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Articles written by Simon Burn

An iPhone Accessory To Improve Your Photography Experience: PolarPro LiteChaser Pro 16 Slim
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Since Apple's iPhone 16 was launched with the ability to shoot 4K 120 fps video with Dolby Vision, improved stabilization, and a new 48 MP ultra wide camera, iPhones have become more popular among content creators. At the very least, an iPhone is a great vlogging camera. So, of course, with all the great tech comes a hefty price tag. Well, that beautiful titanium phone needs protection.

Influencers Are Using Expensive Medium Format Cameras, But You Don't Need One!
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YouTube is a great place to learn about photography. You can discover how to do something, research gear, and get inspiration. However, the problem with most photography content is that it’s structured around selling you stuff you don’t need. The latest example—a huge example—is the idea that you might need a 100-megapixel medium format camera.

Thinking of Turning Pro? You’ll Get The Worst Advice on YouTube
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There are three pieces of really bad “pro advice” that have cropped up more than once on YouTube channels. We need to talk about this to help you avoid wasting time and losing money unnecessarily if you’re thinking about making a living from your camera.

The New Lumix S1R II Might Be The Best Hybrid Camera Launch of 2025
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Panasonic has launched the Lumix S1R II. After sitting through the media briefing, I wondered if I had been daydreaming. On paper, the Lumix S1R II is possibly the best hybrid camera on the market. The specs are simply incredible. Potentially, it’s a creator’s dream come true. Let’s take a look at why.

Leica’s Classic 50mm Summilux-M f/1.4 Has Been Reimagined
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Leica first made their Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 in 1959. It’s a classic focal length, arguably an essential lens for most genres of photography. This recent rebirth is based on the optical calculations of the second Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4, produced from 1962 to 2004.

This Slow Shutter Technique Is Worth Trying
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If you want to improve your photography, experimenting with new techniques to achieve more creative and interesting results is the way to go. I did just that recently while out doing street photography by playing with a slow shutter speed while shooting handheld.

Shifting From Photographer To Videographer: Where Do You Start?
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You’ve been a photographer for many years, and you’re curious about making videos. After all, your camera likely has some amazing video capabilities. But moving to video is daunting; there’s so much more involved than still photography. Here are a few thoughts to help you get started.

Do You Own The Best Photography Book of All Time?
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The Decisive Moment is arguably one of the greatest photography books ever published, featuring photos from Henri Cartier-Bresson that capture the precise instant when all elements in a scene come together perfectly to create a powerful and meaningful image.

It’s Better to Be an Amateur Photographer Than a Pro
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After 38 years of making a living in photography—either behind the camera or directing other photographers—I’ve come to the conclusion that, for many, it might be best to keep photography as a hobby. It’s something I’ve been thinking about of late because photography in recent years has been elevated to such a glamorous career choice. Now it seems everyone wants to be a pro photographer and turn their hobby into a career. So allow me to share a few thoughts about this.

Polarpro’s New Products To Help You Get To Grips With Your Leica Q3 or Fuji X100 Series
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If you own a Leica Q3 or Fuji X100 series camera, you’ll fit into one of two camps: those who love the simple, old-school design of the cameras and are happy to use them as is, or those who don’t like the lack of grip. Up until now, there have been very few options to help those wanting a more comfortable solution when holding their little retro-styled cameras. But fear not, PolarPro has just launched a few products to solve this issue. And one of those options is rather sexy too!

Soft, Warm, and Cinematic: Formatt Hitech Bloom Gold Diffusion Filter Review
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Why would you need one? I wondered that a year ago, and now I’m obsessed with mist/diffusion filters. It happened when I started taking filmmaking seriously. I use very sharp modern lenses for my filming and photography and wasn’t happy with the crisp, sterile results I was getting. I wanted a more natural, organic feel. I’ve tested many kinds of mist/diffusion filters, and now I’ve finally found one I really love.

My Best Photography Advice for 2025
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You’ve got your new upgraded camera, maybe a new lens, and Santa delivered a cool new magnetic filter kit. Now you’re all set this year to take sharper photos, faster, without reflections. But is this enough to help you become a better photographer in 2025? Spoiler: No. It may actually make you a worse photographer.

Is Your Photography of Something, or About Something?
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I’ve noticed that dramatic photos, full of bright colors from a sunset or a scenic view, get the most likes on social media. People aren’t liking the photographer’s skillful technique; they’re liking what they’re seeing—the colors, the location, etc. Of course, many of these photos are taken by photographers solely because of the colors or the view, with no other reason.

Landscape and street photography, in particular, saturate social media feeds, and most of the photos are simply nice views, vibrant colors, or dramatic, high-contrast lighting. Then there are those who...

Why I Choose the Nikon Z9 Over the Z8 for Video
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I read a quote recently that stated, “Buying a Z8 over a Z9 is a no-brainer.” Er, excuse me, may I add my two cents? Or maybe I should say, allow me to weigh in (you’ll get that pun later)…

Will AI Help You Become More Creative?
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We all want to improve our photography and create amazing images, right? We want to become more creative. Should we use technology to help us? Can it help us? I have some thoughts.

Editing Ideas For Midday Landscape Photography
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Rumor has it landscape photography on bright sunny days with blue skies is not a good idea. I would disagree. Here are a few ideas for editing photos shot in the midday sun that might just inspire you to go out and shoot more in bright conditions.

Does Gear Matter? One Pro’s Perspective
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Someone on social media stated “A pro would never use a Z50!” If you’re not familiar with Nikon, this is their crop sensor entry-level camera, costing $860. I’ve heard similar statements dozens of times—matter-of-fact assertions about what pros do, usually made by photographers who aren’t actually professionals.

The Best Single Lens for Travel Filmmaking: 24-70mm
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I love prime lenses—they’re always my preference—but I had to travel across Spain recently to make a documentary film and was traveling light. I had to pick my lenses carefully, so I chose the 24-70mm as my main lens. I quickly discovered it was the perfect travel lens.

The Joy of Using Vintage Lenses on Modern Cameras
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Modern lenses are perfectly sharp and crisp. But perfection is overrated and can be rather boring. I have a solution to add some character back into my photography and videos.