Photography News

With a small flurry of compact film cameras launched in the last couple of years, I was hoping to fall in love with the Lomography MC-A. It’s beautiful and satisfying to use, but a couple of annoying flaws leave me both disappointed and frustrated. 

The Lomography MC-A launched last October, further heralding a renewed love of everything analog in the world of photography. This is a compact camera that arguably takes inspiration from Contax: small and packed with automation but with lots of manual control when you need it.

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Shots of shampoo bottles plunging into water, wrapped in bubbles and topped with a crown of splash, look like luck caught at the right instant. Most of that look comes from planning, and the planning behind it answers a question you run into across product work: how to keep a subject exactly where you want it while everything around it moves.

 

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You come home from a trip with hundreds of sharp, well-exposed frames of towers, smiling friends, and pretty streets, and almost none of them hold a stranger's attention for more than a second. The photos you remember from books and exhibitions share one trait that has little to do with gear or settings, and you can learn to build it into your own work.

 

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Shift lenses keep a building's verticals straight while the camera stays level, and they do it without the unpredictable cropping and resolution loss you take on when you fix perspective in software. Laowa's new 24mm f/2 Zero-D Tilt-Shift brings that to most mirrorless mounts and to medium format, at an aperture tilt-shift lenses almost never reach.

 

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A landscape photo can be sharp, well exposed, and carefully composed and still look like a flat print taped to a wall. Depth in a two-dimensional image comes from cues the eye reads instantly, such as where light falls, how contrast changes with distance, and how warm and cool tones sit against each other, and you can strengthen most of those cues in the edit.

 

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For some people the only way they think they can have a professional portrait taken is to stand in a studio in front of a big set of lights but lifestyle shoots just might change their mind. Having the great outdoors as your studio will give you so many more creative opportunities with backgrounds, colours, shapes and textures, as well as being able to shoot a story. 

Photo by Joshua Waller Lens choices

A 70-200mm lens is a good choice for DSLR shooters. Shooting around the 135mm mark at f/4 can give great perspective and enough depth of field to throw the background out of focus without leaving it too shallow. A wider lens, such as a 14-24mm is great for environmental portraits, while a 55mm macro lens is great for detail. If you want a good all-rounder lens, a 24-70mm would be a good choice, too. It's also a good idea, if you have them, to pack the speedlights, continuous lights, ringflash and reflectors. 
 

Plan ahead

Organisation is key so make sure you have a plan in advance. Having a few locations that you are familiar with will give you plenty of scope, and it also means you'll know particular spots that'll work well for your shots. Local beauty spots, good urban routes with interesting architecture or a park with lots of interest such as water features are just some of the locations you could work with. The other place you need in reserve is somewhere dry in case of bad weather. 

Photo by Joshua Waller Make sure your model's comfortable

It's important to discuss clothing, makeup and meeting points then on the day of the shoot, meet for a coffee and spend 30 minutes or so having a pre-shoot chat as this will help break the ice. You could even take a book or folder of a few favourite photos along to show your model/client as they'll welcome the opportunity to see your ideas and help. Come up with a few ideas and even adjectives of the mood/feel you're trying to create. For example, Autumnal shoots could be about warm clothing and crisp golden colours. By doing so you will be able to portray a theme to your clients/model who should be able to quite naturally slip into an informal pose to convey this without really having to try or feel self-conscious. 

When it comes to the shoot, let people be natural and remember it's your job to make them feel comfortable even if you do know the person/people you are photographing. Shoot intuitively and creatively. Even if you've shot in a place many times, try setting yourself a target to come up with several new shots. This time of year's a good time to experiment with natural frames as the autumnal shades add warmth to the image. Just make sure you focus on your subject so the leaves blur just enough so you can still see what they are but don't distract.   

Two weeks ago I spent over $7,000 on Apple's new touchscreen MacBook Pro. It finally showed up, so I put it side by side with the M3 Max MacBook Pro I've been using for the last two years. To be perfectly honest, I'm on the fence about whether I even want to keep it. 

