Fujifilm’s Best Standard Zoom? A Look at the XF 16-55mm f/2.8 II

The Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II lens is the brand’s new flagship standard zoom, offering a versatile focal range and bright aperture. If you need a workhorse lens for everything from landscapes to portraits, this could be worth a look.

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This was Difficult!
Critique the Community

This was Difficult!

Your Most Complicated Photoshoot

Welcome to the February 2025 Critique the Community Contest!  For this contest and critique we wanted to switch up the theme a bit by asking you to submit the most difficult and challenging images you've ever taken.

Submission Deadline:
February 27th 2025 - 10:45pm
Why Choosing the Right Profile Matters in Editing

Choosing the right profile before editing can change the way your image looks and how much control you have over the final result. Different profiles apply varying levels of contrast, saturation, and tonal adjustments, making them a critical first step in post-processing.

What’s Missing From Your Trip? A Bag That Does More Than Hold Your Camera

When it comes to photography trips, I always make sure my dedicated camera bag is packed with everything I need to capture my next shot. My gear is safely stored, ready for quick action when the location and conditions allow. But something that often gets overlooked is the extra equipment—clothing, accessories, and other essentials for the journey.

Why You Should Try Shooting in 16x9

The 16x9 aspect ratio is everywhere, from televisions to smartphones, but it’s rarely a first choice when composing still images. It’s an option on many cameras, yet most people either ignore it or only use it occasionally. There’s a reason to reconsider that.

A Tiny $99 Autofocus Lens: Is It Worth It?

The Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 XF lens is one of the most compact autofocus lenses you can get. It weighs next to nothing and turns your camera into something truly pocketable. But is it worth the $99 price tag? There are some trade-offs to consider, and some of them may be deal-breakers depending on how you shoot.

Minimalist Winter Photography

The stark contrast of winter between the white snow and dark skies brings out compositions that wouldn’t be possible in other seasons. If you’re drawn to clean, simple images, this kind of environment offers an opportunity to refine your eye and experiment with composition in new ways.

Signs You’re a Better Photographer Than You Think

It's easy to underestimate your own skills. You compare your work to others, feel stuck, or convince yourself you’re not improving. But there are clear signs that show you’re better than you think. Recognizing them can help build confidence and keep you moving forward.

The Gear and Planning You Need for Wedding Photography

Wedding photography requires more than just showing up with a camera. From securing bookings to planning for lighting conditions, every step before the wedding day impacts your results. The right preparation ensures a smooth experience, minimizes surprises, and helps you capture meaningful images.

Do These 5 Things Instead of Buying New Gear

We are bombarded with videos and articles talking about the latest and greatest gear. No wonder we, as photographers, start to think we need new or better gear to improve our photography. But instead of buying gear, start practicing these five things to really improve your landscape photography.

Why Social Media Is Making Your Photography Worse

Social media rewards predictable photography. Popular trends get likes, shares, and engagement, but they don’t necessarily make you better. If you want to improve, you need to stop repeating the same shots that flood Instagram and start thinking more critically about what you create.

Why Telephoto Lenses Can Improve Your Landscape Photography

Wide angle lenses dominate landscape photography, but they aren’t the only option. Telephoto lenses offer a different perspective, bringing compression, depth, and new composition possibilities. They let you isolate details, enhance layers, and create a more immersive feel in vast environments.

How to Avoid Airline Hassles With Photography Equipment

Traveling with camera gear can be stressful. Security checks, weight limits, and the risk of lost or stolen equipment add to the challenge. The right strategies can make a huge difference in avoiding unnecessary hassles.

Fun With Still Life: What if Quentin Tarantino Reworked an Andy Warhol Classic?

When your love of art and cinema intersect, all kinds of creative possibilities can emerge. Wanting to do some kind of photographic homage to Andy Warhol’s soup cans, I imagined Quentin Tarantino looking at this iconic work of art and thinking, “Maybe that needs a little extra something.”
Official Share Woman’s Intimate Images but Receive No Consequences

In 2019, Haley Olson’s private images were exposed when officials in Grant County, Oregon, accessed her cell phone data without a warrant. Olson, who operated a legal marijuana dispensary in Oregon, became the center of a controversy after her intimate images stored on her phone were shared among local law enforcement personnel.

The Wonderfully Atmospheric Urban Landscapes of Greg Girard

Canadian photographer Greg Girard left Vancouver in the 1970s to explore Southeast Asia with his camera. His colorful, atmospheric landscapes showed us a very different and unfamiliar part of the world that, for Westerners at that time, was much less traveled and even less well known.

5 Things To Know Before Photographing Your First Beach Wedding

The romance of a beach wedding is undeniable, but so are the obstacles photographers face. Whether it’s harsh lighting, strong winds, or unexpected crowds, mastering beach wedding photography requires skill and adaptability.

What Really Makes Video Cinematic

Making your footage look cinematic isn’t just about lighting. It’s a combination of elements—camera settings, lens choice, composition, motion blur, and color grading—all working together. You might have the right gear, but if the image lacks depth, movement, or the right tone, it won’t have that polished, film-like quality.

