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Budget Camera Shootout: Canon vs. Fuji for Portraits

Quite possibly the most basic gear you can get for shooting nice portraits is a 50mm lens on a crop body camera. This combination of fast prime and smaller sensor creates almost the ideal conditions for this type of photography. So, how do some of the options in the field stack up?

Creative Problem-Solving: Lighting Techniques and Tips

Lighting is a crucial aspect of photography, often making or breaking a shoot. Understanding how to manipulate light effectively is essential. This video details a challenging scenario that was transformed into a valuable lesson on lighting techniques.

Unlocking Creative Inspiration for Your Photography

Mastering photography is not solely about technical skills but also about cultivating a creative vision. Drawing inspiration from diverse sources is crucial for developing a unique style and staying motivated. This insightful explores how you can harness creativity and inspiration to elevate your photography.

Streamline Your Workflow With Lightroom Masking Presets

Creating custom presets in Lightroom Classic can significantly streamline your editing workflow, especially for repetitive tasks like enhancing eye details in portraits. This helpful video tutorial will show you how to create your own.

Dehancer Will Get You Into Film Emulation With a Clever Plug-in

If you're tired of struggling to get the "right" look on your still images, Dehancer is coming to the rescue with a solid plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, Affinity Photo, and Capture One. It's available for Mac and Windows.

Download These Raw Files From Fujifilm’s Newest Cameras

Fujifilm recently held an event in NYC for photographers to gain hands-on time with their two most recent camera releases. Fstoppers was there, and we are pleased to provide you with three downloadable raw image files from each camera.

The Power of Subtle Lighting in Portraiture

When it comes to lighting in portraiture, there are many ways to skin a cat, but sometimes, the best way is not to go any direction all-out, but rather to blend different approaches. In this video, see the merits of subtle lighting.
Art and Advocacy: A Chat With Lindsay Adler on Her Psoriasis Awareness Campaign and Life Behind the Lens

What do you get when you pair an industry titan in creative beauty images with a campaign promoting psoriasis awareness? You get images you're anxiously curious to see, and an interview you want to watch. For the lucky New Yorkers, you also get the perfect outing for this weekend. I sat down with Adler to talk about the “Clearly Me” campaign she shot, which will be on display this weekend at Nine Line Galleries, NYC. If you follow my writing, you know we took rabbit trails into all kinds of tangents that will keep you learning, laughing, and hopefully leave you inspired with takeaways that will apply to your own photographic journey.

Expanding Dynamic Range With Auto Exposure Bracketing

Expanding your camera’s dynamic range with Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) can drastically improve image quality. Human eyes can see a wider dynamic range than cameras, so we need to use techniques like AEB to capture more detail in high-contrast scenes.

Creating a Dreamy Orton Glow in Lightroom

The Orton glow effect gives landscape photos a soft, ethereal quality that draws viewers in. This helpful video tutorial will show you how to create it in Lightroom.

Open Shade: The Key to Perfect Outdoor Lighting

Using open shade can transform your outdoor photography by providing soft, directional light without the need for complex lighting setups. This technique leverages natural light to create stunning images with minimal equipment, making it a great skill to master.

How Committing To a Routine Can Make You a Better Artist

When you are trying to build yourself into the artist you want to be, a little ordinary can help you do the extraordinary.

As I’m sitting down to write this, I’ve just had a quick peek over at the clock in the upper right-hand corner of my screen. It has just rounded 5:43 am, and I’ve already been at work long enough to have long forgotten about the sleep I wiped from my eyes when I rolled out of bed. To some, this might seem like an early time. Others might be wondering why I slept in so late. The exact time on the clock isn’t important. What is important is that this...

Essential Lessons for Mastering Studio Portrait Photography

Mastering studio portrait photography requires adapting to controlled environments and understanding how to manipulate lighting and equipment effectively. The transition from outdoor to indoor photography can be challenging, but it offers unique opportunities to refine your skills and produce high-quality images consistently.

Sigma's Flagship Just Got Better With the 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II

Sigma’s flagship lens is evolving with the new 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art for L-Mount and Sony E-mount mirrorless systems. Fully redesigned to take advantage of the latest technologies and improve image quality throughout the entire zoom range, the lens is lighter and smaller than its previous incarnation and boasts some serious features.

Tips for Mastering Wildflower Photography

Photographing wildflowers presents unique challenges and rewards. Getting the perfect shot requires understanding light, composition, and the delicate nature of the subjects.

Our First Look at the New Fujifilm X-T50 Mirrorless APS-C Camera

Fujifilm has announced a couple of new products, one of which is the Fujifilm X-T50 mirrorless APS-C camera. It features the same 40-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor as the popular X100VI. The X-T50 is promised to be a game-changer for the professional and serious amateur photographer.

Fujifilm Has Just Announced The GFX 100S II and We've Used It for a Week!

