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Articles written by Alex Cooke

What Cameras Will We See in 2021?
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When it comes to new cameras, 2021 has already started off with a bang, with the release of Fujifilm GFX 100S bringing high-level medium format capabilities down to unheard of price levels, and the Sony a1 pushing mirrorless full frame into exciting new realms. With 11 months still to go in the year and a lot of exciting gear rumored to be on the way, what can we expect? This great video discusses what we might see.

A Review of the New Fujifilm X-E4 Mirrorless Camera
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Fujifilm recently announced the X-E4, the latest camera in the company's beloved X Series line of mirrorless cameras, and it pairs their latest X-Trans sensor with a lot of new features and capabilities at an affordable price. This excellent video review takes a look at the new camera and the pros and cons you can expect from it.

A Review of the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS Lens
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70-200mm f/2.8 lenses are some of the most versatile and highly popular optics out there, but they are rather expensive and heavy. For those who want the flexibility of the reach of a 70-200mm but do not need the extra light-gathering power, the 70-200mm f/4 is a fantastic option, and this great video review takes a look at Sony's option, the FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS.

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (January 2021): Roy Iwasaki
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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.

What Are Focal Reducers and What Are They Used For?
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Focal reducers are relatively rare compared to teleconverters, though they work based on the same idea (simply employed in reverse). If you have not seen them in use before, this awesome video tutorial will show you how they work and why they are useful.

How Diffraction Robs Your Photos of Sharpness
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Diffraction is a fundamental physical property, and no matter how expensive your lenses are or how advanced their designs might be, there is no hiding from it. If you are unfamiliar with diffraction, this fantastic video tutorial will show you why it happens and why you should be aware of it in your own work.

5 Tips for Better Portraits When Using Flash
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Learning how to use artificial lighting for portraits can free you from the constraints of natural light and enable new creative opportunities that simply would not be possible otherwise. Nonetheless, it can feel very foreign when you are first starting and also trying to manage directing your subject. This great video tutorial will give you five helpful tips for better flash portraits.

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Lens
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Nikon's original 14-24mm f/2.8 was a bit of a legend among DSLR lenses, and now, we have an updated version for the mirrorless Z mount. This fantastic video review takes a look at the new NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens and the kind of images you can make with it.

A Beginner's Guide to Lighting Modifiers
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When it comes to artificial lighting, your choice of modifier is one of the most fundamental and crucial creative and technical decisions in the entire process. If you are new to working with artificial lights, this excellent video tutorial will give you the sort of practical knowledge you need to know which modifier is right for each photo you wish to make, along with a variety of illustrative examples.

Should You Use High Speed Sync or a Neutral Density Filter?
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Using a very shallow depth of field is highly popular for portrait photography, but when you combine that with flash, you can run into a tricky situation when you bump into your flash sync speed. There are two ways around this: high speed sync and ND filters. Which is right for your work? This excellent video tutorial will explain the differences as well as the pros and cons of each.

Using Only an iPad for Photo and Video Work for Six Months
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Could you do it? The iPad comes with a variety of absolutely fantastic features, it has a beautiful screen, and the tablet-editing experience can be very natural and enjoyable. However, there are still a lot of limitations as compared to a traditional computer. Could you use it exclusively for photo and video work for six months? This great video discusses a creative's experience in doing so.

A Look at the New Fujifilm X-E4 Mirrorless Camera
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The X-E4 is the latest camera in Fujifilm's popular X Series line of mirrorless cameras, and it brings with it a variety of improvements and great features suitable for a wide range of applications. If you have been wondering how it holds up in real-world usage, check out this great first look video.

Is It Better to Bracket Your Photos or Use a Graduated ND Filter?
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Landscape images frequently demand extreme dynamic range, often beyond the capabilities of even the most modern sensors. There are a few ways around this issue, with exposure bracketing and graduated ND filters being two of the most common solutions, and this great video tutorial discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each.

7 Common Food Photography Mistakes and How to Fix Them
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Food photography is a tricky genre that requires a strong sense of composition, great lighting techniques, and a large working knowledge of various tricks of the trade. If you are struggling with your food photography, this excellent video tutorial will show you seven common mistakes and how to avoid or fix them.

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