Photography News

 

Architecture photography is something that's accessible to all and with so many ways to capture structures that line our streets, it's a project that you probably won't get bored of anytime soon. You can shoot skylines at night, look for interesting patterns in small detail, use the height of skyscrapers to add drama to your shots or how about simply making a project about your own home? Don't just think this is a town or city project either as you'll find interesting structures at the coast as well as statues and monuments that are well worth capturing images of. Whatever you decide to do, here are 36 tutorials crammed full of tips to help you improve your architectural photography skills. 

 

1. 6 Top Architectural Night Photography Tips

When buildings are illuminated at night their shapes and features are enhanced in a very different way than by daylight and it's a great time to take photographs. The most challenging thing is getting the exposure and colour balance right, which we'll help with, otherwise, the standard rules of composition apply which we'll cover briefly first.

 

2. Tips On Taking Photos From Heights In Cities

The beauty with photography is you're not restricted with how you can take a photograph. You can play with as many lights as you can afford, add filters, gels and play with numerous other gadgets to alter the look of your photograph. But even though there are all these toys waiting to be played with, one of the simplest ways to change the way your image looks is to get up high.
 

3. Why Stairs & Steps Draw People To Photograph Them

Stairs and steps may sound boring, however, when you start thinking about the materials they're made from and the shapes and styles that exist, you'll soon realise there's plenty of steps to keep you and your camera occupied. Be it a graphical shot of an industrial set of steps leading up the side of a metal structure or a spiral staircase in a grand house, if you keep your eyes open, you'll soon realise there are many interesting sets of steps and stairs around you that will make an interesting image.

 

4. Guide To Capturing Better City Skyline Shots

City life's not for everyone but as the sun begins to set find yourself a vantage point where you can see most of the city skyline and you'll soon have a photograph that may make you rethink your dislike for cities. One of the best times for photographing city skylines is when the sun's begun to set so there's still a touch of blue in the sky but the light's not too harsh so make sure you're on your chosen vantage point well before sunset.

 

Photo by Joshua Waller

 

5. Nine Top Tips For Better Bridge Photography

Most of us use bridges every single day and while it is true that many - big and small, old and new - of them aren’t worth photographing, there are a great many that are extremely photogenic. These are impressive structures that often dominate the area in which they are situated.

 

6. Capturing The Best Of Britain's Architecture 

Britain's bursting with structures and buildings that photographers are naturally drawn to thanks to their postcard-perfect looks and history. It also helps that many of the buildings are in locations that are perfect for a day out, making them subjects photographers can shoot and their families can enjoy too.

 

7. Master Urban Abstracts With These 8 Tips

Capture something you may not have normally noticed by shooting abstracts in the city. To help you out, here are a few tips to get you thinking more creatively about buildings and how you can focus on patterns, textures and shape rather than the structure as a whole. 

 

8. Four Top Tips On Exploring The Urban Jungle

For many of us, when we decide to get out and about with our cameras we automatically turn to the countryside. But with the majority of the population living within easy reach of a major Town or City, is that really the right decision? It’s great fun just walking around a city taking shots of literally everything but if you want to capture great images you need to go with a plan and a bag of kit including a couple of lenses and a tripod.

 

 

9. Give Your City Shots A Creative Twist With These 6 Tips

Thanks to modern architecture that favours glass and steel over bricks and mortar cities are full of reflections which give us an alternative way to photograph the places we live in. 

 

10. Five Tips On Shooting Beach Huts Shots With A Twist

Who said the buildings and structures you capture only have to be inland? Beach huts are a popular feature of the British coastline and provide photographers with colourful detail that's often overlooked. While many of us shoot with a wide-angle and get the huts dramatically stacked in a row under a broody sky there's an alternative option of moving in close for a more abstract shot.

 

11. Seven Easy Ways To Improve Your Stately Home Shots

Stately homes are, in many cases, open to the public. Some are still lived in, with sections cordoned off from public viewing, but the rest is accessible, often with restrictions - no touching, often no flash and sometimes no photography. For those properties that do allow photography, you have the opportunity to photograph grand designs, walls with magnificent paintings, and rooms with exquisite furniture and other items.

