Photography News

“Target Practice” by ZenTony has been chosen as our Photo of the Week (POTW) this week on ePHOTOzine.

With its use of focus and framing, this image turns a straightforward subject into something impactful. The central target stands out clearly, while surrounding tones and textures add atmosphere.

The details are clear, and the strong light and shadow create a bold, defined setting. Great composition and timing elevate this ordinary interior into an eye-catching photo. Well done ZenTony – excellent capture.

Every Photo of the Week (POTW) winner will be rewarded with a Samsung 128GB PRO Plus microSDXC memory card with SD adapter, providing top-tier storage for all your creative needs across multiple devices. But that's not all! In January 2026, we’ll crown our 2025 Photo of the Year winner, who will take home the ultimate prize of a Samsung Portable 1TB SSD T7 Shield, courtesy of Samsung. It’s time to shoot, submit, and showcase your best work for a chance to win these incredible rewards!

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Win 1 of 10 Outdoor Photographer Subscriptions!

Win a Year’s Subscription to Outdoor Photographer – The Ultimate Christmas Treat for Photography Lovers!

This Christmas, we’re delighted to offer a truly inspirational prize for photographers of all levels: a 12-month subscription to Outdoor Photographer magazine for 10 lucky winners! Whether you’re a seasoned shooter, a nature enthusiast or someone who simply loves learning from the world’s best image-makers, this is a gift that will last long after the festive season has passed.

Outdoor Photographer is one of the world’s leading photography magazines, celebrated for its breathtaking imagery, expert advice and deep connection to the landscapes, wildlife and wild spaces that inspire so many of us. Each issue is packed with spectacular visuals, detailed techniques and thoughtful stories from the field, making it the perfect creative companion throughout the year.

A subscription brings readers into the heart of outdoor photography. Every edition explores the craft from multiple angles: from mastering natural light and refining composition to understanding changing seasons, weather patterns and the unique challenges of shooting in remote environments. Readers can discover new ways to elevate their skills, develop their artistic eye and build confidence in capturing the world more meaningfully.

Beyond technique, Outdoor Photographer showcases work from internationally recognised professionals as well as rising talents, offering a steady stream of motivation. The magazine’s features highlight stunning locations across the globe—towering mountain ranges, dramatic coastlines, silent forests, desert expanses, frozen worlds and intimate wildlife encounters. It’s a visual journey that encourages readers to explore, experiment and reconnect with nature through their lens.

The subscription also includes thoughtful gear coverage, with practical reviews, field tests and equipment recommendations that help photographers make informed choices. Whether you’re considering a new camera body, comparing lenses or looking for accessories that will enhance your toolkit, the magazine delivers clear, experience-led insights from those who take equipment into real-world conditions.

What makes a prize like this special is its ability to spark creativity throughout the year. Each issue becomes a moment of inspiration—a reminder to get outside, slow down, observe more deeply and translate your experience into imagery that resonates. From capturing winter frost to spring wildlife, summer sunsets and autumn colours, Outdoor Photographer offers ongoing prompts and ideas that help photographers grow in every season.

This Christmas Advent giveaway celebrates the spirit of photography: curiosity, exploration, patience and the joy of seeing the world with fresh eyes. Gifting someone a year of Outdoor Photographer isn’t just handing over a magazine subscription—it’s giving them access to a community of passionate creatives, a source of expert learning and a beautifully curated monthly boost of motivation.

Visit Outdoor Photographer

Today's Prize Win 1 of 10 Outdoor Photographer Subscriptions!

We’re thrilled to include this in our festive lineup and can’t wait to share the magic of outdoor photography with our lucky winners. Good luck, and from all of us, have a wonderfully creative Christmas filled with inspiration, adventure and unforgettable images.

Visit Outdoor Photographer

As a thanks to all of you who support the site by purchasing Plus Membership, you will receive 2 entries per draw.

Also, a huge thank you to all of our members, old and new, Plus and Free, for being part of our amazing community and to those clients who have supported us this year, through continuing tough economic circumstances. It's certainly been another challenging year, so thanks - we couldn't have made it through 2025 without you!

Wishing you all a lovely Christmas and here’s hoping 2026 will be healthy and happy all round. The ePHOTOzine Team.

[PRIZE_ENTRY]7015[/PRIZE_ENTRY]

 

There's nothing quite like picking your way around the edges of a lake which is just beginning to freeze and photographing great abstract pictures of ice details. Similarly, icicles at the edges of streams and in waterfalls can lift otherwise ordinary shots into a whole new dimension.

On really cold mornings, lake edges start to freeze, providing abstract patterns with overlapping layers of ice just beginning to form. Pop a macro lens on your camera, fix it on the tripod and look closely for patterns in the ice. The edge of the ice can give great shapes, too. Look for leaves caught on or in the ice as well, or bubbles given off by underwater plant life that has frozen in the ice surface.

To see through some of the icy layers to the details below, a polarising filter can be useful to reduce reflection from the surface of the ice.

For a waterfall to freeze, it needs to get really cold, but where waterfalls, or tumbles over rocks, it creates turbulence and splashes up over surrounding rocks and vegetation. These areas freeze into crystal-like caps over rocks, icy stalagmites on grass or chandelier-like structures on large waterfalls. Even where water drips off the edges of peat bog into streams, in cold spells, these can form wonderful icicles which, after water levels drop slightly, hang magically above the surface of the water.

Where there is still moving water in the photo, try a range of shutter speeds to contrast the frozen ice with the flow of the water - or even the ripples in the stream. Use of a polarising filter will take reflections off the water to show it as darker, contrasting with the whiteness of the ice, although sometimes reflections in the water are just as important as the ice itself! A telephoto zoom may help you to crop close without risking a slip and fall into very cold water.

