The Top 10 Fstoppers Posts of 2015

2015 was a busy year for photography! From gear, to retouching techniques, to legislature, we covered many topics here at Fstoppers. Check out our top 10 posts from 2015.

10. The 5D Mark IV May Well Make or Break Canon

The 5D Mark III is the bread and butter camera for numerous photographers, known for being versatile and capable in almost any situation. However, it's now almost four years old, and in the intervening time, photographic technology has leapt ahead, as is its wont. Just yesterday, Nikon wowed us with the release of the D5 and D500, while mirrorless offerings continue to advance at lightning speed. With the 5D Mark IV surely on the horizon, this article breaks down what Canon needs to address to keep up with the competition. Check out the article here.

9. Which Is The Ultimate Nikon Portrait Lens? 200mm, 135mm, or 85mm?

Dani Diamond normally shoots with the Nikon 85mm f/1.4G. In this article, he pits it against the Nikon 135mm f/2D and the Nikon 200mm f/2G ED VR II, explaining what he requires of a good portrait lens and which of the three he most prefers. Check out the article here. 

8. This Time Magazine Cover Is So Bad I Feel Sad and Inspired at Once

Time Magazine recently profiled Oculus Rift Inventor Palmer Luckey. Strangely, though, the cover seemed to be a total misfire. Lee Morris breaks down exactly what went wrong and how it could have been improved. They are also some very humorous edits of the photo, courtesy of the Internet. Check out the article here.

7. 20 Photographers Are Given the Same Portrait to Edit, Check Out the Results

Dani Diamond is well known for his portraits and editing style. In this article, however, he gave out the raw file of one of his portraits and challenged other photographers and retouchers to edit it. Of the 465 entries received, 20 were chosen to be featured. The different results highlight the vast differences in editing styles between individuals and offer many great perspectives on a single image. Check out the article here.

6. Photographer Creates Hilarious Photo Series Using Marvel Characters in Unique Situations

Andrew Griswold gives us a rundown of Edy Harjo's use of comic book action figures to create sometimes realistic and sometimes absurd scenes that are absolutely hilarious and quite well done. The series is a great example of what ingenuity and imagination can produce. Check out the article here.

5. A Complete Guide to Retouching Portraits in Photoshop for Free

Dani Diamond brings together a great collection of processes and techniques to get the most out of post-processing portraits. From culling, to frequency separation and toning, this is a must-read for anyone looking to step the portrait game up to their next level. Check out the article here.

4. The Hard Truth Why No One Will Hire You as a Photographer

Patrick Hall gets real in this article, highlighting why being good isn't good enough. Whether you're a seasoned full-time veteran, or an up and coming part-timer just looking to make a little extra money, this post can help you understand how the landscape of photography has changed in recent years and why simply being good with a camera won't be enough to pay the bills anymore. Check out the article here.

3. How “Furious 7” Created a CGI Version of Paul Walker for His Unfinished Scenes

Paul Walker's untimely death was a tragedy. As Andrew Griswold details, it also created a serious problem for the filmmakers of “Furious 7,” as the movie was unfinished. Their novel solution was a triumph — critically, commercially, and photographically. Check out the article here.

2. How to Upload Photos From PC to Instagram

Instagram is one of the most ubiquitous forms of social media and one of the top platforms for photographers to showcase their work and promote themselves. It's notorious, however, for restricting third-party control. In this post, Dani Diamond guides you through his process, from Photoshop to Instagram. Check out the article here.

1. One of the Most Insane GoPro Videos You've Probably Ever Seen And Why It's Gone Viral

David Geffin breaks down exactly why a viral video became viral. This post contains a lot of great tips and examples of how to improve the marketability and appeal of your own work. Check out the article here.

Bonus: Arkansas Senate Passes Bill to Make Street Photography Illegal in State

I'm including this article because it shows the power of photographers banding together. After the Arkansas Senate passed Bill SB-79, the ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers), the PPA (Professional Photographers of America), and many individual photographers swiftly and vocally denounced the bill, calling for it to be vetoed. Sure enough, Governor Asa Hutchinson vetoed the bill soon after. Zach Sutton breaks down just why this would have been such a disastrous law. Check out the article here.

What were some of your favorite Fstoppers articles of 2015? Let us know in the comments!