Signs You’re Becoming a Better Photographer

Self-doubt is a constant in creative work. You might question whether your images are any good or if your work stands out. That uncertainty isn’t unique to you—many struggle with it, even experienced professionals. The challenge is defining what makes a good photographer when taste, style, and subjectivity play such a big role.

A Smarter Way to Capture Street Photos Without Constant Walking

Walking 20,000 to 40,000 steps on a photo walk isn’t always practical. Sometimes, you need a way to capture compelling images without constant movement. A method called the "fishing technique" offers an alternative, letting you stay in one spot and wait for the right moment instead of chasing subjects.

Personal Criteria That Make a Strong Image

Over the years, I’ve come to realize that creating a strong image isn’t about following a rigid compositional formula but about finding harmony in the interplay of light, composition, subject, and intent that blends both technical precision and emotional connection. These elements, when thoughtfully considered, can transform an ordinary scene into something outstanding. In this article, I’ll share the criteria that I believe define a strong image, based on insights gained through years of trial, error, and reflection.

The Special Ability That Separates Great Portrait Photographers From Good Ones

Mastery of the camera, a keen photographic eye, and excellent timing are all prerequisites for being a good portrait photographer. But there’s another quality that is much harder to come by and less often talked about, yet it can distinguish a great portrait photographer from a good one.

Mastering Black and White Photography: Essential Techniques

Black and white photography forces you to see light, texture, and form in ways that color photography doesn’t. Stripping away color makes you focus on contrast and composition, helping you create images with depth and mood. If you’ve never spent a day shooting only in black and white, it’s a great way to train your eye.

Which Budget Color Film Is Best?

With film prices ever increasing, budget-conscious photographers are always on the hunt for the best results at the lowest price. Of the cheapest mainstream offerings, which one delivers the best performance?

SmallRig’s RC 220B Pro LED Video Light Reviewed: Smart Features and Flexibility

SmallRig has recently unveiled the RC 220B Pro LED Video Light, marking a significant evolution in its COB lighting lineup. Promising professional-grade performance in a lightweight, compact package, the RC 220B Pro is positioned to be the go-to light for video creators of all levels. I’ve had the opportunity to put it through its paces in real-world production environments to see how it stacks up.

Adaptive Profiles in Lightroom: A Look at the Latest Update

Lightroom’s newest update introduces Adaptive Profiles, a tool that changes how you can approach editing. Instead of applying a standard profile, these profiles intelligently adjust to your image, giving you a different kind of automatic enhancement. If you rely on auto settings, this could be an alternative worth exploring.

The Best Standard Zoom Lens for Fuji X Mount

Not all standard zoom lenses are created equal, even when they cover similar focal ranges. Fuji has refreshed its lineup with two new lenses, while Sigma’s popular budget-friendly option remains in the mix. Whether you need the best sharpness, the fastest autofocus, or the most compact option, here's a good guide to what's best for your needs.

The Reality of Shooting 100 Rolls of Film on a Road Trip

Shooting film on the road presents unique challenges, from managing limited exposures to ensuring your gear and film stay in working condition. For a long trip, especially in remote areas, planning becomes essential.

15 Tips That Will Instantly Improve Your Photos

Mastering composition, light, and perspective can elevate your photography in ways that gear alone can’t. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, understanding these elements makes a difference.

From Start-Up Curiosity to Cultural Colossus: A 20-Year History of YouTube

On February 14, 2025, YouTube celebrates its 20th anniversary—a milestone that invites deep reflection on how a single website, originally conceived as a platform for sharing simple video clips, evolved into a global cultural powerhouse. Over two tumultuous decades, YouTube has transformed media hierarchies, empowered ordinary individuals to become creators, and reshaped public discourse on a myriad of social, political, and cultural issues.

Tamron Patent Points to Exciting New Lens

Tamron may be eyeing an ambitious new lens: a 200–800mm ultra-telephoto zoom for mirrorless cameras. A recently published patent in Japan reveals optical designs for a Tamron 200-800mm f/6.7 lens, as well as a companion 200-600mm f/5.6 design​.

Media Embrace Content Credentials to Fight Deepfakes

Media organizations and tech companies are increasingly adopting an open standard called Content Credentials to verify the authenticity of images and combat the spread of deepfakes. This standard, developed by a broad coalition, embeds provenance data and digital signatures into photos and videos, allowing anyone to check if and how a piece of media has been edited. Real-world implementations are already proving its value in news verification and helping restore trust in digital media.

How to Capture Fog Like a Pro

Fog transforms a landscape, softening edges and adding depth, but photographing it requires careful planning. Light, shutter speed, and composition all play a role in how the final image turns out.

This Budget Camera Is So Bad, It’s Almost Impressive

The Andoer 18-megapixel digital camera is one of the cheapest cameras you can buy on Amazon, but is it even worth the 23 bucks? If you've ever wondered just how bad a budget camera can get—or if there’s any way to make it work—you’re in for a ride.

Why Your Wildlife Photos Look Soft (It’s Not Your Lens)

Heat haze ruins sharp images, and you might not even realize it’s happening. You can have the best lens, perfect settings, and great timing, but if you’re shooting through too much turbulent air, your images will come out soft. Wildlife photography is especially vulnerable to this problem, and if you’re shooting at long distances, the effect is even worse.