 

12. How To Approach Statue Photography In 5 Steps

From the earliest known relic, some 8000 years old, to the latest metallic monstrosities, statues are waiting to be photographed. You could visit a museum or sculpture park but as statues decorate our city streets, local parks and even churchyards, you don't have to venture too far if you don't want to. 

 

 

13. Learn How To Capture Cracking Castle Shots

Want to bring a bit of history and heritage to life? Well, capturing images of one of our many castles is a good way to start. Here are a few tips to help you perfect your castle photography technique. 

 

14. How To Capture Top Shots Of Historical Buildings

When we think of historical buildings we often think of castles and churches, but there's much more to explore. Our towns and villages are brimming with architectural delights from banks to factories to inns and market halls, all waiting to be photographed outside and sometimes (if you're lucky) inside. All you need is a little local knowledge

 

15. Photographing Lighthouse Details

Zooming in with a telephoto and picking on detail is fun to do, plus it's a great way to capture lighthouse shots with an original twist. 

 

16. Five Top Tips On Photographing Bridges

Here are 5 more essential tips on photographing the bridges that dominate our towns, cities and countryside. We look at what time of day is best, what lenses to use, how to give your shots a creative edge and more. 

 

 

17. Tips On Photographing Stained Glass Windows

Stained glass windows are a photogenic subject but they can be a nightmare to photograph. Here are a few tips to help you perfect your technique.

 

18. Photographing Church Interiors

To make the most of what our churches have to offer we have to get inside them which can be trickier than you think. Larger churches and cathedrals may have photographic restrictions (a fee payable to use a tripod, no flash etc.) and certain opening hours but generally smaller, local churches are more willing to give you access any time of the day. 

 

19. Even More Tips On Creative Capturing Castle Shots 

From ruined hill forts to beautifully preserved country houses, castles provide majestic architectural delight that we look in more detail here. 

 

20. Photographing Textures On Buildings

Towns and cities are great places for hunting down textures and once you start looking at detail rather than buildings as a whole, you'll soon find a variety of textures to fill your memory card with. Walls, steps, doors, sheds, modern metal structures, roof tiles and windows are just some of the locations you'll find interesting textures at. 

 

 

21. Church Photography In Low Light

Turn your attention to the local church – or at least one that is lit up. Not every church is so you may have to drive around to find one if you do not already know of a suitable location.

 

22. Tips On Creating HDR Exposures In Churches

Church interiors are difficult to photograph because they usually have huge bright windows and dark nooks and crannies with the rest being a mix of tones illuminated by tungsten light or candles. Fortunately, with digital photography and modern software, there is a solution, it's called HDR (high dynamic range) photography.

 

23. How To Shoot Wide Angle Shots In Cities And Towns

Take a short walk through your town and you'll find a thousand and one things to photograph but instead of walking around for hours photographing trees, postboxes and buildings one at a time try getting your wide-angle lens out to capture and emphasise a wider area of the town.

 

24. Photographing Night-Time Urban Scenes

The nights are drawing in again which means most of us are now driving home from work in the dark. It's a stark reminder that winter's on its way but all's not that bad as it does mean you can shoot some nighttime shots in and around your town before you head home for your evening meal.

 

 

25. Twilight City Photography Tips

Head to a city as the sun sets and get ready to capture twilight themed imagery that will give your architectural shots an interesting, creative twist. 

 

26. How To Shoot Patterns In Architecture

The key to this type of photography is to stop looking at buildings as whole structures and focus on the small pockets of interesting patterns and shapes they're made up of. Don't overlook the ugly looking buildings either as most of the time, once you're zoomed in and focused on one part, you'll find they're perfect subjects when you're on the hunt for architectural patterns.

 

27. Tips On Photographing Interesting Shops With Character

For a while now people have voiced how they're bored of seeing the same line of shops in every town that have repetitive signs, the same window displays and products on offer. But even though these giants are all over the country you can still find the quirky shops with interesting frames and signs to photograph.