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Twenty-four college students watched the same mock police interrogation end in the same confession, and came away with three different opinions about how hard the suspect had been pushed. The only thing that differed between them was where the camera sat. Students who saw the version framed on the suspect judged the confession barely coerced, and students who saw the version framed on the detective judged it heavily coerced.

 

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You use a red headlamp when you're walking around. It preserves your night vision. But if there are other astro-landscape photographers nearby, you're likely ruining their shots. You were trying to do the right thing. But you weren't.

Most of us were taught that red light is the night photographer's best friend. It is, but only for your eyes. Cameras don't care what your eyes prefer.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9rY7OYSpJ4

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Autumn on Iona brings low sun that can light the island for most of the day, but it also brings squalls that roll in off the Atlantic with little notice. You get minutes of good light at a time, so you have to decide on exposure, framing, and where to stand before the next band of rain hits.

 

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Two filmmakers who spent years running toward airstrikes in Aleppo now wake to a recorded voice telling them to remain calm and evacuate the building. The fire alarm in their London hotel for asylum seekers goes off so often that they joke about it. If it were real, one of them says, the authorities would be happy to have fewer asylum seekers. Their film is about the part of documentary work most people never see: the long stretch after the footage is shot, when the people who held the cameras have nothing left to do but wait.

 

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Platon has photographed presidents, dictators, and pop stars, sometimes with 30 seconds and a single frame, using the same Hasselblad, the same white seamless, and the same apple box for decades. How he works inside those short windows explains why a portrait session can fall apart the moment your attention drifts from the person to the gear.

 

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Lightroom Classic 16 arrived with Adobe MAX, bringing a native glow effect, depth masks that no longer depend on special camera files, color grading inside masks, and automatic blemish removal. Several of these used to require a trip to Photoshop, a plugin, or a phone that recorded depth data.

 

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Photo by Peter Bargh. 

Shooting images of everyday objects at home is a great way to improve your creativity and to put your imagination to work. But first you need to establish exactly what your photograph's going to be used for. On some occasions just showing what the product looks like, the height, depth etc., will be enough, but most of the time you need to really sell the product. Take a pen for example, you can just put it on a plain background and take a perfectly good shot of it but if you introduce a writing pad and shoot it on an old wooden table you begin to create a story, adding interesting and as a result, the shot will be more attention-grabbing.

You can't take a brilliant photograph if the product looks sub-standard to start with so always ensure your product and any other props you're using are clean and looking their best.

Good lighting is the key to a good product shot so set up in a room that's well lit and avoid harsh, direct flash at all costs. If you have one, a light tent can help soften the light and reduce shadows and reflections but a simple bit of muslin or a net curtain put up against your window will soften the light if you don't. Using a white card or white balancing your shot in-camera will also help your shot but if you shoot in RAW, this can be altered later during post-production.

Here are a few examples to try:

• Book and reading glasses
• Coffee beans spilling out in front of cappuccino cup or from a jar
• A full cup on a table
• Pen and crossword
• Fruit in front of jar of jam

Don't forget to post your creations into the gallery so we can see your hard work!

I'm spending today and tomorrow at Adobe MAX, a three-day creative conference held in Miami and attended by over 10,000 creatives. Adobe’s goal for the event is to share its latest innovations so that this creative community can best utilize these new tools. One theme apparent at this year’s MAX is removing the barriers caused by complex software interfaces. Adobe’s stated mission is to empower everyone to create, and the widespread implementation of AI across the Creative Cloud suite appears well-suited to that purpose.

 

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In Miami in May 2023, Marvin Joseph asked Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova to put their heads together and lean on each other, and he made a portrait of two old rivals bound again by cancer. Joseph said it took off in a way he had not expected, pulling traffic and new subscriptions behind it. On February 4, 2026, The Washington Post eliminated the job that produced it, along with every other staff photographer position at the paper.

