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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

Advanced Lightroom Masking Made Simple

Lightroom Classic offers tools that can elevate your photo editing significantly, but some of the most powerful features remain underused. One of these tools, intersecting masks, allows you to refine your edits with precision. It’s versatile, easy to use, and adaptable to almost any photography genre, from portraits to landscapes.

How One Light Can Create Three Dramatic Photo Styles

Lighting is the backbone of photography. It determines mood, color, and texture in your images. Without the right lighting, even the best model and location won’t translate into the shot you envision. Learning to control and experiment with light is one of the most impactful ways to elevate your work.

Is Turning Your Passion for Photography into a Career the Right Move?

Many of us dream of transforming our hobbies into full-time careers, especially when it comes to something as fulfilling as photography. But making the leap can fundamentally change your relationship with your craft, and it’s worth considering whether the tradeoffs align with your goals.

How Wedding Photographers Jump From $3,000 to $10,000 Per Wedding

Understanding what separates a wedding photographer charging $3,000 from one charging $10,000 (or even more) is crucial if you want to elevate your work and income. This difference isn’t just about skill or experience; it’s about strategy, branding, and perception.

Streamline Your Edits with Adobe Camera Raw's AI Tools

Editing in Adobe Camera Raw has become more powerful with the addition of new AI-driven tools, but these features also introduce complexities that can trip you up. To get the most out of your workflow, you need to understand how these tools interact and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Overcoming Barriers in Landscape Photography: Insights and Tips

Landscape photography presents unique challenges, but mastering them can lead to stunning results. One of the biggest hurdles isn’t technical—it’s psychological. Many struggle with motivation, making it hard to leave the house and commit to a shoot. Whether it’s the early mornings or the uncertainty of success, the mental barriers often outweigh the physical ones.

Mastering Telephoto Lenses for Landscape Photography

A telephoto lens opens up unique opportunities in landscape photography. Its ability to isolate subjects and create compression makes it an invaluable tool, especially for capturing distant elements with dramatic impact.

Five Ways to Grow as a Landscape Photographer

Exploring landscapes goes beyond simply capturing a beautiful scene. To develop your craft, you need to balance creativity, mindfulness, and experimentation. This process isn’t just about technical skills but about shifting how you interact with your environment and your art.

How to Price Your Food Photography Projects Accurately

Understanding how to price your food photography projects is key to running a sustainable business. It’s not just about the time spent shooting; a lot more goes into each job than you might initially think.

A Beginner's Guide to Core Photoshop Concepts

When you first start using Photoshop, understanding the basics of its interface can set the foundation for everything you’ll do. Photoshop's layout consists of two main views: the Home Screen and the Workspace. Each plays a crucial role in organizing your projects and tools efficiently.

Why Photography Is About the Process, Not Just the Picture

Photography happens in fleeting moments, often shaped by the mood and mindset of the person behind the lens. Stress, boredom, or pressure to perform can influence the results, making even the most beautiful locations feel uninspiring.

Leica Q3 43 Review: A Versatile Focal Length for Street and Portraits

The Leica Q3 43 introduces a 43mm lens designed to balance street photography, portraits, and general versatility. It’s a fresh take for those who found the previous Q series’ 28mm lens either too wide or too limiting, and it's paired with a powerful camera behind it.

Mastering Light and Lens Choices for Outdoor Portraits

Overcast skies create soft, diffused light that’s great for portraits but often lacks contrast. To overcome this, a smart mix of lighting techniques and gear choices can transform your shots.

How to Manage the Business Side of Fashion Photography

Running a fashion and beauty photography business is about more than capturing stunning images. It involves managing finances, building relationships, and staying organized to ensure smooth operations. Without a solid approach, the chaos of balancing creative work with business demands can quickly become overwhelming.

The Stunning Beauty of Large Format Photography

Photography offers countless ways to explore creativity, and Nick Carver embodies this diversity. Known for his large format photography, Carver captures striking images of both natural landscapes and abandoned office buildings. His work highlights how settings, whether pristine nature or gritty urban spaces, can tell stories about their past and purpose.

How to Transform Your Street Photography in Just One Week

Street photography is more than just pointing your camera and clicking. It’s about capturing the energy, emotion, and complexity of life as it unfolds. Whether you’re struggling with composition, lighting, or storytelling, this video tutorial will help you improve.

The Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4: A Budget Portrait Lens Worth Considering?

Portrait photography often calls for a lens that can isolate your subject with a shallow depth of field while maintaining sharpness. The Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4 lens offers these features at a budget-friendly price. Whether you’re looking to step up your portrait game or experiment with low-light shooting, this lens might be worth a look.

Essential Photoshop Tips for Real Estate Photography

Editing real estate photos can be time-consuming, especially when striving for a clean, professional look. These often-overlooked techniques are essential if you want to deliver polished images quickly.