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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

Is Comparing Your Work to Others Always a Bad Thing?

With social media, it is easier than ever to quickly compare your work to that of dozens or even hundreds of other photographers. Is that always a good thing? Is it always bad? The truth is a bit more nuanced, and it is an important thing to think about to promote healthy development as a photographer, which is what this excellent video essay discusses.

It's Okay to Raise Your ISO For Landscape Photography

When you think of exposure settings for landscape photography, you likely think of using your camera's base ISO and nothing else. But when it comes to getting the shot, there is nothing wrong with raising your ISO if needed, and this excellent video discusses why.

The Basics of Choosing Camera Settings for Video

If you are a photographer and you are thinking of diversifying your skills by learning to shoot video, understanding the basic camera settings as they apply to video is one of the first steps. This great video tutorial will show you the ins and outs of setting your shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, as well as why an ND filter is an essential piece of gear for video work.

How to Create a Dark and Moody Look in Photoshop

No doubt, the dark and moody look is highly popular nowadays, and it actually is not particularly difficult or time-consuming to achieve in Photoshop. This excellent video tutorial will show you what kind of photos work well for such a style and how to create it.

A Review of the Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Lens

There are very few prime lenses between 50mm and 85mm, so Sigma's new 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary is already an interesting lens from the start. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens, including what it is like shooting with such a unique focal length and the kind of performance you can expect from it in practice.

It's Finally Here: A First Look at the Unique Zeiss ZX1 Camera With Lightroom Built In

No camera as unique as the Zeiss ZX1 has come along in quite some time, and its fascinating combination of a high-resolution sensor and sharp 35mm lens in tandem with a large internal SSD, a built-in copy of Lightroom, and wireless sharing abilities make it a potential all-in-one solution for shooting, editing, sharing, and even backing up on the go. This great first look takes a look at what it is like to use this crazy camera.

A Beginner's Guide to Using Lightroom for Organizing and Editing Photos

When you are new to photography, getting a firm grasp of your cataloging software and how to perform basic edits will help to set a strong foundation for future growth. Lightroom is one of the most popular choices for these tasks, and this excellent video tutorial will show you the ins and outs of working with it.

Helpful Tips for Choosing Whether to Edit a Landscape Image in Black and White or Color

When you think of landscape photos, you probably think of rich, vibrant colors that pop off the screen. And while those can be fantastic, a black and white image can be just as compelling. This excellent video tutorial will give you a variety of tips as well as mistakes you will want to avoid when trying to decide whether to edit a landscape image in color or in black and white.

The Bokeh Machine: A Review of the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM Lens

A 135mm lens is a popular alternative focal length to the classic 85mm when it comes to portraits. Sony's 135mm f/1.8 looks like one of the best of the bunch, and this excellent video review takes a look at the kind of performance you can expect from it in practice.

When Gear Gets in Your Way

No doubt, new gear is a lot of fun to play with, but it is not always a better thing. In fact, new gear, too much, or overly complicated equipment can actually become a hindrance to your work. This excellent video essay discusses how gear can sometimes get in your way and stop you from creating your best work.

Take $500 Off a Sigma Art Lens Today Only

Sigma's Art series of lenses has matured into a very comprehensive and capable line, allowing the company to also add some more unique offerings, such as the 40mm f/1.4 Art. Today only, you can take $500 off that lens.

Shooting and Printing a Fine Art Photograph

If you are like most of us, you are probably spending the vast majority of your time at home right now, and there is no better time than now to start exploring printing your own images. This excellent video tutorial will take you through the process of shooting, editing, and printing your own fine art photo.

Helpful Composition Advice for Landscape Photography

Composition is a tricky and nuanced art when it comes to landscape photography, and it helps to have a variety of tips and general guidelines in your toolbox. This excellent video tutorial will give you some helpful advice to create better landscape image compositions.

The Fun of Mounting a 360 Camera on a Drone

Drones and 360 cameras are some of the most unique photographic devices out there, and so, it is only natural to want to combine them. Unfortunately, there are not any 360-capable drones out there, but that did not stop this photographer from coming up with a DIY solution of his own to put his 360 camera on top of his drone. Check out this fun video that shows the sort of things you can do with the combination.

How Does the Fujifilm X-S10 Compare to the X-T4 and X-T30?

Fujifilm's X-S10 mirrorless camera sits as a more affordable alternative to some of the company's more expensive X Series options, but it still brings with it a variety of useful features for professionals and amateurs alike. This excellent video review takes a look at the camera and the kind of performance you can expect, as well as how it compares to the more expensive X-T4 and X-T30.

How to Use Leading Lines for Landscape Photography Compositions

A strong grasp of composition is one of the cornerstones of successful landscape photography and one of the most powerful ways to create stronger images. This excellent video tutorial will show you how to leverage leading lines to create compelling landscape compositions.

Why a Flash Can Improve Your Portraits in Sunlight

If you are new to photography, it can seem a bit counterintuitive that you would use a flash when shooting in direct sunlight, but it can vastly improve your portraits. This excellent video tutorial will show you why you should use a flash in such a situation and how it will improve your photos.

Everything You Need to Know About Photographing Seascapes

The beauty of a seascape is that because of the moving water, no two shots are ever the same, and changing conditions can yield entirely different shots of the same scene. If you want to improve your seascape photos, check out this fantastic video guide that will show you everything you need to know, from gear to techniques.

A Review of the Nikon Z 6II Mirrorless Camera

The second generation of Nikon's full frame mirrorless cameras is here, and the Nikon Z 6II takes the foundation laid in the original version and brings a number of improvements and new features. If you have been interested in the camera, check out this great video review.