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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

5 Common Mistakes New Photographers Make

When you are a new photographer, you have a ton to learn and take in all at the same time, and it can be easy to go wrong at different points. If you are new to photography and want to improve, check out this excellent video tutorial that discusses five common mistakes that beginner photographers make and how to fix them or avoid them entirely.

Which Canon Wide Angle Lens Is Right for You?

A good wide angle lens can be tremendously useful for a range of photography genres, and Canon shooters have a few options from which to choose, with varying image quality, specs, and, of course, price. The excellent video comparison takes a look at three such lenses, the RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM, RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM, and RF 16mm f/2.8 STM.

How Good Is the Affordable Samyang 24-70mm f/2.8 AF Zoom Lens

For many photographers and filmmakers, a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is the workhorse of choice for a wide variety of genres and shooting situations. That being said, such lenses can be quite expensive. Samyang's 24-70mm f/2.8 AF Zoom comes in at less than half the price of most such lenses, however, making it an intriguing option for a wide variety of creatives. 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.

What to Look for When Purchasing Used Cameras and Lenses

Photography gear is quite expensive, and filling out your kit can quickly add up in cost. Purchasing used can save you a ton of money, but, of course, you want to make sure the camera or lens you are considering is in good shape and fully functional. This helpful video features an experienced photographer discussing what you should look for and how to evaluate used cameras and lenses before you agree to purchase them.

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (February 2022): Marieke Kemp

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.

5 Things Photographers Need to Unlearn

There are some common habits that photographers tend to fall into, some beneficial and some detrimental. If you want to improve your images and continue to grow as a creative, check out this fantastic video tutorial that discusses five common habits photographers need to unlearn.

A Beginner's Guide to Setting Up Your Camera for Landscape Photography

The neat thing about landscape photography is that you can create a wide variety of different photographs of the same frame simply by varying your camera settings. If you are new to the genre and want to know how to set yourself up to create the best possible images, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know to prepare your camera to take a shot.

Are You Enjoying Your Photography?

Being a photographer takes the ability to handle a lot of pressure: the need to constantly bring your best abilities to a shoot, to always be able to innovate creatively, to juggle a wide range of skills needed to run a business, and a lot more. At the end of the day, though, are you remembering to enjoy your photography? This great video is a friendly reminder to take time to enjoy yourself.

How Much Money Does 50 Million Views Make You on YouTube?

YouTube can be a lucrative platform if you can break through the huge crowd of very talented creators all jockeying for position on the platform. Of course, that is a huge caveat, but if you are interested in what kind of income a creator can make at the top of the pile, this informative video that features a high-level YouTuber pulling back the curtain will show you just what you need to know.

How to Use Cropping to Improve Your Landscape Images

It is always a good idea to try to get your compositions right in camera, both to keep your eye sharp and to retain as much resolution and as flexible a file as possible, but there is no shame in cropping in post, whether to get a different aspect ratio, get closer than you were able to in person, or simply because you have changed your mind about the composition. This helpful video tutorial will show you how cropping can improve your landscape images and different ways to employ it for the best results.

12 Habits Every Photographer Should Have

Photography, just like any other creative pursuit, is prone to encouraging certain habits. Some of those can be quite beneficial, and some of those will likely hold you back. This excellent video discusses 12 habits that every photographer should have: what they are, why they are beneficial, and how to implement them in your process.

A Review of the New Samyang AF 135mm f/1.8 FE Lens

Samyang, long known for producing highly affordable but sharp manual focus lenses, has expanded into autofocus offerings in recent years while still keeping their lineup at prices well below first-party options. The new AF 135mm f/1.8 FE offers a popular portrait focal length with a pleasingly wide maximum aperture, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

An Affordable Bokeh Machine: A Review of the TTArtisan 90mm f/1.25 Lens

Portrait focal length lenses with wide maximum apertures will always be popular, but they can also be quite expensive, easily running about $2,000 at the top end of the spectrum. The TTArtisan 90mm f/1.25 offers that classic combination at a much more affordable price, making it an attractive option for a wide range of photographers. 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.

Why You Shouldn't Buy Canon's New Lenses

I am as big a fan of Canon's lenses as anyone; I resisted the temptation to switch brands for years simply because they offer certain lenses that I can't imagine not having. When it comes to the new RF 800mm f/5.6 L IS USM and RF 1200mm f/8 L IS USM lenses, however, you should really think twice before you buy them.

7 Changes Camera Companies Should Consider

Camera technology is evolving at a breakneck pace, and manufacturers are getting a lot right these days. But of course, no company is perfect, and there is always room for improvement. This great video features a photographer discussing seven things he wishes all camera companies would improve on.

How to Crop in Lightroom to Create Better Photos

There is something to be said for getting composition right in camera, of course, but that does not mean you should never use the tools available to you in post-production, particularly the ability to crop photos to be just right. If you want to improve your portraits, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you three cropping tips that will quickly improve the quality of your photos.

16 Simple, Affordable, and Effective Photography Prop Ideas

One thing we sometimes forget in the process of trying to improve our photos is the impact a simple prop can have, especially when you are trying to break through a creative block. If you want an affordable but effective way to invigorate your creative process and add more visual interest to your images, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you 16 simple prop ideas, all for under $50.

A Review of the Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR Lens

A wide angle lens with a wide maximum aperture is one of the most versatile optics a photographer or filmmaker can have in their bag. If you are a Fujifilm shooter and looking to add one to your collection, the XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR is an intriguing option, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Everything You Need to Know About Manual Mode for Landscape Photography

Landscape photography is made for manual mode, as you have the time to evaluate exactly how you want to expose the frame, both from a creative and technical standpoint. If you are newer to photography and feeling a bit overwhelmed by interpreting and managing all the parameters and settings that go into it, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know about using manual mode for landscape photography.