Photographers talk about lighting all the time—how to shape it, soften it, bounce it—but we don’t talk enough about how lighting can tell a story. It doesn’t just illuminate a scene; it sets the emotional tone and builds the narrative.
Choosing the right camera system can significantly impact your photography experience and results. Understanding what different systems offer beyond the standard choices like Canon, Nikon, and Sony can help you find a setup tailored exactly to your needs.
The Think Tank Walker Pro 24L is a bag designed for versatility, durability, and comfort. Its sleek profile is ideal for the photographer on the go. Does the bag hold up to its predecessor?
You’ve heard it all: “Shoot manual,” “Golden hour is king,” “Always follow the rule of thirds.” But what if those trusted tips aren’t always right?
The Voigtlander Nokton 75mm f/1.5 Aspherical lens offers photographers a distinctive focal length with manual controls tailored specifically for portrait photography. Here's a look at how it performs.
The perfect travel tripod does not exist because photographers have different ways of shooting when we travel. However, this versatile option from Leofoto might be the one that comes closest.
A few years ago, I first heard about the retouching software Retouch4Me when one of our readers asked me to review it for the Fstoppers Youtube Channel. I immediately fell in love with the software and added it to my workflow. This year, they have added some features we have all been waiting for, so let's look at what is new with this powerful skin retouching software.
By now, you’ve started making peace with the idea that your gorgeous photography isn’t enough on its own. You’ve added a clear intro to your homepage. You’ve started naming your images like an adult. You’ve even braved the back end of your site to fiddle with some alt text. That’s huge—give yourself a high five. Now let’s crank it up a notch.
There is a short list of books that distinguish themselves from the mainstream of photographic discourse, and even fewer for which a good case could be made that they are required reading for anybody serious about photography. This new book about the art of photography scores on both counts.
Using a NAS for editing has a lot of benefits but might not be as simple as it sounds. Here are the things you need to know and consider.
A few months ago, I started processing all my raw photos with a new Lightroom plugin. It led to a significant increase in image quality, as I show in this article.
Adobe Photoshop’s frame tool recently got a substantial upgrade that makes it more versatile and useful, especially if you're creating unique visuals or presenting images for sale. This tool often goes unnoticed, yet it opens up new creative options and practical applications.
Understanding how light behaves is essential to taking control of your photos. Lighting not only elevates your technical skill but directly shapes how your viewers feel about your images.
I still remember the moment I got the email—an opportunity to shoot for a major brand. I was excited, but it was the result of years of refining my craft, building a portfolio, and putting myself out there—mostly for free work or exchanges. Breaking into travel photography is no easy feat, but if you approach it the right way, landing that first major brand gig is absolutely possible.
Whether you're a travel or commercial photographer, getting your bag around the airport or to your next shoot can get annoying—if only there were a bag that made traveling a little easier.
I love attending any free photography-centered event that offers refreshments and shooting opportunities. Most of these events go all out to provide a unique shooting experience, complete with everything from balloons to dancing bears. Leica loves to be different, and it's no surprise that they took a different approach—one more focused on community—for their recent celebration in New York City.
Focusing in landscape photography is often trickier than you might think. As with many things, there are more ways than one to achieve the desired result. The best way is also determined by personal preferences. This guide will help you make the best choice.
A common misconception in landscape photography is that using the lowest ISO setting always results in the highest quality images. I frequently encounter this question and concern in my YouTube comments. Therefore, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share a video and article discussing the importance of ISO.
In 2025, digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras are regaining popularity despite nearly a decade in the shadow of mirrorless technology. For anyone serious about improving their photography skills, this comeback matters because working with a DSLR pushes you to master essential techniques rather than relying on technology alone—plus they're cheap!
With so many carbon fiber travel tripods on the market, it's hard to know which is right for you. However, Falcam has just released its latest TreeRoot tripod, which will turn some heads.
Composition changes how people react to your photos, and even tiny adjustments can completely shift a viewer's focus. Knowing exactly how to position your camera is often the difference between an okay photo and a great one.
The OBSBOT Meet 2 is an AI-powered 4K webcam that offers a ton of features in a small and stylish package.
Editing in dramatic black and white images can elevate the impact of your shots significantly. It’s a way to strip away distractions and focus on the emotions and details that make scenes compelling.
It’s light, it’s spacious, and it can carry a lot of things. If you can have only one bag for everyday use and shooting on the go, this might be worth considering.
I have been secretly switching lighting systems. In fact, I would struggle to pinpoint at which point my lights stopped being predominantly Profoto and became Briese. The point is, it happened, and I am not too sad about it. My light of choice has become the Briese Focus 77 reflector.
As a photographer, your photo library is one of the most important things to keep safe and backed up. Of course, you can have backups on multiple drives, cloud storage, and servers, but hardware can still fail. The risk is exceptionally high during or after a shoot, between the time you take the SD card out of the camera and plug it into your card reader. The last thing you want to see is a drive read error, but it happens. Luckily, there's an easy solution.
Less can often be more when it comes to creating stunning portraits in Lightroom. If you’re relatively new to it or you’re somebody who prefers a minimalist but effective approach to portrait editing over going crazy in post with loads of effects, then this tutorial is definitely going to help you.
