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Alex Cooke

Cleveland, OH
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Articles from Alex Cooke

Zoner Studio Wins EISA Photo Software Award for 2025–2026

Zoner Studio has been named EISA Photo Software of the Year 2025–2026, an honor that highlights its balance of accessibility and professional-grade performance. The award, presented by the Expert Imaging and Sound Association (EISA), recognizes products that stand out for innovation, usability, and impact across the photo industry.

Hasselblad Announces X2D II 100C Medium Format Camera and XCD 35–100mm f/2.8–4 Lens

Hasselblad has unveiled the X2D II 100C, a 100-megapixel medium format body that expands on the original X2D with HDR capture, AF-C continuous autofocus, and a stabilization system the company rates at up to 10 stops. The announcement also includes a new standard zoom, the XCD 2.8–4/35–100E, along with a line of 86mm filters and a camera backpack.

The Hidden Truths Behind Pro Real Estate Photography

Many real estate images you see online don’t tell the full story. You’re often only shown a polished selection, which can make you second-guess your own work. Knowing how professionals really operate gives you a clearer perspective on what matters and where to put your focus.

How Lens Choice and Camera Angle Can Transform a Pose

Creating flattering portraits isn’t just about telling someone how to stand. The way you position your subject, the lens you use, and the angle you shoot from all come together to decide how your subject actually looks in the final image. Small changes in these areas can completely transform how someone appears, which is why learning to control them matters so much.

The Sigma 12mm f/1.4: A Compact Wide Angle Powerhouse

The Sigma 12mm f/1.4 DC Contemporary lens steps into a rare corner of the APS-C lineup. Wide primes at this focal length are scarce, and that means fewer choices when you want a compact lens with a dramatic perspective. Sigma’s newest option is designed for those who need strong low-light performance, portability, and a field of view that lets you capture more of a scene without stepping back.

Canon 5D Review: What a $150 Legendary Camera Can Still Do in 2024

The Canon 5D changed the game when it first launched, giving you full frame image quality at a price that was shockingly low for the time. Two decades later, it’s fascinating to look back and see just how much this camera still offers, even with all its quirks and limitations.

5 Hidden Camera and Lens Features That Instantly Boost Your Keeper Rate

Before you price out another lens, open your menu. Hiding behind plain names like “histogram,” “focus limiter,” and “touchpad AF” are five switches that quietly raise your keeper rate, clean up color, and shave hours off your edit. Flip them once, and your camera stops acting like a bag of parts and starts behaving like a partner. Your next upgrade isn’t in a shopping cart. It’s already in your hands.

Pandemonium Erupts at the US Open After Photographer Steps on Court

The opening round of the 2025 US Open was supposed to be a routine night of tennis. Instead, it turned into one of the wildest scenes the sport has witnessed in years, complete with a photographer on the court, a furious Daniil Medvedev berating the chair umpire, and Benjamin Bonzi somehow surviving the chaos to win in five sets.

Why the OM-1 Mark II Could Change How You Shoot Landscapes

The OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II pushes what you can do without extra gear with a design and features that center on giving you more flexibility in the field. Whether you’re working with landscapes, experimenting with motion blur, or capturing detail-heavy subjects, it offers tools that can save you time and effort.

What Happens When You Buy a Bag of Untested Cameras

Some cameras age like fine wine. Others age like milk. You can find bargains, quirky relics, or outright junk, and knowing the difference matters if you want to avoid wasting money. Buying older digital cameras can be a gamble, but if you know what to look for, you can walk away with gear that still produces solid images without draining your wallet.

Nikon’s New 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Proves Why Wedding Shooters Need It

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II lens has become one of the most practical tools for anyone shooting weddings. The flexibility of a zoom makes it possible to move quickly between wide establishing shots and tighter portraits without juggling multiple lenses, which is critical when working in fast-paced, unpredictable environments. 

5 Ways for Photographers to Prepare Portrait Clients for a Shoot

A smooth portrait session starts days before the first shutter click. Set expectations, reduce decisions, and build trust up front, and your clients will walk onto set relaxed, styled, and ready to give you real expressions. Here’s a five-part playbook you can copy, complete with scripts and micro-checklists.

One Lens to Rule Them All? Nikon vs Tamron Zooms

Two lenses compete for your attention if you shoot Nikon Z-mount APS-C: the Nikon Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR and the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD. Both are pitched as “do-it-all” options, which makes the choice tricky. The difference between them comes down to how you balance portability with reach.

Why Shooting With Camera Glasses Feels Both Brilliant and Awkward

Smart glasses are no longer a concept tucked away in sci-fi. With cameras embedded directly into eyewear, you can shoot hands-free in moments when pulling out a phone would slow you down. That opens the door to capturing experiences in ways that feel more immediate and less staged.

DJI’s Osmo 360 Brings 8K Action to the U.S.

