Exclusive articles and expert opinions written by Fstoppers’ talented team of creative professionals. Here we cover everything from the latest photographic techniques to advice on running a successful photography business, to first hand accounts of working in the photography industry.
Most photographers obsess over megapixels, autofocus points, and dynamic range when shopping for new gear. But while you're comparing sensor specs and lens sharpness charts, you're probably overlooking the features that could actually revolutionize how you shoot.
Last week, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said that photos and AI-generated imagery will converge. Given that his intellect receives so much acclaim, it’s alarming that he has no understanding of photography and its function within society, not to mention the far-reaching implications.
With the most recent announcement of the Sony RX1R III, the scarcity of the Fuji X100VI, and the popularity of the Leica Q, are we seeing a renaissance of the small compact camera?
Today, I’d like to explore a question that comes to mind often whenever I get a chance to meet my film and photography heroes.
While pixel-peepers obsess over sharpness charts and bokeh samples, the smartest photographers know that certain overlooked lens features can help you get that elusive shot. Here are five hidden gems you should look for in your next lens.
Wedding photographers are seeing a dramatic increase in ghosted inquiries. Couples are sending out initial messages but only responding if they feel an immediate and undeniable connection, and if the pricing works for them. For many in the industry, this shift has created an unpredictable and often frustrating sales process. If your inbox feels quieter after that first reply, you are not imagining it.
Every photographer dreams of that pristine lens collection, but many end up with expensive glass gathering dust while scrambling to find the lenses they actually need. The brutal reality is that lens purchases gone wrong hurt because good glass costs so much and directly determines whether you can accept paying jobs.
You're about to drop thousands on a new camera system, convinced that flagship body will transform your photography overnight. But here's the brutal truth: most photographers sabotage their success before they even click the shutter, making expensive mistakes that leave them with gear they can't use effectively and budgets too depleted to fix the problem.
Demarchelier. Eggleston. Avedon. Penn. Mann. Leibovitz. These names are etched into the history of photography. They are the figures whose work appears in museum retrospectives, on coffee tables, and in academic textbooks. But will photography ever produce universally recognized legends like this again?
Starting a photography business feels like stepping into a dream job where creativity meets entrepreneurship, but the harsh reality is that most new photography ventures fail within their first two years. The difference between thriving photographers and those who crash and burn isn't talent or expensive gear. It's avoiding these five business mistakes that rookie photographers make over and over again.
Shooting portraits in natural light, if you get it right, can be very rewarding. You can easily create beautiful, moody, and very natural photos—with just a camera in your hand and a willing subject in front of you. Here are some thoughts that may help you get the best possible results.
Every photographer has experienced that moment of envy scrolling through Instagram, wondering how certain portraits achieve that impossibly smooth, cinematic background blur that seems to wrap subjects in pure light. Here are five fantastic portrait lenses that will give you some of the smoothest and unique bokeh you've ever seen.
The camera industry has been pushing full frame sensors so hard that many photographers think anything smaller is automatically inferior. Here are five remarkable APS-C cameras that deliver professional results while offering advantages that even the best full frame cameras can't match.
It’s hard to leave the camera at home. But when you travel with family or friends, photography isn’t always the point. So can it still find a place?
In an era where smartphone cameras can capture 4K video and AI can enhance photos beyond recognition, something unexpected is happening in photography studios and college campuses across America. Young photographers are deliberately choosing 35mm film cameras over cutting-edge digital equipment, creating a renaissance that has film manufacturers scrambling to meet demand and camera shops dusting off decades-old inventory.
With every new generation of camera producing larger files and higher bitrates, the demand for faster transfer speeds is relentless. Now, with Apple's M4 Pro and M4 Max chips ushering in the new Thunderbolt 5 standard, the goalposts have moved once again. Can the OWC Envoy Ultra deliver the next step-change in portable drive speeds?
As a landscape photographer, I find joy in exploration, seeking out compositions that have yet to be captured and waiting for the perfect light to illuminate them. Often, it leads to frustration when the weather turns bad and forces me to retreat to the car for shelter. However, learning to embrace the elements of nature and using them to your advantage to tell a story will ultimately yield a greater payoff.
When you thought that $10,000 lens was expensive, wait until you see these camera systems that literally cost more than a Harvard education. These aren't your typical Instagram-worthy photography gear—they're the kind of setups that make your bank account weep and your spouse file for divorce.
Photography once demanded patience, skill, and genuine artistic vision, but social media platforms have systematically dismantled these foundations in favor of instant gratification and algorithmic manipulation. What was once a revered art form requiring years of technical mastery and creative development has too often been reduced to a quick-hit dopamine delivery system where engagement metrics matter more than artistic merit.
Nothing really puts a camera to the test like photographing a full wedding day. There is documentary photography, product photography, portraits, landscapes, and even low-light photography all rolled up into one event. So can the Fujifilm GFX100RF keep up?
That bargain client who seemed like easy money might be the most expensive mistake you'll ever make. While premium clients pay well and respect your time, cheap clients create a cascade of hidden costs that can destroy your photography business faster than a dropped camera.
It may sound bold, but I do believe Leica M-mount lenses are making a quiet resurgence, not just among loyal Leica shooters, but across the broader mirrorless world. A statement like that probably needs some explanation, so hear me out.
Every photographer's journey starts with boundless enthusiasm and a camera, but most beginners unknowingly sabotage their progress with costly mistakes that could easily be avoided. These ten brutal truths about amateur photography will save you thousands of dollars, countless hours of frustration, and help you skip the painful learning curve that destroys so many creative aspirations.
You don't need to spend thousands to capture magazine-worthy photos and television-worthy videos that rival expensive professional equipment. These 10 modern cameras (no DSLRs!) prove that exceptional image quality, advanced autofocus systems, and professional features are now accessible to photographers on any budget.
