Mike Dixon
fstoppers.com
Norton Shores, MI, United States
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Past articles by Mike:
Fstoppers Reviews the SunwayFoto GH-02 Gimbal Head
I recently decided to upgrade to a nicer gimbal head for my tripod. However, I wasn't quite fond of the $500+ options available on the market. I'm sure they are nice, but I couldn't justify the extra cost because my current gimbal did almost everything I needed. When I initially switched from a tripod ballhead to a gimbal tripod head, I purchased a cheap gimbal ($50 on sale). → Read More
Fstoppers Reviews the Peipro Full-Length L-Bracket for Canon EOS R5 and R6
I recently reviewed the SunwayFoto PCL-R5 L-Bracket for the Canon EOS R5/R6. Shortly afterward, I found another interesting L-Bracket made by Peipro, which has an interesting feature that other L-Brackets do not, so I chose to buy one and check it out. My Canon EF 100-400mm lens dictates the use of a tripod head that is Arca-Swiss compatible. That, combined with my distaste → Read More
Is the Canon EOS R1 Going To Be a Technological Leap Forward?
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard about the mirrorless successor to the Canon EOS 1D X Mark III, rumored to be called the Canon EOS R1. Some might even say outlandish or silly rumors. The R1's rumored specifications of 85 megapixels at 20 frames per second, 21 megapixels at 40 frames per second, Quad Pixel Autofocus (QPAF), and a global shutter seem → Read More
How To Photograph Action in Studio
One area of photography that seems to be avoided by many newcomers is the use of a flash or strobe. I believe this is partially due to the additional cost of equipment and the learning curve involved; I know it was for me. Flash photography is undoubtedly one of those areas that require experience to be good at it. Jess Wealleans goes through everything you need to know to → Read More
8 Tips for Panoramic Landscape Photography
As a landscape photographer, one of the things I prefer is a wide or panoramic photograph. Creating a panoramic image isn't as difficult as many might think. In this video, Brian Northmore teaches you that you can shoot panoramic images with the gear you already have. Panoramic photos can be a little tricky, but if you know a few of the basic elements, you'll produce some → Read More
The Pros and Cons of the Canon R5 for Landscape Photography
The Canon R5 has received a great deal of coverage since its release. Of course, much of the initial content detailed specifications and initial impressions. The real test comes after you've used the camera for a while. The overblown overheating issues with 8K video gave some people a poor impression of the Canon R5. I agree with others that the overheating concerns were a bit → Read More
Things Canon 5D Mark IV Users Might Not Realize About the EOS R5
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably seen or heard just about everything about the Canon EOS R5. However, even with the multitude of videos I've watched and articles I've read, I didn't realize a few things about the R5. The R5's 45 megapixels, 5,940 user-selectable AF points, 12/20 fps, 8K video, eye AF, flip screen, and IBIS are just a handful of the many → Read More
Judge Rules National Park Filming Rule Unconstitutional
Filmmakers, YouTubers, and other content creators received a big win recently when a D.C. Federal Judge ruled that the permit and fee requirements applying to commercial filming are unconstitutional. Still photography rules remain unchanged, although they weren't as restrictive as the filming rules. Previously, under 54 USC 100905, 43 CFR Part 5, and 36 CFR Part 5, the → Read More
Post-Processing Cat's Eyes in Lightroom Classic
If you've been into photography for very long at all, you know how critical the eye is. I'm not speaking of the artistic eye, but the physical eye as shown in a photograph. "Eyes are the windows to the soul." You've probably heard more eye quotes than you care to remember, but there's a reason for that. Many will say that the eye makes or breaks a wildlife photo, and I'm also → Read More
Fstoppers Reviews the SunwayFoto PCL-R5 L-Bracket for Canon EOS R5/R6
For many years now, I've had L-Brackets on my cameras. There are many benefits to them and only a couple of drawbacks (a little added weight and size). When I decided upon purchasing the Canon EOS R5, I immediately started my search for an L-Bracket. As a landscape and wildlife photographer, much of my work is from a tripod, and I'm often switching between portrait and → Read More
Exposure Compensation Made Easy
When I teach someone photography, one of the things that I make sure the student knows is how the camera meters a scene. Once you understand how the camera meter actually works, you learn that your camera isn't as smart as you thought it was. Sure, modern cameras do a pretty good job at metering for an evenly toned scene. Throw a bright background behind a subject or a bright → Read More
How To Make Your New Camera Moment Even More Enjoyable
Waiting for that new camera or gear to arrive can be a somewhat anxious time. I don't know about you, but when I finally decide on a product after much research, I want it right away. However, there are some things you can do while you're waiting for that new camera to arrive. As I write this, I'm anticipating the new Canon EOS R5 that I'm picking up tomorrow. I'm not very → Read More
13 Street Photography Mistakes
One of the things that I like about street photography is that you never really know what you're going to see. You set out with some form of a plan, but that is often interrupted by things you see or things that happen. I wouldn't say that I've shot a lot of street photography, but when I have, I've always enjoyed the time out more than I thought I would. For me, "the decisive → Read More
Photography Project Ideas for 2021
2020 was quite the year, starting relatively normal and then spiraling quickly out of control as few have seen before. Plans were shredded, and normal daily life was abruptly changed like a cold bucket of water to the face. Fortunately, I wasn't impacted much work-wise, as I've worked from home for over two decades — however, my plans for 2020 were tossed entirely out the → Read More
Composition: A Simple, Story-Based Approach To Effective Landscape Photos
I believe composition is the second most crucial element of photography, light being the obvious first. The composition you choose can make or break the story you're trying to tell with your photograph. It seems as though there are a million different "rules" when it comes to composition, such as the rule of thirds, the golden ratio, proportions, diagonal this or that. Often, → Read More
Memory Card Tips and Best Practices
Memory cards are one thing that all digital cameras have in common. If you think about it, nothing happens if your photos don't get onto the card, and nothing happens if you can't copy them from the card to your computer. As Chris Lee from pal2tech points out in this video, your memory card can be the single most important component of your photography gear. Your reputation → Read More
Tips for Moving Your Lightroom Classic Data
Upgrading your computer or hard drive can be a stressful experience, regardless of your knowledge level. Whether you're installing a larger drive or moving your data over to a new machine, you'll want to make sure you do it properly. Here are some tips if you need to move your Lightroom Classic data. Know When To Call a Professional or Friend Let's admit it, some people aren't → Read More
The Most Underrated Skill in Landscape Photography: Scouting
Many things are required to be an excellent landscape photographer. Knowledge of your equipment, understanding the attributes of light, and an eye for composition are just a few of these skills. However, there is one skill that is often underrated. Coming to you from Joshua Cripps, this informative video covers one of the most underrated skills in landscape photography: → Read More
3D Printing Your Own Camera Accessories
I'm a gadget guy. I always appreciate anything that can make my life easier, safer, or more enjoyable. When I recently acquired a Kywoo3D Tycoon 3D printer, I thought it would be an excellent time to make my photography life easier. One drawback of using a tripod gimbal head is that you need to use a nodal rail for lenses that don't have a lens foot. I keep two in my camera → Read More
Canon EOS R5 and Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1: First Impressions With Bird Wildlife Photography
I've had the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens for a couple of years now, and it's my favorite lens. Canon has recently introduced an RF version improvement of this lens in the form of a 100-500mm f/f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens. In this video from Mark Smith, he gives his first impressions of both the Canon R5 and the new 100-500mm lens. The R5 is an excellent camera → Read More