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Alex Cooke
Cleveland, OH

Articles written by Alex Cooke

The Art of Color Grading With Lightroom

Color grading in photography is a crucial skill that transforms a good image into a keeper. It's especially important for photographers seeking to achieve a harmonious balance between different areas within their images, enhancing both their aesthetic appeal and emotional impact.

Navigating the New Frontier: AI's Impact on Photographic Creativity

The integration of artificial intelligence in photography has sparked a complex debate within the creative community, touching on issues of authorship, creativity, and the essence of the photographic process. This insightful video dives into this contentious subject, unpacking the nuances of AI's role in photography and its impact on the traditional practices and perceptions within the field.

The Art of Editing Landscape Photos

The process of photo editing can significantly alter the perception and impact of an image, and it deserves as much attention as the process of taking the photo itself. This exploration of how photographers at different skill levels approach editing sheds light on the nuanced journey from capturing to finalizing an image, emphasizing the importance of editing in the creative process.

Landscape Photography Under Cloudy Skies

Landscape photography often challenges photographers to find beauty and composition in less than ideal conditions. This excellent video tutorial ventures into a seemingly mundane weather day and showcases this skill, demonstrating the potential of "boring" weather to produce stunning, intimate landscape shots.

Photography as a Path to Mindfulness and Curiosity

Photography transcends mere image capture, evolving into a profound exploration of the world and self-awareness. This fantastic video essay features insights into this transformative journey, underscoring photography's role in shaping perceptions and enriching life beyond the lens.

Exploring the Path to Starting a Photography Business in 2024

Navigating the complexities of starting a photography business in 2024 is a daunting task for many aspiring photographers. Understanding the state of the industry and strategizing for success amidst intense competition and technological disruptions is crucial for those looking to make a mark.

Focal Lengths and Their Impact on Your Portraits

Choosing the right focal length for portraits is more than a technical decision; it's a creative choice that significantly impacts the aesthetic and emotional tone of an image. This choice dictates not just how subjects are framed within their environment but also influences perspective, distortion, and the relationship between subject and background, making it a critical consideration for photographers aiming to craft impactful visual narratives.

A Guide to Effective Model Direction in Portrait Photography

Understanding the dynamic between photographer and model is pivotal in creating compelling portraits. This interaction goes beyond the technicalities of camera settings or lighting; it's about the exchange of creative energy and understanding between the two parties. It's a balance of communication and collaboration that can significantly elevate the outcome of a photo shoot.

A Photographer's Guide to Color Theory

Photography, at its core, is a visual language that communicates through light, composition, and color. Understanding color theory and its application in photography can elevate a photographer's work from good to extraordinary, making it crucial for photographers who wish to deepen their connection with their audience and enhance their creative expression.

A Review of the New and Impressive Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS Sports Lens

Sigma continues to impress, and the new 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS Sports lens is no stranger to that trend, offering a ton of reach for users like sports and wildlife photographers. This fantastic video review takes a deep look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Essential Tips to Jumpstart Your Photography Business

Navigating the early stages of a photography business is fraught with potential missteps that can significantly slow down progress. This fantastic video tutorial addresses these common pitfalls and offers invaluable advice for beginners, aiming to fast-track their success and avoid common obstacles that can hinder growth.

Navigating the Ups and Downs: A Photographer's Guide to Handling Rejection

Rejection in photography, much like in any other aspect of life, is inevitable and often necessary for growth. This video addresses this universal experience, offering insights and strategies for photographers to handle rejection constructively. Understanding and embracing rejection is crucial, not just for the development of a photographer's technical skills, but also for their personal growth and resilience in a highly competitive field.

A Look at the New Venus Optics Laowa 10mm f/2.8 Zero-D FF Autofocus Lens

Venus Optics is respected for making some of the photography market's most interesting lenses, and the new Laowa 10mm f/2.8 Zero-D FF Autofocus continues that trend by offering and ultra-wide focal length in tandem with a wide aperture. This great video review takes a look at the new lens for landscape usage and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

The Art of Focusing on Your Subject

Mastering photography extends beyond understanding shutter speeds and apertures; it's about capturing the essence of your subject. Whether it's a gourmet dish or a breathtaking landscape, the true art lies in making the subject shine, a principle that every photographer should embrace.

Transform Your Photos with Lightroom's Split Toning

Lightroom has some advanced tools for realizing your creative vision, split toning being one of the most useful for landscape photographers. This fantastic video tutorial demonstrates how Lightroom's split toning tools can significantly enhance an image's visual appeal, offering a practical guide on adding depth and contrast to photos.

The Essential Guide to Lighting Patterns for Stunning Portraits

Understanding and mastering lighting patterns is a critical skill for any photographer focusing on portraiture. This great video breaks down five primary lighting patterns and their storytelling purposes, offering invaluable insights for photographers looking to elevate their portrait work.

A Review of the New Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G Lens

The new Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G offers users useful focal lengths in a compact package. This great video review takes a look at the new lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

A Review of the New Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS Sports Lens

Sigma's new 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS Sports lens promises users a ton of reach suitable for genres like sports, wildlife, and more, making it an intriguing option for many users. This great video review takes a look at the new lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.