Photography News

Snow can make a familiar spot feel blank. If winter light keeps tricking your eyes, this video is a sharp reminder that the basics still decide whether the frame works.

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1. Know What You'll Be Using It For

Before you make your purchase, make sure you think about where and what you'll be using your tripod for. For example, you don't want to set out walking through the countryside to find the tripod you've purchased is heavy or impractical.
 

2. What Type Of Tripod?

A full-sized tripod extends to eye level, offer rigid support and tend to stay standing when used on windy days. Some models can be a little bulky and heavy but some companies have tripods which are made out of aluminium alloy making them light and easy to transport.

A compact tripod is similar to the full-size version except it but collapses to a very small size making it easier to carry around. There are also mini pods and tabletop tripods available. For times when a tripod would get in the way, such as when shooting in a crowd, the next best thing that gives you the same height but without the bulky splayed legs is a monopod.
 

3. Check The Height Of The Legs

If you're buying the tripod from a shop on the high street, make sure you extend the legs fully so you can check to see if they go to the height you need. Obviously, you can't do this online but most sites have a section where more details such as height, weight etc. of the product you're interested in can be found.
 

 

 

4. Have A Look At The Head

Most tripods do come with a head but tripod manufacturers do stock heads which you can buy separately. Most tripod heads will shoot in a vertical format as well as horizontal. If you're going to be shooting panoramas, move the head so you can see how freely/smoothly it'll pan. If you're buying online just have a read of the tripod's features for more information on how well the model pans and moves.
 

5. How Quick Is The Quick Release System?

Many tripods now feature a quick release system which uses a plate that can be permanently fastened to your camera to lock it in position on your tripod. Check how easy it is to fasten and remove your camera to the tripod as you don't want to be fighting with your equipment when out in the field.

 

6. Legs And Locks

Make sure the legs are fully out before you put your camera on the tripod and always extend the thickest part of the legs first before moving on to adjust the smaller parts as this will give you a more rigid support. Before extending the height of the centre column do check the legs are at their maximum height because even though it's quick and easy to adjust the centre column, it's not a good habit to get into and you'll have a much more sturdy base to work with if you adjust the legs first.

As well as securing your tripod, locks should be quick to adjust and easy to use. Locks are either levers or twist grips. Twist grip locks are very secure while the lever lock option is faster to use but do make sure they are locked tight before taking your shot as you don't want the tripod to slip mid-exposure.

 

 

7. The Feet

Most tripods have rubber feet which absorb shock and offer good grip on most terrain. Some models feature spiked feet which are useful in situations where you need to sink your tripod into the ground such as at the beach or on a windy, wet hillside.

 

8. Clean Your Tripod

You want to make sure your gear is always ready to go and in a good condition so keep it clean and free of rust. This is even more important when you've spent the day at the coast as saltwater will corrode tripod legs and feet so always rinse them off in fresh water once home.

   

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

 

If you recently got your hands on a new camera (many probably did for Christmas), you may be wondering what you should do next. Here, we’ve come up with a few first steps that will help any photography novice on the way to stunning shots.
 

Step 1 - Read The Manual

Yes, we know it’s boring, and it takes a while to find the right language sometimes, but your manual will have invaluable information about your particular camera, straight from the manufacturer. Read what the manufacturer has to say, and then build on your knowledge as you go along.
 

Step 2 - Familiarise Yourself With The Camera

Turn the camera on, and familiarise yourself with what dial does what. Have a run through the menus on your camera so you have an idea of where to head when you’re out and about for the first time, saving you time if a shot presents itself.

 

Step 3 - Experiment

When you know your way around the camera, the next step is to have a go with it. This may sound obvious, but if you don’t have a quick play and see what images you can produce with various settings, you won’t know what to look for when you head out to get some professional-style shots. Have a go at shooting using every aspect of the camera, to gain knowledge – you never know when an opportunity may present itself that requires the use of a mode that you know how to use through having a play.

Step 4 - Get Online

When you know how to use the camera and are looking for inspiration and like-minded people to share your shots with, this is where ePHOTOzine comes in! We have a wealth of knowledge and ideas on the site to help you achieve those stunning shots you’ve always wanted. Search the site for anything photography related using the magnifying glass in the toolbar – you’ll more than likely find it!

Now's also the perfect time to join +. What is +? Well, if you love photography, and want to get the very best out of the site, then Plus is the ideal product for you. You can find more information about the membership here.
 

Step 5 - Find Your Niche

Once you’ve gotten to know your camera, have been out, taken some shots and read up on your areas of interest, you may find that you like, or are better at certain areas of photography. Build on these, and they will become your area of expertise. By discovering what you like and what you are good at, you can hone your skills and become the very best in an area of photography that you love.

Stop buying spec sheets. These oddballs prioritize fun over perfect and might just make you fall in love with photography again.

