Mastering the Art of Masking in Lightroom

Masking in Lightroom is a crucial skill for photographers aiming to refine their post-processing techniques. The program's powerful tools enable photographers to make selective adjustments that can transform the quality and look of their photos, from subtle enhancements to dramatic changes.

His Last Photograph on the Last Day: Hugh F. McHugh

In the waning days of World War II, the German army unleashed a massive, surprise attack on the Allied forces in the Western Theater with the hope of extending the lifeline of their military forces. This attack created a bulging salient in the Allied lines along the Ardennes Forest in Belgium. This battle, forever known as The Battle of the Bulge, lasted from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945, and is considered by historians as one of the largest land battles the United States ever engaged in. In the chaos of all this, US Army Signal Corps photographer, Hugh Francis McHugh, would be there to document the battle. Sadly, it was here on the snow-filled fields, on the last day of the battle, where McHugh would capture his last photograph.

A Review of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S24 series is here, and it has brought along some impressive updates and new features. How good is the flagship, the S24 Ultra? This excellent video review takes a look.

Do This To Get Perfect Prints

Some time ago, I wrote an article about soft proofing in Lightroom and Photoshop. It's an essential step in any professional printing workflow. Today, I show the additional steps required to create perfect prints.

The Ultimate 35mm Lens Showdown for Fujifilm Users: From Budget to Premium Picks

The 35mm lens is a staple in many photographers' kits, offering a versatile focal length ideal for a range of shooting scenarios. Its popularity stems from its ability to capture scenes with a natural perspective, making it essential for street, portrait, and everyday photography. This helpful video overview takes a deep look at the best options out there.

Using Your Telephoto Lens for Beautiful Minimalist Photography

When photographing beautiful landscapes, the temptation is always to shoot your composition nice and wide to fit in as much of the scene as possible. In this video from Mads Peter Iversen, he takes us on a winter wonderland trip looking for simple but effective minimalist compositions using a telephoto lens.

Navigating the Complexity of Modern Cameras

The complexity and abundance of features in modern cameras can be overwhelming, often detracting from the essence of capturing great images. This insightful video tackles the issue and the way these cameras influence our work.

Winter Intimacies: A Photographer's Guide to Small-Scale Landscapes

Exploring the nuances of intimate landscapes in winter photography, this awesome video tutorial looks into the art of capturing smaller, detailed scenes in a wintery woodland setting. This topic is particularly interesting, as it challenges the conventional focus on grand vistas, encouraging a more thoughtful and detailed approach to capturing the essence of a season or location.

24 Photoshop Tricks You Might Not Know

Photoshop is a tremendously complex and multi-layered program, and that means that there are features even seasoned pros might not know about. This helpful video tutorial will show you 24 of the most useful features and tricks you might not have seen before.

Things a Photographer Would Do Differently Starting Landscape Photography

After many years of experience, one will often look back with learned wisdom on things they would have done differently from the beginning to get where they are today faster. In this video, we hear from an experienced landscape photographer about things they wish they had known.

A Review of the AstrHori 25mm f/2.8 2-5x Ultra Macro Lens

At $249, the AstrHori 25mm f/2.8 2-5x Ultra Macro offers users a glimpse into a hidden world without a significant hit to their bank accounts. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Pushing Camera Gear Beyond Its Limits: Shooting at -30° C (-22° F)

There are parameters within which a camera is supposed to work, and one extreme I had not tried with mine was the severe cold. So, I headed to Northern Finland, where I would experience temperatures I had never felt before. Here is what happened to my camera.

Adapting to Change: One Photographer's Journey

Exploring the interplay between creativity, personal expression, and the multifaceted career of a professional photographer, this fantastic video dives deep into the artistic journey of Crystal Schneider. Schneider's experience as a full-time photographer since 2009, along with her transition from a bustling city life in Amsterdam to the tranquility of the French countryside, presents a compelling narrative about adapting to change and finding creativity amidst challenges.

Mastering C-Stands: A Photographer's Essential Guide

Understanding the nuances of C-stands is crucial for photographers seeking to work in a studio. This helpful video tutorial will show you everything you need to know to ensure a safer, more efficient workflow.