 

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Maono has launched the PD500W Hybrid Microphone, a dynamic microphone for podcasting, streaming, video production and interviews. It connects via compatible 2.4GHz wireless, USB-C or XLR, and records internally to 32GB of onboard storage in 24-bit or 32-bit float WAV, with a selectable -9dB safety track as backup. It is available through the Maono website and Amazon US, following a Kickstarter campaign that more than doubled its original funding goal.

 

From Maono:   Maono, a leading global professional microphone brand, today announced the availability of the PD500W Hybrid Microphone, a professional dynamic microphone system designed to support modern creators across podcasting, streaming, video production, interviews and live content creation. Combining 2.4GHz wireless, USB-C and XLR connectivity with optional 32-bit float internal recording and safety-track backup, the PD500W offers a flexible audio solution for a range of production workflows. The Maono PD500W is available globally via the Maono website and Amazon US with pricing starting at US$399 for the B asic Version and US$429 for the Desk Stand Bundle.

The retail launch follows a successful 60-day Kickstarter campaign, which concluded on August 30, 2026, with 279 backers pledging US$100,124—more than double its original US$50,000 funding goal. The PD500W was developed around a practical challenge facing modern creators: a single recording session may begin at a desk, move to an on-location interview and later transition to a mobile or studio setup. By combining three connection options—USB-C, XLR and compatible 2.4GHz wireless—with internal recording, the PD500W gives creators the flexibility to adapt to different devices and production environments without switching microphones.

 

 

Designed for Modern Production

EnvironmentsProfessional dynamic microphones are widely valued for their ability to capture clear vocal recordings while minimizing unwanted background noise. However, conventional setups often require external audio interfaces, preamps, complex gain staging and separate backup recording solutions, which can make it challenging to move between different production environments.

The PD500W addresses these challenges with a hybrid connectivity platform that supports USB-C, XLR and 2.4GHz wireless operation. USB-C enables direct connection to computers and mobile devices, while XLR integrates with existing audio interfaces and mixers. Wireless connectivity, through compatible USB-C or multi-output receivers, supports mobile recording and camera-based production. Beyond these connection options, the microphone also features internal recording, allowing creators to maintain a local copy of their audio while recording through a computer, camera or other compatible device.

This versatility allows creators to use one microphone across a range of production environments, from desktop podcasting and livestreaming to mobile content creation, on-location interviews and professional studio recording, without having to rebuild their audio setup for each workflow.

Maono has also refined the product's industrial design to support cleaner production environments. The microphone integrates concealed cable routing through its U-shaped yoke system, while a dedicated rear I/O hub consolidates USB-C, headphone monitoring and XLR connections to create a streamlined workspace.

 

Integrated Recording Protection

A key feature of the PD500W is its focus on recording reliability. Interviews, podcasts and live recordings frequently contain moments that cannot be recreated, making redundancy increasingly important for professional content production.

To address this need, the PD500W features 32GB of onboard storage and supports internal WAV recording in both 24-bit and 32-bit float formats. While 32-bit float provides greater flexibility for adjusting recording levels in post-production, internal recording creates an additional audio file directly within the microphone.

The system also includes a selectable -9dB safety-track feature that generates a lower-level backup recording to help mitigate unexpected volume spikes. Together, these recording safeguards reduce reliance on a single recording path and provide added confidence when capturing important content.

 

 

Enhanced Production Workflows

Beyond audio capture, the PD500W has been developed to streamline post-production workflows. When paired with the multi-output wireless receiver, the PD500W supports timecode synchronization to simplify alignment between internal recordings and compatible camera footage.

The microphone also integrates with MaonoLink, Maono's companion software platform, which provides access to AI-powered transcription, translation and summarization capabilities. These tools are designed to accelerate content review, highlight key discussion points and assist with the creation of production notes, transcripts and supporting content assets.

Developed with input from creators and beta testers, the PD500W has undergone refinements based on real-world feedback. Updates include an improved Mute Lock function to help prevent accidental muting, enhanced wireless stability, upgraded metal controls and an extension component for broader boom arm compatibility. These refinements reflect Maono's focus on making professional recording tools more practical and reliable in everyday production environments.