Remember, where there is a predominance of white tones, they are likely to confuse your camera meter, so be prepared to add about a stop exposure. Conversely, highlights on ice against a dark background may blow easily, so keep a close eye on your histograms.

Ice will hang about more in shaded areas, so watch your white balance to avoid your whites turning out with a blue cast.

Finally - watch your step, scrambling around icy edges of lakes, or near waterfalls in sub-zero temperatures can be very slippery underfoot, so be careful not to fall in, or worse, let your camera topple in either; but find some icy margins and create some exciting pictures.

Article by John Gravett of Lakeland Photographic Holidays.

As the sun's still setting before most of us get home from work, now is the perfect time to have a go at night photography. Various types of photography are possible when the nights begin to draw in. Here's our guide to what you can do and what kit you'll need to do it.
 

Photo by David Pritchard

 

Essential Equipment:

 

Tripod

Aside from your camera, a tripod is the single most essential item in night time photography, when low shutter speeds are in use as hand-held photography is virtually impossible. It's a good idea to find a model that's lightweight and compact enough to carry around with ease.

 

Fast Lenses

When it comes to lenses, wide angle is often the way to go - the faster the better. An aperture of at least f/2.8 throughout the entire focal length is recommended as available light will be at a minimum. 

 

Filters, Lens Hoods And Rain Sleeves

A filter is not essential, however a UV filter can be used to protect your lens from the elements. In harsh weather conditions a lens hood can protect the front of your lens from rain while a rain sleeve will protect your camera body.

 

Flash Gun

An additional flash is a useful tool when working outdoors at night, and it's important to find one that's suited to your particular camera. Most flash guns will fit most cameras, but unless it's dedicated it won't work with the camera auto settings and could result in an incorrect exposure.

 

Light Meter

Night photography can be tricky and your camera's built-in metering system may not be accurate enough to get the correct exposure, which is where a light meter will be useful. One that has an illuminated LCD would be best as it'll make viewing easier in low light. Various brands create light meters who have various models which are lightweight, small in design and feature LCD displays.

 

Clothing

Waterproof and warm clothing is essential if you are going to be outdoors during winter for long periods. A waterproof jacket with a hood is ideal. Do wear layers instead of one thick jacket as you can always add or remove items if hot/cold. Wearing a good pair of walking boots and gloves is also a good idea.

 

Remote Shutter Release

Also consider adding a Remote shutter release to your kit. A remote control will activate the shutter release without any need for contact with the camera, eliminating the risk of blur caused by camera movement. Do check that the remote release is compatible with your camera.

Your camera's self-timer can also be used as an alternative, preventing the need for contact at the time of the shutter release.

 

Camera Bag

A weatherproof camera bag will keep your equipment dry and well protected from the elements, and backpacks are generally easier to carry and more comfortable than any other type of bag. Take a look at our review section to find a bag that's suitable for you.

 

Accessories

Depending on where you are planning to go to carry out your photography, a torch might be good idea as some areas will not have the benefit of street lighting. For those who prefer to keep their hands free consider packing a head torch.

If you are going to be outdoors for a while, a flask of hot tea or coffee may be a good idea.

 

Photo by Joshua Waller 

 

What To Photograph:

 

Buildings At Night

Shooting buildings at night can create a very different feel from the way they would look during daylight. Cityscapes are always a good choice, as are churches. Useful equipment for this type of photograph includes: Tripod, flashgun, wide lenses, light meter, torch and filters. Click the following links for tips on shooting buildings at night:

• Advice On Shooting In Towns And Cities At Night
• Photographing Night Time Urban Scenes
• Town / City Night Photography Tips
• Tips On Photographing Buildings At Night
• Photographing Architecture In Singapore

  Moving Cars And Fairground Rides

Moving cars and fairground rides are easy to find and can create some stunning streams of lights and patterns when done after dark. Experiment with different shutter speeds to see what effects can be created.

Useful equipment includes: Tripod, monopod, flashgun, light meter, shutter remote release and warm clothing.

 

Moon And Moonlight

Landscapes need not stop when then sun goes down. Try using the moon as a source of light to produce some dramatic as well as eerie effects. Click here to see the ePHOTOzine guide to photographing the moon. Useful equipment includes: Tripod, telephoto lenses and warm clothing.

 

Night Portraits

Outdoor portaits at night may be slightly more tricky than portraits during the day, but the results can be much more effective. Useful equipment includes: Tripod, light meter, flashgun and warm clothing.

 

Wildlife

A whole new world of wildlife emerges after dark. Disguise yourself in a hide and see what turns up! Useful equipment includes: Tripod, camera trigger, flashgun, hide, warm clothing and a flask.

 

Star Trails

Even though it takes a while, the effort is worth it as the effects captured can be amazing. For more tips, take a look at these tutorials: Photographing star trails part one and two.

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Win an Atomos StudioSonic Mic + Headphones Bundle!

StudioSonic Shotgun Microphone

The Atomos StudioSonic Shotgun Microphone is a professional-grade, dual-mode mic designed for filmmakers, journalists and creators. It offers both wireless 2.4 GHz operation and wired connections via locking USB-C or 3.5 mm jack, making it remarkably versatile. The 48 kHz/24-bit super-cardioid condenser captures focused, broadcast-quality dialogue while built-in 75 Hz and 150 Hz cut filters, a high-frequency boost and manual gain control let you banish unwanted noise. An OLED status screen displays levels and battery life. It delivers up to 8 hours wirelessly or 50 hours wired, with ultra-low latency (< 20 ms).