The (Un)Glamorous Life of the Hollywood Still Photographer

The perceived glamorous life of a Hollywood unit still photographer is not all about meeting A-list celebrities and taking iconic cover shots of award-winning films. It's actually a challenging endeavor that requires grit, perseverance, and a plethora of social and technical skills.

Finding Photographic Inspiration in Unconventional Places

Finding inspiration in photography can be a daunting task, especially when faced with a creative block. This is a common issue for both amateur and professional photographers, as maintaining a consistent flow of creativity is crucial for producing compelling images.

Acrylic Prints From ZNO: A Must Try

One of the best ways to display your work is by creating acrylic prints of them. Be it your own desire or a client wanting to go extra on their last photoshoot, acrylic-mounted prints are one of the best ways to create physical copies of your images. In this article, we will see how you can use client galleries to prompt your clients to purchase acrylic prints and display them on your wall.


Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (January 2024): Jamie Felton

The Fstoppers community is brimming with creative vision and talent. Every day, we comb through your work, looking for images to feature as the Photo of the Day or simply to admire your creativity and technical prowess. In 2023, we're featuring a new photographer every month, whose portfolio represents both stellar photographic achievement and a high level of involvement within the Fstoppers community.

Innovative Lighting for Sports Photography

Sports portraits present unique lighting challenges that require creative solutions. This helpful video tutorial will show you some excellent techniques and advice for improving your sports portraits.

A Look at the Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G and FE 24mm f/2.8 G Lenses

The Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G and FE 24mm f/2.8 G lenses offer users practical focal lengths and maximum apertures at equally practical prices, making them potentially good options for a lot of applications. This excellent video review takes a look at the two lenses and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from them in practice.
News and Analysis: The OM-1 Mark II and Two New Lenses Are Announced

OM Digital Solutions has announced an upgrade to their popular OM-1. The Mark II version has the same sensor and processor, but the development has concentrated on a much larger memory and buffer, improved dials, and a range of new features that will appeal especially to wildlife and landscape photographers.

The Art and Science of Photographing a Total Solar Eclipse

Capturing a total solar eclipse is not only a technical challenge, but also an awe-inspiring experience that merges art with astronomy. With such an event coming up for many of us, now is a great time to check out this fantastic guide to capturing one.

Mastering Color Correction in Lightroom: A Sunset Editing Tutorial

Understanding how to manage challenging colors in Lightroom is a vital skill for photographers, particularly when dealing with vibrant scenes like sunsets. Knowing the right techniques to enhance and balance colors without losing the essence of the shot is crucial for creating a polished final image.

Five Problems You Must Solve To Take Great Photographs in Extreme Cold

As photographers, we choose where we take photographs. While it is undoubtedly a joy to take pictures in a climate-controlled photo studio, tethered to a laptop while your favorite tunes play through speakers, many romanticize taking photographs under challenging conditions. We dream of being assigned to document a war or cover the aftermath of an earthquake.

Choosing Between Lightroom Classic and Cloud: A Beginner's Guide

Understanding the different versions of Adobe Lightroom is crucial for beginners to make an informed choice that suits their workflow. Adobe offers two primary versions: Lightroom Classic and a newer, cloud-based Lightroom. Each has distinct features and functionalities, impacting how you can manage, edit, and output your work.

5 Common Mistakes New Photographers Make

In today's age, where smartphones have become ubiquitous, photography has evolved into a more accessible art form. For many budding photographers mastering mobile photography has become the first step in their journey. This helpful video tutorial discusses five common mistakes and how you can fix them.

Overcoming Polarizing Filter Challenges: A Landscape Editing Tutorial

Photographers often face challenges when capturing landscapes using wide angle lenses combined with polarizing filters. This pairing can result in uneven sky exposure, creating distracting dark spots in photos. This helpful video tutorial will show you how to tackle the issue and create better photos.

All Apple Everything: Shooting and Editing Video with Full Apple Workflow

As an experienced photographer, I have spent a career focusing on mostly still images, not paying much attention to video. With the help of the Apple ecosystem, I have found an accessible way to say yes to the question, "Do you shoot video?". This article discusses the quality and convenience of an all-Apple workflow, which begins with the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

A Review of the Nikon Zf Mirrorless Camera

While vintage camera styles evoke a sense of nostalgia, serious photographers demand more than just good looks in their equipment. It's essential that high-quality cameras also excel in functionality, adaptability, and cutting-edge features. This question is pertinent when considering the Nikon Zf mirrorless camera. Does its performance live up to its classic design? This detailed video review takes a look at what you can expect from the camera.