The question becomes: how does a photographer think? I don’t know how everyone else thinks, but I can tell you my process.
Picking up a camera is a powerful tool for improving your psychological well-being, with benefits that extend far beyond just capturing pretty pictures. From reducing anxiety levels to fostering genuine human connections, photography is emerging as an unexpected form of therapy that's accessible to anyone with a smartphone or camera.
Most camera buying guides are just expensive shopping lists in disguise, pushing you toward gear you don't need with money you don't have. This framework teaches you to ask the right questions so you can make a confident choice that fits your actual photography goals.
We talk a lot about sharpness and resolution, but when’s the last time your image made someone feel something?
You don't need to spend thousands of dollars on fancy gear to dramatically improve your photography game. These ten essential accessories cost less than your monthly coffee budget but will leave you wondering why you waited until now to purchase them.
Many photographers know the frustration of walking away from a shoot where everything looked right—but something still felt off. The lighting was clean, the model nailed every pose, the gear performed flawlessly—and yet, the images don’t land the way they should. Here's why.
These 10 exceptional medium format cameras represent the absolute pinnacle of analog photography technology, where legendary manufacturers pushed engineering boundaries to create tools worthy of the world's most demanding photographers. From the whisper-quiet precision of legendary rangefinders to the modular perfection of Swedish engineering icons, these cameras deliver image quality and shooting experiences that justify their premium pricing through decades of proven professional performance.
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 2025, 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.
Let's answer some of the questions I get the most about my unique lighting setup.
Medium format photography offers image quality that makes even the best full frame cameras look ordinary, and 2025 presents the perfect opportunity to dive into this magnificent world without emptying your savings account. Whether you're seeking the dreamy bokeh of 6x7 negatives or the tack-sharp detail that only larger film frames can deliver, these ten exceptional cameras prove that professional-quality medium format film photography remains accessible to dedicated enthusiasts willing to embrace the analog experience.
A few weeks ago, I was walking through Whole Foods when I saw a piece of broccoli that, oddly enough, reminded me of a Joshua Tree. Seriously. That random grocery store moment ended up sparking an entire photo shoot on the spot, and, more importantly, a deeper reflection on how I can use tools like AI in my photography without letting them take over.
It’s that time again. Let’s dive back into a deep conversation about the complicated world of AI-generated film and photography.
Film photography is experiencing an unprecedented renaissance, and choosing the right 35mm camera can make your analog journey all the more enjoyable. Whether you're a seasoned photographer returning to your roots or a digital native ready to embrace the magic of film, these 10 exceptional cameras represent the perfect blend of reliability, features, and value for modern shooters.
Reliable image storage is arguably one of the most important parts of any shoot – because if your work isn’t safely stored, it might as well have never happened. Built with creatives in mind, the SANDISK® Creator Series is a high-performance storage solution for creators.
We take you behind the scenes to reveal how you can use handheld light to create photos such as this mysterious abandoned modern house in the Mojave Desert.
When most photographers talk about extreme lenses, they're thinking about a fast 85mm f/1.4 or maybe an extra-wide 11mm rectilinear lens. But there's a whole other universe of optical madness where lenses weigh hundreds of pounds, cost more than houses, and push the boundaries of physics so hard they make normal photography look quaint.
Tripods get super expensive very quickly, and if you are a full-time pro, you will most definitely be familiar with the price tags. If video is something you are trying out, or just doing for fun, you may also need a tripod—a tripod that is lightweight and has enough features.
When I was young and took my first driving lesson, the instructor explained to me what was happening with the gearbox and engine when I changed gear, and how what I did controlled the vehicle’s speed. I learned in a manual (stick shift) car. We all did back then in the UK.
Here's a statement that will make half of you angry: many photography trends are garbage, but the ones that aren't will define your career for the next decade.
When portrait photographers discuss their toolkit, conversations inevitably center on camera bodies, prime lenses, and lighting equipment. Yet the accessories that truly separate professional portrait sessions from amateur snapshots often have nothing to do with those things. Creating compelling portraits requires managing human subjects, environmental challenges, and countless variables that sophisticated camera technology cannot address.
Lately, I’ve been evaluating my past projects and reconsidering my camera setup, questioning whether it truly serves my creative needs. The deeper I dig, the more I realize that camera setups tend to fall into two distinct categories: rigid and fluid. While rigid setups are usually technically correct and offer precise execution, fluid setups are the polar opposite, which tend to be a much better tool for creative intent and flexible execution.
When landscape photographers discuss their most important equipment, the conversation typically revolves around lenses, filters, and camera bodies. However, the gear that often determines whether you'll capture that perfect shot has nothing to do with megapixels or aperture settings. Success in outdoor photography depends heavily on practical preparation and survival-oriented thinking that keeps you safe, comfortable, and ready to work when nature delivers its most spectacular moments.
The used camera market has never been better for photographers ready to make the jump to full frame without breaking the bank. While everyone chases the latest mirrorless releases, some of the most capable cameras ever made are sitting on shelves at prices that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Here are 10 full frame cameras that prove you don't need to spend a fortune to get professional results.
No grand mountain vistas or stunning Renaissance architecture near you? No problem. It doesn’t mean you can’t go out with your camera and capture some great images. There are three exercises—or projects—I like to do in my local towns or when I travel. They're a lot of fun. And a huge bonus is they do help make you a better photographer too, because they help you to see. Really see.
Professional photography has a dirty secret that nobody wants to acknowledge: if you're not careful, it can destroy your body. While we obsess over megapixels, dynamic range, and the latest autofocus algorithms, we've collectively ignored the elephant in the room—the brutal physical reality of what it means to make a living behind the lens.
