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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

Learn How to Create This Awesome Day and Night Shot in Camera

It is pretty amazing just how much you can accomplish in post-processing software nowadays, but there is something particularly satisfying about creating an image that looks like it took lots of Photoshop work entirely in camera. This excellent video tutorial will show you how to recreate this fascinating day and night image all in camera.

How the Ways We Simulate Sex on Screen Are Evolving

It is a strange thing when you think about it: films have long had fight and stunt coordinators to make the simulation of violence and dangerous situations both look realistic on screen and to protect the actors involved in the scenes. Yet, simulating sexual scenes is often done without expertise and often in very inappropriate ways that can and have seriously affected those involved. Here is how that is changing for the better.

Do You Really Need That Fast, Expensive Lens?

We all love to drool over those beautiful, fast (and oh so expensive) f/1.2 and f/1.4 lenses. But do you really need that top shelf glass, or would you be better served by saving your money and investing in a cheaper version? This great video talks about some of the more intangible facets of lenses and why it's about more than just the widest apertures.

Go Behind the Scenes With a Wedding Photographer and Off Camera Flash

Weddings are a nonstop whirlwind of technical and creative challenges, and the more knowledge and tricks you can have for both categories, the better. This awesome video follows a photographer behind the scenes at a wedding and focuses on his use of off camera flash to help you learn how to quickly and effectively turn dull and drab lighting into professional images no matter where you're shooting.

Seven Helpful Tips to Improve Your Landscape Photography

Landscape photography can be a tricky genre, full of subtle aesthetic and technical choices that can really make or break a photo. This excellent video details seven tips that can help you to improve your landscape photos.

Is Noise in Photos Always a Bad Thing?

Search the internet for photography articles about noise, and almost universally, they will be about how to reduce it in your photos. But is noise always a bad thing? This interesting video discusses why it might not always be bad and why you might want to embrace it at times.

The Best Autofocus Settings for Portraits Shoots With Sony Cameras

Sony cameras have some incredibly powerful and advanced autofocus systems with intricate settings and numerous customization options. At times, however, all those capabilities can almost be a bit overwhelming. This helpful video will show you the ideal autofocus settings for portrait shoots.

The Sony a7S III Is Still on Its Way

The Sony a7S II was a very well received camera, but it is certainly ready for the next iteration, and many creatives (particularly filmmakers) are eagerly anticipating the third version and wondering if it will actually come to market. The good news is that Sony has confirmed that a third version is indeed in development and will eventually come to market.

Canon Is Working on Some Truly Insane Lenses

While their mirrorless bodies have received mixed responses, no one can accuse Canon of playing it safe when it comes to mirrorless lenses, and they're showing no signs of stopping, as patent documents have emerged showing a positively ludicrous lens design.

Dump the Snapshots and Start Taking Photos

When you are new to photography, there can be a tendency to point your camera indiscriminately. And while there is nothing wrong with feeling out how the entire process works, eventually, you have to move from taking snapshots to making photographs. This great video discusses that process and offers some helpful tips for getting there.

How to Set Up a Photography Studio in a Small Space on a Budget

We would all love to have large, sprawling studios in which we can have the freedom to experiment and tackle any sort of job with ease, but the reality is that that simply is not the case for most of us. This helpful video will show you how to set up a working, versatile studio in a small space without spending a lot of money in the process.

Worldwide Camera Sales Take Another Tumble

CIPA, the Camera and Imaging Products Association, which tracks global camera and lens sales by major manufacturers, has released their report for June 2019, and it shows another significant drop in sales as compared to past years.

A Long-Term Look at the Canon EOS R for Video

Many photographers and videographers were not particularly pleased with the Canon EOS R when it was released, with seemingly middling specs and some seemingly arbitrary exclusions. Now that it has been on the market for a while, there has been time to form so more long-term opinions of the camera while taking into account things that can't be quantified by a specs sheet. This great video takes a long-term look at the EOS R for video shooters.

Photography Isn't Always Fun

Photography is supposed to be a fun thing; after all, it is something we all willingly choose to do, as opposed to a career chosen out of necessity. But that doesn't mean it always is; in fact, sometimes, it's downright tedious. This great video follows a landscape photographer as he discusses how the job isn't always as great as we make it out to be and why that's still ok.

A First Look at the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD Lens

Tamron's 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD lens for Sony mirrorless cameras has been an absolute runaway success, with its combination of portability, image quality, and affordable cost winning over many photographers and videographers. The 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD follows a similar design philosophy, and many people are already excited about the lens. This great video takes a first look at the lens to help you decide if you should add it to your arsenal.

Your First Year as a Professional Photographer: What Can You Expect?

Taking the jump into becoming a professional photographer can be a bit daunting, and you might be wondering if the move is right for you and what you can expect. This great video features a photographer discussing what his first year as a full-time professional was like after leaving a corporate job and offering some great tips and advice for those of you thinking of taking the plunge yourselves.