Sunrises and sunsets are cornerstone images for the landscape photographer, presenting opportunities to showcase fantastic scenes in the favorable soft light of the early morning or late evening. The following tips help guide you through successful sunrise and sunset photography from start to finish.
The Nik Collection has been a powerful and useful tool for photo editors since DxO rescued the software from Google in 2017.
Photographers are increasingly concerned about AI's impact on their art. While huge arguments rage on about AI and copyright theft, artists are adopting two new tools that prevent their work from being scraped. It’s time photographers started employing them, too.
Fujifilm has just announced its smallest and lightest medium format camera yet, the GFX100RF, in the heart of Prague, and we couldn’t miss it. What are our first impressions? Does it hold up to expectations? Or does it exceed them? In short, yes. But you’re not here for the short version, are you
It's been a long time that I wanted to review a camera so badly. However, when I saw the Hasselblad CVF100C back, I couldn't be more excited. Is there something better than a 100 MP medium format back? How miraculously good can a camera costing $8,000 even be? Well, suffice it to say that it is one of the best medium format cameras available.
When you're starting macro photography, knowing what gear actually makes a difference is the fastest way to getting impressive shots. It's not about buying everything, but choosing exactly what matters to capture the small details you're after.
Knowing how to make your subjects stand out clearly from the background can dramatically improve your photos. Getting this right means viewers will focus exactly where you want them to.
Photography gear is constantly evolving, redefining what it means to be “professional.” Once, carrying massive DSLRs and powerful flashes was the mark of a serious photographer—now, smaller, more efficient setups are taking over.
What do you do when your heart wants a Sony RX10 IV, but your stock portfolio just took a beating since the start of the year? You turn to superzooms of yesteryear, and that's where I've come up with this interesting specimen from 2006: the Panasonic Lumix FZ50.
Photographing sunrise can yield spectacular shots, especially when you're ready to adapt quickly to changing conditions. Knowing how to handle these moments effectively can make the difference between a good and an outstanding photo.
Lightroom’s color range mask is a powerful tool for making selective edits that bring your photos to life. Understanding how to precisely target colors can significantly improve your editing skills, giving your images depth and nuance.
Photography myths can clutter your approach and limit your creativity. Knowing which advice to discard can drastically improve your results and reduce unnecessary frustrations.
Understanding how to compose images beyond basic rules like thirds is vital for elevating your photography. It helps you tell more compelling visual stories and makes your photos stand out.
Lightroom contains powerful tools hidden just below the surface. Knowing these can significantly improve your workflow, giving you more control over your images.
Quite recently, Viltrox introduced the AF 40mm f/2.5 lens from the “Air” series at a very budget-friendly price, considering the quality of images the lens produces. Viltrox is known for their glass quality and as a budget-friendly third-party manufacturer, and again they haven’t disappointed with this lens for both.
Did you know that DVDs store captions in two fundamentally different ways? This isn't just trivia; understanding this matters if you're relying on older media for accessibility.
The turn of the new year is the perfect time for reflection and renewal. For photographers, this moment can be used to evaluate the practices that either propel creativity or hold it back. As we step into 2025, I’m taking stock of the ways I work, create, and connect, making conscious decisions about what to carry forward and what to leave behind. Here’s my roadmap for growth and fulfillment in photography for the coming year.
There were 1.8 trillion photographs shot last year. Most are just a simple record of something that happened, while others are elevated beyond that by becoming art. Here is how you can lift your photography beyond the mundane.
In recent years, some of the world's cheapest lenses have made appearances in the world's most expensive movies. Several scenes in "Batman" (2022) and "Dune: Part Two" (2024) were filmed using re-housed vintage Soviet optics first produced in the 1950s. Surprisingly, these lenses—actually defective copies of optically superior German Zeiss designs mass-produced in Soviet factories—are cheap and plentiful and can be obtained for under $100 apiece. So why are major movies being shot on cheap lenses?
When Dwarflab announced the development of the Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope, I could not contain my excitement. I thoroughly enjoy astrophotography. For me, that has been limited to subjects like the Milky Way or Aurora Borealis. Deep Space photography and solar imagery have always been a dream of mine, but the learning curve and costs can be extraordinary. The Dwarf 3’s promises are big, but does it deliver? In this article, I put this smart telescope to the test.
I love space! Seriously! Whenever we have clear skies, I really appreciate spending my time looking up at the...
When starting out, posing subjects naturally can be tougher than mastering camera settings or lighting techniques. Getting someone comfortable in front of the lens is a crucial skill that directly impacts your images.
Finding your unique style in photography isn't about new gear or mastering every tip you read. Your personal perspective and approach matter far more than the latest camera or lighting setup.
If you own a Leica Q3 or Fuji X100 series camera, you’ll fit into one of two camps: those who love the simple, old-school design of the cameras and are happy to use them as is, or those who don’t like the lack of grip. Up until now, there have been very few options to help those wanting a more comfortable solution when holding their little retro-styled cameras. But fear not, PolarPro has just launched a few products to solve this issue. And one of those options is rather sexy too!
