What Was The Best Camera of 2023?

The last few years have seen remarkably fast progress in camera technology, and 2023 was no different. What was your favorite camera of the year?

Why You Should Try Editing Old Photos Again

Photography is an ever-evolving art form, with technological advancements continuously reshaping how we capture and edit images in tandem with our own growth in skills and taste. Revisiting old photographs with today’s advanced editing tools offers a unique opportunity to breathe new life into past works. This practice is not only a testament to the growth of a photographer's skills but also a fascinating exploration of how modern tools can enhance images that were once considered finished and revitalize your portfolio without ever having to pull your camera out of the bag.

Why One Photographer Loves the Leica M11

The decision to upgrade camera gear, especially within high-end brands like Leica, is significant. The shift from the Leica M10 to the M11, for instance, represents not just a financial investment but also a commitment to a specific photographic approach and style. Here's why one photographer thought the upgrade was worth it.

Is This Lens the Sleeper Hit of 2023?

Viltrox has rapidly established itself as a reputable creator of lenses, combining commendable performance with affordability. At a mere $158, their AF 20mm f/2.8 continues this pattern of providing quality at a cost that undercuts many competitors. With its compact size and a focal length that fits a variety of scenarios, the question arises: does this economically priced lens have the capability to produce professional-grade imagery? This insightful video review delves into its real-world performance and the kind of image quality this lens can achieve.

Why We Should Get Excited About Landscape Photography 

When it comes to landscape photography, few other genres offer both the rewards and disappointments it can bring. However, we should avoid the easy route of annoyance and instead get excited about our landscape photography, and here's why! I understand the struggle – the elusive perfect composition, the uncooperative weather. It's easy to become frustrated, annoyed, and perhaps even consider giving up. But before you dismiss the excitement, I have something to share that might just change your perspective!

Why One Photographer Prefers Micro Four Thirds

Understanding why a photographer remains loyal to a particular system, like the Micro Four Thirds, can offer valuable insights into the nuances of photographic equipment, and in an age dominated by APS-C, full frame, and even medium format, the perspective of a micro four thirds user can be particularly good to hear.

The Challenges and Rewards of Large Format Photography

Large format is a unique process that requires a lot of specialized technique and expensive gear, but the results are unlike anything you've seen before. This awesome video takes you behind the scenes to show you the process and images.

Gear Confessions: 7 Photographers Share Their Best and Worst Purchases

Have you ever bought a piece of gear that promised to revolutionize your work or be the exact tool you needed just to find that it was a total dud? We all have those pieces sitting at the bottom of our gear closet that irk us every time they come in view. Alternately, we also all have pieces that have become our indispensable go-to’s that we can’t image shooting without. I asked five photographers to share their best and worst purchases. These juicy gear confessions are sure to land some pieces on your blacklist and others in your B&H cart.

Photographer Finally Admits: 'Honestly, I'm Just Taking Pictures'

Portland, Oregon: In an unexpectedly candid turn for the new year, local photographer Jack Bennett has resolved to ditch the artistic jargon and admit he's simply "taking pictures." This straightforward declaration is causing quite the stir in a community known for its often grandiloquent descriptions of their craft.

A Review of the Impressive Viltrox 27mm f/1.2 Lens

In recent years, Viltrox has earned considerable acclaim for producing high-quality lenses that are more affordable than similar options on the market. A notable example is the PRO Series AF 27mm f/1.2 Pro lens. Offering a 40mm equivalent focal length and an impressively wide aperture, this lens has become a compelling choice for a diverse range of creative professionals and uses. The detailed video review delves into the lens's performance and the quality of images it produces in real-world scenarios.

There Will Likely Be a Canon EOS R3 Mark II

The Canon EOS R3 was an impressive camera and represented a new camera line for the company, as Canon was abundantly clear that the R3 was not a replacement for a flagship EOS R1. As such, many people wondered if the EOS R3 would be a one-and-done camera meant as a stop-gap until the arrival of the EOS R1 or if Canon would release a second-generation model. It seems the latter is the case, with an EOS R3 Mark II planned for 2025.

We Review The Canon Speedlite EL-1: Flash for Demanding Photography

The Canon Speedlite EL-1 is a high-performance, professional-grade, weather-resistant flash, designed to meet the demands of the most demanding photographers. It features a powerful guide number of 60m (197 ft) at ISO 100, an insanely fast recycle time of 0.1-0.9 seconds, and up to 335 full-power flashes on a single charge. It also has a built-in LED modeling light for precise lighting control and a heavy-duty construction that will withstand the rigors of professional everyday use.

