Fstoppers Original Articles

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.

Creating an emotional connection with your subjects leads to stronger images and more business. Psychologists have a technique that helps you quickly establish that connection.

Photography gear costs have skyrocketed. New Z-mount lenses regularly exceed $2,000, putting professional optics out of reach for many photographers. But there's good news: the used F-mount market overflows with incredible glass that performs brilliantly at accessible prices.

In among all of the brouhaha surrounding the launch of the new Sony RX1R III—the insanely expensive accessories, the recycled parts, and, of course, the $5,100 pricetag—there’s not been much talk about what features fans wanted to see that are markedly absent.

The photographer who believes their education ended with their last workshop or tutorial is already obsolete. They just don't know it yet.

Full frame cameras are known for two things: their incredible performance and their high price tag. I have pretty much always owned a full frame camera, but never paid full price for such a camera. In this article, I will share some options for those of us who want to go full frame but don’t want to pay full price.

Is there a difference between blending and compositing in post-processing? Some photographers make no distinction between the two. But for many, there's a notable difference. It can represent the difference between deception and handling noise or dynamic range.

There are lots of crazy lenses out there that were produced in such limited numbers or are so expensive that they're basically off-limits to most photographers. Here are 10 equally extreme lenses you can actually purchase and use!

Improving at photography isn’t a step-by-step process. It’s a winding, often unpredictable journey shaped by curiosity, creativity, and the kind of images we want to make. So what does growth in photography actually look like?

Today's photographers face a challenging reality: modern lens prices have skyrocketed, with single RF lenses often exceeding $2,500. Yet there exists a treasure trove of professional-grade optics hiding in plain sight: classic lenses that continue producing exceptional imagery at a fraction of contemporary prices.

Six months ago, I predicted that Sony would release a new RX1R, guessing many of the specs, including the price. What I should also have predicted is the backlash that Sony would receive for releasing a camera that is so ludicrously expensive. Here’s why pricing this insane camera at five grand was exactly the right thing to do and why we should be happy about it.

The most valuable photographs you've ever taken weren't the ones you saw immediately on your camera's LCD screen. They were the ones you had to wait for—sometimes a week, sometimes longer—wondering if that perfect moment you thought you captured actually materialized on film. This isn't nostalgia talking; it's psychology, and understanding it reveals something profound about how we value images in an age where we take more photos in a day than our grandparents took in a year.

The whispers have turned into reality: Sony has officially announced the RX1R Mark III, and for enthusiasts of high-end compact cameras, the excitement is palpable.

Wherever you are on your landscape photography journey, there are common myths about how to approach the craft that can hold you back—thoughts that are commonly expressed in online communities that raise doubts and block your progress. Let’s look at three common myths that might be holding you back.

The most devastating critique of modern photography isn't about oversaturation, cliché compositions, or even AI manipulation. It's this: we obsess over the sharpness of eyelashes while missing the tears that give them meaning. We pixel-peep at 400% magnification while life's most profound moments slip past our viewfinders unnoticed.

Looking at this camera announcement, I had to ask myself: Has Sony completely lost their minds?

Here's a truth that many photographers would rather ignore: what separates thriving professionals from those who merely own expensive gear isn't mastery of f-stops and shutter speeds.

I visited my local camera store in Canada recently and chatted with the guy working there about film photography. He confirmed what I was already experiencing from spending too much time on YouTube, telling me how popular it’s become and how the popularity continues to grow. He said it’s mostly younger people getting into film photography, and they can’t keep a used film camera in the display case for more than a few days; they get snapped up. Why is that?

You're probably not using about 100% of your camera's capabilities. Canon has quietly embedded a treasure trove of advanced features that could revolutionize your photography—features so specialized, most photographers never discover them.

Here's a radical thought: the most underutilized piece of equipment in your camera bag isn't that expensive filter you never remember to use or the flash modifier gathering dust on your shelf. It's something else that came with your camera and that you probably tossed aside.

As AI tools improve, we all have to ask: What kind of creativity do we value most? Is it the idea? The process? The perfection or the imperfections? That’s not a bad thing. It’s a sign that art is still evolving.

Kevin Jairaj has been the Official Photographer for the College Football Playoff National Championship since its inception in 2015 and has become sought after for sports, weddings, and events in London; Trinidad and Tobago; the Bahamas; the USA; and, especially, his home state of Texas. Kevin has covered multiple Super Bowls and the Olympics. He shares why double exposures aren't artful, why panning skill is essential, and which standard piece of gear is "obsolete."

The photography industry witnessed one of business history's most dramatic upheavals during the digital revolution. Companies that dominated film photography for generations found themselves unprepared for fundamental changes in how images were captured, processed, and shared. This transformation claimed several iconic brands, each offering distinct lessons about navigating technological disruption.

In an era where 24-240mm superzooms promise to capture "everything you need" in a single lens, suggesting that photographers should intentionally limit themselves to fixed focal lengths sounds almost heretical. Yet the most compelling case for prime lens education lies in understanding how constraint-based learning accelerates skill development and creates better photographic habits.

The Perseid meteor shower is often the most spectacular meteor shower in the Northern Hemisphere due to frequency as well as its appearance in summer. Here's how to photograph it!

The most expensive photograph you'll ever lose is the one you never backed up.

An intervalometer are inexpensive and invaluable. We will break down what it is, how it can help you, and how to use it.

There's a lie we tell ourselves about photography equipment: that the camera doesn't matter. It's a comfortable fiction that lets us sleep at night, convinced that our artistic vision transcends mere machinery. But here's the uncomfortable truth that every photographer who lived through the transition from point-and-shoot to SLR knows deep in their bones: the moment you first wrapped your hands around a "real" camera, everything changed.

The WANDRD PRVKE V4 has exploded on Kickstarter, hitting its funding goal in under 30 minutes and continuing to climb past expectations. With nearly half a million already pledged, it’s clear this isn’t just another camera bag launch. WANDRD’s latest update to their flagship bag has struck a chord with photographers, filmmakers, and everyday creatives alike. But what exactly makes the PRVKE V4 so appealing, and is it really worth the hype?