Photography News

If you want to find out about six essential apps for night (and day) photography, you've come to the right place. Whether you have iOS or Android, these apps will greatly enhance your photography. The sixth one is surely one that doesn't make it on many photography app lists!

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Street photography is a story of two halves. On the one hand, you can quite literally stroll down a street and capture some shots; whether it’s with your phone, a retro camera, or a modern DSLR, you’ll be doing street photography in one way or another.

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The hardest part of being a photographer often isn’t taking great photos, it’s running a sustainable business. Shoots come and go, and when the calendar looks thin, panic sets in. That’s why repeat clients matter more than almost anything else in your business model. A client who hires you again and again is worth far more than a new one you have to chase.

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It’s been years since a 200mm f/2 prime lens hit the market, and Sigma has finally brought one back. For portrait work, the lens opens doors to a unique look you won’t get from the usual 85mm or 70–200mm zooms.

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Mixing APS-C lenses with full frame cameras has long been considered a mistake, something you’d never want to do if you cared about image quality. But depending on your needs, it can be a smart and practical choice. The trade-offs aren’t as black and white as they first seem, and in some cases, the benefits may actually outweigh the downsides.

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There’s a moment every photographer faces when a single image makes you pause. It might not even be the most technically perfect photo you’ve taken, but something about it hits differently. You keep wondering if you’ve already hit your peak: "what if that was the best I’ll ever do?"

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Zoner Studio has been named EISA Photo Software of the Year 2025–2026, an honor that highlights its balance of accessibility and professional-grade performance. The award, presented by the Expert Imaging and Sound Association (EISA), recognizes products that stand out for innovation, usability, and impact across the photo industry.

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Hasselblad has unveiled the X2D II 100C, a 100-megapixel medium format body that expands on the original X2D with HDR capture, AF-C continuous autofocus, and a stabilization system the company rates at up to 10 stops. The announcement also includes a new standard zoom, the XCD 2.8–4/35–100E, along with a line of 86mm filters and a camera backpack.

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Canals were once used to transport goods to towns and cities right across the UK and as a result, there are still plenty of waterways running through our city streets. The long canals, bridges and lock gates that once supplied goods now supply ample photography opportunities and as they all have public walkways, you're not going to upset anyone if you spend an hour two with your camera at the side of one.

 

1. Gear Suggestions

When you're heading out of the door make sure you have your wide-angle and telephoto lens with you. A tripod would also be handy if you want to try and smooth the waterfall of water that sometimes flows over the lock gates. You may also want to check you've got your polarising filter as this can help eliminate the problems you get with reflections when photographing water.
 

2. Go Wide 

If you want to include some of the homes, offices and bars in your shot take out your wide-angle lens. You'll be able to capture the urban setting and also exaggerate the length of the canal or any of the longboats that are on it. If the canal's your main point of interest use your telephoto lens to bring the boats, locks or any other background interest to you. You can get a great shot by standing on a bridge over the centre of the canal.
 

3. Look For Locks 

Locks are an attractive feature on the canal so try and focus your attention on one as a boat passes through or slow down your shutter speed and make the water gushing over the lock your focus of the image. If you have a series of lock gates they're perfect for bringing symmetry to your shot.

 

 

4. Leading Lines 

As the canal's a straight line of water you've got several leading lines to help you with your composition. Try framing up so you have the canal entering from one corner, leading the eye into and through the image. It's a great way to guide the viewer to a particular focal point in the city. You can use the bridges that stretch over the canals to frame parts of the city too just watch your exposure and bracket if you need to.
 

5. People Watching 

It's trendy to have a bar or home by the water which gives you the opportunity to include people in your scene. Places such as the Victoria Quays in Sheffield or the more famous Camden Lock have bars, restaurants and apartments surrounding the water and they're often buzzing with activity. Try shooting some candids of people relaxing by the lock or take a walk around, shooting from the hip as you stroll.
 

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Shooting an A to Z photo project is a more versatile area of photography than you might first think. You can, of course, shoot items that begin with each letter of the alphabet, but it's much more fun and testing at times if you shoot things that are shaped like letters.

 

What Gear Do I Need?

As letters can be found in various locations at different heights and angles you'll probably want to take a zoom lens out on your journey with you so you can shoot wide and also at longer focal lengths without the added weight of multiple lenses weighing your bag down. 

 

The Search

Some letters will jump out of the subject at you with ease while others will take a little more thinking about. Make sure you carry a checklist to keep a track of letters you've captured and you may find it easier to think about one letter at a time rather than hunting for several in one go. 

This project will have you walking all over so wear a comfy pair of shoes and of you have kids, this is a great thing to get them involved in, too.

 

Some Suggestions 

Branches make good candidates and also rocks with holes in can make great 'A's or 'P's. Anything that looks even remotely like a letter will create a quirky and fun piece of photography. A lamp-post, for example, will make a great 'I' while the end of a bench looks like an 'L' if you look closely enough. Once you've found all of your letters, try turning them into one big collage that you can hang on your wall. You'll probably find yourself capturing the near and far, the small and large, the straight and the curved, in sunshine and shade so this project is a great way to challenge yourself and your photography skills.