Crafting Legacy: A Filmmaker's Tribute to Artistic Roots

The journey of recognizing and embracing one's artistic identity is a profound theme that resonates with many photographers and creatives. This notion is beautifully explored in a video project where a filmmaker reflects on the artistic influences of his family, particularly his mother and grandmother, and how these shaped his own creative path. Such narratives are important, as they delve into the deep-seated connections between family, art, and legacy.

An Important Reminder for Every Photographer

The debate over whether expensive gear is essential for high-quality photography is ongoing in the photography community. A professional photographer's experiment with Sony's cheapest interchangeable lens camera for a week of professional work offers insightful perspectives on this topic and serves as a great reminder that you don't always need the latest and greatest.

Photographer Takes Direct Hit From NFL Pass

In the world of sports photography, capturing the perfect moment often comes with its risks, as vividly illustrated during Sunday's NFL game at MetLife Stadium. While the New York Jets and Washington Commanders battled it out on the field, a photographer, engrossed in capturing the intense action, experienced an unexpected hazard of the job.

The First 10 Things You Should Do When You Get a New Camera

Receiving a new camera during the holidays is a thrilling experience for any photography enthusiast. To ensure you make the most out of your new gadget, here’s a comprehensive, step-by-step guide of every important action you should take after you unbox that shiny new gadget.

How Good Is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes the respected Galaxy series and expands it with a nice range of new features and improvements, including a 200-megapiexel wide angle camera. With that impressive spec sheet, what kind of performance and image quality can you expect in usage? This excellent video review takes a look.

Finding the Art of Photography Later in Life

This inspirational video expose by photographer Lori Sloan proves that you can pick up a camera and create art at any age. Lori’s self-narration adds to the video, making it a piece of art on its own. It just may spark a little inspiration for you as well.
At a Crossroads: Will Photography Diminish or Evolve?

Photography, a medium that has consistently reinvented itself, now stands at an unprecedented crossroads. Revolutions like AI have led to a profound reevaluation of photography's role and essence. Is photography evolving or diminishing as an art form in this era of rapid technological change?

A Beginner's Guide to Landscape Photography

The essence of photography often gets lost in the complexity of technology and techniques. However, the key to becoming an exceptional photographer might be more straightforward than you think: it's all about simplifying every aspect of your craft. This principle holds the potential to not only streamline your process but also to enhance the quality of your work.

A Review of the Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM Lens

Supertelephoto lenses are tremendously useful, but they can also be quite expensive. If you are willing to sacrifice having a super-wide maximum aperture, Canon's RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM lens offers a lot of the flexibility of a supertelephoto lens without the stratospheric price. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

How I Photographed a Model on My Family Vacation

I have a love/hate relationship with family vacations. I enjoy going away for a few days with my wife and daughter, but it is not something I am super excited about and looking forward to each day in the months before the trip, the way most people do. Truth be told, I’m happier putting my money into buying a new lens rather than using it to book a plane ticket.

How Good Is the Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens?

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S pairs nicely with the Z 9 mirrorless camera to provide sports and wildlife photographers a heck of a combo for capturing fast action in just about any environment. Nonetheless, 400mm f/2.8 lenses are some of the most superlative options out there. So, can Nikon's attempt keep up with other manufacturers? This excellent video review takes a look at what you can expect.

Here Are the Less Talked About Features of the DJI Osmo Pocket 3

It seems like the whole world (or at least the photographic world) is buzzing about the new Osmo Pocket 3 from drone maker DJI. It's a portable, full featured kit for video makers, YouTube creatives, and even regular consumers who want to easily capture high quality 4K video with a gimbal mounted camera.

Canon's High-End 35mm Lens Is Finally on the Way

Canon has produced a nice stable of impressively capable lenses for their RF mirrorless mount cameras, but one option that creatives have been patiently waiting for is a high-end 35mm prime. It seems the way is almost over.

More Revolutionary Canon Lens Designs Emerge

Canon's RF lenses have seen some remarkable designs, including never-before-seen options. And it seems they are keeping the pedal to the floor, with a remarkable new design.

Three Things I Love About Photography

Regardless of my own personal passions, an objective man would say that all art is created equally. So, why is it that I have chosen photography as one of my main means of expression?

Fujifilm X100V Versus Fujifilm X-T5 With 23mm f/2 Lens

Fujifilm was the focus of our recent video where we compared two of its camera models: the Fujifilm X100V and the X-T5, equipped with the 23mm f/2.0 lens. This comparison isn't just about the cameras themselves, but rather a deeper look and comparison between the lenses.

iPhone 15 Pro Wins Best Camera Award 2023

Camera phones are now being taken more seriously than ever before. The improvements in technology have made it so that the results you can produce with a smartphone, in many cases, can rival those of "proper" cameras. And this year, one major award has been given to Apple for its latest flagship phone.