MSRP: £215 ex VAT / £258 inc VAT

StudioSonic Production Headphones

The Atomos StudioSonic Production Headphones are professional grade wired, over-ear headphones tailored for creators, filmmakers, and audio professionals. Equipped with 50 mm high-resolution drivers, they deliver a clean, uncoloured sound across a stunning 10 Hz–40 kHz frequency range — letting you hear every nuance. With 105 dB sensitivity and a modest ~38 Ω impedance, they drive easily without an external amp. The closed-back design offers passive isolation, while 180° swivel ear cups support one-ear monitoring. A detachable 2m coiled cable and dual 3.5 mm/6.3 mm plugs ensure compatibility and flexibility in any setup.

MSRP: £165 ex VAT / £198 inc VAT

Atomos Audio StudioSonic Range

Today's Prize Atomos StudioSonic Mic + Headphones Bundle!

Win an Atomos Audio Duo: StudioSonic Shotgun Mic + StudioSonic Production Headphones!

Atomos Audio StudioSonic Range

As a thanks to all of you who support the site by purchasing Plus Membership, you will receive 2 entries per draw.

Also, a huge thank you to all of our members, old and new, Plus and Free, for being part of our amazing community and to those clients who have supported us this year, through continuing tough economic circumstances. It's certainly been another challenging year, so thanks - we couldn't have made it through 2025 without you!

Wishing you all a lovely Christmas and here’s hoping 2026 will be healthy and happy all round. The ePHOTOzine Team.

[PRIZE_ENTRY]7014[/PRIZE_ENTRY]

 

 

There are plenty of great mountain ranges scattered around the UK that are well worth a photo at any time of year but in winter, when a covering of snow's fallen or a hard frost has settled they tend to look even more impressive.

The cool, clean air of winter is good for capturing mountainscapes as everything seems much more clear with distant subjects appearing crisp. However, snow, ice and cold plus a mountain equals conditions you have to be extremely careful in. Make sure you dress correctly, have a route planned, carry the right equipment (map, compass, phone etc.) and tell someone where you're going.
 

What kit will be useful?

You'll find both a wide-angle and longer lens useful so make room for both in your camera bag and don't forget your tripod or monopod as a support is a must. A polarising filter will cut down on glare/reflections while an ND Grad filter will balance out the contrast between the sky and ground.

Sweeping shots from the tops, especially with snow and a crisp, blue sky look great but if you go too wide with your lens choice the sense of grandeur can be lost so be careful and check your frame before hitting the shutter button.

Think about scale

For shots that give the mountain(s) more depth compose your shots from a spot where you can make the most of their size from. Don't forget that foreground interest such as the mountain's ridge help give your image scale and can be used to lead the eye through the shot.

For shots with foreground and background interest where front to back sharpness is needed you'll need to use smaller apertures which can mean longer exposure times are needed so make sure you have your tripod or monopod with you.

Consider a panorama for impact

Don't forget about panoramas as they work particularly well for shots of mountain ranges. It won't give you shots that really show off the mountain's height, but it will emphasise how far the landscape stretches out into the distance for. For tips on panoramas, have a look at our previous articles.

Shots of the mountain are what really show how tall these natural structures are, rather than photos taken from the top of them - good news for those that are a little less intrepid! You can use a wide lens but you have to be closer than you think to the mountain(s) to create any sense of height and more often than not, whatever is in the background tends to lose impact with the foreground taking centre stage. It's much easier to use a longer telephoto that pulls the distant mountain to you, filling the frame and as a result, giving the shot more impact.

                                                                                                                           

Anthropics Technology is giving ePHOTOzine members the chance to save on the new PortraitPro 24.

Enhance your portrait work for pro-style portraits with new features:

 

Key New Features:

• New gender and age detector
• Mouth inpainting & teeth replacer
• Face recovery
• Skin and hair masks
• Glasses reflection remover

 

Improved Workflow:

• Seamlessly switch between faces in group shots.
• Effortlessly share presets.
• Utilise a streamlined preset search box.
• Explore more image save options.
• (Exclusive to Studio Max) Apply multiple presets to each picture.

 

"PortraitPro 24 takes the whole process that either took hours, or was virtually impossible, and reduces it down to just a few minutes, sometimes mere seconds per photo when editing greater volumes! We highly recommend PortraitPro 24."

 — SLR Lounge

 

Buy PortraitPro 24 or upgrade at 50% off, plus get an exclusive extra 30% off with the code BFEZ30. There's never been a better time to streamline your portrait-editing workflow.

See Anthropics Bundles for further savings. Code BFEZ30 is valid on any Anthropics software including PortraitPro, PortraitPro Body, LandscapePro, and Smart Photo Editor, or Bundles.

Don’t miss out — this offer ends midnight Sunday!

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Mobile phone cameras are now capable of producing shots which even the most critical photographer will say are decent and well worth displaying in portfolios. Modern smartphones have had a major impact on the photography market as a lot are now capable of producing images just as good, or even better, than basic compact cameras. If a compact is all you wanted to use for your travels, why not upgrade your smartphone and have one less item to pack? 

When you couple this improved technology with the hundreds of apps that are available which are designed to help you be more creative and take better photos, it's easy to see why there's a growing admiration for this form of photography.

As most people now carry a smartphone that has a camera built in we thought we'd put a list of ten tips together to help you improve your shots taken with cameras built into mobile phones, for those situations when you want a good shot and all you happen to have is your phone. 

 

 

Think Of It As A Camera

Holding your phone in one hand and trying to press the shutter button will only result in blurry, wonky shots. Holding your phone with two hands quite close to your body will mean your phone is much more stable and as a result, your images will be better. A lot of modern smartphones now have dedicated shutter buttons to help you capture photos easily, and some even have the ability to take a photo from a squeeze of the sides, like the HTC U11. 

