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Alex Cooke
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Articles written by Alex Cooke

Is This the Best Laptop for Photographers and Filmmakers?

Apple's introduction of the M1 series of chips was a major paradigm shift for the company, bringing with them some of the efficient performance ever seen, allowing for powerful laptops that still managed to last all day. That, combined with other features, like a large and vibrant display, make the 16" MacBook Pro with the M1 Max chip the seeming frontrunner for creatives on the go. Can it keep that title in practice? This excellent video review discusses one creative's thoughts after a year with the laptop.

5 Helpful Tips to Improve Your Snowflake Macro Photography

Many of us are mired in the cold and snow of winter, but that does not mean our creative juices should stop flowing. In fact, winter offers a vast range of unique photo opportunities, some requiring long trips and some only needing you to step outside your back door. Macro snowflake photography falls into the latter category, and this excellent video tutorial features an experienced photographer giving five tips to help you come away with the best possible images.

A Review of the Highly Affordable Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens

Traditionally, decent image quality from a supertelephoto focal length costs a pretty penny, which is what makes the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM, which costs less than $1,000, a particularly intriguing lens for many creatives. Can it offer performance and image quality that punch above that budget price, though? This excellent video review takes an in-depth look at what you can expect from the lens.

5 Tips to Improve Your Photoshop Skills

Photoshop is a tremendously complex and intricate program, and as such, there are many different ways to accomplish any specific task. This means that it is worth taking the time to learn some of the best and most efficient ways of doing things, as it will save you a lot of time and effort over the long run. This helpful video tutorial will show you five ways to make your work in Photoshop better and quicker.

Can This Affordable Kit Lens Keep Up With a More Expensive Professional Option?

With the release of cameras like the EOS R7, Canon has shown they are dedicated to building their APS-C mirrorless platform alongside their well-established full frame line. If you are shooting with such a camera and looking for a kit lens for shooting a variety of scenarios, check out this fantastic video review that compares two good options.

How Good Is the Affordable the Fujifilm XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR Lens?

One of the calling cards of the Fujifilm X Series is professional features and image quality in significantly smaller packages, and the XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR continues that by giving photographers a useful wide angle focal length that fits in the palm of the hand. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

5 Reasons to Consider Buying the Original Leica M Monochrom Today

Few cameras are as unique as the Leica M Monochrom, which, as its name implies, only shoots in black and white. While that might sound like a gimmick, it can provide a notable difference in image rendition in addition to the shooting experience. This interesting video takes a look at the original Leica M Monochromea decade after its release and discusses why it might be worth a look today.

How to Take Full Advantage of Lightroom's Newest Tools

Lightroom continues to advance in its capabilities, making it a more versatile editing platform than ever before. If you have not checked out all the new features yet, take a look at this fantastic video tutorial that will take you through some of the most useful new tools, where to find them, and how to use them for quicker and more powerful edits.

3 Pricing Mistakes Food Photographers Make

Food photography, like every other genre, has certain pitfalls that can adversely affect your ability to make a good income from it. This excellent video tutorial features an experienced food photographer discussing three common pricing mistakes and how to fix or avoid them.

A Deep Look at the Fujifilm X-T5 Mirrorless Camera

Fujifilm's new X-T5 mirrorless camera brings the beloved X-T series to the next level, offering a range of new features and advanced capabilities paired with a new 40.2-megapixel sensor, making it the most versatile option yet. This great video review takes a look at the new camera and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

A Review of the Viltrox AF 75mm f/1.2 XF Lens

In the last few years, Viltrox has earned a reputation for manufacturing lenses at some of the lowest prices out there that somehow still compete with more expensive options. Their latest offering, the AF 75mm f/1.2 XF, offers Fujifilm X Series users a nice combination of an ultra-wide aperture and a portrait focal length at a very reasonable price. 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.

Sigma Patents Several Supertelephoto Lens Designs

In the past few years, Sigma has mostly focused on standard focal lengths between about 20mm and 135mm, but that does not mean they do not have their eyes on more extreme options. In fact, three new patents have emerged for lenses with long focal lengths ranging from 400mm to 700mm.

A Review of the Sony Sonnar T* E 24mm f/1.8 ZA Lens

24mm prime lenses with wide maximum apertures are popular for a variety of applications, as they offer a versatile wide focal length that is not so wide that significant issues with distortion or composition start to creep in, making them a favorite for everything from events coverage to nightscapes. For Sony users, there is the Sonnar T* E 24mm f/1.8 ZA, and 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.

5 Reasons This Weird Camera Is Fantastic

Digital cameras have been around for just a moment compared to the long history of film photography, and that means within those many decades are some truly interesting and unique cameras. One of the weirdest and most beloved among those is the Rollei 35, and this great video takes a look at five reasons why it was such a fun and interesting camera.

3 Subtle and Natural Off-Camera Flash Portrait Techniques

Photographers who are new to working with artificial light often think that strobes always look distinctly different from natural light. And while it is true that you can shoot creative, highly stylized images that would not be possible with just sunlight, you can use strobes to emulate natural light to make subtle, natural looks. This excellent video tutorial will show you three off-camera flash lighting techniques that will allow you to create effective and compelling portraits.

Is the Sony a7R V the Best Hybrid Camera Available?

Now in its fifth generation, the Sony a7R series has earned a reputation for offering a wide range of impressive features paired with the highest-resolution sensor available in a full frame camera, making it the workhorse of choice for a lot of photographers and filmmakers. Is it the best hybrid camera on the market right now? This excellent video review takes a look.

How to Make Your Photography Thrive

Photography is a lifelong commitment. There is always something new to learn, an interesting subject to photograph, and a skill to improve. How do you avoid stagnating? This great video discusses the topic and how one photographer keeps himself motivated to continually evolve and grow as a creative.

Canon Looks to Make 2023 the Year of APS-C

When Canon got serious about mirrorless camera and lenses, they put all their attention into developing full frame options. Of course, many users prefer APS-C cameras for their lower prices, smaller form factor, and extra reach. It looks like those users will be happy in 2023, with more APS-C cameras and lenses on the way.

Dealing With Imposter Syndrome as a Photographer

Impostor Syndrome can be an insidious thing: you work hard at your craft and develop a strong creative voice, and yet, despite all that effort and experience, you feel as if you do not know what you are doing and your work is not worthwhile. Why do so many photographers experience Impostor Syndrome, and what can they do about it? This excellent video features an experienced creative discussing his experience with the issue and how he tackles it.