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Alex Cooke

Cleveland, OH
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Articles from Alex Cooke

Medium Format vs Full Frame: When the Difference Really Shows

Matching medium format files against today’s best full frame options isn’t just a technical exercise. It can reveal exactly where the differences show up and when they don’t matter at all. In certain lighting situations, the gap between these formats shrinks, and in others, it’s clear why some people pay more for that larger sensor. 

5 Mistakes Photographers Make When Buying a New Lens

Every photographer dreams of that pristine lens collection, but many end up with expensive glass gathering dust while scrambling to find the lenses they actually need. The brutal reality is that lens purchases gone wrong hurt because good glass costs so much and directly determines whether you can accept paying jobs.

A Straightforward Way to Make Your Photos Better

Simplicity in composition is one of those deceptively hard skills that can transform your images. The instinct to include everything in front of you is strong, especially when surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Yet too much detail can scatter the viewer’s attention and weaken the impact. Learning to remove what isn’t essential makes the difference between a busy snapshot and a clear, compelling photograph.

Dust Spot Removal in Photoshop Just Got Easier

Removing dust spots from photos is one of those chores you probably put off until it’s absolutely necessary. The process has always been slow and repetitive, especially if you’re dealing with an image riddled with tiny sensor spots. These small marks can ruin an otherwise perfect shot, so finding a quicker way to handle them matters.

The Nikon Zf: The Rare Camera That Works for Both Work and Play

The Nikon Zf manages to fit into an unusual category, as it’s both a dependable professional tool and a camera you actually want to carry with you. You might reach for it at a wedding shoot just as easily as when heading to the park with your kids. That balance between capability and personal appeal is rare, especially for a model that can be found for under $2,000.

5 Mistakes Photographers Make When Buying a New Camera

You're about to drop thousands on a new camera system, convinced that flagship body will transform your photography overnight. But here's the brutal truth: most photographers sabotage their success before they even click the shutter, making expensive mistakes that leave them with gear they can't use effectively and budgets too depleted to fix the problem.

85mm Showdown: Size, Price, and Performance Compared

Two new 85mm f/1.4 lenses for Sony have hit the market, each promising sharp optics and fast performance. One comes from a brand known for solid, affordable glass. The other is a newcomer to the lens world, entering with a smaller, lighter design and a few unique touches that stand out.

How a 12mm Lens Can Create Uniquely Eye-Catching Photos

A 12mm f/2.8 full frame lens opens the door to images that feel bigger than life. You can pull entire cathedrals, sprawling streets, or the curve of a canyon into a single shot. It’s also easy to go wrong with focal lengths this wide, which is why learning how to control perspective distortion is key. If you don’t, you’ll end up with scenes that look stretched and unnatural instead of immersive.

Is the Viltrox 15mm f/1.7 the Best Budget Wide Lens?

The Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 Air lens offers a bright, wide angle view in a compact, lightweight body. At 0.4 lbs and just over 2 inches long, it’s easy to keep on your camera without adding bulk. For travel, architecture, or tight interior spaces, having a fast 15mm that fits in a small bag makes a difference in how often you actually bring it along.

Four Budget Micro Four Thirds Lenses Worth Owning

Many people assume that building a capable Micro Four Thirds kit requires investing in expensive pro-grade glass, but that’s not the only route. Affordable lenses can still give you sharp, versatile results without stretching your budget, and knowing which ones to choose can open up creative options you might otherwise overlook. 

How the GFX100 II Handled a Demanding Nighttime Commission

Finding the right camera for a single, high-stakes shoot can be a balancing act. When you’ve only got one night to capture a specific scene for a client, there’s no margin for error. Resolution, reliability, and adaptability all matter, especially when the final images will be printed at large sizes where every detail counts.

5 Fatal Mistakes Photographers Make in Their First Year of Business

Starting a photography business feels like stepping into a dream job where creativity meets entrepreneurship, but the harsh reality is that most new photography ventures fail within their first two years. The difference between thriving photographers and those who crash and burn isn't talent or expensive gear. It's avoiding these five business mistakes that rookie photographers make over and over again.

Fuji X-T5 vs Nikon Zf: Which Retro-Styled Camera Is Right for You?

Retro-inspired cameras aren’t just about nostalgia. They offer a tactile shooting experience and physical controls that many modern designs have lost. If you value the feel of metal dials under your fingers and a body that recalls film-era craftsmanship, the two models here are among the most talked-about options in that space right now.

Canon’s 20mm f/1.4 Lens Is Sharp, Fast, and Pricey

A 20mm full frame lens at f/1.4 isn’t something you pick up without a plan. It’s a specialty tool, one that opens up creative shots you can’t easily get with other focal lengths. The ability to capture dramatic wide scenes in low light without sacrificing detail makes it valuable for landscapes, interiors, and astrophotography. You also have the option to get surprisingly shallow depth of field if you work close to your subject.

The Canon EOS R50 V: A Compact Video Powerhouse With Surprising Quality

The Canon EOS R50 V takes a different approach from what you might expect at its price. It’s compact, lightweight, and aimed squarely at content creators who want strong video performance without hauling around a heavy setup. Its balance of portability and image performance make it worth a look.

Why the Fujifilm X-E5 Might Beat the X100VI for Everyday Shooting

Two cameras with similar specs can still offer completely different shooting experiences. The Fujifilm X-E5 and X100VI may share the same sensor and processor, but one offers the flexibility of interchangeable lenses while the other locks you into a fixed focal length. Choosing between them isn’t just about numbers on a spec sheet. It’s about how you want to shoot and how much versatility you need in the field.