 

Stay Still

Having your arms tucked close to your sides and standing as still as possible will stop any blur caused by movement from spoiling your shot. Don't move your phone away as soon as you've clicked your shutter button either as shutter lag can mean your camera's still processing the shot so you'll end up with a blurry photo of another part of the scene rather than the person or object you want a photo of. Phones like the Samsung Galaxy S9 have OIS built-in, to help combat this too. 

 

Use Accessories

Many companies are now producing lenses and supports for iPhones and other mobile phones which can help enhance and improve your mobile phone photos. One example is the USB Fever Super 20x Macro Lens which offers a magnification of 20x. You can find out how the lens performs in our review. Lensbaby also make a kit which uses magnets to let you interchange various creative lenses.

 

 

 

Zoom With Your Feet

If your camera phone doesn't have an optical zoom use your feet to move you closer to your subject rather than using the digital zoom which can lower the quality of the shot.

 

Light

You'll be relying on natural light most of the time so get outside, when possible, and set up near windows or patio doors when working inside. If you need to turn a few lights on, do watch the colour cast they create. You can tweak the white balance on some phones or there are apps available which you can do this with too. Some also give you exposure compensation options so you can brighten or darken your shot. It's worth checking your settings, which we'll cover next, to find out exactly what your phone's camera can and can't do. Most modern phones pride themselves on having good low light capabilities, many of which use apertures of f/2 or wider to maximise light entering the lens.

Be careful where you position yourself when shooting outdoors as shooting in the direction of the sun can result in flare, although some people like the effect and it can actually work quite well with some shots. As well as having too much light in your shot too little can result in grainy shots where not much detail can be seen.

 

Check Your Settings

Go into your camera's settings and make sure that you camera is primed for the shot. Are there different scene modes to choose from? Experiment to find the right one. A lot of mobiles offer 'pro' or 'advanced' modes, allowing you to change the ISO and shutter speed, white balance etc manually, and experienced photographers will find this useful to personalise images. You may also find there are various shooting modes on offer as well as presets such as night, panorama and portrait mode all designed to help you take the best shot possible.

 

The Lens

It's quite easy to take a shot where a finger or thumb is covering the lens so watch where you position your hands. As phones are put in pockets and carried around in bags they get dusty easily and due to us handling them a lot they get covered in greasy fingerprints quite quickly too so make sure you keep your lens clean and check it before you take any shots.

 

 

Try Different Angles

Working with a phone generally gives you more flexibility than a camera that's on a tripod so make the most of this freedom by varying your shooting angle and trying new shots. People don't always know you're taking a picture when you're holding your phone either, making them good for quick street candids. This doesn't mean you can take photos in places that say you can't though, you still have to obey the rules.

 

Don't Forget About Post Production

Using a phone to take photos with isn't an excuse for not correcting wonky horizons or adjusting the brightness levels in a shot. You can edit your photos with apps on your phone but the screen is a little small so don't overlook transferring them to your computer so you can edit on a larger screen.

 

Experiment With Apps

There's no excuse for not experimenting with your phone photography as the many apps that are available mean you can colour pop photos, add frames, create film effects... the list goes on. There's also apps out there that offer you shooting advice in the palm of your hand so if you want to brush up on your wedding photography while out and about, for example, you can. Some apps you have to pay for but there's also many free apps available which are just as good. Take a look at our review section to see what apps we've liked the most.

 

 

The countdown has begun for the 2026 London Photo Trade Show, taking place from 15–17 January 2026 at the Novotel London West, Hammersmith. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, with the highly anticipated Live Stage showcasing some of the UK's most talented and innovative photographers.
 

From live demonstrations to insightful presentations, the Live Stage will feature a diverse range of sessions designed to inspire, educate, and equip photographers with the tools and techniques they need to excel in 2026. Whether you're a budding photographer or an established pro, the Live Stage offers a golden opportunity to learn from the best in the industry.

Live Stage Highlights:

Thursday 15 January 2026:

• 10:30 – Terry Donnelly – Wildlife Photography with the Sony Alpha Cameras
• 11:30 – Fabrizia Costa – Eyewitness: Saving Human Memory Before It’s Too Late
• 12:30 – Gavin Maxwell – GFX Challenge Grant Award Project – ‘If The Land Could Speak’
• 13:30 – Canon EOS R6 Mark III – Unleash Your Passion
• 14:30 – Angela Jackson – What is Intellectual Property (IP)?
• 15:30 – Brendan Taylor – How to Fix 2026

 

Friday 16 January 2026:

• 10:30 – Terry Donnelly – Portrait Photography with the Sony A7v
• 11:30 – Ian Martindale – Turning Enquiries into Paid Clients
• 12:30 – Gavin Maxwell – GFX Challenge Grant Award Project – ‘If The Land Could Speak’
• 13:30 – EOS R5 Mark II & R6 Mark III: Benefits of Upgrading
• 14:30 – Angela Jackson – What is Intellectual Property (IP)?
• 15:30 – Brendan Taylor – How to Fix 2026

 

Saturday 17 January 2026:

• 10:30 – Terry Donnelly – Sports Photography with the Sony Alpha Cameras
• 11:30 – Ian Martindale – Turning Enquiries into Paid Clients
• 12:30 – Rebecca Douglas – Exploring Liminal Spaces with Minimalist Kit
• 13:30 – EOS R5 Mark II & R6 Mark III: Autofocus Essentials
• 14:30 – Angela Jackson – What is Intellectual Property (IP)?
• 15:30 – Brendan Taylor – How to Fix 2026

 

  Free Entry Offer!

Photographers and creatives who pre-register before 1 January 2026 can skip the £10 entry fee and gain free access to the Live Stage sessions. However, space is limited, so early registration is encouraged to secure a spot.