 

28. Tips On Photographing Your Town At Night

Here's a quick tutorial that will show you how to photograph urban nightscapes. You'll find kit suggestions as well as tips on how and what to take photos of. 

  29. Infrared Architectural Photography Tips

Infrared photography isn't everyone's cup of tea, however, this technique can add a distinct and interesting twist to your city shots that others may not have thought of. 

 

30. Capture Shots Of Cathedrals And Churches With Ease

Here are a few things to remember when you're heading out on your church photography day trip. Just remember to respect your surroundings when capturing these magnificent structures.  

 

31. Quick Twilight Town Photography Tips 

Everyone likes a sunset but instead of packing your gear up once the sun's set wait around for when the sun has vanished below the horizon and you'll have the chance to capture some really creative images.

 

32. New York Times Square Photography Tips

As Times Square is a popular location for tourists, it can be hard to shoot architectural photos that aren't dominated by people. However, there are a few things you can do to capture shots that aren't so focused on the people visiting this city. 

  33. Quick Tips On Photographing The Brooklyn Bridge

Skyline shots and photos of iconic structures are something all photographers strive to shoot when in Manhattan, New York and David Clapp has headed to one of the most iconic structures in the city - Brooklyn Bridge.

 

34. Practical Photography Tips For Cities And Towns

To help you capture the magic of cities, here are a few tips on photography in general and more specific tips on photographing Krakow in particular.

 

35. Photographing Lighthouses In The Landscape

The UK's coastline has many lighthouses which are worth a visit with your camera. Some are open to the public and are definitely worth exploring, but here we discuss using lighthouses within the wider landscape.

 

36. Pier Photography Tips 

You can't visit a seaside town that has a pier without photographing this interesting and often historic architectural structure that heads out to sea. 

On February 17, 2005, Leica Camera AG issued a Verlustanzeige, the notice German stock law requires once a company has lost half its share capital and has to say so to its shareholders. Four days later, it told the market that its banks had partially canceled its credit lines. The fiscal year closed at the end of March on group sales of €92.1 million and a consolidated loss of €18.1 million.

 

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The JBL 305P MkII is down to $99 per speaker, 41% off its $169 list price, and it's the studio monitor I ended up recommending as the best speaker for the money after testing six of them on my desk. 

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For the last few months, I've been doing something that has completely changed how I run my businesses. I set up agentic AI to handle the parts of business I've always hated: email, bills, bookkeeping, taxes, client follow-ups and advertising. It watches everything, it never forgets anything, and when it needs me, it asks a quick question and I tap an answer. 

I'm turning that system into software that I'll be selling, but before it launches, I'm giving it away 100% free to a small group of beta testers.

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You have decided to transition from DSLR to mirrorless, and that should feel exciting, with a whole new way of shooting waiting for you. Changing systems does mean planning around the cost, but you may already own more of the funding than you realize. The DSLR kit sitting in your bag can pay for a good part of the switch, and how you sell it decides how smooth the whole process feels.

 

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© SIGMA

 

Sigma has announced the FP2, a compact full-frame camera equipped with a 24.5-megapixel partially stacked CMOS sensor, continuous shooting at up to approximately 20fps, and support for 6K OpenGate recording and ProRes RAW. A dedicated switch on the top of the body toggles between STILL and CINE modes. Sigma has also announced a new external electronic viewfinder, the EVF-21, along with other dedicated accessories. The FP2 is scheduled for release on November 11, 2026.

 

From Sigma:

 

Sigma Corporation (Headquarters: Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, CEO: Kazuto Yamaki) is pleased to announce  the Sigma FP2, which combines full-fledged shooting capabilities and flexible expandability in the world’s smallest*1 body. Carrying over the concept of the original fp series while enhancing every function, Sigma has perfected the FP2 as a “Small, Powerful, Adaptable” camera.  Its pocket-sized, lightweight body is equipped with powerful shooting features, from a high-performance full-frame sensor to switching between still and cine modes, each with its own dedicated UI. The Sigma FP2, a one-of-a-kind compact system camera that offers a high degree of user-oriented adaptability, will be available on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

 

Product name: Sigma FP2

Launch: Wednesday, November 11, 2026

* Product appearance and specifications are subject to change.

