Trending Photography News and Reviews

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.

Is This the Best Budget Full Frame Mirrorless Camera?

The Canon EOS R8 full frame mirrorless camera is on the cheap side of such cameras, and yet, it offers a nice feature set sure to please professionals and advanced hobbyists alike. Does it offer the right combination of cost and performance for you? This excellent video review will help you decide.

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.

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.

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.

Why You Should Buy This Camera Instead

The Fuji X100VI has been riding shotgun on the hype train since its announcement. And while it's a good camera, this camera is better.

Essential Tips for Lightroom Classic

Lightroom is an indispensable tool for photographers of all skill levels, offering a comprehensive suite of features to enhance and manage your images. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, optimizing your workflow and understanding the nuances of the software can significantly elevate your editing process.

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.

Important Photography Lessons We Can Learn From 'Tish'

There is an incredible documentary about one of my photographic heroes, Tish Murtha. Tish was a documentary photographer who grew up in the abject poverty of England’s Northeast. There are important lessons we can all learn from her work.

Developing Your Artistic Vision as a Photographer

As photographers, we all strive to capture images that resonate with viewers and effectively convey our unique artistic vision. However, translating our creative ideas into compelling photographs can often feel like a daunting challenge.

Sony's All-in-One Wonder: We Review The 24-105mm f/4 OSS Lens

A few months back, I switched systems, mainly due to work-related requirements moving forward. The system I switched to was Sony, namely the a7R IV, so I needed a versatile lens to start with to allow me time to save for another lens after clearing out my bank account.

Canon's Smart Move With Sigma and Tamron Shakes Up the APS-C Lens Market

The recent introduction of new lenses for Canon's RF-S mount by third-party manufacturers Sigma and Tamron is a significant development for the industry. These lenses, all designed for APS-C format cameras, are a significant development that reveals Canon's strategic approach to its mirrorless camera lineup.

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.

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.

Can the Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR Do It All?

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR offers just about all the focal lengths a person could want in one package, making it an intriguing option for a wide range of users, particularly landscape and travel photographers. Can it deliver good results, though? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Natural Portrait Retouching in Photoshop

Achieving a polished yet natural look in portrait photography is a crucial skill for any photographer. Balancing skin tones, removing blemishes, and enhancing features without creating an artificial appearance requires a keen eye and the right techniques.

Dispelling Common Misconceptions for New Photographers

Transitioning from a novice to a seasoned photographer involves more than just mastering technical skills. It also requires shedding misconceptions that can hinder your growth and creativity. These misconceptions often stem from outdated advice, gear obsession, and a misunderstanding of what truly makes a great photograph.

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.

You've Been Lied To: Gear Matters!

You can find many articles online that state "Gear doesn't Matter." Some point out that constraints created by the limitations of your equipment force you to become more creative and present an opportunity for growth. And that's true. But the statement "Gear doesn't Matter" is not true.

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.

The Good, The Bad, and the Caveat of the Fujifilm X-T5

When Fujifilm released the X-T5 on November 25, 2022, I was one of the first in the queue as I wanted to experience a high-megapixel APS-C sensor. This was simply not GAS, as I had only months earlier purchased an X-T4, which was comfortably doing everything I needed. However, 40 megapixels for landscapes in such a compact and stylish design, I simply needed to see what it could do and more to the point, could do what I needed for my photography. Fast-forward 429 days later, has it been able to do everything?

How To Print Your Photography at Home: The Basics

If it’s not on paper, it’s not a real photograph. You must’ve heard this sentence at least once in your photographic journey. For many, it rings true. The best way to appreciate our captures is to hold them on a physical paper. But how to best print at home? Which printer to get? How to use it?

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.

Megazoom Lens Showdown: Sony vs. Nikon vs. Canon

Selecting the ideal lens for wildlife photography can significantly impact your results, influencing image quality, reach, and overall shooting experience. Long zoom lenses, offering versatile focal lengths, have become increasingly popular among wildlife photographers due to their adaptability in capturing diverse subjects and scenarios.

