Illya Ovchar
fstoppers.com
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Past articles by Illya:
The 5 Best Gear Purchases I've Made
After delving into some of the regrettable gear choices I've made, it's time to shift the focus to the gear that has truly excelled in my toolkit. In this article, I'll share the equipment that brings me joy whenever I use it. Be it a camera, or a light stand, or even a keyboard, it's all in here. In no particular order, I'll strive to cover every item that catches my eye as I → Read More
Gear I Should Have Never Bought: 2023 Edition
It's true that I frequently test and use a wide range of gear. With numerous options at our disposal, not all gear is of equal quality. I'll readily admit that I've made some rather regrettable gear decisions. Reflecting on my inventory, I've chosen to revise the list of items that turned out to be poor choices. Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 This Canon zoom lens hails from the → Read More
My 2023 Post-Processing Setup for Capture One
As photographers, we spend a significant amount of our time post-processing images, writing emails, and engaging in other computer-related tasks. While we often scrutinize the gear photographers use for shooting, there is seldom an in-depth exploration of the post-production setup they employ. In this article, I will showcase my post-processing arrangement. Computer & → Read More
LaCie 8 TB D2 Drive Review: Affordable, Fast, Reliable
Storage is one of the most critical necessities for a content creator. After all, without a place to store your work, you can't enjoy the freedom of creating. While it might be fine to store your shoots on your computer initially, you will soon run out of storage space. This is when a product like the LaCie D2 external HDD drive becomes essential. Introduction Consider this a → Read More
We Review theRocknRoller Cart R12T: Every Photographer Needs One!
There is something innately annoying about having to carry stuff. I can't decide if it’s shoulder pain, back pain, or just a general need to do physical activity. If you are a photographer who has to bring out more gear than a camera bag’s worth, this is a product for you. Don’t think so? Then read on! Introduction Made by RocknRoller, this cart was originally designed for the → Read More
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 → Read More
Jackery 1000 Pro: Big On-Location Power in a Small Package
In recent years, energy has become a very hot topic. With the cost of solar energy at its lowest point ever, it only makes sense to look at products such as the Jackery 1000 Pro. Be it power outages at home or on-location shoots, having a solar power generator is a necessity in the modern digital workspace. I myself own a Jackery 1000, albeit not the Pro version, and I can't → Read More
100ASA: A Photo-Sharing Platform Worth Trying Now
If you’re a photographer who has tried using photo-sharing platforms, you might be familiar with the same problems that plague some of them. This can get pretty annoying. If you have been irritated by this, you might be happy to learn about 100ASA, a platform changing the game with its unique community-centered features. What Are Some Problems With Photo-Sharing Websites → Read More
Why You Should Use Presets as a Pro Photographer (I Was Wrong)
My first-ever article on Fstoppers condemned the use of presets and inspired photographers to focus on creating their own color grades and styles. Looking back, I still stand by some of those points, but not all of them. You see, while using presets is bad, creating your own presets might actually be beneficial to your photography and editing workflow. Photography is an art → Read More
15 Capture One Hacks and Features You Should Know
I love using Capture One. Recently, I have been working with the latest release: Capture One 23 and Capture One Live. Loved by enthusiasts and professionals alike, it is feature-heavy software. In this article, I would like to share some of the hidden and little-known features of this great software. I think I could write a book about Capture One and how great it is. However, → Read More
Here Is Why I Will Always Use Canon as a Pro
The brand of your camera is perhaps more important than you initially think. Unless you are Jared Polin, you are unlikely to change whole camera systems because one brand does something better than the other. This is why there are camps associated with camera brands. In this article, I will discuss the simple reason I use Canon. The Simple Answer The reason I use Canon as a → Read More
5 Photography Hacks Under $100
As a photographer who constantly experiments with new ideas and techniques, I have been busy playing around with some unconventional things that you may find in a photographer's kit. I am interested in creating images that stand out both visually and aesthetically. Sometimes, the only way to make an image stand out is by using an unconventional photography technique. For me, → Read More
Why You Should (Not) Upgrade Your Camera in 2023
Recently, some of my gear broke, and as always, it got me pondering if I should upgrade my gear. I ended up finding the same unit online and purchased it to replace the old one. That was a light, but if it were a camera, what would I do? Very likely, the same. Here is why. One of my "favorite" questions is: what camera should I get? Frankly, it is a question with no answer or → Read More
10 Books Every Photographer Should Read Now
As a photographer, focusing on improving your craft is one of the most important things to do. Money can buy the latest equipment, but it can't buy you knowledge of how to use that equipment. For me, photography is not only about capturing moments but also about conveying a message through those images. A deep understanding of the artistic and philosophical aspects of → Read More
5 of the Most Iconic Cameras of All Time
There are hundreds of cameras in existence, some more successful than others. However, some cameras have become icons that managed to define the industry and technology for years. Despite technology evolving rapidly in the past 20 years and cameras becoming too good to be true, some pieces of gear were so perfect that professionals used them despite newer versions coming out. → Read More
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. Introduction When I initially faced the problem of needing a higher-resolution camera, I was tempted to go for a medium → Read More
Photography Will Never Be the Same: Content Creators Are Replacing Photographers
Are you a photographer or a content creator? More and more photographers take on several roles and end up being content creators rather than traditional photographers. The industry is changing every year, and as it looks now, you have to learn content creation to stay in business. Photography is not enough. The term "content creator" only became popular in the past five years → Read More
Benro Theta: World’s First Smart Tripod You Will Love
As a photographer, you know that having the right gear can sometimes make all the difference, and this includes tripods. With the launch of the Benro Theta, shooting just became more fun and easy. This revolutionary tripod combines portability, stability, and intelligence, making it one of the most essential tools for photographers on the go. The Benro Theta is perhaps the → Read More
We Review the 2002 Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 Lens: A Reliable Performer
Why would anyone shot with an antique lens from the days of Britney spears and the spice girls? Well, while our opinions of their music might differ, we call can agree that the Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8 is still an awesome lens, despite being as old as Nickelback's “How You Remind Me”.There are two reasons someone would use old gear over new one: they’re broke, or they’re allergic → Read More
5 Worrying Trends in Photography
Photography has come a long way since its invention in the 19th century. Starting off as a status symbol usually associated with the rich, it has grown far and wide to become one of the most common ways of artistic expression. As it grew more and more, it also sparked the rise of some worrying tendencies. In this article, we will discuss some of the most worrying tendencies → Read More