 

Key Features

 

• Top-class performance in the world’s smallest body
• A full-fledged cinema camera at the flip of a switch
• Accessories for greater expandability

 

Top-class performance in the world’s smallest body

 

Full-frame expressive power and wide dynamic range

At the heart of the Sigma FP2 is an advanced full-frame sensor that captures images with exceptional resolution, rendering power, depth of color and subtle tonal gradation. Its uncompromising performance gives photographers the freedom to capture any scene or subject, no matter the shooting conditions.

 

Color modes for creative freedom in photography

Thirteen color modes, selectable with the dedicated “Color” button, enable intuitive and unrestricted creative expression . Developed on the basis of Sigma’s own color science, this diverse range of preset modes lets photographers craft the tone of their work, capture the atmosphere of the moment and bring out the full appeal of their photography.

© SIGMA

 

A true evolution of the fp series

The Sigma FP2 inherits the innovative concept of the original fp, along with the distinctive character that made it one-of-a-kind.  At the same time, every element and function of the camera has been reexamined and refined to create a more intuitive and expressive shooting experience, making the FP2 a true evolution of the fp series.

 

Tilting LCD for broader perspectives

While keeping its compact body, the Sigma FP2 features a tilting LCD that tilts up 90° and down 45°. From low angles to high angles, it broadens the photographer’s perspective.

 

Dedicated external electronic viewfinder for focused shooting

Easily attached to and detached from the camera via a single USB-C port, the high-resolution, high-luminance electronic viewfinder helps photographers feel deeply immersed  in their photography. Its tilting mechanism angles upward by up to 90°, making it comfortable to shoot not only at eye level but also at waist level.

 

24.5-megapixel partially stacked CMOS sensor

The high-performance partially stacked CMOS sensor delivers outstanding rendering power, advanced AF performance and excellent dynamic range. Its high-speed readout significantly reduces rolling shutter distortion, enabling even faster continuous shooting and video recording at high frame rates.

 

Advanced AF performance

With improved accuracy, speed and low-light performance, the sophisticated AF system captures subjects reliably, so decisive moments are never missed. In addition to people and animals, the advanced subject detection function now also recognizes birds.

 

High-speed continuous shooting at up to approx. 20fps

The Sigma FP2 can shoot continuously at up to approx. 20fps, for up to 200 frames in a single burst. Even in critical moments where a split second makes all the difference , it captures the shot with confidence.

 

High-capacity battery

While maintaining the compact size that defines the fp series, the Sigma FP2 achieves approximately 30% longer battery life than the original fp. Its high-capacity battery can capture approximately 370 still images or about 130 minutes of video, enabling extended shooting sessions.

 

70GB of internal storage

In addition to an SD card slot, the Sigma FP2 features 70GB of internal storage that supports high-speed writing. It allows recording to continue seamlessly when the memory card is full and ensures comfortable shooting in situations that call for additional capacity.

© SIGMA

 

A full-fledged cinema camera at the flip of a switch

 

The Sigma FP2 is both a still camera and a full-fledged cinema camera. A single dedicated switch on the top of the body instantly toggles between STILL mode and CINE mode, each with functions, a user interface and a workflow fully optimized for that mode. Optimized for the creative production process  and highly customizable, the FP2 is a true cinema camera capable of cinema-quality imagery, offering both mobility and performance in an exceptionally compact and lightweight body.

 

A compact, dedicated cinema camera

Transforming to suit its setup, the Sigma FP2 serves as a compact full-frame digital cinema camera for a wide range of video production. With a wealth of functions packed into its compact body, it covers every type of production, from personal vlogs and fly-on-the-wall documentaries  to high-end film and TV productions.

 

6K OpenGate recording

The Sigma FP2 supports 6K OpenGate recording, capturing every bit of information from the full-frame sensor. Footage can be adapted to a variety of formats with different aspect ratios while maintaining high image quality, supporting video production in the multi-platform era.

