Trending Photography News and Reviews

Getting the Most From Micro Four Thirds Photography

If you’ve picked up a micro four thirds camera or are thinking of switching, understanding how to use it effectively is key. The camera format brings specific advantages and limitations that affect your photography significantly.

A Two-Light Portrait Setup That Works Every Time

Creating magazine-quality portraits doesn't require an elaborate lighting setup or years of experience. A simple two-light technique can consistently deliver professional results when you need to work quickly and efficiently.

Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S Review: Worth the Price?

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S sits in an interesting position within Nikon's full frame mirrorless lens lineup. You might assume all f/1.8 S-line lenses perform equally, but that assumption could cost you both money and image quality.

The Paradox of Choice in Photo Editing: Why Unlimited Options Create Worse Results

Modern photo editing software offers unprecedented creative control, with thousands of filters, adjustment options, and effects available at the click of a button. Adobe Lightroom alone provides over 100 adjustment sliders, while apps like VSCO offer hundreds of preset filters. Instagram and TikTok have democratized photo editing with dozens of built-in options that users can apply instantly.

The Death of Candid Photography in the Smartphone Era

Maria noticed it first during her daughter's birthday party. She'd positioned herself discreetly across the room with her camera, hoping to capture genuine moments of joy and surprise. But something felt wrong. The children weren't behaving naturally—they kept glancing toward phones, adjusting their positions slightly when they sensed potential photo opportunities. Even the adults unconsciously angled themselves for better documentation.

The Canon RF 35mm f/1.4: Essential or Overrated?

A reliable 35mm lens can elevate your work significantly, especially when you shoot environmental portraits, travel images, or video. A lens like the Canon RF 35mm f/1.4 L VCM might promise top-tier results, but does it truly deliver enough to justify its price?

Creative Techniques for Striking Abstract Photos

Abstract photography could be your next creative breakthrough, especially when traditional subjects no longer inspire you or you're facing restrictive shooting conditions. By removing context, abstract images emphasize shapes, colors, and patterns, opening entirely new avenues for creativity.

The Loneliness Epidemic and Photography: Connection Versus Performance

Sarah posted another sunset photo from her weekend getaway, carefully edited with warm filters that made the moment look even more magical than it had felt in person. Within minutes, the likes and comments began flowing: "Gorgeous!" "So jealous!" "Living your best life!" Each notification brought a small rush of validation, proof that her 847 followers were watching, appreciating, connecting with her experiences.

We Review the Viltrox AF 50mm f/2.0 Air Lens for Sony FE Mount

They say there are as many 50mm lenses as there are cups of coffee in a photographer’s lifetime—and for good reason. This classic focal length continues to hold a special place in every photographer’s bag, often with more than one variant in rotation.

Beginner Mistakes in Flash Photography to Avoid

Flash photography can dramatically transform your images, but beginners often trip over common mistakes. Knowing how to sidestep these pitfalls can make your photos stand out from the start.

Why I Bought the SmallRig Rotatable Horizontal-to-Vertical Mount for My Canon R5: A Real-World User Review

If you have ever used a geared ball head for photography, especially with a heavier setup, you will know how frustrating it can be to rotate the camera into the vertical position using the gear head. The entire rig becomes rather imbalanced, and with a heavier lens setup, the base mounting plate tends to slowly loosen, causing the camera to slide downwards, which is both rather annoying and worrying.

The Loss of Photography Store Culture

The bell above the door hadn't stopped ringing for twenty minutes. It was a Saturday afternoon in March 1985, and Harrison Camera on 47th Street was packed with its usual crowd: wedding photographers arguing about lens choices, art students pawing through used equipment bins, tourists asking endless questions about film types, and the regulars who came not to buy anything but simply to belong somewhere that understood their obsession.

How Photographic Magic Can Be Found in the Ordinary, Everyday World Around You

In a culture of sensational media competing for our attention, an obvious path to dramatic images is to point your camera at dramatic stuff. But this photographer wants to show us the compelling beauty of the banal and the everyday that is, for most of us in this busy world, hidden in plain sight.

Disk Drill 6 Has Learned Some Clever New Tricks

Disk Drill has been around a long time. Its job is to recover files from damaged disks such as hard drives and SD cards—pretty much anything that holds media files.

Combining the New Viltrox Z1 Flash With an ND Filter Unlocks a Tiny Beast

As a professional photographer, I'm always on the lookout for tools that punch above their weight, especially when it comes to lighting. When I first got my hands on the Viltrox Vintage Z1, I'll admit, its retro aesthetic did scratch an itch for me, being an insufferable vintage aficionado. It's a remarkably lightweight unit, coming in at just 116 grams, and at a mere $50, my expectations were tempered.

Streamline Photoshop by Customizing Your Toolbar

Customizing Photoshop’s toolbar to match your workflow can streamline your editing process significantly. By eliminating unnecessary tools, you keep only the essentials visible, simplifying your interface and saving valuable editing time.

