DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY NEWS FROM ePHOTOzine

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The latest winner of our popular daily photography theme which takes place in our forums have been chosen and congratulations go to dke (Day 29 - 'The Colour 'Red').

 

Daily Theme Runners-Up

If you didn't win this time, keep uploading your images to the daily competition forum for another chance to win! If you're new to the Daily Theme, you can find out more about it in the Daily Theme Q&A. 

Well done to our latest runners-up, too, whose images you can take a look at below.

  Day 24

Battle Re-Enactment

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Day 25

Twilight Photography

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Day 26

Travel Portraits

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Day 27

Living Museums

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  Day 28

City Night Shots

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Day 30

Coastal Close-Ups

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You’ll find the Daily Themes, along with other great photo competitions, over in our Forum. Take a look to see the latest daily photo contests. Open to all levels of photographer, you’re sure to find a photography competition to enter. Why not share details of competitions with our community? Join the camaraderie and upload an image to our Gallery.

 

Benro has officially unveiled the VT4 Monopod Base, a rugged three-leg locking base designed for fast-paced photography and video production. Built for demanding environments like sports and wildlife, the new base features a wide stance and a unique foot-activated pedal that lets shooters instantly lock their rig upright or tap to unlock it for fluid tracking.

 

From Benro:

Benro introduces the VT4 Monopod Base, a 3-leg locking base with a foot-activated pedal built for photographers and videographers working in fast-moving, demanding environments such as sports, wildlife, events and video production. It enhances stability and control while keeping shooters reacting quickly to unfolding moments.

  Smooth to Track, Instant to Lock

Designed to allow smooth, articulated movement while tracking action, the VT4 instantly locks the monopod perfectly vertical using a foot-activated 90-degree locking pedal when stability is critical. Tap the pedal again to unlock the ballhead for fluid movement. With a wide stance, adjustable tension ball and rugged metal construction, it provides confidence and balance when shooting for long periods.

 

Built for the Long Haul

A wide 54cm (21.25 inch) base spread improves balance during long events or heavy lens use, while two leg stop positions support controlled leg spread for different scenarios. Machined metal leg cutouts reduce weight while maintaining strength, and rubber feet improve traction on indoor floors, turf, pavement and other flat surfaces. The 3/8″-16 thread attaches directly to Benro monopods, or any compatible 3/8″-16 mount monopod.

“Whether you’re following fast action on the sidelines, tracking wildlife in the field, covering long events or stabilising a video rig, the VT4 delivers the balance, control and reliability needed to shoot longer, react faster and stay steady when it matters most.” said Helen Gibbs Benro Marketing Manager.

Key Features

• Foot pedal activates a 90-degree lock, keeping the monopod perfectly upright on flat surfaces during pauses in action
• Tap the pedal again to unlock the ballhead for smooth movement while tracking subjects
• Tensioning knob fine-tunes ballhead resistance to suit your shooting style
• Two leg stop positions for controlled leg spread
• Wide 54cm (21.25″) base spread for improved balance
• Machined metal leg cutouts reduce weight while maintaining strength
• Rubber feet for traction on indoor floors, turf and pavement
• 3/8″-16 thread for direct attachment to Benro or compatible monopods

 

Pricing and Availability

The Benro VT4 3-Leg Locking Base with Pedal for Monopods is officially priced at £95.00 (including VAT).

The consumer and website launch is scheduled for 5th August 2026, while UK stock is expected in August 2026.

For more details, please visit the Benro's website.

1. What Gear Should I Use? 

To feel connected to the person in the image, you need to get in close without invading personal space the easiest way to do this is with a telephoto zoom. Working hand-held is fine but if you prefer you can use a tripod. 
 

2. Be Polite

If you're not working on a portrait shoot, it's always polite to ask when photographing someone, especially when your focus is their face. After all, you don't want them to suddenly turn around and scowl at you because they didn't know you were taking their picture.
 

3. Eyes Need To Be Sharp

To really pick out the details that make a portrait captivating blur your background and always, always make sure the eyes are in focus. To stop the portrait looking lifeless make sure there's a catch light in the eyes. A small burst of flash or having a light source behind the camera, facing the subject will help you do this.
 

4. Make Conversation 

Most people when they're asked if they can have their photo taken become quite self-conscious and will grin like the Cheshire cat until you've finished. To combat this, you need to talk to them, and this is not only about what you're trying to achieve but also ask them, about their life, what they do etc. Keep this conversation going, giving them pointers, and if it helps, compliments while you snap away. This will help them relax and soon they'll have forgotten about the lens they have pointing their way.

 

5. Give Guidance 

If you can, position your subject at a 45-degree angle and get them to turn their head to the camera as this can produce flattering results. However, directing them to look away, down or up will convey a completely different tone in the image. A sombre expression on a face that's looking away from the camera can appear reflective while someone looking up or into the distance will have a sense of determination and strength.

 

6. Think About Backgrounds 

Your subject always has to be the centre of attention so if you do want to use surrounding scenery make sure it compliments the portrait and isn't distracting. Back-lighting the subject can help with this as you'll get a halo-like effect on your subject's hair and body which will help them stand out from your background. If you're using the sun as your backlight you'll need to bounce light into the image to stop your subject appearing as a silhouette. To rectify this, bounce light onto your subject's face with a reflector or you could use fill-in flash but you'll need to make sure it's stopped down so your portrait still looks natural.

You've read the technique now share your related photos for the chance to win prizes: Daily Forum Competition