Fstoppers Reviews the Goldenmate 1000VA Surge Protector Battery

As much as we love to talk about composition, lighting, and color, it's important to address the fundamental aspects of keeping your photography setup efficient and protected. No matter what you do, we all need one thing: reliable power. Power outages, voltage spikes, power surges, and other electrical disturbances can result in data loss or even worse, hardware damage. This is where the Goldenmate UPS 1000VA/800W Surge Protector Battery Power Backup comes in.

The Ultimate Budget Full-Frame Camera of 2024

Whenever someone asks me what camera they should buy, I am shown a ton of triple-digit-D versions. Unfortunately, entry-level cameras are nowhere near as good as full-frame equivalents. Full frame doesn’t have to be expensive. Here’s a cheap full frame camera you can buy in 2024.

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.

Is the MacBook Air M3 the Best Laptop for Photographers?

Selecting the ideal laptop for photography isn't just about choosing a portable computer; it's about finding a versatile tool that enhances your artistic and processing capabilities without becoming a financial burden. This excellent video review takes a look at the MacBook Air M3 for photographers.

Why I’m Never Taking a Tripod on Vacation Again

I’m never taking a tripod on vacation again. Last year I took a lightweight compact travel tripod to Japan but never used it once. This was because shooting long exposures on the OM System OM-1 was a breeze. The camera boasts incredible 7 stops of image stabilization, increasing to 8 stops with compatible lenses.

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.

Ten Months and Thousands of Images Later: We Review the Fujifilm X-T5

The Fujifilm X-T5 has been out for some time. It was announced back in November 2022, but I’ve been using it since a few weeks before that so you could say I’ve had the camera for a long enough time to be able to tell you my opinion on it. Is it the right camera for you? What are its pros and cons?

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.

Why I Switched From the Fujifilm X100V to the Ricoh GR III Diary Edition

If you had asked me a year ago what the best compact camera was, my answer would have been the Fujifilm X100V. I'm a big fan of Fujifilm's fixed lens compact line, having owned one ever since the original X100 was released in 2010. What captivated me about it 13 years ago were the straight-out-of-camera JPGs. The color rendition of the f/2 Fujinon lens was simply gorgeous.

Is the Sony 16-25mm f/2.8 the Best Compact Lens for Travel?

There are a lot of lenses aimed at travel photography these days, but one of Sony's new offerings has caught the eye of many for a few reasons. So, this might be worth a look if you're in the market for a wide-angle Sony lens.
5 Essential Lightroom Editing Tips

Lightroom offers a lot powerful editing tools, and you can often finish a photo without ever touching Photoshop. This helpful video tutorial will show you five tips to ensure you are getting the most out of Lightroom.

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.

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.

Is the Apple iPhone 14 Pro a Good Camera in 2024? — Fstoppers Review

As an avid advocate for iPhone photography, I have written a ton of articles on the matter. However, I never reviewed the actual device I am using for my photos. Having had it for a year, it's time to give the iPhone 14 Pro a long-term review, as well as answer the question of upgrading to the 15 Pro.

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.

Ricoh GR III: the Perfect Compact Camera for Street and Travel Photography

Is the Ricoh GR III the perfect compact camera for street and travel photography? Based on my time with the camera this year, I’d say yes. Having made the switch from the Fujifilm X100V to the Ricoh GR III I took the camera on a 3 week trip to Japan. It quickly became my most used camera - shooting with it was an absolute joy.

If You're Shooting in Color, There's Something You Really Need to Know

If you are shooting in color but have no familiarity with color theory, you could be leaving a lot on the table when it comes to the quality and impact of your photography. Even an image with perfect exposure and artful composition can still be a dud if it lacks a compelling color palette.

Budget Friendly and Impressive: We Review the Viltrox 20mm f/2.8 E Mount Lens

If you’re all about capturing those sweeping landscapes or immersive cityscapes, the Viltrox 20mm f/2.8 lens might just be your new best friend. Available in both E and Z mounts, this surprisingly inexpensive lens quietly snuck under the radar for a lot of people last year. Perhaps because of the price point at only $158, many didn’t consider it, thinking low price, low quality.

Focus Stacking for Stunning Macro Images

Macro photography opens up a world of detail often unseen by the naked eye, allowing you to explore the fascinating intricacies of small subjects. This is especially valuable for photographers seeking inspiration close to home, transforming everyday objects into captivating works of art.