Do You Really Need All That Gear?

Landscape photography, with its sprawling vistas and majestic scenery, often captivates us with its beauty and challenge. However, delving into this genre requires careful consideration of the equipment you bring along. In this article, let’s explore the essential gear for landscape photography, emphasizing the principle that less is more. Contrary to the notion that a vast array of equipment is necessary for capturing stunning landscapes, we'll discuss how a minimalist approach can lead to more focused and rewarding experiences in the field. Let's look at the essentials.

Staying Motivated in Photography: Overcoming Creative Ruts

Photography, like any creative pursuit, has its highs and lows. Whether you're a professional or an amateur, there will be times when you lack motivation, perhaps due to repetitive subjects or an uninspiring environment. Overcoming these challenges is crucial for maintaining creative growth and passion in photography.

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S Lens

Nikon is broadening their range of mirrorless lenses, moving beyond the standard varieties and venturing into more purpose-specific, professional-grade lenses. A prime example of this expansion is the NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S. Notably portable and competitively priced, this lens is worth a close look. This great video review does just that, showing the performance and image quality you can expect from the lens in use.

A Review of the Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM Lens

Supertelephoto lenses offer immense utility, yet often come with a high price tag. For those ready to compromise on having a very wide maximum aperture, Canon's RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM lens presents much of that versatility but at a more accessible cost. This helpful video review explores the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

A Beginner's Guide to Shooting in Raw With Your Cameraphone

Shooting in raw with your smartphone is a simple tweak that can significantly enhance your smartphone photography. We're diving into how this feature can improve the quality of your pictures, offering more detail and better color accuracy. It's a practical look at how this tech can upgrade your everyday shots.

The Science of Precise Lighting With Light Meters

In an era where digital cameras offer advanced metering systems, the relevance of a traditional light meter might seem diminished. However, for photographers seeking precision and consistency in lighting, especially in complex setups, a light meter remains an indispensable tool.

A Review of the Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8 DA DSM PRO Lens

Yongnuo was once known for making extremely affordable speedlights, and while they still do that, they have also moved into making lenses in recent years. One such example is the YN 50mm f/1.8 DA DSM PRO for Fujifilm X Series cameras, which offers very impressive performance at a reasonable price, making it a great option for portrait and wedding photographers. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from the lens in practice.

How I Built My Home Photography Studio

If you’re like me and live somewhere with out-of-control housing costs, finding somewhere with enough space to shoot in can be difficult, to say the least. Having built out a home studio in a major city, here’s why I did it, but also how.

The Art of Composition in Landscape Photography

Composition is not just about aligning elements pleasingly; it’s about conveying the narrative and emotion of the scene. This subtle yet powerful aspect of photography is often overlooked, making it a vital area for photographers to explore and master.

A Review of the Powerhouse ASUS 18" Republic of Gamers Strix SCAR Laptop

While there has been a trend toward more portable laptops in recent years, some people still prefer as much horsepower and screen space as they can have on the go. For those users, the ASUS 18" Republic of Gamers Strix SCAR laptop offers a gigantic screen in tandem with some mightily impressive specs. This great video review takes a look at everything you can expect from it.

Exploring Movie Locations for Photography

Hot off the successes of my local actor Cillian Murphy’s Golden Globe for "Oppenheimer," it reminded me of my trip last year to another iconic location that also swept the boards at the illustrious awards, "The Banshees of Inisherin." Movies have the extraordinary power to transport us to different worlds, allowing us to experience the magic of storytelling through the lens of a camera. But what happens when the magic extends beyond the big screen? What if we could step into the very locations that served as the backdrop for our favorite films? In this exploration, we delve into the enchanting world of movie locations, focusing on the rugged beauty of Achill Island's Keem Beach—the cinematic stage for the film "The Banshees of Inisherin," starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson.

A Review of the New 2024 ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16 Laptops

While gaming laptops are normally designed for entertainment, they have found a second home among creative power users who leverage all those capabilities for demanding work. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16 laptops offer a ton of horsepower under the hood, and this great video review takes a look at how the latest models hold up in practice.