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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

Can an $800 f/0.95 Lens Compete With a $8,000 Option?

No doubt, many of us would love the extremely thin depth of field and light-gathering powers of an f/0.95 lens, and the price range of those options covers a huge range. Can an $800 f/0.95 lens keep up with an $8,000 f/0.95 lens? This great video review compares the Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III to the Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lens to find out.

A Look at the Filmmaking Capabilities of the Sony a1

The Sony a1 is by far one of the most extreme cameras we have ever seen, with some particularly head-turning video features that make it (at least on paper) ready to tackle just about anything you can throw at it. How does its video performance hold up in the real world? This fantastic video review takes a good look.

This Mind-Blowing Drone Video Is the Most Impressive I've Ever Seen

Drones have enabled incredible creative possibilities that simply would not have been possible just a decade ago, and this might be the most impressive example I have seen. Check out this incredible video that shows jaw-dropping flying skills and creative coordination.

Canon Is Planning to Update One of Its Best Lenses

Canon's 200mm f/2L is known as one of the most impressive lenses out there, and so, it was disappointing not to see it on the company's mirrorless roadmap. That may be changing, however, as a patent for a new version has emerged.

PortraitPro 21 Is Here and Better Than Ever

Retouching portraits is a crucial process, but it is also highly time-consuming, particularly if you are working with a large batch of images. PortraitPro 21 is here, and it brings a wide variety of intelligent features that will streamline your workflow and save you a ton of time.

Off-Camera Flash for Beginners

You can do quite a lot with natural light, but if you want to truly take full control of your photos, learning how to work with artificial light is the way to go. If you are wondering how to get started, this excellent video tutorial will guide you through the process of shooting outdoor portraits using a speedlight and affordable shoot-through umbrella.

How to Create High-Key Portraits With a Mix of Natural and Constant Light

The high-key look is quite popular in a variety of applications, as it produces a bright, punchy image that instantly draws the viewer's eye to the subject. You do not always need powerful strobes to achieve it, however. In fact, you can do it with nothing more than natural light from a window and a constant LED source, and this excellent video tutorial will show you how it is done.

The Sony a1: How Good Is This Mirrorless Flagship Camera for Video?

The Sony a1 is undoubtedly one of the most impressive cameras ever released, and it offers photographers and filmmakers extreme performance and the sort of versatility to tackle just about any project you need to. This excellent video review takes a look at the camera's video performance and if it is the right choice for your work.

Battle of the Premium 35mm Mirrorless Lenses: Sony Versus Sigma

A wide-aperture 35mm lens is a versatile tool, useful for a wide range of genres ranging from portraiture to events coverage and more. For Sony shooters, two of the most premium options are the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM and Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art, and this excellent video review takes a look at how the two perform for portraiture and which edges out the other.

How to Retouch a Portrait in Photoshop

Knowing how to light, pose, and shoot a portrait is only half of what it takes to create a great image. In order to create a polished, professional portrait, you also need strong editing skills. This excellent video tutorial will show you everything you need to know to professionally retouch a portrait in Photoshop and to also add your own personal style to it.

Adobe Photoshop's Amazing New Super Resolution Feature

Adobe's newest version of Photoshop comes with an intriguing feature in the Camera Raw dialog, Super Resolution, which promises to leverage machine learning trained on millions of images to upsize images to quadruple their original resolution. Does it hold up to its promise? This excellent video takes a look at the new tool and how it performs in the real world.

How to Photograph Eye-Catching Seascapes

Seascapes can be a great alternative to standard landscape images and a way to use the motion and energy of the water to offset stationary objects and create more dynamic visuals for your viewers. This excellent video tutorial will show you a landscape photographer's experience from his point of view as he shoots seascapes.

How to Create Ultra-Soft Portraiture Light

Soft light is great for portraiture, offering a flattering rendering of your subject's features. This great video tutorial will show you how to create ultra-soft light for portraits.

A Fundamental Off-Camera Flash Technique

A lot of photographers struggle when they first start working with off-camera flash. One of the most fundamental and crucial techniques you will need to master is balancing your strobes and ambient light. This excellent video tutorial will show you how to do just that.

5 Ways to Improve Your Portraits

Taking a successful portrait requires the confluence of good technique, creativity, and your ability to interact with and direct your subject. If you have been struggling with your portraiture work, check out this excellent video tutorial that will offer you five tips to help you produce better results.

5 Traps Landscape Photographers Fall Into

Every genre has common traps that lure photographers in, causing them to miss out on better images, and landscape photography is no exception. This excellent video tutorial discusses five of the most common traps and how to recognize and avoid them in your work.

A Review of the Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM Mirrorless Lens

The 70-200mm f/2.8 lens is the workhorse of choice for photographers in a wide range of genres, but such lenses are both heavy and quite expensive. For those who want the versatility of those focal lengths but don't need that f/2.8 aperture, a 70-200mm f/4 lens is a far cheaper and more portable option. This excellent video review takes a look at Canon's mirrorless version of the lens, the RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM.

How to Compose Woodland Photographs

Whereas most landscape photos involve vast, sweeping scenes, woodland photography is an interesting change of pace that challenges you to create compelling imagery in densely packed spaces full of competing elements. This excellent video discusses the challenges of woodland photography and offers some helpful tips for creating better compositions.