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

Articles written by Alex Cooke

How Science and Art Came Together to Inspire a Photographer
9
by

If there's one thing I've learned from having dual career paths in science and the arts, it's that the ways of thinking are not all that unalike and that really, scientists and artists are often trying to understand the same thing from different perspectives: the meaning and importance of human existence. This great talk examines how one engineer and photographer combined the two to overcome his colorblindness and create his own perspective of the world.

Advice on Distinguishing Yourself as a Photographer
0
by

Imagery is more prevalent than ever, and as capable technology finds its way into more hands and more people become hobbyists and even pros, good imagery is more prevalent than ever too. As such, it's harder than ever to distinguish yourself as a photographer. But it's not impossible. This interview explores how one photographer believes that should be done.

Why Scouting Will Help Your Landscape Photography
4
by

Do you scout out locations before you shoot them or do you just photograph as you happen upon them? This helpful video explores why visiting locations before you shoot them can benefit your landscape work.

Ask Yourself These Questions When You Think It's Time to Buy a New Camera
15
by

Given the choice, most of us would probably buy the latest and greatest camera bodies as soon as they came out, because hey, new toys are cool, right? But most of us don't have unlimited budgets, so it's important to know when you really need to upgrade and when it's just a case of gear lust. Here's what to consider when you're wondering if it's time to buy a new camera.

Nine Awesome Tips for Taking Better Portraits
14
by

Portraiture is a fun but also difficult genre of photography, as you have to manage not only your camera but a living, breathing subject. This helpful video will show you nine great tips to improve your portrait work.

The Usefulness of a Tilt-Shift Lens for Panoramic Landscape Photos
16
by

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.

Twenty Helpful Tips for More Professional Drone Footage
1
by

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.

The Kickstarter Plague: Why You Should Stop Paying for Crowdfunded Photography Gear
31
by

In theory, crowdfunding seems like one of the beautiful perks of the Internet: any entrepreneur with an idea and the will to bring it to fruition can receive the financial support of interested patrons from all around the world, and in return, those patrons get early and/or discounted access to an exciting new product. The reality is rarely so rosy, and as a consumer, you need to be aware of that.

Wireless 1080p Video: Fstoppers Reviews the Nyrius Aries Pro HDMI Transmitter and Receiver
5
by

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.

Is There Value in Taking a Photo That Has Already Been Shot Many Times?
19
by

One of the curses of modern photography is that nearly every breathtaking place on Earth has been photographed. And while many, many places continue to offer new angles, conditions, and compositions, some of the most famous have been so well documented that it can be tough (if not impossible) to create something truly original. This video explores the idea of photographing in such locations.

Get Great Deals on Two of Sigma's Best Lenses Today Only
0
by

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.

Do You Prefer a Prime or Zoom Lens for Portraiture?
40
by

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.

Avoiding Clichés in Landscape Photography
2
by

Every genre of photography has its share of clichés, and while that doesn't necessarily mean you should never shoot certain images, it can restrain your creativity by never forcing you to think outside the box and create a shot more representative of who you are as a photographer. This great video examines recognizing and avoiding clichés in landscape photography.

What a Lifelong Photographer Has to Say About What Makes a True Photographer
12
by

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.

Five Reasons to Use Smart Objects in Photoshop
1
by

If you're new to Photoshop, Smart Objects can seem a bit foreign, but they're extremely helpful when you're doing certain kinds of work. This informative video will show you five reasons to consider using them when you're working in Photoshop.

A Quick Tutorial on a Better Way to Brighten Portraits in Photoshop
4
by

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.

A Close Look at Planning a Meaningful Portrait Series
6
by

Portraits are such a special and intimate thing: they offer both a representation of the subject and a window into who they are, which is why it's so important as the photographer to give the utmost consideration to how we portray those two things. This wonderful video examines just that topic, connecting it to practical advice as well.

'Photograph the Unobvious': A Look at How to Create Unique Images as a Photographer
1
by

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.