 

The Live Stage Speakers for the 2026 event have been generously supplied by our sponsors, ensuring attendees have access to the latest tips, techniques, and gear that will shape the photography landscape in the coming year.
 

About the London Photo Trade Show 2026

The London Photo Trade Show is one of the UK's premier events for photographers, providing a unique platform for industry professionals to discover new technologies, connect with leading brands, and enhance their skills through hands-on demonstrations and expert-led sessions. The 2026 event is set to be an unmissable gathering for anyone in the photography industry.

Register for FREE tickets now!

Photo by Joshua Waller 

 

1. Shooting outside

When you're taking outdoor portraits in sunlight the results can be a little harsh with dark heavy shadows spoiling the image. As a result, a blip of fill-in flash is needed to balance the image. Many cameras when the integral flash is used have a fill in flash mode which forces the flash to fire. Adding a little flash can flatter your model's skin, remove deep shadows that can appear in places on the face such as under the nose and it will give your model catchlights in their eyes which is a big bonus. It's also useful on overcast days as it can breath life into dull portraits. You can also use a 'pop' of flash to highlight foreground interest in landscape shots.

 

2. Shooting into the sun

When shooting into the sun when your subject would usually be silhouetted, by exposing for the scene as normal then adding a pop of flash you'll lighten your subject without affecting the background. When exposing for the scene you need to find the right balance between the shutter speed, which you need to set so it adds enough ambient light, and the size of the aperture which you use to expose for the flash. You have to do it this way round as every time you fire the flash there will be the same amount of light so speeding up or slowing down the shutter speed won't make a difference.

Remember, though, that you cannot set a shutter speed faster than the camera's flash sync speed or the picture will be unevenly exposed. There are some camera/flashgun combinations that will sync at every shutter speed but these are usually top-end models. Check your instruction manual if you are unsure what is the correct flash sync speed.

 

Photo by Joshua Waller 

 

3. Should I use external flash?

Your camera's built-in flash can work fine for fill-in but you can do more using a separate flash used off-camera. Models are available from your camera brand as well as independent names. By using off-camera flash you can move it around the scene to help evenly light your shot. Off-camera flash used in dark conditions also has the advantage of avoiding red-eye. If needs be you can change the strength of your flash with flash exposure compensation if you're using the camera's built-in flash or one on your hot-shoe.

To maintain full flash automation when the flashgun is used off-camera you will need a dedicated cord, although some camera/flashgun combination offer wireless flash metering control. Wireless control can work fine but can struggle in bright daylight so you need to check how your DSLR performs before doing an important shoot.

Do be careful when using fill flash as it can make your portrait shots look a little artificial. Set a minus value on the flash exposure compensation control or turn down the output of the flashgun. It's important to remember that less is more and use fill flash to subtly lift your portraits.  

Win 1 of 10 ePz Plus Memberships!

Plus Membership

Merry Christmas everyone! We hope you've enjoyed our Christmas Prize Draw extravaganza so far and have entered all of the Prize Draws for your chance to win some amazing photography goodies.

Plus Membership is a yearly subscription service to take your ePHOTOzine experience to a whole new level. As a Plus member, you'll have a whole host of exclusive features and benefits at your fingertips, inaccessible to non-paying members.

ePHOTOzine's Plus Membership costs just £15 for the year and includes benefits such as:

• Enhanced Profile Styling
• Download Your Original Photo
• Panoramic Photo Uploads
• Custom Photo Backgrounds
• Ad-free Profile
• Short Profile Link
• Modifications on Your Photos
• Notifications by Private Message
• In-depth Photo Statistics
• Additional Gallery Filters
• Photo Versions
• Critique Photos - 1 every day
• Give your own award - 4 every day

By purchasing Plus Membership, not only do you get all of the great features listed above but you also help support ePHOTOzine and ensure the site keeps growing and improving.

Merry Christmas everyone, wishing you all a happy & healthy 2026!

ePHOTOzine's Plus Membership

Today's Prize Win 1 of 10 ePz Plus Memberships

Up for grabs today are 10 x ePHOTOzine 1-Year 'Plus Memberships', which will give our winners access to exclusive features and benefits that our 'Free' Membership doesn't offer.

This includes the ability to give your very own award to photos in the gallery 4 times daily, and you can receive valuable and helpful critique from our critique team and other site members once a day.

ePHOTOzine's Plus Membership

As a thanks to all of you who support the site by purchasing Plus Membership, you will receive 2 entries per draw.

Also, a huge thank you to all of our members, old and new, Plus and Free, for being part of our amazing community and to those clients who have supported us this year, through continuing tough economic circumstances. It's certainly been another challenging year, so thanks - we couldn't have made it through 2025 without you!

Wishing you all a lovely Christmas and here’s hoping 2026 will be healthy and happy all round. The ePHOTOzine Team.

[PRIZE_ENTRY]7025[/PRIZE_ENTRY]

You shouldn't be without your camera during the Christmas season as there's so much going on for you to capture. So, with your camera in hand, let's look at how you can create a great Christmas photo.
 

 

Select A Mode

The first thing to do is capture the picture and most digital cameras make the job easy. If you're new to photography, simply select an Auto mode and the camera takes all the exposure technicalities out of your hands, leaving you to concentrate on the shot. 

 

Indoor Portraits

For indoor shots, compact cameras have the appropriately titled Portrait Mode. Do check your shots if the flash fired, though as it can be a little harsh so it might be worth trying to diffuse it slightly.

When photographing children you'll find they tend to smile unnaturally or pull a face when asked to pose, but there are ways around this to ensure you capture a more natural expression. Try and joke with them, making them laugh and smile in the process. Another approach is to shoot candidly so they don't get bored waiting for you to pose them. 
 