 

Up to 14.1 stops*2 of dynamic range

Designed with ample highlight headroom, the Sigma FP2 delivers rich tonal gradation even in high-contrast environments. With 7 stops of headroom secured at ISO 1250 and above, it offers greater freedom for color grading in post-production.

 

32-bit float audio recording*3

The Sigma FP2 supports 32-bit float audio recording, reducing noise at low volumes and clipping at high volumes for recording with a wide dynamic range.

© SIGMA

 

Support for advanced post-production

The Sigma FP2 supports ProRes RAW, which combines a high degree of editing flexibility with the efficient data handling of compression. It also supports L-Log from Leica Camera AG , which can be edited directly in a wide range of grading software, accommodating a diverse range of workflows.

 

Director’s Viewfinder function

The Sigma FP2 is equipped with a Director’s Viewfinder function that can simulate the shooting ranges of various brands’ cinema cameras. In addition to the desqueeze display mode for use with anamorphic lenses, the FP2 now supports the latest equipment, including the ARRI ALEXA 35 and Sony VENICE 2 / BURANO. The LCD Viewfinder LVF-21 (sold separately) is also available, allowing users to reliably check the view on the optical axis.

 

Accessories for greater expandability

 

The expandability of the Sigma FP2 is ensured by the screw holes for the strap holders on the left and right sides of the body and the tripod screw hole on the bottom. Standardizing all of these screw holes to the common 1/4-inch size allows a wide variety of Sigma’s own and third-party accessories to be attached. New dedicated accessories have also been added for the Sigma FP2, opening up even more possibilities for expansion and customization.

 

ELECTRONIC VIEWFINDER EVF-21

The ELECTRONIC VIEWFINDER EVF-21 is an external electronic viewfinder designed exclusively for use with the Sigma FP2. The attention to detail is evident in its tilting mechanism, eye sensor, supplied large eye cup and other features , all designed to ensure convenience and comfort during use. With its 0.5-inch OLED panel with approx. 5.76 million dots, this high-resolution, high-luminance viewfinder helps users feel more deeply immersed in their photography and makes shooting an even more enjoyable experience.

 

HOT SHOE UNIT HU-21

The HOT SHOE UNIT HU-21 is an attachable hot shoe unit featuring a flash communication terminal shared with the OM SYSTEM / LUMIX .

 

BASE PLATE BPL-21

The BASE PLATE BPL-21 is a base plate designed exclusively for the Sigma FP2. In addition to being used to attach the LCD Viewfinder LVF-21, it allows standard video accessories to be connected using its 3/8-inch screw.

 

LCD VIEWFINDER LVF-21

The LCD VIEWFINDER LVF-21 is a viewfinder designed exclusively for the Sigma FP2 that mounts over the camera’s LCD monitor and cuts out extraneous light. It has a built-in diopter adjustment mechanism with a range of −2 to +1 (dpt). Magnifying the LCD monitor 2.5x*4, it helps photographers check focus and decide on composition. The specially designed high-performance lens and coating ensure excellent visibility.

 

BATTERY CHARGER BC-91

The BATTERY CHARGER BC-91  is a dedicated charger for the LI-ION BATTERY PACK BP-91 supplied with the camera. It allows for charging in approximately 175 minutes when used with a commercially available USB PD-compatible AC adapter.

 

DC CONNECTOR CN-91

The CN-91 is a connector for connecting the camera body to an AC adapter or external power supply.

 

*1 As of October 2026, by Sigma.

*2 When using 4K FF L-Log.

*3 When the optional HU-21 hot shoe unit is attached and the Panasonic DMW-XLR2 and DMW-DMS1 are used.

*4 The magnification value is calculated according to the definition generally used for loupe magnification.

 

For more information, please visit the Sigma website.

