Articles written by Alex Cooke

The Sirui Night Walker 35mm T1.2 S35 Cine lens offers extreme light-gathering power in tandem with a useful focal length, making it a desirable option for filmmakers and photographers alike, and at $349, it will not break the bank either. Can it offer the sort of performance and image quality professionals demand? This excellent video review takes a look at what you can expect.

Fujifilm has continued to expand their GF medium format line, offering more and more versatile cameras and a nice gamut of lens options. The GF 55mm f/1.7R WR offers medium format users an unusually wide maximum aperture in tandem with a versatile and neutral focal length, making it an intriguing option for all sorts of applications, including portraits, events, and much more. How does it hold up in practice? This great video takes a look at the performance image quality you will be able to expect.

TTArtisan has gained a reputation for creating some of the most affordable lenses out there, which makes their lineup intriguing for any creative who wants decent performance at prices that will not hurt their bank account. One of their latest such lenses is the 27mm f/2.8, which offers a common focal length and autofocus for only $149. Can it still offer good performance and image quality at that price? This excellent video review takes a look.

Perhaps one of the most frustrating parts of landscape photography is that you do not have any control over the conditions, and if nature does not feel like cooperating that day, you can end up with a real struggle on your hands. That does not mean you should just give up and pack it in, though. This great video follows an experienced landscape photographer as he deals with such a day and perseveres in order to still come home with worthwhile images.

Hot spots can be quite frustrating, as they can be a significant distraction on an otherwise compelling photo and are not particularly easy to remove. It is not impossible to get rid of them, though. This awesome video tutorial will show you everything you need to know to even out those hot spots using Photoshop.

Long before the RF mount was even a gleam in Canon's collective eye, they had another mirrorless system: the EF-M mount. Though the mount never really caught on like the RF mount did, it was passionately supported by a group of loyal photographers who loved its small size and surprisingly affordable and capable lenses. Unfortunately, the EF-M mount has now left us, but this great video essay takes a look at the history of the system and why photographers loved it.

The green screen effect (sometimes known as "chroma keying") is a useful tool for making easy composites. However, getting a clean effect takes very careful and precise lighting. If you find yourself struggling to get it just right, check out this helpful video tutorial that will show you how to properly light a green screen along with some common mistakes and how to fix them.

Photography can be a tremendously rewarding hobby or profession, but it is important that you have a realistic understanding of what it is like to be a photographer and what it takes to find success. This important video essay features an experienced photographer discussing six harsh truths that every person should be aware of.

Lighting a wedding reception can be a real challenge, as you are often working in less-than-ideal environments and have to keep responding to dynamically evolving conditions, which can make it a bit intimidating for many photographers. If you would like to improve your images, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced wedding photographer sharing five tips that will help you take better control of your reception lighting.