Articles written by Alex Cooke

Tilt-shift lenses are some of the more exotic hunks of glass out there, but they enable some very unique capabilities that simply can't be accomplished with normal lenses. This interesting video shows how their shift capabilities can be used to easily create panoramic images.

Drones can enable you to get some pretty epic footage that you wouldn't dream of with a normal camera, but they also require an entirely separate skill set as well as a different way of visualizing your shots. This helpful video will give you 20 tips for creating more professional-looking drone footage.

Life as a photographer or videographer means cords — lots and lots of cords. Personally, I hate them, mostly because I'm a klutz and will invariably wrap myself in them and take down the entire set in one fell swoop. I've done my best to minimize wires in my life, but one area that's remained stubbornly dependent on physical connections is broadcasting anything on my television. The Nyrius Aries Pro seeks to change that with its 1080p wireless HDMI system, and the results are quite good.

The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art is a ludicrous lens, being the world's first constant f/1.8 zoom lens for DSLRs. And of course, the 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art is the long-awaited Art version of the classic portrait lens that has been enjoying rave reviews. Both are on sale today only.

Traditional advice says that prime lenses are best for portraiture for many reasons, particularly a wider aperture and better sharpness. Nonetheless, modern zoom lenses can offer very high image quality coupled with increased flexibility, and that can cause some photographers to reach for them before a prime lens when doing portrait work. This video explores one photographer's experience with both.

The vast proliferation of cameraphones and even the digital age itself have created an explosion in the sheer number of pictures taken and shared with the world, and for many, that has blurred the line of where snapshots end and photography begins. This interesting video segment features one photographer as he gives his opinion on what a photographer is in the age of inescapable and omnipresent images.

When you're shooting portraiture, particularly outside without artificial lighting, you'll often need to brighten your subject a bit in post. This can create a few issues, but this helpful video will show you how to obviate those potential problems and create a higher-quality result.

Photography, like any art form, is chock full of tropes. And that's not necessarily a bad thing: they provide a sort of guided path to creating solid imagery. But at the same time, getting stuck in them can make it harder to establish your own creative voice. This great video essay examines exactly that topic and why it's important to develop your own style.

Street photography is a genre of positioning and opportunity, meaning you can often end up going to a specific place and waiting a while for the right shot, something that not all of us have the time to do. This neat video shows you five common shots you can find easily, even on your commute.