance of Flexibility in Landscape Photography

When it comes to landscape photography, planning can make a huge difference in your ability to come home with the exact image you have been dreaming of, but almost paradoxically, you need to be able to remain flexible as well. This great video discusses why being willing to change plans on the fly can benefit your work.

Why Do Portrait Photographers Love 85mm Lenses?

85mm lenses are the classic choice of portrait photographers, and it shows, as almost every manufacturer has one, with many of them offering multiple options. So, why are they so popular among portrait photographers? This great video discusses some of their properties and how those features make them a fantastic choice for photographing people.

Canon Is Planning Huge Announcements

Canon has been chugging along the last few years, releasing some impressive mirrorless cameras and lenses. It seems they have no intention of stopping, with another major announcement of multiple cameras and lenses coming soon.

Helpful Tips for Better Landscape Photo Compositions

One of the trickiest aspects of landscape photography is that you do not get any control over the physical location of the elements in the frame, and as such, a lot of photographers experience difficulties with compositions. If that is something you struggle with, check out this awesome video tutorial that will show you some helpful tips for improving your landscape image compositions.

A Review of the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR Lens

A wide angle zoom lens is a great one to have in the bag for a variety of genres and scenarios, and for Fujifilm shooters who do not need an expensive f/2.8 option, there is the XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR lens. 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.

Is This Affordable 35mm Lens a Good Alternative?

A 35mm lens with a wide aperture has long been one of the most popular options for both photography and filmmaking, offering a wide but relatively neutral focal length that can cover everything from portraits to landscapes. There are a lot of 35mm lenses available to choose from, and this excellent video review takes a look at one of the most affordable options, the Viltrox 35mm f/1.8 AF.

Is Photography Too Easy Now?

The capabilities of modern cameras have absolutely exploded in recent years, and a new camera can tackle just about anything you can throw at it. There is a downside to that, though. Has the modern digital camera made photography too easy? This interesting video essay discusses the issue and what we can do about it.

How To Add a Texture To an Image Using Photoshop

Photoshop allows you to take an image and put numerous creative spins on it, and it can be a wonderful way to expand your portfolio and find your unique creative voice. One great way to add a bit more visual interest to a photo is to overlay a texture on it, and this excellent video tutorial will show you how to quickly and easily do so using Photoshop.

A Test of the Nikon Z 9 Mirrorless Camera's Capabilities

With the release of the Z 9, Nikon ensured that the race for best full frame mirrorless camera was a three-horse race between them, Canon, and Sony. This great video takes a look at the Z 9 in the field and how well it tackles a tricky subject, birds in flight.

3 Different Ways To Incorporate Wind in Your Portraits

Adding a bit of motion to a portrait can completely change it, making it a dynamic image that encourages the viewer to look more closely and imagine what story it is trying to tell. One way to add motion is to introduce a breeze, and this great video tutorial will show you three ways to do that as well as how to work with the results.

What Do You Love and Hate About Canon Cameras?

Like it or not, Canon is one of the most dominant forces in the camera industry, and their bodies and lenses can be found in the hands of countless professionals and hobbyists. Of course, that does not mean the company is infallible, however. This interesting video discusses the good and bad of Canon cameras and what they can do to be even better in the future.

How to Handle a Tricky Night Sky Replacement

In the last few years, we have seen tremendous steps forward in the realm of automated sky replacement, and a task that used to be rather tedious and time-consuming is often a one-click operation. It is not always perfect, though, and trickier situations can sometimes throw off even the best software. This helpful video tutorial will show you a clever workaround for dealing with a difficult night sky replacement that will save you a lot of time over manual editing.

A Comparison of Four Premium 135mm Lenses

While 85mm lenses are generally the classic choice of focal length for portraiture, 135mm lenses are a popular second choice that offer a different look and a bit more compression than their shorter cousins. If you are looking for one of your own, check out this fantastic video comparison that looks at four options: the Samyang AF 135mm f/1.8 FE, Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM, Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art, and Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8.

3 Helpful Composition Tips for Mountain Photography

Mountains have always made for a wonderful subject, adding drama and grandeur to any image they grace with their presence. On the other hand, it is not as simple as dropping them in the frame and pressing the shutter. This helpful video tutorial will show you three tips for creating compelling mountain image compositions.

A Guide to Shooting Panoramic Photos

A good panoramic image can be a real showstopper that catches the viewer's eye and encourages them to get closer and examine every detail. There are some considerations and techniques you have to know before you create one, however. This excellent video tutorial will show you a few different ways to create panoramic photos as well as what you should be aware of while doing so.

A Dangerously Subtle Mistake You Can Make With Mirrorless Cameras

The electronic viewfinder is one of the greatest advantages of mirrorless cameras, offering the ability to preview your exposure in real-time, leaving behind the days of miscalculated shots. However, as this informative video details, it can easily mislead you and cause you to mess up important photos.