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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

A Review of the Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens

A good macro lens is one of the most versatile optics a photographer can own, suitable for anything from macro work to creating ultra-sharp portraits. If you are a Nikon shooter, check out this great video review of the AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens.

How Good Is Canon's Budget Mirrorless 50mm Lens?

Canon's RF 50mm f/1.2L is a spectacular lens that has garnered a lot of praise, but at over $2,000, it is extremely expensive and likely overkill for a lot of photographers. Canon also has the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM, however, giving photographers a much more affordable option, and this great video review takes a look at the kind of performance you can expect from it in practice.

How Do You Make Photos With Meaning?

You can learn a lot about the objective nature of photography — settings, editing techniques, and more — and you can learn to create well-polished images. But knowing how to create images with meaning is something a bit more nebulous, particularly when your photos are devoid of people. Nonetheless, it is certainly possible to learn how to do so, and this great video tutorial discusses how to go about it.

What Does the Future Hold for Nikon?

There has been a lot said about Nikon's financial situation and its future in the industry, with a lot of speculation flying back and forth. This great video essay takes a deep dive into the numbers behind Nikon's current state of affairs, what they mean for the future of the company, and what they will mean for the industry.

A Review of One of the Most Legendary Lenses Ever Made

There are a few lenses that are so extreme in their designs and capabilities that they stay legendary long after they have been replaced by newer models. One such lens is the Canon 200mm f/1.8L, and this fantastic video review takes a look at what it is like shooting with this awesome lens.

Why You Might Not Be Finding Success as a Photographer

Part of the difficulty of finding success as a photographer is that the pathway there is a bit more nebulous and less codified than more traditional careers. If you are struggling a bit right now, this excellent video essay discusses an array of things that might be holding you back and what you can do to correct them and increase your chances of finding success.

How Big Can You Actually Print Your Photos?

It might seem like there is a pretty straightforward correlation between sensor size, resolution, and maximum reasonable print size, but the relationship is a bit more complicated than just those specific variables. This great video examines the sort of print sizes you can reasonably create using photos from an iPhone, an APS-C camera, and a medium format body.

Is This the Ultimate Portrait Lens for Sony Photographers?

An 85mm lens with a wide aperture is one of the most popular lenses out there, and the best of them can offer sharp images with smooth, background-melting bokeh. For Sony shooters, one of the top options is the FE 85mm f/1.4 GM, and this fantastic video review will show you the type of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

5 Pricing Mistakes Fashion and Commercial Photographers Make

Having talent and refined skills as a commercial or fashion photographer is only half the equation; knowing how to properly price your services and market yourself is just as crucial to getting paid what you are worth. This excellent video discusses five pricing mistakes fashion and commercial photographers make and how to fix them.

5 Ways to Improve Your Photography Business

After the year that was 2020, a lot of us need to reevaluate our photography businesses and find ways to make them more efficient and more effective in the future to come. This helpful video tutorial discusses five ways to improve your business in 2021.

Compositional Techniques for Better Photos

When we learn about portrait photography, we generally focus on things involving the subject: posing, retouching, etc. However, your subject also needs to be surrounded by a compelling composition to complete the image, and this fantastic video tutorial will give you some great tips for improving yours.

The Difference Between Vibrance and Saturation

The difference between the saturation and vibrance sliders might seem small or even imperceptible at times, but the two have distinct purposes and functions that make them useful for separate applications. This fantastic video tutorial will show you the differences between vibrance and saturation as well as how to use them to improve your photos.

How to Edit a Portrait in Photoshop

Knowing how to pose your subject, light them properly, and take a good photo is only half of what it takes to create a good portrait. Knowing how to retouch your subject effectively while still maintaining a natural look is the other half of creating a successful portrait, and this fantastic video tutorial will show you how to do it.

Next Week Will Be Huge for Fujifilm Cameras and Lenses

Fujifilm revolutionized the world of medium format a few years ago by introducing a line of cameras and lenses that offered all the benefits of the larger sensor size at prices that significantly undercut traditional medium format prices and even competed with upper-level full frame prices. The company is showing no sign of stopping, with more cameras and lenses to come next week, along with new X Series gear as well.

Sony Teases New Alpha Camera Announcement Next Week

The full frame mirrorless camera world has been majorly heating up in the last year or so, with Canon in particular challenging Sony's place at the top of the technological development race with the EOS R5. Now, Sony is preparing to strike back, teasing a new Alpha camera that will be announced next week.

Everything You Need to Know About Lens Filters

Lens filters are some of the most common and often misunderstood photo accessories out there, but they can be tremendously useful for a wide variety of applications. This excellent video tutorial will introduce you to the various types of lens filters, their purposes, and how to use them to take greater control over your images.

How to Start a Successful YouTube Channel in 2021

Running a successful YouTube channel is the dream of a lot of creatives, but with the platform more inundated than ever before, it takes a lot of careful planning and skill to stand out from everyone else. If you are ready to start your channel this year, this excellent video tutorial offers lots of helpful advice and guidance to put you on the right path.