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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

Why You Might Not Be Succeeding in Photography

Hard truths can be uncomfortable, but sometimes, they’re exactly what you need to hear. Many creatives struggle with questions about why their photography careers aren't taking off. It might feel like the market is oversaturated or that you're simply unlucky, but the reality may be much more straightforward.

How to Speed Up Photoshop Without Buying a New Computer

When working in Photoshop, even the most powerful computer can sometimes lag as projects grow more complex. This can become frustrating and disrupt your creative process. Rather than jumping to expensive hardware upgrades, consider optimizing your current setup.

Simple Habits to Improve Your Photography Without New Gear

The idea that skill outweighs gear when it comes to taking great photos is a fundamental truth that often gets overlooked. Many of us find ourselves tempted by the latest cameras or lenses, thinking they’ll be the magic key to better images. But, in reality, your ability as a photographer plays a much more significant role.

Mastering Harsh Light in Landscape Photography

Harsh light can ruin a landscape photo. It’s something you’ve probably faced when trying to capture the perfect scene, only to find that the sun has risen too high, casting harsh shadows and blowing out highlights. Knowing how to deal with this situation is crucial if you want to keep your photos looking their best, even when the lighting isn’t ideal.

The First Steps to Better Landscape Photography

Improving your photography often requires a closer look at the fundamentals. When your images aren’t turning out as you hoped, it’s usually because one or more key elements are out of balance.

Breaking Free from Creative Ruts

When you're stuck in one place, it's easy to fall into a routine, revisiting the same spots and capturing similar scenes. This can lead to complacency, and before you know it, the familiar becomes dull. Yet, there's always more to discover, even in places you think you know inside out.

Achieving Perfect Flash and Ambient Light Balance

In tricky lighting conditions, knowing how to balance different light sources is crucial. When you get it right, your photos look natural and well-composed, without any harsh shadows or blown-out highlights.

Mastering Photo Processing: Common Mistakes

The way you process your photos can make or break them. It’s not just about the tools you use, but about the attention to detail and the feel you want to convey.

Exploring Large Format Photography With the Intrepid 8x10

Shooting with an 8x10 camera is a bit like entering an exclusive club—one that comes with high costs, steep learning curves, and some serious frustrations. But the rewards? They can be worth every bit of the hassle if you're up for the challenge.

How to Create Custom Images in Photoshop With AI

If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to create the perfect image in Photoshop, the new “Generate Image” feature might be what you need. Whether you're working on a blog, a newsletter, or just exploring new ideas, this feature could save you time and effort.

How to Control Dynamic Range With Exposure Bracketing

Exposure bracketing is a technique that can significantly improve your landscape photography by helping you deal with difficult lighting situations. If you've ever struggled with blown-out skies or muddy, noisy shadows, bracketing might be the solution you're looking for.

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (August 2024): Louise Downham

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.

How to Avoid Over-Editing Your Landscape Photos

Editing your landscape photos can be a tricky process, especially when you're just starting out. It's easy to get caught up in the desire to make every image look perfect, but this can lead to common mistakes that actually detract from the quality of your work.

Finding Creativity in Boring Locations: A Practical Guide

Taking interesting photographs in unremarkable places can be a challenge, but it's also an essential skill for anyone serious about photography. It's easy to find inspiration in bustling cities or picturesque landscapes, but what about when you're in a quiet village or a nondescript suburban area? The ability to see potential in these seemingly dull environments is what can set you apart as a photographer.

Debunking Myths That Are Holding Back Your Photography Career

There's a lot of advice floating around that can seem helpful but might actually be hurting your photography career. Some of the most common suggestions, especially the ones circulating on YouTube, can mislead you and even stall your progress.

Transforming a Dull Photo into a Dramatic Image

Knowing what you can do in post-processing before you even take the shot is a powerful skill. It transforms how you approach photography, allowing you to capture scenes with the confidence that you can shape them later to fit your vision. In this example, you start with a rather dull image, lacking contrast and vibrant colors, and transform it into something stunning.