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This Might Be the Best Lens That $80 Can Get You

You don’t really expect so much out of ridiculously cheap lenses. However, every once in a while, a budget lens comes along that may surprise you. This might be one of those lenses.

How to Remove Distractions With Lightroom’s New Generative AI Tool

Lightroom has always been a powerful tool, but it’s had its limitations. One major challenge has been removing distractions from photos without switching to Photoshop. Adobe's recent update introduces a game-changing feature: the generative AI erase tool. This tool simplifies the process, allowing you to handle more within Lightroom itself.

Pro Strategies for Sports Photography

When you're shooting sports, knowing the game is key. It's about anticipating the action and being ready to capture those peak moments. Timing is everything, and the better you know the sport, the more consistently you'll make great pictures.

Solving Common Wedding Photo Editing Issues in Lightroom

On a wedding day, you will face a variety of challenges that are beyond your control. From lighting issues to rushed timelines, these difficulties can create editing nightmares. This helpful video will show you how to fix five common issues in Lightroom.

How to Create Your Own Photo Presets in Lightroom

The increasing popularity of film presets has sparked a surge in the availability of preset packs and software designed to emulate specific looks, such as color palettes or film stocks. These presets are appealing for their ability to quickly transform the appearance of your photos, but there's an argument to be made for creating your own. Developing your own presets allows for a more personalized and accurate reflection of the visual style you admire.

Is the Panasonic S9 the Full Frame GM1 We Always Wanted?

I have spent much (digital) ink on how great a camera the Panasonic GM1 is, even in 2024. Someone at Panasonic must think so too, because the new S9 looks like it’s channeling big GM1 energy, and that’s an awesome thing.

Mastering Light: Balancing Ambient and Flash

Understanding how to use ambient light and flash together can greatly improve your versatility. Natural light conditions are unpredictable, and knowing how to work with them can make or break your shoot.

How the Sony RX100 Changed Compact Cameras

Compact cameras have been fighting for relevance in a market dominated by smartphones. One camera that made a significant impact is the Sony RX100. Why did it leave such a mark on the industry?

Are You Fixing Exposure in Your Landscape Photos Incorrectly?

Exposing for the highlights is age-old advice in landscape photography. However, that technique can cause other areas of the photograph to be underexposed. You can always use the exposure slider in Lightroom to increase the exposure, but is that really the best way to fix the exposure in the image?

Why Boudoir Photography Will Survive the AI Revolution

Could you imagine uploading a few selfies to a random website and having it generate hundreds of naked photos of you? That sounds terrifying. Today, let's talk about how AI could upend various photography genres and why boudoir photography will be one of the exceptions.

How To Retouch Faces in Video

Almost anyone can remove acne or wrinkles in a photo, but retouching a face video used to be a monumental task... until now.
Photographing Woodlands Without Fog: Can It Be Done?

Woodland photography is hard enough for landscape photographers, but what about when there isn’t any fog? Fog is the cheat code for this type of photography, but do you just need to head home when there isn’t any fog? We find out in this video.

Tips and Techniques for Creating Vintage-Inspired Fashion Photography

Vintage-inspired fashion photography brings a timeless elegance that resonates with many enthusiasts. Understanding how to create such imagery while maintaining a modern twist can elevate your work. This video will take you behind the scenes of a vintage-inspired photoshoot, emphasizing the importance of concept, lighting, and post-processing.

Five Things Photography Helps You Appreciate in Life: A TED Talk

In a thought-provoking TED Talk, artist-photographer Felisa Tan takes us on a journey through her life and the profound lessons she has learned through photography. With over 15 years behind the camera, Tan’s insights offer a unique perspective on how photography can help us appreciate life’s beauty and complexity. Her poetic narrative, paired with captivating images, challenges our preconceptions about photography and invites us to explore universal truths often overlooked in our daily lives.

Tan begins by sharing her early struggles with understanding her place in the...

The Ugly Truth About Landscape Photography

In today’s world of social media and YouTube, it is easy to think every time a photographer goes out, they come back home with portfolio-ready images. If you begin to believe this, it can impact your own landscape photography. This video looks at the real truth behind landscape photography.

Choosing Between Raw, JPEG, TIFF, and PSD for Your Photos

File formats matter. The type of file you use for saving and editing your photos can significantly impact your workflow and final image quality. From JPEGs to raw files, understanding the differences can help you make better decisions for your photography and workflow.

Finding Beauty in Every Shot

Mastering photography requires not just technical skills, but also a keen eye for opportunities and the right mindset. One key piece of advice can significantly impact your approach to photography, the famous: "f/8 and be there." This concept emphasizes the importance of being present and ready to capture moments, regardless of perfect conditions.

Finals Days In "Unique Lighting" Contest

We are almost 48 hours from the latest Critique the Community photo contest. The theme for this month's contest is "Unique Lighting" and the prizes include several new products from the lighting company Profoto.

Do This for Every Lens You Buy

Imagine heading to a photo shoot and noticing afterward that most images you took are partially out of focus. You are sure you set the focus right, and the depth of field in the photos is also sufficient. The problem might be a decentered lens.

Half of the lenses I bought in the past 15 years were decentered. At first, I didn't know of that problem. The first wide angle lens I got from Canon required focus-stacking all the time. Since I mostly shot landscapes, it wasn't clear to me that this was due to a problem with the lens and not because of the topography of the...