Red Eye

Many cameras have a red-eye reduction mode that fires a pre-flash to reduce the devil-inducing effect. Make sure this is switched on when you're shooting your portraits to reduce the chances of red eye spoiling the shot. 

 

Natural Light

You can also try turning the flash off (this mode appears as a small lightning symbol with line through it) and using natural light from a window or patio doors. Window light will cast a shadow on the unlit side of the portrait which can be reduced effectively with a reflector. If you don't have one make your own by using tin foil, spray mounted onto a large sheet of card. Position this reflector so it points at the subject from the shadow side. As you move the card you'll see light reflect onto the person and the shadows will disappear.

 

Making The Person Your Main Point Of Focus

With DSLRs you can go into manual or aperture priority and select a large aperture to reduce the sharpness of the background to make your subject stand out. With compact cameras, just switch to portrait mode for shots of people and macro mode for close-ups as this lets the camera know you want to use a large aperture to throw the background out of focus. 

Try using the camera's zoom at the telephoto setting to magnify the subject and home in tightly on their face. You'll fill the frame with their face ensuring they are the main focus of your photograph.

 

Understanding White Balance

If you take pictures using room lighting you may need to switch the camera to a different white balance setting. This is usually set automatically, but you can manually correct it by selecting the light bulb option when the pictures are coming out too yellow. You can also override auto to force a colour cast, if you so wish.

 

Snow Fun

The first sign of snow and children will be out sledging, building snowmen and throwing snowballs. Take this opportunity to get some great candid pictures. But watch out for the pitfalls, snow is very bright and will fool the camera into thinking the scene is a lot brighter than it actually is. To stop this, switch to a program scene mode called Snow which compensates automatically ensuring the snow appears lovely and white.

Keep an eye out for colour cast too as snow can sometimes end up looking a little blue. Changing to a different white balance setting should fix the problem quickly though.  

Happy Christmas Everyone! 

  

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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 themak (Day 22 - People In The Winter Landscape)

 

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 17

Winter Portraits Outdoors

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Day 18

Building Close-Up

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Day 19

'Multi-Colour' Theme

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  Day 20

The Home

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Day 21

'Snow Fun'

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Day 23

Christmas Food

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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.

Photo by Joshua Waller 

 

City streets, particularly at this time of year, are an abundance of jewelled lights from traffic, shops, and festive bulbs. Their colour and a good bit of sky detail make city locations perfect for urban winter shoots. Dramatic clouds or the subtle gradation of twilight hues make good backgrounds for winter lights but as the light fades and your background turns black, you can turn your attention to the Bokeh effect to really make your urban work shine.

When out-and-about, focus on your subject from about 10 feet away with a long lens and a wider aperture and your background lights should glow like coloured jewels in the night.

As it's dark you'll be using a slower shutter speed so a tripod or monopod are an essential item. Applying a gentle touch to the shutter button and remembering to take your shot when you've exhaled and not while you're holding your breath will also reduce camera shake and help you produce a shake-free, perfect image. A good lens is always useful too and using a lens with a focal length of 70-200mm or above will help ensure those backgrounds are out of focus and the lights are twinkling.

 

Photo by Joshua Waller 

 

Once you're set-up and your picture's framed, take a look at your white balance settings. Auto white balance will work with the majority of these shots but by choosing tungsten balance, any ambient daylight goes a lovely rich blue. It also helps ensure the lights in the background are glowing the colour they're meant to be.

As well as using the Christmas lights, why not use the other lights of the city to create some dynamic images? Illuminated advertising can add an interesting twist to urban portraits and so can reflections. Wet paving stones, wet tarmac and windows are all exciting items to hold reflections. You just have to learn to look for them and incorporate them into your images.

If you're out to shoot specifically winter/festive lights then why not plan your shoot around a Christmas shopping trip or a visit to a Christmas market. There are usually plenty of incentives to wrap up warm, grab a brolly and enjoy a mulled wine and the odd bag of roasted chestnuts, all of which make excellent festive inspired images. You could also grab a window seat in a cafe, order the drinks, then pop out onto the street, shoot a frame or two then back into the warmth. You can also use the cafe as a setting for a few of your shots, using steaming mugs of hot chocolate and coffee to add another level of interest to your portraits. 

Photo by David Burleson
  Food plays a big part in the Christmas festivities so why not spend some time capturing some food-filled shots which look good enough to eat! 
  Preparation 

Professional food photographers have stylists and chefs working with them but even though you probably don't have this luxury still make sure you're picky about your food. It doesn't matter if you're photographing vegetables you've bought from the supermarket or mince pies you've baked yourself, make sure you take a good look at your subject and only select the best of the bunch.

A tripod will keep your hands free for adjusting the food in your shot and it'll also ensure your shots are sharp when working indoors with lower light conditions. 
 

Set Your Scene

We are not all lucky enough to have large, light kitchens we can work in but this isn't an excuse to take a messy photo. The odd bowl, spoon or floured rolling pin may work in your image but a table full of objects from everyday life won't. If you don't have much space just fill the frame with your product or use a wide aperture to throw the background out of focus. You could also hide your clutter with a background - something as simple as a coloured piece of card or even wrapping paper can work well. Just frame up correctly so what's behind the background doesn't sneak in from a corner.

You need to think carefully about what you set your food on, too. If you want a clean, simplistic feel go for a white plate while something more colourful can work better for Christmassy food.
 

Use Your Eyes

You're not putting food on a plate to just eat it so make sure you think about how it's presented. Grouping items in odd numbers works well but so does pairs with certain foods and objects. Take a good look around the plate for crumbs and sauce that may have run as too as this will just distract the viewer from your main subject.

