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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

Five Ways to Strengthen Your Brand When Business Slows

Most people panic when business slows down, but this time of year is an opportunity, not a setback. A slow season gives you space to refine your strategy, attract better clients, and strengthen your brand. What you do now will determine how successful your next busy season will be.

The Best Beginner's Guide to Lightroom

Editing your photos well makes a huge difference in how professional they look. Lightroom is one of the most popular tools for photo editing, but it can seem overwhelming at first. Knowing how to use it efficiently can save you time and improve your final images.

Google Adds Watermarks to AI Photos

Google has introduced a digital watermarking system called SynthID to discreetly label images that are generated or heavily edited by artificial intelligence. The technology embeds an imperceptible identifier into the pixels of AI-created or AI-modified photos, which humans cannot see but software can detect​.

The Three Overlooked Skills Wedding Photographers Need

Being a wedding photographer isn’t just about mastering camera settings or posing techniques. The job demands serious physical and mental endurance, and if you’re not prepared, it can take a heavy toll. Long hours, high-pressure moments, and back-to-back weekends can leave you drained, impacting both your work and well-being.

Less Is More: A Guide to Cleaner Composition

Photography often starts with a full scene that overwhelms the eye with every detail. You face the challenge of choosing which elements to let stand and which to remove in order to craft a compelling image.

Stop Losing Image Quality in Photoshop With This Trick

Smart objects in Photoshop solve one of the biggest problems you face when working with images: loss of quality. You scale an image down, then decide later you want it bigger, and suddenly it’s a pixelated mess. Smart objects prevent that.

Camera Store Robbery Leaves Owner Injured

In New Port Richey, Florida, a local camera store became the scene of a violent robbery that left longtime owner Jim Smetzer injured and sent shockwaves through the community.

Drones Help Rescue Missing Dog After 3 Days

In Ohio, a rescue mission that unfolded over three days has highlighted how drone technology can step beyond creative use into real-world problem solving.

The Key to Stunning Landscape Shots: Timing and Patience

Capturing dramatic landscape images isn't just about finding a great location. Timing, light, and composition play a huge role in transforming a scene into something special. Understanding how light interacts with natural elements can give your shots a unique depth and atmosphere.

Maximizing Portrait Photography Efficiency With Clever Lighting

Whether you’re working with athletes in controlled environments or trying to create a dramatic effect, the way you set up your lights can make or break the shot. Understanding how to efficiently arrange and use your lighting gear allows you to maximize your time while producing high-quality images.

How a Mid-Range Zoom Can Elevate Your Landscape Photography

The right lens can make or break your landscape photography. A mid-range zoom gives you the flexibility to frame shots without constantly switching lenses, helping you stay in the moment and capture what’s in front of you. If you want a versatile setup that lets you adapt on the fly, you’ll want to take a closer look at this approach.

Wedding Videographer Allegedly Scams 100+ Couples

More than one hundred newlyweds in the UK are caught in a nightmare after a wedding videographer allegedly took their money and failed to deliver on her promises. Police have arrested a 34-year-old wedding videographer on suspicion of fraud and theft following a flood of complaints from couples over missing wedding videos​

Nepotism Allegations at National Portrait Gallery (UK): Donor’s Exhibition Sparks Conflict of Interest Concerns

The National Portrait Gallery (NPG) in London is embroiled in a “nepotism” controversy after hosting a photography exhibition by Zoë Law, a former celebrity make-up artist turned photographer who was also a major donor to the museum’s recent £40 million refurbishment​. Law’s exhibit, titled Legends, opened in late 2024 and features black-and-white portraits of famous figures like Noel Gallagher, Sir Rod Stewart, and Kim Cattrall​. Critics have pointed out that Law has close ties to the gallery: she was married to hedge fund manager Andrew Law, and their family charitable foundation contributed significantly to the NPG’s renovation fund​.

Kansas Trail Camera Ban Revisited

In 2023, Kansas instituted a statewide ban on the use of trail cameras on public lands managed by the Department of Wildlife and Parks. This controversial rule was implemented after years of mounting complaints about camera misuse. That ban is being revisited.

Why Your Photography Feels Stuck and How to Fix It

When your photography hits a plateau, it can be frustrating. You’ve taken great shots before, but suddenly, nothing seems to work. Creative slumps happen to everyone, but understanding why they occur and how to push through can make all the difference.

How to Use Vignettes to Improve Your Photos

Vignetting can be a powerful tool in editing, helping you direct attention to the most important part of your image. Whether you're working with portraits, product shots, or landscapes, controlling how light fades toward the edges can enhance your composition. But not all vignettes are created equal, and using the wrong approach can make your edits look artificial.

Quantum Camera for Cancer Detection: Ultra-Sensitive Imaging to Spot Tumors Early

Scientists are reporting progress on a “quantum camera” that could vastly improve early cancer detection by capturing visual details that conventional medical imaging might miss. This next-generation camera is designed to be so sensitive that it can detect a single photon of light – the smallest possible unit of illumination. By leveraging principles of quantum physics, the device would produce extremely high-contrast, high-resolution images of biological tissues, potentially allowing doctors to see cancerous cells or tumors at a much earlier stage than current technology permits​.

Getty Images and Verizon Announce $20,000 Grant to Improve Disability Representation in Professional Settings

Getty Images, in collaboration with Verizon and the National Disability Leadership Alliance (NDLA), has announced a $20,000 creative grant aimed at improving the representation of the disability community in workplace imagery. This initiative seeks to challenge traditional portrayals by focusing on the professional contributions of people with disabilities rather than the often-limited contexts seen in mainstream visual media.

Sony Expands Creators’ Cloud With Direct Uploads to Google Drive and Adobe Lightroom

Sony has announced an update to its Creators’ Cloud platform, bringing new features to its Creators’ App. The latest version, 2.6.0, allows users to automatically transfer images and videos directly from select Sony cameras to Google Drive or Adobe Lightroom, simplifying cloud-based workflows for photographers and videographers.