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Trending Photography News and Reviews

Matte Painting for a New Generation of Filmmakers

Today, video content creation has become more accessible than ever. YouTube, Vimeo, TikTok, and Instagram Reels mean everyone is creating video content. With the rapid advancements in technology, creators have the power to make videos anywhere and inexpensively thanks to AI and, in particular, Generative Fill AI.
A Year With Medium Format: Is It Worth the Upgrade?

In the last few years, medium format has seen itself reinvented from a niche, prohibitively expensive option to an alternative to full frame for those who want access to some of the best image quality that money can buy. It is not without drawbacks, though. So, is it right for you? This great video features a photographer discussing their experience after using medium format for a year.

We Review the Fujinon XF 30mm f/2.8 LM WR Macro Lens

Fujifilm's latest release in their X mount range is the Fujinon XF 30mm f/2.8 LM WR Lens, a compact and lightweight lens that is perfect for a wide range of photography, including macro, portraits, and street. With a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8, it also allows for great low-light performance. Yes, there are wider apertures from the Fujifilm range, but none I expect can shoot as close to the subject and still provide highly detailed images as this one can.

We Review Capture One for iPad

This review is for you if you’re a Capture One Pro user and are wondering if the iPad version is worth adding to your workflow. It is also for those who don’t yet use Capture One but are looking for a budget-friendly introduction to it and already own an iPad. I will be looking at the application’s features, pros and cons, and comparing them to the desktop version.

Landscape Photography in the Middle of the Day

Most of the time, when you think of landscape photography, you probably think of golden hour, with soft and warm light spilling across the scene. And while that can make for fantastic images, if you restrict yourself to just a few hours a day, you are missing out on quite a few opportunities. This great video tutorial shows you the benefits of landscape photography in the middle of the day.

Can’t Get a Fujifilm X100V? Try This Instead

I've long been a fan of Fujifilm's X100 series of cameras, the "T" model being my gateway drug into the Fuji X system. Fuji's X100V, the latest and greatest in the lineup, launched in 2020, seems near impossible to find even in 2023. So, what's a photographer to do? Try this instead.

Canon Continues to Wind Down the EF-M System

While the EOS R system and RF mount have proven quite successful, they actually were not the company's first foray into the mirrorless market. That honor belongs to the EOS M system, but it seems (unsurprisingly) that the company is continuing to wind down those cameras and lenses to focus on the RF mount.

Guide for Choosing the Best Prime Lens for Different Kind of Portraits

If you like photographing people with prime lenses, you must choose the best possible focal length for your situation. After all, with prime lenses, you can’t zoom in or out. This is a simple guide that can help you to use the most suitable prime lens for photographing one or more people, and groups of people.

10 of the Best Budget Lenses You Can Buy

Modern camera lenses can be extremely expensive, often reaching into multiple thousands of dollars. However, there are some real gems out there at much more affordable prices, some even lower than $100. So, how do you know which of those are diamonds in the rough and which you should avoid? This excellent video review will show you 10 of the best budget options out there.

Which of These Supertelephoto Zoom Lenses Is Right for You?

A decade ago, the idea of a reasonably affordable supertelephoto zoom lens that also produced professional-level images was almost unheard of. However, that particular market niche has exploded and recent years, and photographers now have a huge range of options to choose from. Which lens is right for you? This fantastic video review takes a look at many different options to help you pick.

A Review of the Impressive New BenQ PhotoVue SW272U 27" 4K HDR Monitor

BenQ is one of the most respected monitor manufacturers in the industry, offering an array of devices for professionals and hobbyists alike. The new PhotoVue SW272U 27" 4K HDR offers a huge range of features sure to please most users and does so at a reasonable price. This excellent review takes a look at the new monitor and the sort of performance and quality you can expect from it in usage.

Software Wars: Can Capture One Pro Defeat Lightroom Classic?

Capture One has a great reputation for image quality but comes with a premium price tag. Does it live up to its reputation, and is that extra cost worth it compared to other programs? I tested it side by side with Adobe Lightroom Classic.

