Trending Photography News and Reviews

We Review the Slimmest Fujifilm Autofocus Lens: The Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5

After making headlines for producing one of the slimmest full frame mirrorless autofocus lenses last year, Viltrox has made a bold move by making it available for the Fujifilm X-mount as well to fill a market gap. Introducing the Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 Fujifilm X-Mount, also known as a “chip” lens, resembling a potato chip—a reference to how thin the lens is. This Chinese lens maker even carries on the humor by featuring a bag of chips in the lens announcement poster, which was published on their Chinese social media.

Is This the Best New 35mm Lens?

Viltrox’s new AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB FE lens brings an extra-wide aperture to Sony full frame cameras, letting you blur backgrounds and shoot in dim venues without pushing ISO. That mix of speed and moderate width gives photographers room to frame environmental portraits while you keep distractions melting away behind your subject.

Mastering Framing Techniques for Stunning Landscape Photos

Framing is one of the most powerful tools in photography. It’s not just about what’s in your shot, but how you use the environment to draw attention to your subject. The way you position elements within your frame can turn a simple scene into something extraordinary, guiding the viewer’s eye and adding layers of meaning to your image.

Sony Launches a1 II: A Second-Generation Flagship Full Frame Camera

Sony Electronics has officially unveiled the a1 II, a follow-up to its 2021 flagship a1. Combining high resolution, speed, and advanced AI-powered features, the a1 II aims to serve professionals in fields like photojournalism, wildlife, sports, and commercial photography.

Smarter Editing With Photoshop’s Overhauled Actions Panel

For the first time in over a decade, Photoshop’s Actions panel is getting a significant update. If you want a faster, smarter way to try out edits or explore effects without needing to build custom actions from scratch, this new feature is worth a look.

We Got Our Hands on the Beautiful New Fujifilm GFX100RF and Loved It!

Fujifilm has just announced its smallest and lightest medium format camera yet, the GFX100RF, in the heart of Prague, and we couldn’t miss it. What are our first impressions? Does it hold up to expectations? Or does it exceed them? In short, yes. But you’re not here for the short version, are you

The One-Camera, One-Lens Travel Experiment: Was It Worth the Risk?

The idea of traveling with just one camera and one lens wasn’t something I decided on a whim for my most recent trip to Hong Kong. If I am being honest, it was mainly inspired by Leica’s design philosophy, Das Wesentliche, or "the essentials," when I read about it a few months back.

Selective Editing Techniques for Richer Landscapes

When editing landscape photos, your handling of colors and tones can define whether an image truly comes alive or falls flat. Knowing how to enhance details without overdoing it is crucial to producing compelling images.

My Review of the Vintage Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan 100mm f/2.8

It’s one of the more popular vintage lenses: the Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan 100mm f/2.8. It’s famous for its soap bubble bokeh. You either love the effect, or you hate it. I decided to buy one and used it on a Canon EOS R5. I want to tell you about my findings.

Sony Needs to Dive Back Into High-End Point-and-Shoot Cameras Like the RX100

In my quest for a pocketable camera that doesn't also take phone calls, I've arrived at Camp Sony. While I wanted the camera that every tech writer calls one of the best point and shoots ever made, the RX100 VII, between stock and price, I actually arrived at its video focused cousin, the ZV-1. And it makes me wonder: Why don't we have more of these kinds of cameras?

Backlighting vs. Shade: Mastering Outdoor Portrait Light

Choosing between shade and backlighting for outdoor portraits can dramatically affect how your subject appears. Knowing when to use each can elevate the quality and style of your photography significantly.

Why the Canon R1 and R5 Mark II Aren't for Me

There is quite a lot of excitement about the new Canon cameras. Of course, the much-anticipated Canon flagship is bound to attract attention, as well as the much-improved Canon R5 Mark II, which builds on the legacy of the famous R5. Yet, I am not buying any of these cameras. Here’s why.

3 Reasons You Should Stop Over-Editing Your Images

As a professional photographer, the issue of over-editing is a topic that holds significant importance in our work. In this case, the term over-editing refers to the excessive use of post-processing tools and techniques, often resulting in images that deviate from the natural and authentic representation of the subject. While we cannot deny that the process of editing is an essential aspect of photography, overprocessing images can sometimes compromise the integrity of the image and do more harm than necessary. Here are several reasons why one should refrain from over-editing their images.

Shooting Medium Format Portraits With the Fujifilm GF 32-64mm f/4

When you think portraits, you likely don't think of using a wide-angle zoom lens, nor a lens as slow as f/4, but you should. In this video, go behind-the-scenes of a portrait shoot with exactly that lens and see just how strong the results can be.
Why Your Travel Photos Feel Bland (and How to Fix Them)

Travel photography is at a crossroads, struggling between authenticity and uniformity. Smartphones, AI-generated images, and overtourism are transforming what it means to photograph places and cultures.

The Advice Film Director Stanley Kubrick Left to All Photographers

You may not have been aware that film director Stanley Kubrick was also a professional photographer, having shot assignments for magazines before he ever made any of his award-winning movies. So what did his photographer’s eye bring to his movies, and what can we learn from his creative process?

Why Film Photography Still Matters Today

Film photography has seen a resurgence in recent years, captivating many enthusiasts with its authenticity. Exploring this trend reveals the nuances of film versus digital and why both have their place in today's photography landscape.