Kandao Launches a New Prosumer 8K 360 Camera, the Qoocam 3 Ultra

Kandao made quite a splash with the QooCam 3 earlier this year, undercutting its nearest competition by quite a few dollars to make a very good case on value versus performance. Kandao just announced that camera's bigger brother, the QooCam 3 Ultra, and it looks to take the same formula and amp it up.

People Can't Identify Fake AI Faces From Real Headshots

AI art-generating programs are progressively getting better and better at creating hyper-realistic images. For the last few months, I have been using AI to create headshot images of completely fake people with the lighting style of a few famous photographers. In this social experiement, I wanted to see if the average person could tell the difference between images of real people photographed by real photographers verses imaginary people created entirely with artificial intelligence. Take my quiz and view the results in what I call "Real vs AI Headshots."

We Review The Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4 Lens

For the last few weeks, I've been carrying around the new Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4 M mount lens. When I test new gear, I try to incorporate it into my everyday carry kit and use it on actual assignments and stories to see how it performs under real-world conditions. Sometimes, a piece of kit that looks great or has fantastic specs underperforms in the field; other times, you get something that exceeds expectations.

The Camera That Follows Me Everywhere

Early on as photographers, advice you often receive is to take your camera everywhere. I did this as a beginner and have advised others to do the same. That said, this camera is one I carry for a different reason, and here’s why.

Winter Photography: The Art and Challenge of Cold Weather Photography With Kevin Bruseby and Zoner Photo Studio X

Winter photography is a realm where Kevin Bruseby excels, capturing the stark and serene beauty of winter. His journey reflects a blend of discovery and unique challenges associated with capturing the essence of the coldest season. Drawing from the tranquil Scandinavian winters, Bruseby describes his journey as one filled with discovery and challenges.

How to Increase Your Landscape Print Sales With Panoramic Photographs

Photographers, are you looking for ways to increase your print sales? I have a few super simple but often overlooked concepts that are not only easy but successful. Jump in and let’s explore how you can make panoramic prints profitable.

Let’s discuss your market. Who buys your prints now and who do you want to buy them? Whether you sell through a gallery, your own website, an Etsy shop, or other art-focused platforms, you will find that buyers look for and purchase art for a reason. For landscape photographers buyers are often situational such as customers who have been...

Does the Photo Really Matter in Landscape Photography?

When it comes to landscape photography, the ultimate goal for many is to capture that next stunning shot, one worthy of being printed and hung on a wall, or shared online to be applauded by thousands, right? But do we truly appreciate the process and adventure that goes into securing these shots?

Make Your Ricoh GR III More Versatile With a NiSi Master Filter Kit

If you’re looking to add some versatility to your compact Ricoh GR III set up, a NiSi filter system is a fantastic choice. In this article, I’ll tell you about the Ricoh GR III Master Kit and why you might want to carry this super-lightweight bit of kit in your bag.

A Camera You Can't Buy Today: Fujifilm X100V

We've written about it numerous times, including my recent review called "The Unattainable." And even though the rumors of its successor are spreading rapidly, the Fujifilm X100V is still on many photographers' wish lists. Yet, the availability leaves many who do not want to buy aggressively priced used units just wishing for it, with low chances of getting one anytime soon.
Tips for Photographing Local Models While Traveling

Traveling and photography are a perfect match. It’s so fun to photograph in a new place. Yet, for portrait photographers, locating models while abroad can be a challenge. There's nothing more disheartening than finding yourself in an incredible place with no one to photograph. Here are some tips for finding models while you travel!

Respecting Spaces In Landscape Photography

As a general rule, landscape photography is a solitary sport, unless, of course, you are shooting in a well-known location or at a spot popular with non-photographers. In such cases, you may find yourself having to share the spot with others, and this is where problems can occur.

This Is a YouTube Game-Changer

You spend a lot of time storyboarding, filming, editing, grading, sound designing, and polishing your next viral video before uploading it to YouTube. But how do you know if it will be good, great, or even flop? Well, it seems there's a game-changing tool on its way, and it's coming directly from YouTube.

My First Time With a Pen and Tablet: Wacom's One 13 Touch

When I look back on the end of 2023, it'll be at Wacom's One 13 Touch. That's where it's going to start for me. I'm a bit older, and I've been using Photoshop for decades with a mouse. I was curious if I'd learn that the phrase about teaching dogs new tricks, old as this one may be, would prove to be true or not. Let's also take a look at whether the entry-point price for the One 13 Touch should tempt the rest of us who haven't jumped yet.