All the Ports You Need: We Review the Ugreen USB-C Triple Display 13-in-1 Docking Station

Laptops are more powerful than ever, easily capable of replacing a desktop for many creatives. However, when it comes to the needs of creatives, the ports on most laptops simply aren't enough to cover everything. Enter the docking station. In this review, we take a look at the Ugreen USB-C Triple Display 13-in-1 Docking Station and if it can cover all the needs of a demanding professional.

How to Quickly Improve Your Landscape Photography Compositions

Of all the techniques, philosophies, and approaches that go into making a successful landscape image, perhaps nothing gives new and experienced photographers alike more trouble than composition. If you find yourself often struggling with composition, check out this fantastic video that offers a useful approach to get you on the right track in no time.

Is the Fujifilm GFX 100S Too Much for Weddings? 

I’ll admit I was seduced by digital medium format, with its ridiculous resolution and that “medium format look.” It has been two years of full-time use. Do I still think it was worth it? Better yet, should you drop $10K+ for a medium format digital camera kit?

Hands on With LomoChrome 92 Film

Lomography recently announced the release of a new film, LomoChrome 92, a 400 ISO C-41 process color negative stock. The film is touted as a throwback to older stocks, with vibrant colors and a more noticeable grain structure.

5 Reasons Why I’m Still Obsessed With The Sony A7 IV 10 Months On

I was extremely excited to get my hands on the Sony a7 IV last December. It promised to be a camera with a lot to offer and for me, felt like a huge upgrade from my much loved Sony a7 II. As the successor to the successful a7 III, expectations couldn’t be higher, so it certainly had a lot to live up to. 10 months of heavy use later, I couldn’t be happier with it. Here’s five of the many reasons I’m completely obsessed with the Sony a7 IV.

The Viltrox 35mm f/1.8: A Prime Example of High Quality 3rd Party Lenses

At half the price of the Nikon equivalent, how does the Viltrox 35mm f/1.8 AF Lens for Nikon Z fair? Pretty darned good in my opinion. Third-party lenses can be a hit-or-miss affair with a lack of sharpness, and cheap construction, Viltrox, however, is certainly not guilty of that.

5 Reasons Photoshop's Clone Stamp Isn't Obsolete

Photoshop's Clone Stamp has long been one of the program's most useful tools, but with a bevy of new and advanced tools, including Content Aware Fill and Generative AI, it might seem like such a simple tool might be obsolete. Nothing could be further from the truth, though. This fantastic video tutorial features a seasoned Photoshop pro sharing five reasons why the Clone Stamp is still relevant and how you can use it in your work.

Canon 5DS Long-term Review: Fantastic Image Quality, Even in 2023

When I was looking for a camera that could shoot higher resolution than my Canon 5D Mark IV, I had three options: Phase One, Canon 5DD, or mirrorless. I ended up getting the Canon 5Ds, and after using it for a bunch of work, here are my long-term thoughts.

Our First Look at The Sony a6700

It’s been a while since Sony released a new crop sensor camera designed for serious photographers and videographers. But that day is finally here with the launch of the new Sony a6700.

Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch 360 – Small Size, Surprisingly Good Results

The world of image-making is evolving daily. One such development is the introduction of one-inch sensors to smaller cameras and mobile phones. One of the problems with smaller cameras in the past was that the sensor was too small to capture appropriate detail. Insta360 has recently come out with the one-inch edition of its popular 360 camera, which sets a new standard for photographers and filmmakers worldwide.

One Year Later With The Sony a7 IV

One year ago, I finally received my Sony a7 IV after a long wait from my local camera store. In this article, I explain what I like about the camera and where I think it could improve.

A Definitive Guide to Master Your Lenses in 15 Minutes

This is a great video for beginners and experienced photographers alike who are looking to get more out of their gear. In this video, Simon d'Entremont gives a definitive explanation of different lenses and how they can work best for you.

A Complete Guide to Setting Up Your New Fujifilm XT5

The new Fujifilm body is getting some rave reviews and if you're lucky enough to own it, you might want to set aside some time to get it firing on all cylinders. This video will help you with exactly that, walking you through the features and hidden tricks and tips.

We Review the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi

Some months ago, I was excited enough to place a preorder upon hearing of the announcement of Sky-Watcher’s Star Adventurer GTi, the latest in their Star Adventurer series of star trackers. In September, I finally received it and have been checking it out. Let’s see if it has indeed met my expectations.

