Alex Cooke's picture
Average rating:
3.2 out of 5
3.2
Alex Cooke
Cleveland, OH

Articles written by Alex Cooke

Can the Sony a7S III Keep Up With This Camcorder From 1998?

I promise this is not actually a serious comparison. It is hilarious, however. Sony's new a7S III is the pinnacle of its latest video technology, and it brings with it a plethora of advanced features and capabilities. But let's not forget Sony's once-popular line of Handycam camcorders. This great video takes a look at the two and why the Handycam just might be better.

Which of These Three Beauty Dishes Produces the Best Photos?

Beauty dishes are one of the most popular lighting modifiers out there, but they are not all created the same. Mola makes some of the most revered beauty dishes on the market, but with seven different models, you might wonder which is right for you. This excellent video comparison takes a look at three of the most popular versions to help you pick the best for your work.

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Lens

The original Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 was a bit of a legend in the DSLR world, and now, Nikon shooters have the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S, the mirrorless version of the beloved optic. It brings with it a variety of new features and improvements, and this fantastic video review takes a look at what you can expect from the lens in practice.

A Beginner's Guide to Shooting and Editing Composite Photos

Compositing is one of the most powerful techniques for creating images that would otherwise be dangerous or impossible to get in one shot. And with the proper technique, creating effective composites is not that difficult. This fantastic video tutorial will show you both how to shoot and edit a convincing composite using Photoshop.

Creating Professional Portraits Using Just a Speedlight and Umbrella

Lighting equipment can quickly add up in cost, but you do not always need top-level equipment and multi-light setups with esoteric modifiers to get great results. This excellent video tutorial will show you how to get professional portraits using nothing more than a simple speedlight and an umbrella.

5 Helpful Tips for Photographing People With Glasses

Glasses can be the bane of a photographer's existence, ruining what would otherwise be a great shot with weird splashes of green patterns where your subject's eyes should be. But once you know how to work with them, it is not too hard to make great images that include them, and this helpful video will give you five tips to help you on your way.

How to Get More From the Graduated Filter in Lightroom

The graduated filter is one of the most versatile and powerful editing tools in Lightroom, and its usefulness goes far beyond simply making adjustments to exposure. This excellent video tutorial will show you a variety of tips and tricks for getting the most out of the graduated filter.

Don't Overlook the Wealth of Images You Could Be Creating at Home

It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking the only way you can get worthwhile, compelling images is to travel to photography hotspots with epic features, but that simply is not the case. Worse, you could be missing out on a wealth of unique images that stand out from the crowd. This excellent video essay discusses why you should consider shooting around your own neighborhood more often.

5 Awesome Portraits Ideas You Can Try at Home

Many of us are still stuck at home to one degree or another, but that does not mean we have to stop being creative. If you are at home with someone else, grab them and try out these five fantastic ideas for portraits.

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.