The DJI Osmo 360 Action Camera has finally landed in the U.S., giving you another serious option in the crowded 360 market. With Insta360 and GoPro already battling it out, DJI’s entrance is important because it means more innovation, more choices, and better tools for you to tell stories in ways that a traditional camera can’t. Here's a look at what you can expect.

Why the Nikon Z5 II Could Be the Best Value in Full Frame

The Nikon Z5 II stands out because it gives you a full frame camera body without a massive price tag. You get access to modern features like in-body image stabilization and advanced autofocus, making it a practical tool whether you’re hiking before sunrise, shooting portraits, or capturing wildlife.

Lens Adapters Demystified: What Works, What Doesn't, and How to Pick the Right One

Adapters are the bridge between today’s mirrorless bodies and yesterday’s affordable glass, but not all bridges feel the same underfoot. This guide explains how adapters work in practice, what usually delivers the best autofocus, which types of adapters exist (and when to use each), plus the real-world pitfalls that trip people up.

Is the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Worth the Upgrade?

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II covers one of the most versatile focal ranges in photography and brings upgrades that matter if you spend long hours shooting. The mix of weight savings, optical improvements, and better handling makes it a serious option if you need a reliable standard zoom.

Why This $168 Autofocus Lens Could Be Your Next Walkaround

A compact lens with autofocus at just $168 is not something you see every day. If you’ve been waiting for a small, budget-friendly option that still feels like a serious tool in your hands, this release could be worth a closer look. 

Viltrox 15mm f/1.7 Air E Review: Tiny Wide Lens

The Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 Air lens is the widest option in the company’s lightweight Air lineup. Its size and speed make it appealing for anyone who wants a compact tool for wide views, but that comes with some trade-offs you’ll want to know about before picking it up. 

5 DSLR Cameras Worth Buying in 2025

Before you drop $3,000+ on another mirrorless body, consider these five DSLRs that still solve real jobs better than the spec sheet suggests. From IBIS in a DSLR and 153-point AF at 10 fps to base ISO 64 dynamic range and built-in Astrotracer, these proven bodies deliver client-ready files, deep lens ecosystems, and prices that leave room for glass.

How Apple's Accessibility Features Are Giving Creativity Back

A diagnosis of Parkinson’s changes how you move, how you create, and how you remember. When tremors interfere with something as important as filming your child or celebrating with family, the ability to hold on to those moments becomes even more important.

The Tamron 18-300mm Review: One Lens to Do It All?

The Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD lens gives you the kind of reach that can replace several lenses in one. That matters because you don’t always want to carry a full kit when traveling or working in unpredictable conditions. Weight, convenience, and flexibility matter as much as pure image quality.

VSCO Launches Workspace, a Customizable CRM for Photographers

VSCO has introduced VSCO Workspace, a studio and client-management platform that integrates the Táve Studio Manager CRM and adds new tools aimed at helping photographers run day-to-day operations in one place. The software is designed to scale from solo operators to multi-person studios, with an emphasis on workflow automation and business organization.

How to Read a Lens Spec Sheet Like a Pro

Spec sheets can look like alphabet soup—ED, ASPH, OIS, STM, USM, MFD, 0.5×—but each line quietly predicts how a lens will behave on a job. This guide strips out the marketing and shows you what matters, why it matters, and how to make smarter buys from your desk. No test charts needed; just practical translation from spec to outcome.

Sigma’s 200mm f/2 Sports Lens Could Be the New Portrait King

The Sigma 200mm f/2 DG OS Sports lens is the kind of lens that makes you stop and take notice. A bright f/2 aperture at 200mm is rare, and Sigma has managed to package it into something lighter and more manageable than its older rivals while keeping the build and image quality up to a professional level. 

Why This Camera Makes You Want to Shoot Every Day

The Fujifilm X100 series has always been wildly popular, and for good reason. Its compact design, fixed lens, and film-like rendering have made it a favorite for people who want a camera that feels simple yet powerful. More than specs, though, what matters is how a camera changes the way you see and photograph, and the X100 has done that for many.

Are Sigma and Panasonic Coming for Canon, Nikon, and Sony?

Every so often, a product launch doesn’t just release something new. Rather, it changes the tone of an entire ecosystem. This is what Sigma has just done with two lenses that, on their own, would be remarkable, but together feel like a tectonic movement. And they show that the big three (Canon, Nikon, and Sony), might be on notice.

How to Fix Harsh Light With Simple Lightroom Masks

Shooting in harsh midday sunlight is something you’ll probably avoid whenever you can, but sometimes it’s your only option. That kind of light can leave you with dull results, which makes editing an essential part of the process.

Master Photographer Brownie Harris Marks 50 Years With Retrospective Release

Photographer Brownie Harris has spent five decades capturing both the famous and the ordinary, with a portfolio that stretches from John F. Kennedy Jr. to factory workers and Hollywood sets. Earlier this year, Harris released Brownie Harris Retrospective 1970–2020, a book that brought together a lifetime of images and stories.