If you shoot Fujifilm and want the classic 85mm-equivalent portrait look at f/1.2, you have two serious, fully weather-sealed choices, and at B&H, one costs about half as much as the other. The Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR and the Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.2 Pro cover one of the most-used focal lengths in the system, and the gaps between them are smaller and odder than a spec sheet suggests.

 

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A 28mm lens sits in an awkward spot between the 24mm and 35mm primes most people already own, and that in-between position is what makes it useful when you film yourself in a small room. If you record talking-head videos, tutorials, or product demos in a spare bedroom or home office, your focal length decides how much of the room shows up, how your face is rendered, and how close the camera has to sit to you.

 

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© SIGMA

 

Sigma has announced the 50mm F1.4 CL DG Contemporary, the first lens in a new lineage of primes within its I series. The lens combines a bright F1.4 aperture with a compact metal body, smooth bokeh and intentionally controlled aberrations for soft rendering and gradual background transitions. It also has a newly developed RDD autofocus actuator, automatic switching to manual focus when the focus ring is turned during autofocus, and a dust- and splash-resistant structure. The lens is scheduled for release in early spring 2027 for L-Mount and Sony E-mount cameras.

 

From Sigma:

 

Sigma Corporation (Headquarters: Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, CEO: Kazuto Yamaki) is pleased to announce  the Sigma 50mm F1.4 CL DG | Contemporary. Housed in a small, lightweight and premium metal body, the lens combines a bright F1.4 aperture with rich textured rendering that gives images a unique expressive character. The CL, which is the start of a new lineage in Sigma’s I series line, harnesses the latest technology to achieve a classic aesthetic with beautiful tonal gradation, and is scheduled for release in early spring 2027.

 

Available mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount

Supplied accessories: Lens Hood LH520-04B / LH520-04S, Front Cap LCF-52 IV, Magnetic Metal Lens Cap LCF52-02MB / LCF52-02MS, Rear Cap LCR III, Pouch

Launch: Early spring 2027

 

* Product appearance and specifications are subject to change.

* This product is developed, manufactured and sold based on the specifications of E-mount which was disclosed by Sony Corporation under the license agreement with Sony Corporation.

* L-Mount is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG.

 

Key Features

 

• Aberrations intentionally controlled with the latest simulation technology for soft rendering of texture that helps the subject stand out
• Exceptionally compact for a large-aperture F1.4 prime, with the newly developed RDD autofocus actuator
• A new lineage for the I series primes designed to maximize the joy of shooting

 

Aberrations intentionally controlled with the latest simulation technology for soft rendering of texture that helps the subject stand out

 

The Sigma 50mm F1.4 CL DG | Contemporary is a premium compact prime lens that delivers a bright F1.4 aperture and rich textural rendering in a small and lightweight metal body. Its authentic optical system, housed in a barrel that is exceptionally small by the standards of today’s mirrorless lenses, was designed by making full use of the latest optical technology. Through exhaustive simulations, aberrations have been intentionally controlled to achieve a gentle softness within the in-focus plane, smooth and attractive bokeh, and characterful background rendering that helps the subject stand out. Conveying warmth and a natural sense of three-dimensionality across the entire frame, the lens is ideally suited to portraits and snapshots in particular. Its body distills the pure enjoyment of shooting with dedicated photographic equipment, while the latest technology perfects its impressive image quality, with supple rendering of texture and rich tonal gradation. Sigma hopes that the CL, the first in a new lineage of I series primes will help you discover and capture more beauty and joy in your everyday life.

 

© SIGMA

 

Exceptionally compact for a large-aperture F1.4 prime, with the newly developed RDD autofocus actuator   Beautiful bokeh and three-dimensionality only a large-aperture prime can deliver

The lens features a classic optical construction of 9 elements in 6 groups with a whole-lens extension focusing mechanism. 3 aspherical elements and 1 FLD glass element are effectively arranged to achieve a compact and lightweight design. The optimal placement of the aspherical elements also successfully suppresses ghosting, which is difficult to avoid in small, lightweight lenses. Aberrations are precisely controlled while internal reflections are eliminated. The lens is designed so that its bokeh is at its most beautiful and its three-dimensionality at its richest at the maximum aperture of F1.4, offering superb rendering, especially in the beautiful, gradual transitions of its background bokeh.