 

Pricing and Availability

The Maono PD500W is available globally via the Maono website and Amazon US with pricing starting at US$399 for the B asic Version and US$429 for the Desk Stand Bundle.

Maono also offers an affiliate program for the PD500W, paying up to 20 % commission. For further details, please click here.

 

About Maono 

Maono is a global professional microphone brand dedicated to making professional sound more accessible to creators, streamers, podcasters and music enthusiasts. Guided by the belief that “Your Voice Matters,” Maono combines professional audio performance with intuitive usability across gaming, livestreaming, podcasting, music recording and video creation. As a pioneer of hybrid microphones, Maono brings wireless creative freedom, USB plug-and-play simplicity and XLR professional expandability into its product innovation. Maono believes professional sound can be simple.

For additional product information, visit: www.maono.com

 

Zoner Studio has released its Fall Update, built around a new Advanced Preset Workflow with 37 presets across six categories. Instead of applying one finished look, photographers can layer their edits step by step and develop their own style. The update also improves Luminance Range masking, Saturation Correction and Split Toning, and introduces AI Lab, a space for trying out Zoner AI tools such as Noise Removal, Remove Object, Generative Extend and Generative Rotate. It is free for all Zoner Studio subscribers, and new users can try it with a 7-day trial.

 

From Zoner Studio:

 

Zoner Studio introduces its Fall Update, led by a new Advanced Preset Workflow. Photographers can now build their edits step by step, achieving polished results with less effort. The update also adds better color controls and experimental Zoner AI tools.

 

 

Advanced Preset Workflow

The highlight of the update is 37 new presets across six categories designed for flexible, step-by-step editing. Instead of applying a single finished look, photographers can build their own style. They can start with a Color Style, add Film Glow or Microcontrast, apply Corrections or Creative Effects, and fine-tune the final result.

Advanced techniques become easier to use, without having to master every tool.

 

More Precise Color and Tonal Control

The update also gives photographers more control over fine adjustments.

The improved Luminance Range masking tool makes it easier to target highlights and shadows naturally. Expanded Saturation Correction offers greater control over how Tone Curve adjustments affect color saturation. And Split Toning now allows photographers to adjust midtones independently, alongside highlights and shadows.

 

 

AI Lab: A Space to Explore Creative AI

The new AI Lab brings selected creative and generative tools from Zoner AI directly into Zoner Studio.

Photographers can experiment with features such as Noise Removal , Remove Object, Generative Extend, and Generative Rotate . AI Lab opens up creative possibilities beyond conventional photo editing.

 

“AI is opening up a world of new possibilities for photographers. Our priority is to develop tools that genuinely make sense when working with real photographs. That's why we fully integrate AI features into Zoner Studio only when we're confident in their quality and practical value. At the same time, we don't want to hold back photographers who enjoy trying new things. That's exactly why we created AI Lab – a place to experiment with Zoner AI tools. It will be a living, evolving space where new features can appear, while others may change or be removed over time. And the tools that prove their value may eventually become part of Zoner Studio itself,” says Michal Prouza, Head of the Software Division at ZONER.

 

Other Improvements

The Fall Update also includes smaller workflow improvements, such as filtering by stacks in Search. The Zoni AI Assistant is now available directly inside Zoner Studio, helping photographers find answers about the software and its features without leaving their editing workspace.

 

Availability

The Fall Update is available to all Zoner Studio subscribers at no additional cost.

New users can explore the latest features with a free 7-day trial.

For more infomation, please visit the Zoner Studio website.

At some point, many photographers encounter the pressure to make work that feels meaningful. It usually starts with an innocent realization that when you look at your catalog, it’s full of disconnected single frames. You have good photos, maybe even great ones, but none form a cohesive story. If you look online, the advice from the broader photo community typically offers a seemingly straightforward solution. Instead of taking one-off images, find a theme and shoot a project around it.

 

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Street photography runs on moments nobody schedules, which makes it hard to plan for and impossible to fake. How you think about luck shapes where you walk, how long you stay out, and whether you lift the camera when something small happens in front of you.

 

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