Profile picture for Alex Cooke
Editor-in-Chief

Alex Cooke

Cleveland, OH
18 3 Star badge
1 10+ Portfolio Images badge
1 Editor's Pick badge
1 Top Contributor badge

Articles from Alex Cooke

Effective Ways to Clearly Communicate Your Photography Ideas

One of the toughest parts of photography isn’t mastering camera settings or lighting setups—it’s actually about keeping the person you're photographing engaged. Your excitement doesn't automatically transfer, so learning how to clearly convey your ideas becomes essential.

How to Enhance Images With Midtones Contrast

Contrast is one of those subtle elements that can elevate a photo, turning a flat image into something dynamic. Understanding how to manage contrast, especially in midtones, is essential to capturing richer, more vibrant images.

Efficient Image Editing With Affinity Photo 2

Affinity Photo 2 offers powerful tools to enhance your raw images quickly and accurately, giving you professional results without the complexity or high cost of other software.

What It Takes to Make Truly Huge Prints

Buying a large format printer doesn't automatically guarantee big prints. Understanding what "big" really means and the considerations involved in producing large-scale photographs is crucial, particularly if you're planning to print at exhibition sizes.

Why Your Portraits Aren’t Sharp—and How to Fix Them

Are your portraits consistently coming out softer than you expect, even after careful focusing? Clarity makes a significant difference in the professional appearance of your images. Here's how to achieve it.

Small Adjustments That Lead to Stronger Photos

Ever feel like your photos are just shy of great, missing something small yet crucial? Many photographers experience this subtle frustration, and recognizing what's off is the first step toward exceptional results.

EVF Resolution and Refresh Rates: What You Need to Know

Electronic viewfinders have transformed how you interact with your camera. Beyond just framing shots, these tiny screens affect everything from how accurately you can judge focus to how connected you feel to your subject during fast-paced photography situations.

Using (and Breaking) Composition Rules Intentionally

Composition isn't just a set of arbitrary rules photographers invented to make life complicated. These guidelines connect deeply with how your mind naturally sees the world, shaping how effectively your photos communicate.

Simple Tips to Immediately Improve Your Photos

Taking great photos doesn't need to be overly complicated. The key to better images lies in mastering just two foundational aspects—understanding light and thoughtful composition.

Advanced Techniques to Level-Up Your Landscape Shots

If your landscape shots feel flat or incomplete, even though you're using solid photography basics, it's probably time for some fresh insights. The reality is, great landscapes are less about basic rules and more about nuanced details that shape your composition and enhance the drama in your images.

Easy Precise Edits With Photoshop’s Adjustment Brush

Adobe recently introduced a new Adjustment Brush in Photoshop 2025, designed to simplify precise editing tasks. Knowing how to efficiently make targeted adjustments can significantly streamline your editing process.

Zeiss Returns With the Otus ML 50mm f/1.4: Is it Worth the Premium?

Zeiss is back in action with their latest lens release, the Zeiss Otus ML 50mm f/1.4, designed specifically for full frame mirrorless cameras. For those considering a high-end lens, this release marks a significant shift from Zeiss’s older, larger Otus lenses.

The Art of Controlled Lighting for Striking Portraits

Exploring how to intentionally push your creative limits can dramatically improve your portrait photography. Whether you're seasoned or starting out, understanding how to control lighting effectively shapes your style and widens your capabilities on set.

How Many Wedding Photos Is Too Many?

Determining the right number of images to deliver for a wedding isn't just about hitting an arbitrary number. It’s about understanding what's truly valuable from the client's perspective and tailoring your gallery accordingly.

Master Lightroom Masking for Better Landscape Photos

Editing flat images in Lightroom can seem tricky, but mastering masking tools can dramatically improve your final photos. Understanding masking allows you to add depth and dimension, turning good shots into visually impactful ones.

Why the Size of Your Prints Changes Everything

Photograph size shapes how your images are experienced and understood. It's not just about dimensions; it's about how people connect emotionally and physically with your work.

Why Your Photos Look Amateur and How to Fix Them

Many amateur photographers keep repeating the same mistakes, often without realizing it. Fixing these simple but fundamental errors can dramatically change your photography and move you beyond that amateur status.

DSLR Cameras Are Back—Here’s Why You Should Care

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! 

How to Deal With Public Land Photo Permits

Photo permitting on public lands directly affects whether you can build a portfolio in iconic locations. Skipping the permit process can cost you time and money.

A Way to Refocus Your Photography

Camping can transform the way you approach photography. Instead of gear becoming your main focus, experiences and surroundings come to the forefront.

Overcoming Creative Resistance: Why You're Not Lazy

Creative resistance isn’t laziness; it's a hidden barrier photographers face every day. It's that invisible wall making you endlessly research gear or tweak your website instead of actually shooting.

Essential Wedding Day Camera Settings

Getting your camera settings right can be the difference between capturing unforgettable moments or losing them entirely. Whether it’s the first kiss or the dance floor, wedding days offer little room for mistakes.

How to Compose Unique Waterfall Photos

Finding hidden waterfalls or capturing streams that few have seen can set your photos apart and add depth to your work. Beyond beautiful landscapes, it's about challenging yourself and staying creatively sharp as you encounter new scenes.

Essential Photography Lessons to Learn Early

Understanding how composition and light truly impact your photography is often more critical than any gear you own. Many beginners assume expensive cameras automatically improve their images, but that's rarely the case.

Is This the Best New 35mm Lens?

Viltrox’s new AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB FE lens brings an extra-wide aperture to Sony full frame cameras, letting you blur backgrounds and shoot in dim venues without pushing ISO. That mix of speed and moderate width gives photographers room to frame environmental portraits while you keep distractions melting away behind your subject.

Flash‑Ambient Balance Made Simple

Balancing on‑location flash with existing light sits at the heart of compelling portrait work. Photographers who understand how a slight shift in ambient exposure reshapes mood and subject separation gain tools that make creative intent feel effortless rather than frustrating.

Is the Nikon Z5 II the Perfect Entry-Level Full Frame Camera?

Entry-level full frame cameras can be a fantastic purchase, allowing access to premium image quality without extreme costs. Nikon recently introduced the Z5 II, an update to their popular Z5, offering substantial improvements and features aimed at serious but budget-conscious users.