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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

A Review of the Versatile Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM Lens
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A wide angle zoom lens is one of the most versatile out there, useful for a wide variety of scenarios in both photo and video work. For those who do not need the extra-wide aperture of an f/2.8 lens, an f/4 version can save a lot of bulk and money. Canon's RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM lens features a wider focal length than most such zooms and adds image stabilization, and this great video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Are You Willing to Be Uncomfortable for Better Landscape Photos?
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No one likes being cold and wet, but being out in the elements is part of the package when it comes to landscape photography, and sometimes, the weather is just not that great. So, should you pack it in and head home when the rain starts to fall and the wind starts to blow? Absolutely not! This excellent video discusses why being willing to stick it out can pay off with great images.

Why You Should Consider Adding Video to Your Services
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There is no doubt that the demand for video is steadily increasing, but many of us who have shot exclusively stills for a long time may be reluctant to learn another process and add it to our list of services. If you have been considering expanding your capabilities to include video, this excellent video essay discusses why it could be a great choice for your bottom line.

Should You Use Teleconverters Instead of Longer Lenses or Cropping?
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Long telephoto lenses can be some of the most expensive out there, and when you need multiple focal lengths, the cost can quickly become prohibitive. Teleconverters offer a way to get more reach from lenses you already own, but they also come with drawbacks you should be aware of. This excellent, in-depth video discusses teleconverters, their pros and cons, and when they are appropriate to use.

How to Shoot Clean Glassware on a Black Background With Only Speedlights
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Photographing glassware is especially challenging, as controlling the reflections can be particularly difficult. Even if it is not something you normally do, it is fantastic lighting practice, and this excellent video tutorial will show you how to photograph clean glassware on a black background with only speedlights.

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (October 2021): Alan Brown
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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.

How Good Is the Retro Nikon Z fc Mirrorless Camera?
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Nikon's Z fc mirrorless camera sees the company make a throwback to their film cameras of yesteryear, dropping some of their most modern technology in a body that looks like it stepped out of the 1980s. The camera offers a small and lightweight design and affordable price in tandem with its unique design, making it an interesting option for a variety of applications, and this excellent video review takes a look at the image quality and performance you can expect from it.

Is the Sony a7R IV One of the Best Stills Cameras Available?
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The Sony a7R IV is the highest resolution full frame camera ever made, and it brings with it a range of advanced features from Sony's other camera lines, making it a versatile option for everything from portraiture to landscape photography and more. This great video review takes a long-term look at the a7R IVA and how it holds up for photo and video work in a range of scenarios.

The Different Kinds of Light in Landscape Photography
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Light is crucial in any form of photography, but unlike most other genres, you do not get control of it in landscape work. Thus, it is crucial to be able to read the scene you are presented with to create photos that the light is conducive to, rather than fighting against it. This fantastic video tutorial will show you the different kinds of light you will encounter and how to use them to create the best possible photos.

It's Ok to Put the Camera Down Sometimes
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We may not like to admit it in the day-to-day, but when major life events bring things into perspective, we see that as much as we may love photography, it is not the most important thing. And it is important to remember that sometimes, it is ok to put the camera down to practice self-care, be with family, and focus on the more important things.

7 Common Mistakes Beginner Landscape Photographers Make
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Landscape photography is a popular genre, and it takes the confluence of technical skills behind the camera, creativity, and solid post-processing capabilities. As such, there are a lot of places where things can go awry. This excellent video tutorial features an experienced landscape photographer discussing seven common mistakes beginner landscape photographers make and how to either fix or avoid them.

Every Focal Length in One Lens: A Review of the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
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Superzoom lenses are traditionally not known for their image quality, but in recent years, some serious strides have been made by manufacturers, and certain models can now produce good photos while providing remarkable levels of convenience, allowing you to cover every conceivable focal length with only one device. This great video review takes a look at such a lens, the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD.

Mistakes That Hurt Your Photography and Your Business
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Being a photographer and running a photography business are both complex things with a lot of different parts and places where things can potentially go wrong. This fantastic video tutorial discusses a wide range of mistakes photographers commonly make and how to fix them or avoid them entirely.

5 Helpful Tips for Respectful Wildlife Photography
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Wildlife photography can be a tremendously rewarding genre that connects you with nature and allows you to capture stunning images of the world around us. However, it takes some special considerations to maintain safety and to treat the animals with respect. This fantastic video tutorial will give you five tips to create wildlife photography in a respectful way.

How to Use Foreground to Create Better Photos
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A photograph is a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional thing, and as such, part of your job as a photographer is to render the frame in a way that brings depth back to the scene. This requires considering how you layer different parts of the frame, and this excellent video tutorial will show you how to work with one of those parts, the foreground.

Photoshop Power Tips to Take Better Control of Your Images
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Photoshop is a deeply powerful and complex program, and it is easy to overlook certain capabilities or inadvertently do things less efficiently than you could. This awesome video tutorial features a seasoned Photoshop educator showing a variety of power tips that are sure to expand your capabilities, make your workflow more efficient, and improve the quality of your images.

New to Photography? Here's How the Exposure Triangle Works
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Perhaps no concept is more important in photography than the exposure triangle, as it will have a hand in every photo you ever take, both from a technical and creative standpoint. If you are new to photography, this awesome video tutorial will show you the ins and outs of the exposure triangle to get you up and running in no time.

3 Easy Portrait Lighting Setups for Small Spaces
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When you are first starting out, you are not likely to be shooting from a dedicated studio. Most of us start out in a spare room at our home or the like, meaning we are in a tight space. That does not mean you can't take great photos in that small space, though, and this excellent video tutorial will show you three easy portrait lighting setups that work well in close quarters.

A Common But Easily Fixed Landscape Photography Mistake
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The challenge of composition in landscape photography is that you can't control the location of any of the elements in the frame, only your position relative to them. This leads to some common mistakes, and this great video tutorial highlights one of them and how you can easily fix it.

A Review of the New Nikon Z 9 Mirrorless Camera
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Nikon's Z 9 is finally here, and it looks like the competition for most powerful full frame mirrorless camera is a three-horse race again. How does the new camera perform? This great video review takes a look.