Which Cameras Need Remakes in 2025?

I've had many a digital camera that I've regretted selling, but the truth is, I've probably been thinking more about the memories I made with them rather than how good the camera was. That said, I wouldn't mind if companies remade some of my favorites for 2025, with similar bodies crammed with modern sensors and autofocus.
The Top Images from GuruShots "Traveling the World" Challenge

Our friends over at GuruShots, hosts of "The World’s Greatest Photo Game,” recently offered a challenge where particpants submitted their best images "Traveling the World." There were thousands of entries and over 27 million votes throughout the contest but the top winners have been chosen. Check out the winner and the the 60 top rated images below.

M4 Macbook Air Vs Microsoft Surface Laptop Is Embarrassing

Apple's latest M4 MacBook Air is here and I put it head to head against Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 7th Edition. Both laptops are exactly $1,000 and have almost identical specs, but one of them is better in almost every way.

Red Flags Clients Should Watch Out for in Photographers

Sarah thought she'd found the perfect wedding photographer. The portfolio looked stunning, the price seemed reasonable, and the photographer's enthusiasm during their initial consultation convinced her they were the right choice. She signed the contract and paid the deposit immediately, excited about the beautiful photos she'd receive.

SIGMA BF: A Cult Classic in the Making, or Just a Beautiful Anomaly?

New camera iterations often offer incremental upgrades that don't always align with specific needs. Yet, some cameras break the mold, igniting a genuine sense of intrigue and the undeniable pull of Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S.). Enter the Sigma BF. This isn't just another camera; its promise of being uniquely good, undeniably quirky, and refreshingly different made it an instant standout.

Pro Tips for Stunning Eagle Shots

Photographing eagles requires patience and precision, and understanding how to adapt quickly in changing conditions makes all the difference.

How I Could Have Avoided Crashing My 3-Day-Old DJI Mini 4 Pro

The DJI Mini 4 Pro is undeniably a marvel of modern drone technology. It is currently the best compact sub-250 g drone that money can buy. Packed with tons of new features such as omnidirectional obstacle sensing, true vertical shooting, and 4K video recording up to 120 fps, it is clearly designed for creators who demand both performance and portability—and for working professionals like me who prefer a smaller drone for easier flight access in most areas. It's easy to see why it's a popular choice among drone enthusiasts.

Master Street Photography on Film With These Essential Tips

Shooting street photography on film offers a unique way to engage more deeply with your environment. Film requires intentionality and mindfulness that digital doesn't always demand, making it especially rewarding when done thoughtfully.

The Dopamine Economy of Photography: How Instant Gratification Destroyed Patience

Photography has undergone a fundamental transformation that extends far beyond technical capabilities. While digital cameras and smartphones have democratized image-making and eliminated financial barriers to practice, they may have simultaneously dismantled the psychological foundations that historically drove photographic mastery: patience, deliberation, and tolerance for delayed gratification.

Essential Tips for Air Travel with Your Camera Gear

Air travel can be filled with uncertainty, and more so with camera gear. I've traveled domestically in the United States and internationally as well, learning a few strategies along the way. I'll share some of these tips to help you fly with photography equipment a little easier.

Quick Tips to Improve Your Photography Brand

Standing out as a photographer today goes far beyond simply taking great pictures. With social media feeds overflowing with impressive work, capturing someone's attention long enough to build your photography business demands strategic branding and presentation.

Common Landscape Photography Myths You Should Stop Believing

Landscape photography is crowded with opinions and advice, and sorting out the myths from reality can lead you toward more trouble-free results. Common misconceptions often cause unnecessary limitations in how you approach your photography.

How the Order of Edits Transforms Your Images

Understanding the order in which your photo editing software applies adjustments can dramatically affect your images. Nailing this concept helps you avoid unexpected results and makes your workflow smoother and more predictable.

Hollyland Launches the Lark A1: Affordable Wireless Mic for Mobile Creators

For mobile-first creators, capturing good audio can be challenging, often being more expensive and complicated than the point-and-capture nature of mobile video. Hollyland is aiming to solve that problem with its new Lark A1, a dual-channel wireless microphone system designed specifically for mobile devices that prioritizes simplicity while keeping costs impressively low.

The Most Versatile Lens You're Probably Overlooking

When choosing a lens, the priorities you might typically have, like sharpness, character, or lens speed, begin to shift dramatically if you have to choose just one. You then start considering versatility above all, searching for a single lens that covers a variety of situations easily.

Why Technical Perfection Stifles Creative Photography Development

Marcus had spent three years perfecting his technical skills. His exposures were mathematically precise, his compositions followed the rule of thirds religiously, and every image emerged from his camera tack-sharp from corner to corner. His Instagram followers praised his "flawless" technique, photography forums celebrated his pixel-perfect images, and his technical knowledge could answer any camera setting question. Yet Marcus felt creatively empty.