5 Lesser-Known Lenses Bokeh Fanatics Won't Want to Miss

Every photographer has experienced that moment of envy scrolling through Instagram, wondering how certain portraits achieve that impossibly smooth, cinematic background blur that seems to wrap subjects in pure light. Here are five fantastic portrait lenses that will give you some of the smoothest and unique bokeh you've ever seen.

Tamron’s 18-300mm: Big Range, Small Hassle

A lens that can handle everything from wide landscapes to distant wildlife shots means you can travel lighter and react faster. You avoid carrying a bag full of glass and still have the range to shoot almost anything that catches your eye. That’s why a zoom like this matters if you want flexibility without the constant lens-swapping.

6 Photoshop Updates Worth Trying Now

Photoshop just got a wave of updates that could speed up your workflow and make certain edits far easier. The updates also add new AI-powered options that can handle more complex adjustments automatically.

The Real Secret to Making Your Best Images

Some of the most respected names in photography didn’t just create remarkable images. They sustained that quality for decades. Their mastery came from consistent effort, not a single burst of inspiration.

These 5 Game-Changing APS-C Cameras Prove Full Frame Isn't Everything

The camera industry has been pushing full frame sensors so hard that many photographers think anything smaller is automatically inferior. Here are five remarkable APS-C cameras that deliver professional results while offering advantages that even the best full frame cameras can't match.

Which Canon RF Telephoto Zoom Lens Actually Delivers the Sharpest Results?

Canon's decision to release two different 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses for the RF mount has left many photographers scratching their heads about which one to buy. The choice becomes even more complex when you factor in the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM as an alternative for reaching longer focal lengths, especially since all three lenses occupy similar price points and target overlapping use cases.

Godox V480 Flash Test: Better Stamina Than V350 Without V860 Bulk

Macro photographers often face a frustrating choice between compact flash units that run out of steam during focus stacking sessions and powerful strobes that add unwanted bulk to their setup. The new Godox V480 flash aims to bridge this gap by offering improved stamina and modern features in a size that sits between the compact V350 and the powerhouse V860.

Canon EOS R1 Video Review: The Good, Bad, and Game-Changing

The Canon EOS R1 mirrorless camera brings flagship-level video capabilities that wildlife and action shooters have been waiting for. You get features like pre-recording and CLog 2 that fundamentally change how you capture critical moments. Here's what you can expect.

Why Gen Z Is Ditching Digital: 5 Reasons Film Photography Is Experiencing a Renaissance

In an era where smartphone cameras can capture 4K video and AI can enhance photos beyond recognition, something unexpected is happening in photography studios and college campuses across America. Young photographers are deliberately choosing 35mm film cameras over cutting-edge digital equipment, creating a renaissance that has film manufacturers scrambling to meet demand and camera shops dusting off decades-old inventory.

Medium Format vs Full Frame: One Photographer's $15,000 Camera Switch Explained

Medium format cameras represent the pinnacle of image quality for many photographers, but their price tags often put them out of reach for all but working professionals. The decision to invest $15,000 or more in a camera system requires serious consideration of whether the benefits justify the massive expense.

Fujifilm X-E5 Review: A Beautiful Camera With Pros and Cons

The Fujifilm X-E5 promises to deliver flagship-level performance in an incredibly compact body that resembles a miniature X100 series camera. When a camera packs 40.2 megapixels, 5-axis image stabilization, and interchangeable lenses into such a small package, it demands serious consideration from anyone seeking a versatile everyday shooter.

This Budget Lens Delivers Pro-Level Performance

The 55mm f/1.8 lens sits in a sweet spot for photographers who want the versatility of a standard focal length without the bulk and cost of faster f/1.4 options. Budget-conscious shooters have traditionally had to choose between cheap but mediocre optics or expensive premium glass, leaving a gap in the market for affordable lenses that deliver genuinely good performance. However, this lens bucks that trend. 

DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Review: Impressive Features and Versatile Performance

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has quietly become the go-to device for content creators who need professional-quality footage without the bulk of traditional cameras. Understanding why this tiny powerhouse has gained such traction among professionals could reshape how you approach portable video creation.

Is the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 Worth Buying Over Canon's Expensive Alternative?

The Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 promises portrait performance at a fraction of the cost of premium alternatives, but can a $500 lens really compete with Canon's $3,000 RF 85mm f/1.2? The helpful video puts both lenses through rigorous testing to determine if the massive price difference translates to meaningful performance gaps.

Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 Review: Is This $9,500 Lens Worth It?

Canon's RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens promises to revolutionize telephoto photography with its unprecedented zoom range at a constant f/2.8 aperture. You're looking at a lens that could potentially replace multiple prime lenses in your kit, but the $9,500 price tag demands serious consideration.

Canon's Budget 16mm Lens vs the $2,300 Professional Alternative

Canon's budget-friendly RF 16mm f/2.8 STM lens has sparked debates about whether you really need to spend over $2,000 on professional glass. The question becomes even more pressing when you consider that this $300 lens promises to deliver much of what photographers need for wide angle work.

Why the Hasselblad 907X Brings Back Classic Photography

The Hasselblad 907X & CFV 100C represents something nearly extinct in modern photography: a camera designed primarily for waist-level shooting. This approach to image-making defined an entire era of street and documentary photography, yet virtually no manufacturers make cameras optimized for this shooting style today.