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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

A Complete Guide to Lightroom Classic’s Develop Module

By learning how to adjust tone, color, and details systematically, you gain control over your creative process, ensuring each image meets your vision. This tutorial walks through every panel in the Develop Module of Lightroom, offering practical insights for improving your workflow.

Transform Sky Colors Using Simple Lightroom Techniques

Editing skies in landscape photos can be challenging, especially when you want to create a vibrant, natural look. Using Lightroom’s tone curve is an effective way to add depth and color without overcomplicating your workflow.

Tips for Faster and More Accurate Manual Focusing

Using manual focus lenses can feel like a lost art in today’s autofocus-driven world, but they offer unique advantages and opportunities to improve your skills. Whether you're exploring vintage equipment or trying out modern manual options, understanding how to use these lenses effectively can open up creative possibilities.

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (November 2024): Vicky Papas Vergara

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 2024, 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.

Hidden Lightroom Features You Need to Know

Lightroom Classic has plenty of features, but not all of them are obvious. Some of its most helpful tools are hidden behind shortcuts or specific menus, and knowing where to look can make editing faster and more efficient.

A Budget-Friendly Contender in the World of Portrait Primes

The Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4 lens brings an exciting option to the table for anyone interested in fast portrait primes. With its combination of premium features, robust build, and an approachable price tag, it challenges the dominance of established brands without breaking the bank.

The Secret to Photography Mastery

True photography goes beyond basic settings and theory—it’s about mastering your tools so you can focus entirely on the subject, the light, and the story you want to tell.

Affordable Macro Excellence: Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Review

Macro photography opens up a world of detail, from intricate textures to tiny subjects that escape the naked eye. The Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Macro aims to provide stunning image quality for those close-up shots while remaining affordable compared to other options on the market.

Advanced Lightroom Tricks to Save Time and Improve Photos

Photo editing doesn’t have to be complicated, even with a program as powerful as Lightroom. With the right techniques, you can make significant improvements to your images while streamlining your workflow.

Why Every Photographer Should Own an Old DSLR

Old DSLRs might seem outdated, but they still have a lot to offer. If you’re just starting out or looking for a way to refresh your photography, picking up one of these affordable, chunky cameras can be a great decision.

Editing Portraits Start to Finish in Lightroom on an iPad

The ability to edit portraits entirely in Lightroom without switching to Photoshop is becoming more common. This is especially true for on-the-go editing on devices like the iPad, which sync seamlessly with Lightroom on desktop.

Is the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM the Ideal Mid-Range Zoom?

The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM lens is a compact, versatile zoom lens designed for Canon's full frame mirrorless cameras. With a constant f/2.8 aperture, it provides better performance in low light, greater subject separation, and a more professional feel than Canon's basic kit lenses. It strikes a balance between portability, performance, and cost, making it an interesting option for those looking to step up their photography game.

Portable Flash Diffusers: What Works and What Doesn’t

Creating flattering light with a portable flash can be tricky, especially when you’re on the move and don’t have room for bulky equipment. Whether you’re shooting at a wedding or just want a low-profile setup, finding the right diffuser to soften light without sacrificing portability is key.

The Ultimate RF Lens Setup for Wedding Photography

Wedding photography demands lenses that balance versatility and artistic flair. Picking the right ones not only simplifies your workflow but also ensures you’re prepared for every moment of the day.

Transforming Snowy Scenes With Composition and Editing

Understanding how to approach dynamic, unpredictable conditions is critical when you're out in the field. That means learning how to adapt and react to weather and light, especially in challenging environments like snow-covered mountains and shadowed forests. These are places where details emerge slowly, requiring careful observation and thoughtful composition.

How to Use High-Speed Sync for Outdoor Portraits

Shooting fall portraits outdoors comes with its challenges, from managing shifting light to balancing the subject against vibrant backgrounds. Using high-speed sync and thoughtful lighting techniques, you can isolate your subject while keeping the rich details of the season intact.

Lighting Tips for Bold Red-on-Red Portraits

By combining a strong theme, careful lighting, and complementary styling, you can produce photographs that are dramatic and memorable. The process involves creativity and precision, but the results can elevate your work to new levels.