Review of the SmallRig VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount Battery

There is a lot of power required for video recordings, often more than a normal camera battery can deliver for an extended period of time. An external battery can be the answer to that problem. I have reviewed the excellent SmallRig VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount battery.

The Key to Tack-Sharp Photography

Fact: Depth of field will remain constant across all formats and focal lengths as long as the aperture and the image size remain the same. There are several factors that determine how sharp, or not sharp, an image may be. One of those is depth of field, and another is the movement of the subject matter that occurs while the shutter is open. Here, I will discuss depth of field.

Do You Know All 9 of These Adobe Lightroom Tricks?

Whether you have been using Adobe Lightroom for years or are brand new to it, there are always little efficiency tricks or subtle features you can use to make your editing more efficient. As a long-time Lightroom user, I even found a few of these tricks new to me!

We Review The Godox AD600 Pro II

It's been more than five years since the release of the original Godox AD600 Pro, and we finally have version two. Let’s see what’s new.

Flash‑Ambient Balance Made Simple

Balancing on‑location flash with existing light sits at the heart of compelling portrait work. Photographers who understand how a slight shift in ambient exposure reshapes mood and subject separation gain tools that make creative intent feel effortless rather than frustrating.

Advanced Lightroom Edits Without Photoshop

Removing unwanted elements from your images can drastically change their impact, and knowing how to quickly and effectively achieve this within Lightroom alone can streamline your editing workflow.

My Field Review of the KEKS KF01 Flash

Photography gear is constantly evolving, redefining what it means to be “professional.” Once, carrying massive DSLRs and powerful flashes was the mark of a serious photographer—now, smaller, more efficient setups are taking over.

Upgrade Your Photo Editing With Lightroom’s New Masking Tools

If you're still editing your photos in Lightroom Classic the same way you always have, the addition of AI-powered masking could significantly change your approach. Adobe's updates have transformed what used to be complex adjustments into simple and powerful masking tools that provide better results faster.

Is the WANDRD PRVKE Worth It? A Deep Dive Into Its Design and Usability

There are plenty of camera bag options on the market today. Brands have introduced several styles and options in endless colors and features for every type of photographer. WANDRD is no different, but it offers some unique styles compared to its competitors. The PRVKE 31L is one of those bags. But how does it compare to other bags on the market?

Soft, Warm, and Cinematic: Formatt Hitech Bloom Gold Diffusion Filter Review

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.

Dreamy Pastel Color Grading in Lightroom

Pastel color grading is a subtle yet powerful way to make your photos stand out, and you can achieve it easily with some simple tweaks in Lightroom. If you’ve ever wanted to experiment with color grading but felt overwhelmed, this method offers an approachable way to elevate your work.

Quickly Remove People and Objects in Lightroom

Removing unwanted objects from your photos is now easier than ever thanks to Lightroom's new AI-powered removal tool. Knowing how to properly use this tool can quickly elevate your editing skills and save you significant time during post-processing.

Master Your Craft: Must-Listen Podcasts for Aspiring Photographers

Over the last few years, I have searched for podcasts to listen to while editing photos or hitting the road. Podcasts are an excellent way to pass the time and learn new information. There are many to sift through in the world of podcasting and photography. Here are several of my favorite podcasts to help pass the time and learn something new!

Field Review: Godox Lux Master Retro Camera Flash

I’m a victim of Instagram ads. They are responsible for an unsettling number of impulse purchases I’ve made, and the most recent is the Godox Lux Master Retro Camera Flash.

You Said It: Why Sensor Size Isn’t the Whole Story

What matters more—sensor size or how a camera fits into your real-world workflow? Recent comments from our Fstoppers community made me curious to delve into how typical photographers feel, and it revealed a lot more than just APS-C vs. full frame preferences.

Polarpro’s New Products To Help You Get To Grips With Your Leica Q3 or Fuji X100 Series

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!

Transforming Mobile Shots With Leica's Lux Grip

The Leica LUX app brought some fresh tools to mobile photography, but handling your phone like a real camera? That’s where the LUX Grip steps in. This isn’t just a Bluetooth shutter button. It’s an ergonomic extension that is meant to give you a DSLR-style hold while unlocking full control over your iPhone’s native features and LUX app functionality.

We Review the Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens

Sigma’s new 28-105mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is the latest addition to the Art lens series. It's a wide angle to medium telephoto lens, making it an ideal choice for a variety of shooting styles and genres. Thanks to its constant f/2.8 aperture, you’ll get consistent brightness no matter how much you zoom, offering both flexibility and great image quality. Whether you’re capturing sweeping landscapes, taking portraits with smooth background blur, or even shooting videos, this lens is built to perform.

Why and How to Make the Leap From Lightroom to DxO Photolab 8

Switching from Lightroom to another digital asset management and development tool can be daunting for photographers. There are very good reasons to, and DxO PhotoLab 8 is one of the most compelling options. Here’s why and how a Sony Ambassador made the switch.

Adobe’s Photography Plan Price Changes: What You Need to Know

Adobe is adjusting the pricing of its popular photography plans, a change that impacts many users who rely on Lightroom, Photoshop, and other tools for their work. This is the first price hike since 2013, so understanding what’s changing and what it means for you is important to avoid surprises or unnecessary adjustments to your workflow.