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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

How to Shoot Portraits With a Clean, White Background

By far, one of the most common types of portraits you will be asked to shoot are those with a clean, white background. It is a simple, elegant, and versatile look that will never go out of style. If you struggle with artificial lighting, this excellent video tutorial will show you how you can easily shoot high-quality portraits with clean, white backgrounds.

A Review of the Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 R WR Lens

A good 35mm lens with a wide maximum aperture is one of the most versatile optics almost any photographer can own and is often the lens of choice for a lot of scenarios. If you shoot Fuji and are looking for such a lens, check out this great review of the Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 R WR.

How Does the Canon EOS R5 Perform on an Actual Photoshoot?

The EOS R5 has been making waves for months with a specs list that pushes the boundaries of modern camera design, but it is only now beginning to make its way into the hands of more customers. If you have been wondering how it holds up in real-world usage, this great video discusses one photographer's experience with the camera while shooting with an NBA client.

6 Lighting Facts Every Photographer Should Understand

Artificial lighting can be a bit tough for a lot of photographers to master, but once you understand the fundamental behavior of light and some of its basic properties, you will be well on your way to creating better images. If you are new to artificial lighting, this fantastic video details six fundamental lighting facts every photographer should know.

How Good Is the New Sony a7C Mirrorless Camera?

The Sony a7C is the latest in the popular a7 series, and it offers a marked departure in design from its predecessors while still including a lot of the company's most popular features. This excellent video review takes a look at the new camera and what you can expect from it in practice.

An In-Depth Review of the Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera

The Canon EOS R5 is one heck of a camera that packs a wallop on both the video and stills side of the equation. If you are wondering if it is the right camera for you, check out this great video review that takes an in-depth look at the sort of performance you can expect from it in practice.

6 Editing Skills Every Landscape Photography Should Have

Making a good landscape photo is just as much about the editing process as it is about shooting it. While everyone has their own style, there are certain fundamental editing skills every photographer should know, and this great video will show you what they are and how to use them.

How to Retouch a Double Chin Using Photoshop

A double chin is one of the most common cosmetic issues a client is likely to want you to correct, but once you understand how to retouch it, it is not particularly difficult to do. This great video tutorial will show you how to use Photoshop to retouch a double chin.

Common Financial Mistakes That Hurt Creatives

You can have all the technical proficiency and creative vision in the world, but if you are not good with your finances, you will have a lot of trouble building a successful photography or videography business. This excellent video discusses some common financial mistakes that creatives make and how to remedy them.

The Process of Focus Stacking Large Format Film

Large format photography is a very different way of approaching the process of creating images, but it can reward you with images absolutely bursting with detail. Adding in a technique like focus stacking can bring out all the more detail, and this great video explores that process.

How to Use Photoshop to Remove Facial Hairs and Fuzz

One of the most common things you will have to do when it comes to retouching is taking care of facial hairs and fuzz. This helpful video tutorial will show you how to do just that using Photoshop.

What Were Photographers Shooting With in 2001?

Even just two decades ago, the photography industry was a vastly different place, and the sort of gear photographers used was quite different. This fun video follows a photographer as he discusses what was in his gear bag back in 2001.

Light and Versatile: A Review of the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM Lens

The 70-200mm f/2.8 lens is the workhorse of choice for a wide variety of photographers, but given its size and cost, creatives who do not need the f/2.8 aperture may opt for the lighter and cheaper f/4 version. If such a lens sounds right for your work, check out this great review of the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM.

Why Landscape Photographers Should Own a Telephoto Lens

When you think of landscape photography, you probably think of using wide angle lenses. No doubt, these are normally the lenses of choice for most landscape work, but that does not mean that telephoto lenses do not have their place too. This excellent video discusses why landscape photographers should also own a telephoto lens.

Not All Photography 'Mistakes' Are Mistakes

Spend any amount of time on the internet studying photography, and you are sure to hear about a wide variety of rules photographers should follow and mistakes they make. But what constitutes a mistake is not always ironclad, and it is worth considering that before you lose your individuality as an artist.

Versatile Workhorse: A Review of the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR Lens

The 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is the workhorse of choice for a wide variety of photographers and videographers across a lot of genres. Fuji's version comes with a lot of the company's top technology, and this excellent review takes a look at what you can expect from it in practice.

Learn How to Edit in Lightroom With This 10-Minute Guide

Lightroom is the tool of choice for cataloging and performing basic edits on images for a ton of photographers. If you are new to photography and Lightroom, this fantastic video tutorial will show you how to edit an image using the program in just 10 minutes.

How to Focus When Shooting Video

While modern autofocus systems have made stills work a lot easier in many ways, when it comes to video, you will often resort to different techniques, which often include manual focus. If you are new to shooting video, this great video will show you how to get proper focus using a variety of tools and techniques.

A Seven-Step Process to Sharper Landscape Photographs

Excellent sharpness is one of the top requirements for a successful landscape image, and there are steps you can take all throughout the process of shooting to help ensure that your image is pin-sharp. This excellent video gives a great seven-stop process to help you get those sharp photos.

10 Camera and Flash Settings You Should Know for Macro Photography

Macro photography is a very rich and rewarding genre, but it also comes with some of the most specific and specialized knowledge and equipment requirements of any photographic pursuit. If you are new to macro photography, check out this fantastic video that discusses a multitude of camera and light settings you need to know for macro photography.