Fujifilm has just announced its sixth medium format mirrorless camera. The 102-megapixel GFX 100S II is a successor to the wildly popular, compact GFX 100S. Along with the body, Fujifilm has released the GF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR, an incredibly long medium format telephoto perfect for wildlife!

Common Off-Camera Flash Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Off-camera flash photography can significantly enhance your images, but it's easy to make mistakes that can lead to unsatisfactory results. Properly balancing flash and ambient light, controlling flash power, and adjusting lighting angles can make a big difference in the quality of your photos.

Don't Lose All Your Photos! My Complete Guide to Photography Backup

I’ve worked with more and more photographers over the years, and a commonality between many of them is that they only have their photos in one place, which will inevitably lead to tragedy. If this is you, or you struggle with catalog management, or you have a bunch of unorganized drives, then this guide is for you.

If you've ever lost your data before, you know how absolutely devastating it can be when you have no plan in place for redundancy. It amazes me how often I hear many photographers, even professionals that earn their income from shooting, do not have their...

picdrop – Photo Gallery Software You Should Try

One of the most common things clients can ask for from photographers is providing photo galleries. This allows you to not only deliver a better customer experience but also to boost sales. Let’s see how picdrop can help you create the best galleries for your clients.

A Northern Lights Weekend to Remember

On Friday, May 10, millions of people, maybe billions, were treated to one of nature's finest shows. Following a series of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), a large geomagnetic storm headed our way and treated us to a northern lights display to remember.

iPad Pro vs. iPad Air: Which Tablet Is Right for You?

The new iPad Pro with tandem OLED and the 2024 iPad Air are two of the most advanced tablets available. Which is right for you, though? This useful video will help you make an informed decision.

A Photographer's Quest for The Elusive Dream Camera

The perfect camera is a subjective concept, as each photographer has unique needs and preferences. What works for one photographer may not work for another, making the search for the "perfect camera" a personal journey.

How To Survive Technological Changes as an Artist

With new technology being invented seemingly every day with the power to upend our profession, it’s easy to become despondent about the future of our art form. Luckily, there is one fundamental advantage we hold which cannot be engineered out of existence.

Essential Steps to Photography Business Success

Starting a photography business can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to turn your passion into a source of income. But where do you begin? There are essential steps to take, from acquiring the right gear to establishing a strong online presence.

I Screwed Up the Northern Lights. How Did You Do?

Your social media feeds have probably been full of purple and green night skies that last few days if you're almost anywhere in the United States, or if you have U.S.-based friends. Chances are, they got a good glimpse of and possibly photographed a rare event: Northern Lights.

A One-Light Setup for Stunning Portraits

As a photographer, you understand the importance of light in creating compelling images. Mastering lighting techniques can elevate your photography to new heights, but it can also feel overwhelming.

How Good Is This Ultra-Affordable Tilt-Shift Lens?

Tilt-shift lenses are a powerful tool for photographers, offering control over perspective and depth of field for creative and technical applications. However, professional tilt-shift lenses are often prohibitively expensive, which makes this lens an intriguing option.

Don't Fall for the Shallow Depth of Field Trap

Depth of field is a fundamental concept that can dramatically impact the quality and storytelling of your images. It's not just about blurring the background; it's about thoughtfully controlling what elements are in focus and how they relate to each other within the frame.

A Versatile Two-Light Setup for Beauty Photography

Lighting can make or break a shoot, especially when it comes to commercial beauty photography. Having a go-to lighting setup that you can rely on will streamline your workflow and ensure consistent, high-quality results for your clients.

The Case for DSLRs in a Mirrorless World 

DSLRs offer photographers numerous advantages in 2024, and the availability of high-quality DSLRs at affordable prices, coupled with a vast selection of lenses, makes them an attractive option for photographers seeking exceptional value.

Creative White Balance for Landscape Photography 

White balance is a fundamental image property that can dramatically affect the mood and overall look of a shot. While achieving a technically neutral white balance is important for accurate color representation, many photographers also use white balance creatively to enhance the artistic impact of their images.

Looking Into the Possibilities for Using an External Screen for Photography

An external recorder can be a good choice for video. Such a recorder has no use for photography, but it can function as an external screen. Since you don’t need the recording option, there are some affordable possibilities as well. Perhaps an external screen can be of benefit for your photography?

Lightroom Techniques for Impactful Photography 

Isolating your subject is a key technique that can dramatically improve your images. It helps draw the viewer's eye to the most important part of the picture, creating a more engaging and impactful photograph. Whether you're shooting portraits, landscapes, or product photography, mastering this technique can elevate your work.

7 Hidden Features in the Fujifilm X100VI

The new Fujifilm X100VI is going to be a best-seller, that's for sure. But despite how popular modern cameras can become, there are still plenty of features that aren't common knowledge, and the X100VI is no exception.
How to Create Harmony Through Color Matching in Photoshop

Color plays a crucial role in photography, influencing the mood, atmosphere, and overall impact of your images. Achieving color harmony within your compositions can elevate your work and create a visually pleasing experience for viewers. A little work in Photoshop can get you closer.