Essential Canon Lenses for Astrophotography

Astrophotography presents unique challenges and opportunities, making the choice of lens critical. This helpful video will show you some of the best options for Canon users.

Mastering Light Direction for Stunning Portraits

Understanding how to manipulate light direction is crucial for creating compelling portraits. The direction and quality of light can dramatically alter the mood and depth of an image, and this helpful video tutorial will show you how to harness those properties to maximize your image quality and creative vision.

The Best Images from GuruShots "Photogenic Pursuits" Challenge

Have you tried is the "The World’s Greatest Photo Game" from GuruShots? They offer challenges all the time and allow photographers of every level to submit and participate. Their latest challenge "Photogenic Pursuits," received thousands of entries and millions of votes. You can see the three winners of the challenge as well as hundreds of top rated images below.

The Lenovo Legion 7i Laptop: A Deep Dive Into Its Design and Capabilities

The Lenovo Legion 7i, touted as Lenovo's best-looking laptop, has garnered attention for its sleek design and performance capabilities. This model stands out with its white color and brushed aluminum edges, offering a premium feel that sets it apart from its predecessors in tandem with the power creatives demand.

The Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8: A Hidden Gem of a Lens

Wide angle prime lenses are a must-have for many photographers, offering a useful perspective for landscape, architectural, and even portrait photography. Finding a lens that delivers both quality and value can be challenging, but this lens seems to check all the right boxes.

Adobe Brings Firefly Generative AI Technology to Lightroom

Today, Adobe brings its popular Firefly Generative AI technology to Lightroom in the form of Generative Remove and Lens Blur. These features will be available in all Lightroom incarnations, including the mobile app, desktop app, and web browser versions.

Exploring the Insane Fujica G690BL Camera

The Fujica G690BL, also known as the "Texas Leica," is a unique camera that has long intrigued many enthusiasts due to its blend of medium format quality and rangefinder ease of use. The camera stands out for its practical design, which was a response to the needs of commercial photographers in Japan who required a balance between image quality and manageable frame counts for quick development. Even today, it's a fun oddity that's worth a look.

Embrace Failure: The Path to Better Photography

The belief that good photographers must consistently produce great photos is a myth that can hinder your growth. This notion implies that every shot must be perfect, discouraging experimentation and risk-taking, which are essential for artistic development. Understanding that not every photo needs to be a masterpiece is crucial for evolving your skills and creativity and enjoying the craft.

Mastering Woodland Photography With Bluebells and Wild Garlic

The shifting patterns of nature provide unique opportunities. This year’s unusual weather has created an overlapping bloom of bluebells and wild garlic, presenting a rare and visually rich scene. For enthusiasts, these unexpected changes in seasonal flora offer fresh challenges and rewards.

Fstoppers Interviews Paige Vincent, Extreme Weather Photographer

The Great Plains offer some of the most extreme and jaw-dropping weather on Earth, and those who venture there with their camera are rewarded with some of the most unique and stunning images possible. We interviewed Paige Vincent, a photographer capturing those phenomena.

Home Studio Essentials for Portrait Photography

Creating a professional photography studio at home can feel daunting, but it doesn't have to be. This helpful video tutorial shows you how to create stunning portraits in a small home studio using minimal equipment.

How to Improve Your Landscape Photography by Planning Ahead

Planning is a crucial part of landscape photography, often being the foundation of a truly compelling image. Proper planning can make the difference between an average shot and a keeper. This tutorial focuses on how to effectively plan your shots, particularly how to predict weather conditions to enhance your landscape photos.

Amazing Large Format Portraits

Getting the perfect shot with a large format camera can be tricky, but the results are worth it. The combination of a large negative and precise control over focus and depth of field can create stunning images.

Microsoft’s Qualcomm-Powered Laptops: A New Era for Windows Devices

Microsoft's recent refresh of its Surface line marks a significant shift in the laptop market with the introduction of new models powered by Qualcomm chips. These ARM-based processors promise efficiency and improved battery life, addressing a long-standing issue for Windows laptops.

The Pergear 60mm Macro Reviewed: Is 2x Magnification for $200 Legit?

Truly affordable macro lenses, especially for hobbyists who are just starting out, are tough to find. The Pergear 60mm Macro lens promises magnification beyond the standard 1x reproduction ratio, but at just $200, can it really deliver usable results? In this hands-on review, I’ll test out this lens and take a detailed look at its performance.

An In-Depth Review of Top Standard Zoom Lenses for Sony Cameras

Sony’s decision to open their full-frame E-mount mirrorless cameras to third-party lens manufacturers has led to a thriving market with a variety of options. Among these, three standard zoom lenses stand out: the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II, the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art II, and the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 G2. These lenses are popular because they offer a versatile zoom range and a bright maximum aperture, making them ideal for various shooting scenarios, including low-light situations and achieving smooth bokeh.

Minimalist Portraits on a Budget

Getting the right look for a portrait often depends on more than just the subject. Backgrounds are essential, and minimalist backgrounds can be a great way to create striking images that emphasize the subject.

Ditch Manual Mode and Embrace Aperture Priority 

Understanding your camera settings can dramatically improve your photography. Many photographers believe that shooting in manual mode is the only way to achieve professional results, but this video argues that this is not always the case.