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

Unlocking Better Outdoor Portraits With a Beauty Dish

Using a beauty dish in portrait photography is often misunderstood or avoided because of misconceptions around harsh lighting and challenging shadows. Yet, mastering this lighting tool can elevate your outdoor portraits significantly, creating a natural, defined look that large, soft modifiers can't replicate.

Canon RF-S 14-30mm f/4-6.3: A Video Creator’s Ideal Lens

Canon recently introduced the RF-S 14-30mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ lens, a zoom lens tailored specifically for video creators using APS-C sensor RF-S mount cameras. With its power zoom and wide angle coverage, it aims directly at vloggers and video enthusiasts looking for flexibility without sacrificing portability.

Transforming Everyday Landscapes Into Extraordinary Photos

Landscape photography doesn't require faraway places to be compelling. You might overlook your local area, dismissing it as mundane compared to exotic locales you see online. But recognizing the hidden potential around you can transform your creative outlook and lead to exceptional photographs.

Master Sunset Photos With Lightroom

Editing a photo to capture the vibrance and warmth of a sunset is critical if you want images that resonate. Accurate adjustments can elevate your photo significantly, reflecting the true atmosphere of the scene.

The Canon RF 24mm f/1.4: The Wide Angle Prime You Need to Consider

The Canon RF 24mm f/1.4 L VCM lens combines a versatile wide angle focal length with exceptional image quality, making it an intriguing option for anyone looking to elevate their photography or video. Whether your interest lies in capturing compelling travel portraits, expansive landscapes, or cinematic video scenes, this lens might have exactly what you're after.

Unlock Richer Colors with This Simple Camera Accessory

Circular polarizing filters (CPLs) might seem like specialized gear, but they can be essential for capturing richer, more vibrant images. If you haven't experimented with one yet, understanding their real-world impact on your shots might just change your perspective.

Essential Tips for Shooting Film While Traveling

Camping across Europe, camera in hand, can teach you a lot—not just about traveling, but about taking meaningful photos. Beyond gear choices or film types, it’s about developing a mindset that ensures your photos reflect genuine experiences instead of mere tourist snapshots.

The Sigma BF Mirrorless Camera: Simplicity Meets Stunning Design

Sigma’s new BF mirrorless camera has quickly drawn attention for its unique blend of striking design and deliberate minimalism. It sits in a niche spot—appealing if you value aesthetics and simplicity over sheer performance or flexibility.

Canon Raw vs. C-Raw: Saving Space Without Losing Quality

Raw versus C-Raw file formats can significantly impact your photography workflow, especially if storage or buffer performance matter to you. Canon users, in particular, face choices between maximum image quality and practical file management.

Why Photographers Should Prioritize Shooting Locally: Building a Sustainable Business on Familiar Ground

In today’s age of instant digital connectivity, photographers can showcase their work to prospective clients across the globe with just a few mouse clicks. While the allure of far-flung destinations and exotic travel remains strong, there is a growing trend toward turning the camera’s lens closer to home. Photographers are discovering the value of prioritizing “home turf”—that is, focusing on and mastering local markets. This approach is not just a quaint alternative; it can be the pillar of a robust and sustainable photography career.

10 Travel Photo Mistakes You Might Be Making

Traveling to new locations provides incredible opportunities for unique and memorable photos. Yet, small mistakes can quickly turn a promising trip into frustration, causing you to miss great shots or even run into trouble with local authorities.

Simple Fixes to Common Image Mistakes

Mastering composition is a fundamental skill, crucial whether you're shooting portraits, street scenes, or documentary photography. One recurring composition mistake can detract significantly from the impact of your images, and it's an issue many photographers overlook.

Why Your Best Landscape Photos Might Be Minutes Away

Landscape photography close to home offers far more than convenience—it transforms your familiarity with your surroundings and deepens your skills as a photographer. You might overlook hidden beauty nearby simply because it's routine, but a subtle shift in perspective can turn familiar terrain into something extraordinary.

Essential Macro Techniques for Professional Results

Macro photography sharpens your attention to detail and lighting, crucial skills whether you're exploring creative images at home or pursuing commercial work. Understanding how to effectively highlight small products, control lighting, and employ techniques like focus stacking can elevate your photography significantly, no matter what you shoot.

Mastering ISO: When and How to Go High

Understanding ISO can dramatically improve your photography, especially in challenging lighting. High ISO numbers worry many because of potential graininess, but knowing when and how to leverage these settings is essential for capturing sharp, vibrant images without sacrificing quality.

Essential Color Tools in Lightroom You Might Be Missing

Careful color adjustments in Lightroom Classic and Adobe Camera Raw can elevate your images dramatically. Whether subtle or bold, knowing the right tool for your vision makes the difference between average edits and exceptional photography.

Less Gear, Better Photos

Minimal gear can simplify your photography and help you capture moments with less distraction and fewer technical hurdles. Reducing your load means you can focus on the scene and let your creativity guide you without the weight of excessive choices.

Photography Lessons from Great Artists

Learning from other photographers offers insights beyond simply observing their images. Exploring their philosophies, methods, and personal approaches can directly improve your own creative practice and perspective.

Canon’s Compact PowerShot V1: Worth It for Serious Creators?

Canon recently turned their attention to the content creator market, introducing the compact PowerShot V1, designed mainly for video but capable enough for still photography. For photographers looking for a small yet capable camera for diverse shooting scenarios, it's worth a look.

Is Medium Format Photography Worth the Price?

Shooting with medium format cameras isn't simply about image quality; it's about altering your entire approach to photography. Making the jump from full frame or crop sensor cameras to medium format is a significant step, one that changes not just the look, but the feel of your work.

Quickly Improve Your Lightroom Skills

Mastering Lightroom can feel overwhelming simply because the software packs so many features. But you don't need to learn everything. Knowing just the right tools can elevate your photo editing significantly.

Why Your Lighting Setup Might Be Hurting Your Images

Understanding the quality of light is essential for achieving your creative vision, whether you shoot portraits, landscapes, or videos. Yet, the term often confuses even seasoned image makers, because it blends technical meanings with subjective perceptions.

Transform Your Smartphone Into a Tool for Inner Peace

Mindfulness and photography can work together, creating an immersive experience that pulls you into the present moment. When you struggle with anxiety, depression, or simply feeling disconnected, this combination offers a powerful way to shift your perspective and find inner calm.

Exposure Bracketing for Better Images

Bracketing is one of those photography terms you’ve probably heard but might not fully understand. It involves taking multiple photos of the same scene at different exposures, usually one correctly exposed, one brighter, and one darker. Here's why and how to do it.

The Right Way to Invest in Camera Equipment

Knowing where to put your money matters when it comes to camera gear. Most people mistakenly assume a great camera body guarantees great results, but the truth is far different.