A Bit of History About the Golden Ratio and Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is the first thing that is taught about composition in photography. It seems to have some similarities with the golden ratio, but in reality, it’s something completely different. Let’s have a closer look at the history of these so-called rules to get a better understanding.

Feeling Lost as a Photographer? Watch This

We live in an era in which we are absolutely inundated by images every day, from every direction and in which we are often encouraged to think just as much about the tools of the trade as the images themselves. All that can lead one to feel frustrated or even disillusioned with the craft. If you find yourself feeling that way, give this insightful and motivational video a watch.

Can DxO PhotoLab 6 Elite Knock Lightroom Classic Out of the Ballpark?

I tested a range of raw camera files in different development programs in a quest to find the ultimate development tool. This time it is the turn of DxO PhotoLab 6. Lightroom is good, and Capture One was better. How does Photolab 6 compare, and is it worth the investment?

5 Compact Film Cameras Ricoh Pentax Should Bring Back

On December 20, 2022, Ricoh Imaging made an announcement that few in the photography community saw coming. The owners of the Ricoh and Pentax lines of cameras announced that they are looking at making film cameras again.

We Review the Amazing Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM

After 27 years, Canon finally released a new 135mm lens. Instead of a new EF lens, it’s an RF lens, obviously. How does this expensive lens perform, and is it worth the upgrade if you’re still using the old but trustworthy EF version?

How To Pose and Direct a Photoshoot To Draw Out Emotion

With 10 years of professional photography under my belt, I can confidently say directing models with ease is one of the most important aspects of the job. Yet, it is a skill that so many photographers struggle with. It’s one of those things that seems so simple, but in the actual moment, can be incredibly challenging.

Should You Buy a Fujifilm Camera in 2023?

Fujifilm cameras have been popular for decades, but in the past few years, they have released bodies that are fully in vogue and thus difficult to find. Are they worth the hype? Should you buy a Fujifilm camera in 2023?

5 Powerful Lightroom Masking Techniques for Landscape Photography

When you edit landscape photos, you will often make use of a variety of masks to target adjustments to different areas of the frame. Lightroom has made some major steps forward in its masking capabilities in recent iterations, making it far easier to efficiently and precisely process your photos. This excellent video tutorial will show you five uses for Lightroom's masking capabilities when working with landscape images.

How to Use This Powerful New Lightroom Feature

In the past few years, Lightroom has taken some powerful steps forward, making it a versatile and capable editing tool that can accomplish many tasks that used to require a trip to Photoshop. One of the greatest new additions is the ability to use curves in masks. This great video tutorial will show you how to use curves inside the program's masking panel to quickly and easily create powerful and precise edits.

Will the Canon EOS R5 Soon Shoot 400-Megapixel Images?

Recently, news broke that Canon is likely planning a significant firmware for the EOS R5 later this year, including a high-resolution pixel-shift mode. Now, it appears that mode may offer a whopping 400 megapixels of resolution.

Photoshop's Generative Fill: This Will Change Everything

The lead image doesn't exist. Well, it does now, but it is a sum of two photographic parts aided by Photoshop's new Generative Fill AI. The mountains in the background exist but not in their entirety. Stobb Coirre doesn't exactly look like this, as tiny parts are generated. My two dogs never pose for photographs.
We Review the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens for Sony E

In working for Fstoppers, we often get the chance to test and review new gear. When an assignment to try the new Sigma 150-600mm popped up, my ears instantly perked up. Superzooms are my secret weapon, and I am excited to share the results of my testing with you.

Why I Bought Into a Dead-end Mirrorless System for 2023

I’ve always had a set of “work” cameras and “fun” cameras, the former being big, heavy professional tools and the latter being the kind I’d bring on family trips and for street photography.

Which of These Is the Ultimate Landscape Photography Camera?

When it comes to cameras, two of the most important specs for landscape photographers are resolution and dynamic range. In recent years, cameras from Fujifilm and Hasselblad have reinvigorated medium format by modernizing camera options and reducing their prices to the point that they have become a viable alternative to full frame. So, which company makes the best camera for the genre? This helpful video review compares the Hasselblad X2D 100C and Fujifilm GFX 100S to help you decide.