 

New RDD (Rotary Direct Drive) actuator

To keep the overall length of the lens short, Sigma chose whole-lens extension focusing rather than an inner focus design. To handle the heavier focusing unit this creates, Sigma developed a powerful autofocus actuator in which coils and magnets, as used in the HLA (High-response Linear Actuator), are arranged in a circle to match the shape of the lens barrel. This minimizes any increase in outer diameter, resulting in a slim, high-torque autofocus mechanism.

 

Instant AF/MF switching with the focus ring

Taking advantage of RDD’s ability to drive the focusing optics directly, the lens temporarily switches to manual focus automatically when the focus ring is turned during autofocus operation. This allows photographers to work quickly in fast-changing conditions without needing to adjust AF/MF settings using a switch.

© SIGMA

 

A new lineage for the I series primes designed to maximize the joy of shooting

 

All-metal body with premium quality and a pleasing feel in operation, the hallmark of the I series

As the latest chapter in the I series, the “Premium Compact Primes” that pursue the joy of owning a photographic tool, the CL carries on the series’ all-metal body. Not only the knurled hood, focus ring and aperture ring but also the supplied magnetic metal lens cap  have been inherited as signature elements of the I series identity.

 

Depth-of-field scale

The CL series features a distance scale that runs from the minimum focusing distance to infinity, together with a focus ring that rotates in direct sync with focusing. It is also equipped with a depth-of-field scale, which lets photographers visually check how the depth of field changes with the aperture value. These scales also serve as an icon of the CL, combining the very latest functionality with a classic aesthetic.

 

Dust- and splash-resistant structure* / water- and oil-repellent coating

In addition to a dust- and splash-resistant structure, the frontmost surface of the lens has a water- and oil-repellent coating applied, allowing photographers to shoot without concern even in harsh outdoor environments. 

 

* The product is designed to be dust- and splash-resistant but is not waterproof. When using the lens near water, etc., take care not to allow large amounts of water to splash on it. If water gets inside the lens, it may cause a major malfunction.

 

For more information, please visit the Sigma website.

Layered ridgelines, each one a shade paler than the one in front of it, are among the most sought-after images in mountain landscape work, and they depend on haze, cloud, and low-angle light that no one can schedule. Getting them usually means showing up at the same summit again and again, often before dawn, with no promise that the sky will cooperate.

 

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Most full frame cameras ship with a slow, middle-of-the-road zoom that people outgrow within months, and the Sigma 20-60mm f/2.8-4 DG Contemporary takes direct aim at that weak spot. The lens on your camera on day one decides how much you enjoy the thing you just spent a lot of money on, and a better starting zoom can push back the moment you feel you need more glass.

 

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I attended Sigma’s launch event for the new Sigma FP2, a small full frame camera that bridges high-quality photography and professional filmmaking. The event, held at the Balloon Museum in NYC’s South Street Seaport area, featured a panel discussion with three creators who praised the latest entry in Sigma’s full frame camera line, along with a chance for the press to use the new camera to photograph throughout the museum.

  

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Cities are well known for having a 'buzz' that's created by the people and traffic that move through their streets. But how do you capture this busyness? Well here are four ways to do just that.

 

1. Find Popular Spots

Sounds obvious, we know, but finding a spot full of people, such as Times Square in New York, will make your job easier. Do be warned though, sometimes places can get too busy and you'll spend more time fighting crowds than you will be taking photos. You can try visiting at various times during the day to check for less busy times but don't expect to be able to turn up early in the morning and the same buzz intensity be there as chances are, most tourists/residents will still be in bed.

 

2. Movement

Long lines of traffic, underground trains or even crowds of people moving home after a day at work can all be captured to emphasise the busyness of a town or city.

Try panning with your subject, keeping your feet slightly apart, creating a sturdy base for you to shoot from. Lock your focus and use continuous focusing if your lens struggles to focus on your subject and switch to burst mode to increase your chances of capturing the shot you're after.