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The Fujifilm instax mini Evo Cinema is trying to turn instant prints into something closer to a deliberate creative tool instead of a novelty. If you care about prints that feel considered rather than accidental, this camera forces you to think about how much control you actually want before the photo comes out.

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Discover the fascinating world of environmental portraiture in travel photography. Let’s also discuss essential ethical considerations and the importance of respecting cultural norms to ensure a meaningful photography experience and the creation of impactful images.

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So recently, I suffered a bout of Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S.) and sold most of my Canon EOS M system cameras and lenses and switched back to Micro Four Thirds. But here’s the crazy thing: In some cases, I got more than I paid for the cameras brand new, which really shines a light on how much tariffs have warped the sense of what an affordable camera is.

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Here is the corrected article with Fujifilm spelled properly everywhere and all other rules preserved and rechecked.

The Fujifilm instax mini Evo Cinema is trying to turn instant prints into something closer to a deliberate creative tool instead of a novelty. If you care about prints that feel considered rather than accidental, this camera forces you to think about how much control you actually want before the photo comes out....

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You bought a new camera expecting your photos to feel like art, then they come back looking fine but empty. This video tackles that gap without pretending there’s a magic preset that fixes it.

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Small adjustments can quietly fix a problem you keep seeing in your portraits: the shots look planned, but not lived-in. This video focuses on small decisions during a shoot that change the feel of a set without turning it into a technical exercise.

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If you shoot in tight spaces, the difference between a smooth session and a frustrating one often comes down to small gear choices. This video frames those choices as practical fixes for the stuff that quietly wastes time on set.

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At this time of year, across the UK, snow can start appearing in our landscape. But, it's not the easiest of subjects to photograph, so we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions to help you out when snow's filling your landscape shots. 

1. Why does the snow look blue/grey in my shot?

This is because your camera's metering system is fooled by the highly reflective tones of the white snow, which makes the image appear darker than it should be. Blue snow in pictures occurs where the snow is receiving no direct sunlight but is simply being lit by the sun reflecting off the blue sky (hence the cast). 

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.

To fix a blue cast in-camera you'll need to switch your white balance settings to either shade or custom if you want to create a custom white balance from the snow. If working in sunny conditions the snow shouldn't appear blue but your shadows may but if you try and correct the image in-camera to remove the cast from the shadows you'll alter the colour of the snow so generally, it's best to leave the blue in the shadows so your snow is crisp and white. Plus, there's always the option to adjust the image in your image editing software once home. 

 

 

2. Why does my snow shot look boring? 

When snow covers most of your shot it can make the scene look a little bland, especially with a snow-filled sky as there won't be that much definition between the sky and the ground. Try stopping down a little to add more depth to your shot, or if this doesn't work, try adjusting your position to include a stone wall perhaps, or a lone tree, to add a little more to the shot. To darken light skies so your shots are a little more moody fit a graduated filter to the front of your lens. 

 

3. Falling snow is ruining my shot. How can I minimise the appearance of the flakes? 

The simple answer to this is to wait until it stops snowing. If this is not an option, make sure you're not using your flash, as this can cause the light to reflect off snowflakes nearer to the lens, causing the rest of your shot to look really dull and grey. A better way to capture snow falling is to put your camera on a tripod and use slower shutter speeds. 

 

4. Why has my lens steamed up?

This is because you've moved from a warm house to the freezing cold outside, resulting in condensation. To avoid this, let your camera acclimatise in its case or bag for a while. Don't be tempted to wipe the lens with a cloth as this will cause smudges and marks which will spoil your image. 

   

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

 

The UK’s most exciting photography Convention is back — bigger, bolder and packed with more inspiration, education and industry powerhouses than ever before.

 

The 2026 London Photo Convention & Trade Show brings thousands of photographers together under one roof for four days of hands-on learning, live demos, exclusive deals, and world-class speakers. If you’re serious about your photography — this is where you need to be.

London Photo Trade Show: 15–17 January — Meet the Biggest Brands in Photography

Get ready for three electric days on the Trade Show floor, with leading camera and lighting brands showcasing their latest kit. Expect:

• Hands-on access to the newest cameras & lenses
• Live demonstrations from top pros
• Expert advice from manufacturers
• Show-only offers and exclusive discounts
• Retailers showcasing must-have accessories

Whether you shoot weddings, portraits, landscapes, content for social, or you’re just passionate about photography – the Trade Show has something for you.

Entry: £10 on the day (free if you pre registered before Tuesday)

Get Your Tickets Now!

 

 

Over 200 Hours of Training with Masterclasses & Superclasses

If you're hungry to learn, the Convention’s education programme is unmatched.

Masterclasses

Dive into a huge lineup of practical, inspiring and business-boosting sessions covering:

• Portraits
• Weddings
• Lighting
• Wildlife
• Macro
• Post-production
• Creative storytelling
• Branding
• Business growth for photographers

Top photographers, award-winning educators and industry leaders share the techniques and insights that elevate your photography fast.