Don't automatically shoot your food like you'd sit to eat it. Look for the most interesting angle and work from there. However, there are occasions when shooting directly above can work, such as when creating patterns or working with a particularly distinctive plate. 

Finally, watch your white balance and make sure there's plenty of light – setting up near a large window is a great idea. But avoid using direct flash as it will leave you with food that doesn't look appetising.

For more food photography tips, have a read of this article: 10 Top Tips For Taking Better Photos of Food 

Captured by ZenTony and titled The Deal,the image works brilliantly in black and white, with the mono treatment adding depth, contrast and mood.

The moment feels natural and well observed, making it a strong example of street photography and photojournalism. The background wall art adds a layer of mystery, prompting curiosity about the story behind the image.

Strong composition, good timing and confident use of black and white make this a memorable and engaging image. A very worthy winner.

Every Photo of the Week (POTW) winner will be rewarded with a Samsung 128GB PRO Plus microSDXC memory card with SD adapter, providing top-tier storage for all your creative needs across multiple devices. But that's not all! In January 2026, we’ll crown our 2025 Photo of the Year winner, who will take home the ultimate prize of a Samsung Portable 1TB SSD T7 Shield, courtesy of Samsung. It’s time to shoot, submit, and showcase your best work for a chance to win these incredible rewards!

 

What planning do you do before going on a landscape shoot?

Always check the weather forecast, and if walking is involved, make sure I know the route. Proper clothing, make sure people know what time I should return, etc.

Although weather plays a great part in landscape photography, I firmly believe there is no such thing as bad weather – simply different types of lighting. Rain, snow, wind etc can all create interesting landscape pictures. In fact, living in the lakes, a clear blue, cloud-free sky is probably my least preferred lighting conditions. Once you get to know an area well, you know what direction light comes from, but I try to go on every shoot with a totally open mind, I hate pre-planning shots, because when you reach the location, if the light is different from you planned, you feel that you're not getting the shot. I would far sooner react to the light that is there, and work with what is available to create the style and type of shot that works on that day.

That's not to say some lighting conditions suit certain locations better than others – I have my favourite spots for rainy days, and I have some shots I am still waiting for the 'right' light after many years.
 

What are your top 6 tips for landscape photography?

 

Tip 1

Learn the rules of composition - golden mean, rules of thirds, lead lines and so on, then compose your pictures as you see fit. I believe in balance of the picture, which may break all of the rules, but for good reason.

 

Tip 2

Don't limit yourself to the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset – you waste far too much of the day. Great pictures can be taken at any hour – there are a few barns in the Lakes which make great features in a landscape, where the light hits them perfectly between 12 noon and 1pm.

 

Tip 3

When you see a picture, take it – get the shot – even handheld if necessary. I see too many photographers spend an age setting up the tripod, selecting the right lens, deciding which graduated filter to use, fitting the grad, taking the meter reading, then missing the shot because the light has changed. Get a shot in the bank, then take more care to get another, if the light has held on – you might have a winner, if the light's gone, at least you have a shot!

 

Tip 4

Never refer to weather as dull – if you think "dull" you will take "dull" pictures – because you'll go out with the wrong attitude. All weather conditions can give fabulous landscape shots – never pre-plan a shot on the basis of weather and lighting, because if it is different from what you planned, you may overlook even better opportunities for outstanding images.

 

Tip 5

Try to get as much right in camera – I tidy up foregrounds, use the appropriate colour balance (often preset), and I hear all the time - “I can sort that out in PhotoShop” If you start out lazy in your approach, things will just get sloppy. Also, it means I need to spend less time sitting in front of a computer sorting out pictures and can spend more time out taking photos.

 

Tip 6

Taking a digital picture costs nothing, if you're unsure about depth of field, take a range of shots at varying apertures, it's easier to select the best looking shot on a huge computer screen than on the back of your camera, and many a good shot has been lost because of too little (or too much) depth of field.

  Article by John Gravett of Lakeland Photographic Holidays - www.lakelandphotohols.com

Snow can be quite tricky to capture and can leave many beginner photographers asking questions. To help them out, here we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about snow photography.

 

Photo by David Pritchard

Why can snow appear grey?
This is because your camera's metering system is fooled by the highly reflective tones of the white snow.

As Pete said in a previous article: "All cameras have built in metering systems that are designed to deliver a perfect picture assuming the contrast range is normal. They do this by scrambling the tones and then adjust so the scrambled colour brightness is mid-grey or average. This is fine when the subject has a wide tonal range with everything from black to white being present, but when the subject is predominantly white, such as snow, the camera underexposes so that the white becomes grey."

If you are using a compact camera it most likely has a snow scene mode and by switching to this, your once grey snow should appear white.

For those using more advanced cameras you can get around this by adjusting the exposure compensation setting to either  plus 1 or two stops depending on the amount of snow in the picture.

if your camera has the exposure lock feature, which is usually set by half-pressing the shutter button, point it at a mid-tone in your scene, lock the exposure then recompose your shot.

Why can snow appear blue?
As mentioned above, the camera sees the snow as a mid-tone and underexposes the shot as a result. When your camera does this on a day when you're shooting under a blue sky, you'll end up with blue snow as the scene's being lit by sun reflecting off the sky. You can do as we mentioned above and use exposure compensation or you can try switching from auto white balance to shade. Alternatively, if you shoot in RAW you can make changes to the colour balance quite easily once you're back in front of your computer.

 

Why does my snow shoot look boring?
As mentioned above, stopping the exposure down a little to give a little more depth and atmosphere to the shot should stop your scene appearing as a bland, boring scene of white that doesn't have much difference in tone.