To really add a sense of pace to your shots, use a little bit of blur. Blurring the background while your subject stays sharp is often the approach most go for but it can be tricky to get right... How good you are at panning, what shutter speed you use, how fast your subject's moving and how much light's around will make this harder/easier each time you try it, however, it's worth persisting with as you can create some cracking shots with this technique. Just remember to pick the right shutter speed as if you go too high your subject will look static, too slow and there could be too much blur.

Don't overlook adding a little blur to your subject as this will emphasise motion and add more drama to your shots. We say 'a little' as if you add too much, it can look like you just took a bad photo.

Try experimenting with zoom burst to deliberately add blur to your shot by twisting your zoom lens. As well as emphasising movement it can help make your subject, who's not blurred, 'pop' from the frame. A burst of light from a flashgun will help freeze your subject and add sharpness to the image. It's a fun but tricky technique that can take quite a few attempts to get right. For more tips on creating zoom blur, take a look at our Zoom Burst Photography Article.

 

 

3. Light Trails / Traffic

Towns and cities are full of traffic and by using long exposures to turn headlights into long streams of colour's another way to create a sense of pace. To do this successfully you need to find a spot at night where vehicles will pass under/by you with their lights on. You then need to put your camera on a tripod, set a long exposure and wait for the lines of traffic to turn into streaks of colourful lights. For more tips, have a look at our previous article on Photographing Light Trails.

 

4. Alternative Vantage Points

Try getting in a lift and shooting from the top of a building (if possible) or, if you're on a city break and are staying in a hotel, shoot from your own window or make use of your balcony (if you have one). Look out for observation decks, bridges and even the big wheels that are popping up in cities. These usually take an hour to complete a full circle giving you ample time to get a few shots of the city below. By doing so you'll be able to capture patterns you can't see at street level such as the lines street lights form as they turn on or the shapes created as traffic moves through the streets.

The new Insta360 Mic launching today is offering creators a more affordable way to access high-quality wireless audio, with one particularly interesting change: instead of relying on built-in storage, recordings are saved to a microSD card supplied by the user. 

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Leica partnering with Formula 1 is a first, and unexpected. Why is Leica chasing F1, and what’s the actual benefit of the carbon fiber being used?

 

The world of motorsport is all about weight reduction to create the fastest possible cars. Carbon fiber is the material of choice, so it’s not surprising to see it being used on this rather sporty-looking special edition Q3 43. My first thought was, like F1 cars, is this special edition Q3 43 built lighter than the regular version?

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The shafts of light you call god beams are lying to you about their shape. They look like a fan bursting out of a hole in the clouds, splaying wider as they fall toward the ground, but the beams are very nearly parallel. You are watching the same trick that makes railroad tracks pinch together at the horizon, just pointed at the sky.

 

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As someone who relies heavily on a geared head for precise hospitality work, the increasing demand for speed and video applications has left me considering how to integrate a hybrid ball head system into my professional workflow. Specifically, I was looking for a unit that acts as a traditional fluid head, yet retains the multi-axis freedom of a ball head for dynamic still photography—all without lugging around two different support systems.

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Most advice on personal projects follows the same order: settle on a concept, write a rationale, set some rules, and only then pick up the camera. That sequence keeps a body of work coherent, though it can also screen out the images you keep returning to before you have any idea why they pull at you.

 

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Crafting beautiful portraits with a simple camera and lighting setup is possible, and limiting our gear choices can lead to even more creative results. 

In my latest YouTube video, I demonstrate how I use natural light, strobe, and continuous light to create portraits. Instead of focusing on a ton of gear, I use simple setups, starting with just a window, and then show how I can use one Westcott FJ100 M hot shoe flash and a Joel Grimes Beauty Dish, and later one Westcott L120-B continuous light with the same modifier, to create varied results.

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Background blur is usually the first effect you learn to create on purpose, and that early success tends to shape how you shoot for years. The settings you lean on, from aperture to shutter speed to exposure mode, decide whether your images feel flat or deep long before you open an editor.

 

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