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Alex Cooke
Cleveland, OH

Articles written by Alex Cooke

This Photographer Built His Own Lens and The Results Are Gorgeous

Creating your own DIY lens for photography can be both simple and surprisingly effective. With just a few materials—some drainage pipe, magnifying glasses, and a little ingenuity—you can build a lens that opens up new creative possibilities. The idea here isn’t about high-end equipment but rather about experimenting, learning, and having fun with a setup that’s low-cost and custom-made.

Using Lightroom to Transform Flat Images

Using masking techniques in Adobe Lightroom, you can guide the viewer’s eye and create a dynamic feel that makes a photo stand out. This tutorial dives into how to enhance depth and contrast in your images, transforming a flat-looking shot into one that feels alive and immersive.

Using Full Frame Lenses on a Medium Format Camera

Medium format cameras offer an elevated experience for those who want more detail and depth in their images, yet they’ve traditionally been seen as impractical or overly expensive. Fujifilm's GFX100S II challenges this idea by bringing impressive quality in a compact, user-friendly format, but lenses are still pricey. What if you could adapt more affordable full frame options?

Unboxing 73 Pounds of Mystery Camera Gear

Buying large lots of camera gear is like a treasure hunt for anyone who loves photography. With the right approach, you might discover rare, valuable, or simply interesting pieces that add character to your collection.

Advanced Dodging and Burning With Curves in Photoshop

Dodging and burning can transform an image, but traditional tools aren’t always the best route. Instead, using curves adjustment layers in Photoshop lets you refine highlights and shadows with control and flexibility, bringing out depth in your images. Here's how.

The Scam: How Photographers Became Targets

Scams targeting freelance photographers are becoming more elaborate, sometimes making even the savviest professionals vulnerable. This story, shared firsthand by someone who narrowly avoided being caught in this scheme, exposes just how easily these scams can ensnare even experienced photographers.

Essential Tips for Shooting Wildlife in Wet Weather

Wildlife photography in the rain offers opportunities you won't find in fair weather. The atmospheric mood, unusual animal behaviors, and transformative effect of rain on landscapes can make your images stand out. Beyond the challenges of staying dry, rain brings scenes to life in ways that fair weather simply cannot, adding depth and story to your photos.

Canon’s New Patent Hints at a Game-Changing Lens for Professionals

Canon has set its sights on a lens many photographers have only dreamed about: a high-speed, mid-range zoom with impeccable optical quality. With their recent patent for the RF 70-150mm f/2L IS USM, Canon appears ready to push boundaries in both image quality and innovation.

The Key to Powerful Photos

In photography, capturing a subject is only half the battle; the real challenge lies in telling a story that draws the viewer in. Your approach to composition and understanding how to frame each element in your shot can make or break that impact, and it’s crucial to get this right to elevate your work from simple pictures to meaningful visual narratives.

Why Canon’s RF 70-200mm Z Lens Might Be the Best Yet

The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z lens promises new features and updated optics that make it a strong contender in the high-end telephoto market. Its robust build, range, and precision make it particularly suited to professionals who demand consistent, high-quality performance across various settings.

How to Build a Portfolio That Attracts Premium Clients

If you’re not drawing in the clients you want, it might be time to look at your portfolio. While a “good” collection of images may seem like a solid start, it often isn’t enough to set you apart in a crowded market.

Setting Boundaries When Shooting Family and Friends' Weddings

Shooting a friend or family member’s wedding can seem appealing—it’s a chance to capture an important day for someone close to you. But it’s not without challenges, and taking it on requires a clear understanding of potential complications and the right preparations.

Why the 24-70mm Isn’t as Boring as You Think

The 24-70mm lens has often been labeled as the “boring” option, sandwiched between the extremes of wide angle and telephoto lenses. But this lens, rather than being uninspiring, could be just what you need.

Techniques for Balanced and Dynamic Landscape Compositions

While scouting during the day makes sense, it’s not always necessary—sometimes the best shots come from reacting to the light as it changes. Being in the moment allows you to see how shadows fall on the land and create natural compositions. As the final hour of daylight arrives, it’s an ideal time to find frames that bring out the land’s contours, colors, and textures.

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (October 2024): Atul Saluja

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 2024, 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.

Common Real Estate Photography Pitfalls

Real estate photography isn't just about having the right gear or knowing how to use it. There are deeper pitfalls that can stall your growth, especially when you're starting. Learning to avoid these mistakes will help you grow your skills and your business.