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Staff Writer

Alex Armitage

Denver, CO

Articles from Alex Armitage

A Budget Camera So Good, I Bought One Myself

There are not many entry-level cameras left in the current camera economy. Many manufacturers aren't even offering budget options anymore, but thankfully, even with narrowing options, there is one standout choice. 

My Frustrating Experience With the Fujifilm X-E5

The Fujifilm X-E5 looks like a fantastic option on paper, essentially being a Fujifilm X100VI with interchangeable lenses. Sadly, my initial experience with the Fujifilm X-E5 left me confused by some of their design choices. 

How Good Is the Nikon Zf Without Editing?

I've recently been exploring the world of photography without editing, and the options for cameras are quite limited. I picked up a Nikon Zf a couple of months ago to find out just how good the images it can make right in camera could be. 

I Quit Editing My Photos and It Transformed My Photography

I've spent over a decade capturing photos with the intention to always edit them, no matter what. Thus, last year when I let myself just take photos and enjoy them right on the back of my camera, it completely shifted my photography. 

Goodbye Fujifilm X100VI Hello Nikon Zf

Less than a year ago, I got my hands on the Fujifilm X100VI, and it changed how I approached photography. The only problem is that I had to give it back to my partner, leaving me empty-handed. To fill that void, I picked up a Nikon Zf, and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made! 

Fujifilm vs Canon vs Hasselblad vs Nikon - Does Your Camera Even Matter Anymore?

Unless you're living under a rock or not checking Fstoppers enough, you've likely noticed that image quality hasn't really changed much over the last couple of years. So what sets brands apart from one another, and most importantly, can you just make the images you want to make regardless of the camera? 

Master Manual Mode in One Day

If you're new to photography and trying to learn the foundational principles of subjects like exposure, shutter speed, aperture, or ISO, then this is the video for you. The best part is, unlike many other sources, you won't be alone in learning them! 

The Exposure Advice That Transformed My Photography

Photography can be simplified down to the art of capturing light, and we all learn to capture that light correctly for perfect exposure. But what if that is actually hurting our creativity and work? This advice changed how I take photos. 

Take Better Photos by Doing Less Work

Having infinite resources for many of the locations we frequent for landscape photography is what makes it so accessible to anyone and everyone. The downside is that we tend to plan out everywhere we go, every shot we want to take, and thus we never really get a chance to develop our vision as photographers. 

Is JPEG the Future of Photography? The Results Are Incredible

As photographers, one of the first things we learn is that we should always shoot in raw. This gives us the most flexibility and data to work with in editing, with the drawback being large file sizes that have gotten even larger over the years. What if you could have all the flexibility of a raw file at ten percent of the file size? 

Stop Wasting Money on Landscape Photography: 2025 Gear Guide

What if I told you that all you really need to start—or even succeed—at landscape photography is incredibly little? It might be hard to believe, considering the most popular photography content is centered around cameras, lenses, and gear.

The Fujifilm X100VI Is Changing Photography and Now I Understand Why

I never understood why the Fujifilm X100VI is so popular, especially considering how lackluster it appeared on paper. After using it for a few months, I now fully understand exactly why this camera is still sold out everywhere. The answer is not what you'd expect. 

Apple's Secret Upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro Yields Incredible Results

Every year, I compare the new iPhone to my professional camera, the Canon R5. Last year's iPhone 15 Pro had lackluster results, but I can confidently say this year's iPhone 16 Pro has much more to talk about, including a "secret" update that completely blew me away.  

My Partner Finds Out How Much My Camera Gear Costs

Photography is expensive, and there’s no way around your significant other eventually finding out. Instead of waiting around for that moment, I decided to just get it over with and record it in real-time. 

We all go through a GAS phase in our photography. GAS stands for "gear acquisition syndrome," and for many of you out there, it can turn into a real problem.

10 Simple Tips to Capture Professional Photos With Your Phone

Phone cameras have reached a point where they are capable of taking professional quality images. Whether you're brand new to photography or trying to get the most out of your phone photos on your next vacation, there will be a few tips here for you. 

Don't Lose All Your Photos! My Complete Guide to Photography Backup

I’ve worked with more and more photographers over the years, and a commonality between many of them is that they only have their photos in one place, which will inevitably lead to tragedy. If this is you, or you struggle with catalog management, or you have a bunch of unorganized drives, then this guide is for you.

This Camera Makes Me a Better Photographer

As photographers, we are constantly told that our gear or camera does not matter. As someone who has pushed this narrative, it is finally time to admit I've been wrong this entire time. 

AI-Generated Videos Just Changed Forever

It doesn't feel like long ago that we were blown away by the results of AI-generated photography, because it was only last year. Video seemed like it was quite far off, and yet, here we are with what I'd call "terrifyingly good," out of nowhere.  

A Complete Guide to Mastering Lightroom Masking (Part 1)

There are a lot of great tools available for editing, and my favorite techniques tend to have large impacts for little effort. Lightroom's masking tool does this better than anything else I've ever used. This guide will teach you everything you could possibly want to know about Lightroom masking regardless of your skill level. 

An Easy Exercise to Improve Your Photography in 2024

Do you feel stagnant in your work? As someone who has transitioned to shooting professionally, I have found that growth within my own work has continually become more difficult. Doing this exercise helps me every time; it doesn't matter your skill level, and it applies to all genres of photography. 

Want Amazing Wide Angle Images? Try This

Wide angle photography is synonymous with landscape photography, but it isn't the most intuitive focal range to shoot. There can be so much to capture in a single frame that building a stunning portfolio image feels daunting. These workflow tips will help develop your technique and take your images to the next level. 

How Pro Photographers Find Stunning Landscape Images

Have you ever wondered what goes through the mind of a professional photographer when searching for unique compositions? In this article, I break down my entire thought process of how I find, compose, and build an image from start to finish. 

Random People Guess iPhone 15 Pro or $5,000 Camera Using Large Prints

Every year, I compare the newest iPhone to my daily professional camera and always receive feedback that after compression and scaling, you lose too much detail to be able to tell the difference. So, this year, I've taken the next step by having the images professionally printed on metal and asking random strangers if they can guess which photo was taken with a phone.  

In a Rapidly Evolving World of AI: This Contest Is More Important Than Ever

This year's Natural Landscape Photography Awards have just been announced, and like previous years, the results are breathtaking. Bigger than just the results themselves, though, is what this contest represents and exemplifies in a world where we have become accustomed to questioning what is real and what isn't. 

What You Need to Photograph Waterfalls Like a Pro

While you can show up to a waterfall with just a camera and a dream, you likely won't walk away with professional-looking images. You'll need a few items and techniques to turn those dreams into reality so you can walk away with world-class images for your portfolio.  

Many Photographers Neglect This Very Important Practice

Photographers focus a lot on the technical aspects surrounding their work, whether it's the gear they are using, finding the perfect settings for their images, or trying to capture every pixel. While those can be important in some situations, it leads to many of us neglecting this very simple practice that will have a larger impact on your final image.