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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

How Good Is This Ultra-Affordable Portrait Lens?

Portrait lenses are often quite expensive, with some easily running north of $2,000. That's why, at $168, the TTArtisan AF 56mm f/1.8 is an intriguing option for Nikon Z, Sony E, and Fujifilm X APS-C users. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Canon's Most Important Cameras Inch Closer to Release

The excitement surrounding the imminent release of the Canon EOS R1 and R5 Mark II is palpable, with retailers gearing up and training sessions underway, meaning we're getting even closer to seeing the next generation of Canon powerhouses.

Advanced Contrast Techniques for Stunning Photos

Understanding and effectively utilizing contrast is crucial for creating compelling and dynamic photographs. It's not just about making your images pop; it's about adding depth, guiding the viewer's eye, and setting the mood of your scene.

A Comprehensive Guide for Starting to Print Your Photos

Printing your photographs is a magical experience that elevates your work from digital files to tangible pieces of art. It allows you to experience your images in their full glory, appreciating details and colors as intended, much like viewing a painting in a gallery or listening to music at a concert.

Macro Photography Adventures: Discovering Hidden Beauty in Nature 

Macro photography presents a unique challenge: finding compelling subjects in a world often overlooked. While dedicated macro photographers might cultivate specific environments for tiny creatures or invest in specialized equipment, the reality is that macro opportunities exist everywhere, from your backyard to local parks. The key lies in training your eye to see the miniature landscapes and intricate details that most people miss.

Adding Depth and Dimension: Mastering Tonal Contrast in Editing

The ability to create a sense of depth and realism in your photographs is important for conveying the true essence of a scene. While modern cameras are capable of capturing incredible detail, raw image files often lack the dynamic range and tonal contrast necessary to bring your images to life. This is where understanding and utilizing tonal contrast becomes essential for transforming flat, lifeless images into captivating visual stories.

Demystifying Three-Point Lighting: A Practical Guide for Photographers

Understanding and effectively utilizing light is fundamental to creating compelling and impactful portraits. This is where the concept of three-point lighting comes into play, offering a versatile and powerful technique for achieving professional-looking results.

Lessons From a New York Times Photographer

Capturing the essence of a city during a momentous occasion presents a unique challenge for photographers. You need to go beyond the obvious celebratory visuals and find images that tell a deeper story, conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the event. This is especially true when documenting a significant historical milestone, like the 1,000-year anniversary of Hanoi, Vietnam.

Navigating the Early Years of a Photography Career

Building a successful career in photography requires more than just technical skills and artistic vision. It demands resilience, adaptability, and a keen understanding of both the creative and business aspects of the industry. For young photographers, especially those in their 20s and 30s, navigating this path can be particularly challenging.

Using Canon EF Lenses on Nikon Z Cameras

The ability to utilize a wide range of lenses is crucial for achieving creative vision and capturing diverse subjects. Lens choice impacts everything from focal length and depth of field to image stabilization and low-light performance. However, investing in a comprehensive lens collection, especially across different camera systems, can be a significant financial undertaking.

Unlocking the Secrets of Impressionistic Photography

Impressionistic photography challenges traditional approaches by emphasizing mood and atmosphere over sharp, detailed imagery. This style captures fleeting moments of light and color, offering a painterly quality that stands out in the digital age.

The Life-Enhancing Benefits of Landscape Photography

Enhancing your life through landscape photography is not just about capturing breathtaking images; it's also an avenue for personal growth and mental health improvement. Understanding these benefits can profoundly affect your approach to this art form.

Photoshop Magic: Effortlessly Eliminate Distractions from Your Portraits

The ability to control the environment within a photograph is a crucial skill for any photographer, especially when it comes to portraiture. Unwanted elements can draw the viewer's eye away from the subject, diminishing the impact of the image. Thankfully, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) offer powerful and straightforward tools to address these challenges.

Enhance the Sparkle: Advanced Eye Editing Techniques in Photoshop

Creating stunning portraits involves more than just capturing a face; it's about bringing out the individual's unique characteristics and beauty. One of the most important features is the eyes, and this helpful video tutorial will show you how to use Photoshop to make them shine.

5 Tips for Stunning Engagement Photos This Spring

Spring is upon us, which means it's the perfect time for engagement season. As wedding photographers gear up for the busy fall season, it's important to focus on capturing the best engagement photos possible.

Focus Stacking and Lighting Techniques for Stunning Macro Photos

Macro photography offers a unique perspective, revealing intricate details and hidden worlds often unseen by the naked eye. However, achieving sharp focus throughout the entire image can be challenging due to the inherently shallow depth of field. This is where focus stacking, a technique that merges multiple images with different focus points, becomes invaluable.

Why Your Framing Might Be Failing (and How to Fix It)

Framing is a fundamental aspect of photographic composition, impacting the way viewers engage with and interpret an image. While it may appear simple at first glance, mastering framing requires a nuanced understanding of how different elements within a scene interact with each other.

RF vs EF Lenses: A Comprehensive Guide for Canon Photographers

Canon offers two primary lens options: the newer RF mount lenses and the older EF mount lenses. Understanding the differences and advantages of each system is essential for making informed decisions about your photography gear.

Why Perfect Photos Are Boring

We often find ourselves chasing perfection, striving for flawless compositions and technically impeccable images. But what if there's more to capturing a moment than achieving technical mastery? What if embracing imperfection is the key to creating truly compelling photographs?

Mastering Skin Tones: Eliminating Redness in Photoshop 

In portrait photography, achieving even and natural-looking skin tones is crucial for creating flattering and impactful images. One common challenge photographers face is dealing with redness in the skin, which can be caused by various factors such as skin conditions, lighting, or even the subject's emotional state. This helpful video tutorial will show you how to remove it using Photoshop.