 

 

A Twist On The Theme

The other thing that you could try with this theme is an A - Z of photography styles. B for Black and White, S for sepia, etc. This is probably suited to more experienced photographers who know more terminology, though.

Another more fun thing you can try is getting a group of friends to pose as all the letters of the alphabet or as mentioned above, capture objects that begin with each letter of the alphabet. If you've already tried an alphabet project why not take on a number challenge instead? 

Be experimental with this - there are no real rules other than that the photos must represent the alphabet in some way. You could make it more challenging by limiting yourself to inside or outside objects, for example. But most importantly, though, it's about having fun and enjoying your photography!

 

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

You bought all that autofocus and stabilization for a reason. Don’t handcuff it with a timid ISO. If the choice is “clean noise” or “clean motion,” pick motion every time; blur is forever, noise is negotiable.

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Many real estate images you see online don’t tell the full story. You’re often only shown a polished selection, which can make you second-guess your own work. Knowing how professionals really operate gives you a clearer perspective on what matters and where to put your focus.

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This is lightning season for large parts of the U.S. and Europe and the rest of the world, especially in the Northern Hemisphere.

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Creating flattering portraits isn’t just about telling someone how to stand. The way you position your subject, the lens you use, and the angle you shoot from all come together to decide how your subject actually looks in the final image. Small changes in these areas can completely transform how someone appears, which is why learning to control them matters so much.

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The Sigma 12mm f/1.4 DC Contemporary lens steps into a rare corner of the APS-C lineup. Wide primes at this focal length are scarce, and that means fewer choices when you want a compact lens with a dramatic perspective. Sigma’s newest option is designed for those who need strong low-light performance, portability, and a field of view that lets you capture more of a scene without stepping back.

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The Canon 5D changed the game when it first launched, giving you full frame image quality at a price that was shockingly low for the time. Two decades later, it’s fascinating to look back and see just how much this camera still offers, even with all its quirks and limitations.

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1. Where To Go? 

Meadows with wildflowers growing in abundance are great places for photographing butterflies but please don't trespass on other people's property. You could also visit one of the many nature reserves or public gardens found right across the UK.

If you can't get out and about to photograph butterflies it's worth growing plants in your garden or window boxes etc. that will attract butterflies. These include Aubrieta, Buddleia, Primrose, Honeysuckle, Lavender, Lilac, Marigold, Phlox, Mint, and Thyme. Get to know which plants caterpillars feed upon, too, as you can plant them in your garden or look out for them on your travels.
 

2. Buy A Guide

A butterfly guide book can be very useful in identifying the species whilst out in the field. Occasionally, you may come across a species which is rare or not even native to the UK, it’s handy to know if you have spotted a rare species or even one in decline so you can report your sighting. Of course, you can also use the internet once back home for your research. 

 

 

3. Time Of Day

The best time of day to maximise your chances of photographing butterflies will be early morning or in the evening as they don't move around as quickly. At these times, you may even be lucky enough to see one emerging or covered in dew which can make for that extra special photograph. 

Try to stand/approach them so your shadow doesn't cover them as they'll tend to fly off in search of a sunnier spot. 

If you start out early and temperatures are relatively cool then you may get lucky and find a few sleeping. By approaching slowly and quietly you may be able to move distracting stems etc. out of the way without disturbing your subject, to help with a more pleasing composition. Do take care not to destroy their habitat as many species are declining in numbers.
 

4. Shutter Speeds & Set-Up

Another way to increase your chances of capturing a good shot is by switching to burst mode / continuous shooting. By doing so your camera will rapidly take a series of shots.

Instead of chasing a butterfly around your garden, it can be easier to find a plant you know they like and set up nearby. Then you just have to wait patiently for your subject to land on the part of the plant you're framed upon. It can be a little hit and miss and you will, more than likely, end up waiting a while but on a warm summer's day, having to sit out in your garden isn't really a bad way to pass a few hours!

 

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

 

A view of the Mekong River in Laos features a balanced composition and natural light.

Titled Mekong Views Laos and taken by Backabit, the photo places the river in the foreground, with trees along the banks and steep limestone cliffs rising behind. Additional layers of trees and hills extend into the distance, enhancing the sense of depth. The light is soft and even, bringing out detail across the scene. There’s a stillness to the image that feels grounded—calm, enduring, and true to the landscape.

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!

Before you price out another lens, open your menu. Hiding behind plain names like “histogram,” “focus limiter,” and “touchpad AF” are five switches that quietly raise your keeper rate, clean up color, and shave hours off your edit. Flip them once, and your camera stops acting like a bag of parts and starts behaving like a partner. Your next upgrade isn’t in a shopping cart. It’s already in your hands.

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The opening round of the 2025 US Open was supposed to be a routine night of tennis. Instead, it turned into one of the wildest scenes the sport has witnessed in years, complete with a photographer on the court, a furious Daniil Medvedev berating the chair umpire, and Benjamin Bonzi somehow surviving the chaos to win in five sets.

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