Superclasses

Want hands-on training with the best in the business?

The Superclasses deliver small-group, practical workshops with some of the most respected names in the industry. Limited spaces — these sell out fast every single year.

 

 

Exclusive Offer

Save 10% with code epz10 on all class tickets!

  The Photography Event You Simply Can’t Afford to Miss

If you want to improve your skills, grow your business, network with other creatives and immerse yourself in the world of photography — this is your event.

 

Save the Dates

Full Convention: 14–17 January 2026

Photo Trade Show: 15–17 January 2026

Venue: Novotel London West, Hammersmith, W6 8DR

 

Join thousands of photographers for the ultimate start to 2026.

Masterclass Passes and Superclasses available now.

Book your tickets now!

 

I wanted to photograph and light paint a super-long exposure of a vintage tow truck with long star trails, but I also needed to do this quickly so I could continue teaching workshop participants. How did I do this? I’ll take you behind the scenes of my desert ghost town long-exposure photo.

"I Need To Create a 90-Minute Photograph in Ten Minutes"

I was teaching a night photography workshop in Nelson Ghost Town, NV with Tim Little, and had just finished a hands-on lesson with a group on how to photograph the large barn...

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It seems drones are all over the news recently—either new iterations of existing models promising to change your life, new entries to the market aiming to shake up the game, or even recent headlines suggesting that drones are “evil” and need to be banned. But what happens when a new kid on the block enters the race and suddenly makes a bit of sense? That is where the Atom 2 from Potensic, who recently attended CES as one of the exhibitors, enters...

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A New Year has begun and with it comes new opportunities to better your photography. So, with a whole year ahead of you, what will you be doing differently this year? Do you want to try a new genre of photography, do you want to shoot with your smartphone? Or, quite simply, do you just want to enjoy the hobby of photography more? Whatever your plans, we've got a few New Year's Resolutions for photographers to get you thinking about your year of photography that's to come.

1. I Will Know My Gear Well

If you've got a new camera for Christmas or have fallen into the trap of switching to Auto as it's just easy to use, make this year the year you get to grips with your camera. Take the time to learn why shutter speeds are important, how apertures can change the look of your photo and why setting your white balance manually can improve your shots. Of course there are more modes, techniques and settings than listed here and you can find plenty of advice on various aspects of photography over in ePHOTOzine's techniques section. Don't overlook sitting down and reading your camera's manual too as they are usually full of good advice.
 

2. I Will Try Something New

Learn how to use a new piece of editing software or how about trying a different photography technique? There's plenty of subjects out there and you won't know if you enjoy photographing them if you don't try. If you're looking for tips, head over to ePHOTOzine's techniques section, ask your question in our forums or take a look at some of the photography books that are on offer.
 

3. I Will Take My Camera With Me More Often

Many of us are guilty of leaving the camera at home a little too often when really if we had it in the car or even in our bag, we'd take more photos. In fact, with a large amount of smartphones on the market, why not make more use of the camera that's on your phone and most likely with you all of the time? Yes, there is a chance many won't be great but you can use the shots to learn from and improve the shots you take at a later date.
 

I Will Make The Most Of The Gear I Have

Just because you don't own an expensive DSLR and a long lens doesn't mean you can't take good photos. You just have to think more about what the gear you have is capable of capturing and focus your energy into taking good shots of that with it. Plus, if you do want to photograph a particular subject but don't think you have the right gear, there are often ways to get around it. For example, for wildlife photography, you'll need longer lenses, a tripod etc. when taking your shots out in the wild which means it's not an ideal subject for compact users. However, you can capture wildlife shots at a zoo or wildlife park where you can get closer to the wildlife, making it easier for you to capture frame-filling shots.

What photographic themed resolutions have you made? Share them in the comments below. 

You are paying a $2,000 premium for buttons you will never press. Modern flagships are genuine marvels of engineering. These cameras represent the absolute pinnacle of what decades of imaging technology can achieve, packed into weather-sealed magnesium alloy bodies that can survive conditions most of us will never encounter. They are fast, precise, and loaded with capabilities that would have seemed like science fiction just ten years ago. They are also, for the vast majority of photographers, spectacular overkill.

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You keep hearing about getting “better composition” or “dialing in settings,” but this video is focused on something that comes earlier than both: the decisions that decide what the photo is actually saying. If you shoot people and your results sometimes feel technically fine but emotionally thin, this is the kind of checklist that can expose why.

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A budget 85mm can look perfect on paper, then punish you in the exact situations that make 85mm worth owning: wide-open portraits, backlit scenes, and close-up framing. The Meike 85mm f/1.8 SE Mark II lens is interesting because it isn’t just “another cheap prime,” it’s a native Canon EF option that also invites adapting to newer Canon RF bodies.

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Midday beach light can look brutal through an ultra-wide. If most of your landscape time is squeezed into sunrise and sunset, this approach pushes you to build usable skills when the sun is doing you no favors.

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