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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

Everything You Have Ever Wanted to Know About Lenses

There is literally no piece of photographic equipment more important than the lens, and it behooves any photographer to become well acquainted with the properties, types, and characteristics of them. This ultra-comprehensive video discusses everything you will ever need to know about lenses, ranging from their properties to how to choose the right kind for your work.

Nikon Says Things Are Getting Better for the Company

2020 has seen a lot of speculation that Nikon is in serious trouble, both due to its own internal issues and the ongoing pandemic's consequences. However, in a recent interview, the company has said that things are looking up.

11 Ideas for Great Holiday Photos

It is the holiday season, and with many of us stuck at home, you might be looking for a creative project to keep the juices flowing. So, why not combine the season with your creativity and shoot some fantastic holiday photos? This excellent video tutorial will give you 11 ideas for fun and creative shots.

3 Type of Microphones for Video Work

No matter how good your video work is, if you do not have solid audio to accompany it, it will not be a successful final product. One of the most important steps for capturing good audio is knowing which type of microphone to use. This excellent video will show you three different types of microphones for use in video work.

The Difference Between a Beauty Dish and an Octabox

The beauty dish and the octabox are two of the most fundamental lighting modifiers out there, but they have properties and ways of rendering your subjects that are appropriate for different circumstances. If you are new to lighting, this fantastic video will show you the differences between the two with a lot of example photos.

How to Use Cheap Mirrors to Create Stunningly Real Sunlight Effects

The look of natural sunlight streaming through a window is a classic and a great way to create both mood and visual interest in a shot. However, a window with sunlight streaming through it is not always available to us. This great video tutorial will show you how to recreate the look using cheap mirrors.

How to Create Better Compositions Using a Telephoto Lens for Landscape Photography

The majority of the time, we will normally reach for a wide angle lens for landscape photography work, but that does not mean there is not a place for telephoto lenses too, though they definitely require a different approach. This fantastic video tutorial will show you how to create better compositions using a telephoto lens for your landscape photos.

Learn How This Night Portrait Was Shot

Nighttime portraits can be a fantastic way to capture a different look and mood than a normal photo, but they present more challenging lighting scenarios simply because you cannot rely on natural light. If you would like to learn how to shoot compelling and well-lit nighttime portraits, check out this fantastic video tutorial that goes behind the scenes of a three-light shot that includes gels.

Should You Buy Canon's RF 600mm f/11 or RF 800mm f/11 Lens?

The Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lenses both offer extreme reach in portable packages and at very affordable prices, but with so many similarities, you are unlikely to buy both. So, how do you choose between them? This helpful video answers that question.

A Review of the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens

Canon's RF 28-70mm f/2L lens is absolutely spectacular, but it is likely overkill both in terms of size and price for a lot of photographers and videographers, who would rather opt for a more standard 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. Luckily, the company makes that exact lens, the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM, and this great video review takes a look at the kind of performance you can expect from it in practice.

The Canon EOS R7 Is Likely Coming Next Year

Canon's EOS R5 and R6 cameras have been very popular and well received, while the EOS RP and EOS R help to round out the lower ens of the company's mirrorless lineup. However, besides the upcoming flagship model, one notable absence is an APS-C model, but it now seems likely we will see such a camera next year.

10 Tips for Getting Even More Out of Layers Masks in Photoshop

Layer masks are by far one of the most important tools in your Photoshop arsenal, and their power and versatility go way beyond simply showing or hiding things. This excellent video tutorial will give newcomers and seasoned pros alike 10 helpful tips for getting more out of layer masks when working in Photoshop.

How Are Stock Photographers Doing in Late 2020?

Without a doubt, 2020 has been brutal on a lot of photographers across all genres, and as the year comes to a close, many of us are still looking for ways to diversify our income streams and increase our financial stability in 2021. This helpful video features a photographer discussing some of his side earnings in stock photography in November of this year and what a variety of stock photo sites are currently paying.

Stop Taking Important Personal Pictures on Your Phone

Smartphones are more prevalent than ever, and the majority of us always have one on hand, meaning they have become our default camera for capturing life's little and big moments. That may be something we come to regret in the years to come, however, and this excellent video essay makes a case for why we should reach for a dedicated camera even for just personal shots.

A Look at the Canon EOS R6 Mirrorless Camera

The Canon EOS R5 certainly stole all the camera hype of 2020, but Canon also brought along the EOS R6 at the same time, and it might actually be a more appropriate camera for most professionals and amateurs who do not need or want to pay for the most extreme capabilities. This excellent video review takes a look at the EOS R6 and how it performs in the real world, particularly for video work.

What Are Your 2021 Camera Predictions?

2020 has been quite the year for camera gear, with groundbreaking cameras like the Canon EOS R5 and highly impressive lenses coming to the market. 2021 is shaping up to be another exciting year for gear enthusiasts, and this interesting video discusses what we might see.

A Review of the Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM Lens

Canon's RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lenses raised a few eyebrows when they were announced, but they offer photographers the chance to reach extreme focal lengths at much more affordable prices than more traditional lenses cost. If you are interested in such a lens, this great video review takes a look at the RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and the kind of performance you can expect from it.

One Lens for Everything: A Review of the Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM Lens

A superzoom lens can be a great way to capture everything you need to without having to drag a ton of heavy lenses along with you. Canon's latest superzoom, the RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM, covers everything from wide angles to supertelephoto focal lengths, and this excellent video takes a look at how it holds up in a variety of shooting scenarios.