Another reason that your shot may look a little boring is that there's nothing to break the blank white scene up.  Walls, trees, rocks or even people can be used to add a bit of contrast to the scene.

 

Why has my lens steamed up?
Moving from indoors to the cold outdoors can result in fogged-up lenses. As a result you need to let your camera acclimatise before taking photos. Try to avoid wiping the condensation off with a cloth as this can lead to smudges which can be visible in your shots.

 

How can I stop the sky looking boring and grey?
This is a common problem when trying to take snowy photos, as most of the time when it's snowing, the sky will be very overcast and cloudy. To get around this, why not wait until it stops snowing and the sky clears a little. A blue sky will improve your snowy scene, just remember what we said about checking your white balance.

If you do want to shoot while the snow is falling, make sure you turn your flash off because the flash will reflect off the nearby flakes making the picture full of large blurry blobs that distract, plus your image will be dark. A better way to capture snow falling is to put your camera on a tripod and use slower shutter speeds. Take a look at these examples that show a snow shot taken with flash and one without:

 

 

 

What equipment might I need to improve my shots?

Tripod – As mentioned above, this will be great for if you want to capture slow shutter speed shots to really capture the snowflakes falling and create a sense of heavy snow. You may need your camera's inbuilt spirit level if it has one, to make sure your tripod is straight in the snow.

Filters – Graduated grey filters are ideal for darkening light skies to create moody shots.

Rain Sleeve – If you're planning to stay out in falling snow for a long time with your camera out, then you should consider keeping it dry, as after a while snow will start to melt on your camera. The rain sleeve will keep your camera safe while still allowing you to access all your camera settings. If you have a smaller camera and want extra protection against the elements, then you could improvise and use a freezer bag with a hole cut out for the lens. Although this isn't as waterproof!   

 

Short days and cold nights don't make it very appealing to head outside in search of interesting photographic subjects so here are five photographic ideas for you to try without leaving your home.

  Shoot Indoor Close-Ups

This is one for ebay fans but it's also a great technique for photographers who want to get into still life photography to try. In this article Pete shows you how to deal with different types of light, shares tips on diffusing it and discusses reflections.
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Have A Go At An Indoor Portrait

If it's cold and cloudy outside have a go at shooting indoor portraits with window light. Cloudy days diffuse the light so you can create flattering portraits from the comfort of your own home with the free light that flows through your windows.

Brighten Your Window Portraits

After you've shot your indoor portraits have a read of our Photoshop tutorial which will show you how to even out the brightness levels of your shots.

It doesn't take too long to do and is something you can do on any day when the weather's not playing ball outside.

Indoor Flower Photography

It may be a little too early to head out into your garden in search of flowers that are worth photographing, however you can still have a go at shooting a few bouquets at home. Just purchase a few specimens from the shop and have a read of our indoor flower photography article to get some inspiration.

  Get Creative With Household Objects

Follow John Gravett's advice and you'll soon be shooting objects you thought were boring in a whole new light. In his piece he puts cutlery, paperweights and even a slinky in front of his camera to show you how easy it is to make creative abstracts from ordinary objects.

Shoot Bokeh Christmas Light Portraits

Learn how you can use small LED lights to add interest to your indoor portrait shots. You don't need loads of kit, it's fun to do and it's something everyone can have a go at.

 

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

 

Elinchrom UK has announced the full Live Stage speaker schedule for the 2026 London Photo Trade Show, taking place from 15–17 January 2026 at Novotel London West, Hammersmith.

The Elinchrom Live Stage will feature a packed programme of live demonstrations and expert-led talks from leading UK photographers, offering practical insights into creative lighting techniques using Elinchrom equipment. Sessions are designed to appeal to photographers working across portrait, newborn, maternity, commercial, product and specialist genres.

Throughout the event, Elinchrom specialists will also be available on Stand 70–71, providing hands-on demonstrations and advice on lighting setups and solutions tailored to individual photographic workflows.

Live Stage Programme Highlights

Thursday 15 January 2026

• 11:30 – Bjorn Thomassen: Top 5 Features to Elevate Your Portrait Photography (Live Demo)
• 12:30 – Russ Jackson: Lighting New Life: A Live Newborn Photography Demo
• 14:00 – Victoria Baptiste: Just Shoot It: Ditching Perfection & Finding Your Voice (Live Demo)
• 15:00 – James Musselwhite: Four Portraits in 60 Seconds (Live Demo)

Friday 16 January 2026

• 10:30 – Neil Shearer: Liven Up Your Product Photography (Live Demo)
• 11:30 – James Musselwhite: One Light Portraits (Live Demo)
• 12:30 – James Musselwhite vs Paul Wilkinson: Live Photographic Lighting Shootout
• 14:00 – Russ Jackson: Shaping the Glow: Maternity Lighting Live (Live Demo)
• 15:00 – Gary Hill: Creative Headshots (Live Demo)

Saturday 17 January 2026

• 10:30 – Gary Hill: Glitz & Glam: Professional Lighting in Action (Live Demo)
• 11:30 – Jessica McGovern: Lighting with Character: A Live Dog Photography Demo
• 12:30 – Scott Johnson: One Light, Endless Possibilities (Live Demo)
• 14:00 – Paul Wilkinson: Mastering Portrait Photography (Live Demo)
• 15:00 – Julian Fulton: Confidence Through the Lens: Photographing Boudoir with Purpose (Live Talk)

 

 

The London Photo Trade Show is one of the UK’s leading photography industry events, bringing together photographers, brands and educators for three days of learning, networking and hands-on experience. Trade Show attendance is free, with registration closing on 1 January 2026.

For full event details and registration information, please visit: https://thesocieties.net/convention/

Live Stage proudly supported by Elinchrom UK

Register now for FREE tickets!