Fstoppers

The Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB FE promises professional-grade performance at a lower cost than comparable Sony glass. When you're looking at f/1.2 apertures in the 35mm focal length, you're typically facing eye-watering price tags that put serious wide-aperture photography out of reach for many, but not with this lens.

The Hasselblad Xpan remains one of the most coveted and controversial cameras in film photography, commanding prices between $4,000 and $7,000 for a body and lens. This panoramic 35mm camera promises a cinematic shooting experience that fundamentally changes how you approach composition, but the question remains whether it lives up to the massive investment.

When Lisa first picked up her camera to photograph newborn Emma, she thought she was simply documenting precious moments—but over eighteen years, that faithful lens became witness to something far more profound: the complete transformation of a helpless infant into a confident young artist ready to claim her independence.

Do you need Iceland or an exotic location to take great photographs?

Want to take better wildlife photos without spending a load of cash? This photographer shares a series of smart, surprisingly simple tips that can dramatically improve your images—and your experience in the field. And yes, they’re all completely free.

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.

Many photographers fall into the trap of believing their hometown lacks photogenic subjects while envying images from distant locations. This mindset blinds you to compelling compositions that exist right under your nose, requiring a deliberate shift in perspective to rediscover familiar places.

Creating compelling photography work often means thinking beyond the single image. When you approach your craft as a series of connected photographs rather than isolated shots, you unlock storytelling potential that individual images simply cannot achieve on their own.

Your portraits might look technically correct but still feel off in ways you can't quite pinpoint. The difference between amateur and professional-looking portraits often comes down to six specific mistakes that most people make without realizing it.

Sarah met David on a Tuesday evening in October, at a coffee shop where she was grading papers and he was editing photos on his laptop. She noticed him first because of how intensely focused he seemed, swiping through hundreds of images on his phone, occasionally transferring them to Lightroom and making quick adjustments. When she asked what he was working on, his eyes lit up with genuine enthusiasm.

In a world where high-end portrait glass usually means a serious investment, this lens is turning heads—and not just because of the cost.

Landscape photography is often misled by a pervasive myth: that "perfect conditions" are a must for capturing great images. This belief has caused many photographers to wait for ideal weather or chase forecasts for the best light, missing out on incredible opportunities in the process. However, experienced photographers know that the best images can be captured under any conditions, and waiting for perfection can hold back both creativity and growth.

When your subject gets lost in a busy composition, even the most technically perfect image falls flat. The solution lies in understanding how to manipulate light and shadow within your editing workflow to guide your viewer's eye exactly where you want it to go.

Making a living from YouTube photography content isn't the dream job many imagine it to be. The reality behind the camera reveals challenges that go far beyond capturing beautiful images and building an audience.

Most photographers dismiss cat photography as amateur hour, but they're missing a crucial training opportunity. Your feline subjects actually offer some of the most challenging and educational shooting scenarios you'll encounter.

Converting color images to black and white in Lightroom often produces flat, uninspiring results that lack the punch of dedicated monochrome cameras. The secret isn't in expensive hardware but in understanding how to properly handle the conversion process and subsequent editing workflow.

Photographing popular locations presents a dilemma that every landscape photographer faces at some point. The tension between capturing iconic scenes that countless others have shot and creating something genuinely personal can feel impossible to resolve.

Walk into any camera store and you'll witness a familiar ritual: photographers agonizing over lens specifications, debating camera body features, and calculating monthly payments for equipment that promises to transform their photography. The photography industry has built a powerful narrative around gear acquisition—that better equipment equals better photographs, that the next lens upgrade will unlock creative potential, that professional results require professional-grade tools.

This week, I got to try out a brand new lens from Laowa, the 12mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF. A lot of the perks in the lens are right there in the title, but let’s have a closer look to see if it might be right for you.

What would make a professional photographer walk away from one of the best autofocus systems on the market? In a world where most shooters obsess over specs, this photographer’s big switch is driven by something far more personal.

Camera gear often becomes deeply personal, with certain models leaving lasting impressions that shape how you approach photography for years to come. The cameras that inspire you aren't always the most expensive or technically advanced—sometimes it's about timing, circumstance, or simply how a particular tool unlocks new creative possibilities.

Making the leap from editorial photography to commercial work presents unique challenges that can make or break your career trajectory. The pressure to maintain your authentic voice while meeting client expectations often creates tension that many photographers struggle to navigate successfully.