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Alex Cooke

Cleveland, OH
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Articles from Alex Cooke

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.

Sigma’s 12mm f/1.4 Brings Ultra Wide and Bright Together

Sigma has added something unusual to the APS-C lens lineup. A 12mm f/1.4 ultra wide angle lens opens up creative options you don’t normally get at this focal length, especially if you want to work in low light or experiment with depth of field. This means more flexibility whether you’re shooting landscapes, interiors, or even the night sky.

Nikon Z DX 18-140mm VR Lens Review: A One-Lens Travel Solution

The Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens promises to be a versatile option for your APS-C Nikon Z camera. Its wide focal range makes it appealing if you want a single lens that can cover both wide angle landscapes and tighter telephoto shots without breaking the bank.

5 Reasons Why Global Shutter Isn’t Essential for Most Shooters

Every few months, the internet decides that “this” is the future of cameras. Lately, that “this” is global shutter—a sensor that reads the entire frame at once, promising zero skew, perfect flash sync, and freedom from LED banding. It’s impressive technology, but for most photographers and hybrid creators, it isn’t the upgrade that moves the needle. Here’s why, plus how to get clean, professional results right now with the gear you already own.

Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 LAB Lens Review: Sharp Results at Half the Price

The Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB lens stands out because it combines speed, sharpness, and price in a way that challenges far more expensive options. At this focal length, you’re looking at a tool made for striking subject isolation, making it particularly valuable when you want portraits or detail shots with impact.

Why the 24-105mm Might Be the Lens You Actually Need

If you’re looking at standard zooms, you’ve probably noticed the choice between the  24-70mm f/2.8 and the 24-105mm f/4. The first is faster and sharper on paper, but there’s more to choosing a lens than just speed and sharpness.

Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 vs Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8: Which Wide Zoom Wins?

The Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S and the Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 G2 both cover the wide angle range you need for landscapes, travel, and even astro work. Deciding between them matters because the choice affects not only sharpness and weight but also what conditions you can shoot in without carrying multiple lenses.

The Nikon Z50 II and 180-600mm in Action with Australian Shorebirds

Shorebirds in Australia are striking, not just for their beauty but for the skill it takes to capture them. They move fast, they appear and disappear with the tides, and if you don’t know their feeding habits, you’ll come home with empty memory cards.

OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II Shows Surprising Strength Against Full Frame Camera Rivals

The OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II mirrorless camera is designed to solve one of the biggest challenges you face in the field: balancing performance with portability. When you spend long hours outside carrying heavy gear, every pound matters, and having the right setup can mean the difference between getting the shot or missing it. 

Lightroom Sliders You’re Probably Using Wrong

Lightroom is full of small controls that can quietly ruin your images if you don’t understand how they interact. The difference between an artificial edit and a clean, natural one often comes down to how you balance the simplest tools. When you know which sliders are tricking you, you can stop fighting the program and start getting results that feel intentional.

Tamron 18-300mm Review: The One-Lens Travel Solution

A single lens that can move from wide landscapes to close wildlife without weighing down your bag is always worth your attention. When you want to capture fleeting moments without swapping glass, the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD lens is built for that purpose.

The Film Camera That Refuses to Fade

The Nikon FE2 isn’t just another film camera sitting on a shelf. It’s one of those rare tools that carries history in its mechanics, a companion that shapes how you see the world through a viewfinder. Film cameras like this remind you that the way you shoot is often as important as the images you make.

Sigma’s New 17-40mm f/1.8 Could Replace Your Primes

The Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art lens is a rare kind of zoom. It covers popular focal lengths like 24mm and 35mm, both staples in everyday shooting, while offering a wide maximum aperture that replaces several primes at once. Having this kind of flexibility in a single compact lens can change how you carry your kit and how you approach different types of work.

How Much Commercial Photographers Really Make in 2025

Commercial photography looks glamorous from the outside, but the real question is whether it actually pays enough to make a career of it in 2025. Money isn’t the only reason you do the work, but knowing what’s possible helps you decide if the effort, the risk, and the uncertainty are worth it.

5 Underrated Camera Features You Shouldn't Overlook

Most photographers obsess over megapixels, autofocus points, and dynamic range when shopping for new gear. But while you're comparing sensor specs and lens sharpness charts, you're probably overlooking the features that could actually revolutionize how you shoot.

Why This Camera Made Shooting Fun Again

A camera can feel like an extension of your job, or it can feel like something you carry because you want to. The difference matters because it changes whether you’re shooting for yourself or only to meet deadlines and expectations. 

Why This $199 50mm Lens Could Be a Smart Pick

Some lenses stand out because they strike the right balance of size, price, and performance. The Viltrox AF 50mm f/2 Air falls into that category, offering you a lightweight and budget-friendly option without giving up too much in image quality. 

The Sony RX1R III Hands-On: Big Sensor, Small Body, Real Limits

The Sony RX1R III isn’t your usual camera upgrade. With its fixed 35mm f/2 Zeiss lens that hasn’t changed in a decade, it raises an immediate question: is this a serious tool for your work or just a niche option for specific situations? 

The TTArtisan AF 40mm f/2 Lens: Cheap, Compact, and Surprisingly Sharp

A 40mm lens has always been a sweet spot for many of you because it feels close to how your eye naturally sees the world. It gives a slightly wider view without looking exaggerated, which makes it useful in a lot of everyday shooting situations. The TTArtisan AF 40mm f/2 is trying to bring that perspective to more people with a price tag that’s hard to ignore.

Why This 35mm Lens Might Be Nikon’s Best Prime Yet

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S is a rare mix of technical precision and artistic flexibility. A fast prime at this focal length gives you control over depth of field without sacrificing sharpness, making it a strong tool for portraits, environmental shots, and video work. 

5 Underrated Lens Features You Shouldn't Overlook

While pixel-peepers obsess over sharpness charts and bokeh samples, the smartest photographers know that certain overlooked lens features can help you get that elusive shot. Here are five hidden gems you should look for in your next lens.

Why This Camera Might Be the Best Wildlife Setup Under $10K

Some cameras are built to do everything well. Others double down on one purpose and push it to the extreme. The OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II falls in the second category, with a focus on still photography that challenges some long-held assumptions about what you need for serious work in the field. 

Panasonic’s 24-60mm f/2.8: Compact Power for Lumix Shooters

The Panasonic Lumix S 24-60mm f/2.8 offers a lighter, more compact alternative to the typical 24-70mm zoom, cutting 10mm from the telephoto end while maintaining image quality. Its unusual focal range makes it an interesting option when you want versatility without the bulk, especially if you often work in situations where carrying a heavier setup becomes tiring.